MXPA00001724A - Absorbent article with a flap and biasing spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article having a flap and a spacer wherein the flap is positioned in the rear waist portion of the article end forms a pocket. The spacer is positioned proximate the pocket opening and biases the pocket into an open position. The flap may be a laterally extending liquid impermeable flap which is fixedly secured to the article along a seam. The seam, which may be substantially U-shaped, extends between first and second terminal ends. The flap has a free edge which extends between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The seam and free edge of the flap define the boundaries of a pocket which is formed between the flap and a topsheet of the absorbent article. The pocket has an opening extending between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The spacer affixed to the article whereby it is disposed between the flap and the backsheet proximate, and optionally extending through, the pocket opening to bias the free edge of the flap away from the topsheet. Alternative space embodiments may be employed. A single spacer or two spacers or two spacers positioned of opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the article may be used to bias the pocket open. The use of a spacer which dynamically biases the flap away from the topsheet automatically adjusts the size of the pocket opening in response to relative movement between the wearer and the absorbent article. One or more hinged spacers may be employed to provide such a dynamic spacer

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH A FIN AND A PRESSURIZING SPACER Background of the Invention The present invention relates to absorbent articles and, more specifically, to absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, training underpants and incontinence garments which attempt to receive and contain fecal insults.

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, training underpants, incontinence garments and similar articles are well known in the art. Such absorbent articles conventionally include absorbent material for absorbing body exudates include a front part placed on one side of the body. the lower abdominal or frontal pelvic region of a user, a posterior part positioned on one side of the posterior pelvic lower abdominal region of the wearer and a crotch part which interconnects the parts of the front and back of the article and is positioned between the legs of the user. user.

Many such conventional absorbent articles and diapers in particular are typically secured around the wearer's waist using fasteners which are releasably engageable, for example, resastenable. Such articles also often include elastically extending longitudinally extending barrier flaps which are placed along the user's upper inner thighs and inhibit the escape of exudates between the absorbent article and the user's legs. Such articles are well known because they include waist flaps and any or both of the front and back waist regions of the article to inhibit the escape of exudates from between the absorbent article and any of the lower abdominal or pelvic frontal or posterior region of the wearer. It is also known to provide absorbent articles with various shapes of hollow pockets to receive and contain body exudates.

Synthesis of the Invention The present inventors have recognized the difficulties and problems inherent in the prior art and in response to this have developed an improved absorbent article having a spacer and a fin assembly. The flap is positioned in the back waist portion of the article and forms a pouch while the spacer assembly is positioned close to the opening of the pouch.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an absorbent article which has a side-by-side surface which is positioned on one side of the crotch belt and back regions of a wearer when the article is in use and where the The surface adjacent to the body of the article includes a laterally central longitudinal axis, for example a longitudinal center line. The article comprises, for example, includes but is not limited to, for example a lower sheet, a liquid-permeable upper sheet attached to the lower sheet and an absorbent structure placed between the lower sheet and the upper sheet. A laterally extending liquid impermeable flap is positioned in the back strap portion of the article and is fixedly secured to the article along a seam. The seam, which can be of essentially U-shape, extends between the first and second ends. The flap has a free edge which extends between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The seam and the free edge of the fin define the boundaries of a bag which is formed between the fin and the top sheet and which has an opening extending between the first and second end ends of the seam. The article also includes a spacer attached to the article. The spacer is placed between the fin and the lower leaf and is placed near the opening of the bag. The spacer includes a first element in contact with the fin and a second element placed between the first element and the lower leaf. The pressing element forcibly separates the first second elements of the spacer so that the free edge of the fin is pressed out of the upper sheet.

The alternate embodiments of the present invention may also include a second spacer placed between the fin and the lower sheet. One of the spacers can be placed in proximity to the first terminal end, while the second spacer can be placed in the terminal second terminal proximity. The bag opening can extend essentially laterally so that the two spacers are placed on the opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal ej. The laterally central part of such a bag opening will be placed between the two spacers.

In some embodiments, the spacer of the present invention can be formed by folding a material to thereby create an elastic hinge in the line of the double of the material. Other incorporations may employ spacers placed on opposite sides of the longitudinal ej so that a laterally central part of the free bord is placed between the two spacers and pressed out of the top sheet.

Still other spacers which may be used with the present invention may be formed with an elastically compressible material or may extend through the bag opening. Additional alternating embodiments of the present invention may include a fin which is formed of a liquid permeable material.

• »? An advantage of the present invention is that the spacer maintains a spacing between the fin and the upper blade in the bag opening. This keeps the bag opening in a position adapted to receive fecal insults. The fecal matter which is contained within the bag is therefore removed from contact with the user's skin while the item is being used and reduces the opportunity for that the fecal material makes contact with the skin or clothes of either the user or the caregiver during the removal of the user's item.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the spacer pressing element dynamically presses the flap outwardly of the upper sheet into the pocket opening and thereby increases the functionality of the flap for an active user. As the user moves, the absorbent article can move in relation to the user. This can cause the distance between the top sheet and the back waist region of the user to vary in response to the movements of the user. By providing a dynamically pressing spacer, the flap opening can be automatically adjusted and coordinated with the movements of the user and therefore inhibited the formation of a separation between the free edge of the alet and the user through which the exudates could escape of the body .

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood and additional advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partially short top view of an absorbent article according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of absorbent article of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top view of an alternate spacer flap; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a spacer.

