MXPA00012985A - Absorbent article including ionic complexing agent for feces - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article adapted to receive feces having a first waist region, a second waist region opposed to the first waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and the second waist region, the absorbent article comprising:a liquid pervious topsheet;a liquid impervious 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 an effective amount of an ionic complexing feces modifying agent disposed in the article such that the ionic complexing feces modifying agent is available to contact at least a portion of the feces deposited in the article.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE THAT INCLUDES ION COMPLEX AGENT FOR FECALES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to articles that absorb and / or contain body exudates, including disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine pads and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to disposable absorbent articles that include one or more ionic complexing agents that act to modify the physical properties of feces or other bodily wastes that may be deposited in the article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The main function of absorbent materials such as diapers and 5 adult incontinence briefs is to prevent body exudates, moisten or otherwise contaminate clothes or other items such as bedding, which may be in contact with the user. In recent years, disposable diapers, such as those described in the U.S. Pat.

North America No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell et al. Have become very popular and 0 have generally replaced absorbent articles of durable clothing due to their convenience and reliability. However, despite the effectiveness of such disposable absorbent articles, body exudates frequently spill or are stored in the diaper so that exudates stain or irritate the wearer's skin. Additionally, body exudates frequently adhere aggressively to the skin, increasing the difficulty of cleaning and increasing the likelihood of chronic residual contamination. The fundamental causes of this and other key problems with the absorbent articles of the technique lie in the mobility under the applied shear and the adhesiveness of the feces. The undesirable effects of the spill and / or the inadequate containment, the difficult cleaning, and / or the residual contamination of the skin are especially evident with regard to fecal material deposited in the diaper. The feces contained in the diaper can damage the wearer's skin over time and the feces that are released from the diaper almost invariably require a difficult and unpleasant cleaning. Therefore, several attempts have been made to add features to the diapers in a manner such as barriers, bags, separators, transverse barriers, upper covers with openings and 1 ^ similar to limit the movement of fecal material through the upper cover and / or to better confine the fecal matter in the diaper. However, such attempts have generally been unsuccessful because they do not solve the root causes of these problems (ie, the properties of the feces) and, because of their cost and complexity. In addition, many of the means to isolate or contain feces are directed to fecal material with certain physical properties (eg, viscosity, free water content and particle size) and are not effective with exudates with physical properties outside of a very small range. ^ Chemical agents have been used in superabsorbent polymer articles to try to increase the osmotic potential of the polymer for purposes of increasing the effective capacity of the superabsorbent for urine. For example, EP 0420248 A1 describes the use of osmotic materials enclosed in chambers within the superabsorbent polymer particles to increase the absorption capacity. However, in such cases, the osmotic material is not available contact with any faecal material and therefore, does not function as an agent of modification of feces as described herein. U.S. Patent 4,556,560 teaches the use of certain metallized salts such as lipase inhibitors. These agents are fixed to the upper cover by means of deposition using a volatile solvent. How it was taught, urine emptying is required to moisten the upper cover and release the lipase inhibiting agent. Likewise, lipase inhibitors can be washed into the absorbent core as part of the urine discharge. These factors clearly limit people's ability to access fecal matter. US Pat. No. 4,790,836 discloses a diaper that includes a medical powder layer located between the absorbent core and a water soluble film. The medical powder is used to promote the drying of the infant's skin after the user moistens the diaper. However, as shown in Table II, below, the embodiments described in this patent do not function to provide the stool modification benefit of the present invention. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an absorbent article with improved stool handling properties. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide an inexpensive disposable article with the ability to minimize the negative effects of faeces or other viscous body wastes on the user or the person attending it. It would also be advantageous to provide an article that is designed to interact chemically or physically with the feces and to change the properties of the feces in order to improve the acceptance of the feces within the article and / or the immobilization of the feces within the article and / or reduce the contamination of the user's skin with stool. Likewise, it would be desirable to provide an article having sufficient effective and retaining capacity to store physically or chemically modified feces safely and cleanly away from the user's skin and / or clothing during the expected time of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to help solve at least some of the problems here described and found otherwise in the absorbent articles of the technique above, the present invention provides an article that includes an ionic stool modifier complexing agent which is available in an effective concentration to physically or chemically modify some or all of the fecal materials or other body exudates deposited in the article. Modifying the stool may improve the acceptance and / or retention of exudates within the article to reduce dispersion ^ of fecal material and / or reduce the tendency of fecal material to adhere to the user's skin. The present invention also provides an absorbent article capable of accepting, storing and / or immobilizing the exudates in their modified form to reduce the likelihood that the waste will migrate back into the user's skin once the waste is infiltrated into the article. Consequently, the article absorbing the The present invention can reduce the likelihood of damage to the wearer's skin and / or the inconvenience to the attendant normally associated with bowel movements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As long as the specification concludes with the claims particularly indicating and claiming differently the material in question that is considered as the present invention, it is considered that the description will be better understood from the following descriptions which they are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the designations are used to designate substantial identical elements.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface facing the body of the diaper facing towards the observer. Figure 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface facing towards the body of the diaper facing the wearer. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention taken through the section lines 3-3. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention. Figure 5 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin embodiment of the present invention with portions cut away to check the underlying structure. Figure 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modality of the present invention. Figure 8 is a plan view of one embodiment of the absorbent article 20 of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface facing towards the body of the diaper facing the wearer. Figure 9 is a schematic front view of an apparatus that can be used to measure the Acceptance Under Pressure characteristics of certain structures. Figure 10 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the user's body to absorb and contain the different exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not generally intended to be washed or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., 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 represent that a diaper element or elements are formed (joined or placed) in a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other diaper elements or as A separate element joined 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 in which a element is indirectly secured to another element by fixing the element to an intermediate member which in turn is attached to another 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 handling parts such as a separate support and coating. The absorbent ass 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 by infants and incontinent persons around the torso. lower). However, the present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper supports and linings, feminine hygiene garments, handkerchiefs, isopos, bandages and similar. The present invention is also applicable to absorbent and non-absorbent stool collection devices which can be applied separately to the perianal region of the user. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in a flattened state with portions of the structure being trimmed to show more ^ clearly the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of the diaper 20 with the wearer's stools is facing the viewer. As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid-permeable top cover 24; a back cover impermeable to liquid 26; an absorbent core 28, which is preferably placed between at least a portion of the upper cover 24 and the rear cover 26; side panels 30; elastified leg cuffs 32; a characteristic of elastic waist 34; and a generally designated fastening system 40. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a first waist region 36, a second region. ^ of waist 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 diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 in which the longitudinal edges 50 move generally parallel to the longitudinal center line 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 move between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the center line side 110 of the diaper 20. the structure 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper 20.

The structure 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28 and preferably an outer cover layer that includes the upper cover 24 and the rear cover 26. If the absorbent article comprises a separate support and coating, the structure 22 generally comprises the support and coating. (For example, the support may comprise one or more layers of material to form the outer covering of the article and the coating may comprise an absorbent assembly that includes a top cover, a back cover, and an absorbent core. and / or the liner may include a fastener that is used to hold the liner in place during 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 liner. composite diaper As the upper cover 24, the rear cover 26, and the core »Absorbent 26 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are generally described in United States Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled" Contractible Side Portions for Disposable Diaper "which was issued for Kenneth B. Buell on January 14 of 1975; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and the United States of America Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; and the United States Patent ^ of North America No. 5,554,145 entitled "Absorbent Article With Multiple Zone Structural Elastic-Like Film Web Extensible Waist Feature "which was issued for Roe and others on 10 September 20, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,569,234 entitled "Disposable Pull-On Pant" which was issued to Buell et al. on October 29, 1996; and U.S. Patent 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; each of which is incorporated in the present by reference. The back cover 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 positioned adjacent the facing surface toward the garment 45 of the absorbent core 28 which prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soiling the articles that may be in contact with the diaper. 20, such as bedding and fll underwear. In preferred embodiments, the cover 26 is impermeable to the 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. Backsheet films include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962; and X10964. Other back cover materials Suitable materials may include breathable materials that allow vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. Illustrative breathable materials may include materials such as woven wefts, non-woven wefts, composite materials such as nonwoven webs coated with film and microporous films such as those manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designations ESPOIR NO and by Exxon Chemical Co. of Bay City, TX under the designations 1X, under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composites comprising polymer blends are ^ available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH under the name HYTREL brand P 18-3097. Some breathable composites are described in greater detail in the PCT Application No. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995 in the name of DuPont EI and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 744,487, filed November 6, 1996 on behalf of Curro. Other breathable back covers include nonwoven webs and films formed with openings that are described in U.S. Patent No. ,571,096 issued to Dobrin and others on November 5, 1996. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference.

The back cover 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the back cover 26 may comprise a weft of structural elastic similar film fll ("SELF"), as described in United States Patent No. ,518,801 titled Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior. "Which was issued for Chappell, et, al. on May 21, 1996 which is incorporated herein by reference. In alternate embodiments, the back cover 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, filaments, or combinations of these or other suitable materials with non-woven or synthetic films. The back cover 26 may be attached to the top cover 24, the absorbent core 28 or any other element of the diaper 20 through any fastening means known in the art. For example, the fastening means may include a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate lines, coils, or spots of adhesive. Alternatively, the The joining means may comprise thermal joints, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, dynamic mechanical joints, or any other suitable joining means or combinations of these joining means as is known in the art. The top cover 24 is preferably compliant, soft touch and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, at least one serving day covered top 24 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids to easily penetrate through their thickness. A suitable top cover 24 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foam; plastic films with openings; woven or non-woven webs of natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polypropylene), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. If the top cover includes fibers, the fibers can be spun by spinning, carded, wet laid, blown by melt, hydroentangling, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. A suitable top cover 24 comprises a fiber length polypropylene fiber web that is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division of International Company, of Walpole, MA under the designation P-8. Top covers of suitable formed films are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135, entitled "Absorptive 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 Topsheet" which was issued to Mullane et al. on April 13, 1982; • U.S. Patent 4,342,314 entitled "Resilient Plástic Web Exhibiting Fiber-üke Properties", which was issued for Radel, and others on August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045 entitled "Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plástic Web Exhibiting Non-Gloss Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression "which was issued to Ahr, and others on July 31, 1984, and United States Patent No. 5,006,394" Multilayer Polymeric Film "issued to Baird April 9, 1991. Other ^ Suitable top covers 30 are made in accordance with the Patents of the United States of America Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 which were issued for Curro et al. On September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986, respectively, and which are incorporated by reference. Such formed films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE" and Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana as "CLIFF-T". The upper cover 24 can be made of a hydrophobic material or to be treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolate the user's skin from the liquids contained in the absorbent core 18 If the top cover 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least the top surface of the top cover 24 is treated to be hydrophilic so that liquids are transferred through the top cover more quickly. This decreases the likelihood of exudates? bodily fluids flow out of the upper deck 24 instead of being pulled through the upper cover 24 and which are absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The upper cover 24 can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant or by incorporating a surfactant into the top cover. Suitable methods for treating the topcoat 24 with a surfactant or incorporating a surfactant into the topcoat are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent.

