MXPA00012052A - Absorbent article having a topsheet that includes selectively openable and closable openings - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article adapted to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer. The article includes a liquid-impervious, flexible backsheet adapted to face outwardly relative to the body of a wearer, a liquid-pervious topsheet adapted to face the body of the wearer, and an absorbent core positioned between the backsheet and the topsheet. The topsheet is elastically extensible and includes a plurality of slits or cuts that extend through the topsheet material and that enlarge to define a plurality of openings in the topsheet when it is subjected to tensile forces as it is worn. The openings permit solid and semi-solid bodily exudates to pass through the topsheet to the absorbent core as the diaper is worn. Upon removal of the diaper from the body of the wearer the tensile forces within the topsheet are relaxed, thereby causing the openings in the topsheet to close and substantially conceal from view the bodily exudates that had passed through the topsheet.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE THAT HAVE A TOP SHEET THAT INCLUDES OPENINGS SELECTIVELY CAPABLE OF OPENING AND CLOSING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article having an elastically extensible top sheet which includes slits that open when the top sheet is subjected to tensile forces and which closes when the sheets are released. tension forces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Babies and other incontinent individuals carry absorbent items such as diapers and incontinence trusses to receive and contain discharged urine and other exudates from the body. These disposable absorbent articles function both to contain the discharged materials and to isolate these materials from the user's body and from the garments and bedding of the users. Disposable absorbent articles having many different basic designs are known in the art. For example, the reissued United States Patent No. Re. 26,152, entitled "Disposable diaper", which was issued on January 31, 1967, to Duncan et al., Describes a basic structure of disposable diaper that has achieved wide acceptance. and considerable commercial success. Disposable absorbent articles that include a top sheet having a simple opening, of relatively large area, to allow material to pass through it are known. These structures are aimed at isolating the fecal material from the user's body. Examples of these known structures are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,037,416 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having elastically extensible topsheet" issued August 6, 1991, to Alien et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,269,775, entitled "Top sheets of three • sections for disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having said upper sheets of three sections, "which was issued on December 14, 1993 to Freeland et al., And in U.S. Patent No. 5,624,422 entitled" Absorbing article. In addition to isolating the fecal material from the body of the user, it is also highly desirable that the fecal material be hidden from view when removing the article that has an extendable split core, "which was issued on April 29, 1997 to Alien. • absorbent of the user's body. This concealment is especially desirable when the fecal material is in semisolid or fluid form, which is typical of bowel movements of very young infants and babies, and of others suffering from diarrhea. By Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article that is so configured to block out of view as much as possible the semisolid and fluid faecal material that is received in the article during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an absorbent article that is worn around the waist and lower torso. The article includes a back sheet impervious to liquid that has an external surface, which gives the garment, and an internal surface, which gives the body. HE provides an absorbent core adjacent to the surface that faces the body of the backsheet. The absorbent core has a shape to allow the core to be placed adjacent to the crotch area of the user body and have the ability to absorb liquids. A flexible, liquid impermeable top sheet lies on the absorbent core, the top sheet including a plurality of separate discontinuities that are substantially closed when the top sheet is in an unstressed condition and that are open to define a plurality of separate openings that They extend through the top sheet when the top sheet is subjected to tension, to allow solid and semi-solid fecal materials to pass through the top sheet towards the absorbent core. By removing the user's item the openings in the top sheet close to substantially hide the fecal material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to the present invention, in the form of a disposable diaper, having a part of the structure cut away to reveal the underlying structure. Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing an absorbent article according to the present invention with the article in a non-stressed condition before application to the body of a user. Figure 3 is an exploded view, in cross section, of the article of Figure 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof. Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, showing a part of the absorbent article subjected to tension in the lateral direction. Figure 5 is an exploded view, in cross section, of the article of Figure 4 taken along line 5-5 thereof. Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 showing fecal material that has passed through the openings in the top sheet of the article.

