MXPA00000230A - Disposable absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article (10), more specifically to a disposable absorbent article comprised of three or more longitudinal absorbing panels (40,40',40"), separated by channels and capable of generally reciprocally pivoting, thus providing a product that can be dynamically adapted to the user's body and provided with fast absorption of body fluids released thereon.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article, very specifically to a disposable absorbent article comprising three or more longitudinal panels separated by channels and capable of a generally reciprocal pivoting movement, thereby providing a product dynamically adaptable to the user's body and able to quickly absorb body fluids released on it. Disposable absorbent articles are consumer articles widely known in the current art. Typical examples are diapers for incontinent children and adults, feminine towels, adhesive bandages for wounds, breast protectors for mothers in the lactation phase, sweat absorbers and the like. In the subsequent, for the purpose of description and solely for reasons of exemplification, the feminine intimate towels (eventually referred to as "feminine towels" or even simply as "towels"), the object of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are described not excluding the protection of any other type of disposable absorbent article whose characteristics are inserted within the scope of the invention and claimed at the end of this description.

Likewise, in the following text there are references to the "top layer" and the "cover layer" comprising absorbent articles known in the art. In general, known absorbent articles comprise an absorbent core sandwiched between two so-called top layer and top layer. The upper layer, which is normally flexible and fluid permeable, is designed to make contact with the body of the user, and its purpose is to allow the flow of body fluids towards the absorbent center. In a fairly common way, it is a non-woven layer or perforated plastic film. The coating layer is impermeable or resistant to fluid flow and is designed to prevent fluid from spilling from the absorbent core, which could otherwise contaminate and soil the user's garments. In a fairly common way, it is a thin, non-perforated plastic layer. The upper layer and the covering layer can be individual or be composed of more than one material having one or more coatings, and typically their dimensions are a little higher than those of the absorbent center between them, so they are attached (glued together) , adhered, sealed, welded, sewn or by any other means known in the art) to one another along its perimeter. Similarly, in the following text mention is made of an "absorbent center", another element known to those skilled in the art. Most commonly, it comprises cellulose fibers, paper coatings, polymer fibers, superabsorbent materials (eg, acrylate-based particles or fibers that produce gel when in contact with moisture), swamp moss, combinations of those materials with each other, and the like. Its purpose is to absorb and retain body fluids, for example blood, urine, milk, sweat, etc. The following text also mentions "side edges" (or simply "sides") and "longitudinal ends" (or simply "ends"). These are references to the peripheral portions of an absorbent article, wherein the "side edges" are the edges parallel to the length of the absorbent article and the "longitudinal ends" are the tips or ends transverse to the length of the absorbent article. It should also be understood in the following text that the "upper surface" of the absorbent element refers to the surface that it gives to the user's body, and the "lower surface" means the surface opposite to the highest that it gives to the wearer's garment. Among several desirable aspects in the performance of a female towel, the anatomical adaptation, the rapid absorption of body fluids and the retention of the towel in place during use are especially important. These aspects are immediately reflected in the comfort and prevention of spills during use. An example of current technical articles whose purpose is anatomical adaptation is the hourglass shape used in feminine pads, for example shown in the patents of E.U.A. No. 3,805,790 (Kimberly-Clark Corp.) and No. 4,758,241 (Elissa D. Papajohn). This configuration takes into account the narrow space between the legs near the vaginal area, thus promoting an improvement in relation to articles of rectangular shape. Yet another example in the current art of a more anatomical form is the provision of a protrusion in the central region of a female towel, such that the absorbent material is close to the site where the menstrual flow is discharged. The patent of E.U.A. No. 5,057,096 (Francis Faglione) and patent document EP249405 (Smith &; Nephew Assoc. Co. PLC) are examples of this. With respect to a greater efficiency and / or speed in the absorption of fluids, the following may be mentioned as examples of the current technique: - patent of E.U.A. No. 3,954,107 (Colgate Palmolive) which describes two longitudinal parallel absorbent centers provided with a channel therebetween, whose function is to serve as a fluid reservoir and is a means for directing the flow to the longitudinal ends of the article. - patent of E.U.A. No. 3,411, 504 (J. A. Glassman) which discloses an absorbent center provided with longitudinal raised lines for faster fluid transport to the ends.