• Layers "issued for Reising and others on January 29, 1991 and United States Patent No. 4,988,345 entitled" Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores "issued for Reising on January 29, 1991, and the Registry of Statutory Invention of the United States of America No. H1670, published July 1, 1997 in the name of Aziz et al. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively, the top cover 24 may include a web or film which is hydrophobic. This can be achieved by eliminating the ^ hydrophilization treatment stage from the production process and / or by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the top cover 24, such as a compound of polytetrafluoroethylene as SCOTCHGUARD 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 diaper cover 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 Lotioned Topsheet Containing an Emollient and a Polyol Polyester Immobilizing Agent" which was issued to Roe on March 4, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587 entitled "Diaper Having A Lotion Topsheet Comprising A Liquid Polyol Polyester Emollient And An Immobilizing Agent" which was issued to Roe on March 11, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5 635,121 entitled "Diaper Having A Lotioned Topsheet Containing A Polysiloxane Emollient" which was issued to Roe et al. on June 3, 1997; and U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588 entitled "Diaper Havíng A Lotioned Topsheet" which was issued to Roe et al. on July 1, 1997. The lotion may work alone or in combination with another agent as a treatment. • of the hydrophobicization described above. The top cover can 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 to name by Theresa Johnson. In addition, the top cover 24, the back cover 26 or any portion of the top cover or back cover may be etched and / or matte finished to provide a more garment-like appearance. The upper cover 24 is preferably positioned adjacent to the surface of the body 47 of the absorbent core 28 and can be attached thereto and / or to the back cover 26 through any joining means known in the art. Suitable attachment means were described above with respect to the means for attaching the back cover 26 to the other elements of the diaper 20. The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material known in the art. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass-shaped, "T" -shaped, asymmetrical, etc.) and may comprise a wide variety of liquid-absorbing materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other articles absorbers such as ground wood pulp, which is generally referred to as an air felt. flfc Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include wadding of folded cellulose; meltblown polymers, which includes coform; chemically stiffened, modified or interlaced cellulose fibers; tissue paper, which includes tissue paper wrappers and tissue paper laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any other material or combination of known materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 can also be varied, (e.g., the absorbent cores or other absorbent structures may have zones of varying gauge, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or a lower average density and acquisition zones. of lower average base weight, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). Without However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper 20. Illustrative absorbent structures for use as an absorbent core They are described in U.S. Patent 4,610,678 entitled "High-Density Absorbent Structure" issued to Weisman and others on September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores "issued to Weisman and others on June 16, 1987; United States Patent 4,834,735, entitled" High Density Absorbing Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones ", issued to Alemany and others on May 30, 1989, the United States Patent of North America 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer" issued for Angstadt on December 19, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 5,137,537 entitled "Absorbent Structure Containing Individualized, Polycarboxylic Acids Croslinked Wood Pulp Cellulose Fibers" issued to Herron et al. on August 11, 1992; U.S. Patent 5,147,345 entitled "High Efficiency Absorbent Articles for Incontinence Management" issued to Young et al. on September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent 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 Containing Such Materials" issued to DesMarais et al. on November 9, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207 entitled "Thin-i> Until-Wet Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids and Process for Making Same" issued to Dyer et al. on February 7, 1995; and U.S. Patent No. 5,625,222 entitled "Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Fluids Made From High-Level Phase Emulsion Having Very High Water-To-Oil Ratios "issued to DesMarais and others on July 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporated into the present by reference.The diaper 20 may also comprise one or more features of ^ waist 34 to help provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waist feature 34 can be considered in a number of different configurations including those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit et al. On May 7, 1985; U.S. Patent No. 4,710,189 issued to Lash on December 1, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5, 151, 092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist configurations may include waist covering features such as those described in United States Patent No. 5,026,364 issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991 and U.S. Patent No. 4,816,025 issued to Foreman on March 28, 1989. All of the aforementioned references fll are hereby incorporated by reference. The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. The fastening system 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38 in a lapped configuration to provide lateral stresses around the circumference of the diaper 20 to hold the waist. diaper 20 on the user. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises tape tabs and / or components ^ L hook and loop, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some illustrative fastening systems are described in United States Patent 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening System for Disposable Diaper" issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; U.S. Patent B1 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbent Article" issued for Hirotsu and others on May 5, 1987; the United States Patent of North America 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having An Improved Fastening Device "issued for Spripps on July 11, 1989, the United States Patent of ^ North America 4,894,060 entitled "Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook Fastener Portion "issued for Nestegard on January 16, 1990, the United States Patent of North America 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastner And Method of Making Same "issued for Battrell on August 7, 1990, and hereinafter referred to in the United States Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992, and the United States Patent of North America No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. The fastening system can also provide means for holding the article in a disposable configuration as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al. On October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Some illustrative hooks are available from Aplix under the trade names 960E and 960D. Suitable flfc clips are available from 3M under the trade name EBL and Guilford under the designation commercial 18904. In alternative embodiments, opposite sides of the garment may be sewn or welded to form a pair of pants to allow the article to be used as a training diaper. The diaper 20 can also include side panels 30 constructed and attached to the structure in a suitable configuration. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are described in the United States Patent. • 4,857,067, entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Shirred Ears", issued to Wood, and others on August 15, 1989; United States Patent 4,381, 781 issued to Sciaraffa, and others on May 3, 1983; U.S. Patent 4,938,753 issued to Van Gompel, and others on July 3, 1990; the Patent of the United States of America hereinafter referred to in No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and the Patent of the States United States No. 5, 221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; the ^ U.S. Patent No. 5,669,897 issued to LaVon, and others on September 23, 1997 entitled "Absorbent Articles Whit Proveding Sustained Dynamic Fit "; EPO Publication No. WO 95/13775 A1, published on May 26, 1995 entitled "Absorbent Article Whit Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels", each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 preferably includes leg folds 32 to help provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. The leg folds can also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds or elastic folds, US Pat. No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a contractile leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elastified leg fold (a joint fold). The Patents of mk the United States of North America Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz and others on February 28, 1989 and March 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers having "upright" elastified fins (barrier folds) that improve 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 having double pleats, including tie folds and barrier folds. In • In some embodiments, it may be desirable to treat all or a portion of the leg folds with a lotion, as described above. The embodiments of the present invention may also include bags for receiving and containing waste, separators that provide waste spaces, barriers to limit the movement of the waste in the article, hollow compartments that accept and contain the waste materials deposited in the diaper and the like, or any combinations thereof. Examples of bags and sappers for Use in absorbent products is described in the US Pat.

North America 5, S14,191 issued to Roe and others on May 7, 1996, entitled "Díaper Having Expulsive Spacer "; United States Patent 5,171, 236 issued to Dreier et al. On December 15, 1992, entitled" Disposable Absorbent Article Having Core Spacers "US Patent 5,397,318 issued to Dreier on March 14, 1995, entitled "Absorbent Article Having A Poket Cuff"; United States Patent 5,540,671 issued for Dreier on July 30, 1996, entitled "Absorbent Article Having A Poket Cuff With An Apex "; and PCT Application WO 93/25172 published December 3, 1993, entitled" Spacers for Use in Higienic Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Spacer "and United States Patent 5,306,266, entitled" Flexible Spacers For Use In Disposable Absorbent Articles ", issued to Freeland on April 26, 1994. Examples of compartments or voids are described in United States Patent 4,968,312, entitled" Disposable Fecal Compartmenting Diaper ", issued to Khan on November 6, 1990; U.S. Patent 4,990,147, entitled "Absorbent Articles With Elastic Liner for Waste Material Isolation", issued to Freeland on February 5, 1991; United States Patent 5; 62,840, entitled "Disposable Diapers", issued to Holt et al on November 5, 1991, and the Patent of the States • United States 5,269,755 entitled "Trisection Topsheets For Disposable Absorbent Articles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Trisection Topsheets", issued for Freeland et al on December 14, 1993. Examples of suitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Pat. from North America No. 5,554,142 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Multiple Effective Height Transverse Partition "issued on September 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier and others; PCT Patent WO 94/14395 entitled "Absorbent Article Having An Upstanding Transverse ^ Partition "published on July 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland, et al., And United States Patent 5,653,703" Absorbent Article Having Angular Upstanding Transverse Partition, issued August 5, 1997 to Roe, et al. All references cited above are incorporated herein by reference. The article of the present invention may also include one or more stool modifying agents ("FMAs", "modifying agents" or "agents") in an effective concentration capable of modifying the chemical or physical properties of the viscous body wastes, such as feces and menstrual discharges. As used herein, "stool modifying agent" (or FMA) refers to any chemical composition capable of increasing the hardness of a certain fecal analogue, or preferably actual feces, by at least about 100% or decreasing the hardness of a certain fecal analogue or preferably actual feces, by at least k about 25%, as measured in the Hardness Method described below.

Depending on the design of the particular article and the type of stool, the modalities are contemplated to increase or decrease the effective viscosity of the feces, increase or decrease the ease of dehydration of the feces, decrease the stickiness or adhesion characteristics of the feces, or any combination of the above. Although the stool modifying agents of the present invention can be ^ able to modify the properties of solid stools, FMAs are generally more effective at altering the properties of viscous fluid feces that generally have a viscosity of more than about 10 cP and less than about 107 cP at a shear rate of 1 / sec, (at about 35 degrees C), and more particularly between about 102 CP and 107 CP at a shear rate 1 / sec, in a controlled voltage rheometry using parallel plates on a controlled voltage rheometer. (For reference, the water is at 1.0 cP at 20 degrees C and Jif Creamy peanut butter ^ (available from Procter &Gamble Co., Cinti., OH) is at approximately 4 X105 cP at 25 degrees C at the same shear rate). The method to determine the The viscosity, as used herein, is described in detail in the test methods section below. Regardless of the specific effect of the chemical agent on the stool, the agent must be available for stool in order to perform its function. As used in the present, in the context of the FMAs. the term "available" indicates that the agent is placed within the article or presented by the article or a component of the article during the course of normal use of the article to directly contact at least a portion of the stool deposited in the article or on the user's skin. The agent is placed inside a structure (for example, in an absorbent layer under a top cover), the structure must be substantially penetrable in the feces. In such cases, the agent is "available" if the structure has Acceptance Under Pressure greater than about 0.50 g / cm2 / J, and preferably greater than about 1.0 g / cm2 / J, as measured by the measurement of acceptance described in the Methods section below. If the agent is encapsulated, it must be released by the article at or approximately at the time when the feces impact the article. For example, the FMA can be retained by a water-soluble film, which, upon contact with urine or water in the feces, dissolves and releases the • FMA for contact with stool. An "effective concentration" of an FMA, as used herein, refers to the relative amount of agent required to have a measurable effect on Hardness (as measured by the Hardness Method described below) of minus a portion of the stool in the article or on the user's skin. The data illustrating an "effective concentration" are given below. Preferably, a concentration of an FMA of at least about 0.01 weight percent of ^ The stool to be treated is desirable, and most commonly between approximately 0. 1 and approximately 50 percent by weight of the stool is available for feces. For example, to treat a fecal load of 25 grams in a diaper (ie, a "volume" treatment) at a percentage level of 5 percent, 1.25 grams of FMA should be available for fecal mass (assuming that the specific gravity of the stool is 1.0). Therefore, the FMA is preferably present in the article in concentrations ranging from about 0.001% to about 5.0% by weight of the article. However, commonly the concentration is between about 0.01 and about 20 weight percent of the article.