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 but showing the article after the openings in the upper sheet have closed. Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the top sheet including curvilinear slits. Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 but showing the top sheet of Figure 8 when placed under tension. Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a top sheet that includes a plurality of angularly disposed rectilinear slots. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the absorbent article having a substantially inelastic backsheet that has a width greater than that of a fixed elastic top sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to the. devices that absorb and contain exudates from the body, and more specifically, refer to devices that are placed against or close to the user's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not generally intended to be washed or restored or reused in another way as an absorbent article (ie, they are intended to be discarded after a single use and , preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). (As used herein, the term "discarded" is used to imply that a diaper element or elements is formed (attached and placed) in a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other diaper elements or as an element separate attached to another diaper element). As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations by means of which one element is directly secured to the other element by fixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations by which one element is indirectly secured to the other element by fixing the other element. element to a member or intermediate members which instead bind to the other element.) A "unitary" absorbent article refers to the disposable absorbent articles which are formed of separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity in such a way that they do not require parts manipulated separately as a separate liner and fastener. 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 worn by infants and incontinent persons around the lower torso. The present invention is also applicable to other disposable absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, underwear for incontinence, absorbent inserts, fasteners and diaper lining, feminine hygiene garments, towels, mechudos, bandages and similar. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its flattened state with parts of the structure that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The part of the diaper 20 that is given to the wearer is oriented toward the observer. As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises an upper sheet 24 permeable to liquid; a backsheet impermeable to liquid 26; an absorbent core 28, which is preferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; Elastic leg folds 32; an elastic waist feature 34; and a generally designated fastening system 36. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a first waist region 46, a second waist region 44 opposite the first waist region 46 and a crotch region 48 located between the waist and the waist region 46. first waist region and the second waist region. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 in which the longitudinal side edges 50 run generally parallel to the longitudinal center line 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 run between the longitudinal side edges 50 generally parallel to the longitudinal edge. 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 top sheet 24 and the sheet back 26. The chassis 22 includes an inner surface 40, which gives the body, and an external surface 42, which gives the garment. If the absorbent article comprises a separate fastener and liner, the chassis 22 generally comprises the fastener and the liner. (For example, the fastener may comprise one or more layers of material to form the outer cover of the article and the liner may comprise an absorbent assembly including a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core.In such cases, the fastener and / or the liner may include a fastener that is used to hold the liner in place during the entire time of use.) For unitary absorbent articles, the chassis 22 comprises the main structure of the diaper with other additional features to form the mixed structure of the diaper. Although top sheet 24, backsheet 26 and absorbent core 28 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled "Shrinkable side portions for disposable diaper "which was issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,145 entitled "Absorbent Article With Extensible Waist Feature, Of Multi-Zone Structural Elasticized Film Fiber" which was issued to Roe et al. on September 10, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,569,234 entitled "Stretch Drawstring Pantyhose" which was issued to Buell et al. on October 29, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,580,411 entitled "Non-waste method for making side panels for absorbent articles" which was issued to Nease et al. on December 3, 1996; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 915,471 entitled "Absorbent Article with Extendable Side Panels in Multiple Directions" filed on August 20, 1997 in the name of Robles et al .; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The backsheet 26 is generally that part of the diaper 20 positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core 28. The backsheet 26 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from staining the articles that may be in contact with the diaper. 20, such as sheets and undergarments. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is impervious to liquids (e.g., oriria) 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 vapors to escape diaper 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through backsheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven wefts, non-woven wefts , mixed materials such nonwoven webs coated with film, and microporous films as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, TX, under the designation EXXAIRE.

