MXPA00004624A - Absorbent article having improved fecal storage structure - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious tophsheet, a liquid pervious backsheet joined to at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, and a waste management element disposed in at least a portion of the crotch region. The waste management element preferably includes an acceptance element having an effective open area of at least about 30 percent and a storage having a compressive resistance of at least about 70 percent.

Description

** - ABSORBENT ARTICLE THAT HAS IMPROVED FECAL STORAGE STRUCTURE This application claims the benefit of the provisional application of E.U.A. No. 60 / 066,777, filed on November 1, 1997.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to articles that absorb and / or contain exudates from the body, including disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence products for adults, sanitary napkins and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to disposable absorbent articles having improved fecal material handling properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The main function of absorbent articles such as diapers and incontinence briefs for adults is to prevent body exudates from soiling, wetting or contaminating clothes or other items, such as sheets, which make contact with the wearer. In recent years, disposable diapers, such as those described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003, issued to Kenneth Barclay Buell on January 14, 1975, have become very popular with the public and have generally replaced durable cloth absorbent articles, as they are more convenient and reliable. However, despite the effectiveness of such disposable absorbent articles, body exudates a • They often come out or are stored in the diaper, so that the exudates will dirty and / or irritate the user's skin. The unwanted effects of leakage and / or improper containment are evident especially with respect to stool deposited in the diaper. The stools contained in the diaper can damage the skin of the user over time and the stools coming out of the diaper almost • always have unpleasant and messy cleanings. In this way, several attempts have been made to add characteristics to the diapers, such as barriers, bags, separators, transverse barriers, top sheets with opening and the like to limit the movement of the material on the upper sheet and / or to better restrict the fecal matter within the diaper. However, these attempts have generally not been successful due to their cost and complexity or because of their limited success in reducing the negative effects of faeces. Although the present invention can be adapted to provide improved handling of any exudate from the body, the embodiments described below are particularly suitable for controlling viscous fluid body wastes. Such viscous fluid body wastes include soft or liquid stools, and the like, which are usually more viscous than urine, but less viscous than normal adult solid stools. The viscous fluid body wastes are difficult to absorb and / or contain in conventional absorbent structures due to the normal capillary forces that acquire and transport fluids of extremely low viscosity as urine are insufficient to move said body wastes from viscous fluid. In this manner, viscous fluid body wastes often remain on the topsheet of the article where they generally have no restriction in motion and are accessible to and in contact with the wearer's skin. In addition, the fluid characteristics of the waste allow it to flow over the top sheet and sometimes leak out of the article. Accordingly, the special characteristics of viscous fluid body wastes need to be addressed by single acceptance, storage, and Compressed Investment Immobilization structures. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an absorbent structure with improved stool handling properties. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide an absorbent, disposable, inexpensive article with the ability to minimize the negative effects of feces or other bodily wastes of viscous fluid on the user or the caregiver. Also, it would be advantageous to provide an absorbent article that is specifically designed to accept viscous fluid body wastes such as fecal material., especially fecal material of relatively minor viscosity such as soft or liquid stools. Also, it would be desirable to provide an absorbent article * with sufficient effective capacity and retention capacity to store stool there safely and cleanly away from the user's skin and / or clothing throughout the expected time of use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to better handle viscous fluid body wastes, the present invention provides an absorbent article with a first waist region, a second waist region opposite the first waist region and a crotch region between the first waist region and the second waist region. The absorbent article preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid permeable backsheet attached to at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, and a waste management element disposed in at least a portion of the crotch region. The waste handling element preferably has an Acceptance Under Pressure value of more than about 0.50 grams of a viscous fluid body waste per square inch of the waste handling element per milliJoule of energy input. This improved acceptance performance ensures that the article quickly and efficiently absorbs viscous fluid body wastes. The absorbent article of preference also has a Storage Under Pressure value of at least about 0.70 grams of the viscous fluid body waste per square inch of the waste handling element to thereby provide a location for storing the waste away from the user's skin. . In addition, the waste handling element can have a Low Compressed Inversion Freezing value of more than about 70% of the viscous fluid body waste accepted by the waste handling element. Said improved immobilization operation can reduce the likelihood that the waste will return to the wearer's skin once the article absorbs the waste. Accordingly, the absorbent article of the present invention can reduce the likelihood of damaging the user's skin and / or inconvenience to the caregiver normally associated with bowel movements, and especially liquid stools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the specification concludes with claims that point in particular and distinctly claim the main theme observed in the present invention, it is believed that the description will be better understood from the following descriptions that are taken along with the accompanying drawings wherein they are used. similar designations to designate substantially identical elements. Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention with portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface facing the body of the diaper facing the viewer. Figure 2 is a schematic front view of an apparatus that can be used to measure the characteristics of structures of Acceptance Under Pressure and Storage Under Pressure. Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an apparatus that can be used to measure the retention and characteristics of Freeze-Compressed Immobilization structures. Figure 4 is a plan view of a piece of the apparatus shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface facing the body of the diaper that looks at the observer. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper of Figure 5 taken through 6-6. Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface facing the body of the diaper facing the viewer. Figure 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a three-dimensional graphic representation of the relationship between the values of Acceptance Under Pressure structures, Storage Under Pressure and Immobilization Under Compressed Investment. Figure 10 is a three-dimensional graphic representation of the relationship between the values of structures of Acceptance Under Pressure, Storage Under Pressure and retention. Figure 11 is a two-dimensional graphic representation of the relationship between the values of structures of Acceptance Under Pressure and Storage Under Pressure. Figure 12 is a two-dimensional graphical representation of the relationship between the values of retention structures and Low Compressed Investment Freeze. Figure 13 is a two-dimensional graphical representation of the relationship between the values of structures of Immobilization Under Compressed Investment and Storage Under Pressure. Figure 14 is a two-dimensional graphic representation of the relationship between the values of structures of Storage Under Pressure and Reception Under Pressure. Figure 15 is a two-dimensional graphic representation of the relationship between the values of Storage Under Pressure and Compressed Resistance of the example structures. Figure 16 is a two-dimensional graphical representation of the relationship between the values of Compressed Investment and Compressed Resistance Immobilization structures.

