MXPA99005937A - Diaper with pleats for containment of liquid and solid waste - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an absorbent article that is comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing liquid and solid body exudates without leakage. The absorbent article may be a diaper that includes a backsheet layer, a substantially liquid-permeable liner layer, and an absorbent core located between the backsheet and the liner. The backsheet generally defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, and an intermediate waistband section, with the intermediate section interconnecting the front and rear waistband sections and disposed between laterally opposed side margins. The backsheet layer has at least one pleat adjacent each side margin that defines an expanded volume when the pleat expands,the expanded volume being greater than the volume when the pleat is unexpanded. The pleat is accessible to body exudates that pass through or around the absorbent core.

Description

DIAPER WITH FOLDINGS FOR SOLID WASTE AND LIQUID CONTAINMENT This application is a continuation of the serial application No. 08 / 779,990 filed on December 26, 1996.

The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, and more particularly to absorbent articles having a folded lower sheet to provide improved containment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Infants and other absorbent articles for individual incontinent uses such as diapers receive and contain urine and other exudates from the body. Such articles are intended to prevent exudates from the body from soiling, moistening, or otherwise contaminating clothes or other items, such as bedding that comes in contact with the wearer. The most common mode of failure for such products occurs when exudates from the body drain out of the cracks between the absorbent article and the user's leg or waist adjacent to the clothing because they are not immediately absorbed into the article. This is most evident with loose fecal matter, which is not easily absorbed by the absorbent article.

Several solutions to this problem have been proposed. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,490,148 discloses an oblong absorbent body having sidewall portions bent to form the side flaps. The edges of the lateral fins contain elastic to make contact with the crotch thighs of the crotch.

U.S. Patent No. 5,527,303 shows an incontinent pad having a lower leaflet with at least one fold that is glued with a soluble adhesive so that when the adhesive is wetted, the adhesive dissolves to allow the fold expand in conjunction with the absorbent core. A disadvantage of this absorbent article is that the liquid must first pass through the absorbent core before entering the fold if it does so at all. In addition, this absorbent article does not allow the passage of solid matter within the fold.

On the other hand, the present invention provides an absorbent article having an expandable bottom sheet for collecting liquid and solid matter without first having passed through the absorbent core. Where the present invention is in the form of a diaper, a particular advantage is that the hollow volume of the diaper is increased on the outer surface of the diaper rather than internally, which does not increase the crotch width. Importantly, because the void volume is increased on the outer surface, the space between the user and the absorbent core increases with a concomitant reduction in discomfort for the user. In addition, the presence of folds according to the present invention allows the containment of both the liquid and the solid material without unduly increasing the overall volume of the diaper.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper that is both thin and suitable for containing large volumes of liquid and solid body exudates without draining. While the present invention will be particularly described in the form of a diaper, one skilled in the art will appreciate that it can be advantageously used with incontinent briefs, diaper carriers, training briefs, and the like. The diaper has a front waist region, a back waist region and an intermediate region (or crotch) that interconnects the front and back waist regions and is positioned between the laterally opposite side margins. The diaper includes a liquid-permeable liner suitable for contact with the wearer's body, a lower sheet impervious to liquid, and an absorbent core positioned between the liner and the bottom sheet. The liner may completely surround the absorbent core or partially surround the part of the absorbent core facing the user.

In either case, the liner is preferably attached to the lower sheet.

Each side or lateral margin defines a leg opening. In one embodiment, an elastic member is connected to each side or the lateral margin of the diaper to provide the elasticized leg openings. A containment flap may be associated with the elastic member and is suitably located inwardly and towards the central portion of the diaper to provide additional containment of body exudates.

The lower sheet includes at least one fold located on one side and inward of each side margin so that the fold defines an expanded volume when the fold is expanded which is greater than the volume when the fold is not expanded. The fold is accessible to the fluid either by first passing through the absorbent core or by passing around the absorbent core.

