MXPA01000701A - Disposable absorbent articles with improved liquid absorption and retention. - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent disposable garment (10) such as a diaper, incontinence pant, or a training pant, having a unitary cuff (34) is disclosed. The construction of the unitary cuff (34) provides improved comfort to the wearer's leg in the cuff area, a tighter seal around the leg to prevent leakage, and achieves these results utilizing simpler manufacturing processes. The unitary cuff (34) does not require an additional separate leg gasket cuff. The unitary cuff has a proximal edge (152) attached to or extending from the disposable garment (10); an edge (154) distal from the disposable garment; and exhibits elasticity along a width between the distal edge (154) and proximal edge (152). The elasticity (B), nearer the proximal edge (152) has a higher contractile force than the elasticity (A) near the distal edge (154) (i.e., near the wearer's leg) of the unitary cuff.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBING ITEMS WITH IMPROVED ABSORPTION AND RETENTION OF LIQUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles and, more particularly to a desirable absorbent garment, such as a diaper, a trainer brief, an incontinence brief, or a desirable female sanitary product, having an improved unitary fist.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Disposable absorbent articles are hugely popular products in the world today, the use of disposable diapers and training pants further exceeds cloth diapers; Disposable feminine hygiene products offer improved user comfort and utility; and disposable incontinence products offer adults control and absorption of the involuntary discharge of the bowel and bladder associated with many medical conditions, especially those conditions associated with advanced age. One of the major problems associated with the disposable items described above is the spill and, consequently, many designs have been developed in an effort to comfortably minimize the spillage problem. Some disposable diapers of the prior art, such as US Patent No. 4,704,116 to Enloe and US Patent No. 4,695,278 to Lawson, have straight internal barrier cuffs, combined with elastic leg cuffs. Barrier cuffs and elastic leg cuffs work together to retain waste. The barrier cuff / elastic fold cuff combinations of the prior art are effective to varying degrees because they contain the discharge of a user's body. However, the designs are generally complex and require multiple steps in manufacturing, resulting in an undesirable and inefficient expense. For example, the cuff / elastic fold combinations require the creation of both a cuff of an elastic fold, which must be applied and engineered to work together. Therefore, there is a need for a desirable garment that is constructed to prevent spillage, and which can be effectively produced. U.S. Patent No. 5,643,243 (the "243 patent") describes a design that addresses the above problems. The patent discloses a disposable garment that includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorption core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a unitary elastic cuff. The unitary cuff has an edge close to and attached to or extending from the body of the desirable garment and an edge away from the body of the disposable garment. The distal edge is positioned to make contact with the crotch area of a wearer of the disposable garment. The unitary cuff exhibits a characteristic of longitudinal elasticity along a width between the distant and near edges. The elasticity can assume a variety of structure. For example, it may include multiple strands of elastic material or a width of elastic material. The width of elasticity can be substantially the distance between the distant edge and the near edge. Although successful, it has been found that the unit fist of the '243 Patent can be improved to provide a safer construction and improved user comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent disposable article having an improved unitary cuff. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved unitary cuff, wherein the elastic forces can be varied in order to provide a secure fit while maintaining user comfort. According to another of the invention, an improved unit fist is provided, wherein the placement of the near elasticity is very close to the body of the article. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved unit fist that provides improved spill resistance. Particularly, the cuffs must create a seal against the user's body, so that the liquid and solid waste does not spill or leak from the regions between the cuffs and the user's body. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved unit fist, wherein the spacing between the cuff elasticity varies to provide improved fit and comfort. Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a disposable absorbent article is provided with (1) a body including a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core located between and attached to the topsheet or sheet of backup, and (2) a unitary elastic fist. The unit fist has an edge near the body and an edge away from the body. The unitary cuff exhibits longitudinal elasticity at least along the crotch region of the cuff, where the elasticity varies along the width of the cuff. The distance between the near edge and the distant edge will be called how the width of the fist. Preferably, the elastic unitary cuff exhibits a greater spring force near the near edge. In a further preferred embodiment, the elasticity is provided to the unitary cuff by placing a plurality of strands of elastic material along the width of the cuff. The strands closer to the near end of the fist are subjected to a greater tension than the strands that are farther from the distant edge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disposable absorbent article having (1) a body including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core located between the topsheet or the backsheet, and (2) a fist that has a first edge near the body and a second edge away from the body. The fist exhibits elasticity forces, at least in its near and distant regions. Preferably, the near elasticity is greater than the distant elasticity. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a desirable absorbent article having (1) a "body" including a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core located between the topsheet or the backsheet, and (2) a fist having a first edge close to the body and a second edge away from the body.The fist exhibits elasticity at least in its near and distant regions and the near elasticity is very close to the body of the article. Further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disposable absorbent article having (1) a body including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core located between the top sheet or backsheet, and (2) a cuff having a first edge close to the body and a second edge away from the body.The elasticity comprises a plurality of elastic strands positioned so that the distance between the strands n the near region of the fist is less than the distance between the strands in the region distant from the fist. Advantageously, the present invention provides a barrier cuff that is constructed in a shape that provides all of the elastic material first provided in the two separate structures of the leg cuff and the straight barrier cuff in the current improved elastic unitary cuff.

The improved cuff provides a contractile force strong enough to provide a seal around the user's legs, hips or both. In addition, the area from which the force is generated can be varied in strength or position to provide a fit of the diaper. Other objects, aspects and additional advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the currently preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of description, and taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a top view of a conventional disposable article. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a conventional disposable article. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the disposable article of Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the disposable article taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 shows a view in cross section of a disposable article according to the present invention. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a disposable article according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention can be implemented in any disposable article, such as a disposable diaper, a trainer brief, an incontinence product, or a feminine hygiene product. For purposes of description, the following discussion will be directed to a disposable diaper. However, it is understood that the discussion is equally applicable to any other disposable article. A disposable absorbent diaper should provide a variety of features. A main characteristic is that it must have a means to effect a seal around the user. The seal advantageously goes around the waist and the legs so that the article is fixed tightly, but more importantly, so that the liquid and solid waste does not spill beyond the seal. The seal can be implemented with the help of elastic members. The article usually also has a means to secure the article to the user that is easy to attach and uncouple. Also the article usually includes an element that absorbs the liquid., the shape of the article, ie the profile, should improve the entire objective of liquid absorption and retain it within the article by channeling the liquid to inhibit the local saturation of the core, and facilitating the seal around the user. These features, either individually or in combination, are designed to achieve one or more of these three purposes: (1) liquid absorption; (2) prevent liquid and solid waste from escaping from the article, either through the material of the article, or through the gaps between the edges of the article and the user; and / or (3) dispersing the liquid around the article and supplying it to the core material. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate some basic aspects of a disposable diaper 10. Referring first to Figure 1, the diaper will be described in relation to its central axis A longitudinally extended and its central axis B laterally extended. The diaper includes three major regions aligned along the longitudinal axis A. These regions are the front waist region 12, the rear waist region 14, and the crotch region 16. In the lateral direction, the diaper includes regions of the ear 18 and a body portion 20. More particularly, the diaper 10 has two lugs 22 located along the front waist region 12, and two lugs 24 along the rear waist region 14. As illustrated in ios drawings, the resulting diaper has an hourglass shape, with the crotch region 16 snapping around the wearer's crotch; the front and rear waist regions, 12 and 14, respectively, are fixed around the corresponding waist areas of the wearer; and the ear regions 18 are wrapped around the wearer to form the full waist of the diaper. A fastening structure 26, for example, a tape fastener is attached to each of the ears 24 along the rear waist region 14 of the diaper 10. The fasteners 26 adhere to a fastening surface on the ear 22 corresponding to secure the diaper to the user. Particularly, after the diaper is placed on the wearer, the ears 24 along the rear waist region 14, are placed around the wearer's waist and towards the front of the wearer and in alignment with the ears 22 a along the front waist region 12. The fasteners 26 are then secured to the front ears. The corresponding safety surface on the front waist region 12 can be located on the inner or outer surface of the diaper 10. In addition, the fasteners 26 can be placed on the ears 22 of the front waist region 12 and attached to the ears. of the rear waist region 14; however, this latter construction is currently not preferred since it is more inconvenient to change a diaper having this construction. It should be understood that a fastening means, other than a belt, can be used; for example, a hook-and-loop structure wherein a tongue having hook structures is attached to the ears of the back waist and, when placed on the wearer, is secured to link members along the waist region frontal. The diaper 10 may further have two transverse elastic waist members 28 and 30 located at each end of the diaper, approximately between the respective ears. When the diaper 10 is appropriately placed on the wearer, the elastic waist members 28 and 30 form the "top" of the article, that is, the uppermost part. The elastic waist members have essentially two functions. The first of these functions is to secure the diaper 10 tightly around the waist of the wearer's waist so that it does not slip during use, ie form an elastic waistband once the diaper 10 is placed on the wearer. The second function, related to the first is to form a seal around the user's waist, so that the waste produced by the user does not spill out of the upper part of the diaper 10. Figures 1 and 2 also show union cuffs longitudinally stretchable elastics 32 positioned along the longitudinal edges of the diaper 10. When the diaper 10 is properly fixed to the user, each attachment cuff 32 encloses a user's leg, and in this way provides a seal to prevent lateral spillage from inside the diaper. The elastics of the union cuffs 32 for the legs are generally applied in the stretched or extended condition. In one application, the elastics are placed between the topsheet and the backsheet in the stretched condition and adhered or otherwise attached to one or both of the sheets The elastics are then released to allow them to retract and form folded regions for the legs illustrated in Figure 2, at 36. The Figures, and particularly Figure 3, also illustrate the presence of straight barrier cuffs 34 longitudinally in extension. The barrier cuffs 34 extend upwardly from the topsheet 50, ie towards the user, and are positioned laterally in both directions from the central axis A longitudinally in extension (see Figure 1). The barrier cuffs 34 extend longitudinally along the diaper 10 at least in the crotch region 16. The barrier cuffs 34 include elastic members 38 which act to contract the barrier cuffs 34 around the wearer's hips. The barrier cuffs 34 may be placed at a variety of distances from the longitudinal center line A of the diaper 10. For example, the barrier cuffs 34 are inward or outward from the attachment cuffs 32. The barrier cuffs 34 may comprising separate pieces that are secured, for example, by gluing to the topsheet 50. In addition, the barrier cuffs 34 can be formed from the topsheet 50 or the backsheet 40. Figure 4 shows a view in cross section of the diaper 10 taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 4 illustrates the various layers of the diaper. Referring to Figure 4, as well as to Figure 3, and beginning with the layer further away from the wearer, the diaper 10 is composed of a backsheet 40, a barrier layer 42 and a lower layer of tissue paper. 44, an absorbent core 46, another layer 48 of tissue paper, and a topsheet 50. Many conventional diapers may include more or fewer layers, although diapers of the state of the art generally consist of at least one backsheet, top sheet and some type of absorbent core between these two layers. Attached at either transverse end of the barrier layer 42 are two foam stretch waist bands 52 forming, together with at least the topsheet 50 and the backsheet 40, the elastic waist members 28 and 30. As previously mentioned, the elastic waist members 28 and 30 partially encircle the user's waist. Two tape fasteners 26 are also affixed to the backsheet 40. Against this background, the aforementioned Patent '243 describes an advance to the traditional diapers illustrated above in Figures 1-4. The '243 patent discloses a single structure wherein the elasticity of the leg cuff and the elasticity of the barrier cuff are combined into a unitary straight barrier cuff. The resulting invention provides an advantageous seal against spillage, while avoiding the increased cost and processing difficulties to provide a separate barrier cuff and leg cuff