The FMA is preferably capable of increasing the hardness of a faecal analogue, and preferably real feces, by about 100% (and preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%) at a concentration of no more than about 20%. hundred percent in weight of the stool that will treat at room temperature (20-25 ° C). More preferably, the FMA is capable of increasing the hardness of a fecal analogue or actual feces by about 100% (and preferably about 200%, most preferably about 400%) at a concentration of no more than about 10 percent in weight of the stool to be treated. Even more preferably, the FMA is capable of increasing the hardness of a fecal analogue or actual feces by about 100% (and preferably about 200%, most preferably about 400%) at a concentration of no more than about 5 weight percent of the stool that are going to be treated. In other preferred embodiments, the FMA is able to increase the hardness of the faecal analogue or actual feces by 100% (and preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%) at a concentration of not more than about 1 weight percent of the faeces to be treated. In other preferred modalities, the FMA is capable of increasing the ^ Hardness of a fecal analogue or actual feces in about 100% (and preferably about 200%, most preferably about 400%) to a The concentration of no more than about 0.5 percent by weight of the stool to be treated. Commonly, the FMA is capable of increasing the hardness of a fecal analogue or actual feces by about 100% (and preferably about 200%, most preferably about 400%) at a concentration of between about 0.1 and about 10 percent in weight of stools that are going to try. Preferably, the defined increase in Hardness is in the range of about 30 minutes, more preferably in about 15 minutes, even more preferably in about 5 minutes, even more preferably in about 3 minutes, and most preferably in? about 1 minute after contact with the stool. Commonly, the change of desired Hardness is performed within the range of about 1 minute to about 10 minutes. In the most preferred embodiments, the defined increase in Hardness is effected in about 3 minutes at an FMA concentration of no more than about 5% by weight of the faeces to be treated or in 3 minutes at an FMA concentration of about 1.5% by weight of faeces that are going to be treated. In other preferred modalities, the FMA is capable of increasing the hardness of a fecal analogue, or actual feces by about 200% in about 3 minutes at a concentration of no more than about 5% by weight of the faeces to be treated. In still other preferred embodiments, the FMA is capable of increasing the hardness of a fecal analogue, or actual feces by approximately 400% in about 3 minutes at a concentration of not more than about 5% by weight of the faeces to be treated. The reference Hardness values of two fecal analogue materials A synthetics are presented in Table I. (Hardness has been found to be closely related to the complex stool module.) Analog A represents the water content, hardness and adhesion properties of "dripping" feces, while analog B represents typical "pasty" feces. Two consistencies of the feces are simulated to better illustrate the activity of the FMAs. The methods of preparing analogs A and B are described in the Test Methods section below.

TABLE I Fecal analogue Fecal analogue hardness A 8.6 B 620 Fecal analogues A and B provide strong and repeatable means to evaluate the performance of FMA. However, real stools are a very complex material. For certain chemical treatments, the FMA effect may be greater for real stools than for any of the analogues described above. For one of the agents evaluated, the hardness data are presented in terms of change in hardness for analogues of feces and real faeces, in order to demonstrate similarity in the response relative to • treatment, the actual faeces used in the experiments consist of both a sample of mixed "dripping" feces and a sample of mixed "doughy" faeces. The sample of feces that drip composed was deposited using several bowel movements (not contaminated by urine) produced by two male infants of four months old fed by the mother, Americans. The composite stool sample was deposited using various bowel movements (not contaminated by urine) produced by two formula-fed four-month-old male infants, Americans eating a "transition" diet between breast milk and the feeding table. . Stool deposition was achieved by Seward Stomacher 400 Lab System from Seward Medical, Ltd. of London, UK. For reference, the hardness of the stool sample that dripped untreated spills, (ie, how they were collected) was 28 grams, and the hardness of the sample was doughy stools untreated discharges was 297 grams. The effect of combining several comparative examples with fecal analogues is illustrated in Table II below. All materials were mixed with the faecal analogue as described below in the Sample Preparation Method.

As is evident from the above data, the desired changes in a Hardness were not achieved through comparative materials.

TABLE II Concentration Hardness of Analogue Fecal Analogue Comparative Additive (% by weight) Fecal Treated (g) To Corn Starch 1.0 12.6 (Dietary Fiber Control, 5.0 8.6 Sigma Chemical Co., 14.4 St. Louis, MO, S-2388) 1.0 7.1 A Talc Infantile of Starch 5.0 10.2 Pure Corn (Johnson & 1.15 643 Johnson, Co., Skillman, NJ) 1.1 533 A Talc infant (tale) 4.9 (Johnson &Johnson, Co) 854 B Corn Starch 1.0 679 (Dietary Fiber Control, 5.0 Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, S-2388) B Infantile talc (Johnson &Johnson, Co) In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the modifying agent which increases the structure of the feces by increasing the degree of binding of the water via the ionic complexing is used to increase the viscosity and reduce the mobility of the feces. This can be achieved through the use of ionic complexing agents in the appropriate concentrations. Some FMA may function differently on different stool types due to the variation in the structural character of the specific stool type. An example of this is calcium hydroxide which functions as a viscosity lowering agent for a watery faecal analog, but as a thickener (via ionic complexation) for pasty stools in the same concentrations. Ionic complexing agents may include any simple component that complexes with itself or with water or other chemical entities in the faeces to form regions of increased structure and stiffness within the feces. The resulting complex acts to stabilize or bind water more tightly in the stool. Illustrative ionic complexing agents include ZnO, MgO, MnO, CaO, calcium hydroxide, AI2O3, aluminum salts, zinc salts such as zinc acetate and zinc zinc glucanate, gelatin, quaternary ammonium salts, ethanolamine, alginic acid, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and the like ). Alternatively, the ionic complexing agent may comprise a system of two (or more) components, wherein the complex (ie, higher range structure) is created by the interaction of two additional components (eg, aluminum salts). , calcium or zinc plus alginic acid and / or salts thereof). The ^. Ionic complexing agents can alternately form crystalline hydrates when complexed with water. In general, compounds or systems containing calcium (eg, CaO, calcium hydroxide, and calcium alginate, etc.) are some of the very effective stool modifying agents. Table III shows the effects of various complexing agents ionics on the hardness of the faecal analog or feces. (Mixing of faecal analogue and / or feces was performed as specified in the Sample Preparation Method below).

CUADO 20 Fecal Analogue / Agent / System Concentration Analog Hardness Feces Ionic Complexing (% by weight) Fecal / Stool Treatment (g) To calcium oxide 1.0 26 (sigma C-2178) 5.0 385 25 To alginic acid / zziinncc chloride 5.0 114 (50% / 50% by weight) (total mixture) (alginic acid - sodium salt, per Kelp "high viscosity "- Sigma A-7128, zinc chloride - Sigma Z-4875) B calcium hydroxide 1.0 1206 f (ACS Reagent, Sigma C-5551) 5.0 1223 5 B zinc oxide (ACS Reagent, 5.1 1192 Sigma Z-1753) B Sodium chloride (ACS reagent, 5.2 1275 Sigma S-9888) B calcium chloride (anhydrous, 4.9 1405 Sigma C-4901) * To alginic acid, ammonium salt - 5.0 513 Calcium (Sigma A-7253) B alginic acid , ammonium salt - 5.0 2070 Calcium (Sigma A-7253) 15 Mixed feces alginic acid, ammonium salt - 5.0 52 diluted Calcium (Sigma A-7253) Mixed feces alginic acid, ammonium salt - 5.0 908 pasty Calcium (Sigma A -7253) While in certain embodiments it is desirable to treat the entire mass of feces within the article (ie, "volume" treatment), in some preferred only a portion of the feces is treated with the FMA. In these modalities, the FMA can only penetrate a relatively short distance into the stool, thus forming a modified outer layer that is relatively rigid and does not sticky. This may be preferable from a point of view of using FMA or to eliminate the need for mixing of the FMA within the fecal mass. The modified outer layer is a region or layer of stool at or near the surface of the stool mass with different physical properties than the rest of the stool mass. Preferably, the modified layer is harder (i.e., has a higher yield stress), less tacky, and / or has a superior resistance to diffusion of the volatile molecules contained in the faeces that the rest of the faeces, resulting in decreased dispersion / mobility of the stool mass and / or decreased adhesion of the mass of feces to the user's skin and / or reduced fecal odor. Preferably, the region of the modified outer layer is between about 1 and about 1000 microns thick and can cover all or any part of the fecal mass. For example, it may be appropriate to treat only feces at the skin / stool interface (for example for * reduce adhesion and / or promote cleaning or reduce dispersion through the user's skin or to promote absorption or to reduce dispersion within the article). Therefore, to treat a 1 millimeter thick layer of a fecal mass over an area of 30 square cm of the skin or the top cover of the article at a level of 10 percent in weight, 0.30 grams of FMA should be available for faeces in the region of contact with the feces (assuming that the specific gravity of the feces is 1.0). In several modalities the FMA can be organic or inorganic, weighing A low molecular or polymeric nature and / or can be liquid, solid (eg powder, fiber, film, web), semi-solid or combinations thereof. The FMA can present in a water / oil or oil / water emulsion, a suspension or mixture. He FMA may be placed in the article as a discrete individual element (for example as a fibrous cotton sheet or layer within or attached to the article) or may be held in or on a carrier vehicle, such as a lotion or care composition for the skin (described below), a weft, or it can be encapsulated releasably under a film or in a package, cell or wrapping structure. In embodiments wherein the FMA supplied by means of a skin care composition, it may be soluble in the skin care composition or it may be kept in suspension or as a simple mixture. The larger FMA particles (eg, preferably greater than about 250 microns in their largest dimension), can be at least partially embedded in or adhesively held by the skin care composition. Some illustrative materials useful in skin care compositions that can be used in the embodiments of the present invention include Category I assets as defined by the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) about Skin Protective Pharmaceutical Products for Sale and Human Use, which currently include allantoin, hydroxide gel • aluminum, calamine, cocoa butter, dimethicone, cod liver oil (in combination), glycerin, kaolin, petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, shark liver oil, white petrolatum, talc, topical starch, zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide and the like. Other potentially useful materials are Category III assets as defined by the Final Essay of U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration's on Pharmaceutical Products Skin Protectors for Sale and Use Human which include: derivatives of live priming cell, aldioxa, aluminum acetate, microporous cellulose, colecalciferol, colloidal oat, cysteine hydrochloride, dexpantanol, balsam oil from Peru, protein hydrolysates, racemethionine, or sodium bicarbonate, vitamin A and similar. Many of the skin care ingredients cited in the FDA monograph are currently used in commercially available skin care products, such as Ointment A and D®, Petrolatum Jelly VASELINA®, Ointment Against Diaper Urticaria DESITIN® and Ointment Daily Care, GOLD BOND® Medicated Baby Talcum, 5 AQUAPHOR® Healing Ointment, BABY MAGIC® Infant Lotion, Johnson's Infant Lotion, Cream JOHNSON'S ULTRA SENSITIVE® babies, lip balms, etc. Other skin care compositions are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588, U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760, U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587, and U.S. Patent No. 5,635, 191. The descriptions of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. in the present by reference. The skin care compositions useful in the present invention preferably have a melting profile so that they are relatively immobile and located on the surface that makes contact with the user of the article at room temperature, are easily transferable to the user at room temperature and even they are not completely liquid under extreme storage conditions. Preferably, the compositions are easily transferable to the skin by means of • normal contact, user movement and / or body heat. In preferred embodiments, the skin care compositions useful herein are solid or more frequently semi-solid, at 20 ° C, ie at room temperature. By "semi-solids" it is implied that the The composition has a typical rheology of pseudoplastic or plastic liquids. When no shear is applied, the compositions can have the appearance of a semi-solid, although they can be made to flow as the shear rate increases.

