MXPA06014527A - Disposable absorbent article having barrier cuff strips - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to an interior surface of an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each barrier cuff strip may include a water-impermeable layer and may be extensible. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each barrier cuff strip adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the barrier cuff strips to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the barrier cuff strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer. The laterally opposing attachment zones may act as dams preventing a lateral flow of liquid bodily waste.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE THAT HAS STRIPS IN THE DOUBLE BARRIER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and other articles intended for use in incontinent persons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disposable absorbent articles are designed to absorb and contain body waste in order to prevent soiling of the user's body and clothing as well as the bedding or other objects with which the user is in contact. As the use of disposable absorbent articles has become widespread, their complexity has increased with the incorporation of additional features that are intended to improve their performance and appearance. Along with the increase in complexity, the costs of materials and manufacturing processes have also increased. As a result, the prices at which these items are sold have risen to levels that are inaccessible to many potential buyers around the world. Therefore, there is a need for a simple disposable absorbent article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article that includes two strips in the longitudinally opposite longitudinally extending barrier fold and which are attached to an inner surface of an absorbent unit in laterally opposed adjustment regions. Each barrier fold strip may include a liquid impervious layer and may be extensible. An elastic shirring member extending in the longitudinal direction is attached to each strip of the barrier fold adjacent its proximal edge. When the article is used, the elastic shirring members contract and lift the barrier fold strips forming side barriers. The absorbent unit includes an absorbent core which may include superabsorbent particles that may be contained within the bags. A portion of the absorbent unit such as the portion between the adjustment zones of the barrier fold strips may be extensible and may include a liquid impervious layer. The laterally opposed adjustment zones can act as containment dikes that prevent lateral spills of liquid body wastes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In the accompanying figures, similar reference numbers identify the corresponding structural elements, which may or may not be identical in the various illustrative embodiments that are depicted. Some of the figures will have been simplified by omitting selected elements in order to show other elements more clearly. These omissions of elements in some figures are not necessarily indicative of the presence or absence of particular elements in any of the illustrative embodiments, except to the extent explicitly indicated in the corresponding written description. In the figures and in the written description, the lowercase letters appended to the reference numbers indicate, in general, symmetrical elements; for example, the left and right side edges of the absorbent unit 200 are identified by reference numerals 237a and 237b, respectively. A reference number without a lowercase letter attached identifies all elements to which that specific reference number corresponds, for example, a structural element formed by individual left and right portions can be identified in its entirety with the reference number X, while the left and right portions are identified individually with the respective reference numbers Xa and X; in this way, the textual reference to a structure identified with X includes the elements Xa, Xb, and so on. Figure 1 is a plan view of an illustrative disposable absorbent article in the form of a diaper 20, which is presented in its flat, unconstrained state, ie, without the contraction induced by the elastic members. In Figure 1, the inner portion of the diaper 20 that is oriented internally towards the user and makes contact with it is shown facing the viewer. Figure 2 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of Figure 1 in its flat state and without contracting; with the outer portion of the diaper 20 facing outward and further away from the user is shown facing the viewer. Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5 are sectional views of the diaper 20 of Figure 1 and Figure 2 taken in the respective cut lines 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5. In these sectional views, the inner portion of the diaper 20, which faces inwards towards the user and comes into contact with the latter, is shown facing upwards. Figure 6 is a simplified view in lateral elevation of an illustrative diaper 20 placed around the lower torso of a wearer. Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the diaper 20 of Figure 6 placed around the lower torso of a wearer. Figure 8 is a rear elevation view of the diaper 20 of Figure 6 placed around the lower torso of a wearer. Figure 9 is a plan view of an illustrative fragment of a weft material formed. Figure 10 is a simplified left side elevational view of an illustrative diaper 20, including adherent holding patches, placed around a user's lower torso. Figure 11 is a simplified right-side elevation view of the diaper 20 of Figure 10, including adherent holding patches, placed around the lower torso of a wearer. Figure 12 is a simplified plan view of an illustrative disposable absorbent article, in the form of a diaper 20, which is presented in its flat and unconstrained state, ie, without the contraction induced by elastic members, with tape tabs adhesive 1 14a and 114b and gripping surfaces 116a and 116b. In Figure 12, the inner portion of the diaper 20 that is oriented internally towards the user and makes contact with it is shown facing the viewer. Figure 12 is a simplified plan view of the diaper 20 of Figure 13 in its flat, un-collapsed state; the outer portion of the diaper 20 that faces outward and away from the wearer is shown facing the viewer. Figure 14 is a perspective view of an illustrative diaper 20, which is shown in its relaxed and contracted state, ie, with the contraction induced by elastic members. In Figure 14, the inner portion of the diaper 20 that is oriented inwardly towards the wearer and makes contact therewith is shown facing upwards. Figure 15 is a plan view of an illustrative absorbent unit 200.