elasticity. Although the '243 Patent has proven to be successful it has been discovered that the design can be improved by placing, tensioning or both of the elasticity of the unitary barrier cuff. Particularly, it has been found that the elasticity closest to the near end (also called the elastic or the elastic in the near region of the cuff) must exhibit a tension greater than the elasticity that is near the distal end (also called the distant elastic). or the elastic in the region distant from the fist): This difference in elasticity can be achieved through a variety of ways, including the use of close elastic, which has a greater contractile force than the distant elastic or placing the nearby elastics together more closely than the distant elastics. The variation of the tension provides a unitary fist, which has a firm elasticity strength at the near end which helps to place the fist away from the main body of the article and rolls the body of the garment around the wearer, while the forces of Low elasticity located at the far end provide greater flexibility to the unit fist and comfort to the user when the garment makes contact with the skin. In a preferred embodiment a diaper according to the present invention includes elastic, for example, multiple elastic strands or an individual width of elastic, wherein the contractile force of the elasticity closest to the near edge is approximately 10 to 50% greater than that on the distant edge. Most preferably, the contractile force of the near elastic is approximately 25% of the distant contractile force. In an alternative embodiment, the elasticity of the cuff comprises a series of elastics where the nearby elastics are more closely separated as a whole than are the distant elastics. Preferably, the distance between the nearby elastics is equal to or less than about 50% of the distance between the distant elastics. Of course, both aspects to increase close tension can be used in a diaper. In addition, it is preferred that the close elasticity be placed very close to the near edge of the fist. Preferably, the closest elasticity in the cuff is placed at a distance from the body that is less than or equal to approximately 15% of the total width of the cuff. For example, in a one mode in ? where the cuff has a width of approximately 25 mm, the elastic closest to the body is placed approximately 3 mm from the body. Also, the most distant elasticity in the cuff should be placed near the distant cuff edge, preferably, also less than or equal to about 15% of the total cuff width and, most preferably, less than or equal to about 10% of the total width of the fist. For example, for a fist of approximately 25 * mm, it is preferred that the elasticity be 3 mm from the distant edge and, most preferably, within 2 mm or less of the distal edge of the unit fist. The unit cuffs can be positioned laterally in various positions from the center lines of the diaper to the side edges of the cover. Preferably, the edges are positioned away from the absorbent core and, most preferably, are positioned near the longitudinal edges of the diaper, so that the distance between the cuffs is at least 85% of the width of the total article in the region Crotch In one example, the unit cuffs are centered on the crotch region of the disposable leg and placed 85 mm from the longitudinal center (A) of the diaper (i.e. 170 mm between the cuffs). A preferred total width of the desirable garment in the crotch region is 200 mm. In a preferred embodiment and with reference to Figures 5 and 6, a unitary fist 158 is constructed using 5 strands of elastic material (A, B), which are spaced apart from one another generally along the width of the cuff 158 between a distant edge 154 and a proximal edge 152 adjacent the body 156 of the article (Figure 5). The strands (B) are two strands of LYCRAXA elastic filaments of 940 decitex made by DuPont Company with a greater contractile force than the strands (A). The strands (A) can be three strands of elastic strands of LYCRAXA of 740 decitex, a contractile force smaller than the elastic strands of LYCRAXA of 940 decitex. The strands in general are uniformly spaced along the width of the unit fist 158. Figure 6 shows another preferred embodiment, wherein the elastic region of the unit fist 158 has elastic bands with the same spring force and the separation between the strands. Elastic is varied. As shown in Figure 6, the nearby elastics B are placed closer than the distant elastics A. In one embodiment, the distance between the nearby elastics is equal to or less than half the distance between the distant elastics. In yet another design (not shown), the unit fist may have nearby elastics having contractile forces that are greater than the distant elastics and are more closely spaced than the distant elastics. The unit fist can be easily formed and manufactured using known methodologies and equipment, including the technique taught by US Pat. No. 5, 535,350. the unitary cuffs can be formed integrally from the material of the topsheet or the backsheet, or they can be formed of separate materials, which may or may not be used to form the remainder of the vanes distant from the article. The unitary cuffs may extend along the length of the article, or may only extend along the crotch area of the article. The remaining discussion describes, in greater detail, the various layers and structures comprising the diaper of Figures 1-4.