Preferably, each fold extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis. More preferably, each fold extends essentially at the full longitudinal distance from the front waist region to the rear waist region. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each fold extends essentially at the full longitudinal distance from the front waist region to the rear waist region with the fold being adhered to the front and back waist regions and not adhered to the middle region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a diaper incorporation of the disposable absorbent article of the present invention with the diaper surface contacting the wearer facing.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the article of Figure 1 showing the fold in a folded or closed state. In this embodiment, the liner partially surrounds the part of the absorbent core facing the user's body and the absorbent core is located in the central part of the diaper between the folds.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the article of Figure 2 showing the fold in an open or expanded state.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the article of the present invention showing the fold in an open or expanded state. In this embodiment the absorbent structure extends essentially to the full lateral dimension of the diaper.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the article of the present invention showing the fold in an open or expanded state. In this embodiment, the liner completely surrounds the absorbent core.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the article of the present invention showing the fold in the closed state. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 2 except that the liner does not extend to the fold formed in the lower sheet until the fold is in the open or expanded state.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED INCORPORATIONS With reference to Figure 1, an absorbent article such as diaper 10 is shown with the surface of the diaper that makes contact with the wearer of the diaper. The diaper has a lateral axis or dimension in the transverse direction 12 and a longitudinal axis or dimension 14 in the longitudinal direction. The diaper 10 has laterally opposite side margins 16a and 16b, a front waistband region 20, a rear waistband region 22, and an intermediate or crotch region 24 that interconnects the front and back waistbands and is laterally positioned between the front and back halves. lateral margins. The waistbands are arranged to surround the front and back of the user's waist, and the middle part is intended to be placed between the user's legs. The waistbands can also have waist elastics 26.

The diaper comprises a liner essentially permeable to liquid 30, a bottom sheet layer impervious to liquid 40, an absorbent core 50 placed in the form of a sandwich between the liner and the bottom sheet. The lateral margins define the leg openings. In an embodiment shown in Figure 1, an elastic member 18 is provided in the region of each side margin to provide the gathered and stretched leg openings. A containment flap 19 may be associated with the elastic member. The liner, the bottom sheet, the absorbent structure, the elastic members 18 and 26, and the containment flaps 19 can be assembled in a variety of well-known diaper configurations. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the bottom sheet is provided with at least one fold adjacent to each side margin.

The liner 30 has a body facing surface 32 which is docile, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the user's skin and a garment facing surface 34 associated with the absorbent structure. Preferably, the liner is sufficiently porous to be permeable to the liquid, allowing the liquid to penetrate through its thickness. The liner is typically used to help insulate the user's skin from liquids maintained in the absorbent structure.

The lining fabrics can be composed of an essentially non-wettable and essentially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material can optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. A suitable liner can be made from a wide selection of fabric materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers. (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers) or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the lining. For example, the liner may be composed of a confused blown fabric or bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn. The liner can also be a bonded-carded fabric composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers.

An absorbent core, such as the absorbent structure 50, is positioned between the liner 30 and the bottom sheet 40 to form the diaper 10. The absorbent core has a construction which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body exudates. The absorbent structure may comprise a piece of integral and single material, or alternatively, may comprise a plurality of separate and individual pieces of material which are assembled together operably. Where the absorbent structure comprises a piece of essentially integral and unique material, the material may include the desired structural characteristics formed in selected spatial regions thereof. Where the absorbent structure comprises multiple pieces, the pieces can be configured as discrete layers or as other non-layered shapes and configurations. In addition, the individual pieces can be coextensive or non-coextensive, depending on the requirements of the product. It is preferred, however, that each of the individual pieces be arranged in an intimate and operable contact along at least a part of its boundaries, with at least one other adjacent piece of the absorbent structure. Preferably, each piece is connected to an adjacent part of the absorbent structure by means of a suitable fiber and / or bonding entanglement mechanism, such as ultrasonic or adhesive bonding, or mechanical or hydraulic entanglement.