In Figure 15, the absorbent unit 200 is shown separately from the other portions of an illustrative diaper 20 and the inner portion of the absorbent unit 200 that is oriented inward toward and in contact with the user is shown oriented towards the observer. Figure 15 is a sectional view of the absorbent unit 200 of Figure 16 taken in section line 16-16. Figure 17 is a sectional view of the absorbent unit 200 of Figure 15 taken on the section line 17-17. Figure 18 is a sectional view of an illustrative absorbent unit 200 showing the details of an illustrative absorbent core having particles of superabsorbent material within the bags. Figure 19 is a sectional view of an illustrative absorbent unit 200 having an additional lower panel 226. The cut of Figure 19 is taken in a cut line corresponding to section line 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 20 is a plan view of another illustrative disposable absorbent article in the form of a diaper 20, which is shown in its planar state without contracting, with its inner portion facing the viewer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In this description, the following terms have the following meanings: The term "absorbent article" refers to a device that absorbs and contains liquid and, more specifically, refers to a device that is placed against or proximate to the user's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article that is generally worn by infants and incontinent persons around the lower torso in such a manner that it surrounds the wearer's waist and legs and is specifically adapted to receive and contain waste. urinary and fecal The term "disposable" refers to the nature of the absorbent articles which, in general, are not intended to be washed, or, failing that, to be restored or reused as an absorbent article, that is, the intention is that they be discarded after a only use and preferably, recycled, converted into fertilizer or otherwise, discarded in a manner compatible with the environment. The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction that goes from one edge of the waist to the opposite edge of the waist of the article, usually parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article. Directions within ± 45 ° of the longitudinal direction are considered "longitudinal". The term "lateral" refers to a direction that goes from a lateral edge to the opposite lateral edge of the article, usually at right angles to the longitudinal direction. Directions within ± 45 ° of the lateral direction are considered "lateral". The term "disposed" refers to an element that is united and located in a specific place or located in a unitary structure with other elements. The term "attached" refers to elements that are connected or joined by fastening, adhesion, bonding, etc., by any suitable method for the elements to be joined together and their constituent materials. Many suitable methods are known for holding elements together, including adhesive bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, mechanical fastening, etc. These fastening methods can be used to link elements together over a certain area continuously or intermittently. The term "adherent" refers to the ownership of a material that, once placed, adheres to itself but does not adhere significantly to other materials. The terms "liquid permeable" and "liquid impervious" refer to the penetrability of the materials in the context of the intended use of the disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term "liquid permeable" refers to a layer or stratified structure having poresopenings and / or interconnected voids that allow liquid water to pass through its thickness in the absence of a pressing force. By contrast, the term "liquid impervious" refers to a layer or a layered structure through whose thickness liquid water can not pass in the absence of a pressing force. A layer or stratified structure which is impermeable to water as this definition can be permeable to water vapor, that is, "permeable to water vapor". This stratified layer or structure permeable to water vapor is commonly known in the industry as "permeable". As is well known in the industry, a common method for measuring the water permeability of materials commonly used in absorbent articles is a hydrostatic pressure test, also called a hydrostatic head test or simply a "hydro head" test. The compendiums of suitable methods, well known for the hydrostatic pressure test, are approved by INDA (formerly the International Nonwovens and Disposable Association), now known as the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (Association of Nonwovens and Disposables). the Non-Woven Fabrics industry) and EDANA (European Disposables And Nonwovens Association). The terms "proximal" and "distal" refer, respectively, to the location of an element relatively near or far from the center of a structure, for example, the proximal edge of a longitudinally extending element and located closer to the axis longitudinal than the distal edge of the same element in relation to the same longitudinal axis. The terms "inside" and "outside" refer, respectively, to the location of an item to be placed against or toward a user's body when the absorbent article is used and the location of an item to be placed against or toward any clothing that It is used on the absorbent article. The synonyms of "inner" and "outer" include, respectively, "internal" and "external" and also "inside" and "outside." Also, when the absorbent article is oriented so that its interior is upwards; for example, when it is extended when preparing it to place the user on top of it; Synonyms include "upper" and "lower" and "upper" and "lower", respectively.

