RU2744367C1 - Absorbing element containing x-shaped reduced absorbing section and absorbing products containing such element - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: absorbents.

SUBSTANCE: description of absorbent elements comprising a reduced absorbent section. The reduced absorbent section may contain less absorbent material than the adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may comprise a rear flared section containing a first protruding element and a second protruding element. The reduced absorbent section may comprise a front flared section with a third protruding element and a fourth protruding element. The reduced absorbent section may also include an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section.

EFFECT: reduced costs and materials of the inner absorbing section.

20 cl, 9 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to absorbent elements. More specifically, the present invention relates to absorbent elements used in absorbent articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary function of personal care absorbent articles is to absorb and contain bodily fluids such as urine, feces, blood and menses, while additional desirable characteristics include low leakage of secretions from the absorbent article and a feeling of dryness in the wearer of the absorbent article. By preventing leakage of secretions from the absorbent article, the absorbent article is designed to prevent the wearer's or caregiver's clothing or other articles such as bedding that may come in contact with the wearer from getting dirty or contaminated with bodily secretions.

However, the bulkiness of absorbent wet and dry absorbent articles can be a problem for the wearer. Infants, children and adults may experience discomfort when standing, sitting and moving in an absorbent article, especially an absorbent article having an absorbent body that is swollen due to the retention of bodily secretions. This is especially true for infants and toddlers who wear diapers and panty diapers with absorbent elements that may exceed their natural crotch width (~ 3 cm).

Attempts to reduce the volume of this crotch area have included narrower pads, thinner pads, and more flexible pads. All three of these designs, however, have limitations, including potential leaks and other negative consequences in overall absorbency. Tapering the absorbent body too close to the natural crotch width can significantly reduce the absorbency of the absorbent body. In addition, thinner and / or more flexible pads can also reduce absorbency or can increase material and / or manufacturing costs due to the use of advanced manufacturing materials to displace the used material. Increased costs such as these can place restrictions on business activities.

Thus, there is a need for improved absorbent members that provide increased flexibility and / or movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the absorbent body may have a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent body may contain absorbent material. The absorbent body may also include a front end edge and a rear end edge. The rear end edge may be opposite to the front end edge. The longitudinal axis can pass through the front end edge and the rear end edge. The absorbent body can also comprise a pair of longitudinal side edges. The absorbent body may further comprise a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may comprise a rear flared section containing a first protruding element and a second protruding element. The first projecting member may include a first proximal end and a first distal end. The second projecting member may include a second proximal end and a second distal end. The first protruding element may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The first projecting element and the second projecting element may be configured such that the lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first projecting element and the second proximal end of the second projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first projecting element and the second distal end of the second projecting element. The reduced absorbent section may also include a front flared section containing a third projecting element and a fourth projecting element. The third projecting member may include a third proximal end and a third distal end. The fourth projecting member may include a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end. The third projecting element may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The third projecting element and the fourth projecting element may be configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element. The reduced absorbent section may further comprise an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section. The intermediate section can connect the rear flared section to the front flared section.

In another embodiment, the absorbent body may have a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent body may contain absorbent material. The absorbent body may also include a front end edge and a rear end edge. The rear end edge may be opposite to the front end edge. The longitudinal axis can pass through the front end edge and the rear end edge. The absorbent body can also comprise a pair of longitudinal side edges. The absorbent body may further comprise a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may comprise a rear flared section containing a first protruding element and a second protruding element. The first projecting member may include a first proximal end and a first distal end. The second projecting member may include a second proximal end and a second distal end. The first protruding element may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The first projecting element and the second projecting element may be configured such that the lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first projecting element and the second proximal end of the second projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first projecting element and the second distal end of the second projecting element. The reduced absorbent section may also include a front flared section containing a third projecting element and a fourth projecting element. The third projecting member may include a third proximal end and a third distal end. The fourth projecting member may include a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end. The third projecting element may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The third projecting element and the fourth projecting element may be configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element. The rear flare section and the front flare section can be connected.

In yet another embodiment, the absorbent article may have a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The absorbent article may also comprise a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent member. The absorbent body may comprise an absorbent material and may be positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The absorbent member may include a front end edge and a rear end edge. The rear end edge may be opposite to the front end edge. The longitudinal axis can pass through the front end edge and the rear end edge. The absorbent body can also comprise a pair of longitudinal side edges. The absorbent body may further comprise a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may comprise a rear flared section containing a first protruding element and a second protruding element. The first projecting member may include a first proximal end and a first distal end. The second projecting member may include a second proximal end and a second distal end. The first protruding element may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The first projecting element and the second projecting element may be configured such that the lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first projecting element and the second proximal end of the second projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first projecting element and the second distal end of the second projecting element. The reduced absorbent section may also include a front flared section containing a third projecting element and a fourth projecting element. The third projecting member may include a third proximal end and a third distal end. The fourth projecting member may include a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end. The third projecting element may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The third projecting element and the fourth projecting element may be configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element. The reduced absorbent section can be configured such that the transverse axis of the absorbent article passes through at least a portion of the reduced absorbent section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPHIC MATERIALS

A complete and sufficient description of the present invention, intended for a person skilled in the art, is set forth below, more specifically, in the rest of the description, in which reference is made to the appended figures, which represent the following:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article, such as a diaper, in a fastened state.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1, stretched, horizontally laid and unbuttoned.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the absorbent member of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3A is a detailed view of a portion of a reduced absorbent section in the absorbent body of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but which includes an alternative embodiment of an absorbent body comprising two layers.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternative absorbent body.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another alternative absorbent element.

FIG. 7 is a top view of yet another alternative absorbent element.

The repeated use of reference numbers in the present description and in the drawings is intended to represent the same or similar features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention generally relates to an absorbent article 10 comprising an absorbent member 34 comprising a reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 can provide increased flexibility and / or movement for of the absorbent member 34 when the wearer moves in the absorbent article 10, and thus a more flexible, comfortable absorbent article 10. Each example is provided by way of explanation and is not intended to be limiting. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment or figure may be used in relation to another embodiment or figure to provide yet another embodiment. It is assumed that such modifications and changes are included in the present invention. Additionally, the features described below with respect to the reduced absorbent section 70 shown in FIG. 1-4A are also applicable to alternative embodiments of the reduced absorbent sections 170, 270, 370 of FIG. 5, 6 and 7, respectively, unless otherwise indicated herein.

When representing the elements of the present invention or their preferred embodiment (s), the use of the terms in the singular or plural, as well as with an indication of their definiteness and after the definition of "specified" implies that there are one or more elements. The words “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be encompassing and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Many modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

Definitions:

The term "absorbent article" in this document refers to an article that can be placed close to or near the body of the wearer (ie, in contact with the body) to absorb and contain various liquid, solid and semi-solid excretions from the body. Absorbent articles such as those described in this document should be discarded after a limited period of use and not washed or otherwise reclaimed for reuse. It is to be understood that this disclosure applies to a variety of disposable absorbent articles, including, but not limited to, diapers, diapers, panties for potty training, teenage panties, swimming trunks, feminine hygiene products, including but not limited to panty liners or menstruation panties. , incontinence products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal hygiene or medical garments, and the like, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term "absorbent layer" as used herein refers to a layer capable of receiving and temporarily retaining body fluids to slow and disperse a stream or stream of body fluids and subsequently release body fluids therefrom into another layer or layers of an absorbent article.