More recently, the current technique has described attempts to combine anatomical aspects with the efficiency in the absorption of fluids. For example, the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,591, 148 (RR McFall et al.) Discloses a feminine towel comprising an absorbent center consisting of three longitudinal absorbent panels, the central panel being more prominent and being supported on an element that acts as a spring to hold it in place. higher position, this way closer to the user's vagina during use. This is a product of complex and expensive structure, different from that of the present invention. Also in that sense, the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,695,324 (D.M. Weirich) describes a female towel provided with two absorbent centers, one placed vertically in relation to the other, whose objective is a partial penetration in the labia majora of the user. There are no joints between any of the absorbent centers, such that the displacement of one affects the other, different from the present invention. By making an evaluation of the current technique related to these aspects, it can be noticed that there has been a constant search for an absorbent article that has a better performance in terms of the anatomical requirements as well as the absorption efficiency. The present invention provides an improved alternative to the current technique by providing a disposable absorbent article of simple and inexpensive structure, promoting a dynamic and static adaptation to the body of the user, concomitantly with an optimized fluid absorption. It is a disposable absorbent article characterized in that it comprises an absorbent center provided with three or more absorbent panels substantially independent in the transverse direction, longitudinally oriented and separated by channels, and joining means between said absorbent panels. In an example of a typical embodiment of the present invention, three parallel parallel parallelepiped panels of cellulose fiber of wood pulp constitute the absorbent center of a female towel. The bases of the three absorbent panels are fixed to the covering layer, and a permeable upper layer envelops the remaining part of their surfaces. The top layer is sealed to the coating layer between the bases of the adjacent absorbent panels, along a longitudinal line or band. This sealing generates a joining means that allows the movement of a panel in relation to another adjacent panel. In general, the outer surfaces of the absorbent panels (except for the bases) are enveloped by the top layer, and said top layer is sealed to the cover layer in the space between each panel; a slot or channel is generated between each two adjacent panels. When put into use, the two side absorbent panels can move relative to the central absorbent panel, being laterally shaped to the geometry of the space between the legs of the user. Upon receiving the fluid discharge from the body, the channels allow absorption along the full extent of the top and side surfaces of the adjacent absorbent panels, apart from serving as a reservoir and longitudinal direction means for flow to the ends of the towel. Some important aspects of the present invention are: - static as well as dynamic adaptation of the article to the user's body, in view of the ability to move from one absorbent panel to the other, either at the moment it is placed in its place or when the user moves, for example, walking, sitting, crossing the legs, etc; - effective absorption, in view of the highest available surface area to receive the flow (the walls of the channels are surfaces that allow the flow to flow towards the absorbent center); - effective prevention of spills, since the channels between the absorbent panels store and direct the fluid released longitudinally, mainly in the case of abundant discharges; - effective retention of the towel in place during use, since the stresses caused by the body / garment / absorbent article interaction are absorbed and / or substantially dissipated by the movement of one absorbent panel relative to another. As mentioned above, the absorbent core of the female towel of the invention comprises absorbent panels that are "substantially independent in the transverse direction", where this expression denotes a sufficient physical separation in the direction transverse to the length, mainly in the third central to the article, to allow one panel to move in relation to another. A continuous absorbent center, different from that of the present invention, does not allow said movement, since the intrinsic flexibility of a continuous length of absorbent material does not allow movement in the sense of this invention. Likewise, it is not considered that it is possible to move an absorbent panel with longitudinal raised lines (that is, being the result of a strong compression on the absorbent material), which even allows a certain degree of arching of the absorbent center applied thereto, but not enough to allow the movement of one absorbing region in relation to another. However, the present invention may encompass embodiments in which raised lines are used and are perforated, segmented, partially interrupted or otherwise subjected to a mechanical or chemical treatment that can eliminate or minimize intrinsic rigidity, thereby allowing that an absorbent region moves in relation to an adjacent one. The present invention also encompasses adjacent absorbent panels which, while being provided with a common structural and / or absorbent base, can move relative to one another. Within the scope of the invention, the absorbent center comprises three or more absorbent panels. Advantageously, a number of absorbent panels is used, thereby defining a central panel that remains closer to the larger lips of the vulva and tends to be inserted therebetween, thereby reducing the possibility of spills. Preferably, the feminine towel of the invention comprises three to five absorbent panels, and still more preferably only three. The absorbent panels of the absorbent center of the invention are "longitudinally oriented", ie they generally follow the orientation of an imaginary longitudinal axis parallel to the length direction of the absorbent article. Preferably, said absorbent panels are substantially parallel to said imaginary longitudinal axis, but configurations in which one or more absorbent panels show a certain inclination, for example, between 10 and 40 degrees relative to the longitudinal end, are not excluded. More preferably, the absorbent panels are parallel to one another. The absorbent panels of the absorbent center of the present invention are "separated by channels", that is, there is a substantial physical discontinuity of one panel in relation to an adjacent one, and the space between one panel and another is considered a channel that can have a variable geometry (mainly with respect to the cross-sectional area) during the use of the towel, when one panel moves in relation to the others, typically pivoting as two halves of a hinge. Any other geometry, volume or orientation of said channels is not excluded. Absorbent panels of the absorbent center of the present invention comprise "joining means" between themselves. This means that there is a medium, substrate or arrangement between an absorbent panel and an adjacent one, which allows one panel to move relative to the other. As used in the invention, the movement of one panel or absorbent region in relation to another is that which occurs in a manner similar to the rotation of the halves of a hinge, one in relation to the other, without the occurrence of any substantial physical change (discontinuity, partial interruption, wrinkle and the like) of the absorbent material involved. Preferably, without excluding any other alternative, the joining means is provided as a sealing joint (line, strip, dots, etc.) of the upper layer on the covering layer, between adjacent absorbent panels. The attachment means may be located near any region along the thickness of the absorbent panels, and is preferably located near the base of said panels. The attachment means may have any extension, and typically represents between 30% and 100% of the length of the absorbent panels. The rotation of one absorbent panel relative to the other is preferably between about 10 degrees to about 180 degrees, and most preferably about 15 degrees and 120 degrees. Within another alternative embodiment of the invention, the material of the joining means between adjacent absorbent panels allows the expansion; for example, flexible, elastic or corrugated material, thereby allowing a higher absorption of the stresses imposed on the absorbent article of the invention. Examples of such material would be foams, corrugated plastic films, non-woven material with pleats, films with elastic zones in the region of the channels, etc.