Description of Illustrative Diaper Modalities As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, an end portion of the illustrative diaper 20 is configured as an anterior waist region 36; the longitudinally opposite end portion is configured as a rear waist region 38, and an intermediate portion is configured as a crotch region 37. The basic structure of the diaper 20 includes an absorbent unit 200, which has a leading edge 236, a trailing edge 238, a left side edge 237a, a right side edge 237b, an inner surface 202, and an outer surface 204. A longitudinal axis 42 extends through the midpoints of the leading edge 236 and the trailing edge 238 and a lateral axis 44 extends through the midpoints of the left lateral edge 237a and the right lateral edge 237b. The basic structure of the diaper 20 also includes two strips of the barrier fold extending in the longitudinal direction and opposite laterally referred to as the left strip of the barrier fold 400a and the right strap of the barrier fold 400b. The barrier fold strips have their respective left front waist rim 436a and right front waist rim 436b, left rear waist rim 438a and right rear waist rim 438b, left stringer proximal edge 457a and right strip proximal edge 457b distal left strip edge 437a and right side distal edge 437b, left inner surface 402a and right inner surface 402b, left outer surface 404a and right outer surface 404b. The distal edges of the barrier fold strip 437a and 437b form the respective side edges 137a and 137b of the diaper 20. As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the barrier fold strips 400a and 400b and the Lower cover fabric 25 of the absorbent unit 200 are joined together in adjustment zones extending in the longitudinal direction and laterally opposed such as the illustrative adjustment zones 420a and 420b. As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, when the diaper 20 is worn over the lower torso of a wearer, the anterior waist edges 436a and 436b of the strips of the barrier fold, the leading edge 236 of the absorbent unit , the rear waist edges 438a and 438b of the barrier fold strips, and the trailing edge 238 of the absorbent unit surround the user's waist, the side edges 137a and 137b of the diaper surround the user's legs, the region of the crotch 37 is generally located between the legs of the wearer, and the absorbent unit 200 extends from the anterior waist region 36 through the crotch region 37 to the posterior waist region 38. A portion or The entirety of each strip of the barrier fold may be formed by an elastically extensible material or materials. Alternatively, or additionally, a portion or all of each of the barrier fold strips may be made extensible to a degree greater than the inherent extensibility to the material or materials used to make the barrier fold strip. In the same way, a portion or all of the absorbent unit can be made of an elastically extensible material or materials. Alternatively, or additionally, a portion or all of the absorbent unit may be extensible to a degree greater than the extensibility inherent in the material or materials used to make the absorbent unit. Such additional extensibility may be desirable to allow the diaper 20 to fit the wearer's body when the diaper is in movement. The additional lateral extensibility may be particularly desirable to allow the wearer of the diaper to extend the anterior region of the waist and / or the posterior region of the waist to encircle the wearer's waist, i.e. to adapt the measurement of the waist and the waist. fit from a diaper to an individual user. This lateral extension in the waist region or regions can provide the diaper, usually, an hourglass shape and impart a perfect fit appearance when worn over the body. In addition, greater extensibility may be desirable to minimize the cost of the diaper, since a relatively smaller amount of material is needed when it becomes extensible, as described above. To provide a better fit on the user's waist, in some embodiments additional lateral extensibility is provided in the absorbent unit 200 only between the laterally opposed adjustment areas 420a and 420b, wherein the absorbent unit 200 and the barrier fold strips 400a and 400b are joined together instead of being attached to the absorbent unit. The additional extensibility in the barrier fold strips and / or absorbent unit can be provided in different ways. For example, the material or materials used to manufacture the barrier fold strips and / or absorbent unit can be folded by any of the many known methods. Alternatively, all or a portion of the barrier fold strips and / or absorbent unit can be made of a formed weft material or laminated and formed weft materials such as those described in U.S. Pat. no. 5,518,801, issued May 21, 1996 in the name of Chappell et al. An illustrative fragment 300 of this type of formed weft material 305 is shown in Figure 9. This formed weft material 305 includes different laterally extending regions 310 in which the original material has been altered by embossing or other method of deformation to generate a pattern of crests 312 and alternating valleys 314 oriented generally in the longitudinal direction. The formed web material 305 also includes unchanged laterally extending regions 316 located between the altered regions 310 that extend laterally. This type of formed weft material 305 may extend laterally beyond its original dimension with the application of a relatively smaller force than is required to extend the same material to the same extent, when it is undeformed. In particular, the application of opposing divergent forces generally directed perpendicular to the crests 312 and valleys 314 extends the weft material formed along an axis between the opposing forces and generates a strength of resistance and contraction mainly in non-uniform regions. altered 316. This strength of resistance is relatively less than the strength of resistance that is generated by the same material in its unaltered form when it extends to the same degree, at least to an extent to which the ridges and valleys in the altered regions they flatten and begin to contribute to the resistance force. Accordingly, those formed weft materials exhibit an extensible behavior similar to that of traditional elastic materials, with the range of extensibility suitable for absorbent articles, but they can be made from relatively cheaper materials that are not inherently elastic and therefore, using them can be advantageous in terms of the manufacturing cost of the absorbent articles. In addition, the different portions of the barrier fold strips and / or the absorbent unit can be formed to have different ranges of extensibility and / or be extensible to a greater or lesser degree when subjected to a given level of opposing tension forces. say, so that they can spread relatively more or less easily. This differential extensibility may be convenient, for example, so that one of the waist regions or both may extend relatively more in the lateral direction or with relatively greater ease compared to the crotch region.