The term "connected" or "connected" as used herein refers to the joining, adhering, joining, bonding, or the like of two elements. Two elements will be considered connected or connected together if they are articulated, glued, connected, fastened or the like directly to each other or indirectly to each other, for example, if each is directly connected to intermediate elements. The binding or connection of one element to another can occur through continuous or discontinuous links.

The term "carded web" as used herein refers to a web containing natural or synthetic fibers with staple lengths, typically having fiber lengths of less than about 100 mm. Bundles of staple fibers can be loosened to separate the fibers, which are then carded, in which the fibers are separated and combed to align them in the machine direction, after which the fibers are deposited on a moving wire for further processing. Such webs are usually subjected to some kind of bonding process, such as heat sealing using heat and / or pressure. In addition, or instead, the fibers can be subjected to bonding processes to bond the fibers together, for example by using powdered adhesives. The carded web can be jet-bonded, such as water-jet bonded, to further entangle the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Carded webs, due to the alignment of the fibers in the machine direction, after bonding, as a rule, will have a strength in the machine direction in excess of the strength in the transverse direction.

The term "film" as used herein refers to a thermoplastic film made using an extrusion and / or forming process, such as a cast film or blown film. The term includes apertured films, films cut into narrow ribbons, and other porous films that make up fluid transfer films, as well as films that do not transfer fluids, such as, without exception, barrier films, filled films, permeable films and oriented films. films.

The term "gsm" in this document refers to grams per square meter.

The term "hydrophilic" in this document refers to fibers or fiber surfaces that are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of materials, in turn, can be described in relation to the contact angles and surface tension of the applied fluids and materials. Equipment and methods suitable for measuring the wettability of specific fibrous materials or mixtures of fibrous materials can be provided by the Cahn SFA-222 Surface Tension Analysis System or a generally equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibers with contact angles less than 90 degrees mean wettable or hydrophilic, and fibers with contact angles greater than 90 degrees mean non-wettable or hydrophobic.

The term "liquid impermeable" as used herein refers to a layer or laminate in which bodily fluid, such as urine, will not pass through the layer or laminate under normal conditions of use in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate. at the point of contact with the liquid.

The term "liquid-permeable" as used herein refers to any material that is not liquid-impermeable.

The term "meltblown" in this document refers to fibers obtained by extrusion through a plurality of small, usually circular, die orifices of molten thermoplastic material in the form of filaments or filaments from the melt into converging high-speed streams of heated gas (eg, air) that reduce the thickness of the filaments from molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which can be the diameter of the microfiber. The meltblown fibers are then transported by the high velocity gas flow and deposited on the collecting surface to form a web of randomly distributed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers that can be continuous or discontinuous, generally have a filament thickness of less than about 0.6 denier, and can be sticky and self-bonding when deposited onto a collecting surface.

The term "nonwoven fabric" in this document refers to fabrics and webs from a fabric that are obtained without the use of a process of weaving or knitting fabric. Materials and webs of materials can have a structure of discrete fibers, filaments or filaments (collectively referred to as "fibers"), which can be interleaved, but not in a recognizable manner, as in a knitted fabric. Nonwovens or webs can be formed by many methods, such as, but not limited to, meltblown methods, spunbond methods, carded webs, etc.

The term "malleable" as used herein refers to materials that are deformable and that will easily conform to the overall shape and contours of the wearer's garment.

The term "spunbond" in this document refers to fibers of small diameter that are obtained by extrusion of molten thermoplastic material in the form of filaments through a plurality of fine holes of a spinneret for the production of artificial fibers, made in a circular or other shape, the diameter of the extruded filaments then rapidly reduced. conventional method, such as, for example, ejector drawing, and the methods described in US patent No. 4,340,563 issued to Appel et al., in US patent No. 3,692,618 issued to Dorschner et al., in US patent No. 3,802,817 issued to Matsuki et al. US Pat. Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, US Pat. No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, US Pat. No. 3,502,538 to Peterson, and US Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which is incorporated herein the document in its entirety by reference. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often have average denier thicknesses of greater than about 0.3, and in one embodiment, from about 0.6, 5, and 10 to about 15, 20, and 40. Spunbond fibers are generally non-tacky when deposited on a collecting surface.

The term "superabsorbent" as used herein refers to a water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight under most favorable conditions and, in one embodiment, at least about 30 times its weight. its weight, in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride. Superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers.

The term "thermoplastic" as used herein refers to a material that softens and can be shaped when exposed to heat, and which substantially returns to a non-softened state upon cooling.

The term "user" or "caregiver" as used herein refers to someone who wears an absorbent article such as, but not limited to, a diaper, diaper pants, potty training pants, teenage pants, incontinence product , or another absorbent article on the wearer of one of these absorbent articles. The user and the wearer can be the same person.

Absorbent article:

FIG. 1 and 2 show a non-limiting view of an absorbent article 10, for example in the form of a diaper. Other embodiments of the absorbent article may include potty training pants, teenage pants, adult incontinence garments, and feminine hygiene products. While the embodiments and illustrations described herein may generally be applicable to absorbent articles manufactured in the longitudinal direction of the product, what is hereinafter referred to as product manufacturing in the product direction, it should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art technicians will be able to apply the information provided herein in relation to absorbent articles made in the cross direction of the product, which is hereinafter referred to as making the product in the cross direction, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The absorbent article 10 shown in FIG. 1 and 2 may comprise a body 11. The absorbent article 10 may comprise a front waist region 12, a back waist region 14 and a crotch region 16 located between the front waist region 12 and the rear waist region 14 and connecting the front and back waist regions 12, 14 respectively. The front waist region 12 may be referred to as the front end region, the rear waist region 14 may be referred to as the rear end region, and the crotch region 16 may be referred to as the intermediate region.

As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 10 may have a pair of longitudinal side edges 18, 20 and a pair of opposite waist edges, respectively indicated by a front waist edge 22 and a back waist edge 24. The front waist region 12 may be adjacent to the front waist edge 22 and the rear waist region 14 may be adjacent to the rear waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend from the front waist edge 22 to the rear waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 along their entire length, such as, for example, in the case of the absorbent article 10 shown in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may be curved between the front waist edge 22 and the rear waist edge 24.

The front waist region 12 may include a portion of the absorbent article 10 that, when worn, is located at least partially on the front side of the wearer, while the back waist region 14 may include a portion of the absorbent article 10 that, when worn, is located at least partially on the back side wearer. The crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10 may include a portion of the absorbent article 10 that, when worn, is located between the legs of the wearer and may partially cover the lower torso of the wearer. The waist edges 22 and 24 of the absorbent article 10 are configured to enclose the wearer's waist and together form a central waist opening 23 (as indicated in FIG. 1) of the wearer. Portions of the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 in the crotch region 16 may generally form leg openings of the wearer when the absorbent article 10 is worn.

The absorbent article 10 may include an outer cover 26 and a bodyside liner 28. The outer cover 26 and a body liner 28 may form part of the base 11. In one embodiment, the body liner 28 may be bonded to the outer cover 26 by layering by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, types of adhesives, ultrasonic bonded bonds, heat sealed bonds, pressure bonds, or other conventional techniques. The outer cover 26 may have a length in the longitudinal direction 30 and a width in the lateral direction 32, which, according to the illustrated embodiment, may be the same as the length and width of the absorbent article 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 10 may have a longitudinal axis 29 extending in the longitudinal direction 30 and a transverse axis 31 extending in the lateral direction 32.