Figure 17 is a two-dimensional graphical representation of the relationship between the values of structures of Storage Under Pressure and Volume of Cavity. Figure 18 is a two-dimensional graphical representation of the relationship between the values of structures of Low Compressed Investment and Compressed Resistance. Figure 19 is a two-dimensional graphical representation of the relationship between the values of structures of Compressed Investment Freezing and the Effective Open Area of an associated acceptance element. Figure 20 is a two-dimensional graphical representation of the relationship between the values of Storage Under Pressure structures and the Effective Open Area of an associated acceptance element. Figure 21 is a two-dimensional graphic representation of the relationship between the values of Acceptance Under Pressure structures and the Effective Open Area of an associated acceptance element. Figure 22 is a two-dimensional graphic representation of the relationship between the values of storage structures under pressure and the effective open area of an associated acceptance element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain exudates from the body, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the user's body for absorb and contain the different exudates discharged by the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that generally should not be washed or otherwise re-stored or used as an absorbent article (ie, should be discarded after a single use and, after preference, to be recycled or disposed of in a manner compatible with the environment). (As used herein, the term "discard" is used to mean that a diaper element (s) is formed (attached or placed) at a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other diaper elements or as a separate element attached to another diaper element As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations by which one element is directly secured to another element by attaching the element directly to the other element, and configurations by which one element it is indirectly secured to another element by fixing the element to intermediate member (s) which in turn are fixed to the other element). A "unitary" absorbent article refers to absorbent articles that are formed of separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity, so that they do not require separate manipulator parts such as a separate fastener or liner. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20, shown in Figure 1. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally used for Infants and incontinent people on the lower torso. The present invention can also be applied to other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence garments, absorbent grafts, diaper liners and liners, feminine hygiene garments, towels, bandages and the like. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in a planar state with portions of the structure cut away to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of the diaper 20 facing the wearer is oriented towards the observer . As shown in Figure 1, diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid permeable top sheet 24; a liquid permeable backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28, which is preferably placed between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; elastic leg turns 32; an elastic waist addition 34; and an insurance system designated generally as 40. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 with a first waist region 36., a second waist region 38 opposite the first waist region 36 and a crotch region 37 located between the first waist region and the second waist region. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the other edges of the diaper 20 where the longitudinal edges 50 run generally parallel to the longitudinal center line 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 run between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the longitudinal edges. the lateral center line 110 of the diaper 20. The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper 20. The chassis 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28 and preferably an outer covering layer including the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. If the absorbent article comprises a separate fastener and a liner, the chassis 22 generally comprises the fastener and the liner. (For example, him The fastener may comprise one or more layers of material for • forming the outer cover of the article and the liner may comprise an absorbent assembly including a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core. In such cases, the fastener and / or the liner may include an insurance element that is used for hold the liner in place over the time of use). For unitary absorbent articles, the chassis 22 comprises the main structure of the diaper with other added features to form the structure of the mixed body diaper. While the leaf • upper 24, the backsheet 26 and the absorbent core 28 can be Assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are generally described in US Pat. No. 3,860,003, entitled "Contractible Side Portions for Disposable Diaper" which was issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell the September 9, 1992; and the U.S. Patent. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; and the U.S. Patent. No. 5,554,145 entitled "Absorbent Article With Multiple Zone Structural Elastic-Like Film Web Extensible Waist Feature" which was issued to Roe et al. On September 10, 1996; Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,569,234 entitled "Disposable Pull-On Pant" which was issued to Buell et al. On October 29, 1996; Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,580,411 entitled "Zero Scrap Method for Manufacturing Side Panels for Absorbent Articles" which was issued to Nease et al. On December 3, 1996; and Patent Application of E.U.A. Serial No. 08 / 915,471, entitled "Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels" filed on August 20, 1997 in the name of Robles et al .; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The backsheet 26 is usually the portion of the diaper 20 positioned adjacent the garment facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 which prevents the exudates absorbed and contained there from soiling the articles that may contact the diaper 20, such like sheets and underwear. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is impermeable to liquids (eg, urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Suitable backsheet films include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962 and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials that allow the vapors to escape from the diaper 20, at the same time preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. Examples of breathable materials may include materials such as webs woven, nonwoven webs, mixed body materials such as nonwoven webs coated with film, and micropore films such as those made by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City , TX, under the EXXAIRE designations. Suitable breathable mixed body materials comprising polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnat, OH under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097. Such breathable mixed-body materials are described in more detail in PCT Patent Application No. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995 in the name of DuPont IE and the co-pending US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 744,487, filed on November 6, 1996 in the name of Curro. Other back sheets that can breathe including nonwoven webs and films formed with openings are described in US Pat. No. 5,571,096 issued to Dobrin et al. On November 5, 1996. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference. The back sheet 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a band ("SELF") of structural elastic type film. A structural elastic type film web is an extensible material that exhibits an elastic type behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of additional elastic materials. The SELF band includes a deformable network having at least two contiguous, distinct and different regions. Preferably, the regions are configured so as to exhibit strength forces in response to an axial elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis before a substantial portion of the other region develops significant resistance forces to the applied elongation. At least one of the regions has a surface length that is greater than that of the other region as measured substantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material is in a tensionless condition. The region exhibiting the longest surface length includes one or more deformations that extend beyond the plane of the other region. The SELF band exhibits at least two different stages of resistance strength controlled to elongation on at least one predetermined axis when subjected to an elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The SELF band exhibits first applied elongation resistance forces until the elongation of the band is sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the region to have the longest surface length to enter the applied elongation plane, where the SELF band exhibits second resistance forces to more elongation. The total resistance to elongation forces are higher than the first elongation resistance forces provided by the first region. SELF bands suitable for the present invention are further described in the U.S. Patent. No. 5,518,801 entitled "Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior", which was issued to Chappell et al. On May 21, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. In alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these and other suitable materials with non-woven or synthetic films. The backsheet 26 can be attached to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28 or any other element of the diaper 20 by any means of attachment known in the art. For example, the fixing means may include a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrangement of separate lines, spirals or spots of adhesive. A preferred attachment means comprises an open-pattern network of filaments of adhesive as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment," which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986. Other suitable securing means include several lines of adhesive filaments that are wound in a spiral pattern, as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in the US Patent No. 3,911,173, issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,785,996, issued to Ziecker, and others on November 22, 1978; and Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,842,666, issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference. It has been found that adhesives that are satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota and marketed as HL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the fixation means may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable fixation means or combinations of these fixation means as are known in the art. The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body surface 47 of the absorbent core 28 and may be attached thereto and / or to the backsheet 26 by any means of attachment known in the art. Suitable attachment means are described above with respect to means for attaching the backsheet 26 to other elements of the diaper 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are attached directly in some locations and they are indirectly bonded to other locations by attaching them directly to other elements of the diaper 20. The topsheet 24 is preferably soft and does not irritate the wearer's skin. In addition, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids to penetrate soon through its thickness. A suitable top sheet 24 can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials, such as porous foams; cross-linked foams; plastic films with openings; woven or non-woven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. If the absorbent assemblies include fibers, the fibers may be spun, wet-stretched, blow-molded, entangled, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. A suitable top sheet 24 comprising a band of polypropylene fibers the length of a staple is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts under the designation P-8. Suitable formed film upper sheets are described in the U.S. Patent. No. 3,929,135, entitled "Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries," which was issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,324,246 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet", which was issued to Mullane et al. On April 13, 1982; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,342,314 entitled "Resilient Plástic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties," which was issued to Radel et al. On August 3, 1982; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,463,045 entitled "Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plástic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression", which was issued to Ahr et al. On July 31, 1984; and Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,006,394"Multilayer Polymeric Film" issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. Other suitable top sheets 30 are made in accordance with US Patents. Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643, issued to Curro et al. On September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986, respectively, and both are incorporated herein by reference. Said films formed are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE" and of Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana as "CLIFF-T". Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolate the user's skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably by at least the upper surface of the upper sheet 24 is treated to be hydrophilic, so that liquids will be transferred to through the top sheet more quickly. This decreases the likelihood that exudates from the body will flow from the upper sheet 24 instead of being drawn through the upper sheet 24 and absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The upper sheet 24 can be made hydrophilic by treating it with an agent. surfactant or by incorporating a surfactant into the top sheet. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying the top sheet material 24 with the surfactant and immersing the material in the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of said treatment and hydrophilic characteristic is found in the U.S. Patent. No. 4, 988,344 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers" issued to Reising et al. On January 29, 1991 and the U.S. Patent. No. 4,988,345 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores" issued to Reising on January 29, 1991. A more detailed discussion of some suitable methods for incorporating surfactant into the topsheet can be found in the Statutory Invention Registry of E.U.A. No. H1670, published on July 1, 1997 in the name of Aziz et al. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 may include an apertured web or film that is hydrophobic. This can be achieved by eliminating the hydrophilic treatment step of the production process and / or by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the topsheet 24, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound such as SCOTHGUARD or a hydrophobic lotion composition, as described below. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the openings be large enough to allow the penetration of aqueous fluids such as urine without significant resistance. Any portion of the topsheet 24 can be coated with a lotion as is known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in the U.S. Patent. No. 5,607,760 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Lotioned Topsheet Containing an Emollient and a Poiyol Polyester Immobilizing Agent", issued to Roe on March 4, 1997.; Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,609,587 entitled "Diaper Having a Lotion Topsheet Comprising a Liquid Poiyol Polyester Emollient and Immobilizing Agent", issued to Roe on March 11, 1997; Patent of E.U.A.

