MXPA01004284A - Personal care with an aperture aligned by a skin adhesive for receiving fecal material - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article comprises a topsheet including a primary aperture for receiving fecal waste, a backsheet joined with at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, a spacing member disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The spacing member provides a void space into which feces can be directed. The absorbent article preferably also includes a body adhering composition disposed about at least a portion of the primary aperture for adhering the topsheet of the absorbent article to the wearer during use.

Description

PERSONAL CARE WITH AN OPENING ALIGNED BY AN ADHESIVE FOR THE SKIN TO RECEIVE FECAL MATERIAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to hygienic absorbent articles, such as diapers, adult incontinence articles, feminine protection articles and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Absorbent articles are well known in the art. Typically these articles have an absorbent core, which is held or placed against the wearer's body during use by a restraint system, such that exudates from the body are trapped by the article. Typical absorbent articles include a topsheet that allows the wearer to allow fluid exudates to traverse a backsheet that prevents exudates from escaping from the absorbent article. Many advances in the art have been made since the introduction of the disposable absorbent article. However, there are still problems related to the acceptance and storage of stool, and especially watery and pasty stools. The problem has been difficult to solve because the stools do not usually pass through a top sheet and therefore remain free to move in the diaper until the diaper is changed. This often leads to stool leakage from the diaper or staining the wearer's skin. In order to prevent feces from escaping from the diaper or staining the skin, openings in the top sheet have been provided which allow the feces to pass into the absorbent core. However, the openings are difficult to position during diaper application and often move from the desired position when the diaper is worn. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide absorbent articles that improve fit and seal that can be sustained during use. It would also be desirable to provide an article that can maintain a desired configuration for accepting and storing body exudates, especially feces. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide an article with a topical or body adhesive which helps to hold the article in the desired configuration (eg, the opening is aligned with the anus) without irritating or damaging the wearer's skin. Even further, it would also be advantageous to provide a hollow space for the waste which can be maintained even under applied pressures which are typical of the forces generated by the user in the crotch region and the seat of the article while the user is in a sitting position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to solve one or more of the problems encountered in the art, an absorbent article, such as an adult incontinence article, baby diaper or feminine hygiene pad, having a hollow space is provided having an adhesive Topical that helps keep the item in a desired configuration to receive and store body exudates. Preferably, the absorbent article comprises a top sheet including a primary opening for receiving fecal waste, a back sheet joined with at least a portion of the top sheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the top sheet and the sheet after, a separation member disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The separation member provides a hollow space within which feces can be directed. The absorbent article also preferably includes a body adherent composition disposed in at least a portion of the primary opening for adhering the topsheet of the absorbent article to the wearer during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a disposable diaper. Figure 2 is a plan view of a disposable diaper configuration of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention shown as it appears when used. Figure 4 is a plan view of a separation member suitable for use with the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the spacing member shown in Figure 4 taken through the section line 5-5. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain exudates from the body, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or close to the user's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" as used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not generally intended to be washed or restored or reused in another way as an absorbent article (ie, they are intended to be disposed of after use) simple and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). (As used herein, the term "disposed" is used to imply that a diaper element or elements is formed (attached and placed) at a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other diaper elements or as an element Separate attached to another element of the diaper As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations by which one element is directly secured to another element by fixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations by which an element is indirectly secured to another element by fixing the element to a member or intermediate members which in turn are attached to the other element.) A "unitary" absorbent article refers to the absorbent articles which are formed of separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity of such an element. way they do not require separate manipulated parts like a bra and separate linings. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20 shown in Figure 1. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons around of the lower torso. The present invention is also applicable to other disposable absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper liners and liners, feminine hygiene garments, cleaning towels, isopos, bandages, and the like. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in a flattened state with portions of the structure that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of the diaper 20 facing the wearer is oriented toward the observer As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a topsheet 24 permeable to liquid; a liquid impermeable backsheet 26, an absorbent core 28, which is preferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; elastified leg cuffs 32; a characteristic of elastic waist 34; and a fastener system generally designated 40. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 opposite the first waist region 36 and a crotch region 37 located between the first waist region 36. waist region and the second waist region. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 in which the longitudinal edges 50 run generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 run between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the line. lateral center 1 10 of the diaper 20. The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper 20. The chassis 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28 and preferably an outer covering layer including the top sheet 24 and the sheet back 26. If the absorbent article comprises a separate fastener and liner, the chassis 22 generally comprises the fastener and the liner. (For example, the fastener may comprise one or more layers of material to form the outer cover of the article and the liner may comprise an absorbent assembly including a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core In such cases, the fastener and / or the liner may include a fastener element that is used to hold the liner in place during the entire time of use.) For the unitary absorbent articles, the chassis 22 comprises the main structure of the diaper with other features added to form the structure composed of the diaper. Although the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26 and the absorbent core 28 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, the preferred diaper configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled "Contractable side portions". for disposable diaper "which was issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,145 entitled "Absorbent Feature with Extensible Waistline Feature of Multilayer Structural Elasticized Film," which was issued to Roe et al. on September 10, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,569,234 entitled "Stretch Drawstring Pantyhose" which was issued to Buell et al. on October 29, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,580,411 entitled "Waste-free method for making side panels for absorbent articles" which was issued to Nease et al. on December 3, 1996; and in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 915,471 entitled "Absorbent Article with Extendable Side Panels in Multiple Directions" filed on August 20, 1997 in the name of Robles et al .; each of which is incorporated here by reference. The backsheet 26 is generally that part of the diaper 20 positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core 28 which prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from staining articles that may be in contact with the diaper 20, such as sheets and underwear. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is impervious to liquids (eg, urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Suitable films for the backsheet include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other materials suitable for the backsheet may include breathable materials that allow the vapors of the diaper 20 to escape while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. Illustrative breathable materials may include materials such as woven wefts, wefts non-woven, composite materials such as nonwoven webs coated with film, and microporous films as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, TX, under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composites comprising polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097. Such breathable composites are described in greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995 in the name of E.l. DuPont and the co-pending United States patent application Serial No. 08 / 744,487, filed on November 6, 1996 in the name of Curro. Other breathable backsheets including nonwoven webs and apertured films are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,571,096 issued to Dobrin et al. On November 5, 1996. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference. by reference here. The backsheet 26, or any part thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a film web similar to the structural elastic ("SELF"). A film web in the form of a structural elastic is an extensible material exhibiting a behavior similar to elastic in the direction of elongation without the use of additional elastic materials. The SELF frame includes a deformable network having at least two contiguous, distinct and different regions. Preferably, one of the regions is configured in such a way that it will exhibit resistance forces in response to an axial elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis before a substantial portion of the other region develops resistance forces significant to the applied elongation. At least one of the regions has a surface path length that is greater than that of the other region as measured substantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material is in a non-stressed condition. The region exhibiting the largest surface path length includes one or more deformations that extend beyond the plane of the other region. The SELF screen exhibits at least two significantly different stages of resistance forces controlled to elongation along at least one predetermined axis when subjected to an elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The SELF web exhibits first applied elongation resistance strengths until the elongation of the web is sufficient to make a substantial portion of the region having the largest surface path length between the plane of the applied elongation, after which the SELF screen exhibits second strengths of additional elongation resistance. The total forces of elongation resistance are greater than the first elongation resistance forces provided by the first region. The SELF webs suitable for the present invention are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Screen materials exhibiting elastic-like behavior", which was issued to Chappell, and others on May 21, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, filaments, or combinations of these and other suitable materials with non-woven materials or synthetic films. The backsheet 26 can be attached to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28, or any other element of the diaper 20 by any means of attachment known in the art. For example, the joining means may include a continuous uniform adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate lines, spirals or spots of adhesive. A preferred attachment means comprises an open pattern network of adhesive filaments as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable garment for waste containment", which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4. 1986. Other suitable joining means include several lines of adhesive filaments which are twisted in a spiral pattern, as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in United States Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker, and others on November 22, 1978; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota and marketed as HL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise thermal joints, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints, or any other suitable joining means or combinations of these joining means as is known in the art. The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the surface that faces the body of the absorbent core 28 and may be partially or wholly attached thereto and / or to the backsheet 26 by any means of attachment known in the art. Suitable attachment means are described above with respect to the means for attaching the backsheet 26 to other elements of the diaper 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are directly bonded together in some sites and are indirectly joined together at other sites by attaching them directly to other elements of the diaper 20. The topsheet may comprise one or more openings 80 to facilitate the penetration of the exudates therethrough, such as urine and / or feces. (solid, semi-solid, or liquid). The size of at least the primary aperture 80 is important to achieve the desired performance of the waste encapsulation. If the primary opening 80 is too small, the waste can not pass through the opening, either due to poor alignment of the waste source and to the location of the opening or because the fecal masses have a larger diameter than the opening 80. If the opening 80 is too large, the area of the skin that can be contaminated by the "rewetting" of the article increases. Typically, the opening 80 should have an area of between about 10 cm2 and about 50 cm2. The opening 80 preferably has an area of between about 15 cm2 and 35 cm2. In addition, the topsheet may be fully or partially elastified or may be shrunk to provide a hollow space between the topsheet 24 and the core 28. Illustrative structures that include elastified or shrunk top sheets are described in greater detail in the U.S. patent. United States No. 4,892,536 issued DesMarais et al. On January 9, 1990 entitled "Absorbing article having elastic filaments"; U.S. Patent No. 4,990,147 issued to Freeland on February 5, 1991 entitled "Absorbent article with elastic lining for the insulation of waste material"; U.S. Patent No. 5,037,416 issued to Alien et al. on August 6, 1991 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having elastically extensible top sheet"; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,269,775 issued to Freeland et al. on December 14, 1993 entitled "Top sheets of three sections for disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having such top sheets of three sections"; each of which is incorporated by reference here. The topsheet 24 is preferably docile, gentle in feel, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids to easily penetrate through its thickness. At least a portion of the topsheet 24 may be impervious to liquids and solids or semi-solids or may be permeable to exudates only in a direction away from the wearer. In addition, the topsheet 24 may include regions of different permeability. For example, the top sheet 24 can be permeable to the liquid in the urine load region of the diaper (generally the front waist region and / or the crotch region) and may be impermeable in the area surrounding the opening 80. This provides good urine acquisition characteristics while which prevents the feces passing through the opening 80 back to the user's skin. The remainder of the top sheet may optionally comprise a multiplicity of secondary openings as described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5., 342,338 issued to Roe on August 30, 1994 entitled "Disposable absorbent article for fecal material of low viscosity". These secondary openings each generally have an area that is smaller than the area of the main opening but provides a means for low viscosity coforal wastes to penetrate the upper sheet 24 if the waste is in contact with the upper sheet 24 in a different region than that of the primary opening 80. A suitable top sheet 24 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; cross-linked foams; plastic films with openings; or woven or non-woven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. If the topsheet includes fibers, the fibers can be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. A suitable top sheet 24 comprising a polypropylene fiber web of cut length is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts under the designation P-8.