The absorbent structure can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (for example, rectangular shape, trapezoidal shape, T shape, I shape), the hourglass shape, etc.) and a wide variety of materials. Absorbent article structures suitable for use with the present invention are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,192,606, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent (not in contradiction) with the same. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure must be compatible with the size of the intended user and the liquid load imparted by the intended use of the absorbent article.

Various types of hydrophilic and wettable fibrous material can be used to form the component parts of the absorbent structure. Examples of suitable fibers include naturally occurring organic fibers composed of intrinsically wettable material, such as cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers, inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers, synthetic fibers made of inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as fibers of particular polyester or polyamide; and synthetic fibers composed of a non-wettable thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene fibers, which have been hydrophilized through appropriate means. The fibers can be hydrophilized, for example, through treatment with silica, treatment with a material which has a suitable hydrophilic moiety and is not easily removable from the fiber, or by sheathing the hydrophobic fiber not wettable with a polymer. hydrophilic during or after fiber formation. For the purposes of the present invention, it is contemplated that mixtures selected from the various types of fibers mentioned above may also be employed.

The entire absorbent structure or any individual part thereof may be over wrapped in a wrapping fabric of high resistance to hydrophilic moisture, such as tissue of high moisture resistance or synthetic fibrous tissue. Such an overwrap fabric can also increase the integrity in the use of the absorbent structure. The fabric can be suitably attached, such as with adhesive, to the absorbent structure and to the other components of the product construction.

The lower sheet 40 may be composed of a liquid-permeable material, but preferably comprises a material which is configured to be essentially impermeable to liquids. For example, a typical bottom sheet may be fabricated from a thin plastic film, or "from another material impervious to flexible liquid." As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials which are compliant and which they will easily conform to the general shape and contours of the user's body.The lower sheet can help to prevent the exudates contained in the absorbent structure from wetting articles such as sheets and over-covers which make contact with the diaper.

The lower sheet may optionally be comprised of a microporous (breathable) material which allows the vapors to escape from the absorbent structure while still preventing liquid exudates from passing through the lower sheet. For example, the bottom breathable sheet may be composed of a microporous polymer film, a nonwoven fabric which has been coated or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability.

The size of the lower sheet is typically determined by the size of the absorbent structure and the exact diaper design selected. The lower sheet, for example, may have a T-shape generally, an I-shape generally, or a modified hourglass shape, and may extend beyond the terminal edges of the absorbent structure by a selected distance. Preferably, the lower sheet has an hourglass shape.

The liner and bottom sheet may be generally coextensive, and may have a length and width dimension that are generally larger than the corresponding dimensions of the absorbent structure. Alternatively, the liner may simply surround the absorbent structure while the lower sheet has a length and width dimension greater than the corresponding dimensions of the absorbent structure.

The liner 30 and the lower sheet 40 are connected or otherwise associated together in an operable manner. As used herein, the term "associated" encompasses configurations in which the liner is directly attached to the lower sheet by attaching the liner directly to the lower sheet and configurations wherein the liner is attached to the lower sheet by fixing the liner. lining the intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the lower leaf. As best seen in Figure 2, the liner and bottom sheet can be fixed directly to one another at the periphery of the diaper through the fastening means (not shown) such as an adhesive, sonic joints, thermal joints, or any other fastening means known in the art. For example, a continuous and uniform adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, a sprayed adhesive pattern or a line arrangement, swirls or separate adhesive construction points can be used to secure the liner to the lower sheet.

It should be readily appreciated that the joining means described above can also be used to interconnect and assemble together the various other component parts of the article described herein.