No. 5,635,191 entitled "Diaper Having A Lotioned Topsheet Containing A Polysiloxane Emollient", issued to Roe et al. On June 3, 1997; and the U.S. Patent. No. 5,643,588 entitled "Diaper Having A Lotioned Topsheet", issued to Roe et al. On July 1, 1997. The lotion may work alone or in combination with another agent such as the hydrophobic treatment described above. The topsheet may also include or be treated with antibacterial agents, some examples of which are described in PCT Publication No. WO 95/24173 entitled "Absorbent Articles Containing Antibacterial Agents in the Topsheet For Odor Control" which was published on 14 September 1995 in the name of Theresa Johnson. In addition, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, or any portion of the topsheet or the backsheet may be embossed and / or matt finished to provide an appearance to clothing. The absorbent core 28 can comprise any absorbent material that can generally be compressed, shaped, without irritating the wearer's skin, and which can absorb and retain liquids such as urine and other exudates from the body. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangle, hourglass, letter "T" shape, symmetric, etc.) and can comprise a wide variety of used liquid absorbent materials commonly in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as wood pulp, which is usually referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include cellulose filler; meltblown polymers, including coform; hardened, modified or chemically entangled cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue sheets; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; gelling materials in solid absorbers; or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 may also vary (e.g., the absorbent core or other absorbent structures may have zones of different caliber, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or acquisition zones with lower average density and average weight basis. lesser, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper 20. Examples of absorbent structures for use as the absorbent assemblies are described in the US Patent. 4,610,678 entitled "High-Density Absorbent Structures", issued to Weisman et al. On September 9, 1986; Patent of E.U.A. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores", issued to Weisman et al. On June 16, 1987; Patent of E.U.A. 4,834,735, entitled "High Density Absorbing Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones", issued to Alemany et al. On May 10, 1989; Patent of E.U.A. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer", issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,137,537 entitled "Absorbent Structure Containing Individualized, Polycarboxylic Acid Crosslinked Wood Pulp Cellulose Fibers ", issued to Herron et al. On August 11, 1991; US Patent 5,147,345 entitled" High Efficiency Absorbent Articles for Incontinence Management ", issued to Young et al. On September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article For Low-Viscosity Fecal Material", issued to Roe on August 30, 1994; U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345 entitled "Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles Containing Such Materials ", issued to DesMarais et al. on November 9, 1993; page 5,387,207 entitled" Thin-Until-Wet Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids and Process for Making Same ", issued to Dyer et al. on February 7, 1995; and Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,625,222 entitled "Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Fluids Made From High Internal Phase Emulsions Having Very High Water-To-Oil Ratios", issued to DesMarais et al. On July 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporated herein. by reference. The diaper 20 may also comprise at least one elastic waist addition 34 which helps provide improved fit and containment. The addition of elastic waist 34 generally must expand and contract elastically to dynamically adjust to the wearer's waist. The elastic waist addition 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least one waist edge 62 of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least a portion of the trailing edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers they are often made in order to have two elastic waist additions, one placed in the first waist region 36 and one placed in the second waist region 38. In addition, although the addition of elastic waist 34 or any of its constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elements secured to the diaper 20, the elastic waist addition 34 may be constructed as an extension of other diaper elements 20, such as the backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both the backsheet 26 and the topsheet 24. The addition of elastic waist 34 can be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in the US Patent. No. 4,515,595, issued to Kievit et al. On May 7, 1985; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,710,189, issued to Lash on December 1, 1987; Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and the U.S. Patent. No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist configurations may include waist additions such as those described in the U.S. Patent. No. 5,026,364, issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991 and the U.S. Patent. No. 4,816,025, issued to Foreman on March 28, 1989. All references mentioned above are incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 may also include an insurance system 40. The securing system 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38 in an overlapping configuration to thereby provide lateral stresses on the circumference of the diaper 20 for holding the diaper 20 on the wearer. The insurance system 40 preferably comprises tabs and / or hook and loop insurance components, although other known insurance means are generally accepted. Some examples of insurance systems are described in the U.S. Patent. 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening System for Disposable Diaper", issued to Buell on November 19, 1074; Patent of E.U.A. B1 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbent Article", issued to Hirotsu et al. On May 5, 1987; Patent of E.U.A. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having An Improved Fastening Device", issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; Patent of E.U.A. 4,894,060 entitled "Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook Fastener Portion", issued to Nesteguard on January 16, 1990; Patent of E.U.A. 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastener And Method of Making Same", issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990; and the U.S. Patent. with previous reference No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and the U.S. Patent. No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. The insurance system may also provide a means to hold the article in a waste configuration as described in the U.S. Patent. No. 4,963,140, issued to Robertson et al. On October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference. In alternative modalities, opposite sides of the garment can be sewn or welded to form a pair of pants. This allows the item to be used as a "pull-on" type diaper, such as a pair of pants to teach children to go to the bathroom. The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 may be elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and molded fit by comfortably fitting the diaper 20 to the wearer and holding this fit throughout the time of use. until after having loaded the diaper 20 with exudates, since the elastic side panels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract. The side panels 30 can also provide more effective application of the diaper 20, since even if the person wearing the diaper pulls an elastic side panel 30 more than the other during the application, the diaper 20 will "self-adjust" during use. Although the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has the side panels 30 disposed in the second waist region 38, the diaper 20 can also be provided with side panels 30 arranged in the first waist region 36 or both in the first region of waist 36 as in the second waist region 38. The side panels 30 can be constructed in any suitable configuration. Examples of diapers with elastic side panels are described in the U.S. Patent. 4,857,067, entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Shirred Ears", issued to Wood et al. On August 15, 1989; Patent of E.U.A. 4,381,781, issued to Sciaraffa et al. On May 3, 1983; Patent of E.U.A. 4,938,753, issued to Van Gompel et al. On July 3, 1990; the Patent of E.U.A. with previous reference No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and the U.S. Patent. No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,669,897, issued to LaVon et al. On September 23, 1997, entitled "Absorbent Articles Providing Sustained Dynamic Fit"; Patent Application of E.U.A. Serial No. 08 / 155,048 entitled "Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels", filed on November 19, 1993 in the name of Robles et al .; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 further preferably includes leg turns 32 that provide improved fluid containment and other body exudates. Leg turns can also be referred to as leg bands, side wings, barrier rounds, or elastic turns. The Patent of E.U.A. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a leg opening that can be contracted with a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elastic leg turn (one loop with padding). The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803, issued to Aziz et al. On February 28, 1989 and March 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers with dual laps, including laps with fill and barrier laps. In some embodiments, it may be desired to treat all or a portion of the leg turns with a lotion, as described above. The embodiments of the present invention may also include bags for receiving and containing waste, separators providing spaces for disposal, barriers to limit the movement of waste in the article, compartments or cavities that accept and contain waste materials in the diaper, and similar, or any combination thereof. Examples of bags and separators for use in absorbent products are described in the U.S. Patent. 5,514,121, issued to Roe et al. On May 7, 1996, entitled "Diaper Having Expulsive Spacer"; Patent of E.U.A. 5,171,236, issued to Dreier et al. On December 15, 1992, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Core Spacers"; Patent of E.U.A. 5,397,318, issued to Dreier on March 14, 1995, entitled "Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff"; Patent of E.U.A. 5,540,671, issued to Dreier on July 30, 1996, entitled "Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff With An Apex"; and PCT Application WO 93/25172 published December 3, 1993, entitled "Spacers For Use In Hygienic Absorbent Articles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Spacer"; and the U.S. Patent. 5,306,266, entitled "Flexible Spacers For Use In Disposable Absorbent Articles", issued to Freeland on April 26, 1994. Examples of compartments or cavities are described in the U.S. Patent. 4,968,312, entitled "Disposable Fecal Compartmenting Diaper", issued to Khan on November 6, 1990; Patent of E.U.A. 4,990,147, entitled "Absorbent Article With Elastic Liner For Waste Material Isolation", issued to Freeland on February 5, 1991; Patent of E.U.A. 5,62,840, entitled "Disposable • 5 Diapers ", issued to Holt and others on November 5, 1991, and US Patent 5,269,755 entitled" Trisection Topsheets for Disposable Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Trisection Topsheets ", issued to Freeland and others on December 14 of 1993. Examples of transversal barriers Suitable embodiments are described in the U.S. Patent. No. 5,554,142 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Multiple Effective Height Transverse Partition", issued September 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier et al .; PCT Patent WO 94/14395 entitled "Absorbent Article Having An Upstanding Transverse Partition" published on July 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland and others; and the U.S. Patent. 5,653,703 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Angular Upstanding Transverse Partition", issued on August 5, 1997 to Roe et al. All references cited above are incorporated herein by reference. In addition to or instead of the cavities, pockets and barriers, described above, the embodiments of the present invention preferably include a waste management element 120 capable of accepting, storing and / or immobilizing the body waste effectively and efficiently. viscous fluid, such as liquid stools. He The waste management element 120 can be located anywhere in the article, including the crotch region or any waist region, or it can be associated with or included in any structure or element such as the core 28, a turn of the leg , etc. In preferred embodiments, the waste management element 120 is located in the region of the article that is close to the perianal region of the user during use. This helps to ensure that any discharged waste is deposited on or near the waste handling element 120. As used herein, the term "viscous fluid body waste" or "DCFV" generally refers to any discharged waste. from the body having a viscosity of more than about 10 cP and less than about 2 x 105 cP at a shear rate of one second 1 / sec, (at about 35 degrees C), more in particular between about 103 cP and 105 cP at a second 1 / sec of shear stress, in a tension controlled rheometry test using parallel plates in a controlled voltage rheometer. (For reference, the water is at 1.0 cP at 20 degrees C and the JIF peanut butter (available from Procter &Gamble Co., Cinti., OH) is approximately 4 X 105 cP at 25 degrees C at this same shear stress ). The method for determining viscosity, as used herein, is described in detail in the Test Method section below. As used herein, the term "accept" or "acceptance" refers to the penetration of a structure by materials arranged therein. Specifically, the term accept refers to the penetration of a structure by a fluid when it is subjected to the conditions established in the Acceptance Test under Pressure, described in the Test Methods Section. Penetration is defined by the passage of materials through the surface of the structure • on which the material was deposited. The penetration of non-uniform structures can be defined as the passage of a material through a plane that defines the surface on which the material was deposited. Acceptance Under Pressure, or "acceptance" is measured as the amount of material that penetrates the surface of the structure by unit area per unit work done. "Work" is a term • Energy that refers to the application of force through a distance. In this way, structures or elements that readily accept viscous fluid body wastes require less energy to expand per unit mass of body waste. viscous fluid through the structure. An alternative performance parameter to describe the penetration of a structure by DCFV is "reception". As used herein, the term "reception" refers to the penetration of a structure by a fluid per unit area per unit of power when subjected to the conditions established in the Reception Under Pressure test, described in the Test Methods section. Reception Under Pressure, or "reception" is measured as the amount of material that penetrates the surface of the structure per unit area per unit of power. "Power" is a term that refers to the amount of work done as a function of time (that is, the speed at which work is done). In preferred embodiments, the absorbent article of the present invention should include a waste handling element. • 120 with an Acceptance Under Pressure of more than about 0.5 g of viscous fluid body waste per square inch of the waste handling element 120 per mJ (milli Joule) of energy input. More preferably, the waste handling element 120 must have Acceptance Under Pressure of more than about 0.6 g / in2 / mJ of viscous fluid body waste. Even more • preferable, the waste management element 120 should have a Acceptance Under Pressure of more than about 0.8 g / in2 / mJ, and more preferably greater than about 1.0 g / in2 / mJ of viscous fluid body waste. In general, it has been discovered that they are Acceptable Acceptance values between at least about 0.6 g / in2 / mJ and about 1 0.0 g / in2 / mJ and between about 0.8 g / in2 / mJ and about 1 0.0 g / in2 / mJ are acceptable. Alternatively, the waste management element 1 20 must have • a Reception Under Pressure of at least approximately 1 .5 grams of viscous fluid body waste per square inch of the waste handling element 120 per milliWart (mW) of power, more preferably more than about 3.0 g / in2 / mW, even more preferably greater than about 5.0 g / in2 / mW, more preferable more than about 1 0.0 g / in2 / mW. Usually, the Low Pressure Reception is between about 1.5 and 50.0 g / in / mW and can be between about 5.0 and about 50.0 g / in2 / mW. (These preferred Acceptance and Reception Under Pressure parameters refer to integrated items that are preferably evaluated since they are intended to be used, that is, if the article is intended to be used, it comprises more than one component or layer, all components or Article layers should be set up as they would be during normal use when the measure of their operation is taken A more detailed description of the method for determining Acceptance Under Pressure operation is included in the Test Methods section below). If the Acceptance Under Pressure operation is very low, more work must be done (ie more power input to the system) to cause the viscous fluid body waste to penetrate the waste handling element 120. This is important because the The energy available to push the body waste of viscous fluid into the waste handling element 120 is limited and varies from one user to another and from one cycle of use to another. If the Receiving Under Pressure is very low, more power is required (i.e., a given amount of energy input is required over a longer period) to cause the viscous fluid body waste to penetrate the waste handling element 120. This is important since many energy sources under real conditions of use are of short duration (for example, user movements). In addition, the viscous fluid body waste properties vary considerably among different users. Therefore, the absolute amount of body waste of viscous fluid that will permeate a structure with a body waste penetration of high viscous fluid per unit work or unit power will be greater than the amount that will penetrate a structure with less acceptance. The lower acceptance or reception values are also important for the overall performance of an absorbent article since only the portion of a viscous fluid body waste discharge that is accepted can be stored and immobilized. Once the viscous fluid body waste has penetrated the waste handling element 120, it is desired to store or hold the waste away from the user during the rest of the use cycle and away from the caregiver during the change process. As used herein, the term "store" refers to the physical separation of material deposited in a diaper from the surface facing the body of the article, so that the material disposed in the diaper is not in immediate contact with or accessible to the user's skin. Storage Under Pressure, or "storage," is measured as the amount of material held in the structure on a unit area basis, as described in the Test Methods section below. If the storage capacity under pressure is very low, the absolute amount of body waste of viscous fluid that can be stored away from the skin access per unit area of the structure will be reduced. Adequate storage capacity is essential to reduce the likelihood of leakage and the area of skin contaminated by viscous fluid body waste since the body waste of viscous fluid that has been stored is less likely to be available to the body-facing surface of the structure for flight and migration within the article. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the absorbent article must include a waste handling element 120 with a Storage Under Pressure value of greater than about 0.70 grams per square inch (g / in2) of waste disposal element 120 of waste body viscous fluid. More preferably, the waste handling element 120 should have a Storage Under Pressure value of more than about 0.80 g / in2 of viscous fluid body waste. Even more preferably, the waste handling element 120 should have a Storage Under Pressure value of more than about 1.0 g / in2 of viscous fluid body waste, and most preferably more than about 1.2 g / in2 of viscous fluid body waste. . In general, it has been found that Storage Under Pressure values are acceptable between at least about 0.8 g / in2 and about 10.0 g / in2, and between about 1.0 g / in2 and about 10.0 g / in2. (These preferred parameters of Under Pressure Storage refer to integrated items that are preferably evaluated as they are intended to be used, therefore, all components or layers of the article must be configured as they would be during normal use when taking the measurement of their A more detailed description of the method for determining the operation of Under Pressure Storage is included in the Test Methods section below). The Storage Under Pressure parameter is different from the Acceptance or Reception Under Pressure parameters in that it is an absolute measure of the amount of body waste of viscous fluid that can be absorbed into the structure on a low unit area basis a given applied pressure. On the other hand, the acceptance or reception is a measure of the amount of material absorbed normalized by the amount of energy that was expanded or power that was introduced, respectively, to force the material to penetrate the structure. Although each of the numbers is of value by itself, it is the combination of these parameters that gives a more accurate idea of the overall function of a given structure. For example, the storage capacity of a structure can not be fully utilized if the energy required to "fill" the capacity is greater than the energy available in a given use situation. Conversely, the acceptance of a structure can be high (ie, the energy required to penetrate is low), but the storage capacity can be very low, reducing the overall efficiency of the structure. Therefore, it is important to provide structures that have both an adequate viscous fluid body waste capacity and that require a minimum input of energy (work) or power to fill the available capacity. Figure 11 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the Acceptance and Storage Under Pressure values of various structures that are described in the Examples below. The viscous fluid body waste that is accepted by, or • penetrates, the absorbent article preferably is also retained in the diaper away from the wearer. A preferred way of retaining body waste, in particular body waste of viscous fluid, is to immobilize the waste at a location away from the user. As used herein, the term "immobilize" refers to the ability of the material or structure to retain fluid body waste • viscous stored under an applied pressure and / or the influence of gravity forces. Immobilization under Compressed Inversion, or "immobilization", can be achieved by increasing the user's viscosity (for example, when draining), by mechanical trap (ie, a phenomenon of surface energy driven by increased surface area of contact of the body waste of viscous fluid with the internal regions of the material or structure) or by any other means known in the art. "Immobilization Under Compressed Investment", as described further in the Test Method section below, it is measured in terms of the percentage of body waste of viscous or analogous fluid remaining in the structure after subjecting the structure to an inverted pressure cycle, as described below. "Retention Under Compressed Inversion", or "retention", is an absolute measure of the amount of body waste of viscous fluid that remains "stored" under conditions of use in tension. Preferably, the waste handling element 120 must have a Low Compressed Retention value of more than about 7.5 g of the viscous fluid body waste that penetrates the structure. More preferably, the waste handling element 120 should have a Low Compressed Inversion Retention value of more than about 8.0 g of viscous fluid body waste, and most preferably more than about 8.5 g of viscous fluid body waste after being submitted to the Retention Under Compressed Investment test, as described below. In general, it has been found that Low Compressed Retention values are acceptable between at least about 7.5 g and about 100.0 g, and between about 8.0 g and about 100.0 g. Under the same conditions, the waste management element 120 must have a Compressed Low Inversion Freeze value of at least 70% of viscous fluid body waste accepted by the waste handling element 120. More preferably, the waste management element 120 Waste handling 120 must have a Low Compressed Inversion Fixation value of at least about 80% and most preferably at least about 85% of the viscous fluid body waste accepted by Element 120. Generally, the values of Immobilization Under Compressed Investment between at least about 70% and about 100%, and between about 80% and about 100%. (These preferred parameters of Imprisonment and Retention Under Compressed Investment refer to integrated items that are preferably evaluated since they are intended to be used.