Figure 6 is a top view of an alternate spacer and fin; Figure 7 is a perspective view of alternating spacer.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts through the various views. The embodiments described are set forth to illustrate exemplifying the invention. The embodiments described do not intend to be an exhaustive illustration of the invention or that the precise forms described should be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention The following detailed description is made in the context of a disposable diaper which is adapted for use by infants around the lower torso. It is readily apparent, however, that the present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles, such as incontinence garments, training underpants, and other similar articles which are used to absorb containing exudates from the body.

Referring to Figures 1-3, there is illustrated an absorbent article in the form of a disposable diaper 10. The disposable diaper 10 has a frame which includes a liquid-permeable upper sheet 12, a lower sheet 14 and an absorbent structure 16. placed between the upper sheet 12 and the lower sheet 14.

The disposable diaper 10 is adapted to be worn around the lower torso and to extend through the crotch of a wearer. The diaper 10 includes a front waist section 18, a rear waist section 20 and an intermediate section 22 which interconnects the front and back waist sections. As used herein, the front reference of an absorbent article refers to that portion of absorbent article which is generally located on the front of the user when the article is in use while the back of the article refers to that part of the article. article which is usually located on the back of the user when it is in use.

The side edges of the intermediate section 2 are defined by a pair of oppositely placed side edges 24 while the edges in the front waist sections 18 and later are respectively defined by the front waist end embroidery 26 and the end edge d rear waist 28 extending laterally longitudinally opposite.

The front waist sections 18 or regions 18 include the general parts of the absorbent article 10 which are constructed for essential extenders and respectively on the front and back abdominal regions of the wearer during use. The intermediate section 2 includes the general part of the diaper 10 which is constructed to extend through the crotch region of the wearer between the legs. Opposite side edges 24 define the leg openings and are typically contoured to closely fit into the user's legs. The opposite end edges 26 and 28 define a waist opening and, in the top view such as in Figure 1, are typically straight but may also be curvilinear.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of diaper 10 in a non-contracted and planar state with the diaper surface which contacts the wearer, for example, the face-to-body surface 13 facing the body observe As can be seen in Figure 1, the disposable diaper 1 also includes a rear flap 30 which is located in the rear waist region 20 of the diaper 10.

The flap 30 includes 2 principally opposite surfaces 32 and 34. The first major surface 32 faces the user's body during use of the article and forms a part of the surface facing the body 13 of absorbent article 10 as shown in FIG. Figure 1. Therefore, the body facing surface 13 of the diaper 10 is formed primarily by the topsheet 12 and the first major surface 32 of the flap 30. The second major surface 3 of the flap 30 faces the upper sheet 12 and is shown in figure 3. The space between the second main surface 34 and the upper sheet 12 forms a bag for the containment of faecal matters.

The flap 30 illustrated in Figure 1 is attached to the absorbent article 10 along a seam 36 having a back portion 36a and two opposite side portions 36b. As used herein, the term "seams" n designates the construction method used to join two parts together but instead was used to refer to the area one or more points along which the separate parts are joined together. . The flap can be attached to the absorbent article by any numerous means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding and the like or with a different combination of such means.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the seam 36 includes a back portion 36a which extends in a lateral direction near the rear end edge 28 e which adhesively attaches the flap 30 to the top sheet 12. The backs 36a of the seams 36 illustrated in Figures 4 and 6 are also adhesive seams.

The seam 36 illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes two side portions 36b which are formed by a plurality of discrete ultrasonic welds. Similarly, the flap illustrated in FIG. 6 also included a seam 36 having an adhesive back portion 36a and side portions thereof. 36b which are formed with ultrasonic welding. The seam 36 illustrated in Figure 4 is a fully adhesive seam. The alternating incorporations of the seam 36 such as the seam which is formed entirely with ultrasonic welds, can also be used with the present invention.

The illustrated seams 36 terminate at end ends, for example, a first end end 4 and a second end end 44. The seam 36 securely fastens the wing 30 to the article 10. In other words, the wing 30 is secured throughout of the seam in a permanent maner which does not allow relative movement between the article and the flap in the seam. The flap is not attached, however, directly to the article along an edge of the flap which extends between the terminal edges 42 and 44. This unattached part of the flap edge forms a free edge 38 extending between the terminal ends 42 and 44.

Although all the illustrated seams 36 have a generally rectilinear "U" shape, other configurations can also be used which define a bag and an opening with the present invention. In general, such bags can be described as including an essentially continuous seam which ends at two separate points where a line drawn between such two points, together with the seam, define a closed figure having an area.

The free edge 38 of the flap 30 can be moved relative to the top sheet 12. When the free edge 38 is spaced from the top sheet 12, an opening 40 between the free edge 38 and the top sheet 12 is formed. This opening 40 provides access to the bag which is formed between the flap 30 and the top sheet 12.

The free edge 38 is advantageously placed on the diaper 10 so that it is located above the wearer's anus when the diaper 10 is in use. It is also advantageous to place the free edge 38 of the flap over the diaper 10 so that it will be located above the gluteal groove of the wearer when the diaper 10 is in use. It is also generally advantageous to configure the opening 40 and the bag so that the opening 40 is located at the longitudinally forward edge of the fin 30. The positioning of the bag opening above the gluteal groove of the user allows the bag formed by the flap 30 and the top sheet 12 are well positioned to receive and contain fecal materials expelled by the user, such as those materials which are displaced upwards along the gluteal groove. In small infants, in particular, low viscosity faecal materials may be forced along the gluteal groove of the user. The free edge 38 is not limited to such positions however, it can be placed in a variety of places on the surface facing the body 13 of the article.

