MXPA97009956A - Absorbe assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent assembly comprising a liquid impervious member having a pair of laterally opposite side margins. The laterally opposite side margins of the liquid impervious member are defined by the longitudinal fold lines which define the folded part having the longitudinal end portions, an intermediate part between said longitudinal end portion and a distal edge. The longitudinal end portions are attached to the absorbent assembly in the middle of the width of said absorbent assembly. The edge remote from the bent part is disengaged from the absorbent assembly in at least a part of the intermediate part of said bent part. The absorbent assembly further includes an absorbent core attached to the liquid impervious member and includes a retaining portion. A liner sideways to the body at least partially covers the retaining portion and extends laterally beyond the longitudinal side margins of the retaining portion by at least about millimeters to define the stiffener elements

Description

ABSORBENT ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an absorbent assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to an absorbent assembly which is suitable for use as an absorbent article.

Background of the Invention Conventional absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, have been constructed with various types of mechanical containment characteristics. For example, known absorbent articles incorporate elasticized waistbands and elasticized leg bands in order to form a tight seal around the waist and legs of a wearer to mechanically prevent draining from the absorbent articles. It has also been described to employ various forms of elasticized containment fins and / or lids which attempt to project from the contact surface with the body of such absorbent articles to stop the flow of waste materials along the surface of contact with the body of the absorbent articles before such materials can squeeze out from the absorbent articles.

Conventional containment fins and / or waste caps often take the form of separate elements which are attached to various parts of conventional absorbent articles. Such containment fins and / or separate waste boxes thus involve a seam formed between the containment flap and / or the waste cover or box and the conventional absorbent article. The presence of such seams has been found to complicate the manufacturing process and, if improperly formed, allows runoff of waste segregated from the absorbent article using such fins and / or waste caps. As a result of this, there is a continued need for improved mechanical containment structures to be used in relation to the absorbent articles.

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention relates to an absorbent arrangement having a longitudinal length dimension, a side width dimension, a front part, a rear part, and an intermediate part which interconnects said front and rear portions. The absorbent assembly comprises a liquid impervious member having a pair of laterally opposite side margins which define the lateral width dimension of said absorbent assembly in said intermediate part of the absorbent assembly.

The laterally opposite side margins of said liquid impervious member are defined by the longitudinal fold lines which define the bent portions. The bent portions have the longitudinal end portions, an intermediate part between said longitudinal end portions and a remote edge. The end longitudinal portions are attached to an absorbent assembly at the front and back of the absorbent assembly in the middle of the side width dimension of said absorbent assembly. The edge remote from said bent part is disengaged from said absorbent assembly in at least a part of said intermediate part of said bent part. The absorbent assembly further comprises an absorbent core attached to the liquid impervious member between the laterally opposite side margins of said liquid impervious member.

The absorbent core comprises a retaining portion having a longitudinal length dimension defined by the end margins and a lateral width dimension defined by the lateral margins. The retention part is to absorb and retain the liquid. The absorbent core further comprises a body side liner which at least partially covers said retaining portion. The side-to-body liner extends laterally beyond the longitudinal side margins of said retaining portion by at least about 12 millimeters to define the stiffeners.

Optionally, the retention portion is at least partially enveloped by a localized overwrap layer so that the side-to-body liner partially covers said retention portion and said overwrap layer. The overwrap layer and said liner side to body can both extend laterally beyond the lateral margins of said retaining portion by at least about 12 millimeters to define the stiffeners. The stiffening elements are suitably joined to said liquid impervious member so as to be able to move with respect thereto. In a further aspect of the invention, the laterally opposite side margins of the liquid impervious member are elasticized.

The various aspects of the invention can provide an absorbent assembly that can more reliably and effectively aid in the mechanical containment of excreted body wastes when incorporated into an absorbent article. In addition, improved mechanical containment can be achieved in an article which is relatively less complicated to manufacture than certain conventional articles employing mechanical containment characteristics.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more fully understood and the additional advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 representatively shows a top plan view of an absorbent assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 2 representatively shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 representatively shows a top plan view of the absorbent assembly of Figure 1 also comprising several elastic elements.

Fig. 4 representatively shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 representatively shows a top view partially cut away of a partially assembled absorbent assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 6 representatively shows a cross-sectional and schematic view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 representatively shows a top plan view of an absorbent article using the absorbent assembly of Figure 3.