Suitable formed film upper sheets are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135 entitled "Absorption structures having tapered capillaries", which was issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having a stain-resistant top sheet", which was issued to Mullane, et al. on April 13, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314 entitled "Resilient plastic weft exhibiting fiber-like properties", which was issued to Radel, et al. on August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045 entitled "Macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic screen exhibiting non-glossy visible surface and fabric-like fingerprint", which was issued to Ahr, et al. on July 31, 1984; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394"Multilayer Polymer Film" issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. Other suitable topsheets are made in accordance with U.S. Patent Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 which they were issued to Curro et al. on September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986, respectively, and both of which are listed here by reference. Such films formed are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE" and on behalf of Tredegar Coforation of Terre Haute, Indiana as "CLIFF-T". Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic for the purpose of isolating the wearer's skin from liquids contained within the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is made of a hdrhobic material, preferably at least the top surface of the topsheet 24 is treated to be hydrophilic in such a way that liquids will transfer more rapidly through the topsheet. This decreases the likelihood that the exudates from the sheet will flow out of the topsheet 24 instead of being drawn through the topsheet 24 and be absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 can be made hydrophilic by treating it with an agent surfactant or incipient a surfactant in the upper sheet. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying the top sheet material 24 with the surfactant and immersing the material in the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such treatment and hydrophilic capacity is contained in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 entitled "Absorbent articles with multi-layer absorbent layers" issued to Reising, et al. On January 29, 1991, and in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,345 entitled "Absorbent articles with fast-absorbing absorbent cores" issued to Reising on January 29, 1991. A more detailed discussion of some suitable methods for incubating the surfactant on the top sheet can be found in the Statutory Invention Record of the United States No. H1670, published on the 1st. July 1997 in the name of Aziz and others. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the top sheet 24 may include an apertured film or film that is hydrophobic. This can be achieved by eliminating the step of hydrophilizing treatment from the production process and / or applying a hydrophobic treatment to the topsheet 24, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound such 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 topsheet 24 can be coated with a lotion as is known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,607,760 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having a lotion top sheet containing an emollient and a polyol polyester immobilizing agent" which was issued to Roe. on March 4, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587 entitled "Diaper having an upper sheet with lotion comprising a liquid emollient of polyol polyester and an immobilizing agent" which was issued to Roe on March 1, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191 entitled "Diaper having a top sheet with lotion containing a polysiloxane emollient" which was issued to Roe et al. on June 3, 1997; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588 entitled "Diaper having a top sheet with lotion" which was issued to Roe et al. on 1 st. July 1997. The lotion may function alone or in combination with another agent such as the hydrophobicizing treatment described above. The topsheet may also include or be treated with antibacterial agents, some examples of which are disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 95/24173 entitled "Absorbent Articles Containing Antibacterial Agents in the Top Sheet for Odor Control" which was published on September 14, 1995 in the name of Theresa Johnson. In addition, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, or any part of the topsheet or the backsheet may be finished in highlight and / or dull to provide a more fabric-like appearance. The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material that is generally compressible, capable of shaping, non-irritating to the user's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain exudates from the body. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a variety of wide sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, T-shaped, asymmetrical, etc.) and can comprise a wide variety of liquid absorbing materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crushed cellulose wadding; blown polymers in the molten state, including coform; chemically hardened, modified or interlaced cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; gelling materials; p any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 can also be varied (e.g., the core or absorbent cores or other absorbent structure or structures may have zones of varying gauge, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or acquisition zones with lower average density and lower average basis weight, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper 20. Illustrative absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High Density Absorbing Structures" issued to Weisman et al. On September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent articles with cores in double layers" issued to Welsman et al. on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735, entitled "High density absorbent members having acquisition zones with lower density and lower basis weight" issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dust Cap" issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 5,137,537 entitled "Absorbent structure containing individualized wood pulp cellulose fibers, entangled with polycarboxylic acid" which was issued to Herron et al. on August 1, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled "High efficiency absorbent articles for incontinence management" issued to Young et al. on September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338 entitled "Disposable absorbent article for low viscosity fecal material" issued to Roe on August 30, 1994; U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345 entitled "Foam Absorbing