The body 11 may comprise an absorbent member 34. The absorbent member 34 may be positioned between the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28. The absorbent member 34 may have a pair of longitudinal side edges 36 and 38, which in an embodiment may form part of the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 of the absorbent article 10, respectively. The absorbent member 34 may have a first end edge 40 opposite the second end edge 42, respectively, which in an embodiment may form portions of the waist edges 22 and 24 of the absorbent article 10, respectively. In some embodiments, the first end edge 40 may be at the front waist edge 12 and may be referred to as the front end edge 40 of the absorbent 34. In some embodiments, the second end edge 42 may be in the rear waist region 14 and may be referred to as the rear end edge 42 of the absorbent element 34. In one embodiment, the absorbent element 34 may have a length and width that are equal to or less than the length and width of the absorbent article 10. The bodyside liner 28, outer cover 26, and absorbent element 34 may form part of the absorbent assembly 44. Absorbent assembly 44 may also comprise a fluid transfer layer 46 (shown in FIG. 4) and a fluid acquisition layer 48 (shown in FIG. 4) between the bodyside liner 28 and the absorbent 34. In some embodiments, if a transfer is present fluid layer 46, then absorbing and the second layer 48 may be sandwiched between the bodyside liner 28 and the fluid transfer layer 46, as is known in the art. The absorbent assembly 44 may also include a release layer (not shown) located between the absorbent member 34 and the outer cover 26, as is known in the art. The absorbent assembly 44 may contain other components in some embodiments. It is also contemplated that some embodiments may not comprise a fluid transfer layer 46 and / or an acquisition layer 48 and / or a spacer layer.

The absorbent article 10 may be configured to contain and / or absorb liquid, solid, and semi-liquid bodily secretions from the wearer. In some embodiments, a pair of sealed flaps 50, 52 may be configured to provide a barrier against lateral spreading of bodily secretions. In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10 may include a waist seal 54. The waist seal 54 may be located in the rear waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10. Although not shown, it is contemplated that the waist seal 54 may additionally or alternatively be located in the front waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10.

The absorbent article 10 may further comprise leg elastic members 60, 62 known to those skilled in the art. Leg elastic 60, 62 may be attached to the outer cover 26 and / or bodyside liner 28 along opposing longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 and are located in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10. Leg elastic 60, 62 may be are parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 as shown in FIG. 2, or can be curved as is known in the art. Leg elastic members 60, 62 may include elasticated leg cuffs.

Additional details regarding each of these elements of the absorbent article 10 described herein can be found below by referring to Figures 1-7.

Outer cover

The outer cover 26 and / or portions thereof may be breathable and / or liquid impermeable. The outer cover 26 and / or portions thereof may be elastic, extensible, or non-extensible. Outer cover 26 can be made of a single layer, multiple layers, laminates, spunbond textiles, films, meltblown textiles, stretch mesh, microporous webs, bonded carded webs, or foams made from elastomeric or polymeric materials. In one embodiment, for example, the outer cover 26 can be formed from a microporous polymer film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be a single layer of a liquid impermeable material such as a plastic film. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may preferably be extensible and more preferably elastic in at least the lateral direction 32 of the absorbent article 10, 410. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be stretchable and more preferably elastic, as in the transverse 32. and in the longitudinal 30 directions. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be a multilayer laminate in which at least one of the layers is liquid impermeable. In some embodiments, outer cover 26 may have a two-layer structure comprising an outer layer 26a and an inner layer 26b (each shown in FIG. 4) that can be bonded together, for example, with a laminate adhesive. Suitable laminate adhesives can be applied continuously or intermittently as droplets, sprays, parallel spirals, etc., but it should be understood that the inner layer can be bonded to the outer layer by other bonding methods, including but not limited to , with the help of ultrasonic bonded bonds, heat sealed bonds, pressure formed bonds, etc.

The outer layer 26a of the outer cover 26 may be of any suitable material and may be such that the wearer sees an overall fabric-like texture or appearance. An example of such a material would be 100% polypropylene diamond bonded carded web available from Sandler A.G., Germany, for example Sawabond 4185®, 30 g / m2 or equivalent. Another example of a material suitable for use as the outer layer 26a of the outer cover 26 may be a 20 gsm spunbond polypropylene nonwoven fabric. The outer layer 26a can also be made from the same materials from which the bodyside liner 28 can be made, as described herein.

The liquid impermeable inner layer 26b of the outer cover 26 (or the liquid impermeable outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure) can be either vapor permeable (ie, "air permeable") or vapor impermeable. The liquid impermeable inner layer 26b (or the liquid impermeable outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure) can be made from a thin plastic film. The liquid impermeable inner layer 26b (or the liquid impermeable outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure) can prevent bodily fluids from flowing out of the absorbent article 10 and from getting wet items such as bed sheets and clothing, as well as the wearer and the face. caregiver.

In some embodiments, implementation in which the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure, it can be embossed and / or matte finish to obtain a more fabric-like texture or appearance. The outer cover 26 can allow vapors to escape from the absorbent article 10 while preventing the passage of liquids. A suitable liquid impermeable, vapor permeable material can be comprised of a microporous polymer film or nonwoven material that has been coated or otherwise treated to provide the desired level of liquid impermeability.

Absorbent element:

The absorbent member 34 can preferably be configured to be generally compressible, conformal, malleable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids. The absorbent body 34 can be made in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass-shaped, etc.), as well as from a wide variety of materials. The size and absorbency of the absorbent body 34 should be appropriate for the intended wearer (infants to adults) and the volume of fluid delivered by the intended use of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent body 34 can have a length and width that can be less than or equal to the length and width of the absorbent article. 10. The absorbent member 34 may have a longitudinal axis 35 and a lateral axis 37. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent member 34 may be collinear with respect to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent member 34 may be collinear with respect to the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10, as shown in FIG. 2. However, it is contemplated that the longitudinal axis 35 and / or the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent 34 need not be collinear (or even parallel) with respect to the corresponding longitudinal axis 29 and / or the transverse axis 31 of the absorbent article 10. The longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent 34 may pass through the front end edge 40 of the absorbent body 34 and the rear end edge 42 of the absorbent body 34.

The absorbent element 34 contains absorbent material. In one embodiment, the absorbent element 34 may be composed of a web material of hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp fibers), natural fibers, synthetic fibers, sheets of woven or nonwoven fabric, gauze-like mesh or other stabilizing structures, superabsorbent material , binders, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents or the like, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the absorbent element 34 can be a matrix of cellulose fluff and superabsorbent material. In one embodiment, the absorbent member 34 may be formed from a single layer of materials, or alternatively may be formed from two or more layers of materials (as will be described below with respect to FIG. 4A).

Various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibers can be used in the absorbent element 34. Examples of suitable fibers include natural fibers, 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 from naturally wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as specific polyester or polyamide fibers, or composed of non-wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as polyolefin fibers that have been hydrophilized by suitable means. The fibers can be hydrophilized, for example, by treatment with a surfactant, treatment with silica gel, treatment with a material that has a suitable hydrophilic moiety and cannot be easily removed from the fiber, or by coating a non-wettable hydrophobic fiber with a hydrophilic polymer sheath during or after fiber formation. him. Suitable superabsorbent materials can be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. The superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may be free of superabsorbent material.

With a release layer, the absorbent element 34 can be positioned on the release layer and positioned over the outer cover 26. The release layer can be bonded to the outer cover 26, for example with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the release layer may be omitted and the absorbent member 34 may be in direct contact with the outer cover 26 and may be directly bonded to the outer cover 26. However, it should be understood that the absorbent member 34 may contact, but not be associated with, the outer cover. coating 26, and remain within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be composed of a single layer and the absorbent member 34 can contact one layer of the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the layer, such as, but not limited to, the fluid transfer layer 46 and / or a release layer may be located between the absorbent 34 and the outer cover 26. The absorbent 34 may be associated with a fluid transfer layer 46 and / or a release layer.