Figure 8 representatively shows a cross-sectional and schematic view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modality The present invention will be described herein in relation to a disposable absorbent assembly. The assembly can be placed in proximity to the body of a user to absorb and contain several exudates discharged from the body, and is intended to be discarded after a period of limited use. The set is not intended to be washed or otherwise returned to use. While the present disclosure will be made particularly in the context of a diaper, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other articles such as adult incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, child training underpants and the like.

In addition, the invention will be described in the context of various configurations and aspects. It should be appreciated that the alternate sets of the invention may comprise any combination which includes one or more of the various configurations and aspects of the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, an absorbent assembly 10 is illustrated. The absorbent assembly 10 has a longitudinal length dimension in the direction 12 and a lateral width dimension in the direction 14. In addition, the absorbent assembly 10 defines a front portion 16. , a back part 18 and an intermediate part 20 which interconnects with the front and rear parts. Absorbent assembly 10 includes a liquid impervious member 22, having a pair of laterally opposite side margins 24 which define the lateral width of the absorbent assembly in the intermediate part of the absorbent assembly in the direction 14. The absorbent assembly 10 further includes an absorbent core 26 attached to the waterproofing member. the liquid 22 between the laterally opposite side margins 24 of the liquid impervious member 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the absorbent core 26 includes the retaining portion 28, the emergence management part 30, a side liner to the body 32 which at least partially covers the holding part 28. The holding part 28 is designed to absorb and retain the liquids and has a longitudinal length dimension in the direction 12 defined by the end margins 34 and a dimension of lateral width in the direction 14 defined by the lateral margins 36.

As seen in greater detail from the reference to Figure 2, which is a cross-sectional and schematic view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1, the liquid impervious member 22 is in the embodiment illustrated, composed of a first material impervious to the liquid 38, having a contact material with the body 40 attached thereto. As can be seen in addition to the reference to Figures 1 and 2, the retention portion 28 is enveloped by the overwrap layers 42. The side-to-body liner 32 and the overwrap layers 42 both extend laterally, in the direction 14, beyond the lateral margins 36 of the retaining portion 28 to define the stiffener elements 44. The stiffener elements 44 are defined by those parts of the liner side to the body 32 and / or the overwrap layers 42 which they extend laterally beyond the lateral margins 36 of the retaining part 28. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stiffening elements have a width dimension in the direction 14 which varies along the length of the retaining part 28. It is desired that the stiffeners have a maximum width dimension at some point along their length of at least about 12 millimeters, preferably at least less than about 15 millimeters, alternatively from about 12 millimeters to about 80 millimeters. It is often desirable that the portions of the stiffener elements 44 are attached (not directly joined) to the liquid-impervious member 22 so as to be movable with respect thereto.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent assembly 10 further includes the elastic waist members 46.

As can be seen with reference to Figure 2, the laterally opposite side margins 24 of said liquid-impervious member 22 are defined by the fluid-impermeable member bent around the stiffening elements 44 to form the bent parts 48. The bent portions 48 have the longitudinal end portions, an intermediate portion between said longitudinal end portions and a remote edge 50. The longitudinal end portions of the bent portion 48 are attached to the absorbent assembly 10 at said front and rear portions. of said absorbent assembly in the middle of the lateral width dimension of said absorbent assembly 10. The longitudinal end portions of the folded portion 48 generally correspond to the front portion 16 and the back portion 18 of the absorbent assembly 10. Similarly, the portion intermediate of said bent part 48 generally corresponds to the intermediate part 20 of the absorbent assembly 10. Therefore, less a part of the distant edge 50 is free to move relative to said absorbent assembly (not joined) in at least a part of the intermediate part of said bent part 48 to thereby form a containment bag 52.

Figure 3 is identical to Figure 1 with the exception that Figure 3 illustrates several elastic members incorporated within the absorbent assembly 10. Similarly, Figure 4 is identical to Figure 2 with the exception that it also illustrates several elastic members. incorporated within the absorbent assembly 10.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the absorbent assembly 10 further comprises the distant elastic members 54 located on one side of the distant edge 50 for elastizing the distant edge 50. The remote elastic members 54, are suitably attached to the distant edge 50. of the folded part 48 in a stressed state so that, with relaxation, the distant edge 50 is folded. This folding causes parts of the distal edge 50 which are not attached to the absorbent assembly in the intermediate part of the bent part 48 to be located above and spaced from the side liner to the body 32 to thereby further define the carrier bag. containment 52.