Materials for Aqueous Fluid of the Foam and Absorbent Articles Containing Such Materials" issued to DesMarals et al. on November 9, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207 entitled "Thin Absorbent Foam Materials to Moisture for Aqueous Fluids of the Foam and Processing Process" 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-phase internal emulsions having a high water-to-oil ratio" issued to DesMarais et al. on July 22, 1997. Each One of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference. The diaper 20 can also include a sub-step disposed between the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. The sub-step can be any material or structure capable of accepting, storing or immobilizing body exudates. Therefore, the sub-step may include a simple material or a number of materials operatively associated with each other. In addition, the sub-step may be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or may be one or more separate elements attached directly or indirectly to one or more elements of the diaper 20. In addition, the sub-step may include a structure that is separate from the core 28 or may include or be part of at least one core portion 28. Suitable materials to be used as the sub-layer may include large open cell foams, macroporous high compression non-woven fibers, macroporous compression shapes, large particle shapes of cell foams open and closed (macro and / or microporous), non-woven materials of high resilience fibers, polyolefins, polystyrene, foams or polyurethane particles, structures comprising a multiplicity of vertically oriented bonded fiber filaments, absorbent core structures described above that they have punctured holes or depressions, and the like. (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 the fluid, having generally pores greater than about 0.5 mm in diameter and more specifically, having pores greater than about 1.0 mm in diameter.) One embodiment of a storage element includes a mechanical clamping loop holding member, having an uncompressed thickness of approximately 1.5 mm available as XPL-7124 from 3M Coforation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Another embodiment includes a 6-denier non-woven, high-resilience, pleated resin non-woven fiber material having a basis weight of 110 grams per square meter and an uncompressed 7.9 millimeter thickness which is available from the Glit Company of Wrens, Georgia. Other suitable absorbent and non-absorbent storage elements are described in the European patent application No. EP 0 847 738 A1 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having the capacity to store low viscosity faecal material" published on June 17, 1998 in the name of Roe, which is hereby listed by reference here. In addition, the subwrap, or any part thereof, may include or be coated with a lotion or other known substances to add, increase or change the performance or other characteristics of the element. The diaper 20 can also comprise at least one elastic waist feature 34 that helps provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waist feature 34 is generally intended to expand and contract elastically to dynamically adjust to the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least one waist edge of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms when a portion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers are frequently constructed to have two characteristics of elastic waist, one placed in the first waist region 36 and one positioned in the second waist region 38. In addition, although the elastic waist feature 34 or any of its constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elements attached to the diaper 20, the characteristic Elastic waist 34 can be constructed as an extension of other diaper elements 20, such as the backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both the backsheet 26 and the topsheet 24. The elastic waist feature 34 can be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985; U.S. Patent No. 4,710,189 issued to Lash on the 1st. December 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist configurations may include waist covering features such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,026,364. issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991 and in United States Patent No. 4,816,025 issued to Foreman on March 28, 1989. All of the aforementioned references are hereby listed by reference. The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. The fastening system 40 preferably holds the first waist region 36 to the second waist region 38 in an overlapping configuration to provide the lateral stresses around the circumference of the diaper 20 to maintain diaper 20 on the user. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises tape tab and / or hook and loop fastening components, although other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some illustrative fastener systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594 entitled "Disposable diaper tape fastening system" issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; U.S. Patent No. B1 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbing article" issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable diaper having an improved fastener device" issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060 entitled "Disposable diaper with improved hook fastener portion" issued to Nestegard on January 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure sensitive adhesive fastener and method for making the same" issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990; and the hereinabove referred to in United States 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. The fastener system may also provide a means to hold the article in a configuration for disposal as disclosed in the United States Patent. No. 4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al. On October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is unofficial here by reference. In alternative modalities, opposite sides of the garment can be sewn or welded to form a pant. This allows the article to be used as a type diaper that is stretched, such as a training pant. The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 may be elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and contour fit by initially initially comfortably adjusting the diaper 20 to the wearer and holding this adjustment throughout the time of use much later of when the diaper 20 is loaded with exudates since the elasticized side panels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract. The side panels 30 can also provide the most effective application of the diaper 20 because even if the diaper person pulls an elasticized side panel 30 farther than the other during the application, the diaper 20 will "self-adjust" during the application. use.