As best shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the absorbent body 34 may include a reduced absorbent section 70. The reduced absorbent section 70 may contain less absorbent material than the adjacent section 71 of the absorbent body 34. In some embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may comprise a rear flare section 72 and a front flare section 74. In preferred embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may also include an intermediate section 76. The intermediate section 76 may be positioned between the rear expanding section 72 and the front expanding section 74. In some embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be formed as a whole at "X -shaped "form, which will become apparent from the further description below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear flared section 72 may include a first protruding member 78 and a second protruding member 80. The first protruding member 78 may include a proximal end 78a and a distal end 78b. The second projecting member 80 may include a proximal end 80a and a distal end 80b. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end 78b of the first projection 78 and the distal end 80b of the second projection 80 may be rounded as shown in FIG. 3. However, it is contemplated that the distal ends 78b, 80b of the first and second projecting members 78, 80, respectively, may be formed in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first projecting member 78 may be on the first side 35a of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent member 34. The second projecting member 80 may be on the second side 35b of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent member 34. The first projecting member 78 and the second projecting member 80 may be configured such that the lateral distance between the proximal end 78a of the first projection 78 and the proximal end 80a of the second projection 80 is less than the lateral distance between the distal end 78b of the first projection 78 and the distal end 80b of the second projection 80 (lateral distances are measured in a direction parallel to the transverse axis 37 of the absorbent 34). In other words, the first protruding member 78 and the second protruding member 80 may be generally configured to deviate from each other as the protruding members 78, 80 extend from their respective proximal ends 78a, 80a towards their respective distal ends 78b, 80b.

The front flared section 74 may include a third protruding member 82 and a fourth protruding member 84. The third protruding member 82 may include a proximal end 82a and a distal end 82b. The fourth projecting member 84 may include a proximal end 84a and a distal end 84b. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end 82b of the third projection 82 and the distal end 84b of the fourth projection 84 may be rounded as shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated, however, that the distal ends 82b, 84b of the third and fourth projecting members 82, 84, respectively, may be formed in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. The third projecting member 82 may be located on the first side 35a of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent member 34. The fourth projecting member 84 may be located on the second side 35b of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent member 34. The third projecting member 82 and the fourth projecting member 84 may be configured such that the lateral distance between the proximal end 82a of the third projection 82 and the proximal end 84a of the fourth projection 84 is less than the lateral distance between the distal end 82b of the third projection 82 and the distal end 84b of the fourth projection 84 (lateral distances are measured in a direction parallel to the transverse axis 37 of the absorbent 34). In other words, the third projecting element 82 and the fourth projecting element 84 may be generally configured to deviate from each other as the projecting elements 82, 84 extend from their respective proximal ends 82a, 84a towards their respective distal ends 82b, 84b.

The reduced absorbent section 70 may have a length L and a width W. As shown in FIG. 2, the length L can be measured as the largest dimension of the reduced absorbent section 70 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34. Length L may vary depending on the size of the absorbent body 34, but in some embodiments may range from about 50 mm to about 500 mm, and more preferably from about 75 mm to about 400 mm, and even more preferably from about 100 mm to about 350 mm. The width W can be measured as the largest dimension of the reduced absorbent section 70 in a direction parallel to the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent member 34. The width W may vary depending on the size of the absorbent member 34, but in some embodiments, the width W may range from about 20 mm to about 500 mm, and more preferably from about 25 mm to about 100 mm, and even more preferably from about 30 mm to about 75 mm.

As shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-3, one or more of the first protruding element 78, the second protruding element 80, the third protruding element 82 and the fourth protruding element 84 are configured to form a straight segment (s). The first protruding element 78 and the second protruding element 80 may deviate from each other, as defined by the angle α formed between the first protruding element 78 and the second protruding element 80. In preferred embodiments, the angle α may range from about 15 ° to about 90 ° , more preferably from about 20 ° to about 75 °, and more preferably from about 25 ° to about 60 °. In preferred embodiments, the angle α is less than 90 °. The third protruding element 80 and the fourth protruding element 84 may deviate from each other as defined by the angle β formed between the third protruding element 80 and the fourth protruding element 84. In preferred embodiments, the angle β may range from about 15 ° to about 90 ° , more preferably from about 20 ° to about 75 °, and more preferably from about 25 ° to about 60 °. In preferred embodiments, the angle β is less than 90 °. The rear expandable section 72 may be configured to mirror the front expandable section 74 such that the angle α may be substantially equal to the angle β, in some embodiments. However, it is also contemplated that the angle α may be different from the angle β in some embodiments.

The projections 78, 80, 82, 84 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may have a thickness T measured in a two-dimensional plane defined by the longitudinal axis 35 and the transverse axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which they extend (the thickness T of the second projection element 80 shown in Fig. 3A). The thickness T can range from about 2 mm to about 50 mm, and more preferably from about 5 mm to about 25 mm. The thickness T values of each protruding element 78, 80, 82, 84 may be equal to each other, or the thickness T values of one or more protruding elements 78, 80, 82, 84 may be different from each other. The values of the thickness T of each protruding element 78, 80, 82, 84 can be uniform along the length of each corresponding protruding element 78, 80, 82, 84, or one or more of the protruding elements 78, 80, 82, 84 can be made with different thicknesses T along its respective length.

In some embodiments, the rear flared section 72 and the front flared section 74 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may be connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 2 and 3, some embodiments may include an intermediate section 76. The intermediate section 76 of the reduced absorbent section 70 of the absorbent member 34 may be positioned between the rear flared section 72 and the front flared section 74. In some embodiments, the intermediate section 76 may connect the rear flared section 72 and a front flared section 74. The intermediate section 76 can vary in length LL, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent 34 (as depicted in FIG. 2), from about 5 mm to about 200 mm. In preferred embodiments, where the absorbent member 34 is configured for an absorbent article 10, such as a diaper, the length LL of the intermediate section 76 may range from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, and more preferably from about 5 mm to about 20 mm. The intermediate section 76 may have a thickness (not indicated for purposes of clarity) that may be the same or different from the thickness T of one or more of the projections 78, 80, 82, 84 of the reduced absorbent section 70.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-3A, the rear flared section 72 may include a rear curved section 73. The rear curved section 73 may connect the first protruding member 78 to the second protruding member 80. The rear curved section 73 may be connected to the intermediate section 76. The front flaring section 74 may include a front curved section 75. The front curved section 75 may connect the third protruding member 82 to the fourth protruding member 84. The front curved section 75 may also be connected to the intermediate section 76. As shown in the detailed view of FIG. 3A, the rear curved section 73 may be formed to contain four points 77 of inflection with its curve. As shown in FIG. 3A, the four inflection points 77 shown along the axis 73x of the rear curved section 73 provide a shape that allows uniform connection of the rear curved section 73 with the first protruding member 78, the second protruding member 80 and the intermediate section 76 along their respective axes 78x, 80x and 76x. The front curved section 75 can be similarly designed so that it also contains four points of inflection in its shape.