• Components or layers of the item must be configured as they would be during normal use when the operation measurement is taken. A more detailed description of the method to determine the operation of Fixation and Retention Under Compressed Investment is included in the section Test Methods more forward). • Without the proper functioning of immobilization and retention, the effects of improved acceptance and storage performance may decrease since the body waste of viscous fluid may return to the surface facing the body of the body. structure, increasing the likelihood of leakage or contamination of the user's skin. In addition, immobilization is more effective if the structure first accepts the waste and then stores it. Body waste of viscous fluid that is immobilized before being stored away from the user's skin may remain on the sheet superior in contact with the skin. The immobilization of body waste of viscous fluid that is in contact with the skin can increase the effort required by the caregiver during the change / cleaning process and increases the likelihood of micro-level contamination of waste. "Micro-level contamination" refers to waste residue that remains on the skin, but is not very visible to the human eye. Therefore, as shown in the graph of Figures 9 and 10, it may be useful to consider at least three parameters (acceptance, storage, immobilization or acceptance, storage and retention) for a given structure when determining its usefulness to handle with Effective body wastes of viscous fluid. Although structures accepting, storing and immobilizing viscous fluid body wastes are preferred, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the waste handling element 120 may comprise only an acceptance element, a storage element or an immobilization element, or It may include a combination of two of the elements, but not the third. Also, in certain modalities, an element can perform more than one function (for example, a storage element can perform both storage functions with those of immobilization). For example, the absorbent article of the present invention may include an acceptance and a storage element for handling viscous fluid body wastes without a separate immobilization element, per se. Accordingly, it is desired to be able to identify suitable individual, acceptance, storage and immobilization elements and measure their separate effectiveness from an absorbent article structure. The following discussion identifies several, but not all, of the appropriate elements of acceptance, storage and immobilization that can be used independently of each other or in any combination and a preferred method to determine their relative effectiveness.

Acceptance Element In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waste management element 120 includes an acceptance means or acceptance element 150. The acceptance element 150 is that portion of the diaper 20 that must accept body exudates deposited on the diaper. 20, and more in particular should accept body waste of viscous fluid. The acceptance element 150 should preferably have an Acceptance Under Pressure value of more than 0.70 g / in2 / mJ of viscous fluid body waste or an equivalent analog. More preferably, the acceptance element 150 should have a value of Acceptance under Pressure of more than 0.8 g / in2 / mJ, and very much more than 1.0 g / in2 / mJ of viscous fluid body waste. Generally, Acceptance Under Pressure values between at least about 0.6 g / in2 / mJ and about 10.0 g / in2 / mJ and between about 0.8 g / in2 / mJ and about 10.0 g / in2 have been found acceptable. / mJ. Alternatively, the waste acceptance element 120 must have a Reception Under Pressure of at least about 1.5 grams of viscous fluid body waste per square inch of the waste handling element 120 per milliWatt (mW) of power, more preferably more than about 3.0 g / in2 / mW, even more preferably more than about 5.0 g / in2 / mW, most preferably more than about 10.0 g / in2 / mW. In general, Reception Under Pressure is between about 1.5 and 50.0 g / in2 / mW and can be between about 5.0 and 50.0 g / in2 / mW. If the acceptance or reception operation is very low, more work must be done, or more power must be applied, respectively, (ie, more energy input to the system) to cause the viscous fluid body waste to penetrate the acceptance 150. As noted above, the operation of Acceptance or Reception Under Pressure is important for the overall operation of an absorbent article, since the unaccepted waste will remain in contact with the user's skin. In addition, only the portion of a viscous fluid body waste that is accepted can be stored and immobilized away from the user's skin, as contemplated by the present invention. The acceptance element 150 can be any material or structure capable of accepting body exudates, as described above. The acceptance element 150 can include a single material or a number of materials operatively associated with each other. In addition, the acceptance member 150 may be movable from the absorbent article by separate waste, if desired. The acceptance element 150 is preferably disposed at least partially in the crotch region 37 of the diaper 20 adjacent to the surface of the body 47 of the core 28, although in some alternate embodiments, the acceptance element 150 may include at least one portion of a leg turn, waist band, fecal waste containment bag, or the like, or may be operatively associated with any such addition. Preferably, at least the portion of the acceptance element 150 located in the region of the diaper 20 that is close to the anus of • user during use, is not obstructed by overlapping layers of structures, such as the top sheet 24. In this way, it may be desired to cut a portion of the top sheet 24 in the region of the article that is to be located near the anus of the user and to provide an acceptance element 150 such as the body side liner in that region. Alternatively, any or all of the top sheet 24 can be made or treated to act as the acceptance element 150. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the acceptance element 150 includes at least a portion of the top sheet 24. In other modalities, the acceptance element 150 may include at least a portion of other diaper elements such as the absorbent core 28 or the storage element (described below). In some embodiments, it may be desired to provide diaper 20 with different performance of acceptance or reception in portions different diapers. This can be achieved by providing different acceptance elements in the different regions of the diaper 20 or by providing a single acceptance element 150 that has been manufactured or processed to have regions of different acceptance characteristics. In addition, the acceptance element 150 can be raised on the plane of the surface that looks at the body of the article in order to be in better control of bodily waste of viscous fluid exudates. In some embodiments, it may still be desired to have the acceptance element 150 in contact with the wearer's skin in close proximity to the source of viscous fluid body waste (eg. • example, the perianal region). Materials and structures suitable for use as the acceptance element 150 may include nonwoven webs with openings, apertured films, films formed with openings, meshes, woven webs, meshes, webs, thin foams microporous, and the like. A particularly preferred material is a woven web available from Toy Tub Bag of Dollar Tree Dist, of Norfolk, VA. In addition, the acceptance element 150, or any portion thereof, may be coated with a lotion or other known substance to add, improve or change the operation or other characteristics of the element. For example, the acceptance element 150 can be hydrophobic or hydrophilic or treated to be any. Table I shows the operation of Acceptance and Reception under Pressure of several materials. The data from Acceptance and Reception Under Pressure for the individual acceptance elements shown in Table I are generated by the same method as the Acceptance and Reception under Pressure data for the integral samples tested below, except that the samples tested for Table I include only the element of acceptance 150. In addition, the acceptance element 150 is tested together with a standard storage element 147 instead of the underlying structure of the absorbent article from which the acceptance element 150 was taken. (The standard storage element 147 includes a aluminum plate 1.6 millimeters thick with a pattern of 153 holes 168 regularly separated from 4.3 millimeters in diameter, as shown in figure 4. The holes are arranged so that they are approximately 26 holes per square inch).