The absorbent assembly 10 further includes the elastic members 56 operatively associated with the liquid-impermeable member 22 for folding the liquid-impervious member 22 along its length. This, in combination with the spaced elastic members 54, makes "the absorbent assembly 10 form a cup or arched configuration. The elastic members may, for example, be attached to either or both of the first liquid impervious material 38 or the body contact material 40. The elastic members 56 also perform a packing function by contracting to form a seal to around the legs of a user in use.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the absorbent assembly of Figs. 3 and 4 in a partially assembled state before forming the bent portions 48 by bending the liquid-impervious member 22 around the stiffener 44. In addition , Figure 5 is partially cut away illustrating the relative location of the various components of the absorbent assembly 10.

The liquid impermeable member 22 is suitably formed of any material impervious to the flexible liquid or a combination of materials which result in the combination being impermeable to the liquid. Suitable liquid impervious materials include polymeric films, woven or woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, foams and the like. Suitable films can be either water vapor permeable or water vapor impervious. A suitable water vapor impermeable film is a polyethylene or polypropylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 millimeters (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeters (2.0 mil). A water vapor permeable film is, for example, a microporous film commercially available from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals Inc., under the trade designation PMP-1 or a polyolefin film XKO-8044 available from 3M Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Similarly, the liquid impervious material can be formed of a woven or nonwoven fabric which can be treated to impart a desired degree of liquid impermeability and water vapor impermeability. Non-woven materials include spunbond materials and meltblown materials. The liquid impermeable material 22 may be a single layer such as a polyolefin film which may be either vapor permeable or water vapor impermeable or, as illustrated in the figures, may be a two-layer laminate. different materials. For example, liquid impervious material 22 may comprise a first material impervious to liquid 38, such as a polyolefin film or woven or nonwoven materials which have been treated to make them impermeable to liquid, and a contact material with the body 40, such as a non-woven material. Specifically, the liquid impervious member 22 may comprise a polypropylene film having a thickness of about 0.3 mil, which constitutes the first material impervious to the liquid 38 and a polypropylene yarn bonded material bonded thereto in the manner illustrated, whose polypropylene spunbonded material has a basis weight of about 0.6 ounces per square yard (20 grams per square meter), and is adapted to make contact with a user's skin during the use of the absorbent article of the present invention. In the absence of a contact material with the body 40, the first material impervious to the liquid will come into contact with the skin of a user. It is generally more comfortable for the wearer's skin to be exposed to a material bonded by soft spinning than in direct contact with, for example, the film impervious to liquid.

The side-to-body liner 32 has a face-to-body surface which is compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the user's skin. In addition, the body side facing 32 can be less hydrophilic than the retention portion 48, and is sufficiently porous to be impermeable to the liquid, allowing the liquid to penetrate through its thickness. A suitable body side liner 32 can be manufactured from a wide selection of fabric materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers). ), synthetic fibers, for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the side-to-body lining 32. For example, the side-to-body liner can be composed of a meltblown or spin-bonded fabric of polyolefin fibers. The side-to-body liner can be a carded-bonded fabric composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers. For the purposes of the present description, the term "non-woven fabric" means a fabric of material which is formed without the aid of textile weaving or weaving processes.

The side-to-body lining fabrics can be composed of an essentially non-wettable and essentially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material can optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the body side liner 3.2 can be a polypropylene fabric bonded with non-woven yarn composed of fibers of about 2.8-3.2 deniers formed in a fabric or fabric having a basis weight of about 20 grams per square meter (gsm) and a density of about 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The fabric can be treated on the surface with a selected amount of surfactant, such as about 0.28 percent of Triton X-102 surfactant available from Union Carbide, a business having offices in Danbury, Connecticut. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means such as spraying, printing, brushing or the like.

The absorbent core 26 is attached to said liquid impervious member between the laterally opposite side margins of said liquid impervious member. The absorbent core has a construction which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid exudates from the body. The absorbent core may comprise a piece of integral and single material, or alternatively, may comprise a plurality of individual separate pieces of material which are assembled together operatively. Where the absorbent structure comprises a piece of essentially integral and unique material, the material can include the desired structural characteristics formed in the selected spatial regions thereof. Where the absorbent structure comprises multiple pieces, the pieces may be configured as discrete layers or as other shapes and configurations without layers. In addition, the individual pieces can be coextensive or non-coextensive, depending on the requirements of the product. It is preferred, however, that each of the individual pieces be arranged in an intimate and operable contact along at least its boundaries with at least one other adjacent piece of the absorbent core.