The reduced absorbent section 70 can be positioned in the absorbent body 34 in various positions. To indicate the location of the reduced absorbent section 70 in the absorbent body 34, the reduced absorbent section 70 is shown with a transverse axis 79 as indicated in FIG. 3 and 3A. In preferred embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be positioned closer to the front end edge 44 of the absorbent element 34 than to the rear end edge 42 of the absorbent element 34 such that the longitudinal distance between the front end edge 44 and the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is less the longitudinal distance between the rear end edge 42 and the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70. The reduced absorbent section 70 may be positioned in the absorbent member 34 such that the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 (as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 3A) is located in front of the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent 34. In some embodiments, the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may be positioned in front of the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10 such that the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is located closer to the front waist edge 22 of the absorbent of the absorbent article 10 than to the rear waist edge 24 of the absorbent article 10. While in some embodiments, the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may be located in front of the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent member 34 and / or the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10, the reduced absorbent section 70 may, however, be configured such that the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10 extends through at least a portion of the reduced absorbent section 70 of the absorbent body 34.

Of course, it is also contemplated that the reduced absorbent section 70 may be positioned within the absorbent body 34 such that the transverse axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is collinear with respect to the transverse axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 and / or the transverse axis 31 of the absorbent article 10. It is also contemplated that the reduced absorbent section 70 can be positioned in the absorbent body 34 such that the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is located in front of the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 and / or the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10.

In some embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be free of absorbent material. In other words, in such embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be devoid of the absorbent material that forms the adjacent section 71 of the absorbent member 34. As shown in FIG. 4 in cross-section, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be free of absorbent material since the third projecting member 82 and the fourth projecting member 84 of the front flared section 74 do not contain any absorbent material.

However, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that the reduced absorbent section 70 may contain some absorbent material but less than the amount of absorbent material of the adjacent section 71 of the absorbent member 34. As an example, the absorbent member 34 may be formed from a single layer of absorbent material, but has less absorbent material in the reduced absorbent section 70 than in the adjacent section 71 of the absorbent member 34. In some embodiments, such as the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4A with a cross section, the absorbent member 34 may contain more than one layer (e.g., layers 34a, 34b) and the reduced absorbent section 70 may be formed by removing the absorbent material at the location of the reduced absorbent section 70 from one layer 34a (or an initial formation in which layer 34a does not contain absorbent material in the reduced absorbent section 70), but such that the absorbent material is present above and / or below the reduced absorbent section 70 in one or more adjacent layers (e.g., layer 34b below layer 34a) of the absorbent body 34.

Various alternative embodiments in configurations of reduced absorbent sections 170, 270, 370 are depicted in FIGS. 5-7. Unless otherwise indicated, the reduced absorbent sections 170, 270, 370 in FIG. 5, 6 and 7, respectively, are the same as described above for the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4A. Returning to FIG. 5, it should first be noted that the reduced absorbent section 170 can be configured such that the rear flared section 72 does not include the rear curved section 73 and the front flared section 74 does not include the front curved section 75. In this embodiment, the first projection 78 and the second projection the rear flare member 80 is connected to each other and the intermediate section 76. Similarly, the third projecting member 82 and the fourth projecting member 84 are connected to each other and the intermediate section 76.

As shown in FIG. 6, the reduced absorbent section 270 of the absorbent member 34 is configured such that the first projecting member 78, the second projecting member 80, the third projecting member 82, and the fourth projecting member 84 are formed in the form of arcuate segments. This provides an alternative configuration over the reduced absorbent sections 70, 170 described above, where the first projecting element 78, the second projecting element 80, the third projecting element 82 and the fourth projecting element 84 are formed in straight segments.

The reduced absorbent section 370 of the absorbent body 34 of FIG. 7 shows that the reduced absorbent section 370 may comprise an intermediate section 76 that is separated from the rear expanding section 72 and the front expanding section 74. In other words, the rear expanding section 72, the front expanding section 74 and the intermediate section 76 are separate components of the reduced absorbent section. 70 of the absorbent body 34 of FIG. 7.

The absorbent article 10 may contain features that help emphasize the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 and / or provide the wearer and / or wearer with an indication that the reduced absorbent section 70 is present in the absorbent element 34. For example, the absorbent article 10 may include graphics 86 visible from the outside of the absorbent article 10, which are marked on the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. As shown in FIG. 1, these graphics 86 may include printed graphics on the outer cover 26 that are visible from the outside of the absorbent article 10. Graphics 86 that may be marked on the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may include shapes such as linear segments, lines, stars and / or other shapes, alphanumeric characters or images that help indicate to the wearer and / or wearer the presence of a reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. Such graphics 86 can also be designed in such a way that they are visible when viewed from the inside of the absorbent article 10 (or when viewed from the body-facing surface 55 of the body-facing liner 28). Additionally or alternatively, the absorbent article 10 may be configured such that the bodyside liner 28 is printed, embossed or otherwise marked to indicate the presence and shape of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 of the absorbent member 34. In another aspect, a portion The absorbent material in the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 or other layer of material between the absorbent member 34 and the outer cover 26 in the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may be colored to help indicate presence and shape to the wearer or wearer reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 from the inside of the absorbent article 10.

The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 can provide additional flexibility to the absorbent member 34 by allowing the absorbent member 34 to be more easily flexed or folded in a shape that conforms to the wearer's natural movement patterns. This advantage is present when the absorbent body 34 is dry, but is particularly noticeable when the absorbent body 34 receives effusions of body waste and the absorbent materials of the absorbent body 34 expand to absorb body waste. The components of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 provide folds or guides in the absorbent body 34 where the absorbent body 34 can naturally flex as the wearer moves, aligning with the pivot points of the wearer's manner of movement, such as when running, walking and / or crawling. ...

The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 of the absorbent body 34 may provide the additional benefit of improved transport of bodily secretions through the absorbent body 34, thereby providing increased efficiency of the absorbent body 34.

The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 can be formed in various ways. For example, the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 can be formed by the forming absorbent body 34 with absorbent material only in the adjacent section 71 of the absorbent body 34. Alternatively, the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 can be formed by bonding under pressure or ultrasonic bonding of the absorbent 34 to reduce absorbent material in the area of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. Another method of forming the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may be to remove the absorbent material in the area of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270 , 370 after the formation of the absorbent 34. For example, the absorbent material may be mechanically cut from the absorbent member 34, or a slitting process may be used to remove the absorbent material after the absorbent member 34 is formed.

Body-facing cushioning material:

The bodyside liner 28 of the absorbent article 10 may overlap the absorbent member 34 and the outer cover 26, and may be configured to receive effusions from the wearer, and may separate the wearer's skin from liquid waste retained by the absorbent member 34. The bodyside liner 28 may form at least a portion of the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11.

In various embodiments, the fluid transfer layer 46 may be positioned between the bodyside liner 28 and the absorbent member 34 (as shown in FIG. 4). In various embodiments, the absorbent layer 48 may be positioned between the bodyside liner 28 and the absorbent 34 or fluid transfer layer 46, if present (as shown in FIG. 4). In various embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be bonded to the absorbent layer 48, or the fluid transfer layer 46 if no absorbent layer 48 is present, by adhesive and / or by spot fusion bonding. Point fusion bonding can be selected from ultrasonic bonding, temperature bonding, pressure bonding, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may extend beyond the absorbent 34 and / or the fluid transfer layer 46, if present, and / or the absorbent layer 48, if present, and / or the release layer, if present, with an overlap. part of the outer cover 26 and may be bonded to it in any manner deemed suitable, such as by bonding thereto with an adhesive, substantially enclosing the absorbent member 34 between the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28. In some embodiments the bodyside liner 28 and the outer cover 26 may be of the same width and length. In some embodiments, however, the body-facing liner 28 may be narrower than the outer cover 26 and / or shorter than the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the length of the body-facing liner 28 may be in the range of 50 —100% of the length of the absorbent article 10, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 29. In some embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be wider than the outer cover 26. It is also contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 may not extend beyond within the absorbent member 34 and / or may not be attached to the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may surround at least a portion of the absorbent member 34, including surrounding both longitudinal edges 36, 38 of the absorbent member 34, and / or one or more end edges 40, 42. The bodyside liner 28 may be comprised of more than one segment of material.