TABLE I Acceptance Under Pressure When Using a Standard Storage Element Acceptance Element Acceptance Under Reception Under Pressure (g / in / mJ) Pressure (g / in2 / mW) Nonwoven web with 0.45 1.65 hydro-tangled openings GH437 from Chicopee Inc., North Charleston, SC Film formed at 0.16 0.27 vacuum with openings X-3265 from Tredegar Corp. of Terre Haute, IN Woven network (Toy Tub Bag) 3.54 4.49 from Dollar Tree Dist, of Norfolk, VA It has been found that a parameter for obtag adequate acceptance and reception operation is related to the total effective open area of the acceptance element 1 50. Preferably, the effective open area of the acceptance element 1 50 is at least about 30%, more preferably at least about 50%, and most preferably at least about 70%. Typically, the effective open area of the acceptance element 150 should be in the range of approximately 30 to 70%. Said values and effective open area scales are necessary to ensure that the waste can easily enter or pass through the acceptance element 1 50 to the absorbent core, storage element 1 52 or other underlying structure. This is important since the improved storage and / or immobilization features of the present invention are less likely to be achieved if a sufficient portion of waste does not penetrate the acceptance element 1 50. To achieve adequate total open area measurements, the acceptance element 1 50 must include openings. If the acceptance element 1 50 includes openings, the openings preferably have an effective aperture size of 0.2 square millimeters, more preferably at least 0.5 millimeter square, even more preferably at least 1.0 millimeter square, and very preferable as far as possible. minus 2.0 square millimeters Generally, preferred effective aperture sizes are between about 0.2 square millimeters and about 50 millimeters square, and more preferably between about 1.0 square millimeters and about 25 square millimeters. Table II shows the total effective open area and the effective open area contributed by openings greater than 2.0 square millimeters for a number of web-like materials. The values of Acceptance, Reception, and Storage Under Pressure are also displayed for each of these materials together with the standard storage element. These data are also presented graphically in figures 19-22. It is evident from these data that the scales mentioned above for the effective open area of the acceptance element are critical for the superior operation of the waste management element in terms of immobilization (figure 19), storage (figures 20 and 22), and acceptance (figure 21).

TABLE II Plo Axis Area Description Area Accepts- Warehouse- Reception Open Element Open under Low- Under Effective Acceptance of Effective Pressure to Under Total Pressure,% openings > g / in2 / mj Pressure g / in2 / mW 2.0 mm2,% g / in2 A1 Film formed at 28.5 27.0 1.24 0.56 8.99 vacuum with openings X5790 (1/8"honeycomb pattern) from Tredegar, Corp de Terre Haute, IN A2 Woven net Laundry 63.90 61.0 7.70 1.13 15.27 Bag by LBU Inc., Carlstadt, NJ A3 Red teJ'da (Tu t ° and 59.5 38.0 3.7 0.63 8.54 Bag) by Dollar Tree Norfolk, VA A4 Made from 50 g / m2 23.3 23.0 1.25 0.39 6.55 Corovin LLDPE with secondary bonding sites and ring coiled to selectively produce nonwoven with openings (SAN) as described in the US Patent. No. 5628097 A5 Element 51.70 0.0 2.95 1.03 6.01 standard acceptance 150 A6 A nonwoven of 20.40 0.0 0.15 0.01 0.24 polypropylene with hydrophobic openings 30 g / m2 produced by • Pantex of Pistoia, Italy and identified as PN-S-30 P3 HO A7 A non-woven of 0.0 0.0 0.10 0.02 0.20 polypropylene of 23.3 g / m2 available as P-8 and produced by Franksville Fibertech, Wl A8 One non-woven with 19.0 13.0 2.08 0.29 4.14 32 g / m2 two-layer polypropylene openings identified as # 97/037 and produced by Amoco Fabrics, Germany • The effective aperture size and the open area as a percentage can be determined by the procedure described in Col. 10, line 44- Col. 12, line 43 of the U.S. Patent. No. 5,342,238 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article For Low-Viscosity Fecal Material", issued to Roe on August 30, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Storage Element The waste handling element 120 of the present invention also preferably includes a storage medium or storage element 1 52 capable of storing viscous fluid body wastes accepted by the acceptor 150 or other overlapping layer. , if anything. In preferred embodiments, the storage element 1 52 should have a Low Pressure Storage value of approximately 0.70 g / in 2 of viscous fluid body waste. More preferably, the storage element 1 52 should be capable of storing more than about 0.80 g / in2 of viscous fluid body waste. Even more preferably, the storage element 1 52 should be capable of storing more than about 1.0 g / in2 of body waste of viscous fluid, and more preferably about 1.2 g / in2 of body fluid waste. viscous. In general, it has been found that Storage Under Pressure values between at least about 0.8 g / in2 and about 10.0 g / in2, and between about 1.0 g / in2 and about 1 0.0 g / in2 are acceptable. . The storage element 152 can be located in any place in the diaper 20. However, it is preferred that the storage element 1 52 be operatively associated with the acceptance element 150 and / or top sheet 24, if at all. , so that the body waste of viscous fluid accepted by the acceptance element 150 can enter the storage element 152. (Modes are contemplated wherein the diaper 20 does not have top sheet 24 or acceptance element 150. In such cases, the body waste can enter the storage element 152 directly, without passing through any overlapping structure). In any case, it is preferred that the storage element 152 be located in the region of the diaper 20 which is located near the wearer's anus when the diaper 20 is used. Accordingly, it is preferred that at least a portion of the storage element 152 is disposed in the crotch region 37 of the absorbent article. However, in some alternate embodiments, the storage element 152 can include at least a portion of any waist region, a leg turn., the waist band, a fecal waste containment bag, or the like, or can be operatively associated with any of said additions. In addition, the storage element 152 can rise above the plane of the surface facing the body of the article so as to be in better control of exudated viscous fluid body wastes. In some embodiments, it may still be desired to have the storage element 152 in contact with the wearer's skin in close proximity to the body waste source of viscous fluid (e.g., the perianal region). The operation of Storage Under Pressure of the storage element 152 may be uniform or may vary throughout the diaper 20. Such variations may be achieved by employing multiple storage elements 1 52 in the diaper 20 or by providing a single storage element 1 52 with regions of different storage capacities under pressure. In addition, any part of or all of the storage element 152 may be movable from the absorbent article for separate disposal, if desired. The storage element 152 may be any material or structure capable of storing body exudates, as described above. In this way, the storage element 152 may include a single material or a number of materials operatively associated with each other. In addition, the storage element 1 52 may be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or it may be one or more separate elements that are passed directly or indirectly with one or more elements of the diaper 20. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 5, the storage element 1 52 includes a structure that is separated from the nucleus 28. However, embodiments are contemplated wherein the storage element 1 52 includes at least a portion of the nucleus 28. Materials Suitable for use as the storage element 152 may include large cell open foams, macro-porous, non-woven resisting pits, large size particle shapes of open and closed cell foams (macro and / or micro-porous). ), non-woven, polyolefin, polystyrene, foams or polyurethane particles, structures comprising a multiplicity of strands of vertically oriented bonded fibers, absorbed core structures previously described having perforated holes or holes, and the like. (As used herein, the term "micro-porous" refers to materials that are capable of transporting fluids by capillary action.) The term "macroporous" refers to materials that have very large pores to perform capillary fluid transport, for example. usually with larger pores of approximately 0.5 mm in diameter and more specifically, with larger pores of approximately 1.0 mm in diameter). One embodiment includes a mechanical lock loop element, with an uncompressed thickness of approximately 1.5 millimeters available as XPL-7124 from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Another embodiment includes a non-woven 6-denier, crimped and resin bonded pit with a basis weight of 110 grams per square meter and an uncompressed 7.9 millimeter thickness that is available from Glit Company of Wrens, Georgia. The storage element 152, or any portion thereof, may include or be coated with a lotion or other known substance to add, improve or change the performance or other characteristics of the element. An alternate embodiment of a storage element 152 includes a macro-particle structure 170 comprising a multiplicity of discrete particles 172, non-limiting examples of which are shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8. The macro particles 172 have preferably a normal size, preferably between about 1.0 mm and about 25.4 mm, and more preferably between about 2 mm and about 16 mm. However, particles as small as 0.5 mm or smaller are contemplated, and larger particles of approximately 25.4 mm. Particles with a nominal size of approximately 1.0 mm or more are those that are usually retained on the surface of a US standard No. 18 mesh screen. Particles that have a nominal size of less than about 25.4 mm are those that usually pass through a No. 25.4mm US standard screen. Particles that have a nominal size of 16 mm or more are those that are usually retained on the surface of a US standard No. 16 m sieve. The nominal particle size is measured before incorporating the particles in a storage element 152 for testing or use. Particles with a nominal size of 8 mm or more are those that are usually retained on the surface of a US standard No. 8 sieve. The macro particle structure 170 may include any number of particles 172. In addition, the particles 172 may be stripped and released to move within the structure 170 or they may be joined together by any known means. Alternatively, the structure 170 may include an external support, such as a hot melt glue, a web, a web, a roll, a thread or other adhesive or non-adhesive backing. Any of the particles 172 can also be attached to any other portion of the diaper structure, such as the topsheet or the core. The particles 172 can also be found in patterned three-dimensional regions such as tables, "pillows" and bags.