* ± This is due to the fact that, while the compositions may contain mainly solid components, they may also include some components minor liquids Preferably, the compositions of the present invention have a zero shear viscosity between about 1.0 X 106 centipoise and about 1.0 X 108 centipoise. More preferably, the zero shear viscosity is between about 5.0 X 106 centipoise and about 5.0 X 107 centipoise. As used in the present "viscosity of Zero shear stress "refers to a viscosity measured at very low shear rates (eg, 1 / sec) using a plate and cone viscometer (a suitable instrument is available from TA Instruments of New Castle, DE HOW number CSL 100 model.) One skilled in the art would recognize that by using means other than the high melting point components that can be used to provide comparable viscosities, for example, the lotion could be provided with a structure having an exerted viscosity. high shear stress although, in the application of shear stress, such structure collapses with a resulting reduction in viscosity (compositions of this type are said to have an elastic value.) This structure can be provided through certain clay materials , such as ventonite clays, or montmorillonite clays and by smoked silica. as are the smoked silicas as they are available • depart from Cabot Corp., Cab_o-Sil Div. From Tuscola, IL as CAB-O-SIL. An experienced person would also recognize that the zero shear viscosity of such compositions can be measured by extrapolating a viscosity plot versus shear rate to a shear rate of zero. Such measurements of viscosity should be conducted at a temperature of approximately 20 ° C. The carrier vehicle of skin care composition may include a useful active ingredient such as one or more skin protectants or emollients. As As used herein, the term "emollients" refers to a material that protects against moisture or irritation, softens, mitigates, soothes, coats, lubricates, moistens, protects and / or cleans the skin. (It will be recognized that several of the assets in the monograph listed above are "emollients" since that term is used herein). In a preferred embodiment the emollients will have a plastic or liquid consistency at ambient temperatures, i.e. about 20 ° C. Such consistency allows the composition to impart a feeling similar to lubricating and gentle lotion. Representative emollients useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, emollients that are petrolatum based; fatty acids of sucrose ester; polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof, humectants; type of fatty acid ether; type of alkyl ethoxylate, fatty acid ester ethoxylates; type of fatty alcohol; type of polysiloxane; propylene glycol and derivatives thereof, glycerin and derivatives thereof, including glycerides, acetoglycerides, and ethoxylated glycerides of C2-C28 fatty acids; triethylene glycol and derivatives thereof, whale sperm or other waxes; fatty acids; fatty alcohol ethers; particularly those having from 12 to 28 carbon atoms in their fatty chain, such as stearic acid; propoxylated fatty alcohols; other fatty esters of polyhydroxy alcohols; lanolin and its derivatives; Caolina and its derivatives; Caolina and its derivatives; and any of the skin care agents in the monograph listed above; or mixtures of these emollients. • Another preferred component with the skin care composition carrier vehicles useful in the present invention is an agent capable of immobilizing the composition (includes the preferred emollient and / or other conditioning, therapeutic or skin protecting agents and / or FMA (s) present in the composition) in the desired location or in the treated article. The immobilization agent can counteract the tendency of an amygid emollient to flow by keeping the emollient located mainly on the surface or in the region of the article to which the emollient is applied.

«^ Composition. This is considered to be due, in part, to the fact that the immobilization agent raises the melting point and / or viscosity of the composition on that of the emollient. Since the immobilizing agent is preferably miscible with the emollient (or solubilized in the emollient with the aid of the appropriate emulsifier or dispersed therein), it traps the emollient on the contact surface of the user of the article or in the region to which it is attached. applies It is also advantageous to "lock" the immobilization agent on the contact surface of the user or the region of the article to which it is applied. This can be achieved by the use of immobilizing agents which quickly fix (ie solidify) the application to the article. In addition, the external cooling of the treated article by means of blowers, fans, cold rollers, etc., can expedite the crystallization of the immobilization agent. In addition to being miscible, (or solubilized in) the emollient, the mobilizing agent preferably has a melting profile that provides a composition that is solid or semi-solid at room temperature. In this regard, the preferred immobilizing agents have a melting point of at least about 35 ° C. This prevents the mobilizing agent from having a tendency to migrate or flow. Immobilizing agents will have melting points of at least about 40 ° C, and more typically on the scale from about 50 ° C to • approximately 150 ° C. Immobilization agents suitable for use in the present invention can be solved from any of a number of agents, while the preferred properties of the skin care composition provide the benefits described above. Preferred immobilizing agents generally comprise a member selected from the group consisting of C14-C22 fatty alcohols, C12-C22 fatty acids and C12-C22 fatty alcohol ethoxylates having a degree An average of ethoxylation ranging from 2 to about 30, and mixtures thereof. Preferred immobilizing agents include C 16 -C 8 fatty alcohols, preferably high crystalline melting point materials selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. (The linear structure of these materials can expedite solidification on the treated absorbent article). Other preferred immobilizing agents include C16-C18 fatty acids, preferably selected from the group consisting of acid Palmitic acid, stearic acid, and mixtures thereof. Blends of palmitic acid and stearic acid are particularly preferred. Other preferred immobilizing agents include C? 8-C18 gra fatty alcohol ethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from about 5 to about 20. Preferably, the fatty alcohols, the fatty acids and the fatty alcohols are linear. Importantly, those preferred immobilizing agents such as C 16 -C 18 fatty alcohols increase the rate of crystallization of the composition causing the composition to crystallize rapidly on the surface of the substrate. Other types of ingredients suitable for use as immobilizing agents, either alone or in combination with the above-mentioned immobilizing agents, include waxes, such as carnauba, ozokerite, beeswax, candelilla, paraffin, ceresin, esparto, ouricuri, rezowax, Isoparaffin and other known mineral and mineral waxes. • The Stool Modifying Agent can be supplied to the stool directly by transferring the FMA to the stool or it can be transferred initially to the user's skin or other item of the article before being transferred to the stool. The carrier vehicle can constitute or be a component of, a separate article which is to be applied to the user (preferably at least on the perianal region) before, or in place of a diaper, training underpants, underwear or other article. "The means for attaching the FMA to a carrier vehicle can include any means known in the art, such as adhesives (particularly water soluble adhesives), hydrogen bonding, releasable encapsulation, spraying, coating and the like. The hydrogen bonding of the FMA to the substrate can be effected by a light station of either the FMA or at least a portion of the substrate with water. Upon drying, the FMA is releasably fixed to the substrate (ie, subsequent contact with liquid water will break the bond). This effect is improved by those FMAs that become "gel" and become sticky when moistened (eg alginic acid and derivatives, etc). Wetting can be achieved by subjecting either the FMA, substrate or both to a high humidity environment (eg a relative humidity of 80% or higher) before or at the time of contact. Alternatively, water may be dispersed, sprayed, or atomized on at least a portion of the agent or substrates prior to or at the time of contact. In such cases, the structure is preferably dried before incorporation into an article. In other preferred embodiments, the FMA may be associated with a seal such as a leg fold, waist barrier, waist band, waste bag or with separate stool elements. In embodiments where the FMA is associated with a joint element such as the leg fold, the barrier of • waist or waste bag, it is preferable that the FMA be associated with the portion of the board placed closest to the point of exit of the waste from the user (eg, the rectum for the stool). In certain preferred embodiments the FMA is releasably attached to the surface of the joint material to promote the treatment of the feces that make contact with the board. The FMA can be releasably attached to the surface of the joint through any of the means described above or other means known in the art. In other modalities, the FMA is encapsulated ^ releasably at or near at least a portion of the joint surface. In modalities that include stool-separating elements, any portion of the The separator element may comprise one or more FMAs. The separating element can be releasably coated with the agent as described above can comprise cells, tacks, or bags of the agent covered, at least in part, with a water soluble film or with the feces (as described above). The FMA can make contact with the stool on or near the surfaces of the article (for example in the upper cover / stool interface), within the article (as in the waste handling element 120 as described below) or in a lateral surface of the body of the fecal mass (ie, that has been transferred first to the skin or other surface on the plane of the article). Typically, the FMA will make contact with the feces in the article region associated with the user's rectum (e.g., the My crotch region in a diaper context). Stools can make contact alternatively with the FMA as it passes through a hole, flank, valve or the like in or near the user's rectum. In such cases, the FMA can be expressed or extracted from the orifice or valve (for example from containers) by the pressure of the passing of the feces as they are extruded from the body. The orifice may comprise a slot, slit or perforation in a sheet, envelope, package or other structure containing the FMA or composition comprising an FMA placed in - »proximity to the exit point of the stool from the body. The orifice can be sealed initially by soluble film which is dissolved by contact with the feces, releasing the agent or composition. Alternatively, the orifice may be opened as the structure is deformed by the passage or pressure of the feces. The pressure of the feces, in addition to body pressure and movement can help in the expression of FMA through the hole to the stool. The FMA can be supplied passively (for example, feces ^ flow and make contact with it during normal conditions of use), actively (for example, an element in the article responds to a signal and supplies / releases the FMA to the stool) or by means of a secondary carrier (eg a powder or other skin care composition transferred to the wearer's skin). The supply of FMA to faeces can occur as a result of extruded stool pressure, temperature, weight, enzymatic activity, water content and / or pH; the presence of urine (for example, sudden release of urine from the agent in response to or in anticipation of defecation); body movements, pressure or heat; or any other activator or event during the use cycle of the article.