The body-facing cushioning material 28 may have a variety of shapes, including rectangular, hourglass, or any other shape. The bodyside liner 28 can be suitably deformable, soft to the touch and non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and can be as or less hydrophilic than the absorbent element 34, allowing bodily fluids to easily penetrate the absorbent element 34 and provide the wearer with a relatively dry surface.

The bodyside liner 28 can be made from a wide variety of materials such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, mesh foams, apertured plastic films or the like. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, cellulosic man-made fibers, wood, cotton, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon fibers, or other heat bonding fibers, polyolefins such as, but without limitation, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene and esters of aliphatic acids such as polylactic acid, apertured film webs with fine holes, mesh materials, etc., and combinations thereof.

Various woven and nonwoven fabrics can be used for the bodyside liner 28. The bodyside liner 28 may comprise a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a plastic film, a film-and-fabric laminate, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of the nonwoven fabric may include a spunbond fabric, a meltblown fabric, a coform fabric, a carded fabric, a bonded carded fabric, a two-component spunbond fabric, a spunlace fabric, or the like, and combinations thereof. The bodyside liner 28 does not need to be a single layered structure and thus may comprise more than one layer of fabrics, films and / or webs, and combinations thereof. For example, the bodyside liner 28 may include a backing layer and a projection layer that are water-bonded. The overhang may comprise hollow protrusions such as those disclosed in US Pat. No. 9,474,660 by Kirby, Scott S.C. et al. and as described in FIG. 8.

For example, the bodyside liner 28 may be composed of a meltblown or spunbond web composed of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, the bodyside liner 28 may be a bonded carded web composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner 28 can be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material can optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means such as spraying, printing, brushing, or the like. The surfactant can be applied to all of the body liner 28, or it can be selectively applied to specific areas of the body facing body of cushioning material 28.

In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be formed from a nonwoven bicomponent web. The nonwoven bicomponent web can be a spunbond bicomponent web or a bonded carded bicomponent web. An example of a bicomponent staple fiber includes a polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fiber. In this particular bicomponent fiber, polypropylene is formed into the core and polyethylene is formed from the fiber sheath. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is possible to use fibers oriented differently, for example in the form of several lobes, side by side, butt. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be a spunbond backing with a basis weight of from about 10 or 12 to about 15 or 20 g / m2. In one embodiment, the body-facing liner 28 may be a 12 g / m2 spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate having a 10% meltblown content applied between two spunbond layers.

Although the outer cover 26 and body-facing liner 28 may comprise elastomeric materials, it is contemplated that the outer cover 26 and body-facing liner 28 may be comprised of materials that are not generally elastomeric. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be extensible, and more preferably elastic. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be suitably extensible, and more preferably elastic in at least the lateral or peripheral direction of the absorbent article 10. In other aspects, the bodyside liner 28 may be extensible and more preferably elastic as in the transverse and longitudinal directions 32, 30, respectively.

Sealed cuffs:

In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may include a pair of sealed flaps 50, 52. The sealed flaps 50, 52 may be formed separately from the absorbent base 11 and attached to the base 11, or they may be integral with the base 11. In some In embodiments, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be attached to the base 11 of the absorbent article 10 generally parallel and spaced from each other laterally inwardly relative to the leg openings to provide a barrier to the flow of bodily secretions. One sealed flap 50 may be located on the first side of the longitudinal axis 29, and another sealed flap 52 may be located on the second side of the longitudinal axis 29. In one embodiment, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may extend generally in the longitudinal direction 30 from the front waist edge 12 of the absorbent article 10 through the crotch region 16 to the rear waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, however, in other embodiments, the sealed flaps 50, 52 can be bent as is known in the art.

In embodiments where the sealed flaps 50, 52 are connected to the base 11, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the bodyside liner 28, the outer cover 26, or another layer such as a release layer, if present, by a barrier glue, as is known from the prior art. Of course, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to other components of the backing 11 and may be bonded using other suitable means other than a barrier adhesive. For example, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the bodyside liner 28, outer cover 26, or other layer by pressure bonding, heat bonding, or ultrasonic bonding. The sealed flaps 50, 52 can be made of fibrous material, which can be similar to the material from which the bodyside liner 28 is formed. Other conventional materials such as polymer films can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the sealed flaps 50, 52 may include a body 64 and a projection 66. The body 64 may be associated with the body 11, for example, with a bodyside liner 28 or an outer cover 26 as mentioned above. The body 64 may be associated with other components of the backing 11. The protruding portion 66 can be configured to extend from the body-facing surface 19 of the backing 11 (e.g., the body-facing surface 55 of the body-facing liner 28) at least the crotch region 16 when the absorbent article 10 is in a weakened configuration as shown in FIG. four.

It is contemplated that the sealed flaps 50, 52 may have a variety of configurations and shapes, and may be manufactured using a variety of methods. For example, the sealed flaps 50, 52 of FIG. 2 and 4 depict a vertical sealed flap 50, 52 that can be secured to both the front and rear waist regions 12, 14, where the projection 66 of each sealed flap 50, 52 is secured to the bodyside liner 28 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10. However, it is contemplated that the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be secured where the projection 66 of each of the sealed flaps 50, 52 is folded back and connected to itself, with the bodyside liner 28 formed in a C-shape. configurations as known in the art and described in US Pat. No. 5,895,382 to Robert L. Popp et al. As yet another alternative, it is contemplated that the sealed flaps 50, 52 can be configured in a T-shaped configuration, such as that described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/900134 to Robert L. Popp et al., Which is published as U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0350504. Such a configuration may also include protruding portions 66 attached to one or both of the front and rear waist regions 12, 14, respectively. Of course, other configurations of sealed flaps 50, 52 can be used in the absorbent article 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The sealed flaps 50, 52 may comprise one or more elastic flap members 68, such as the two elastic flap strips shown in FIG. 4. Suitable elastic materials for the flap elastic members 68 may include sheets, strips or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. Of course, although two elastic members 68 are shown in each sealed flap 50, 52, it is contemplated that the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be provided with one, or three, or more elastic members 68. Alternatively or additionally, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be made of a material that exhibits elastic properties.

Flap elastic members 68, as shown in FIG. 2 may have two strips of elastomeric material extending longitudinally into a projecting portion 66 of the sealed flaps 50, 52 and generally spaced parallel to one another. The flap elastic members 68 may be within the sealed flaps 50, 52 while in a resilient compression state, whereby the retraction of the strips collects and contracts the protrusions 66 of the sealed flaps 50, 52 in the longitudinal direction 30. As a result, the elastic members 68 can displace the flaps 66 the flaps 50, 52 so that they protrude from the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 as a whole when the sealed flaps 50, 52 are vertically oriented, especially in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10 when the absorbent article 10 is in a weakened configuration. This vertical orientation of the flap extension 66 and the flap extension 66 52 is shown in FIG. 4 where the absorbent article 10 is in a loose configuration.