The containment of the fecal material in the pocket formed by the flap 30 limits the amount of contact between the fecal materials and the user's skin while the item is being used. Limiting the amount of contact with fecal materials can provide additional health benefits for the user's skin. The containment of the faecal matter in the bag formed by the flap 30 also reduces the opportunities for contact between the fecale materials and the skin and clothing of any user or care during the removal process.

The illustrated free edge 30 of the fin 30 s extends in a substantially lateral direction and defines the longitudinally frontal bord of the fin 30. The alternate configurations of the fin 30, however, may include the curvilinear or v-shaped front edges. those which contour the free edge 38 of the flap to the user's body.

The trailing edge 46 of the flap 30 coincides with the trailing end edge 28 of the absorbent article in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-3. The trailing edge 46 of the flap 30, however, may be placed in an alternate location such as along a line on the side surface to the body 13 spaced longitudinally forward of the rear end edge 28. Those having a Ordinary skill in the art will recognize that absorbent articles in accordance with the present invention may include fins which are attached in further alternating configurations which form a posterior pouch in addition to those which are explicitly described herein to illustrate the present invention.

For most individuals who wear absorbent garments and, in particular, for infants, the small or central part of the user's back is generally concave, for example, it is arched inward or is flat. As a result of this, a separation between the absorbent article and the user at this location can very easily be formed. The absorbent articles of the present invention include fins which are placed in the back waist region of the absorbent article whereby the bag opening 40 formed by the free edge of the fin 38 will generally be located at or near this area between absorbent article and the small part of the user's part when article is placed on a user.

The spacers located between the flap 30 and the bottom sheet 14 are used to press the free edge of the flap 38 out of the top sheet and toward the skin of the user to an "open" position. In this manner, the bag opening 40 is held in an "open" position to receive fecal matter. The spacers of the present invention can take a wide variety of forms and various spacer embodiments 50a-c are illustrated herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional incorporations may also be employed in accordance with the invention described herein. The additions of an additional spacer are described in the patent application of the United States of America series No. 09 / 253.46 filed simultaneously by Sauer et al. "Absorbent Article Having a Fin and a Spacer" and having the number attorney's case 13,849 whose description was incorporated here by reference. The terms "spacer" "conjunt spacer" are used interchangeably here and both term may refer to an assembly of any one or more parts When the bag opening 40 is placed in the area adjacent to the small part of the user's back, the bag is well placed to receive body exudates such as low viscosity faecal materials which are forcibly transported along the body. the gluteal groove of the user. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 575,926 (Faulks et al.) Entitled "Absorbing Article Having a Subsequent Deposit with a Hollow Volume Capacity" that has a filing date of December 20, 1995 it also describes bags placed on the back of a diaper and is incorporated herein by reference. The positioning of the bag opening 40 on one side of the small part of the user's back can also facilitate the operation of the bag by placing the bag opening in an area where there is a space available for the bag opening 40. so that an "open" position is pressed. The bag opening 40 can also be placed in other places, such as in the front waist region of the diaper 10 where the bag can be very well placed to inhibit the escape of urine.

The spacers of the present invention are attached to the absorbent article at a position between the fin and the lower sheet 14 whereby the free edge 38 of the fin 30 is pressed outwardly from the upper sheet 12 to thereby form an opening 40. Advantageously, at least a portion of the spacer is positioned between the flap 30 and the top sheet 12. As exemplified by the embodiments illustrated herein, it may be advantageous to locate the entire spacer between the flap 30 and the top sheet 12. The term "fixed" used here to mean a non-releasable union. For two items which are fixed together, they are intended to remain together under normal conditions of use.

The spacers of the present invention can be attached to the absorbent article 10 in a number of different ways including the use of adhesives, ultrasonic welding, thermal welding and other joining methods known to those skilled in the art. The spacer can be fixed to any part of the absorbent article 10 that allows the spacer to press the free edge 38 of the flap 30 out of the top sheet 12. Generally, it will be advantageous to attach the spacer directly to either the 30 flap upper sheet 12 and placing at least a portion of spacer between fin 30 and upper sheet 12. In some embodiments, it may be more efficient to join the spacing between fin 30 and upper sheet 12 in fin seam 3 and in the same manufacturing operation which joins the fin 30 to article.

The illustrated spacers 50a-c are fixed to article 10 so that at least a portion of the spacer is positioned between the flap 30 and the top sheet 12 and positioned at least in proximity to the bag opening 40. By placing it by at least a portion of the spacer in proximity to the opening of the flap 40, the spacer will press the flap 3 out of contact with the top sheet 12 in the bag opening and thereby keep the bag in an "open" position. of the spacer, the fin and the upper leaf will affect the extent to which the spacer separates the flap 30 from the upper sheet 12 and, therefore, how close the spacer should be to the bag opening 40 for this sufficiently close to the opening 40 for pressing the flap 30 and the top sheet 12 to an "open" position. Generally the spacer should not be more than about to about 8 millimeters away from the free edge 38 of the flap 30.

Advantageously, the spacers are positioned to have a part thereof which makes contact with the flap 30 immediately to one side of the free edge 38 or which extend through the bag opening 40. By placing a part of the spacer immediately on one side of free edge 38 of the flap 30 or by extending the spacer through the bag opening 40, the free edge 3 of the flap is not feasible to "roll up" at the front edge of the spacer and tilt towards the top sheet. If the alet is inclined towards the upper sheet 12 when extended to the free bord 38, the flap can act as a ramp and result in undesirable movement of fecal materials between the flap 30 and the user rather than through the bag opening between flap 30 and top sheet 12.