Suitable mixed breathable materials comprising polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097. These mixed respirable materials are described in greater detail in the PCT NO application. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995 in the name of E.l. DuPont and the co-pending United States patent application Serial No. 08 / 744,487, filed on November 6, 1996 in the name of Curro. Other breathable backsheets including non-woven webs and non-apertured films are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,571,096 issued to Dobrin et al. On November 5, 1996. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference here. The backsheet 26, or any part thereof, may be elastically extensible in. one or more addresses. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a film web in the form of a structural elastic ("SELF"). The film web in the form of structural elastic is an extensible material that exhibits a behavior similar to elastic in the direction of elongation without the use of additional elastic materials. The SELF frame includes a tensable network that has at least two contiguous, distinct and different regions. Preferably, one of the regions is configured in such a way that it will exhibit resistance forces in response to an axial elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis before a substantial part of the other region develops significant resistance forces to the applied elongation. At least one of the regions has a surface path length that is greater than that of the other region as measured substantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material is in an unstressed condition. The region exhibiting the largest surface path length includes one or more deformations extending beyond the plane of the other region. The SELF frame exhibits at least two significantly different stages of resistance strength controlled to elongation along at least one predetermined axis when subjected to an elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The SELF plot exhibits first strengths of applied elongation until the elongation of the weft is sufficient to cause • that a substantial part of the region having the largest surface path length between the plane of the applied elongation, whereby the SELF frame exhibits second strengths of additional elongation resistance. The total resistance forces to the elongation are greater than the first resistance forces to the elongation provided by the first region. The SELF frames suitable for the The present invention is more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Screen Materials Exhibiting Elastic Behavior," which was issued to Chappell, et al. On May 21, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Incorporated here by reference. In alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, yarns, or combinations of these or others. suitable materials with non-woven materials 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 joining means may include a uniform, continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of lines, spirals or separate adhesive spots. A preferred attachment means comprises an open pattern web of filaments of adhesives as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Garment of Waste Containment", which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4. 1986. Other suitable fixation means include several lines of adhesive filaments that are twisted in a spiral pattern, as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker, and others on November 22, 1978; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured • by H.B. Fuller Company of St Paul, Minnesota and marketed as HL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints, or any other suitable joining means or combinations of these joining means as is known in the art. The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body-facing surface in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 28 and may be attached to it and / or to the backsheet 26 by any joining means known in the art. Suitable attachment means were described above with respect to the 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 directly bonded together at some sites and are indirectly joined together at other sites by attaching them directly to other elements of the diaper 20. The topsheet 24 is preferably docile, felt soft, and not • irritant to the skin to the user. In addition, at least a portion of the top sheet 24 is permeable to liquid allowing the liquid to easily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet 24 can be manufactured in a wide range of materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams; plastic films with openings; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers) or a combination of fibers natural and synthetic. If the topsheet includes fibers, the fibers may be spun glued, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. A suitable top sheet 24 comprising a polypropylene fiber web of cut length is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a division of the International Paper Company of Walpole, Massachusetts under the designation P-8. Suitable formed film upper sheets are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135 entitled "Absorption structures having tapered capillaries", which was issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having a stain resistant top sheet", which was issued to Mullane, et al. on April 13, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314 entitled "Resilient plastic weft exhibiting properties in the form of fiber", which was issued to Radel, et al. on August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045 entitled "Macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic screen exhibiting a non-glossy visible surface and a fabric-like print to the touch", which was issued to Ahr, et al. on July 31, 1984; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394"Multilayer Polymer Film" issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. Other suitable tops 24 can be made in accordance with US Pat. Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643. which were issued to Curro et al. on September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986, respectively, and both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Said films formed are available from The Procter & amp;; Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE" and as 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 wearer's skin from the liquids contained in the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material preferably when The upper surface of the upper sheet 24 is treated to be hydrophilic in such a way that liquids will transfer more rapidly through the upper sheet. These decrease the likelihood that the body exudates will flow out of the topsheet 24 instead of being drawn through the topsheet 24 and be absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 can be made hydrophilic by treating it with an agent surfactant or 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 within the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of this treatment and the hydrophilic capacity is contained in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 entitled "Absorbent articles with multi-layer absorbent layers", issued to Reising, et al. On January 29, 1991, and in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,345 entitled "Absorbent articles with fast-absorbing absorbent cores" issued to Reising on January 29, 1991. A more detailed discussion of some suitable methods for incubating the surfactant into the top sheet can be found in the Statutory Invention Register of the United States of America No. H1670, published on the 1st. July 1997 in the name of Aziz and others. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the top sheet 24 may include an apertured film or film that is hydrophobic. This can be done by removing the hydrophilizing treatment step from the production process and / or by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the top sheet 24, such as the polytetrafluoroethylene compound such as SCOTCHGUARD or a hydrophobic lotion composition, as described below. In these embodiments, it is preferred that the openings be large enough to allow the penetration of aqueous fluids such as urine without significant resistance.