During the manufacture of the sealed flaps 50, 52, at least a portion of the elastic members 68 may be associated with the sealed flaps 50, 52 when the elastic members 68 are in an elongated state. The elongation of the elastic members 68 can be, for example, from about 110% to about 350%. In one embodiment, the elastic members 68 may be adhesive-coated in an elongated state for a predetermined length prior to attaching the elastic members 68 to the sealed flaps 50, 52. In this exemplary method of bonding the elastic members 68 to the sealed flaps 50, 52, the portion of the elastic members 68 that is not covered with adhesive will retract after the elastic members 68 and the absorbent article 10 are cut during manufacture to form a separate absorbent article 10. As noted above, weakening of the elastic members 68 when the absorbent article 10 is in a weakened state can cause pleating each sealed flap 50, 52 and causing the extension 66 of each sealed flap 50, 52 to extend from the body surface 19 of the chassis 11 (e.g., the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 or the body facing surface 55 body-facing spacer material 28), as shown in FIG. four.

Elastic elements for legs:

Leg elastic members 60 and 62 may be attached to outer cover 26 so that they are bonded together with a laminate adhesive, typically laterally inwardly from the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 of the absorbent article 10. Elastic members 60, 62 for legs can form elasticated leg cuffs, which additionally help to contain body secretions. In one embodiment, leg elastics 60, 62 may be located between the inner and outer layers (not shown) of the outer cover 26 or between other layers of the absorbent article 10, such as between the body 64 of each sealed flap 50, 52 and the body facing cushioning material 28, between the body 64 of each sealed flap 50, 52 and the outer cover 26, or between the bodyside liner 28 and the outer cover 26. The leg elastic members 60, 62 may be one or more elastic components located near each longitudinal side edge 18, 20. For example, each leg elastic 60, 62 as shown here in FIG. 2, contains two elastic bands. A wide variety of elastic materials can be used for leg elastics 60 and 62. Suitable elastic materials may include sheets, strips or bands of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. Elastic materials can be stretched and attached to a substrate, attached to an assembled substrate, or attached to a substrate, and then made elastic or compressed, for example by applying heat, so that elastic pulling forces are transmitted to the substrate. It is further contemplated that in some embodiments, leg elastics 60, 62 may be provided with sealed cuffs 50, 52 and then attached to base 11. Of course, leg elastics 60, 62 may be omitted from the absorbent article 10 without receding from the scope of the present invention.

Waist seal:

In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may have one or more waist sealing members 54. FIG. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of a waist seal 54 on an absorbent article 10, such as a diaper, where the waist seal 54 may be located in the rear waist region 14. In some embodiments, the waist seal 54 may be located at the front waist edge 12. The waist seal 54 may be positioned on the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. ... 1 and 2, the waist seal 54 may be disposed on the body-facing surface 55 of the body-facing liner 28. Additionally, in the absorbent article 410 of FIG. 9 and 10, a waist seal 54 may be located on the rear waist panel 15. The waist seal 54 may be coupled to the base 11 such that a portion of the waist seal 54 moves freely relative to the base 11 and can form a pocket to help contain bodily waste.

The waist seal 54 may be composed of a variety of materials. In a preferred embodiment, the waist seal 54 may be comprised of a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond ("SMS") material. However, it is contemplated that the waist seal 54 may be comprised of other materials, including, but not limited to, spunbond film-spunbond (“SFS”), bonded carded fabric (“BCW”), or any nonwoven fabric. In some embodiments, the waist seal 54 may be comprised of a laminate containing more than one of these exemplary materials or other materials. In some embodiments, the waist seal 54 may be comprised of a liquid impermeable material. In some embodiments, the waist seal 54 may be comprised of a material coated with a hydrophobic coating. In some embodiments, the waist seal 54 may include an elastic material to provide additional fit and retention characteristics for the absorbent article 10. In such an embodiment, suitable elastic materials may include, but are not limited to, sheets, strips, or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. ... Elastic materials can be stretched and bonded to a substrate, bonded to an assembled substrate, or bonded to a substrate, and then made elastic or compressed, for example, by exposure to heat, so that elastic tensile forces are transmitted to the substrate. However, it should be understood that the waist seal 54 may be omitted from the absorbent article without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Mounting system:

In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may include a fastening system. The attachment system may include one or more rear attachments 91 and one or more front attachments 92. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment with a single front attachment 92. Parts of the attachment system may be included in the front waist region 12, rear waist region 14, or both.

The fastening system may be configured to secure the absorbent article 10 around the waist of the wearer in a fastened state, as shown in FIG. 1 and to help keep the absorbent article 10 in place during use. In one embodiment, the rear attachments 91 may comprise one or more materials bonded together to form a composite tab as known in the art. For example, the composite fastener may consist of a stretch component 94, a nonwoven backing layer or base 96 with hooks, and an fastener component 98, as indicated in FIG. 2.

Embodiments

Embodiment 1: An absorbent body having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis, the absorbent body comprising: an absorbent material; front end edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge being opposite to the front end edge, the longitudinal axis passing through the front end edge and the rear end edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent absorbent section, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear flared section containing a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the first protruding element comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, the second the protruding element comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the first protruding element and the second protruding element being made such that the lateral distance between the first proximal the end of the first protruding element and the second proximal end of the second protruding element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first protruding element and the second distal end of the second protruding element; a front flaring section comprising a third protruding element and a fourth protruding element, the third protruding element comprising a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth protruding element comprising a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third projecting element and the fourth projecting element being configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element; and an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section, the intermediate section connecting the rear flaring section to the front flaring section.

Embodiment 2: The absorbent body of Embodiment 1, wherein the reduced absorbent section does not contain absorbent material.

Embodiment 3: The absorbent member of Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the rear flared section further comprises a rear curved section, the rear curved section connecting the first protruding member to the second protruding member and connecting to the intermediate section.

Embodiment 4: An absorbent body according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the rear curved section has an axis including four points of inflection.

Embodiment 5: An absorbent body according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the front flaring section further comprises a front curved section, the front curved section connecting the third projecting element to the fourth projecting element and connecting to the intermediate section.

Embodiment 6: An absorbent body according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein each of the first protruding member, the second protruding member, the third protruding member, and the fourth protruding member is configured to form a straight segment.

Embodiment 7: The absorbent member of Embodiment 6, wherein the angle formed between the first projecting member and the second projecting member of the rear flared section is from about 20 ° to about 90 °, and the angle formed between the third projecting member and the fourth the protruding element of the front flared section is from about 20 ° to about 90 °.

Embodiment 8: An absorbent member of one embodiment, wherein the longitudinal length of the intermediate section is from about 5 mm to about 200 mm.

Embodiment 9: An absorbent body according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the absorbent body forms part of an absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising a bodyside liner and an outer cover, the absorbent body being positioned between the body facing liner and the outer cover.

Embodiment 10: The absorbent member of Embodiment 9, wherein the transverse axis of the reduced absorbent section is located in front of the transverse axis of the absorbent article.

Embodiment 11: The absorbent body of Embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the absorbent article comprises graphics located on an outer cover, at least some of the graphics are marked on a reduced absorbent section of the absorbent body.

Embodiment 12: An absorbent body having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis, the absorbent body comprising: an absorbent material; front end edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge being opposite to the front end edge, the longitudinal axis passing through the front end edge and the rear end edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent absorbent section, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear flared section containing a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the first protruding element comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, the second the protruding element comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the first protruding element and the second protruding element being made such that the lateral distance between the first proximal the end of the first protruding element and the second proximal end of the second protruding element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first protruding element and the second distal end of the second protruding element; a front flaring section comprising a third protruding element and a fourth protruding element, the third protruding element comprising a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth protruding element comprising a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third projecting element and the fourth projecting element being configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element; wherein the rear flared section and the front flared section are connected.