The spacer 50a, better seen in Figure 5, a dynamic spacer which elastically presses the ale 30 outwardly of the upper sheet 12 in the opening 40. Co was used here, a "dynamic" spacer is a spacer the wedge elastically to the flap 30 outwardly from the upper blade 12 in such a manner as to cause the distance between the flap 30 and the topsheet 12 to vary in a manner essentially proportional to variations in the distance between the top sheet 12 and the user in the bag opening 4 due to the movements of the user. By providing such a dynamically pressed spacer, the bag opening 4 will automatically adjust in coordination with the user movements to inhibit formation and limit the size of any spacing between the fin 30 and the user through which the fecal materials could escape. .

Such dynamic spacers can be formed by spring-type spacers, bellows-type spacers, or those that include a hinge. As illustrated by the spacer 50a, a hinged spacer can be formed by a bent material in which the fold line 7 forms the hinge. The marking can be used in the formation of the fold line. The hinge 70 connects a first element 7 and a second element 74 wherein the first element 72 contacts the upper sheet 12 and the second member 74 contacts the wing 30.

A pressing element is used to exert a separation force between the first and second elements 72 74 and the spacer is placed in proximity to the opening 40 so that the first and second elements 72 and 74 press the tab 30 out of the sheet upper 12 in the opening d bag 40. In the illustrated spacer 50a, the pressing element is inherent in the elastic hinge 70 formed by bending the spacer material. The folding of closed cell foam material used to form the spacer 50a compresses the material near the hinge or fold line 70. Compression of the material in the hinge 70 creates a force tending to separate the first and second elements 72 and 74. Materials that have a "memory" are also suitable for forming such an elastic hinge.

The first and second elements 72 and 74 of illustrated spacer 50a each have an essentially triangular shape. As can be seen in Figure 4, the spacer 50 can be positioned whereby the triangular-shaped elements 72 and 74 will be positioned to conform to the upper end of the gluteal groove of the user when the absorbent article is placed on the wearer. It may also be advantageous for either or both of the first and second elements 72 and 7 to extend through the bag opening 40. Alternatively, and as shown in Figures 1-3, two hinged spacers 50a may be placed on the opposite sides. of the longitudinal axis 48 thus leaving the laterally central part of the bag opening 40 free of spacers.

As shown in Figure 5, a closed cell foam material having a thickness of approximately 0.95 centimeters and a length of approximately 8.8 centimeters can be bent in half to form the illustrated spacers 50a. The spacers 50a have a width of about 2.54 centimeters in their bisected bend 70 and are tapered inward to a width of minus d about 1.27 centimeters at the tips of the first and second elements 72 and 74. The use of the alternate materials it can allow the spacer to have a thinner cross-section and therefore allow a larger percentage of the opening of the bag in the z-direction for example, the direction mutually perpendicular to both lateral and longitudinal axes even if it is not obstructed.

The alternate embodiments of the pressure element may be formed with resort type mechanisms placed between the first and second elements 72 and 74; a block of elastically compressible material placed between the first and second elements 72 and 74; or an elastic material joined to one or both of the first and second elements 72 and 74 and / or to the upper sheet 12 or to the wing 30.

For example, the spacer 50c illustrated in FIG. 7 employs an elastic material 52 to provide the pressing element. The elastic material 52 is attached at its respective ends to the first element 72 and to the second element 74 of the spacer 50c. The first and second elements 56 and 5 are pivotally connected to a hinge 54 formed by a marking spacer 50c.

A rolled wire hinge, similar to that found in common safety pins, can also be used to form a pressing element. Such a hinged wire hinge can be completely or partially embedded within a plastic material to minimize the possibility of discomfort to the user.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include two or more discrete spacers attached to absorbent article. As shown in Figure 6, spacers 50b can be positioned so that both spacers are positioned between the wing 30 and the top sheet 12 on the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 48. One of the illustrated spacers 50b is placed in proximity to the first end end of the seam 42 while the illustrated second spacer 50b is positioned in proximity to the second end end of the seam 44. When the opening 40 s extends essentially laterally and the spacers are placed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 48As illustrated in Figure 6, the laterally central part of the opening, which is positioned laterally between the spacers 50b, will be pressed outwardly of the top sheet 12 and be clear of obstructions. Therefore, the laterally central part of the opening 40 will provide a clear path for receiving the fecal materials inside the bag. The spacers 50b are formed in a manner similar to the spacers 50a but have a rectangular shape more bie than triangular. It is generally advantageous that the spacing have a minimum width which is at least one-half of the height of the spacer to provide stability to the spacer. The spacers 50b include a bent hinge 7 which is positioned on the opposite free edge 38.

Where the spacers are used on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 48, the spacers can be advantageously spaced by approximately 2.54 to 10.1 centimeters, with the spacings of approximately 5.0 centimeters and between 7.62 to 10.16 centimeters being adapted for use with the diapers disposable. Where such spacers are employed on opposite sides of longitudinal axis 48, the spacers may take a variety of different shapes and configurations. For example, the spacers can have a thickness ranging from about 1 millimeter to about 4 centimeters, the widths (eg the largest lateral extension) varying from about 1 centimeter to about 4 centimeters, lengths (for example the largest longitudinal extent) d from about 1 centimeter to about 10 centimeters.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 the spacers 50b are placed in parallel and symmetrically about the longitudinal axis 48. The alternating incorporations that the spacers employ on the opposite sides of the longitudinal axes 48, however, may use spacers which do not necessarily They are placed in parallel or placed symmetrically around the longitudinal axis.