Although the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has the side panels 30 disposed in the second waist region 38, the diaper 20 can be provided with side panels 30 disposed in the first waist region 36 or both of the first waist region. 36 and the second waist region 38. The side panels 30 can be constructed in any of the suitable configurations. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,857,067 entitled "Disposable diaper having straightened ears" issued to Wood, et al. On August 15, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,381, 781 issued to Sciaraffa, and others on May 3, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753 issued to Van Gompel, and others on July 3, 1990; the above-referenced United States 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; U.S. Patent No. 5,669,897 issued to La Von, and others on September 23, 1997 entitled "Absorbent articles that provide sustained dynamic adjustment"; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 155,048 entitled "Absorbent Article with Extendable Side Panels in Multiple Directions" filed on November 19, 1993 in the name of Robles, and others, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 preferably further includes leg cuffs 32 that provide fluid containment and other exudates of the improved cuff. Leg folds can also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds, or elastic folds. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a collapsible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg fold (a packing fold). U.S. Patents Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. On February 28, 1989 and March 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers having "upright" elastified fins (barrier folds) that 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 Dragoo on January 3, 1989, respectively, disclose disposable diapers having double folds, including gusset folds and barrier folds. 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 cavities for receiving and containing waste, separators that provide voids for waste, barriers to limit the movement of waste within the article, compartments or voids that accept and contain waste materials deposited in the diaper, and similar, or any of combinations thereof. Examples of cavities and spacers for use in absorbent products are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. On May 7, 1996, entitled "Diaper having an expulsion separator", United States Patent. United No. 5,171, 236 issued to Dreier et al. On December 15, 1992, entitled "Disposable absorbent article having core separators"; U.S. Patent No. 5,397,318 issued to Dreler on March 14, 1995, entitled "Absorbent article having a cavity bend"; U.S. Patent No. 5,540,671 issued to Dreier on July 30, 1996, entitled "Absorbing article having a cavity fold with an apex"; and PCT application WO 93/25172 published December 3, 1993, entitled "Separators for use in hygienic absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having such a separator"; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,266, entitled "Flexible Separators for Use in Disposable Absorbent Articles", issued to Freeland on April 26, 1994. Examples of the compartments or voids are disclosed in the United States Patent. No. 4,968,312, entitled "Disposable diaper with fecal compartments", issued to Khan on November 6, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,990,147, entitled "Absorbent article with elastic liner for insulation of waste material", issued to Freeland on February 5, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 5,62,840, entitled "Disposable diapers", issued to Holt et al. on November 5, 1991; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,269,755 entitled "Three-section top sheets for disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having said top sheets of three sections", issued to Freeland et al. on December 14, 1993. The examples of suitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,142 entitled "Absorber Article Having Multiple Cross-Sectional Height Effectiveness" issued September 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier et al .; PCT patent WO 94/14395 entitled "absorbent article having an upright transverse partition" published July 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland, et al .; and U.S. Patent No. 5,653,703"Absorbing article having an upright, angular transverse partition" issued August 5, 1997 in the name of Roe et al. All of the references cited above are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for entrapment or encapsulation of coforal waste and thereby reduce the amount and area of contamination of the wearer's skin by waste. In order to achieve the desired level of performance, especially for coarse viscous waste such as feces, at least two functions must be carried out. First, the diaper must have means to maintain the closeness of the diaper acceptance element (eg, an opening in the topsheet) at the user's waste exit point (eg, the anus) of the wearer. Second, the diaper must provide a hollow space 70 for waste even under applied pressures which are typical of those generated by the user in the crotch and groove regions of the article while the user is in the seated position. For the purpose of providing a hollow space 70 which can be maintained under pressure, preferred embodiments of the present invention include one or more separators or spacing members 60. The spacing member or members 60 are adapted to separate the upper sheet 24 or another cover layer away from the absorbent core 28 and / or other underlying layers such as sublayers, acquisition layers and the like. However, it is also contemplated that the spacing member 60 may further separate any two elements of the diaper 20, including but not limited to the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26, the acquisition layer and the core 28, the core 28. and the back sheet 26, etc. Illustrative separators 60, non-limiting, are disclosed in the patents incorporated by reference above. The spacing member 60 may be of any suitable size and / or shape. In preferred embodiments, the spacing member 60 has a side that gives the body 62, a side that gives the backsheet 64 and a thickness T of between about 0.5 cm and about 3.0 cm during use. (As used herein, the thickness T of the spacer 60 is the distance between the side facing the body 63 and the side facing the garment 65 of the spacer 60.) In addition, it is preferred that the spacer 60 establish and maintain during the use a hollow space 70 of between at least about 10 cubic cm and about 150 cubic cm, and preferably between approximately 25 cubic cm and approximately 75 cubic cm. It is also important that the lateral dimension X of the hollow space 70 be large enough to accommodate feces, but narrow enough so that the spacing member 60 can support the user's ischia. Preferably, the lateral dimension X of the hollow space 70, defined by the separator 60 in the area corresponding to the user's anus, is between about 1 cm and about 5 cm, and more preferably between about 1.5 cm and about 3.5 cm. Although the shape of the separator 60 is not critical, it has been found that the elliptical and "keyhole" shaped separators (e.g., the separator shown in Figure 4) work particularly well. If such a spacer 60 is implemented, it is preferred that the spacer 60 be generally disposed in the crotch region 37 of the diaper 20 and oriented such that the first region 120 of the spacer 60 is located toward the front region of the diaper 20 when worn. and the second region 125 of the separator 60 is located toward the rear waist of the diaper 20 when worn. Alternatively, the U-shaped spacers may be suitable for use in certain embodiments (preferably with the open end of the U-shape facing the rear waist region of the diaper 20 when worn). In any case, the separator 60 may be unitary or may comprise a multiplicity of separate or operatively associated parts. In addition, the separator 60 may have a closed perimeter 65 or may comprise openings, holes, or channels extending from the hollow space of the fecal material 70 through the separator wall 62 towards the perimeter 65 of the separator 60. Such embodiments may be useful to allow the distribution of stool from hollow space 70 to other parts of diaper 20. Separation member 60 may comprise any material or combination of materials that are suitable for use in an absorbent article to be worn. by a human user. For example, separation member 60 may include foams, woven or nonwoven webs, thermoplastic materials, organic materials, fibers, gels, rubber or synthetic rubber, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the separation member 60 comprises an absorbent foam made from a water / oil emulsion 16: 1, having a vitreous transition temperature of about 10 ° C, and having a compression of about 40% in a dry state and approximately 30% in a wet state (ie, when saturated with water) under an applied pressure of approximately 1.0 psi. Thus, in certain embodiments, compression below approximately 1.0 psi in the wet state may be less than compression under approximately 1 psi in the dry state. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing member 60 is relatively soft, but resilient and capable of withstanding the typical forces of a baby's movements and / or the weight of a baby sitting or lying on the spacing member 60. Therefore, the spacing member 60 should be able to withstand at least 0.5 psi and preferably at least about 1.0 psi while compressing no more than about 60%, and preferably no more than about 30% in both dry conditions and wet. In yet another embodiment, the separation member 60 may be activatable during use. That is, the spacing member 60 can be stored in the diaper 60 in a configuration and can be activated by some event or material that changes the configuration of the spacing member 60 or the surrounding structure to provide the diaper 20 with a desired configuration for receive and / or store the coforal exudates. For example, separation member 60 may include a material that expands when contracted by water, urine, feces, enzymes or other means associated with body exudates or the user's body. Changes in temperature, pH and salt concentration are also "triggers" that can activate the separation member 60. Therefore, when the user urinates, the separation member 60 can increase in thickness, change shape or or otherwise orienting itself in the diaper 20 to provide a hollow space 70 within which the urine and / or faeces can flow.