Embodiment 13: The absorbent body of Embodiment 12, wherein the reduced absorbent section further comprises an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section, the intermediate section connecting the rear flaring section to the front flaring section.

Embodiment 14: The absorbent body of Embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the reduced absorbent section does not contain absorbent material.

Embodiment 15: The absorbent member of Embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the rear flared section further comprises a rear curved section, the rear curved section connecting the first protruding member to the second protruding member and connecting to the intermediate section.

Embodiment 16: An absorbent body as in any one of Embodiments 13-15, wherein the front flaring section further comprises a front curved section, the front curved section connecting the third protruding element to the fourth protruding element and connected to the intermediate section.

Embodiment 17: The absorbent member of any one of embodiments 12-16, wherein each of the first protruding member, the second protruding member, the third protruding member, and the fourth protruding member is configured to form a straight segment.

Embodiment 18: An absorbent body as in any one of embodiments 12-17, wherein the absorbent body forms part of an absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising a bodyside liner and an outer cover, the absorbent body being positioned between the body-facing liner and the outer cover ...

Embodiment 19: An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the absorbent article comprising: a bodyside liner; outer covering; and an absorbent member comprising an absorbent material disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, the absorbent member comprising: a front end edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge being opposite to the front end edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent absorbent section, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear flared section containing a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the first protruding element comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, the second the protruding element comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the first protruding element and the second protruding element being made such that the lateral distance between the first proximal the end of the first protruding element and the second proximal end of the second protruding element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first protruding element and the second distal end of the second protruding element; and a front flaring section comprising a third protruding element and a fourth protruding element, the third protruding element comprising a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth protruding element comprising a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element is on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third projecting element and the fourth projecting element being configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and a fourth distal end of a fourth projecting member; the reduced absorbent section is designed in such a way that the transverse axis of the absorbent article passes through at least a part of the reduced absorbent section.

Embodiment 20: The absorbent article of Embodiment 19, wherein the reduced absorbent section further comprises an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section, the intermediate section separated from at least one of the rear flared section and the front flared section.

All documents mentioned in the detailed description, in the relevant part, are incorporated herein by reference; moreover, the mention of any document should not be construed as an admission that it is a prototype in relation to the present invention. If any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of a term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition in which the term is used in that written document shall prevail.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be proposed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (46)

1. An absorbent element having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis, the absorbent element comprising: absorbent material; front end edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge being opposite to the front end edge, the longitudinal axis passing through the front end edge and the rear end edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges and a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent section of an absorbent body, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear flaring section comprising a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the first protruding element comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, the second protruding element comprising a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the first protruding element and the second protruding element being configured such that the lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first protruding element and the second proximal end of the second protruding element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first protruding element and the second distal end of the second protruding element; a front flaring section comprising a third protruding element and a fourth protruding element, the third protruding element comprising a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth protruding element comprising a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third projecting element and the fourth projecting element being configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element; and an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section, the intermediate section connecting the rear flaring section to the front flaring section. 2. An absorbent body according to claim 1, wherein the reduced absorbent section does not contain absorbent material. 3. The absorbent body of claim 1, wherein the rear flared section further comprises a rear curved section, the rear curved section connecting the first protruding element to the second protruding element and connected to the intermediate section. 4. Absorbent element according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear curved section has an axis including four points of inflection. 5. The absorbent body of claim 1, wherein the front flared section further comprises a front curved section, the front curved section connecting the third protruding element to the fourth protruding element and connected to the intermediate section. 6. The absorbent body of claim 1, wherein each of the first projection, the second projection, the third projection, and the fourth projection is configured to form a straight segment. 7. The absorbent body of claim 6, wherein the angle formed between the first projecting member and the second projecting member of the rear flaring section is from about 20 ° to about 90 ° and wherein the angle formed between the third projecting member and the fourth projecting member element of the front flared section, is from about 20 ° to about 90 °. 8. The absorbent body of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal length of the intermediate section is from about 5 mm to about 200 mm. 9. An absorbent body according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent body forms part of an absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising a bodyside liner and an outer cover, the absorbent body being positioned between the body facing liner and the outer cover. 10. Absorbent element according to claim. 9, characterized in that the transverse axis of the reduced absorbent section is located in front of the transverse axis of the absorbent article. 11. Absorbent element according to claim. 9, characterized in that the absorbent article contains graphics located on the outer cover, at least some of the graphics are marked on a reduced absorbent section of the absorbent element. 12. An absorbent body having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis, the absorbent body comprising: absorbent material; front end edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge being opposite to the front end edge, the longitudinal axis extending through the front end edge and the rear end edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges and a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent section of an absorbent body, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear flaring section comprising a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the first protruding element comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, the second protruding element comprising a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the first protruding element and the second protruding element being configured such that the lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first protruding element and the second proximal end of the second protruding element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first protruding element and the second distal end of the second protruding element; and a front flaring section comprising a third protruding element and a fourth protruding element, the third protruding element comprising a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth protruding element comprising a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third projecting element and the fourth projecting element being configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element; wherein the rear flared section and the front flared section are connected. 13. The absorbent member of claim 12, wherein the reduced absorbent section further comprises an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section, the intermediate section connecting the rear flaring section to the front flaring section. 14. An absorbent body according to claim 12, wherein the reduced absorbent section does not contain absorbent material. 15. The absorbent body of claim 13, wherein the rear flared section further comprises a rear curved section, the rear curved section connecting the first protruding element to the second protruding element and connected to the intermediate section. 16. The absorbent body of claim 13, wherein the front flared section further comprises a front bent section, the front bent section connecting the third projecting element to the fourth projecting element and connected to the intermediate section. 17. The absorbent body of claim 12, wherein each of the first projection, the second projection, the third projection, and the fourth projection is configured to form a straight segment. 18. An absorbent body according to claim 12, wherein the absorbent body forms part of an absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising a bodyside liner and an outer cover, the absorbent body being positioned between the body facing liner and the outer cover. 19. An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the absorbent article comprising: body facing cushioning material; outer cover and an absorbent member comprising an absorbent material disposed between a bodyside liner and an outer cover, the absorbent member comprising: front end edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge being opposite to the front end edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges and a reduced absorbent section containing less absorbent material than an adjacent section of an absorbent body, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear flaring section comprising a first protruding element and a second protruding element, the first protruding element comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, the second protruding element comprising a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the second protruding element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the first protruding element and the second protruding element being configured such that the lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first protruding element and the second proximal end of the second protruding element is less than the lateral distance between the first distal end of the first protruding element and the second distal end of the second protruding element; and a front flaring section comprising a third protruding element and a fourth protruding element, the third protruding element comprising a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth protruding element comprising a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third protruding element being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth projecting element is located on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third projecting element and the fourth projecting element being configured such that the lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third projecting element and the fourth proximal end of the fourth projecting element is less than the lateral distance between the third distal end of the third projecting element and the fourth distal end of the fourth projecting element; the reduced absorbent section is designed in such a way that the transverse axis of the absorbent article passes through at least a part of the reduced absorbent section. 20. The absorbent article of claim 19, wherein the reduced absorbent section further comprises an intermediate section located between the rear flared section and the front flared section, the intermediate section separated from at least one of the rear flared section and the front flared section.

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