Any part of the topsheet 24 can be coated with a lotion as is known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having a lotion top sheet containing an emollient and a polyol polyester immobilizing agent" which was issued to Roe on March 4. of 1997; U.S. Patent No. 4,609,587 entitled "Diaper having an upper sheet with lotion comprising a liquid emollient of polyol polyester and an immobilizing agent" which was issued to Roe on March 11, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191 entitled "Diaper having a top sheet with lotion containing a polysiloxane emollient" which was issued to Roe et al. on June 3, 1997; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588 entitled "Diaper having a top sheet with lotion" which was issued to Roe et al. on the 1st. July 1997. The lotion may work alone or in combination with another agent such as the hydrophobization treatment described above. The topsheet may also include or be treated with antibacterial agents, some examples of which are disclosed in PCT publication WO 95/24173 entitled "Absorbent articles containing antibacterial agents in the upper sheet for odor control", which was published on September 14, 1995 in the name of Theresa Johnson. In addition, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26 or any part of the topsheet or the backsheet can be finished in highlight and / or dull to provide a more fabric-like appearance. The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material that is generally compressible, capable of shaping, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain exudates from the body. The absorbent core 28 has longitudinal side edges 60 and end edges 29 and can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, T-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and can comprise A wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as pulp of crushed wood, which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crushed cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers include coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials; or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 can also be varied (e.g., the core or absorbent cores or other absorbent structure or structures may have zones of varying gauge, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or acquisition zones with lower average density and lower average base weight, or may include 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. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent assemblies are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High Density Absorbing Structures" issued to Weisman et al. On September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent articles with cores in double layers" issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735, entitled "High density absorbent members having acquisition zones with lower density and lower basis weight" issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dust Cap" issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 5,137,537 entitled "Absorbent structure containing wood pulp cellulose fibers crosslinked with polycarboxylic acid, individualized" which was issued to Herron et al. on August 11, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 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 these materials" issued to DesMarais et al. on November 9, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207 entitled "Thin absorbent foam materials until wet for aqueous body fluids and processes for making them" issued to Dyer et al. on February 7, 1995; and in U.S. Patent 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 on July 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 can also comprise at least one elastic waist feature 34 that helps provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waist feature 34 is generally intended to expand and contract elastically to dynamically entangle the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least one waist edge 29 of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least a portion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers are often constructed to having two elastic waist characteristics, one placed in the first waist region 46 and one positioned in the second waist region 44. In addition, although the elastic waist feature 34 or any S * of its constituent elements may comprise one or more elements separated from the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 34 can be constructed as an extension of other diaper elements 20, such as the back sheet 26, the top sheet 24, or both the backsheet 26 and the top sheet 24. The elastic waist feature 34 can be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit and others on 7 May 1985; U.S. Patent No. 4,710,189 issued to Lash on the 1st. December 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist configurations may include waist covering features such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,026,364. issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991 and in U.S. Patent No. 4,816,025 issued to Foreman on March 28, 1989. All of the aforementioned references are incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 may also include a fastening 36. The fastening system 36 preferably holds the side panels 30 of the first waist region 46 and the second waist region 44 in a condition at least partially overlapped to provide lateral stresses around the circumference of the diaper 20 when it it is worn, to retain the diaper 20 on the wearer. The fastening system 36 preferably comprises securing members 37 which may be in the form of tape tabs that engage a tie member 38, and / or hook and loop fastening components, although any other known fastening means