The use of an absorbent material to form all or part of the spacer can provide the bag with an increased absorbent capacity to absorb fecal fluid. The use of the absorbent spacers therefore also increases the capacity of the bag to retain fecal materials. Fibrous materials can provide hollow spaces in the spacer which can trap small fecal particles. An increased absorbent capacity and ability to trap fecal particles is particularly advantageous for use with fecal materials having high fluid content such as those frequently produced by small infants.

In addition, for single-layer fibrous fabrics, multiple natural or synthetic fibers or combinations thereof, materials suitable for spacing 'include single or multiple layers of a foam material. For example, a cross-linked polyethylene foam material which is commercially available from Sentine Foams, a business having offices in Hyannis, Massachusett under the brand name EMR NAT can be used to form a spacer. An open cell polyester based on foam material commercially available from Woodbridge Foa Fabricating, Inc., having offices in Chattanooga, Tennessee under the trade designation SM-25 BIOFRE ELASTIZED FOAM can be used to form the spacers. Such foam materials can be absorbent and can therefore provide the bag with an increased capacity to retain the fluid as discussed above.

Both foam and fibrous materials which provide such an increased absorbent capacity will often behave like a sponge, with those parts of the spacer which are under reduced compressive forces that have a greater absorbency than those parts of the spacer that experience superior compressive forces.

The fibrous layers can be used in the manufacture of a spacer and can be formed from a meltblown fabric or bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn, a fibrous bonded webbed fabric, or an air laid fabric. Fibrous spacers may also be bicomponent fibers advantageously employed such as fibers having a polyethylene sheath and a polyester core. The spacer fibers can also be treated to impart wettability and hydrophilicity to the fibers. Some of the fibrous nonwoven materials which can be used in the manufacture of a spacer include materiale such as the hydroentangled non woven material obtained from E. I DuPont de Nemours under the trade designation SONTARA 8423 The alternate embodiments of the present invention may include a dynamic spacer in combination with an auxiliary fibrous material placed between the fin and the upper sheet and which does not include a pressing element. Such auxiliary fiber material will provide assistance in maintaining the spacing of the flap 30 from the topsheet 12 and will also provide an absorbent structure within the pouch formed by the flap 3 and the top sheet 12. For example, such auxiliary fibros material can be located along the back of the bag d near or on one side of the back seam 36a.

A variety of additional flexible materials can also be used to form at least a portion of the spacers described herein. Such materials may include films of the rubberized type, ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA"). polyethylene, urethane, polyester, polypropylene, metallocene, natural hul, milar, tigón and similar materials.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the main body-side surface 32 of the flap 30 may include adhesive areas 76 as illustrated in Figure 4. The adhesive areas 76 which are placed on the body-side surface 32 of the flap 30 is intended to secure the flap to the wearer's skin. By adhering the flap to the wearer's skin, the formation of a gap between the absorbent article and the wearer's skin, through which exudates from the body can escape, is further inhibited and the pouch is kept in an open position .

The adhesives which are able to adequately secure a fabric to the skin without causing damage to the skin with the release are suitable for forming the adhesive areas 76.

Additionally, the adhesive area 76 should not irritate the skin of any appreciable number of users.

Suitable adhesives may include xerogels, silicones, acrylics, polyurethanes, polyesters, and polyamides.

Other suitable adhesives include rubber-based adhesives such as those based on styrene-butadiene, polyisobutylene-polybutadiene, and polyisoprene; water soluble adhesives such as those based on polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinine acetate, and methyl cellulose; and hot melt adhesives such as those based on styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, tetrablock copolymers such as styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene-ethylene-propylene. Additional suitable adhesives may also include other substances such as adhesive resin, oils and the like.

Advantageously, the adhesive areas 76 of the present invention can be formed using a polysiloxane material. As used herein, a "polysiloxane material" is intended to represent a polymeric material that includes alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with hydrogen or various organic groups attached to the silicon. A detailed description of the polysiloxane adhesives is provided in the description of the United States of America patent No. 5,618,281 issued on April 8, 1997 to Betrabet et al., And the description of this patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Starting materials useful in the preparation of the polysiloxane adhesive composition of the present invention, such as the lower functional alkene polysiloxane materials and the hydrogen-containing polysiloxane copolymer materials containing active hydrogen groups are well known and can be commercially obtained. from such vendors as Dow Corning Corporatio Wacker Silicones Corporation, and General Electric Corporation.

The fumed silica can also be added to the polysiloxane composition to provide an adhesive area 7 which is adapted to secure a fabric to the wearer's skin. For example, a two-part polysiloxane adhesive obtained from Dow Corning Corporation under the trade designation Sylgard Silicone Dielectric Gel Adhesive Q3-663 Parts A and B may be mixed with fumed silica obtained from Aldrich Chemical Company to provide a suitable adhesive area. 76. The adhesive was prepared by mixing grams of Dow Corning 6636A with 8 grams of Dow Corning 6636B The fumed silica had an approximate particle size of 0.00 microns and was also added to the mixture in the amount of 0.4 grams or less. Poylisiloxane adhesives often have an oily feel and the addition of fumed silica can reduce this attribute.