In the preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the spacing member 60 is attached to the topsheet 24. This helps maintain the primary opening 80 aligned with the hollow space 70 of the spacer 60 during use. It is also preferred that at least a portion of the spacer 60 be joined with at least a portion of the structure that is below the spacer 60, such as the core 28, a sub-step or the backsheet 28. In either case, the spacer 60 may be bound directly or indirectly by any means known in the art. Typical bonding means include adhesives, heat, pressure, static, magnetism, snaps, hook and loop fasteners and the like. The advantages of a diaper including a top sheet with openings and a spacing member 60 are significantly reduced if the opening 80 does not remain aligned with the user's anus and the hollow space 60 provided by the spacer 60 during the entire time of use ( or at least until the user has a bowel movement). Accordingly, the diaper 20 of the present invention is preferably provided with a means for maintaining the opening 80 in alignment with the wearer's anus. Preferably, the diaper 20 includes a topical adhesive or composition adhering to the core which acts to retain the opening 80 in place during use. As shown in Figure 2, the topical adhesive 90 can be located on top sheet 24. However, the adherent composition to the sheet 90 can also be integral with the sheet material 24 or another element of the absorbent article. it can be a separate material arranged directly or indirectly on all or any portion of the absorbent article. In addition, the composition adhering to the 90th string may be disposed on any portion of the absorbent article in any pattern or configuration including, but limited to lines, strips, dots, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the topical adhesive 90 is disposed on the top sheet 24 in a continuous ring around the opening 80. However, embodiments are contemplated wherein the topical adhesive 90 surrounds only a portion of the opening 80 and / or is arranged in locations not directly adjacent to the opening 80, such as around the edge of the topsheet 24, over the leg cuffs 32 or in one or both of the waist regions. Alternatively, the topical adhesive 90 may be disposed in the separator 60 itself. If this is done, the topical adhesive 90 may be on an exposed surface of the separator 60 or may be located below the aperture, slot or other crosslinked layer such that the topical adhesive 90 may be in contact with the user during use. . The composition adhering to the frame 90 may include any one or more substances capable of releasably adhering to the wearer's skin. In addition, the composition adhering to the 90th bar may be in the form of a gel, lotion, film, weft or the like. Examples of suitable body adhesion compositions include adhesives, gelatin, petrolatum, waxes such as silicone or petroleum waxes, oils such as silicone or petroleum-based oils, skin care compositions or ingredients thereof, as describes below and similar. Topical adhesives include, but are not limited to, hydrogel or hydrocolloid adhesives such as acrylic-based polymer adhesives, and the like.) Some illustrative hydrogel and / or hydrocolloid adhesives are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,231, 369; 4,593,053; 4,699,146; 4,738,257; and 5,726,250; each of which will be listed here by reference.) Topical adhesives can also include any "medical adhesive" that is compatible for use with biological tissue such as skin. Medical acrylic adhesives suitable for use as the adherent compositions of the code 80, include adhesives available from Adhesive Research, Inc., of Glen Rock, PA, under the designations MA-46, MA-312, high "MTTM" adhesive MVTR and AS-17. Rubber-based medical adhesives, such as SB-2 by Adhesive Research Inc. may also be suitable. Other illustrative adhesives include Dow Corning medical adhesive (type B) available from Dow Corning, Midland, Ml.; "ADHESIVE MEDICAL" from Hollister Inc., of Libertyville, IL; 3M Nos. 79, 76, 77 and 90 spray adhesives available from 3M Cof. from St. Paul, MN; and "MATISOL" liquid adhesive available from Femdale Laboratories of Femdale, Ml. Other medical adhesives are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,078,568; 4,140.1 15; 4,192,785; 4,393,080; 4,505,976; 4,551, 490; 4,768,503 and the polyacrylate and polymethacrylate hydrogel adhesives are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,614,586 and 5,674,275; the disclosure of each of which are incorporated by reference here. Yet another illustrative adhesive comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone and a multifunctional amine containing polymer is disclosed in WO 94/13235A1. (The disclosure of each of these references is disclosed here by reference.) Alternative means of adhesion to the subject that may be used in place of or in addition to those described above include static electricity, suction and the like. In any case, it is preferred that the composition adhering to the 90th coil allows the vapors to pass (i.e., breathable), be compatible with the skin and otherwise benevolent with the skin. Further, it is preferred that the 90-gauge adhesive be at least partially hydrophobic, preferably 60%, more preferably 80%, by weight of the adhesive consisting of hydrophobic components. However, hydrophilic adhesives are contemplated in certain embodiments of the present invention. In the preferred embodiments as described in the copending European Patent Applications Nos. 96120738.8, 97110730.5 and 97120336.9 (each of which will be incised by reference herein "), the removal of the adherent composition to the body from the skin is relatively painless. In these embodiments, the body adhesive or the adherent composition has an elastic modulus at a temperature of 37 ° C (100 ° Fahrenheit) abbreviated C'37 and a viscous modulus at a temperature of 37 ° C (100 ° Fahrenheit). of G "37. The adhesive also has a dynamic elastic behavior defined as? G'37 which is the difference of G'37 at a frequency of 100 rad / sec and G'37 at a frequency of 1 rad / sec and the dynamic viscous behavior? G ' 37 which is the difference of G "37 at a frequency of 100 rad / sec and G" 37 at a frequency of 1 rad / sec. In addition, the foamed adhesive preferably satisfies the following conditions.