In an embodiment of the present invention best seen in FIG. 2, the liner 30 is positioned and secured in a front relationship with the lower sheet layer 40. The marginal side regions of the liner are operably connected to the corresponding marginal side regions of the liner. the lower sheet layer. Each of the marginal side regions of the liner and lower sheet layers is located laterally outwardly from the associated lateral edge region of the absorbent structure. In this embodiment, the liner partially surrounds the uppermost part of the absorbent structure, for example, the part of the absorbent structure facing the user. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liner contains a fold 36 extending inside the fold 42 formed in the lower sheet. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the liner partially surrounds the uppermost part of the absorbent structure but the liner fold 36 does not extend into the fold of the lower sheet 42 when the fold 42 is not expanded. When the fold 42 expands, the liner fold 36 will assume the configuration shown in Figure 2. Preferably, in these embodiments, the side edges of the absorbent structure 52a and 52b do not extend laterally beyond the innermost part of the fold. formed on the bottom sheet.

Further, in this embodiment where the absorbent structure does not extend beyond the innermost part of the fold, the filler material (not shown) can be incorporated in the sandwich-like folded area between the liner and the lower sheet. The filling material may include tissue, transmission material, superabsorbent or chemical material that can absorb and / or mix with the exudate from the body to absorb, eliminate odor or neutralize exudates from the body.

In another similar embodiment as best shown in Figure 4 the side edges of the absorbent structure can extend essentially from one side margin to the other side margin either along the entire longitudinal extent of the diaper or only in the front waistband regions And later. In either case, it may be preferable if the absorbent structure has a smaller thickness in the area between the innermost part of the fold and the outermost part of the fold so that the volume of the diaper is not unduly increased.

Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention best seen in FIG. 5, the liner completely surrounds the absorbent structure. In this embodiment, the liner is preferably associated with or attached to the lower sheet. More preferably, the liner is associated with the lower sheet only in the area between the innermost part of the folds.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention and as will be explained more fully below, it should be understood that in each of the embodiments mentioned above, leather exudates can access the folds directly (by passing around the absorbent structure) or indirectly (by passing through the absorbent structure). At least one fold 42 is provided in the lower sheet adjacent to each lateral margin. Alternatively, a plurality of folds can be provided on one side of each. lateral margin. Preferably, the folds extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the diaper along the entire length or a portion of the length of the diaper. More preferably, the folds extend along the entire length of the diaper. In this case, the part of the folds located in the region of the front and back waistband are glued or adhered so that they do not open, while the middle fold or crotch region is not adhered. Thus, the folds allow the lower sheet to expand outward from the wearer's body surface in the crotch region while maintaining a closed notch in the front and rear waistband regions and any runoff in those areas is prevented.

Preferably, the fold is located inwardly of the lateral margin and therefore the elastic member. By providing the fold at this location, liquid and solid body exudates do not require first passing through the absorbent structure before settling within the expanded volume defined by the expanded fold. Referring to Figures 3 and 5, it will be appreciated that exudates from the body may have a flow path through or around the absorbent structure.

The fold can be formed in any suitable way. For example, the liner and the lower sheet can be pre-folded with the folding boards using a machine or by hand. In this method, the diaper will assume a configuration essentially similar to that shown in Figure 6. Another method for forming the folds may include providing slits in the forming wire on which the lower sheet lies during processing. Therefore, after the absorbent structure and the liner have been placed on the lower sheet, a pushing object, such as a knife, can push the liner and the lower sheet through the slit to provide a diaper having one with Figure substantially similar to that shown in Figure 4. In yet another method, the liner and bottom sheet can be folded after the absorbent core has been sandwiched by the liner and bottom sheet to obtain a diaper configuration shown in Figure 2. Of course, other methods for providing creases is known to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastic member 18 is positioned along each of the longitudinal side edges 16a and 16b of the diaper. The elastic member 18 may be connected to either or both of the liner and lower sheet layers to provide the elasticized side margins of the diaper article, and may be arranged to pull and retain the diaper 10 against the wearer's legs. It does not matter where the elastic member is connected since it should be appreciated that in the intermediate region, the elastic member must be connected outwardly from the outermost part of the fold so that the fold can be fully expanded. The elastic waist members 26 may also be placed on one side of either or both of the end edges of the diaper 10 to provide the elasticated waistbands.