Typically in the configuration shown in the present invention it is that the base of said channels placed between the absorbent panels is the bonding means itself, and it is preferred that the bonding means be composed of the association of the top layer with the cover layer. . As an alternative, the joining means comprises only the upper layer, or only the covering layer, or even by associating a substrate other than two layers with one layer, or with another, or both, or even any other arrangement that allows that an absorbent panel moves relative to another adjacent panel. The multiple absorbent panels of the absorbent center of the invention may have identical or different conformations among themselves. Preferably, there is a larger central panel that goes beyond the others to, as already mentioned, tend to carry out a vaginal penetration and in this way reduce the possibility of spills. As an alternative, the central absorbent panel is provided with a structure that can be shaped according to what is mentioned in the Brazilian patent application P19005475-0 (R. Costa), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, preferably wherein about 5 to 75% by volume of said absorbent panel is filled with spheroidal elements having a diameter in the range of between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, confined in a cavity of said absorbent panel or a receptacle other than the absorbent panel in inserted in it.

Alternatively, the absorbent panels of the article of the present invention, in particular the central absorbent panel, comprise cavities for fluid, for example air, according to the Brazilian patent application P19301708-1 (R. Coast), whose contents they are incorporated herein by way of reference. As explained in this document, the air cavities convey a feeling of a higher initial thickness to users who are worried about using a thin product to absorb their menstrual flow. Preferably, the cross section of the absorbent panels maintains the same area and geometry along its length, but alternatives with geometric changes along its length are not excluded. The geometrical shape of the cross section of the absorbent panels of the invention can be any, and may not be the same for all absorbent panels. For the case that three absorbent panels are preferred, certain advantageous examples can be cited (the following sequence refers to shapes of the cross section of the side panel, the center panel and the other side panel, respectively): - quadrilateral, quadrilateral, quadrilateral; - straight triangle, quadrilateral, spectral straight triangle to the other side panel; - isosceles triangle, isosceles triangle, isosceles triangle; - circular, circular, circular; - profile of capital L, isosceles triangle, inverted capital L profile (J). The channels between the absorbent panels are preferably straight and advantageously have a constant minimum width close to the joining means, of between about 0.5 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 mm and 6 mm. When one absorbent panel moves in relation to the other, the geometry of the cross section of the channel changes, increasing the distance between the panels in a non-parallel manner (ie, the longer the radial distance from a point to the axis). of rotation, the greater the distance from the adjacent absorbent panel). Alternatives with curved, rolled, zigzag and similar channels along their length are also within the scope of the invention. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, one or more absorbent panels are completely wrapped by the permeable top layer, and are thus bonded (welded, bonded or by any other suitable means) on a coating layer which preferably, in this situation, it also performs the function of a joining means. Preferably, the absorbent panels are fixed directly on the cover layer, but the alternative in which the panels are fixed to an intermediate substrate (e.g., foam, one or more thin layers of water) is also covered within the scope of the invention. absorbent material type paper or non-woven, flat or corrugated material to facilitate movement, etc.), which in turn is fixed or associated with the coating layer. The absorbent panels which constitute the absorbent center of the invention are typically separated, in the transverse direction, by longitudinal channels running from one longitudinal end to the opposite end, such that the absorbent panels do not have absorbent material in common. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, near the longitudinal ends, the absorbent panels are connected to one another by a transverse band of absorbent material; in other words, the channels are interrupted before reaching the longitudinal ends, without substantially affecting the movement capacity, that is, the dynamic conformation of the female towel of the invention. Suitably, said transverse web of absorbent material at the longitudinal ends is between about 1 and 3 cm wide. Still within this embodiment, the central absorbent panel (or the central absorbent panels, if there are more than one), at the longitudinal ends of the channels, may alternatively be provided with transverse raised lines running from one channel to the next channel, in such a way that a tendency to a better distribution of the fluid is generated in the transverse bands of the absorbent material at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent article. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the absorbent panels may also comprise transverse channels or enhancements along their length. Preferably, only the central panel, or central panels, as the case may be, are provided with transverse channels. This configuration increases the surface area available for the absorption of fluids and minimizes the random absorbency of the absorbent panels (which would otherwise occur during the use of the article and which would eventually favor spills). The feminine pads of the invention are in a particularly preferred manner provided with wings or edges extending laterally from the lateral ends of the article - they are elements known to those skilled in the art and their purpose is to aid in the fixation of the absorbent article to the external surface of the region between the legs in the wearer's panties. It is known that said wings are lateral extensions of the upper layer and / or cover layer, possibly comprising absorbent material. In that conformation with lateral edges, an alternative of the present invention provides that the absorbent panels adjacent to the side edges of the absorbent element extend and run partially or completely inside said edges, whose upper and lower surfaces, like the layer The upper layer and the lower layer are respectively provided with permeability and impermeability. The purpose of this conformation is to prevent the absorbent material from spilling. Preferably, in that embodiment, approximately one third of the dimension of the lateral edge adjacent to the connection with the body of the absorbent article, in the transverse direction, is filled with absorbent material. The present invention provides an additional benefit to the female towels provided with side edges, that is, the dissipation of the stresses that are generated along the generally longitudinal connection between the side edges and the body of the female towel. In a normal manner, the side edges are provided with adhesive regions to promote their attachment to the external surface of the region between the legs in the wearer's panties. This fixation is subjected to tensions that become increasingly stronger as the longitudinal ends of said extreme connections are closer, so that the movements of the user cancel out said fixation. The arrangement of several adjacent absorbent panels according to the invention, allowing movement of one panel relative to the other, attenuates or even eliminates said stresses and limits the tendency to "pull" the fixation region. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the channels between the absorbent panels can be continuous, as if they would create islands of absorbent material in the region within the perimeter of the female towel, and in this alternative those that create substantially oblong or ellipsoidal trajectories are preferred. . This configuration maintains the independence of the absorbent panels in the transverse direction, thus allowing the movement of one in relation to the other, and the absorbent center is provided with auxiliary transverse channels in the fluid distribution. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, only one channel (although it is also possible to use more than one channel) of spiral configuration. Also in this configuration the independence of the absorbent panels is maintained in the transverse direction, allowing the movement of one relative to the other, and the absorbent center is provided with auxiliary transverse channels in the fluid distribution. The feminine towel of the invention may comprise any other elements known in the current art, such as deodorants, ion exchange resins, superabsorbent materials, zeolites, multiple adhesive regions for the attachment of the article to the wearer's garment, additional layers to disperse the fluid, etc. With respect to the location of adhesive regions on the undersurface of the absorbent article, preferably in the case where the absorbent article is provided with a number of absorbent panels, preferably three, it is preferred that the central absorbent panel (or panels) Do not be provided with adhesive regions. Alternatively, it is preferred that only the bottom surface of the side absorbent panels (there are at least two of them) be provided with adhesive regions. This alternative mode allows the central panels to move more freely, thus providing a better adaptability and a greater dissipation of the tensions, the result of which is a better fixation of the towel to the wearer's undergarments. The feminine pads encompassed by the invention can have any thickness, from a few millimeters in the thinnest ones to two or more centimeters in the thickest ones. Quite obviously, the movement effect of the invention is more pronounced on thicker towels, since thicker towels are less flexible than thin absorbent panels. The following are practical examples of embodiments of the invention, to better describe the inventive aspects thereof. The figures presented below are schematic representations which do not show precise measurements or dimensions, and which are given solely for purposes of exemplification to illustrate the inventive aspects of the present invention. Both the examples and the figures encompass any other alternative embodiment of the invention covered by the appended claims. Figures 1, 2 and 3 appended hereto show the same preferred alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein Figure 1 is a top view of a female towel, Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1 throughout of the transverse line AA, and figure 3 is another sectional view, but with the absorbent article in use. It is an external female towel 10, provided with lateral edges 15, an upper