The absorbent core 26 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, watch-shaped, sand, etc.) and a wide variety of materials. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 26 must be compatible with the size of the intended user and the load of the liquid imparted by the intended use of the absorbent article. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 26 can be varied to accommodate users ranging from infants to adults. Furthermore, it has been found that with the present invention the densities and / or base weights of the respective emergence management part 30 and the retention portion 28 as well as their relative proportions can be varied. In a particular aspect of the invention, the absorbent core has an absorbent capacity of at least about 300 grams of synthetic urine. Alternatively, the absorbent structure may have an absorbent capacity of at least about 400 grams of synthetic urine to provide improved performance.

Various types of hydrophilic and wettable fibrous materials can be used to form the component parts of the absorbent core 26. Examples of suitable fibers include naturally occurring organic fibers composed of intrinsically wettable materials, such as cellulosic fibers, composite synthetic fibers of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers, inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers; synthetic fibers made of inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as particular polyester or polyamide fibers; and synthetic fibers composed of a non-wettable thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene fibers, which have been hydrophilized by the appropriate means. The fibers may be hydrophilized, for example, by treatment with silica, treatment with a material which has a suitable hydrophilic moiety and is not easily removable from the fiber, or by sheathing the hydrophobic fiber not wettable with a hydrophilic polymer during or after fiber formation. For the purposes of the present invention it is contemplated that mixtures selected from the various types of fibers mentioned above may also be employed.

As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" describes fibers or fiber surfaces which are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can, in turn, be described in terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquid and the materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of a particular fiber material or mixtures of fiber materials used for the absorbent core 26 can be provided by a Cahn SFA-222 surface force analyzer system, or an essentially equivalent system, When measured with this system, fibers having contact angles of less than 90 degrees are designated "wettable" or hydrophilic, while fibers having contact angles greater than 90 degrees are designated "non-wetting" or hydrophobic.

The retaining portion 28 may comprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a cellulose fluff, mixed with particles of high absorbency material. In particular assemblies, the retaining portion 28 may comprise a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel forming particles and fibers formed by blowing with synthetic polymer melt or a mixture of superabsorbent particles with a fibrous coform material comprising a mixture of natural fibers and / or of synthetic polymer fibers. The superabsorbent particles may be mixed in an essentially homogeneous manner with the hydrophilic fibers or they may not be uniformly mixed. For example, the concentrations of the superabsorbent particles may be arranged in a non-stepped gradient through an essential part of the thickness (Z-direction) of the absorbent core, with the lower concentrations towards the body side of the absorbent core. and the relatively higher concentrations towards the other side of the absorbent core. Suitable Z-gradient configurations are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,699,823 issued October 13, 1987 to Kellenberger et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent with the present disclosure. . The superabsorbent particles may also be arranged in a generally discrete layer within the hydrophilic fiber matrix or may be configured in discrete discrete bag regions of superabsorbent material. In addition, two or more different types of superabsorbent can be selectively placed at different locations within the fiber matrix.

The high-absorbent material may comprise absorbent gelation materials, such as superabsorbents. The absorbent gelation material can be polymers and natural, synthetic and modified natural materials. In addition, the gelation materials may be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers. The term "cross-linked" refers to any means for effectively making the materials normally water-soluble essentially insoluble in water but sponge-free in water. Such media may include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, complexes and ionic associations, hydrophilic associations, such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der aals forces.

Examples of the polymers of absorbent gelation material include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamides), poly (vinyl ethers), copolymers of maleic anhydride with vinyl ethers and alpha olefins, poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), poly (vinylmorpholinone), poly (vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Additional polymers suitable for use in the absorbent structure include natural and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and natural gums, such as alginates, xanthan gum, locust bean gum and the like. Mixtures of fully or partially synthetic absorbent polymers may also be useful in the present invention. Other absorbent gelation materials are described by Assarsson and others in U.S. Patent No. 3,901,236 issued August 26, 1975. Processes for preparing synthetic absorbent gelation polymers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,663 issued February 28, 1978 to Masuda et al. and United States Patent No. 4,286,082 issued August 25, 1981 to Tsubakimoto et al.

Synthetic absorbent gelation materials are typically xerogels which form hydrogels when wetted. The term "hydrogel", however, has been commonly used to refer also to both the wet and unmoistened forms of the material.

As previously mentioned, the high-absorbency material used in the retention portion 28 is generally in the form of discrete particles. The particles may be of any desired shape, for example, spiral or semi-spiral, cubic, rod-type, polyhydric, etc. The shapes having a larger dimension / smaller dimension ratio such as needles, flakes, and fibers are also contemplated for use here. Conglomerates of absorbent gelation material particles can also be used in the retention portion 28.