is generally acceptable . Some exemplary fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594 entitled "Disposable diaper tape fastening system" issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; U.S. Patent No. B1 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbing Article" issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable diaper having an improved fastening device" issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060 entitled "Disposable diaper with improved hook fastener portion" issued to Nestegard on January 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure sensitive adhesive fastener and method for making the same" issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990, and the aforementioned U.S. patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in United States Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993: The fastening system may also provide a means for retaining the article in a waste configuration as disclosed in the United States patent. No. 4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al. On October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. In alternative embodiments, the opposite sides of the garment may be sewn or welded to form a pant. This allows the article to be used as a type diaper that is stretched, such as a training pant. The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 may be elastic or extensible to provide greater comfort and conformation adjustment to the body initially by comfortably fitting the diaper 20 to the wearer and holding this adjustment throughout the time of use even after the diaper 20 is loaded with the exudates since the elasticized side panels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract. The side panels 30 can also provide greater effective application of the diaper 20 because even if the diapering person pulls an elasticized side panel 30 farther 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 44, the diaper 20 can be provided with side panels 30 disposed in the first waist region 46 or both of the first waist region 46. and the second waist region 44. The side panels 30 can be constructed in any of the suitable configurations. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,857,067, entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Gathered Ears" issued to Wood et al. On August 15, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,381, 781 issued to Sciaraffa, and others on May 3, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753 issued to Van Gompel et al. on July 3, 1990; and the hereinabove referred to in United States Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,669,897 issued to LaVon, and others on September 23, 1997 entitled "Absorbent articles that provide sustained dynamic adjustment"; U.S. Patent Application No. of s. 08 / 155,048 entitled "Absorbent article with extensible side panels in multiple directions" filed on November 19, 1993 in the name of Robles, et al .; each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 preferably further includes leg cuffs 32 that provide improved containment of liquids and other exudates from the body. Leg folds can also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds, or elastic folds. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a collapsible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg fold (a gusset fold). U.S. Patent 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 having "upright" elastified fins (barrier folds) that they improve the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454 issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987 and to Dragoo on January 3, 1989, respectively, • describe disposable diapers that have double folds, include packing folds and barrier folds. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to treat all or part of the leg folds with a lotion, as described above. In addition to the leg cuffs 32, the diaper 20 may also include a gusset elastic fold 63 with one or more elastic threads 65 placed by outside the barrier fold. Modes of the present invention may also include cavities • to receive and contain waste, separators that provide voids for waste, barriers to limit the movement of waste within the article, compartments or gaps that accept and contain waste materials deposited in the diaper, and the like, or any of combinations thereof. Examples of cavities or spacers for use in absorbent products are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. On May 7, 1996, entitled "Diaper having an expulsion separator"; U.S. Patent No. 5,171, 236 issued to Dreier et al. on December 15, 1992, entitled "Disposable absorbent article having core spacers"; U.S. Patent No. 5,397,318 issued to Dreier on March 14, 1995, entitled "Absorbent Article Having a Cavity Fold", U.S. Patent No. 5,540,671 issued to Dreier on July 30, 1996, entitled " Absorbent article having a cavity fold with an apex "; and PCT Application No. WO 93/25172 published on 3 December 25, 1993, entitled "Separators for use in hygienic absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having said separator"; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,266 entitled "Flexible Separators for Use in Disposable Absorbent Articles", issued to Freeland on April 26, 1994. Examples of compartments or voids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,968,312 entitled "Disposable diaper with fecal compartment" issued to Khan on November 6, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,990,147, entitled "Absorbent article with elastic lining for insulation of waste material" issued to Freeland on February 5, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 5,62,840, entitled "Disposable diapers" issued to Holt et al. on