Description of the barrier fold strips The diaper 20 includes two barrier fold strips extending in the longitudinal direction and laterally opposed, referred to as the left strip of the barrier fold 400a and the right strip of the barrier fold 400b, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The barrier fold strips can be made of a nonwoven material, for example, a synthetic nonwoven fabric such as polypropylene, polyester or rayon, of thermally bonded or carded filaments . Alternatively or additionally, each strip of the barrier fold may include a liquid impervious layer which is formed of a suitable material, for example, a polyethylene or other polyolefin film, a microporous ventilated film, a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric or a film formed by coextruded polyolefin layers. For example, a suitable co-extruded film is that distributed by Clopay Plástic Products Co. of Mason, Ohio, USA. with the designation M18-327. A multi-layer barrier fold strip, such as a film laminate and a non-woven fabric, may also be suitable and may be oriented with the non-woven fabric arranged externally to provide the feel and appearance of an outermost layer similar to a fabric, with the non-woven fabric disposed internally to separate the film from the wearer's skin, or with the non-woven fabrics arranged both externally and internally. The barrier fold strips may overlap the absorbent core 250, ie, the proximal edges 457a and 457b of the barrier fold strips may extend laterally into the respective left side edges 257a and right 257b of the absorbent core 250. Alternatively, the barrier fold strips may not overlap the absorbent core. The barrier fold strips are preferably permeable to water vapor, ie they are permeable at least in the crotch region 37, where they form side barriers when the diaper is used, as described in detail below. Each of the barrier fold strips 400a and 400b is attached to the inner surface 202 of the absorbent unit 200 in adjustment zones located at or adjacent the leading 236 and posterior edges 238. For example, in the diaper 20 shown in FIG. Figure 1, the left strip of the barrier fold 400a is attached to the inner surface 202 of the absorbent unit 200 in the adjustment areas 451a and 451c, while the right strip of the barrier fold 400b is attached to the interior surface 202 in the adjustment areas 451 by 451 d. The adjustment zones may have equal or unequal areas. Between the adjustment zones, the proximal edges 457a and 457b of the strips of the barrier fold 400a and 400b are free, ie, they are not adjusted to the inner surface 202 of the absorbent unit 200. Also between the adjustment zones, each The barrier fold strip preferably includes a longitudinally extending elastic bending member and which is attached adjacent the proximal edge of the barrier fold strip. For example, in the illustrative diaper 20, shown in Figure 1, the elastic strands 467a and 467b are bonded adjacent the respective proximal edge 457a and 457b of the barrier fold strips. The elastic fold member may be placed within folded hems, such as the hems 471 a and 471 b shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, the elastic fold member may be sandwiched between two layers of the barrier fold strip or Attached to a surface of the barrier fold strip and exposed. When stretched, the elastic members of the barrier fold allow the proximal edges of the barrier fold strips to extend to the non-contracted flat length of the absorbent unit, as shown in Figure 1. When they are unstressed, the elastic members of the fold are contracted to gather the portions of the proximal edges to which these members join. For example, when the illustrative diaper 20 is unstressed, as shown in Figure 14, the elastic strands 467a and 467b contract to gather the proximal edges 457a and 457b of the barrier fold strips 400a and 400b. The forces of contraction of the elastic strands cause the anterior waist region 36 and the posterior waist region 38 to pull each other together, and thereby, the absorbent unit 200 or the entire diaper 20 flexes into a "U" shape. "whose interior is formed by the interior portions of the diaper. Since the proximal edges between the adjustment zones remain free, the contraction forces of the elastic strands lift the proximal edges 457a and 457b of the barrier fold strips 400a and 400b away from the interior surface 202 of the absorbent unit and elevating thus the barrier fold strips to a position that allows them to serve as lateral barriers. The lateral spacing of the raised proximal edges is selected so as to allow body waste from the lower part of the user's torso to be deposited in the space between the raised strips of the barrier fold. The width of each of the barrier fold strips 400a and 400b is preferably selected to allow the raised proximal edges 457a and 457b to fit into the folds of the legs of the wearer's body to seal the area and thereby ensure that the body waste deposited in the diaper are contained within it. The anterior and posterior waist region can be joined in various ways to surround the user's waist and legs. For example, separate fastening devices such as safety pins, separate tapes, one or more separate strips for fastening and / or a separate belt can be used for this purpose. As an alternative, or additionally, fastening elements may be incorporated in the disposable absorbent article that allow a person to place the diaper on the wearer's body without the separate fastening devices or together with any of these. Many of the suitable types of these built-in fasteners are well known, including, for example, tapes, adhesives, tabs of adhesive tape, binding strips, buttons, hooks, loops, snaps, other forms of mechanical fasteners, Adhering patches, etc. Some mechanical fasteners can be adapted to engage with a non-woven layer of a diaper. For example, a mechanical fastener can be engaged with a layer of a non-woven fabric from a barrier fold strip. The junction between the anterior waist region and the posterior waist region can be reopened and readjusted to regulate the diaper fit on the wearer's body and to be able to see the inside of the diaper without having to remove it from the body. Alternatively, the joint may be permanent, i.e., upon opening it a portion of the diaper is destroyed, for example, a portion of the diaper is torn or the fused side seams are broken. Adherent fastening patches can be formed by the application of an adherent material on a substrate. The adherent material can be applied in any of several patterns, for example, a continuous film, different points, strips, polygons, etc., and / or separate and interconnected geometric elements that describe a grid. Suitable synthetic adherent products are distributed by Andover Coated Products, Incorporated, of Salisbury, Massachusetts, USA. and are described in U.S. Pat. no. 6,156,424, granted on December 5, 2000 in the name of Taylor. Said adhesive fastening patches may be disposed on the outside of the diaper 20. For example, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 11, the adhering