Backing Sheet The material of the backing sheet can be selected from a number of different materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin film, or other materials. Preferably, the material of the backing sheet allows air to circulate therethrough. This attribute is generally referred to as "breathable" or permeable to "vapor", to distinguish it from permeable to liquid. The backing sheet can also be made from a nonwoven web, permeable to liquid, laminated to a film barrier layer from below. The film layer may or may not be permeable to vapor, and may be a "mask" that is less than the total width of the other materials of the backsheet. A preferred material for the backsheet is an outer layer of spun-spun polypropylene fiber with a basis weight of about 15 grams, available from BBA Nonwovens, Simpsonville, SC. Preferably, adhesively laminated to spinning is a polyethylene film with a thickness of about 0.012 mm which is available from Exxon Chemical USA, Houston, TX, using adhesive available from Starch and Chemical Company, Bridgewater, NJ. Other examples of material for the backsheet include non-woven webs of SM or SMS (spunbond / meltblown / spunbond) and breathable or non-breathable films with a thickness of 0.5 millimicres to 2.0 millimicrons.

Top Sheet Top sheets can be constructed from a wide variety of materials, including nonwoven webs of natural (such as wood or cotton) or synthetic fibers (such as polypropylene or polyester), or some combination or film with openings. A preferred material for the topsheet is polypropylene spin-spun from 15 grams of Avgol Nonwoven Fabrics of Holon, Israel. The topsheet can be impregnated with surfactant to facilitate the transfer of the liquid. The surfactant can be activated, such as in the central zone of the disposable article, above the core material. The inner surface of the topsheet can be impregnated with a chemical to increase the surface tension of the liquid. The upper sheet can be formed of multiple materials, which can cross the width of the upper sheet, thus allowing the creation of preferred properties in the different areas of the upper sheet. For example, a topsheet can be constructed of a three-piece material, which can be used to form the cuffs from a hydrophobic end material and a central zone of hydrophilic material.

Core The core is formed of highly absorbent material to absorb fluid received through the topsheet The core has an internal surface, in fluid communication with the topsheet, an outer surface and two side surfaces. "core" term (shown as the superabsorbent and fluff pulp core layer 46 in Figure 3) should be used to refer generally to that layer between the topsheet 50 and the backsheet 40, placed directly between a top layer 48 of tissue paper and a lower layer 44 of tissue paper, and to which the absorbent property of the article is generally attributed The two layers 48 and 44 of tissue paper encapsulate the core and can be joined to form a cavity, for example, a through heat fusion, sonic bonding or adhesives.The core material generally comprises a rectangular region of the diaper 10 viewed from the perspective as in Figure 2, which, when the article 10 is placed on the user, is juxtaposed between the user's legs, against the crotch area in the area most likely to receive the waste. The most desirable characteristics of the core material are that it absorbs large amounts of liquid, that it absorbs quickly, and that it is as thin as possible. Attempts to satisfy these restrictions have led to numerous core compositions. In addition, the structural configuration of the core is also manipulated to improve the absorbency, for example, channels or slots can be created to optimally disperse the liquid waste. Many core compositions in the prior art are comprised of two components: a fluffy wood pulp component, for impregnation and structural integrity, and a high absorbency (or superabsorbent) material for containing liquid. As expected, most of the volume of the article volume (ie, its "volume") is due to the fluffy component. The layer of fluffy wood pulp can be a composite material; for example, an air-laid sheet bonded through adhesive or containing thermally bondable fibers that are fused to add additional integrity to the structure. The high-absorbency material can be composed of numerous compounds. A selection of suitable materials includes inorganic