November 5, 1991; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,269,755 entitled "Top sheets of three sections for disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having said top sheets of three sections" issued to Freeland et al. on December 14, 1993. Examples of the Suitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,142 entitled "Absorbent article having a transverse, multiple partition with effective height" issued September 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier et al .; PCT Patent No. WO 94/14395 entitled "* Absorbent article having an upright transverse partition" published July 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland, et al .; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,653,703"Absorbent article having angular upright transverse partition" issued August 5, 1997 to Roe et al. The disclosures of each of the patents and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In addition to being liquid permeable, the top sheet is preferably extensible, and more preferably elastically extensible. The liquid permeability attribute is always preferred in an upper sheet, if it is in its extended state or in its relaxed or contracted state, in order to allow liquids to pass through it to be absorbed by the absorbent core. 28. The elastic extension capacity to be provided to the topsheet by forming the topsheet from an inherently elastic material, such as a thin, apertured sheet, made from rubber, latex, elastically extensible polymeric film, or the like, Additionally, the topsheet can be formed from an inherently non-elastic material in a substantial manner, such as a woven or non-woven sheet • of fibrous material that is formed in this manner or is treated so that it is made to be elastic, such as by means of corrugated, rolled with ring, or the like (see description and patents incorporated by reference in the previous discussion related to the elastic extension capacity of the back sheet 26). If the elastic extension capacity to the upper sheet is provided by one of the For the winding techniques identified above, it is preferred that the elastic extension capacity attribute be provided in at least the transverse direction to the • machine, such that at least a portion of the top sheet can extend in the transverse direction relative to the diaper 20, which corresponds to the width dimension of the top sheet and diaper. A top sheet according to the present invention preferably includes one or more regions that when placed under tension include a plurality of relatively small openings extending through the top sheet. These openings allow the passage through the upper sheet of semi-solids, • such as loose or watery bowel movements of typically associated character with newborn babies and very young babies, and others who suffer from diarrhea. When the tensile forces acting on this upper sheet are released, the elasticity of the material causes the upper sheet to contract to its original, unstressed condition, resulting in the closing of the previously existing small openings, thus preventing further penetration of the sheet. top sheet of non-liquid materials. To the closing the openings the material that has penetrated the upper sheet is retained between the absorbent core and the upper sheet. Furthermore, if the material of the upper sheet is opaque, or substantially opaque, the bowel movement will not be visible, thus making the person placing the diaper a less unpleasant and less uncomfortable task. The regions of the upper sheet are intended to present openings to • through the top sheet when the top sheet is placed under the laterally directed tension forces are preferably perforated providing a plurality of discontinuities in the form of slits, cuts, or perforations extending through the top sheet. The discontinuities are arranged to define on the upper sheet a predetermined pattern of discrete, localized, slotted regions, cuts or perforations. The discontinuities allow the edges or edges of the top sheet surrounding the discontinuities to separate from one another and thus provide the plurality of desired small openings. These discontinuities are preferably in the form of rectilinear cutting, curvilinear cuts, or combinations thereof, which may be made by a variety of cutting devices of the types known to those skilled in the art. Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown the surface that gives the body of a disposable diaper 200 having an upper sheet 202 according to the present invention. In all other respects the structure of the diaper 200 is the same • like the one shown in Figure 1 and described above in relation to the diaper . As shown in Figure 2, the topsheet 202 includes a pattern 204 of discrete, discrete discontinuities defined by a plurality of rectilinear slits or slots 206 extending through the topsheet 202. The slits 206 are preferably oriented in such a way that they extend in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 200, in the direction of the longitudinal centerline 100, and These are also preferably aligned to define a plurality of laterally spaced columns 208 that also extend in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 200. As these are shown in Figure 2, the slits 206 are of substantially equal length, but these may be in lengths different, if desired. Also as shown in Figure 2, the slots 206 of a given column 208 are longitudinally and equally spaced apart, and the adjacent columns 208 are in a transverse separation 209, one from the other and are positioned such that the ends of the slots 206 of a column 208 are displaced longitudinally from the ends of the slots 206 of the adjacent columns 208. Therefore, laterally opposite of the intermediate spaces not cut between the aligned