fastening patches 1 10a and 1b may be disposed over the outer surfaces of the respective barrier fold strips 400a and 400b in the anterior waist region 36. In this illustrative embodiment, the adherent attachment patches 120a and 120b functionally complementary are disposed on the inner surfaces of the respective barrier fold strips 400a and 400b in the rear waist region 38. When the diaper 20 is used as shown in Figures 10 and 1 1, the adherent holding patches located on the inside overlap the adherent holding patches located on the outside and the overlapping adherent grip patches serve to adjust the anterior waist region 36 to the rear waist region 38 on the sides of the diaper 20. The configuration shown in these figures is adapted to hold the back on the anterior part. Alternatively, the above adherent holding patches may be disposed on the inside of the diaper 20 and the subsequent adhesive attaching patches may be disposed on the outside of the diaper 20 so as to adapt the configuration so that the anterior part is held on the back. Alternatively, the adhesive fastening patches may be arranged in a reversible configuration that is adapted to offer the diaper user the two fastening options, ie, the back on the anterior or the anterior on the posterior, in accordance with personal preference. For example, adherent holding patches disposed on the outside and inside of the diaper 20 may allow a backward adherent holding patch to overlap a prior adherent holding patch or the previous one to overlap the posterior. When the underlying portion of the diaper is extensible, it is preferable that the adhesive fastening patches have a similar level of extensibility so as not to limit the underlying extensible portion of the diaper. Alternatively, the adhesive tape tabs may be attached to the diaper 20 and may be used to hold both the rear waist region 38 and the anterior waist region 36 together. For example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the tabs of adhesive tape 114a and 1 14b laterally opposite can be attached to the respective strips 400a and 400b of the barrier fold, at the distal edges 437a and 437b or adjacent thereto. Suitable adhesive tapes are distributed by 3M Corporation of St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, under the designation XMF99121 and by Avery Dennison Corporation, Specialty Tape Division, Mentor, Ohio, USA, under the designation F4416. Optionally, the fastening sheets can also be attached to the diaper 20 and used together with said tabs of adhesive tape. For example, the fastening sheets 1 16a and 1 16b may be attached to the outer surfaces 404a and 404b of the respective strips 400a and 400b of the barrier fold as shown in Figures 12 and 13. When a fastening canvas is provided , the adhesive tape tabs adhere to the holding canvas to hold both the rear waist region 38 and the anterior waist region 36. The holding canvas serves to distribute the tension force transmitted by each adhesive tape tab over the tape. an area larger than the adhered area of the tongue and can support a portion of the tension force by itself thereby releasing a portion of the force exerted on the underlying portion of the diaper, such as, for example, the barrier fold strips. Thus, it may be desirable to incorporate such a clamping canvas, for example, so that it is possible to use a relatively inexpensive and relatively weak material for the underlying portion of the diaper. When mechanical fasteners are used in place of tabs of adhesive tape, the fastening canvas may have a surface or fasteners with that fastener, for example, hoops to which hooks are attached. When the underlying portion of the diaper is extensible, it is preferable that the fastening fabric have a similar level of extensibility so as not to limit the underlying extensible portion of the diaper.

Description of the absorbent unit In the illustrative diaper 20 shown in Figure 1, the absorbent unit 200 extends the total length of the strips 400a and 400b of the barrier fold between the anterior waist edges 436a and 436b and the posterior waist edges 438a and 438b. This type of configuration may be convenient to minimize the amount of waste material and the difficulty associated with the manufacture of the diaper 20, especially when the method used to manufacture the diaper 20 requires the introduction of the material or materials for the absorber unit 200 in the form of a continuous frame or several continuous frames. Alternatively, the absorbent unit 200 may be shorter and its extension may be less than the total length of the barrier fold strips. This configuration may be convenient to minimize the total amount of material used and the cost of the diaper 20. As shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17, the absorbent unit 200 includes an absorbent core 250 for absorbing and retaining bodily waste. liquids. The absorbent core 250 has a leading edge 256, a trailing edge 258, a left side edge 257a, a right side edge 257b, an inner surface 252 and an outer surface 254. The absorbent unit 200 may include a top cover fabric disposed in a face-to-face configuration with the inner surface 252 of the absorbent core 250, in addition to a lower cover fabric disposed in a face-to-face configuration with the outer surface 254 of the absorbent core 250 and the inner surfaces 402a and 402b of the respective strips 400a and 400b of the barrier fold. The upper cover fabric and the lower cover fabric can be joined to contain the absorbent core 250 therebetween, thereby forming the absorbent unit 200. For example, in the illustrative absorbent unit 200 shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17, the canvas upper cover 24 and lower cover fabric 25 are joined at side edges 237a and 237b of absorbent unit 200 or adjacent to these forming adjustment zones 29a and 29b. The upper cover canvas is permeable to liquids and allows liquid body waste to pass through its thickness to the absorbent core. The upper cover fabric is preferably formed of a soft material that does not irritate the wearer's skin, for example, a synthetic nonwoven fabric such as polypropylene, polyester or rayon of thermally bonded or carded filaments. The lower cover canvas may include a liquid permeable layer of any suitable material, for example, of the same material used for the upper cover canvas. A portion or the total of any of the cover canvases, top or bottom, may be permeable to water vapor, i.e., permeable. Alternatively or additionally, the lower cover web may include a liquid impermeable layer formed of a suitable material, for example, a polyethylene or other polyolefin film, a microporous ventilated film, a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric or a film formed by layers co-extruded polypropylene-polyethylene-polypropylene. For example, a suitable co-extruded film is that distributed by Clopay Plástic Products Co. of Mason, Ohio, USA. with the designation M18-327. A lower multilayer cover web, such as a sheet of a film and a nonwoven fabric may also be suitable and may be oriented with the nonwoven fabric