G'37 (1 rad / sec) is within the range of about 1500 Pa to about 20,000 Pa, preferably from about 1500 Pa to about 15,000 Pa, most preferably from about 3000 Pa to about 10,000 Pa.

G "37 (rad / sec) is within the range of about 100 Pa to about 15,000 Pa, preferably from about 100 Pa to about 10,000 Pa, most preferably from 300 Pa to about 5,000 Pa.

The ratio of G'37 (1 rad / sec) / G "37 (1 rad / sec) is in the range of about 3 to about 30.

The ratio G'37 (100 rad / sec) - G "37 (100 rad / sec) G'37 (1 rad / sec) - G" 3 (1 rad / sec) is not less than about 0.5, preferably within range from about 0.7 to 3, most preferably within the range of from about 1 to about 1.8 Any proportion of? GVG (1 rad / sec) is not greater than about 1.5, preferably not greater than about 0.8, or? G'37 is not greater than about 10000 Pa, preferably less than 5000 Pa, most preferably less than about 2000 Pa, or both.

The value of the GVG 'ratio at least for the frequency range of about 1 rad / s to 100 rad / s should preferably be about 3.3 or more, more preferably about 5 or more, most preferably about 10 or more while which does not exceed about 50, preferably about 30, anywhere within the frequency range.

In order to obtain the desired characteristics, the composition adhering to the layer 90 can comprise: from 0.5 to 20%, preferably from 5% to 15%, by weight of a macromolecular polymer substance or a mixture of such substances soluble or capable of inflating in the plasticizer or plasticizer mentioned below. As non-limiting examples such macromolecular or polymeric substances can be natural and / or synthetic such as natural gums or derivatives such as natural gums and gelatins, their derivatives and alginates; polyacrylics; polyvinyl alcohol; polyethylene oxide; polyvinylpyrrolldone (PVP) or polyvinyl ethers, their copolymers and derivatives; cellulose derivatives; thermoplastic block copolymer elastomers and preferably styrenic block copolymers and more preferably the hydrogenated grades styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene (SEBS), styrene / isoprene / styrene (SIS), and styrene / ethylene-propylene / styrene (SEPS). In addition, the preferred body adhesive compositions may comprise from 45 to 99.5% by weight, preferably from 51 to 99.5% by weight, of a plasticizer substance or a mixture of plasticizing substances, which are liquid at room temperature. As non-limiting examples, the plasticizer can be water, various alcohols (such as in particular glycerol), glycols and their ethers, polyglycols, liquid polybutenes, esters such as phthalates, adipates, estiarates, palmitates, sebacates, or myristates, natural or synthetic oils such as vegetable oils, mineral oils, or combinations thereof. In addition, the foamed adhesive may include from 0% to 50% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0% to 600% by weight of the macromolecular polymeric substance, of a tackifier resin whose main scope is to tailor the Tg especially in systems based on synthetic polymers. Also the preferred-based adhesives may include from 0 to 10% and more preferably from 0 to 5% by weight of substances to facilitate and stabilize the gel and the gel-forming process of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic liquid plasticizers. These can be for oily systems, for example, the C8 to C22 fatty acids, their metal salts and the polyoxo derivatives; lanolin derivatives; silica, bentonite, montmorillonite and its derivatives; polyamides, waxes or mixtures thereof. Common adhesives are known in the art as preservatives, antioxidants, anti-ultraviolet rays, pigments, mineral fillers, theology modifiers and the like can also be understood in amounts of up to 10% each. Also, when chemical lattices are formed in the system, a crosslinking or crosslinking agent may preferably be present in amounts of up to 5% by weight. The chemical crosslinking can also be formed by mutual neutralization of polymers having different functionalities as in the reaction between polyacrylic acids and polysaccharides. Suitable skin care compositions that can be used as, with, or in place of the body adherent compositions include Category I assets as defined by U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Tentative Final Monograph on Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use, which currently includes: allantoin, aluminum hydroxide gel, calamine, cocoa butter, dimetlcona, liver oil cod (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 U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration's Final Tentative Monograph on Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use tentative final monograph on skin protectant drug products for over-the-counter human use, which currently include: derived from living yeast cells, aldioxa, aluminum acetate, microporous cellulose, cholecalciferol, colloidal oatmeal, cysteine hydrochloride, dexpantanol, Peruvian balsam oil, protein hydrolysates, racemethionine, sodium bicarbonate, vitamin A, and the like. Many of the skin care ingredients monographed by the FDA are currently used in commercially available skin care products, such as "A AND D" ointment, "VASELINE" petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointment "DESITIN" and daily care ointment, medicated powder for baby "GOLD BOND", healing ointment "AQUAPHOR", baby lotion "BABY MAGIC", baby cream "JOHNSON'S ULTRA SENSITIVE", baby lotion from Johnson, balm for lips, etc. Other suitable skin care compositions (e.g., lotions) 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 in U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191; each of these references being incorporated herein by reference. Skin care compositions also include (chemical stool modification agents), pH control agents, enzyme inhibitors, antimicrobials, odor absorbing agents (such as cyclodextrins or activated charcoal), or antimicrobials. Examples of the enzyme inhibitors include protease inhibitors (e.g., hexamidine derivatives), lipase inhibitors (e.g., triacetin), urease inhibitors, and the like. Citric acid is an example of a suitable proton donor pH control agent. In a preferred embodiment, a skin care composition comprising about 57% by weight of petrolatum, about 42% by weight of stearyl alcohol, and about 1% of aloe extract is applied to the top sheet 24 around the openings 80 at an added level of at least about 5 mg / cm2.