slots 206 of a column 208 are the slots 206 of the adjacent columns 208. As illustrated in Figure 2, the top sheet 202 is in its relaxed, unstressed condition, at a time when the slits 206 are in a substantially closed condition because the edges of the slots are substantially in contact with one another. with another to form the top sheet 202 that appears at a glance that is a continuous top sheet without cuts or crevices, but still permeable to the liquid. When the laterally directed tension forces are applied to the upper sheet 202, the extension capacity of the upper sheet 202 results in the lateral stretching of the upper sheet. Under that condition, the uncut areas 210 between the • adjacent slots 206 are subjected to laterally directed tension forces and these stretch in a lateral direction, causing the edges of the slots 206 to separate from each other to provide the individual openings 212, as shown in Figure 3. Because of the arrangement, size and spacing of the slots 206 in FIG. relative to one another, the openings 212 are diamond-shaped, as shown in Figure 4. These laterally applied tension forces are imposed when the ears 30 in the rear waist region 44 of the diaper 200 are each pulled laterally outward in the opposite directions, allowing the rear waist region of the diaper to be worn against the user's back and around the wearer's waist. fortunately the ears 30 of the rear waist area 44 at least partially overlap the ears 30 of the waist front region 46. When in the condition illustrated in the Figure, the plural openings 212 in the tensioned top sheet 202 are sufficiently large to allow passing the semi-solid fecal material 207 from the user 205 through the openings 212 in the upper sheet 202 to the absorbent core 28, as shown in Figure 5. When the passage of fecal material 207 occurs through of the upper sheet 202, the liquid component of the material is absorbed by the absorbent core 28 while the solid component of the material remains between the core eo absorbent 28 and top sheet 202, as shown in Figure 6. When the diaper 202 is subsequently removed from the user's body, the tension forces that previously served to retain the diaper tightly around the user's waist, they are released, thus allowing the Top 202 sheet to return to its original, unstressed condition. By releasing the tension forces acting on the top sheet 202, and the contraction of the top sheet 202 to its original, undrawn condition, the plurality of small openings 212 that were present when the top sheet 202 was in the stressed state are now closed, as illustrated in Figure 7, which serves to hide from view the part of the fecal material that penetrated the upper sheet. When the slots 206 in the top sheet 202 are rectilinear in shape, as shown in Figure 2, the slots 206 may have a length of about 1.0 mm to about 100 mm, preferably about 1.0 mm to about 50.0 mm, and most preferably from about 3.0 to about 10.0 mm. The longitudinal separation 210 between the adjacent slots 206 may be up to about 10.0 mm, preferably up to about 5.0 mm, and most preferably up to about 2.0 mm. The transverse spacing 209 between the adjacent columns 208 of the aligned slots 206 may be up to about 10.0 mm, preferably up to about 5.0 mm, and most preferably up to about 2.0 mm. The longitudinal displacement 211 of the ends of the slots 206 in the adjacent columns 208 can be from about 0 mm to about 100 mm, preferably from about 2.0 mm to about 50 mm, and most preferably from about 3.0 mm to about 10.0 mm. Although shown in Figure 2 as a series of parallel columns 208 of aligned slots 206, the pattern of the slots 204 may, if desired, be such that the slits of a given column are not precisely aligned with one another. • with others but are laterally displaced from one another. However, preferably the slits 206 are arranged so that the application of the tension forces to the upper sheet 202 results in a plurality of openings with substantially equal area having an area of about 1.0 mm2 to about 2500 mm2, which are substantially uniformly distributed over the whole of the cutting pattern 204. Although the openings 212 are preferably of substantially equal area, the areas of the openings do not need to be same. For example, the areas of the openings «212 may be larger in the part of the upper sheet 202 that is located in and is adjacent the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 200. Additionally, the larger openings 212 may be provided in the portion of the upper sheet 202 which is located in and adjacent to the intersection of the longitudinal centerline 100 and the transverse centerline. 110. Although the slits 206 are shown in Figure 2 as having In a rectilinear shape, these can be alternately curvilinear or of any other suitable geometry. If desired, or a combination of rectilinear and curvilinear shapes.

One form of said curvilinear slots 214 is shown in Figure 8. When a top sheet 215 having the crease shape and the column pattern and crease row shown in Figure 8 is stretched laterally, the slits 214 open to define apertures in substantially half-moon shape 216 respectively, as • shown in Figure 9. In addition to the longitudinally aligned slots illustrated in the slit pattern 204 shown in Figure 2, the slit pattern may be arranged as shown in Figure 10. As shown there, the individual slots in the upper sheet 220 may be arranged in a pattern 222 of angularly disposed slots 224. Although the slits 224 are each defined by a straight line cut, and although the slit pattern 222 of Figure 10 • defines a series of longitudinal, laterally spaced columns, each defined by a plurality of slots 224, each of the slots 224 is inclined at Uri acute angle with respect to a line 226 and is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the diaper.