The FMA may be initially stored within or in the article or in any portion thereof and subsequently released by any of the activating events described herein. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA W is releasably encapsulated under a film, in cells, plugs, wraps and to prevent migration and / or loss of the agent before the item is impacted by stool and / or to assist in the placement of the FMA for contact with the stool during use. The film cover, cells, studs or other "containers" for the agent may comprise a water soluble film on at least the surface area that contacts the stool of the container. Water from urine, feces, or other dissolved stools dissolves the film releasing the agent (for example, the release • activation) to make contact and treat feces. An example of a water soluble film useful in the present invention is a polyvinyl alcohol film available as MONOSOL M7031 from Chris Craft industrial products of South Holland, IL or HL1636 from H. B. Fuller Co. of St. Paul, MN. Alternatively, the movie can be soluble only in the presence of certain fecal enzymes (such as trypsin) or in certain pH ranges. The release of the agent can be rapid (as in the case of the release of explosive gas created by contact urine or fecal water with a composition that surrounds the gas) to embed or coat the feces with the agent. The composition that The gas may comprise particles, globules, etc., of one or more substances that surround the gas when it is mixed together with or together with the water (sodium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate and citric acid). The particles can be embedded in a water-soluble matrix (e.g., PVA). The FMA can be placed on or attached to the surface that makes contact with the film waste or it can be embedded in the water soluble film between the composition that surrounds the gas and the surface that makes contact with the feces. Therefore, when the water present in the faeces dissolves the water soluble film for example, the composition surrounding the gas is activated (ie the components are mixed with the water) and the gas is rapidly wrapped, forcing the mixture of the FMA and the feces. The particles may comprise (H) combinations such as citric acid and sodium bicarbonate which, when mixed with water, they quickly release carbon dioxide gas. Alternatively, the composition surrounding the gas may comprise water soluble capsules containing compressed gas and the FMA. The water from the feces that make contact with the capsules can act to dissolve the film and release the gas in an explosive manner, again forcing the mixing / incrustation of the agent in the feces. Other compositions and systems for gas enclosures or releasers thereof are contemplated and included within the scope of this invention. The article of the present invention can also include a response system 65 comprising a detector 66, actuator 67 and the stored energy used to transport the FMA to the stool, mix the agent with the feces or cause the agent to be expressed for contact with feces. A preferred embodiment comprises a shaped compressed macroporous foam 68 maintained in vacuum compression under a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film as A is shown in Figure 8. Foam 68 additionally comprises an FMA 75. Contact with fecal water results in the dissolution of at least a portion of the PVA film. resulting in the release of mechanical energy stored in the foam and the mechanical transport of the agent to and within the fecal mass. In certain embodiments, mixing may occur by means of a mechanism incorporated in the article as described above (e.g., response system), mechanical action from the user's weight and / or movement, and / or the flow of the stool during or subsequent to the act of defecation (especially low viscosity stools) to facilitate the treatment of a greater proportion of fecal mass. Other suitable response systems are described in greater detail in the co-pending US patent applications serial number entitled Disposable Article Having A Discontinuous Responsive System "(P &G Case 7197) filed in the name of Roe, and others On June 29, 1998, which is incorporated by reference herein In alternative embodiments, the FMA may be placed in or associated with three-dimensional structures attached to or detached from the other elements of the absorbent article For example, the absorbent article may include an element with protrusions, ridges, loops or the like that help to make the FMA available for contact with the stool In a preferred embodiment, " "hair or filaments of a hot melt resin include the stool modifying agent which can be printed on a • substrate 82. (An example of a substrate including a hair 80 comprising a stool modifying agent is shown in Figure 7). The agent can be incorporated into the resin so that it moves to the surface of the hair and is available for stool. Alternatively, the agent can be releasably linked to the hairs by any of the techniques described above. Examples of suitable hairs and hooks are described in greater detail in the Patent American No. 5,058,247 issued to Thomas et al. On October 22, 1991; the «K North American Patent No.5, 116,563 issued to Thomas et al. On May 26, 1992; US Patent No. 5,326,415 issued to Thomas et al. On July 5 of 1994; and US Patent No. 5,762,645 issued to Peck et al. On June 9, 1998. Each of these patents is incorporated by reference herein. In yet another embodiment, the FMA can be supplied to the stool by means of a brush structure, an example of which is shown in Figure 6. A The brush structure 60 may include a multiplicity of filaments, fibers, twisted yarns, ropes or other substantially aligned filamentary materials attached to a substrate. The substrate may be flat, curved, ribbon-like or have a compound curvature and may be porous or non-porous. The brush filaments 62 are preferably flexible under the forces exerted by the feces during the Mi excretion to allow the feces to pass easily through or between the filaments 62. brush filaments 62 can be fixed permanently or releasably to the substrate. The filaments 62 can be of vegetable or animal origin (eg cotton, etc.), cellulosic or synthetic and can have different or similar lengths. The FMA is releasably fixed to the filaments 62 of the brush structure 60 so that the feces are pushed to pass the brush filaments 62, the agent is released and mixed with the feces. The brush structure 60 may be integral with the article or may be • applied separately to the perianeal region of the user and may optionally comprise an adhesive or other attachment means for dividing the structure of the user or article. The brush structure 60 can be mounted on a spacer (as described above) having a gap under the filaments 62 to provide a space for the stool to be treated. The FMA can also be supplied through the use of gels "intelligent" that undergo a phase transition or a geometchange or ^^ Volume in response to certain changes in pH, water content and / or some other activator. The materials with memory of form (that is to say, alloys metallic or classic that return to a preset geometry or shape when the temperature reaches a predetermined threshold) can also be used to move the agent in position for contact or mixed with the feces, given the appropriate temperature change. Additionally, expandable materials, such as super absorbent polymers or foams, can be used to promote contact of the feces with the FMA. As A structure containing such expandable materials absorbs water, whether stool or urine feces, can carry an FMA associated with the surface that confronts the body of the structure to a fecal mass and / or promote mixing with the feces. The materials deformation of foam can also transport the FMA and promote contact with the feces in the article. In this case, the foam forming material comprises the FMA (or is associated with the agent) and covers the fecal mass as the foam is generated and its volume is increased. The FMAs can also be held on or within the macroparticle elements, as described below. These macroparticle elements may be contained in a waste management element 120, attached to a top cover, crease, or other feature of the article (liberally or otherwise), or loose in a separate article attached independently to the body. (Some structures of • illustrative macroparticle are shown in Figures 2-4). In addition, any of the structures that support, transport, supply or mix the FMA may comprise protrusions or other three-dimensional geometries designed to increase the contact area of the FMA and the feces and / or to promote mixing. In preferred embodiments, the FMA is associated with the top cover of the absorbent structure or article. However, the FMA may be associated with an underlying to the top cover, such as an acquisition layer. In modalities where the FMA is placed in an underlying layer under the upper cover in a waste management element 120, the feces can easily penetrate the top cover, sublayer and any other overlying structure for the agent to be available. Therefore, it is preferred that such structures have Acceptance Under Pressure of at least about 0.50 g / cm2 / J, and preferably at least about 1.0 g / cm2 / J, as described in the test methods section then. In any case, the agent is preferably located near of the region of the article generally associated with the perianeal region of the user. As shown in Figure 2, the present invention may include a waste management element 120. The waste management element 120 is designed to help manage the acceptance, storage and / or immobilization of viscous fluid body waste. The waste management element 120 can be located anywhere in the article, including the crotch region or in the waist region, or it can be associated with or included in any structure or element such as the core 28, a leg fold , etc. In preferred embodiments, the waste management element 120 is located in the region of the article that is close to the perianeal region of the user when it is used. This helps to ensure that any discharged waste is deposited on or near the waste management element 120. • Although the structures that accept, storage and immobilization of 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 a storage element. immobilization or may include a combination of two of the elements but not the third. Likewise, in certain modalities, an element can develop more than one function (for example, a storage element can execute the functions of ^ storage and immobilization). For example, the absorbent article of the present invention may include a waste acceptance and storage element. of viscous fluid without separating the immobilization element per se. The acceptance element 150 may be any material or structure capable of accepting body exudates. (As used herein, the term "accept" or "acceptance" refers to the penetration of a structure by materials deposited therein.) Penetration is defined by the passage of materials through the surface 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). The acceptance element 150 may include an individual material or a number of materials operatively associated with each other. In addition, the acceptance element 150 can be integral with another? ß element of the diaper 20 or it can be one or more separate elements attached directly or indirectly with one or more elements of the diaper 20. In addition, any or all of the acceptance element 150 may be removable from the absorbent article for separate removal if desirable. The acceptance element 150 is preferably at least partially removed in the crotch region 130 of the diaper 20 adjacent to the body surface 47 of the core 28, although in some alternate embodiments, the acceptance element 150 may include at least a portion of a leg fold, waist band, fecal waste containment bag or the like or may be operatively associated with any features. Preferably, at least the portion of the acceptance element 150 located in the region of the diaper 20 that is close to the wearer's rectum during use is not obstructed by overlying layers of structures, such as the top cover 24. Therefore, it can be It is desirable to cut a portion of the top cover 24 in the region of the article intended to be located near the user's rectum and to provide an acceptance element 150 as the body side covering in that region. Alternatively, any or all of the top cover 24 may be made or treated to act as an acceptance element 150. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the acceptance element 150 includes at least a portion of the top cover 24. In other embodiments, 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 desirable to provide the diaper 20 with different acceptance capacity in different portions of the diaper. This can be achieved by providing different acceptance elements in the different regions of the diaper 20 or by providing an individual acceptance element 150 that has been manufactured or treated to have regions of different acceptance characteristics. In addition, the acceptance element 150 may be raised above the plane of the surface facing towards the body of the article to be in better control of exudated viscous fluid body wastes. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have the acceptance member 150 contact the wearer's skin in proximity to the source of viscous body waste (e.g., the perianeal region). The right materials and structures for use as the element of Acceptance 150 may be absorbent or non-absorbent and may include nonwoven webs with openings, apertured films, apertured films, woven wefts, canvas, netting, thin macroporous foams and the like. A particularly preferred material is a woven net available as a Dollar Toy Tub Bag Tree Dist., Of Norfollk, VA. In addition, the acceptance element 150 or any portion thereof, can be coated with a lotion or other known substances to add, improve or change the performance or other characteristics of the element. By way of example, the acceptance element 150 can be hydrophobic or hydrophilic or treated as any of them. As previously described, the FMA may be associated with the acceptance element preferably in the perianeal region of the user. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA is releasably linked to the acceptance element by the means described above. In alternative embodiments, the agent is releasably encapsulated in a structure associated with at least a portion of the acceptance element 150. The agent can be released into the faeces upon contact with water, heat or pressure / movement of the user. The agent may alternatively be transferred first to the wearer's skin or other portion of the article (e.g. the leg fold) prior to deposition on the stool. For example, urine can effect the release of a releasably encapsulated agent or composition. The agent can be transferred to the user's skin by body contact and / or pressure. Upon subsequent contact with the stool, the agent will be transferred from the skin to the surface of the stool. Once the viscous body waste has penetrated the waste handling element 120, it is desirable to store or retain the waste away from the user for the remainder of the use cycle and away from the person providing the care during the changeover process. As used herein, the term "store" refers to the physical separation of the material deposited in a diaper from the surface that • confronts the body of the article so that the material deposited in the diaper is not put in contact with or is accessible to the wearer's skin. Adequate storage capacity is essential to reduce the likelihood of spillage and the area of skin contaminated by viscous body waste because body waste Viscous that has been stored is less likely to be available for the surface that confronts the body of the structure for spillage and migration within the article. fe The storage element 152 can be located anywhere in the diaper. However, it is preferred that the storage element 152 be 0 operatively associated with the acceptance element 150 and / or the top cover 24, if any, so that the viscous body waste accepted by the acceptance element 150 can enter the storage element 152. (The modalities are contemplated where the diaper 20 does not have top cover 24 or acceptance element 150. In such cases, the body waste may enter the storage element 152 directly, without passing through any structure overlying). In any case, it is preferred that the storage element 152 be located in the region of the diaper 20 that is located near the user's rectum when the diaper 20 is worn. Accordingly, it is preferred that at least a portion of the element 152 be placed in the crotch region 37 of the absorbent article. However, in some alternative embodiments, the storage element 152 may include at least a portion of either the waist region, a leg fold, the waist band, a fecal waste containment bag or the like or may be operatively associated with which features. In addition, the storage element can be raised above the plane of the surface facing the body of the article in order to be in better control of the exuding viscous body waste. In some embodiments, it may even be desirable to have the element of • storage in contact with the skin of the user in proximity to the source of viscous body waste (for example the perianeal region). The storage capacity of the storage element 152 may be uniform or may vary through the diaper 20. Such variations may achieved by employing multiple storage elements 152 in the diaper 20 or by providing an individual storage element 152 with regions of different storage properties. In addition, any or all of the element of ^ Storage 152 can be removable from the absorbent article for separate disposal if desired. The storage element 152 can be any material or structure capable of storing body exudates, as described above. Therefore, the storage element 152 can include an individual material or a number of materials operatively associated with each other. In addition, the storage element 152 may be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or may be one or more separate element attached directly or indirectly to one or more diaper elements 20. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the storage element 152 includes a structure that is separate from the core 28. However, the embodiments are contemplated where the storage element 152 includes at least a portion of the core 28. fll The materials suitable for use as the use of the element of storage 152 may include large cell open foams, high foamed element, non-woven, compression-resistant, macroporous, large-sized particle shapes of open and closed foams (macro and / or microporous), high-strength non-woven materials , polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethane foams or particles, structures comprising a multiplicity of vertically oriented curl filaments, absorbent core structures, described above having perforated or pressurized or similar orifices. (As used herein, the term "microporous" refers to materials that are capable of transporting fluids by capillary action.) The term "macroporous" refers to materials that have pores too large to effect capillary transport of fluid, generally having 5 pores greater than about 0.5 mm in diameter and more specifically, having pores greater than about 1.0 mm in diameter). One embodiment includes a mechanical fastening loop pickup element, having an uncompressed thickness of about 1.5 mm available as XPL-7124 from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Another embodiment includes a 6 denier bonded with resin and 0 folded having a basis weight of 110 grams per square meter and decompressed thickness of 7.9 millimeters which 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 substances to add, improve or change the performance or other characteristics of the element. An alternative embodiment of a storage element 152 includes a macroparticle structure 170 comprising a multiplicity of discrete particles 172, non-limiting examples of which are shown as Figures 2-4. The macro particles 172 preferably have a nominal size, preferably between 1.0 mm and about 25.4 and more preferably between about 2 m and about 16 mm. However, particles as small as 0.5 mm and minors, and particles greater than approximately 25.4 mm are contemplated. Particles having a nominal size of about 1.0 mm or greater are those that are generally retained on the surface of a North American Standard No. 18 mesh screen sieve. Particles having a nominal size of less than about 25.4 are those which They usually pass through a sieve of sieve screen North American Standard. The particles that have a size * nominal 16 mm are larger are those that are generally retained on the surface of a mesh screen of North American Standard No.16. The particle size ??? the particles in a storage element 152 for testing or use. Particles that have a nominal size of 8 mm or greater are those that are generally retained on an 8 mm North American Standard mesh screen. The macro-particle structure 170 may include any number of particles 172. In addition, the particles 172 may be separated and free to move ± within the structure 170 or may be joined together by known means. Alternatively, the structure 170 may include an external support, such as a hot-melt-blown glue under melting, a weft, a net, a canvas, a yarn or other adhesive or non-adhesive entanglement supports. Any of the particles 172 can be joined with any other portion of the diaper structure, such as the top cover or the core. The particles 172 may also be restricted in patterned three-dimensional regions, such as folds, "cushions" and bags. The individual particles 172 may be made from any suitable for use in absorbent articles, including the materials described above with respect to the absorbent core 28 or the storage element 152. The materials used in the particles 172 may be absorbent, non-absorbent, metrroporous, macroporous, elastic, non-elastic, etc., or may have any other desirable characteristics. Examples of macroporous absorbent materials suitable for use in particles 172 include high-fluff nonwoven materials, open cell foams, fiber groups, sponges and the like. Other absorbent materials include cotton in cellulose sheets, capillary channel fibers, osmotic storage materials such as superabsorbent polymers, etc. The non-absorbent particles 172 may comprise plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, closed cell foams, column packing materials, synthetic fibers, gels, • encapsulated gas, liquids and similar. 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 material 152 may comprise an individual type of particle 172 (size, shape, material, etc.) or may include a mixture of different particles 172. The mixture may be homogeneous; as when the particles 172 have different properties and are arranged in certain areas of the storage gfc element 152; in layers; or any other desirable configuration. In some embodiments more than one type of mixture can be used (eg particles macroporous and nonabsorbent 172 can be mixed homogeneously in one layer while a 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 net, canvas, woven or non-woven webs, film, foam, adhesive and the like. The macro-particle structure 170 preferably includes an interstitial void space 174 that 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, ovoidal spheroids, rectangular and polygonal solids and the like. Wß In addition to its storage function, the element of Storage 152 can transport viscous body waste within absorbent article 20 in directions generally parallel to the plane of the back cover sheet 26. Transport can be active, such as that of capillaries or other forces resulting in the movement of body waste. viscous or component thereof (for example free water). In other modalities, the transport can be passive so the body waste of viscous fluid or components of it moves through the * structure under the influence of externally applied forces, such as gravity, water pressure or user movement. In the case of passive transport, the storage element 152 should have relatively large interconnected channels, or the like, so that viscous body waste can be easily moved through of the structure with minimum input energy. The FMA of the present invention may be associated with any portion of the storage element 152, including the macro-particle structures. In In certain preferred embodiments, where the storage element 152 has elevated regions, the FMA is associated with the elevated regions of the element. He The viscous body waste penetrating the acceptance element can contact the FMA and transport it to the "lower" regions of the storage element 152, providing improved mixing. For example, the raised tops of the curl-type storage elements may be slightly dampened or wetted and substantially placed in contact with the FMA to releasably fix the FMA to the elevated portions, and subsequently dried. The releasable connection can also be effected by means of water-soluble adhesives. In macroparticle embodiments, the agent can be held within a macro-porous particle. In alternative embodiments, the agent can be releasably fixed to the outer surface of the particle elements. Fecal contact with the FMA preferably effects a release of the agent from the storage element and allows mixing with the stools. The viscous body waste that is accepted by, or penetrates, the absorbent article is preferably retained in the diaper away from the wearer. A preferred way to retain body waste, especially viscous body waste, 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 a • Viscous body waste stored under an applied pressure and / or the influence of gravitational forces. The immobilization element 154 can be any material or structure capable of reducing the propensity of the viscous body waste that has penetrated the immobilization element 154 to exit the structure. Therefore, the immobilization element 154 can include an individual material or a number of materials associated with each other. In addition, the immobilization element 154 can be integral with another A diaper element 20 or can be one or more separate elements attached directly or indirectly to one or more elements of the diaper 20. For example, the element of Immobilization 154 may be an unbonded layer of material placed under the storage element 152 or may include all or a portion of the storage element 152 that is capable of immobilizing and retaining the viscous body waste as described above. In any case, it is preferred that the immobilization element 154 be operatively associated with the storage element 152 and the element of acceptance 150. This is necessary to ensure that the viscous body waste accepted and / or stored by the article passes or comes in contact with the immobilization element 154. Accordingly, it may be desirable to locate the locking element 154 from below the storage element 152 and acceptance element 150, in at least a portion of the crotch region 37 of the article. ß However, as noted above if the storage element 152 has , the immobilization element 154 can be located anywhere in the diaper so that the accepted and / or stored viscous fluid waste can be transported to the immobilization element 154. In addition, as the elements of acceptance and storage 150 and 152, the diaper can have a uniform or non-uniform immobilization capacity. Therefore, one or more immobilization elements 154 may be incorporated in the article having regions of • immobilization and / or retention performance. In addition, any or all of the immobilization element 154 may be removable from the absorbent article for separate disposal if desired. The materials suitable for use in the immobilization element include microporous foams, particles or fibers of super absorbent polymer, cellulose fibers, capillary channel fibers, sheets of entangled synthetic fiber and the like. Some preferred materials include foam absorbent materials such as ^^ those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345; 5,387,207 and ,625,222. Other preferred materials include absorbent gelling materials such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled "High Efficiency Absorbent Articles For Incontinence Management "issued to Young and others On September 15, 1992. Each of the patents is incorporated herein by reference, The FMA may be associated with the immobilization element 154. In those embodiments, the modifying agent can act to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the immobilization element 154 by facilitating the removal of water from the feces and thereby increasing the speed of the immobilization process and / or reducing the final mobility of the solid fraction remnants of stool. The FMA can alternatively serve to increase the viscosity of the feces within the ß immobilization by means of a mechanism of direct thickening. The FMA can be associated loosely with the immobilization element or can be fixed releasably (ie so that the water in the feces can affect its release) for the immobilization element 154.