The individual particles 172 can be made from any material suitable for use in absorbent articles, including the materials described above with respect to the absorbent core 28 or the storage element 152. The materials used in the particles 172 can be absorbent, non-absorbent , microporous, macroporous, elastic, non-elastic, etc., or can have any other desired characteristic. Examples of macroporous absorbent materials suitable for use in particles 172 include nonwovens, open cell foams, fiber groups, sponges and the like. Other absorbent materials include cellulose bars, capillary channel fibers, osmotic storage materials such as superabsorbent polymers, etc. The nonabsorbent particles 172 may comprise plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, closed cell foams, column packing materials, synthetic fibers, gel, encapsulated gas, liquids and the like. In addition, any or all of the particles 172 may include odor absorbers, lotions, skin care formulations, antimicrobials, pH regulators, enzyme inhibitors, and the like. The storage element 152 may comprise a single particle type 172 (size, shape, material, etc.) or may include a mixture of different particles 172. The mixture may be homogeneous; heterogeneous when the particles 172 with different properties are disposed in certain areas of the storage element 152; stratified or any other desired configuration. In some embodiments, more than one type of mixture can be employed (for example, macroporous and non-absorbent particles 172 can be mixed homogeneously in one layer while another layer includes only absorbent particles). Different layers of particles may be directly adjacent to each other or may be separated by one or more materials, such as web, roll, non-woven and woven webs, film, foam, adhesive, and the like. The macro-particle structure 170 preferably includes a continuous interstitial void space 174 which is defined by the space between the particles 172. By varying the size and / or shape of the particles 172, the interstitial void space 174 can be controlled. The particles can be of any known form, including spheres, oval spheroids, rectangular or polygonal solids, and the like. Table II shows the hollow fractions of particles with particular alternative forms and nominal sizes. Other suitable shapes and hollow fractions are described in Perry's Chemical Engineering Handbook, 6th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1984, at p. 18-20.

TABLE lll Type of packaging Nominal size (mm) Hollow fraction Seats Berl 6 0.60 13 0.62 Intalox Seats 6 0.75 13 0.78 Pall rings 16 0.87-0.92 Rings Raschig 6 0.62 13 0.64 19 0.72 Despite the concealment of the storage element 152, it must resist compression in order to maintain some significant level of capacity when a compression force is applied to the storage element 152. Preferably, the storage element 152 is capable of maintaining at least about 35% of its original thickness when a compression force of 1 psi is applied to the structure. More preferably, the storage element 152 should be able to maintain at least about 50%, and most preferably at least about 70% of its original thickness when a compression force of 1 psi is applied. Generally, in preferred embodiments, the storage element 1 52 is capable of maintaining between about 35% and 99% of its original thickness when a compressive force of 1 psi is applied to the structure. More preferably, the storage element 152 should be able to maintain between about 50% and 95% of its original thickness when a compression force of 1 psi is applied. The storage element 1 52 should also be able to be restored substantially to its original thickness when the compression force is removed. Preferably, the storage element 1 52 must recover at least about 80% of its original thickness, and more preferably at least about 90% of its original thickness after removing the compression force of 1 psi. In addition to its storage function, the storage element 1 52 can convey viscous fluid body waste within the absorbent article 20 in directions generally parallel to the plane of the back sheet 26. The transport can be active, So capillary or other forces result in the movement of body waste from viscous fluid or components thereof (eg, free water). In other modalities, transportation can be passive so that body waste of viscous fluid or components of the same is moved through the structure under the influence of externally applied forces, such as gravity, user pressure or movement. of the user. In the case of passive transport, the storage element 1 52 must have relatively large interconnected channels, or similar, so that the body waste of viscous fluid can soon move through the structure with minimum energy input. Table 1 shows the operating data of Storage Under Pressure which refer to several individual storage element structures. The operation of Storage Under Pressure of individual storage elements 1 52 can be measured in the same way as the Storage Under Pressure test described below with respect to integral structures, except that the individual storage elements 1 52 tested separately from any other structure and under a standard acceptance element 150. The standard acceptance element 150 is a Type 304 stainless steel wire mesh (Standard Grade) of 1 6 x 16 available as # 9226T45 from McMaster Carr Supply Com pany of Ch icago, Illinois. 69 TABLE IV Storage Under Pressure Through the Use of a Standard Acceptance Element Storage Element Storage Under Pressure (g / in2) Pampers Premium Size 0.45 P / P Diaper Acquisition Layer, Cincinnati, OH Circuit Landing Element of Example 0.52 Comparative 5 Without Vacuum-formed Top Sheet with Openings Film formed from large cell of Example 0.70 Comparative 3 without top sheet of nonwoven web with hydroentangled openings Cleaning particles of Example 3 without upper woven web 1.14 Mix of cleaning particles and 1.80 foam strips of example 5 without woven net upper sheet Assembled into cleaning particle layers and 1.89 foam strips of example 6 without woven net upper sheet Immobilization Element In addition to or instead of the acceptance element 150 or the storage element 152, the waste handling element 120 of the present invention preferably includes a means of • immobilization or immobilization element 154. The immobilization element 154 must be capable of immobilizing and retaining body waste of viscous fluid that the absorbent article acceand stores. Preferably, the immobilization element 154 must have immobilization values corresponding to at least approximately 70% of the viscous fluid body waste accepted by the waste handling element 120. More preferably, the immobilization element 154 must have immobilization values corresponding to at least about 80% and most preferably at least about 85 % of the viscous fluid body waste accepted by the waste handling element 120. In general, it has been found that the Low Compressed Immobilization values are acceptable between at least about 70 and about 100% and between about 80% and around 100%. In addition, the element of The immobilization 154 must be capable of retaining more than about 7.5 g of body waste of viscous fluid penetrating the structure. More preferably, the immobilization element 154 should be capable of retaining more than about 8.0 g of viscous fluid body waste, and most preferably more than about 8.5 g. of viscous fluid body waste penetrating the structure. In general, Low Compressed Retention values have been found acceptable between at least about 7.5 g and about 100.0 g and between about 8.0 g and about 100.0 g. The immobilization element 154 can be any material or structure capable of reducing the bodily waste disposition of viscous fluid that has penetrated the immobilization element 154 of leaving the structure. In this way, the immobilization element 154 can include a single material or a number of materials operatively associated with each other. In addition, the immobilization element 154 may be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or may be one or more separate elements attached directly or indirectly to one or more elements of the diaper 20. For example, the immobilization element 154 may be a non-removable layer. attached material disposed under the storage element 152 or may include all or a portion of the storage element 152 which is capable of immobilizing and retaining body waste of viscous fluid, as described above. In any case, it is preferred that the immobilization element 154 be operatively associated with the storage element 152 and the acceptance element 150. This is necessary to ensure that the viscous fluid body waste accepted and / or stored by the item passes through Accordingly, it may be desired to locate the locking element 154 under the storage element 152 and the acceptance element 150, in at least a portion of the crotch region 37 of the article. However, as noted above, if the storage element 152 has transportation capabilities, the immobilization element 154 can be located anywhere in the # 5 the diaper 20, so that the accepted and / or stored viscous fluid body waste can be transported to the immobilization element 154. Furthermore, as with the acceptance and storage elements 150 and 152, the diaper 20 can have characteristics of Uniform or non-operating operations of Low Investment Fixation Compressed. In this way, one or more locking elements 154 can be incorporated in the article with different operating regions of immobilization and / or retention. In addition, any or all of the immobilization element 154 can be removed from the absorbent article for separate disposal, if desired. Suitable materials for use in the immobilization element 154 include microporous foams, particles or fibers of superabsorbent polymer, cellulose fibers, capillary channel fibers, entangled synthetic fibers and the like. Some preferred materials include foam absorbent materials such as those described in the Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 5,260,345; 5,387,207; and 5,625,222. Other preferred materials include gel solidifying absorbent materials such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 entitled "High Efficiency Absorbent Articles for Incontinence Management", issued to Young et al. On September 15, 1992. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference. Data on several individual locking elements are given in Table IV. The test for the operation of Compressed Investment Freezing of an individual immobilization element 154 is the same as the Compressed Investment Immobilization test method described below in relation to structures configured as they are to be used, except that it is performed only in the individual storage element 152 and / or immobilization element 154, and does not include overlapping elements such as top sheets or acceptance elements. In addition, the sample is tested with the standard acceptance element 151 described above. (Analog B, as described below, is used as the test analog).

TABLE V Immobilization Under Compressed Investment Through the Use of a Standard Acceptance Element Storage Element Storage Immobilization Under Pressure Under Investment (g / in2) Compressed (%) Pampers acquisition layer 0.45 91 Premium Size 5 Diaper available from Procter & Gamble, Cinti., OH Landing element in circuit 0.52 71 of comparative example 5 without top sheet of vacuum formed film with openings Film formed of large cell 0.70 66 of comparative example 3 without top sheet of nonwoven web with hydroentangled openings Cleaning particles of example 1.14 70 3 without woven net upper sheet Mixture of cleaning particles and 1.80 81 foam strips of example 5 without woven net top sheet Assembly in particle layers 1.89 78 cleaners and foam strips of example 6 without top sheet of net Woven Preferred Modalities As noted above, the present invention is applicable to many types of absorbent articles such as diapers, bathing pants, incontinence briefs, incontinence pads or garments, absorbent grafts, bras and diaper liners, feminine hygiene garments, towels, disposable towels, bandages and the like. Thus, the following examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention should not limit the scope of the invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the absorbent article 20 illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The absorbent article 20 has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 and a crotch region 37 located between the first region of waist 36 and second waist region 38. Diaper 20 includes a top sheet 24, a back sheet 26 and an absorbent core 28 disposed between the upper sheet 24 and back sheet 26. Upper sheet 24 is disposed in at least a portion of the first waist region 36 adjacent the surface facing the body 47 of the core 28. The diaper 20 also includes an acceptance element 150 attached with the topsheet 24 through at least a portion of the crotch region 37 and at least a portion of the second waist region 38. The acceptance element 150 includes a knitted net available from Tub Toy Bag of Dollar Tree Dist., of Norfolk, VA.