Preferably, the elastic members 18 and 26 are secured to the diaper in an elastically contractible condition so that in a configuration under normal tension, the elastic members effectively contract against the diaper. For example, the elastic members can be stretched and secured while the diaper is in an uncontracted condition. Alternatively, the diaper may be contracted, for example, by folding and the elastic members securing and connecting to the diaper while the elastic members are in a non-relaxed or undrawn condition. Still other means, such as a heat-shrunk elastic material, can be used to fold and shrink the garment.

The elastic members 18 can extend to the full length of the lower sheet. Alternatively, the elastic members may extend essentially along the entire length of the crotch region 24 or any other suitable length that provides the desired elasticity of contractable lines for the particular diaper design.

The elastic members 18 and 26 can have any of a multitude of configurations. For example, the width of the individual elastic members 18 can be varied from 0.25 millimeters (0.01 inches) to 25 millimeters (1.0 inches) or more. The elastic members may comprise several parallel or non-parallel threads of elastic material, or they may be applied in a rectilinear or curvilinear arrangement. Where the threads are not parallel, two or more of the threads may be intersected or otherwise interconnected with the elastic member. The elastic members can be attached to the diaper in any of several ways which are known in the art. For example, the elastic members can be ultrasonically bonded, sealed with heat and pressure using a variety of bonding patterns, or adhesively attached to the diaper with spray or hot melt swirl patterns or other types of adhesive.

In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the elastic member comprises a carrier sheet 70 to which is attached a grouped set of elastics composed of a plurality of individual elastic threads. The elastic threads can intersect or interconnect, or be interconnected or completely separated from each other. The carrier sheet shown can, for example, comprise a 0.002 cm thick film of non-etched polypropylene material. These elastic yarns shown can, for example, be composed of LYCRA elastomer available from DuPont. Each elastic yarn is typically within the range of about 602-1050 decitex (dtx). In addition, the elastic threads may be generally straight or optionally arched.

As noted above, the diaper may include elasticized containment flaps associated with or connected to either or both of the bottom sheet and the liner to provide an elasticized containment. As with the elastic member, the containment fin must, at least in the intermediate region, be connected outwardly from the outermost part of the fold so that the fold can be fully expanded. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the fins 19 are provided as part of a side carrier 70. The containment fins are located inwardly of the elastic members 18. The containment fins may be constructed of a fibrous material which is similar to the material that comprises the lining. Other conventional materials such as polymer films can also be used. In other aspects of the invention, the fins are constructed of a material which is permeable to gas, such as ambient air. The alternate configurations of the invention may include barrier fins which are constructed of a material which is resistant to a passage of aqueous liquid, such as urine, therethrough. For example, the fins may be constructed of a spunbond-melt-bonded spunbonded (SMS) laminated material.

Each containment fin includes a movable edge region 72 which may include one or more individual threads of elastomeric material. For example, a plurality of elastic yarns may be configured in a generally parallel and spatially separate array, and an elastic yarn may, for example, be composed of an LYCRA elastomer. The elastic is preferably connected to the movable edge of the containment flap in an elastically contractible condition so that the contraction of the elastic components thereof folds and shortens the edge of the containment flap. As a result of this, the movable edge of each containment flap tends to place itself in a spaced relationship outwardly from the side-to-body surfaces of the liner 32 towards a generally vertical and approximately perpendicular configuration, especially in the crotch section of the diaper. By providing a generally vertical and approximately perpendicular configuration, the fin operates in conjunction with the folds described above to provide a volume for the containment of liquid and solid body exudates.

The fastening means such as the adhesive tape fasteners 80 are typically applied to the rear waistband region 22 of the diaper 10 to provide a mechanism for holding the diaper on the wearer. The tape tab holders 80 may be any of those known in the art and are typically applied to the corners of the diaper 10. For example, adhesive fasteners, mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, boteroles, pins , or the buckles, can be used alone or in combination. In the configuration shown, the fasteners are a hook or male part of a hook and loop fastener, which are constructed to releasably adhere to a placement zone patch (not shown) attached to the front waistband section of the diaper for provide a restrainable fastening system. In the configuration shown, the placement zone patch comprises the curl or female part of a hook and loop fastener.