Preferred Modes As noted above, the present invention is applicable to many types of absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments or pads, absorbent inserts, diaper supports and linings, feminine hygiene garments , handkerchiefs, disposable isotopes, bandages and the like and separate articles attached to a user on the perianeal region. Therefore, the following examples of the embodiments of the present invention should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the absorbent article 20 illustrated in Figure 2. The absorbent article 20 has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 and a crotch region 37 located between the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. The diaper 20 includes an upper cover 24, a rear cover 26 and an absorbent core 28 positioned between the top cover 24 and the back cover 26. The top cover 24 is positioned in at least a portion of the first waist region 36 adjacent to the surface facing the body 47 of the core 28. The diaper 20 also includes an underlay element. acceptance 150 joined with the top cover 24 and extending longitudinally away from the top cover 24 through at least a portion of the crotch region 37 and at least a portion of the second waist region 38. The element of acceptance 150 includes a woven web available as Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist, of Norfolk, VA. The diaper 20 preferably includes a storage element 152 located between the acceptance element 150 and the back cover 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 macroparticle structure 170 comprising the particles 172, specifically, the microparticle structure 170 includes approximately 2 grams of purification particles mixed with • approximately 0.35 grams of strips of absorbent material in foam having a basis weight of 45 grams per square meter, as described in US Patent No. 5, 260, 345. (Sewage particles can be made by cutting the side of high sponginess non-woven abrasive of a purifying pad (for example available as Light Work Debuggers # 00065 from Libman Company of Areola, IL) in particles of about 8 mm x about 7 mm x about 5 mm). The strips have dimensions of approximately 19 millimeters A in length, 6.4 millimeters wide and 2 millimeters thick. The purifying particles are distributed over an area of 6.35 x 16.25 cm (103.22 cm square) placed along the longitudinal axis of the article of approximately 0.8 mm thickness of "thin until wet" foam absorbent material (described in US Pat. No. 5,387,207 which is incorporated herein by reference), which has a base weight of 126 grams per square meter The purifying particles are mixed in a relatively homogeneous way with the absorbent foam strips and are free to move within the area circumscribed by the layer of absorbent foam material "thin until wet". The particles and strips are preferably not bonded to the woven net upper cover or any other layer. An FMA is preferably associated with the particle elements of the storage layer by means of any of the means described βß in the present. The acceptance element 150 is attached to the underlying layers outside from the periphery of the absorbent foam layer "thin until it moistens". In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the absorbent article of the present invention may be an insert 21 or sanitary napkin which is intended to be applied separately to the wearer or to be placed in the wearer's underwear, an outer covering or similar. Therefore, the insert 21 is generally not intended to have the shape of a trouser, although instead it can be used in conjunction with a • pants or other structure that holds the insert 21 in place around the user. The absorbent insert 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 28, an acceptance element 150, a storage element 152 and / or an immobilization element 154. The insert 21 may also include one or more attachment elements 41 to hold the insert 21 in place in the outer jacket or cover 29 during use. The connecting element 41 may comprise adhesive, A cohesive, hooks, press fittings, curls, buttons, joints, magnetic, electronic and other known means to attach absorbent articles to garments interiors. Test Methods Viscosity Viscosity can be determined by a controlled voltage rheometer. A suitable rheometer is available from T.A. Instruments, Inc. de New Castle, as the model number SC 100. The rheometer uses a parallel plate stainless steel device. The rheometer has a first rigid horizontal plate on which the plate is placed and a second plate mounted on the first plate so that the axis of the second plate is perpendicular to the first plate. The second plate is 2 to 4 centimeters in diameter. A parallel plate of 2 cm is used for firm, pasty or highly mucous samples, while the 4 cm parallel plate is used for faecal samples with too much dripping or "water-like". The first and second plates are separated up to 2000 microns during the measurement process. The second plate is connected to a drive shaft for axial rotation. The drive shaft and tension sensor are mounted on the drive shaft. A suitable sample (typically 2 to 3 grams) of an analog to be tested in the first plate and generally centered behind the axis of the second • license plate. Before the test, any large pieces of undigested food material (eg seed) are removed. The first plate is raised in position. The quantities without excess of the sample that with placed beyond the diameter of the second plate are removed using a spatula. Water is dispersed around the edges of the sample to avoid edge effects due to loss of moisture during the measurement process. A programmed application of a shear stress, from 50 to 50,000 dynes / cm2 for pasty and firm samples, is applied to the A shows by the rheometer. For drip and aqueous samples, a range of shear stress of 5 to 5000 dynes / cm2 was used. The data is adjusted to a power law function where the apparent viscosity = kj (n 1), k = consistency (units of cP x sec (n 1), j = shear velocity (units of 1 / sec), and n = index of shear stress (without dimension) .Therefore, when j = one 1 / sec, the viscosity = k. (Plates are maintained at 35 degrees C through the test.) Hardness Method 25 Hardness is measured using a Stevens-Farnell Texture Analyzer QTS-25 model 7113-5kg, and the associated software of a machine based on Intel that has a processor 486 or higher. A 1.27 cm stainless steel spherical probe and an analogous receptacle are provided. A suitable probe is I TA18 probe available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The analogous receptacle can be made ß by cutting a 7 mm linear low density polyethylene scissor container (which has an inner diameter of 1.39 cm +/- 0.012 cm) up to approximately 16 millimeters in length. Suitable containers are available from Kimble Glass Company of Vineland, New Jersey as containers # 58503-7. The analogous receptacle is filled to the upper edge (level) with the analogue (Analog A or B as described below) or the stool to be tested. If a modifying agent is to be evaluated, the sample is prepared by means of the sample preparation method • Described below. The container in centered below the spherical stainless steel probe of 1.27 cm. The probe is lowered so that it makes just contact with the surface of the analogue in the container. The probe 162 is moved down seven millimeters to approximately 100 millimeters per minute and then stopped. Hardness is the maximum recorded resistance strength found by the probe in its 7 millimeter displacement (ambient and analog temperatures must be between approximately 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the course of the measurement). For As a reference, it has been found that hardness refers largely to the complex modulus of the material, which is a combination of viscous and elastic modulus of the material. Method of Preparation of the Analog A 1.5 Liquid for washing Ultra Dawn suits (available from Procter &Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH) are added to an empty metal mixing bowl. 10 grams of each of Feclone FPS-2 and Feclone FPS-4 are gregan in the bowl that contains the Dawn. (Both Feclone materials are available from Siliclone Studios, Valley Forge, PA.). Then add 200 milliliters of distilled water heated to 200 ° F to the mixing bowl. The resulting mixture is carefully stirred by hand, to avoid introducing air bubbles into the mixture, using a rubber or plastic spatula until it is homogeneous; (usually around 3-5 minutes). If properly prepared, the analog will have a hardness between about 7 and 10 grams as measured by the previous hardness method.