The diaper 20 further includes a storage element 152 located between the acceptance element 150 and the backsheet 26. The storage element 152 is located in at least a portion of the crotch region 37 and at least a portion of the second waist region 38. In this embodiment, the storage element 152 includes a macro-particle structure 170 comprising particles 172. Specifically, the macro-particle structure 170 includes approximately two grams of the cleaning particles of Example 4, plus forward, mixed with approximately 0.35 grams of strips of foam absorbent material with a weight basis of 45 grams per square meter, as described in the US Patent No. 5,260,345. The strip has dimensions of approximately 19 mm in length, 6.4 mm in width, and 2 mm in thickness. The cleaning particles are distributed over an area of 6.35 cm2 x 16.25 cm2 (40.64 cm2) disposed about the longitudinal axis of the article of approximately 0.8 mm thick absorbent material of "thin until wet" foam (described in US Pat. 5,387,207 which is incorporated herein by reference) with a weight basis of 126 grams per square meter. The cleaning particles are relatively homogeneously mixed with the absorbent foam strips and are free to move within the area surrounded by the layer of absorbent foam material "thin until wet". The particles and strips preferably do not bind to the woven web top sheet or to any other layer. The acceptance member 150 is bonded to underlying layers outside the periphery of the "thin to wet" absorbent foam layer. In another embodiment, as shown in figure 8, the article The absorbent of the present invention can be a graft 21 or sanitary napkin that must be applied separately to the user or must be placed in the wearer's underwear, an outer covering or the like. In this way, the graft 21 usually should not take the form of a trouser, should not be used together with a trousers or other structure that holds the graft 21 in place around the user. The absorbent graft 21 has a pair of opposed end regions 135 separated by a central region 137 and includes an absorbent assembly 27 which may include an absorbent core, an acceptance element 150, an element of storage 152 and / or an immobilization element 154. The graft 21 may also include one or more fastening element (s) 41 to hold the graft 21 in place in the outer jacket or cover 29 during use. The fastening element 41 may comprise adhesive, cohesive, hooks, snaps, belts, buttons, loops, magnets, electronics and / or any other known means for attaching absorbent articles to underwear.

TEST METHODS Viscosity Viscosity can be determined by a controlled voltage rheometer. A suitable rheometer is available from T. A. Instruments, Inc. of New Castle, DE, as model number SC2100. The rheometer uses a stainless steel parallel plate fixation. The rheometer has a rigid first horizontal plate where the sample and a second plate mounted on the first plate are placed, so that the axis of said second plate is perpendicular to the first plate. The second plate has a diameter of 2 or 4 centimeters. A two centimeter (2 cm) parallel plate is used for firm, chewy, or highly snotty samples, while the four centimeter (4 cm) parallel plate is used for very liquid or "water-like" fecal specimens. The first and second plates are separated up to 2000 microns during the measurement process. The second plate is connected to a driving arrow for axial rotation. The motor and sensor are also mounted on the arrow. A suitable sample (typically 2 to 3 grams) of an analog to be tested is centered on the first plate and is usually centered below the axis of the second plate. Before the test, any large piece of undigested food material (eg seeds) is removed. The first plate rises in its position. The excess amounts of the sample that move beyond the diameter of the. Second plate are removed when using a spatula. Then, when the water evaporates around the edges of the sample to avoid that effects due to moisture are lost during the measurement process. A programmed application of shear stress, 50 to 50,000 dynes / cm2 for chewy and firm samples, is applied to the sample by the rheometer. For liquid and aqueous samples, a shear stress on the scale of 5 to 5000 dynes / cm2 was better used. The data is adjusted to an energy law function where the apparent viscosity = kj (h_l), k = consistency (units of P x sec (n "'', j = shear stress (units of 1 / sec), and n = cutting index (without dimension) Therefore, when j = 1 / sec, the viscosity = k. (The plates are kept at 35 degrees C throughout the test).

Acceptance and Reception Under Pressure Acceptance Under Pressure is measured by the following test using apparatus 139 illustrated in Figure 2. A hollow plexilliary cylinder 140 is provided on a stainless steel plate 142 of approximately 9.5 mm thick. The combination of cylinder 140 and plate has a height of 7.6 centimeters, an internal diameter of 5.08 centimeters and an external diameter of 6.3 centimeters. The bottom of the cylinder 140 extends below the plate 142 at a distance of approximately 3.5 millimeters. The edge 143 prevents test fluid 166 from leaving the designated test area. Two weights 156 of 625 grams, each with a diameter of 5.08 cm, are also provided.

A 24.6 gram plexivirium weight 144 is provided in cylindrical form. The weight 144 has a diameter of 5.08 centimeters, so that the weight 144 fits with close tolerance inside the cylinder 140, but can freely slide in the hole 141 in the cylinder 140. This arrangement provides a pressure of approximately 119 Pascals (Pa). ) and a test area of approximately 20.27 square centimeters. If desired, the weight 144 may have a handle 145 to allow it to be easily inserted into and out of the cylinder 140. In such cases, the combined mass of the handle 145 and the cylindrical weight 144 must be equal to 24.6 grams. A sample 146 of the structure to be tested is provided for Acceptance Under Pressure properties. Sample 146 can be cut from an existing diaper or constructed from material that has not been formed into a diaper. Sample 146 includes the entire structure to be used in an article or the entire structure of the article to be evaluated, including top layer 161. (In order to measure the Acceptance Under Pressure operation of discrete acceptance elements, as described above in the Acceptance Element section, the Acceptance Under Pressure test is performed by using the standard storage element 147 instead of an underlying structure or layer). Sample 146 should be cut in a square measuring 10.16 centimeters by 10.16 centimeters. * Immobilization Under Compressed Inversion is calculated as the percentage of test analogue B that penetrated the structure (ie, it passed through the surface layer in the Underlying layers of the structure after the investment step The equation to determine the Investment Under Compressed Fixed Asset is as follows: Low Fixation = Retention Low Investment Comp. x 100% Compressed Investment Net quantity of Analog B (g) Absorbed during loading step Compressed Strength and Cavity Volume The compressed strength and cavity volume of storage elements can be calculated from the weight basis of the storage element and gauge under compression. These physical properties are important to understand the maximum absorption capacities at different compression pressures. With a digital gauge (Model # EG-225 manufactured by Ono Sokki) caliber measurements at 0.09, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and then once again at 0.00 psi are measured and recorded in sequence. (This gauge has an edge on which the weights can be mounted.) This edge itself (ie, without additional weight) exerts a base line force of 0.07 psi when it resists in the sample). A waiting period of 30 seconds is required between the readings. It is important to note that the same sample should be used to measure gauges at all compression forces. The sample should also be fixed in one position and all gauge readings should be taken in the same location in the sample. The change from one compression force to another should be within 5-10 seconds when changing the weights quickly. At each compression force, the cavity volume and compression resistance are calculated. Overall density (g / cc) = weight of structure / solid (g) (Fluid = liquid and / or air) Total (fluid + solid) volume Overall density (g / cc) = basis in weight (g / m2) x 10"4 Caliber (cm) Intrinsic density (g / cc) = weight of solid (g) Volume of solid (ce) Porosity = 1 - global density (g / cc) Intrinsic density (g / cc) Volume of cavity (cc / g) = 1 - 1 Global density (g / cc intrinsic density (g / cc) The compressive strength, as used herein, is the ratio of the gauge of the structure measured under the pressure of 0.2 psi and the gauge to 0.07 psi (ie, the gauge when the non-loaded edge rests on the sample). The equation to calculate the Resistance is shown below.

EXAMPLES Comparative examples 1-5 are comparative examples of combination structures known in the art. Examples 1-7 are illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Each of the structures was tested as described above to determine its ability to accept, store, immobilize and retain body waste of viscous fluid. The results are shown in the graphs in figures 9-13.

Comparative Example 1 A sample of 10.16 cm2 was cut by 10.16 cm2 of a Pampers Premium size 1 papan, available from Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. The sample comprises all the layers of the product and is taken from the region containing the last centimeters of the absorbent core. The non-woven upper sheet is separated from the underlying layers to weigh before the test as described above. All layers are included in the actual test.

Comparative Example 2 A sample of 10.16 cm2 x 10.16 cm2 was cut from a Pampers Premium size 1 diaper, available from Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. The sample comprises all the layers of the product and is taken from the crotch region that it contains in the absorbent core. Holes eight millimeters in diameter are drilled through the structure, separated by 13 millimeters in the center in rows (see figure 7). The top sheet is not removed from the structure before drilling the holes. A vacuum formed film with openings available as X-3265 from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana is placed on this structure as a top sheet for testing.

Comparative Example 3 A nonwoven web with hydroentanglement openings, available as GH437 from Chicopee, Inc. of North Charleston, South Carolina, is placed on a large cell vacuum formed film available from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana as X5790.

Comparative Example 4 A vacuum formed film with openings available as X-3265 from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana is placed over a non-woven bonded with 6 denier polyester resin and curl, with a basis weight of 110 grams per meter square and an uncompressed thickness of 7.9 mm, available from the Glit Company of Wrens, Georgia.