arranged externally to provide the feel and appearance of an outermost layer similar to a non-woven fabric. genre, with the non-woven fabric disposed internally to separate the film from the wearer's skin, or with the non-woven fabrics arranged both externally and internally. The upper cover canvas and the lower cover canvas may have the same length and width. As an alternative, one or more of the edges of one of the cover canvases may be left distal to the respective edge or edges of the other cover canvas. For example, the upper cover canvas may have the longitudinal length necessary only to cover the absorbent core and to join the lower cover fabric, adjacent to the leading or trailing edge of the absorbent core, while the lower cover fabric may extend longitudinally further beyond the upper covering fabric towards the waist edges of the barrier fold strips or adjacent to them. Similarly, the upper cover fabric may have the necessary lateral extension only to cover the absorbent core and to join the lower cover fabric adjacent to the left or right side edge of the absorbent core, and the lower cover fabric may extend laterally further beyond the upper cover canvas. For example, in the illustrative absorbent unit 200 shown in Figure 4, the upper cover fabric 24 extends laterally just beyond the side edges 257a and 257b of the absorbent core 250 and is attached to the lower cover fabric 25 in FIG. this area. The lower cover fabric 25 in this illustrative absorbent unit extends beyond the upper canvas 24 and is attached to the barrier fold strips 400a and 400b. The absorbent unit and the barrier fold strips may be bonded together at any part or all of the length of the absorbent unit. Preferably, the absorbent unit is attached on its outer surface to the barrier fold strips in adjustment zones extending in the longitudinal direction and laterally opposed, for example the illustrative adjustment zones 420a and 420b shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 19. The portions of the barrier fold strips that lie outside of that joint pattern are not limited by the attachment to the absorbent unit and, therefore, remain extensible. For example, a relatively narrow longitudinally extending adjustment zone, such as, for example, the left adjustment zone 420a, allows the majority of the width of the left strip 400a of the barrier fold to freely extend and thereby allows the extension of the left strip 400a of the barrier fold in the lateral direction. Within the range of the adjustment zones, the absorbent unit may be attached to the barrier fold strips continuously or intermittently. For example, a film of an adhesive can be applied continuously over the entire area of the adjustment zones and then used to continuously join the absorbent unit to the barrier fold strips. As an alternative example, an adhesive may be applied in discontinuous form on, and within, the boundaries of the adjustment zones, in the form of dots, strips, beads, coils, etc., and then used to join the absorbent unit to the barrier fold strips.

In some embodiments, one or both longitudinally extending adjustment zones 420a and 420b may act as a containment dam preventing lateral spillage of liquid body wastes away from the absorbent core and in the direction toward either of adjacent side edges 137a or 137b of the absorbent core. diaper. For example, in an embodiment in which the lower cover fabric 25 extends laterally beyond the upper cover fabric 24, as in the illustrative embodiment of Figure 4, and in which both the lower cover fabric 25 and each One of the strips 400a and 400b of the barrier fold includes a liquid impervious layer, as described above, said longitudinally extending adjustment zone and acting as a containment dam can effectively trap liquid body waste materials between the lower cover canvas, the barrier fold strips, and the diaper wearer's body. The absorbent core may be attached to the lower cover fabric anywhere or in the entire area of the absorbent core. Preferably, the absorbent unit is attached by its outer surface to the lower cover fabric in a cruciform joining pattern, ie, in a joint pattern that is formed or arranged in the shape of a cross or "+". The cruciform union pattern can be contiguous, that is, all its portions can be touched or connected throughout the pattern in an uninterrupted sequence or it can have missing portions and therefore lack of continuity but still be organized so that the shape of the pattern total is cruciform. An illustrative cruciform and contiguous joint pattern 210 is shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17. When an adhesive is used for bonding, the amount required in a cruciform joint pattern may be less than that required in a bonding pattern. extensive. In addition, the portions of the lower cover canvas that lie outside this cruciform joining pattern are not limited by the attachment to the absorbent core and, therefore, remain extensible. In particular, a relatively narrow portion 212 of a cruciform joining pattern 210, extending in the longitudinal direction, such as that shown in Figures 15 and 17, leaves most of the width of the lower covering web 25 of the region. of the anterior waist 36 and of the rear waist region 38 freely extensible and, thus, allows in these regions the extension of the lower cover canvas 25 in the lateral direction. A relatively wide, laterally extending portion 214 of a cruciform joining pattern 210, such as that shown in Figures 15 and 16, prevents the portion of the lower cover fabric 25 in the crotch region 37 to which the Absorbent core 250 is attached to deviate from absorbent core 250 in that region. Within the reach of the cruciform joint pattern, the absorbent core may be attached to the lower cover fabric continuously or intermittently. For example, a film of an adhesive can be applied continuously over the entire area of the cruciform joint pattern and then used to continuously bond the absorbent core to the lower cover canvas. As an alternative example, an adhesive can be applied discontinuously at the boundaries of the cruciform joint pattern and within them, in the form of dots, strips, beads, spirals, etc., and then used to join the absorbent core to the canvas of lower coverage. The absorbent core 250 includes a storage component 272 for absorbing and retaining liquid body waste. Known materials suitable for the storage component of the absorbent core include cellulose fibers in the form of ground wood pulp, commonly known as "air felt", layers or canvases of synthetic or natural fibrous material or materials, one or more polymers superabsorbents, etc. These absorbent materials can be used separately or in combination. Many known materials can be used in the form of separate or loose elements, that is, in the form of fibers, granules, particles, and the like. This different form of absorbent material can be immobilized by means of an adhesive that joins the different pieces together to form a coherent layer, or that joins the different pieces to a layer of substrate, or that joins the different pieces together