layer 20 made of a thin and perforated plastic film (polyethylene, weight of 25 g / m2, thickness of 0.04 mm, 30% of open area), a coating layer 30 made of a thin impermeable plastic film (polyethylene, weight of 25 g / m2, thickness of 0.04 mm), three longitudinal parallelepiped absorbent panels 40, 40 'and 40", with a width of 2 cm, a thickness of 1 cm and a length of 150 mm, in a total of 5.5 g of wood pulp 0.5 g of an acrylate-based superabsorbent material are evenly distributed within the wood pulp The distance between each panel absorbent is about 0.5 cm, and each of these forms a region 41, 42 and 43 covered by the top layer 20 on the top and side surfaces, and the top layer 30 on the bottom, respectively. adhered to the coating layer 30 throughout of a longitudinal adhesive strip 70 (Findley H2465 adhesive, from AtoFindley Inc., Milwakee, E.U.A.). It is important to remember that the components mentioned above (plastic films, absorbent materials, adhesives, etc.) are quite common and can be replaced by equivalents known to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. There is a set 50 of adhesive 55 covered by a removable protective layer 60 on the bottom surface of each side edge. The connecting means between each absorbent panel is configured as a longitudinal strip 71 resulting from the junction between the upper layer 20 and the covering layer 30. The channels 44 and 45 (of a geometry that changes as the panels 40 move) are formed between the absorbent panels, as can be seen in Figure 3, wherein the protective layer 60 was removed, and the article 10 was placed on the genital region 11 of the wearer, and edges 15 have been adhered by means of adhesives. on the external surface of the region between the legs of the panties 80. Figure 4 shows a top view of another alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein a feminine towel 12 similar to that of Figure 1, with the difference that it comprises an absorbent panel 40 provided with two slots 44 'and 45', both of length B, here approximately 70% of the total length of the absorbent panel 40. Slits mean regions of physical discontinuity, in which and there is substantially no absorbent material. Although the embodiments of Figure 1 and Figure 4 are similar to the degree that a cross section along the line A'A 'is practically identical to that shown in Figure 2, with absorbent lengths 41', 42 'and 43 'separated by channels 44' and 45 ', said channels 44' and 45 'have a longitudinal extension limited to a fraction of the length of the absorbent article 12, such that the longitudinal ends are provided with transverse absorbent regions B'. Enhanced lines 13 are present on the absorbent panel 40, transverse to the absorbent length 42 'between channels 44' and 45 ', close to their ends. Other alternative embodiments of the invention are shown in figures 5 to 9. Figures 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views similar to those of figure 2, showing the same numbers, except with reference to: - figure 5: there are only an absorbent panel 40 provided with protuberances 41, 42 and 43, and strips 46 with a thickness much less than any of those sufficient to create a continuity of the absorbent material, but without substantially jeopardizing the ability of the protuberances 41, 42 and 43 to move reciprocally. Bands 46 act as joining means, despite the fact that they contain absorbent substrate. In Figure 5, the absorbent panel 40 is adhered to the coating layer by means not illustrated, for example, adhesive lines. - figure 6: a thin sheet of paper 21 is placed between the upper layer 20 and the covering layer 30, sufficient to provide the base of the article with certain absorbent capacity, without jeopardizing the capacity of the absorbent panels 41, 42 and 43 to move reciprocally. Regions 71, where there is an adhesion between the upper layer 20 and the covering layer 30, between which is the paper sheet 21, are the joining means of the article. - figure 7: there are three absorbent panels 40, 40 'and 40", individually wrapped by the material of the upper layer 20, including its bases, which are adhered to a layer of foam 72 along the adhesive lines 70. foam 72 is adhered to the coating layer 30 by means not illustrated, the regions 74 are the attachment means of the article, Figure 8 is a top view of an absorbent article 13 comprising only an absorbent panel 40 which is provided with two slots 51 and 52. Said configuration generates, at least in the central region of the article, regions 46, 47, 48 and 49 of absorbent material substantially independent in the transverse direction, and are capable of substantially reciprocal movement. Figure 9 is a top view of an absorbent article 14 comprising only an absorbent panel 40 provided with only one spiral slot 53. Said configuration generates, at least in the central region of the article, regions 46, 47, 48 and 49 of absorbent material substantially independent in the transverse direction, and are capable of moving substantially reciprocally. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many changes are possible in the embodiments of the present invention, always within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims (17)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A disposable absorbent article, characterized in that it comprises an absorbent center provided with three or more absorbent panels substantially independent in the transverse direction, longitudinally oriented and separated by channels, and comprising joining means between said absorbent panels.

2. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises edges that extend laterally.

3. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized by the fact that there is a non number of said absorbent panels.

4. The disposable absorbent article according to claims 1 or 2, further characterized by the fact that the number of said absorbent panels is 3 or 5, preferably 3.

5. The disposable absorbent article according to the claim 3, further characterized by the fact that the absorbent panel occupying the central position is larger and / or more protruding than the remaining absorbent panels.

6. - The disposable absorbent article according to claim 3, further characterized by the fact that the central panel is provided with a conformable structure in which preferably 5 to 75% by volume of said central panel is filled with spheroidal elements with diameters of between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, confined in a cavity of said absorbent panel or a receptacle other than said absorbent panel, and inserted therein.

7. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, further characterized in that said absorbent panels comprise cavities for fluid, preferably air.

8. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said substantially parallel absorbent panels are preferably substantially parallel to one another, and substantially parallel to an imaginary longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of said absorbent article.

9. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized by the fact that said absorbent panels have substantially the same length.

10. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said channels between said absorbent panels preferably represent between 30% and 100% of the total length of said absorbent panels.

11. - The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said channels between said absorbent panels are preferably straight and preferably have a constant minimum width of between about 0.5 mm of about 10 mm, most preferably between around 2 mm and 6 mm.

12. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized by the fact that said joining means are the upper layer, or the covering layer, or the union of both, along the channels between each two of said absorbent panels.

13. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said absorbent panels are parallelepiped.

14. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized by the fact that said absorbent panels further comprise transverse channels or transverse raised lines.

15. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said absorbent panels are provided with a common absorbent or structural base.

16. - The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that one of said absorbent panels is moved relative to said other adjacent absorbent panel between about 10 degrees to about 180 degrees, preferably between about 15 degrees and 120 degrees.

17. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said joining means are made of an expandable or elastic material.