Method for Preparation of Analog B 5 grams of each of Feclone FPS-4, Feclone FPS-6 and Feclone FPS-7 are added in an empty metal mixing bowl. (Feclone materials are available from Silíclone Studios, Valley Forge, PA). Then 0.67 grams of Carbopol 941 (available from BF Goodrich Corp of Brecksville, OH) are added to the bowl and these four ingredients are stirred until they are homogeneously mixed using a rubber or plastic spatula to ensure adequate dispersion of the powder materials when mixed with water. Next, 60 milliliters of water at 200 ° F are heated and added to the mixing bowl. The resulting mixture is mixed manually, and stirred carefully to avoid introducing air bubbles into the mixture using a rubber or plastic spatula until homogeneous (usually around 3-5 minutes). If prepared properly, Analog A will have a hardness between approximately 600 and 650 GRAMS.

Method for Preparation of Analog C Analog C is a fecal analogue made by mixing 10 grams of Carbopol 941 available from B.F Goodrich Corporation of Brecksville, OH, or an equivalent acrylic polymer in 90 milliliters of distilled water. Carbopol 941 and distilled water are weighed and measured separately. A 3-blade marine-type propeller that has a 2-inch-diameter blade (available from VWR Scientific Products Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio, Catalog # BR4553-64, attached to a 3/8 inch agitation shaft BR4553-52 ), is used to stir the distilled water. The speed of the propeller should be constant at 450 rpm during mixing. The mixer should form a vortex without splash. The Carbopol is slowly sifted in water so that it is extracted into the vortex and mixed with the formation of white lumps, or "fish eyes". The mixture is stirred until all the Carbopol has been added and then for a period of 2 minutes thereafter. The sides of the bowl containing the mixture should be scraped and the bowl rotated as necessary to achieve a homogeneous mix. (The mix will probably be slightly cloudy with bubbles • of air). 100 grams of a volumetric NaOH solution of N 1.0 available from J.T. Baker Co. Phillipsburg, NJ is measured slowly within the mixture and the mixture is stirred until it is homogeneous. The mixture should be thick and transparent. The mixture must be stirred for 2 minutes after the addition of the alkaline solution. Mix neutralized should be left to equilibrate for at least 12 hours and should be used for the acceptance test under pressure at 96 hours thereafter. After the Carbopol mixture is used, it should be stirred in the vessel at low speed (approximately 50 A rpm) for about 1 minute to ensure that the mixture is homogeneous. Analog C must, if properly prepared, have a value of "hardness" between 55 and 65 grams. Hardness is measured using a texture analyzer Stevens-Farnell QTS-25 and the associated software on a machine based on Intel processor that has a processor 486 or higher. A 1.27 cm stainless steel spherical probe and an analogous receptacle are provided. A suitable probe is the TA18 probe available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield. England The analogous receptacle can be made by cutting a 7 mm linear low density polyethylene scintillation container (having an internal diameter of 1.39 cm +/- 0.012 cm) up to 15 millimeters in length. Suitable containers are available from Kimble Glass Company of Vineland, New Jersey as containers # 58503-7. The analogous receptacle is filled up to 2 millimeters from the top edge with the analog to be tested. The container is centered under the 1.27 cm spherical stainless steel probe. The probe is lowered to a distance of approximately 1 millimeter from the surface of the analog in the container. The probe 162 is moved down 7 millimeters to 100 millimeters per minute and then stops. Hardness is the maximum recorded resistance force found by the probe on its 7 millimeter displacement. The ambient temperature and the analog should be between approximately 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the course of the measurement).