Adhesive areas 76 may be placed on the fins in any one contiguous area or in a plurality of spaced and discrete areas. Even when the adhesive areas can be located in alternate places on the fins, the adhesive areas 66 are advantageously placed on the laterally central part of the flap which is on one side of the free edge 38 as shown in Figure 4. The use of such adhesives on the back flap is described in the patent application. of the United States of America shall be No. 09 / 215,493, entitled Absorbent Article with Adhesive Fin, filed on December 18, 1998, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The material used to form the fin 30 can be either a permeable liquid or a waterproof liquid. It is generally preferred that the fin 30 be formed of a material which is essentially liquid impervious. The flap 30 may be formed of a single unitary layer of material or with a laminated material comprising several individual layers. For example, the flap can be formed of a thin plastic film or other material impermeable to flexible liquid such as a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.013 millimeters to about 0.051 millimeters.

If it is desired to present a more cloth-like feel, the flap 30 may comprise a polyethylene film having a non-woven fabric laminated to the side-to-body surface 32, such as a cloth bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn. . For example, a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.015 millimeters can be thermally laminated to a fabric bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn, with the fibers having a thickness of about 1.5 to 2.5 denier per filament and the fabric not woven produced by both having a basis weight of about 24 grams per square meter. Methods for forming such cloth-type layers are known to those skilled in the art.

In addition, the flap 30 may be formed of a woven or non-woven fibrous fabric cap which has been constructed or has been fully or partially treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability. Still further, the fin 3 may optionally be comprised of a "breathable microporous material which allows the vapors to pass through the fin 30 while still preventing liquid exudates from passing through the fin 30. The sheet bottom 14 can be formed using the same materials as those used for fin 30.

Flap 30 may also include elastomeric materials. For example, the flap 30 may be formed mediating, including, a stretched-bonded-laminate (SBL) material, bonded and tapered laminate material (NBL), an elastomeric film, an elastomeric foam, or a similar elastomeric material.

A non-elastomeric flap may also be modified to make portions of the flap elastically shrinkable to contour the flap to the wearer's body. As illustrated in Figure 1, the different parts of the fin may include elastic threads 78 which are laterally elongated and adhesively attached to the fin. Suitable elastic threads are known to those skilled in the art. For example, a suitable elastic yarn may be composed of a Lycra elastomer of 470 decitex or a Lycra elastomer of 620 decitex, which are obtainable from E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company or similar elastomers. Alternatively, a piece of elastomeric material, for example a bonded and stretched laminate and a bonded and narrowed laminate, or a foam or elastomeric film can be adhesively bonded to selected portions of the fin in an elongated condition to provide the desired elasticity. The flap 30 can also employ alternate configurations of elastic areas such as the longitudinally oriented elastic areas.

The flap 30 may also include an absorbent material 80 located on the side-to-body surface 32 of the flap as illustrated in Figure 4. The absorbent material 80 may provide a means for absorbing and containing small amounts of waste materials which they may be present on the surface facing the body of the fin. The areas of adhesive 76 are configured to prevent the exudates from leaking from the body, however, it may even be possible that minor amounts of fecal fluid particles occasionally migrate between the fin and the user's skin. Therefore, even though the absorbent material 80 has only a small absorbent capacity as compared to the absorbent structure 16, the operation of the fin must prevent any significant amounts of waste fluids from reaching the area between the fin and the user's skin.

Fecal fluids can produce a noticeable stain, even when they are present only in minor amounts if they are absorbed by the user's or caregiver's clothes. It is also undesirable for reasons of skin health and cleanliness that such fluids make contact with the skin of the user or caregiver. Therefore, the provision of an absorbent material 8 with only a small total absorbent capacity provides a valuable function. By using a fibrous material to form the absorbent material 80, the absorbent material includes hollow spaces between the fibers which will retain the small amounts of fecal particulate matter in addition to the fluids.

The absorbent material 80 can cover all or a part of the side-to-body surface 32 of the fin 30. As illustrated in Figure 4, the absorbent material 80 can advantageously be placed laterally centrally longitudinally forward on the fin. The front edge of absorbent material 80 can be placed near the edge libr 38 of the fin and is advantageously spaced at least about 0.5 cm behind the free edge 38 of the fin. The trailing edge of the absorbent material 80 is advantageously spaced forwardly from the trailing edge 2 of the absorbent article. The trailing edge 28 of the article can be contacted with a caregiver or the wearer's bedding or materials and it is desirable that this edge n include an exposed layer of the saturated absorbent material.

The basis weight of the absorbent material 80 can be varied and suitable base weights include at least about 30 grams per square meter, at least about 50 grams per square meter, and at least about 75 grams per square meter. The absorbent material 80 can be attached to the fin in a variety of ways such as by heat sealing, sonic bonding, adhesives and other bonding methods known in the art.

A number of different materials may be used to form the absorbent material 80. For example, the absorbent material 80 may include a non-woven material such as a yarn-bound, meltblown, spunbond or carded natural fiber, fiber synthetic, polymeric fibers, similar fibrous materials or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the absorbent material 80 may include a foam material or a non-creped air-drying material comprising cellulosic fibers.

Desirably, the absorbent material 80 includes hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose or rayon fibers. Nonwoven materials formed from hydrophobic materials, however, can be treated with a surfactant to make them generally hydrophilic and such treated materials can also be used to form an effective absorbent material 80.

The fibers can also be oriented in one direction so that the absorbent material 80 will transmit and flow primarily in that direction. For example, by providing an absorbent material having a direction of fiber orientation which is in an essentially lateral direction, indicated by the sideline 49 in Figure 4, the absorbent material 80 will tend to transmit the absorbed fluids in one direction. lateral, rather than longitudinal. Therefore, the absorbed liquids will not have a tendency to migrate towards the trailing edge 28 where an exposed edge of a wetted or saturated layer of material could come into contact with the wearer's clothes or sheets or the skin or clothes of a caregiver .