materials, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, various grafted starches and crosslinked polyunsaturated acrylate. In addition, high-absorbency materials can be manufactured and used in the diaper, etc., in numerous forms such as particles, fibers, foams and layers. The two-component system is necessary since many of the superabsorbent materials are unable to absorb liquids in, or even close to the regime to which it is applied by the article, therefore, an additional material, to the core as a material composed of wood pulp, keeps the liquid and supplies it to the superabsorbent material, to absorb at a slower speed that the initial assault from the user, and to allow the superabsorbent material to completely absorb the liquid. In addition, the fibers avoid "gel block", which can occur as superabsorbent particles swell after liquid absorption and block the interstitial spaces between particles, thus cutting the channels so that the liquid flows and finds particles. not saturated. The fibers prevent blockage of gel by dispersing the particles, thus minimizing the potential for particle-to-particle contact. Several patents in the prior art are specifically directed to composite materials that reduce gel blocking such as U.S. Patent No. 5,147,343. Therefore, the achievement of optimal absorbency (measured as much as capacity and velocity) involves not only identifying the appropriate material comprising the two components, but identifying the optimal ratio of the two components.

Acquisition Layer The article may contain an additional layer between the upper layer 48 of tissue paper and the upper sheet 50. The layer "Additional is referred to as acquisition layer or wave layer.

The acquisition layer acts to extend the flow of liquid so that the liquid is distributed more evenly over the core surface. This aspect serves to diminish the flow so that the liquid has time to be absorbed by the core. The layer also serves to prevent the nucleus from being saturated in a localized region, while the nucleus of the nucleus is not absorbing any liquid.

Security Elements The article must be insured to the user. This is very important with regard to diapers, since they are not pulled by the user, such as trainers, or incontinence briefs, but they are fastened around the wearer. The security elements comply with the elastic members by making a seal between the wearer and the waist band and the leg cuffs, so that the liquid is contained within the article and is then absorbed; in other words, so that the liquid does not spill through the gaps between the user's legs and the edge of the article. The security elements can be adhesive, hook and loop strips, or, advantageously, ribbons or strips, that is, anything that secures one end of the article to the opposite longitudinal end. According to Figures 1, 3 and 4 above, the diaper 10 is fixed to the wearer through tape fasteners 26 adhesively secured to the backsheet 40. The tape fasteners 26 contact the transversely opposite ear 22 extending from the backsheet 40, where they remain fixed due to an adhesive compound applied to the fasteners 26. A target area may be provided to cooperate with the fasteners to secure the back of the diaper to the front. The target area will have characteristic's appropriate to the type of fasteners used. For example, if the fastener is a hook type fastener, the objective will have appropriate loop characteristics. If the fastener is an adhesive, the lens will have a surface to which the adhesive will adhere.

Waist elastics The waist elastics 28 and 30 (see Figure 1) are elastic members that can be placed along the transverse portion of the article, so that when worn, they are located along the wearer's waist. Generally speaking, the waist elastics of the article preferably meet two criteria. First, they must create a seal against the waist, so the liquid waste does not leak or spills from the regions between the waist elastics and the user's waist. This seal is important because, although the liquid can eventually be absorbed by the core material, the assault of liquid by the user can disrupt the absorption speed capacity of the core material, therefore the waist elastics must contain the liquid while it is being absorbed. The waist elastic can be constructed as an integral part of the diaper as shown. It can also be attached to, or in place of, the outer ear of the diaper, as a separate aspect.