and to the layer of the same. substrate at the same time. The absorbent core may include an acquisition component in addition to one or more storage components. The absorbent component of the absorbent core serves to acquire the deposited liquid body waste and transfer it to the storage component of the absorbent core. Any porous absorbent material that permeans and separates liquid body wastes from the component or storage components can be used to make the absorption component. Preferred materials for making the absorption component include synthetic fiber materials, open cell polymeric foam materials, fibrous materials of non-woven fabrics, cellulosic materials of non-woven fabrics and various combinations of cellulosic and synthetic fabric materials nonwoven For example, the absorption component can be made with one or more wefts of non-woven fabric of synthetic fibers, including polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene, natural fibers including cotton and cellulose, mixtures of those fibers or equivalent materials or combinations of materials. Examples of such absorption materials are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. no. 4,950,264 issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990. High non-woven fabric absorption materials suitable for use in the absorption component of the present invention can be obtained from Polymer Group, Inc., (PGI), 450 N.E. Blvd, Landisville, New Jersey 08326, USA, identified with the material code 98920. In Figures 15, 16 and 17, this absorption component of the absorbent core 290 is shown overlapped to the storage component of the absorbent core 272. A separation web 292 of, for example, a fabric or non-woven fabric material may be disposed between the storage component of the absorbent core 272 and the absorbent component of the absorbent core 290 to ensure that no portion of the gel formed by a superabsorbent polymer comes in contact with the user's skin. This separation web 292 may extend laterally beyond the side edges 257a and 257b of the absorbent core 250, and the upper cover web 24 may be joined to the separation web 292. In this distribution, the liquid body waste deposited on the web of The upper cover 24 passes through the thickness of the latter so that the absorbent component of the absorbent core 290 absorbs them and then passes through the thickness of the separation fabric 292 completely or partially so that the storage component of the absorbent core 272 absorbs and absorbs them. hold. As shown in Figure 18, in some illustrative embodiments, a storage component of the absorbent core 272 may include the distinct shape of an absorbent material immobilized in the pouches formed of a layer of a thermoplastic material, such as a hot-melt adhesive that is in intermittent contact and adheres to a substrate canvas while deviating from the substrate canvas in the bags. Absorbent core components that have such structures and are suitable for storing liquid body wastes are described in U.S. patent applications. co-pending and assigned jointly. 10 / 776,839 and 10 / 776,851, both filed on February 1, 2004 in the name of Ehrnsperger et al. An inventive absorbent core storage component 272 having that structure is shown in Figure 18. In this storage component of the absorbent core 272, the particles 270 of a superabsorbent polymer are contained within the pockets 280 formed by a layer 275 of a thermoplastic material. The storage component of the absorbent core can include particles of a superabsorbent polymer and air felt and the two materials can be inside pouches formed by the layer of the thermoplastic material. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 18, a storage component of the illustrative absorbent core may not contain air felt and therefore may be relatively thinner and more flexible to improve user comfort. In addition, the particles of the superabsorbent polymer can be immobilized more easily in the absence of the air felt. As shown in Figure 18, the layer 275 of the thermoplastic material intermittently contacts and adheres to a substrate canvas 274 in the adjustment areas 282. Between the adjustment areas 282, the layer 275 deviates from the substrate canvas. 274 to form the bags 280. The layer 275 may be in the form of a fiber web of the thermoplastic material through which the body waste may pass so that the particles 270 of the superabsorbent polymer absorb them. In Figure 18 a single thermoplastic layer cover sheet 276 is shown on layer 275 of the thermoplastic material. Alternatively, this cover sheet 276 may be omitted. In another alternative shown in Figure 18, but without the cover layer of thermoplastic layer 276, the two storage components of the absorbent core may be overlapped with a storage component of the inverted absorbent core, so that the respective substrate canvases are distally opposed to each other. In that combination of storage components of the absorbent core, one or both of the distally opposed substrates may respectively serve as one or both of the upper and lower cover canvases of the absorbent unit. Alternatively, the absorbent unit may include a separate bottom cover sheet and / or a separate top cover sheet. The absorbent unit may include an additional undersheet of a film or other liquid impervious material to improve protection against leakage. For example, as shown in Figure 19, an additional bottom sheet 226 of a film or other water impervious material can be fitted within the absorbent unit between the lower cover fabric 25 and the absorbent core 250. Alternatively, the canvas of additional base can be adjusted to the absorbent unit on the outside of the lower cover canvas. This additional base cloth may extend laterally to a smaller distance from the left side edge 237a, and from the right side edge 237b or from the two edges of the absorbent unit 200, as shown in Figure 19, or it may extend laterally to overlap to one or both lateral edges of said unit. When said additional base canvas is joined within the absorbent unit between the lower cover canvas and the absorbent core, the additional base canvas can be joined to the lower cover canvas in a cruciform joining pattern similar to that shown in Figure 15, thus leaving the portions of the lower cover canvas that are outside the cruciform joint pattern unattached to the additional base canvas and allowing these portions to be extensible. For example, a laterally extending portion 214 of said cruciform joint pattern is shown in Figure 19. Alternatively or additionally, the additional base canvas of such an embodiment may be attached by said cruciform bonding pattern to the absorbent core, thereby allowing that portions of the additional base canvas that lie outside the cruciform joint pattern are not attached by attachment to the absorbent core and also that these portions are extensible. In such modality, although the additional base canvas is attached to the lower cover fabric in a non-cruciform joining pattern, the lower cover canvas is not indirectly limited by the absorbent core and, therefore, may be extensible.