Sample Preparation Method A 250 ml Precleaned VWRbrand Trace Clean jar (VWR # 15900-196) is placed on a scale and weighed. The desired amount of chemical agent is measured in the bowl and its exact weight is recorded. After the chemical weight is recorded the scale is weighed again. The desired amount of faeces or stool analog is measured in the cup that contains the chemical agent. The exact amount of faeces or faecal analogue is recorded and the chemical agent and faeces or faecal analogue is vigorously agitated using the end of the spatula.

Standard Ayre Cervi-Scraper (VWR # 15620-009) until homogeneous (total stirring time is generally 2 minutes). For the purposes of this method, the start of the agitation process is defined as t = 0 minutes. After the sample is mixed it is allowed to settle for the remainder of the desired reaction time. For the data presented herein, this reaction time is set at t = three minutes elapsed since the beginning of the agitation process. It is then loaded into the 16 mm receptacle described above in the hardness method using the spatula end of a Standard Ayre Crevi-Scraper, and the hardness is developed (starting at t = 3 min. From the beginning of the process). agitation as described above).

Acceptance under Pressure Acceptance under pressure is measured by the following test which uses the apparatus 139 illustrated in Figure 9. A hollow plexiglass cylinder 140 is provided and attached to a stainless steel plate 142 of approximately 9.5 mm. thickness. Plate 142 is square, approximately 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm. The - ^ cylinder 140 combination and the plate have a height of 7.6 cm, an internal diameter of . 08 cm and an external diameter of 6.3 cm. The bottom of the cylinder 140 extends below the plate 142 at a distance of approximately 3.5 millimeters. Edge 143 prevents test fluid 166 from spilling out of the intended test area. Two weights 156 of 625 grams are also provided, each having a diameter of 5.08 centimeters. A 144 plexiglass weight of 24.6 grams of cylindrical shape is provided. The weight 144 has a diameter of 5.08 centimeters, so that the weight 144 adjusts with narrow tolerance inside the cylinder 144 although it slides freely to • through 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 could have a handle 145 to allow it to be easily inserted and removed from the cylinder 140. In such cases, the combined mass of the handle 145 and the cylindrical weight 144 should equal 24.6 grams. A sample 146 of the structure to be approved for the properties of acceptance under pressure is provided. The sample 146 can be cut from an existing diaper or can be constructed from material that is not formed in a diaper. The sample 146 includes the entire structure intended for use in the article or the entire structure of the article to be evaluated, including the upper layer 161. (In order to measure the acceptance performance under pressure of the discrete acceptance elements, such as described in the element acceptance section, above, the pressure acceptance test is performed using a standard storage element 147 instead of any underlying structure or layers.The standard storage element 147 used herein includes an aluminum plate of 25.8 square centimeters, 1.6 millimeters thick that has a pattern of 153 holes of 4.3 millimeters in diameter regularly separated 168, as shown in Figure 10. The holes are positioned so that there are approximately 26 holes. • holes for every 6.45 square cm). Sample 146 should be cut into a square measure of 10.16 centimeters by 10.16 centimeters. Five layers of a high-weight base drying paper 149 measuring 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm are provided. The upper layer 161 of the sample 146 is removed and the remaining components or layers of the sample 146 (if there are multiple components or layers) and the five sheets of the drying paper material 149 are weighted to almost 0.01 grams. Therefore, if the sample 146 is to be taken from a honeycomb, the diaper layers such as the top covers, the secondary top covers, the acquisition layers, the absorbent cores, etc. they must separate before weighing themselves, (in In some cases, an individual layer may comprise two or more permanently attached components). In doing so, care must be taken not to destroy the sample 146 or to cause unintentional deformation of any of the parts of the sample 146. The layers of the sample 146 may be frozen to assist in their separation from the adjacent layers of the sample 146. Freezing can be achieved using a 5-circuit PH 100-15 refrigerant made by Philips ECG, Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts. The sample 146 must be reassembled as originally configured on the top of five stacked layers of the material of the blotting paper material 149 with the side of the sample 146 intended to face towards the oriented user facing up and away from the blotting paper material 149. Drying paper material 149 is preferably thin filter paper, available from Ahlstrom Filtration, Inc. of Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania as # 632-025, having a basis weight of approximately 90 grams per meter. The combined assembly of the sample 176 and the blotter paper 149 is centered on the work surface 164 of a Stevens-Farnell Texture Analyzer QTS-25 Model 7113-5kg 160 (available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England) , under probe 162. A suitable probe 162 is a 100 cm flat-ended cylindrical aluminum extension bar "QTSM3100" available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield England. The cylinder 140 is centered on the sample 146. The two weights 156 of 625 grams are placed on opposite corners (diagonally) of the plate 142 to stabilize it. A syringe having an opening of approximately 4 to 6 millimeters is used to supply approximately 10 cubic centimeters of viscous fluid body waste analog 166 (Analog C as described below) through hole 141 in cylinder 140 on the part Top of the sample 146. Once the appropriate amount of the stool analogue 166 (Analog C) has been measured inside the cylinder 140, the weight 144 of 24.6 grams is inserted slowly and moderately into the hole 140 in the cylinder 140 until it rests on the surface of the analog and subsequently a rotation to the right is moderately rotated followed by a rotation to the left, both rotations executed carefully avoiding the application of any downward forces in the weight. The texture analyzer 160 is activated so that the probe 162 presses the cylindrical weight 144 at a speed of 10 millimeters per minute until a strength of resistance of approximately 144.6 grams is reached. The texture analyzer 160 is set to stop the downward displacement once the strength of resistance of 144.6 grams is reached. The recorder is set to activate a resistance force of 5? grams, (the maximum resistance strength of 144.6 grams corresponds to a pressure applied of 700 Pascals). Once a resistance force of 144.6 grams is reached, the probe 162 is retracted to its starting position. The weight 144 is removed from the cylinder 140 and then the cylinder 140 is removed from the surface of the sample 146, taking care not to drip the analogous C remaining in the cylinder 140 on the sample. The upper layer 161 of sample 146 is ^ Removed after the underlying layer of sample 146 by dragging the top layer 161 parallel to the surface of the underlying layers, if possible taking care not to drip the analogue C on the blotting paper. For certain structures where the upper layer 161 is difficult to remove by dragging parallel to the underlying layers, the upper layer 161 can be detached or lifted from the underlying layers of the shows 146. If the sample 146 comprises only one layer, the standard acceptance element 151 described below is used as the upper layer 161 of the sample 146. The underlying layers of the sample 146 and the paper material ^ secant 149 are heavy after. The amount of the test analogue C accepted by sample 146 corresponds to the increase in weight by combining the underlying layers of the sample. sample 146 and the drying paper material 149 caused by the penetration of the analog C test through the upper surface layer of the sample 146 per unit of work executed (in milliJoules) on a unit area basis. The area under the curve of force against distance, used in the calculation of work per unit, is calculated by integrating the force resistance of the probe on its downward displacement on the total distance displaced until the maximum force of 144.6 grams is recorded. Work per unit is calculated using the following equation: Work per unit (mJ) = Area under the curve of force versus distance (g / mm) (9.81 m / s2) (1000 mm / m) While the particular modalities of construction have been illustrated and described ? present invention, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that others changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention. •

Claims (16)

1. A disposable article adapted to be applied to the perianal region of a user to receive feces, the article comprising: a substrate; means for retaining the substrate in contact with the perianal region of the user; the absorbent article characterized by an effective amount of a stool modifier ion complexing agent placed in the article so that the stool modifier ion complexing agent is available for contact with at least a portion of the stool deposited in the article .

2. An absorbent article adapted to receive feces having a first waist region, a second waist region opposite to the first region of 15 waist, a crotch region placed between the first waist region and the second waist region, the absorbent article comprising: a top cover permeable to liquid; ^ a liquid impermeable back cover attached to at least a portion of the top cover; 20 an absorbent core positioned between at least a portion of the top cover and the back cover, and the absorbent article characterized by an effective amount of a stool modifying ion complexing agent placed on the article so that the complexing agent The stool modifier is available for contact with at least a portion of the beams deposited in the article. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifier ion complexing agent is selected from the group consisting of ZnO, MgO, MnO, CaO, calcium hydroxide, ethanolamine, ammonium salts quaternary, and AI2O3, alginates, zinc salts, aluminum salts and combinations thereof. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifier ion complexing agent acts to increase the viscosity of the feces. 5. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fecal modifier ion complexing agent tries, in addition to a, less than a portion of feces by more * approximately 100% at a concentration of more than about 5% by weight, preferably not more than about 1.5% and more preferably not more than about 0.5% by weight, preferably not more than about 5 minutes, preferably not more than about 3 minutes. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifier complexing agent is placed on a carrier structure, preferably including a skin care composition, a weft structure or a brush structure. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the skin care composition includes components selected from the following group: petroleum oils, petroleum waxes, silicon oils and silicon waxes. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifying ion complexing agent is releasably attached to at least a portion of the article. , preferably by joining means selected from the following group: adhesives ? soluble in water or hydrogen bonding. 9. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims which further includes at least one three-dimensional structure attached to or extending from an absorbent article element, the three-dimensional structure preferably comprising printed hairs, the absorbent article comprising: in accordance with any of the ^ previous claims, wherein the stool modifier ion complexing agent, wherein the three-dimensional structure promotes contact between the absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifier ion complexing agent and stool . 10. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifier complexing agent is placed adjacent to a water soluble film. . 11. The absorbent article in accordance with any of the • previous claims, which further comprises a system involving gas that 20 includes at least one composition that surrounds the gas when mixed with water, wherein the gas wrapping system supplies the absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifying ion complexing agent stool or a system that involves the gas including a water-soluble material that contains compressed gas that is wrapped 25 when mixed with water, wherein the system enveloping the gas supplies the absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stool modifier ion complexes the stool modifier. 12. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, which includes a waste management element having an acceptance value under pressure of more than about 0.50 grams of a 5 viscous fluid body waste for every 6.45 square centimeters of the waste management element per milliJoule of energy input. The absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein the waste management element has an acceptance value under pressure of more than about 1.0 grams of a viscous fluid body waste per 6.45. - ^ square centimeters of the waste management element per milliJoule of energy input. The absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein the waste management member includes a particulate structure that includes a multiplicity of discrete particles having a nominal size of between 15 about 1 mm and about 25.4 mm. 15. The absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein the stool modifier ion complexing agent is placed in at least a portion of the waste management member, preferably on at least part of the discrete particles. 16. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, which includes a response system comprising a detector operatively connected to the article, the detector adapted to detect an input, and an actuator operatively connected to the article, the actuator that is adapted to provide an effective amount of an ionic complexing agent 25 stool modifier to the stool when the detector detects the input.