The angle of inclination is preferably less than about 45 °, and more preferably is less than about 30 °. In addition, the slots 224 may each be disposed at the same angle of inclination, as shown in Figure 10, or, alternatively, the angles of inclination of the slots may differ within the slit pattern 222, to provide openings of the top sheet that have different areas in different regions of the upper sheet. Additionally, the crevice pattern can include both rectilinear slits and curvilinear slots, if desired. The slit pattern 204 shown in Figure 2 can, if desired, be a global pattern extending over the total surface of the top sheet 202.

In addition, however, the slot pattern 204 can be provided in a limited area of the topsheet 202, such as in the back waist region 44 and the crotch region 48, as shown in Figure 2. Preferably, the slot pattern 204 extends over a sufficiently large area that when the top sheet 202 is subjected to tension, at least some of the resulting openings in the top sheet are placed in front of the user's opening of the anus when worn • the diaper, without considering the placement of the diaper in relation to the user's body and without considering the size of the user's body. Accordingly, it is preferred that the slit pattern 204 extends over at least a portion of the crotch region 48. Of course, the protection variation of the slit pattern also applies to the curvilinear slots 214 and the angularly disposed slots 224 shown in Figures 8 and 10, respectively. It is also preferred that the backsheet 26 be extensible, • preferably having an extension capacity of from about 10% to about 500%, more preferably from about 50% to about 300%, such that the backsheet and the topsheet each stretch laterally simultaneously when the diaper 200 is applied to the body of a user. Said mutual extension of the back sheet and the upper sheet result in a tight fit and conformation to the body of the diaper in the wearer's body, with the upper sheet extending an amount sufficient to open the slits formed therein, and without • bulging or excessive volume of the diaper, in such a way that it does not cause protrusion of the user's garment that is placed around the user's lower torso. Preferably, the extension capacity of the backsheet 26 is provided in at least the rear waist region 44 and in at least a portion of the crotch region 48 of the diaper. Instead of having the attribute of elastic extension capacity, the sheet Subsequent 26 may alternatively be of a substantially non-elastic nature, if desired. In that event, it is preferred that the backsheet 26 have a width greater than that of the top sheet 202, as shown in Figure 11, wherein the top sheet elastically extensible, containing the slits, narrower 202 makes a hole in substantially crescent shape between the topsheet and the absorbent core 28 when the diaper is observed in the cross section. When a diaper is applied that • has said structure to the body of a user, the upper sheet 202 will be subjected to tension, thereby causing the slots 206 provided therein to open and allow the benefits of the present invention to be realized. Although the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that make various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is therefore intended to protect all these in the appended claims • changes and modifications that are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. An absorbent article adapted to be worn adjacent to the lower torso of a wearer to receive and retain exudates from the body and having a waist front region, a posterior waist region and a crotch region, the absorbent article comprising: a. a back sheet impervious to the liquid having an external surface, which gives the garment, and an internal surface, which gives the body; b. an absorbent core having a shape for allowing the core to be placed adjacent to a user's body and having the ability to absorb liquids; c. a flexible, permeable top sheet that is on the absorbent core, the top sheet including a plurality of discontinuities separated in at least a portion of the crotch region, the discontinuities being substantially closed when the top sheet is in an unstressed condition and which open to define a plurality of spaced apart openings extending through the topsheet when the top sheet is subjected to tension, to allow the solid and semi-solid exudates of the body to penetrate the topsheet towards the absorbent core.

2. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the topsheet has an elastic extension capacity of from about 10% to about 500%.

3. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the discontinuities are cuts extending through the topsheet.

4. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the cuts are rectilinear and / or curvilinear.

5. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cuts are arranged in a plurality of separate, substantially aligned columns.

6. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cuts have a length of about 1.0 mm to about 100 mm.

7. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ends of the adjacent aligned cuts are spaced apart from each other at a distance of up to about 10.0 mm. An absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the article includes a longitudinal axis and the cuts are inclined at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, preferably less than about 45 °. 9. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the backsheet is elastically extensible. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet is separated from the backsheet in the central, longitudinal area of the article to define a cavity between the topsheet and the absorbent core to receive the exudates solid and semi-solid body.