It should be understood that a wide range of changes and modifications can be made to the incorporations described above. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description should illustrate rather than limit this invention and that it is the following clauses, including all equivalents, that define this invention.

Claims (35)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a posterior waistband region and an intermediate region that interconnects the front and back waistband regions and placed between the laterally opposite side margins, the article It also includes: to. a liner permeable to liquid; b. a lower sheet impervious to liquid; c. an absorbent core positioned between the liner and the lower sheet, the absorbent core having an uninterrupted cross section and a first first and second side side edge; Y d. at least one fold adjacent to each side margin defining an expanded volume when the fold expands which is greater than the volume when the fold is not expanded and when the fold expands, the first and second side edges of the core Absorbent does not extend beyond the fold.

2. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that at least one fold extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

3. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that at least one fold extends essentially from the frontal waistband region to the posterior waistband region.

4. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that at least one fold is adhered in the front and rear waistband regions and not adhered in the middle region.

5. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the lower sheet includes a plurality of folds.

6. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the folds extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

7. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises a containment flap spaced inward from each lateral margin.

8. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the liner extends transversely to each lateral margin.

9. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the liner completely surrounds the absorbent core.

10. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the lower sheet has an hourglass shape with the narrow part located in the intermediate region.

11. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises the filling material located within the fold.

12. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises an elastic member connected to each lateral margin to provide elasticized leg openings.

13. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that each fold is formed in a lower sheet.

14. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 13, further characterized in that it comprises at least one fold formed on the liner.

15. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the article is placed on a user, the folds expand in a direction away from the user.

16. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a posterior waistband region and an intermediate region that interconnects the front and back waistband regions and placed between the laterally opposite side margins, the article It also includes: to. a liner permeable to liquid; b. a lower sheet impervious to liquid; c. an absorbent core placed between the liner and the lower sheet; d. at least one fold adjacent to each lateral margin defining an expanded volume when the fold expands which is greater than the volume when the fold is not expanded where at least one fold extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the frontal waistband region to the posterior waistband region and adheres to the frontal and posterior waistband regions and does not adhere to the middle region; Y and. a containment flap internally spaced from each lateral margin.

17. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 16, further characterized in that it comprises an elastic member connected to each lateral margin to provide elastic leg openings.

18. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that the lower sheet includes a plurality of folds.

19. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that each of the folds extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

20. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that the liner completely surrounds the absorbent core.

21. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that the lining is associated with the lower sheet only in the intermediate area.

22. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that the absorbent core has a first and second side side edge such that each fold is positioned externally from the side side edges.

23. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a posterior waistband region and an intermediate region that interconnects the front and back waistband regions and placed between the laterally opposite side margins, the article It also includes: to. a liner permeable to liquid; b. a lower sheet impervious to liquid; c. an absorbent core placed between the liner and the lower sheet wherein the liner completely surrounds the core; Y d. at least one fold adjacent to each lateral margin defining an expanded volume when the fold expands which is greater than the volume when the fold is not expanded, wherein at least one fold extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis longitudinal of the frontal waistband region to the posterior waistband region and adheres to the frontal and posterior waistband regions and does not adhere to the middle region.

24. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the absorbent core has a first and second side side edge so that each fold is positioned externally from the side side edges.

25. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a posterior waistband region and an intermediate region that interconnects the front and back waistband regions and placed between the laterally opposite side margins, the article It also includes: a. a liquid permeable liner associated with the lower sheet only in the intermediate region; b. a liquid impermeable bottom sheet having at least one fold adjacent to each lateral margin defining an expanded volume when the fold expands which is greater than the volume when the fold is not expanded, wherein at least one fold is extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frontal waistband region to the posterior waistband region and adheres to the frontal and posterior waistband regions and does not adhere to the middle region; Y c. an absorbent core positioned between the liner and the bottom sheet and having an uninterrupted cross section and a first and second side side edge where the liner completely surrounds the core and when the folds expand the first and second side side edges they do not extend beyond the folds.

26. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a posterior waistband region and an intermediate region that interconnects the front and back waistband regions and placed between the laterally opposite side margins, the article comprises: a. a liner permeable to liquid; b. a lower sheet impervious to liquid; c. an absorbent core placed between the liner and the lower sheet, the absorbent core having the outer edges extending longitudinally opposite placed transversely within the lateral margins; Y d. at least one adjacent expandable fold to each lateral margin positioned transversely outside of an adjacent portion of one of the corresponding absorbent core outer edges, the crease has an initial drying and the unexpanded condition wherein the opposite inner surfaces of the fold define a Minimum volume and not adhered to another in the intermediate region, the expansion of the fold provides an increased fold volume between the opposite inner surfaces.

27. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 26, further characterized in that it comprises at least two containment fins, one of the fins being placed between each of the folds and the adjacent lateral margin.

28. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that the liner completely surrounds the absorbent core.

29. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that the lining is attached to the lower sheet between at least one fold and the longitudinal example.

30. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a posterior waistband region and an intermediate region that interconnects the front and back waistband regions and placed between the laterally opposite side margins, the article includes: a liner permeable to liquid; an absorbent core placed between the liner and the lower sheet; Y At least one fold placed adjacent to one of the lateral margins, at least one fold begins to be defined by a first fold layer formed in the liner and a second fold layer formed in the bottom sheet, wherein the first layer of The crease is positioned outside the second crease layer in an initial unexpanded condition and the first crease layer is positioned within the second crease layer after the crease expansion.

31. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the first and second fold layers are positioned transversely outside a longitudinal edge of the absorbent core in the intermediate region.

32. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a posterior waistband region and an intermediate region that interconnects the front and back waistband regions and placed between the laterally opposite side margins, the article includes: a liquid permeable liner defining an exposed inner surface of the absorbent article; a lower sheet impervious to liquid, the lower sheet has a lateral width greater than the liner; an absorbent core positioned between the liner and the lower sheet, the absorbent core has exterior edges extending longitudinally inwardly from the lateral margins; Y a fold positioned between the lateral margin and the outer edge of the absorbent core on each lateral side of the absorbent article, each of the folds positioned transversely outside the liner.

33. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the liner surrounds the absorbent core in at least a portion of the intermediate region.

34. The disposable absorbent article as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the liner is attached to the lower sheet in a placement between the folds.

35. A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a frontal waistband region, a waistband region posterior, and an intermediate region interconnecting the front and back waistband regions and positioned between the laterally opposite side margins, the article includes: a liner permeable to liquid; a lower sheet impervious to liquid; at least one fold placed adjacent to one of the side margins, at least one fold being defined by a first fold layer formed in the liner and a second fold layer formed in the bottom sheet; Y an absorbent structure positioned between the liner and the lower sheet wherein the first part of the absorbent structure is positioned transversely internally of at least one fold, a second part of the absorbent structure is positioned transversely outside of at least one fold and one third part of the absorbent structure is placed between the first and second fold layers and interconnects the first and second parts of the absorbent structure, said third part of the absorbent structure being thinner than the first and second parts of the absorbent structure. SUMMARY The present invention provides an absorbent article that is comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing exudates from the body liquid and solid without dripping. The absorbent article may be a diaper that includes a bottom sheet layer, a liner layer substantially liquid permeable, and an absorbent core located between the bottom sheet and the liner. The lower sheet generally defines a front waistband section, a back waistband section, and an intermediate waistband section, with the middle section interconnecting the front and back waistband sections and positioned between the laterally opposite side margins. The lower sheet layer has at least one fold adjacent to each lateral margin defining an expanded volume when the fold expands, the expanded volume being greater than the volume when the fold is not expanded. The fold is accessible to exudates from the body that pass through or around the absorbent core.