Comparative Example 5 A vacuum formed film with openings available as X-3265 from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana is placed on a mechanical safety circuit landing element, with an uncompressed thickness of approximately 1.5 millimeters available as XPL-7124 from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Example 1 A woven net available as a Toy Tub Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., From Norfolk, VA is placed over a non-woven fabric bonded with resin and crimped 6-denier polyester. The nonwoven has a weight basis of 110 grams per square meter and an uncompressed thickness of 7.9 millimeters and is available from the Glit Company of Wrens, Georgia. The woven net has an effective open area of 60% and primary openings with an effective area of 5.0 mm2 (as measured by the method incorporated herein by U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338).

Example 2 A sample of 10.16 cm2 per 10.16 cm2 was cut from a Pampers Premium size 1 diaper, available from Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. The sample comprises all the layers of the product and is taken from the crotch region that it contains in the absorbent core. Holes eight millimeters in diameter are drilled through the structure, separated by 13 millimeters in the center in rows (see figure 7). The top sheet is not removed from the structure before drilling the holes. The woven web described in Example 1, available as a Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., Of Norfolk, VA is placed on the structure as a top sheet for testing.

Example 3 The abrasive nonwoven side (hereinafter referred to as the "cleaning" layer) of a cleaning pad available as Light Duty Scrubbers # 00065 from The Libman Company of Areola, Illinois, is separated from the sponge layer. The cleaning layer has • approximately seven (7) millimeters thick. This cleaning layer is cut into particles of approximately 8 mm x 7 mm x 5 mm and loosely separated in the material 149 in a monolayer to thus cover an area of 16 square inches with 1.65 grams of the cleaning particles. The woven network described in example 1, available as a Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., From Norfolk, VA is placed on the cleaning particles to form the structure to be tested.

Example 4 Two grams of the cleaning particles as described in Example 3 are mixed with 0.35 grams of strips of a foam absorbent material having a weight basis of about 45 grams per square meter (as described in the US Pat. US No. 5,260,345 which is incorporated herein by reference). The strips have dimensions of approximately 19 mm in length, 6.4 mm in width, and 2 mm in thickness. The cleaning particles are distributed over an area of 16 square inches of approximately 0.8 mm thickness of absorbent foam material "thin until wet" (described in U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207 which is incorporated herein by reference) with a weight basis of 126 grams per square meter. The woven web described in Example 1, available as a Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., Of Norfolk, VA is placed on the mixture to form the structure to be tested.

Example 5 1.65 grams of the cleaning particles as described in example 3 are mixed with 0.25 grams of strips of the foam absorbent material described in example 4. The cleaning particles and strips are distributed over 16 square inches of the material 149. The network The woven fabric described in Example 1, available as a Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., of Norfolk, VA, is placed over the mixture to form the structure to be tested.

Example 6 1.65 grams of the cleaning particles as described in example 3 is layered over 0.25 grams of the strips of foam absorbent material described in example 4 over an area of 16 square inches of material 149. The woven network described in Example 1, available as a Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., from Norfolk, VA is placed over the mixture to form the structure to be tested.

Example 7 36.35 grams (approximately 127 count) of glass beads # 3000 of 6 mm diameter lime soda, available from VWR Scientific Products Corporation of Cíncinnati, Ohio as Catalog # 26396-621 are mixed with 0.23 grams of strips foam absorbent material described in example 4, each strip has length and width dimensions of approximately 4.5 millimeters. A section of 10.16 cm2 x 10.16 cm2 of Stay Put Rug Pad, available from Homemaker, 295 Fifth Street, New York, NY 10016 is modified by placing a high limit of 6.3 millimeters, made of 25.4 millimeters wide Tape 3M Scotch Masking Tape on the pad in order to stabilize the glass balls for testing. This, in turn, is placed on the material 149. The glass ball and the bucket mixture of foam absorbent material are distributed within the area of 9 square inches joined by the tape, so that a single layer of the glass globules. The woven web described in Example 1, available as a Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., Of Norfolk, VA is placed on the mixture to form the structure to be tested.

Example 8 The standard acceptance element 150 is placed on an insurance circuit landing element, with an uncompressed thickness of approximately 2.1 mm available as XPC-8007 from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Example 9 The standard acceptance element 150 is placed on a high denir, PET resin with an uncompressed thickness of about 1.7 mm available as Code 114/046/4 from Freudenberg Company of Wienheim, Germany.

Example 10 The standard acceptance element 150 is placed on 1.65 grams of the "cleaning" particles, as described in Example 3 above, instead of the woven network.

Example 11 The standard acceptance element 150 is placed on an approximately 7 mm perforated needle polypropylene carpet / floor mat produced by Royal Rubber & Manufacturing Co. of South Gate, California.

Example 12 The standard acceptance element 150 is placed on an open cell polyester / PU reticulated foam of approximately 6.3 mm thickness and a nominal pore distribution of approximately 10 pores per inch (ppi) and available as SIF / 10. of Foamex from Eddystone, Pennsylvania.

Example 13 The standard acceptance element 1 50 is placed on a cross-linked polyurethane / polyester open cell foam of uncompressed thickness of approximately 6.3 mm in thickness and a nominal pore distribution of approximately 10 pores per inch (ppi). and d isponable as IF F / 1 0 of Foamex of Eddystone, Pennsylvania. This combined structure was then placed on a layer of approximately 0.25 grams of the foam absorbent strips described in example 4 loosely separated in the material 149 in an approximate monolayer to thus cover an area of approximately 1 6 square inches. to form the structure that is going to be tested.

Example 14 The standard acceptance element 1 50 is placed on a layer of approximately 0.25 grams of the strips of foam absorbent material described in Example 4 loosened in a rough monolayer over the crosslinked foam described in Example 1 3 to cover an area of approximately 16 square inches. This combined structure is placed on the material 149 to form the structure to be tested.

Example 1 The standard acceptance element 1 50 is placed on a macroporous humidifying filter, for example WF 1 model of uncompressed thickness of approximately 6.6 mm manufactured by KAZ Inc. of Hudson, New York.

Example 16 Six-denier / filament capillary channel fibers are drilled with needle, available as Code DPL-77A from Fiber Innovation Technology, Johnson City, Tenn., On a substrate with circuit diameters of approximately 8 mm, a basis weight of approximately 112 g. / m2, and a non-compressed gauge of approximately 2.6 mm. The standard acceptance element 150 is placed on this needle-punched element to form the structure to be tested.

Example 17 The standard acceptance element 150 is placed on a layer of the crosslinked foam described in example 13 above. This combined structure was placed on the carpet in perforated polypropylene circuit described in Example 11 to form the structure to be tested. Table VI shows the operation of Acceptance Under Pressure, Storage Under Pressure and Immobilization and Retention Under Compressed Investment of the structures described in examples C1-C5 and 1-7. Various combinations of data from Table V are illustrated in the graphs of Figures 9-13.

TABLE V Examples Acceptance Reception Storage Immobilization Retention Comparative Under Pressure Under Pressure Low Under Low s g / n2 / mJ (g / in2 / mW) Pressure Investment Inversion (g / in2) Compressed Compressed (%) C1 0.12 0.25 0.03 61 6.0 C2 0.13 0.32 0.05 79 7.4 C3 0.24 1.03 0.49 54 5.3 C4 0.01 0.10 0.003 73 7.4 C5 0.40 0.52 0.10 59 5.8 Examples 1 0.92 5.43 0.77 78 7.7 2 0.84 9.77 1.22 90 9.4 3 1.27 20.72 1.93 73 7.5 4 1.21 7.93 1.08 91 13.1 5 0.82 11.73 1.37 83 8.5 6 0.71 11.99 1.33 82 8.0 7 1.18 10.19 1.34 87 8.4 The importance of the compression strength and cavity volume of the storage element is evident in the graphs illustrated in Figures 15, 16, and 17. Structures with greater compressive strength and cavity volume have operation due to compressive strength as well. You can make articles of thinner redicudo caliber. In other words, the caliper of the article can be reduced as the compressive strength increases since the volume of cavity needed to store and contain the waste can be maintained under normal usage loads. Examples 16 and 17 of the excellent immobilization of the present invention with compression strength less than 80. Improved immobilization is achieved by the use of capillary channel fibers formed in circuits (e.g., example 16) and a cross-linked foam placed on a circuit material (for example, example 17). In such embodiments, the structural elements and combinations of elements provide immobilization which is very different from other articles with similar compressive strength values. Alternative modalities that include similar or equivalent structures that provide improved performance of those described in Examples 16 and 17 are considered within the scope of the present invention. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (9)

1. - An absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region opposite to the first waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and the second waist region, a longitudinal center line, a line lateral central, a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet; a liquid-permeable backsheet attached to at least a portion of the topsheet; an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the top sheet and the backsheet, and a waste handling element having an Acceptance Under Pressure value of more than about 0.50 grams of a viscous fluid body waste per inch square of the waste management element per milliJoule of energy input and a Low Pressure Storage value of more than about 0.70 grams of the viscous fluid body waste per square inch of the waste handling element.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the storage element has a compression strength of at least about 80%, preferably at least about 90%.

3. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims wherein the acceptance element has an effective open area of at least about 50%, preferably at least about 70%.

4. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims wherein the storage element includes a macro-particle structure comprising a multiplicity of particles with a nominal size between about 1 mm and about 10 mm.

5. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims wherein the particles are absorbent.

6. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims wherein the storage element includes a material in fibrous circuit.

7. The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein the fibrous circuit material includes capillary channel fibers.

8. The absorbent article of claims 6 and 7 further including a macroporous compression member, preferably a cross-linked foam, disposed between at least a portion of the acceptance member and at least a portion of the fibrous material.

9. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims wherein the storage element includes a cross-linked foam with a nominal pore distribution of about 1 0 pores per inch and / or uncompressed thickness of between about 3 mm and approximately 15 mm. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims wherein the acceptance element has a value of Acceptance Under Pressure of more than about 0.80 grams of a viscous fluid body waste per square inch of the storage element per m illiJoule energy input and the storage element has a storage value Under pressure of more than about 1 .00 grams of viscous fluid body waste per square inch of storage element, and preferably a value of Compressed Low Investment Immobilization more than about 85% of the viscous fluid body waste accepted by the storage element.