Example: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is an absorbent article as generally shown in Figure 2. The absorbent article is provided with a non-woven top sheet 24 (e.g., P-8 available from Veratec, Inc.) which it includes an elliptical opening 80 having an open area of approximately 17 cm2. (As used herein the term "open area" refers to a plan view area of the opening.) In a preferred embodiment, the opening 80 has a longitudinal dimension A of approximately 6 cm and a lateral dimension B of approximately 3.5 cm . The opening 80 is preferably located in approximately the area of the diaper 20 associated with the wearer's anus. A PG-70 layer of the adhesive 90 (available on a 1 mm thick open cell foam substrate by First Water Co., of Coventry, England) is applied to the top sheet 24 in the area immediately surrounding it. the opening 80 is approximately 1 mm thick and approximately 1.5 cm wide. The absorbent foam separator 60 is disposed between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 and is attached to the underlying structure (e.g., core 28) of the diaper 20 such that the hollow space 70 created by the separator 60 is aligned with the opening 80 in the upper sheet 24. The separator 60 has a "keyhole" geometry, as shown in Figure 4. In addition, the separator 60 has a thickness T of approximately 1.25 cm, a hollow space area of about 24 cm2, a width W of about 3.5 cm in the region corresponding approximately to the anus, and a hollow space volume of about 33 cm3. (As used herein, the term "hollow space area" means the plan view area of the hollow space 70. The hollow space volume as used herein is the volume of the hollow space created by the separator 60.) The hollow space 70 preferably has a length Y of about 8.4 cm and a width X of about 3.9 cm. The separator 60 preferably does not compress more than about 60%, more preferably 30% under a load of 1.0 psi when the separator 60 is in a dry state, and not more than about 60%, more preferably 30% under a load of 1.0 psi. when it gets wet or saturated (for example, with water). The separator 60 preferably includes an absorbent foam made of a water-in-oil emulsion of 16: 1, having a vitreous transition temperature of about 10 ° C, and having a compression of about 43% dry and about 32% on wet under an applied pressure of approximately 1.0 psi. The absorbent foam is die-cut into two layers of 0.625 cm thickness that have the "keyhole" shape shown in Figure 4. The two layers are then stacked on top of each other in such a way that the space hollow 70 of each layer is aligned. The walls 62 of the double layer foam separator 60 are preferably wrapped in strips of a nonwoven material (eg, P-8). At least a portion of the spacer 60 is attached to the absorbent core 28. (The spacer 60 may also be or alternately joined with another underlying element such as a sub-step, a secondary top sheet or the back sheet). It is also preferred that the spacer 60 be attached to the topsheet 24 along some or all of the perimeter of the spacer 65. This helps maintain the opening 80 in the topsheet 24 aligned with the hollow space 70 of the spacer 60 during the use. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the topsheet 24 may be configured to provide a cone structure 130 when used. As shown in Figure 6, the cone structure is formed when the top sheet is pulled away from the core until it is limited by a bond to an underlying layer, such as a secondary top sheet, the separator, the core or the back sheet. The cone structure 130 preferably has a height H (the height is defined as the distance above the side facing the backsheet of the separator to which the opening 80 of the topsheet 24 can be raised under a force of less than 100. grams when the diaper 20 is in a flat configuration). The height H should not be so large or the application can become difficult (i.e., the caregiver may have to take extra care or additional time to align the upper part of the cone 130 to the region of the source of the waste of the user) or in such a way that the cone 130 can fold back on itself during use and block the opening 80. Reverse, the height H should not be too small or there will not be enough volume in the cone 130 to handle any overflow from the hollow space 70 of the separator. A height H of between about 1.0 cm and about 10 cm is generally adequate. Preferably the height H is between about 2 cm and about 7 cm. Although the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, attempts are made in the appended claims to protect all these changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (13)

1. An absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region and a crotch region located between the first waist region and the second waist region, the absorbent article comprising: an upper sheet including a primary aperture for receiving waste fecal, a backsheet attached with at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent article characterized by: a separation member disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the separation member providing a hollow space within which the feces may be directed; and a composition adhering to the core disposed around at least a portion of the primary opening for adhering the top sheet of the absorbent article to the user during use.

The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the primary aperture has an area of between about 10 cm2 and about 50 cm2, preferably between about 15 cm2 and about 35 cm2.

3. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition adherent to the material includes a material selected from the following group: medical adhesives, hydrogel adhesives, gelatin, petrolatum, waxes, oils, care compositions of the skin.

4. The absolute article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the separating member has a hollow space volume of between about 10 and about 150 cm3, preferably between about 25 and about 75 cm3.

The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the separation member has a thickness of between about 0.5 and about 3 cm during use.

The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the separator is activated by one or more of the following; water, urine, feces, enzymes, a change in pH, a change in salt concentration or a change in temperature.

The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation member is attached to one or more of the following; the top sheet, the back sheet, the core or a sub-frame.

The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the separation member has a compression of about 1 psi or less than about 60 percent, preferably less than about 30 percent when measured in a dry state or where the separation member has a compression under about 1 psi less than about 60 percent, preferably less than about 30 percent when measured in a wet state.

The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the separation member compresses less under a pressure of about 1 psi when it is in a wet state that the separation member compresses under a pressure of about 1 psi in a been dry.

10. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet is impermeable adjacent to the opening in the topsheet. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet includes a multiplicity of secondary openings each having an area smaller than the area of the primary opening. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further including a sub-step disposed between the top sheet and the backsheet, the sub-step preferably including a material selected from the following group: open cell foams, closed cell foams, nonwoven webs, particles, bonded fiber filaments, and cellulose. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet provides a cone structure when a lifting force is applied adjacent to the primary opening, extending the cone structure from the primary opening to a location where the top sheet is attached to an underlying layer, the cone structure providing the separation between the top sheet and core to accept and store faecal material passing through the primary opening.