In a specific embodiment, the absorbent material 80 can be formed of a nonwoven material such as a bonded and carded fabric which includes natural fibers. One such material is a commercially available carded and bound fabric of E.l. DuPont de Nemours Company, a business having offices located in Delaware under the trade designation SONTARA 8423. Such material includes about 70 percent by weight of rayon fibers and about 30 percent by weight of polyester fibers and has a weight base about 78 degrees per square meter. The use of such material on a diaper containment flap is described in the patent application of the United States of America series No. 08/984, 347 d Barbara O. Sauer entitled "Absorbing Article Having Improved Containment Fins", filed December 3, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference.

The upper sheet 12 of the illustrated diaper 10 is a conventional liner and suitably presents a face surface to the body which is docile, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The topsheet 12 can be advantageously employed to help isolate the user's skin from liquids maintained in the absorbent structure 16. For example, the topsheet can be less hydrophilic than the absorbent structure 16 to present a relatively dry surface to the user while still porous enough to be permeable to liquid, allowing liquid to easily penetrate through its thickness.

Suitable top sheet materials are known in the art and include a wide selection of fabric materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foam, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (for example, cotton or wood fibers), synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers) or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. A non-woven fabric very suitable for use as a topsheet 12 is a bound fabric with polypropylene yarn composed of fibers from about 2.8 to 3.2 deniers formed in a fabric having a basis weight of about 22 grams per square meter and a density of about 0.06 grams per cubic centimeter and which has been treated on the surface with a surfactant.

The lower sheet 14 of the illustrated diaper 10 typically provides the outer cover of the article and may be composed of either a liquid permeable material or a liquid impervious material. It is often preferred, however, to form the lower sheet 14 of a material which is essentially liquid impervious. A woven or non-woven fibrous fabric layer which has been constructed or treated in whole or in part to impart the desired level of liquid impermeability to the entire lower sheet 14 or to selected regions thereof which are adjacent to the absorbent structure. 16 can advantageously be used as the lower sheet 14. The lower sheet 1 can optionally be composed of a microporous "breathable" material which allows the vapors to escape from the absorbent structure 16 while still preventing the exudates liquids pass through the lower sheet 14.

For example, a typical bottom sheet can be made of a thin plastic film material or another material impervious to flexible liquid such as a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 millimeters (0.5 mils per inch) to about 0.051. millimeters (2.0 mils per inch). If it is desired to present the lower sheet with a more fabric-like feel the lower sheet 14 may include a polyolefin film having a non-woven fabric laminated to the outer surface thereof, such as a fabric bonded with fiber yarn. d polyolefin. For example, a stretched and thinned polypropylene film having a thickness of about 0.01 millimeters (0.6 mils per inch) may have thermally laminated thereto a woven bonded yarn of polypropylene fiber, the fibers of which have a thickness of about d 1.5 to 2.5 denier per filament, whose nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of about 17 grams per square meter. The lower blade 14 can also be engraved or otherwise provided with a matte finish to impart a desired feeling appearance. Methods for forming such cloth-like lower sheets are known to those skilled in the art.

The upper sheet 12 and the lower sheet 14 can be held together so as to form a wrap in which the absorbent structure 16 is located. The lower sheet 14 and the upper sheet 12 can also be joined by either directly connecting the top sheet 12 and the top sheet 12. lower sheet 14 together using attaching the upper sheet 12 and the lower sheet 14 together through one or more intermediate components of the absorbent article. The side edges and the longitudinal end edges of the disposable diaper 10 can be suitably formed by portions of the upper sheet 12 and the lower sheet 14 which extend beyond the sides and the longitudinal ends of the absorbent structure 16. The different components of the disposable diaper 10 can be joined together by any means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive bonding., ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding and the like.

Absorbent materials suitable for use as the absorbent structure 16 are well known in the art.

The absorbent structure 16 may comprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a cellulose fluff fabric, mixed with particles of a high-absorbency material commonly known as superabsorbent material. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent structure 16 comprises a cellulose matrix, such as wood pulp fluff, superabsorbent hydrogel forming particles. The wood pulp eraser can be exchanged with polymeric synthetic fibers and blown with fusion or with a combination of blown fiber with fusion and natural fibers. The superabsorbent particles can be mixed in an essentially homogeneous way with the hydrophilic fibers or they can be mixed uniformly. Alternatively, the absorbent structure 1 may comprise a laminate of fibrous fabrics and a superabsorbent material or other suitable means for maintaining superabsorbent material in a localized area.

Suitable high-absorbency materials are well known in the art and can include natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. The high-absorbency materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymer. The term "cross-linked" refers to any means for effectively making materials normally soluble in water essentially insoluble but swellable in water. Such means may include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, complexes and ionic associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces.

The absorbent structure 16 can have any of a number of shapes. For example, the absorbent structure may be rectangular, I-shaped, or T-shaped. It is generally preferred that the absorbent structure 16 be narrower in the middle section 22 than in the front waist sections 18 or 20.

The absorbent structure may also include an emergence layer for rapidly distributing the liquids through the absorbent structure 16 and preventing the stagnation of the liquids on the topsheet 12. Such emergence layers are well known in the art and are frequently placed immediately below. from the lining side to the body.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the diaper 10 can include two fastening appendages 82. The fastening appendages 82 have hook components which engage a curl component placed on the front of the lower sheet 14 to secure the diaper 10. around the user's waist in a way which is well known in the art. Fastening components such as adhesive tapes, buttons, pins, snaps, mushroom and curl clips, and the like can alternatively be used to secure the diaper 10 around the wearer's waist.