Form The manipulation of the form * of the article can achieve several things. First, a more precise contour around the crotch area of the user can prevent the article from bulging, creating liquid cavities which, in turn, will locally saturate the underlying core material. Second, the shape can be manipulated to control the seal, or the closing of gaps between the edges of the article and the user. Therefore, a narrower profile may be preferable to achieve a zone of moderate liquid contact against the wearer's crotch (ie, without bulging); however, a narrower profile means less surface area available for the core material, therefore less total absorption. Similarly, a larger profile, although more expensive, can more easily accommodate a variety of user sizes, while a narrower profile is not satisfactory for larger than normal users. The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to realize the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. Although currently, the preferred embodiments of the invention have been given for the purpose of description, numerous changes can be made in the details of construction, arrangement of parts and steps of the process. These changes readily suggested themselves to those skilled in the art and are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A disposable absorbent article, comprising: (a) a body including: (i) a top sheet; (ii) a backing sheet; and (iii) an absorbent core located between the topsheet or the backsheet; and (b) an elastic unitary fist disposed on each side of the absorbent core: (i) having an edge near said body; (I) having an edge away from said body; (iii) exhibiting longitudinal elasticity along substantially all of the length of said fist, wherein the elastic unitary fist exhibits distinct zones of different elasticity, and wherein each elastic unitary fist essentially constitutes the sole elastic fist extending generally longitudinally over a side of the core to contain the waste within a crotch area of said article.

2. The absorbent article according to the claim 1, wherein the elastic unitary fist exhibits a greater spring force near the near edge.

3. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the elasticity comprises multiple strands of elastic material.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the elastic unitary fist exhibits a greater spring force near the near edge. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the elastic unitary cuff is formed from the topsheet. 6. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the elastic unitary cuff is formed from the backsheet. 7. A disposable absorbent article comprising: (a) a body including: (i) a top sheet; (I) a backing sheet; and (iii) an absorbent core located between the topsheet or the backsheet; and (b) an elastic unitary fist disposed on each side of the absorbent core, each fist having a first edge close to the body and a second edge away from the body and exhibiting elasticity between the distant edge and the near edge, wherein the force of Elasticity is different in the distant area of said fist, the fist including a first group of elastics adjacent to the near edge and a second group of elastics adjacent to the distant edge, wherein the elastics of the first group are more closely separated than such elastics of the second. group 8. A desirable absorbent article, comprising '(a) a body including: (i) a topsheet; (ii) a backing sheet; and (iii) an absorbent core located between the topsheet or the backsheet; and (b) an elastic unitary fist, (i) having an edge close to the body, (ii) having an edge away from the body, and (iii) exhibiting elasticity at least in the near and distant regions and the near elasticity is very close to the body; wherein the elastic unitary fist exhibits different zones of different elasticity, and wherein each elastic unitary fist essentially contains the single elastic fist extending generally longitudinally on one side of the core to contain the waste within the crotch of said article. 9. A disposable absorbent article, comprising: (a) a body that includes: (i) a top sheet; (ii) a backing sheet; and (iii) an absorbent core located in between the topsheet or the backsheet; and (b) an elastic unitary fist: (i) having an edge close to the body, (ii) having an edge away from the body, and (ni) including multiple elastics, wherein at least certain elastic veils are close of the near edge and at least certain of the elastics are wax from the distant edge and the elastic ones that are near the near edge are separated closer than the elastic ones near the distant edge. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the distance of the nearby elastics is less than or equal to 50% of the distance between the distant elastics. 11. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, which further comprises a first group of elastics disposed substantially adjacent to the near edge, and a second group of elastics disposed substantially adjacent to the distant edge, and wherein such elastic of the first group is separated closer than the elastic of the second group. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 11, wherein the elastics of the first group are separated at least twice as close as the elastics of the second group. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the elastic unitary cuff includes a first elastic zone that includes an edge close to the body and one or more elastic strands positioned substantially closer to the edge close to the body than the far edge. of the body, the first elastic zone exhibiting greater elasticity that is substantially different from other elastic areas of the cuff. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the cuff is the only elastic cuff that generally extends longitudinally on one side of the core to contain a user's waste within a crotch area of the article. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein each cuff is the only elastic cuff that generally extends longitudinally on one side of the core pair containing waste of a user within a crotch area of such an article.