Description of the article form The finished diaper can have a generally rectangular shape, like that of the illustrative diaper 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2. This generally rectangular configuration can be convenient to minimize the amount of waste material and the difficulty associated with the manufacture of the diaper 20. Alternatively, the diaper may have side edges 137a and 137b that are not straight but curved and / or cut-away, whereby it imparts to the diaper 20 a shape which in plan view is that of an hourglass or an "I". This non-rectangular configuration may be convenient for imparting the custom made appearance to the diaper 20 when used. This non-rectangular configuration may also be convenient to give the impression that the diaper 20 will be comfortable when placed between a user's legs. Any of the many well known ways can be used to obtain a non-rectangular diaper configuration. For example, the lateral distal portions of the diaper can be removed to make its lateral dimension on the lateral axis 44 and the adjacent area smaller than its lateral dimension on the anterior waist edge 436 and in the adjacent area, and more small than its lateral dimension at the rear waist edge 438 and the adjacent area, i.e., to make the diaper narrower in the crotch region 37 than at the waist edges. An illustrative form of said non-rectangular configuration of the diaper is shown in Figure 20. As shown in this figure, the portions of the strips 400a and 400b of the barrier fold can be removed to form the side notches 11a and 111b laterally opposed. The exhibits of all the patents, the patent applications and the patents granted on the basis of them, in addition to all the corresponding published foreign patent applications, and all the publications listed and / or cited in this description are hereby incorporated into the present as a reference. Specifically, it is not admitted that any of the documents or any combination of documents incorporated herein by reference, show or expose the present invention. Although particular embodiments or individual features of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the industry that various other changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be evident that it is possible to perform all combinations of these modalities and features and that they can result in preferred embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the following claims attempt to cover all changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (9)

1. A disposable diaper having an anterior waist region (36), a posterior waist region and a crotch region between the waist regions; the diaper comprises: An absorbent unit having an inner surface and an outer surface; and two barrier fold strips extending in the longitudinal direction and laterally opposite, joined to the inner surface of the absorbent unit; each strip of the barrier fold has longitudinally opposite ends and a proximal edge extending in the longitudinal direction; each strip of the barrier fold being joined adjacent its ends to the inner surface of the absorbent unit and each of the straps having a longitudinally extending elastic shirring member and being bonded adjacent to its proximal edge, so that when not tensioned, the elastic shirring member contracts and lifts the proximal edge, away from the inner surface of the absorbent unit, thereby lifting the barrier fold strip to form a side barrier; characterized in that at least a portion of the absorbent unit between the strips of the barrier fold or at least one of the strips of the barrier fold is extensible laterally. The disposable diaper according to claim 1, further characterized in that the extensible portion comprises a weft material including at least two distinct altered regions extending in the lateral direction, each of which contains a pattern of ridges and valleys. alternating ones oriented in generally longitudinal direction generated by a deformation of the weft material and also contains an unaltered region located between the altered regions, such that the deformed weft material can be extended laterally to a given extent by the application of a force relatively smaller than that necessary to extend in the lateral direction the same weft material to the same extent given before the deformation. 3. The disposable diaper according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that at least a portion of one of the waist regions extends laterally to a greater degree than at least a portion of the crotch region in such a way that a The lateral extension of one of the waist regions or a waist region and the crotch region imparts an hourglass shape to the disposable diaper. The disposable diaper according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the barrier fold strips are attached to the absorbent unit in laterally opposite and longitudinally extending adjustment regions. The disposable diaper according to claim 4, further characterized in that at least one of the longitudinally extending adjustment zones acts as a water-impermeable containment dam that prevents lateral spillage of water towards an adjacent lateral edge of the disposable diaper. The disposable diaper according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the diaper comprises at least one fastening element for securing the anterior waist region and the posterior waist region to encircle a waist and a leg of a user, wherein the fastening element is adapted to open and re-fasten. 7. The disposable diaper according to claim 6, further characterized in that the fastening element includes an adherent fastening element. The disposable diaper according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the disposable diaper comprises adherent fastening elements disposed both on an inner surface of the disposable diaper and on an outer surface of the disposable diaper so that the anterior waist region can be fastened on the posterior waist region or alternatively, that the posterior waist region can be fastened on the anterior waist region to surround a user's waist and leg. The disposable diaper according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the absorbent unit comprises a storage component of the absorbent core that does not contain air felt.