The diaper 10 may also include a pair of elastically extending longitudinally extending leg cuffs 84 com illustrated in Figures 1-3. The leg cuffs 84 are generally adapted to fit around the user's legs in use and serve as a mechanical barrier to the lateral flow of exudates from the body. If desired, the diaper 1 may also include a front and back waist elastic to secure the diaper around the user's back front waist when in use. An elastic front waist member 86 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The leg cuffs 84 and waist elastics can be elasticized by the elastic members as is well known to those skilled in the art. The diaper 10 can also include a pair of longitudinally extending and elasticized containment fins 88 which can be configured to maintain a perpendicular arrangement in at least the middle section 22 of the diaper 10 to serve as an additional barrier to the lateral flow of the diaper. the exudates of the body.

Although this invention has been described in detail, it will be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and general principles of the invention. All such changes and modifications are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached clauses. In addition, this application is intended to cover such items of the present disclosure as fall within the known or customary practice in the art.

Claims (17)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An absorbent article having a side-to-body surface positioned on one side of a wearer when the article is in use, the side-to-body surface having a longitudinal and laterally central axis, said article comprising: a lower sheet; a liquid permeable upper sheet attached to the lower sheet; an absorbent structure placed between said upper sheet and said lower sheet; A flap affixed to the back belt portion of said article, said flap is fixedly fastened to said article along a seam, said seam extends between the first and second end ends, said flap has a free edge extending between said first and second end ends, said seam and said free edge define a pocket between said fin and said top sheet, said bag having an opening extending between said first and second end ends; and a spacer assembly attached to said article said spacer assembly has a first element in contact with said fin, a second element placed between said first element and said lower sheet, and a pressed element forcibly separating said first and second elements by said edge free is pressed out of said upper blade.

2. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said spacer assembly also comprises a hinged connection d pivoting said first and second elements.

3. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises a second spacer assembly attached to said article, said second spacer assembly having a third element in contact with said fin, a fourth element placed between said first element and said bottom sheet, and a second pressing element forcibly separating said third quarter elements; said spacer assemblies being respectively positioned in a vicinity to said first terminal end and said second terminal end; and said opening extends essentially in lateral form whereby said spacer assemblies are placed on the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and a laterally central part of said free edge is positioned laterally between said spacer assemblies and pressed outwards said upper sheet.

4. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that one of said elements extends through said opening.

5. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said spacer assembly comprises a bent material.

6. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said pressing element is formed by an elastic hinge comprising a bent material.

7. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the spacer assembly is bent near the longitudinal axis.

8. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the spacer conjunct is a folded foam material.

9. An absorbent article having a side-to-body surface that can be placed on one side of the crotch and of the back waist region of a wearer when the article is in use, the side-to-body surface has a laterally central longitudinal axis, said article comprises: a lower sheet; a top sheet permeable to the liquid attached said bottom sheet; an absorbent structure placed between said upper sheet and said lower sheet; a flap extending laterally positioned in a rear waist portion of said article, said flap is attached to said article along a seam, said seam extending between the first two terminal ends, said flap having a first edge that extends between said first and second end ends, said seam and said free edge define a pocket between said fin and said top sheet, said bag having an opening extending between the first and second end ends; Y a spacer attached to said article, said spacer has a first element that makes contact with a fin, a second element that makes contact with said upper leaf, and a pressing element that forcibly separates said first and second elements so that said edge libr is pressed out of said top sheet.

10. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that dich spacer further comprises a hinge that pivotally connects said first and second elements.

11. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 9, further characterized in that it comprises a second spacer attached to said article, said second spacer has a third element that contacts said fin, a fourth element that contacts said upper leaf, and a second pressing element forcefully separating said third and fourth elements; said spacers are respectively positioned in proximity to said first terminal end to said second terminal end; Y said opening extends essentially laterally so that said spacers are placed on the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and a laterally central part of said edge is placed laterally between said spacers and pressed out of said upper sheet.

12. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that one of said elements extends through said opening.

13. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said spacer comprises a folded material.

14. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said hinge of said pressing element are both formed by a fold.

15. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said spacer is placed near the longitudinal axis.

16. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that dich spacer is a folded foam material.

17. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said fin is impermeable to liquid. SUMMARY An absorbent article having a flap and a spacer wherein the flap is positioned in the back strap portion of the article and forms a pouch. The spacer is placed near the bag opening and presses the bag into an open position. The flap may be a fin which is impermeable to the laterally extending liquid which is fixedly secured to the article along a seam. The seam, which can be essentially U-shaped, extends between the first and second end ends. The fin has a free edge which extends between the first and second end ends of the seam. The seam and the free end of the fin define the limits of a bag which is formed between the fin and a top sheet. of the absorbent article. The bolster has an opening that extends between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The spacer fixed to the article so that it is arranged between the fin and the near lower leaf, and optionally extends through the bag opening to press the free edge of the fin towards the upper leaf. Alternate spacer incorporations can be employed. A single spacer or two spacers placed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the article can be used to press the bag opening. The use of a spacer which dynamically presses the flap outwardly from the top sheet automatically adjusts the size of the bag opening in response to a relative movement between the user and the absorbent article. One more spaced-out hinges can be employed to provide the dynamic spacer.