It is preferred to use the particles having an average size of from about 20 microns to about 1 millimeter. "Particle size" as used herein means the heavy average of the smallest dimension of the individual particles.

An example of a superabsorbent polymer suitable for use in the present invention is the SANWET IM polymer 3900 available from Hoechst Celanese, a business having offices in Portsmouth, Virginia. Other suitable superabsorbents may include a DOW DRYTECH 2035LD polymer obtained from Dow Chemical Company, a business having offices in Midland, Michigan; or a FAVOR SAB 870M polymer available from Stockhausen, Inc., a business having offices in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The hydrophilic fiber matrix comprising the retention portion 28 can be a cellulosic wood pulp fluff, and the particles of the superabsorbent polymer can be distributed within the hydrophilic fiber matrix. Hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency particles can be provided in a fiber to particle ratio which is suitably no more than about 75:25, alternatively it is no more than about 70:30, and optionally it is not too much. around 55:45, by weight. In additional aspects of the invention, the fiber to particle ratio is suitably not less than about 25:75, preferably it is not less than about 30:70 and more preferably is not less than about 45:55, by weight. Such fiber to particle ratios may be particularly desirable in the target zone (the initial liquid application area during use) of the absorbent structure. In the particular embodiments of the invention, the ratio by weight of fiber to particle is not more than about 65:35 and is not less than about 50:50 to provide the desired performance.

Hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency particles can form an average composite basis weight which is within the range of about 400-900 grams per square meter. Again, such a basis weight is particularly desirable in the target area of the absorbent structure. In certain aspects of the invention, the average composite basis weight is within the range of about 500-800 grams per square meter, and preferably is within the range of about 550-750 grams per square meter to provide the desired performance .

In order to provide the desired thinness dimension to the various configurations of the absorbent article of the invention, the retaining portion 28 can be configured with a volume thickness which is not more than about 0.6 cm. Preferably, the volume thickness is not more than about 0.53 cm, and more preferably is not more than about 0.5 cm to provide the improved benefits. The volume thickness was determined under a restriction pressure of 0.2 psi (1.38 kPa).

The density of the retention portion 28 or other component of the absorbent article can be calculated from its basis weight and thickness. With respect to diapers, for example, weight and thickness are measured on newly unpacked diapers, unfolded and dried at a restriction pressure of 0.2 psi (1.38 kPa). Conventional thickness measuring devices can be used to determine the thicknesses needed to calculate the density.

In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the absorbent retention portion 28 includes 4-22 grams of wood pulp fluff, preferably includes about 8-18 grams of fluff and more preferably includes about 12-14 grams of fluff to provide The desired benefits. The wood pulp fluff generally provides shape and contour to the absorbent assembly 10, and carries and places the particles of superabsorbent polymer or other high-absorbency material. The retention portion 28 may contain about 7-12 grams of superabsorbent polymer, and in the embodiment illustrated, it contains about 8 grams of superabsorbent polymer. Sufficient superabsorbent polymer is incorporated in the retention portion 28 to provide a suitable total absorbent capacity of at least about 300 grams of synthetic urine. For example, a medium-sized diaper for an infant weighing about 16-28 pounds (7-13 kilograms) can typically have a total retention capacity of about 400 grams of synthetic urine.

The superabsorbent and fluff particles can be selectively placed within the desired zones of the retention portion 28. For example, the base weight of fluff can vary across the width dimension of the retention portion 28. Alternatively, the amounts relatively Larger debris can be placed towards the front waist band end of the retainer portion. For example, see U.S. Patent No. 4,585,448 issued April 29, 1986 to K. Enloe. In the illustrated embodiment, the majority of the superabsorbent material may be distributed in a middle region of the retaining portion 28 that extends along the length dimension of the retention art and measures about 3.5-4.5 inches (about 8.9-11.4 cm) wide. In addition, the superabsorbent material may have a zoned placement selected to reduce the amount of superabsorbent material located near the end and side edges of the retention portion. The reduced amounts of the superabsorbent material at the edges of the retention portion can improve the containment of the superabsorbent particles within the fibrous fluff matrix of the retention portion 28. The zoned and pulsed placement of the superabsorbent material can, example, achieved by the method and apparatus described in United States Patent No. 5,028,224 issued to C. Pieper et al. entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERMITTENTLY DEPOSITING PARTICULATE MATERIAL IN A SUBSTRATE and issued on July 2, , 1991 (Attorney Case No. 8761), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent therewith.

The retaining portion 28 may be wrapped in a layer of hydrophilic wrapping with high moisture resistance, such as a high moisture resistance tissue or a synthetic fibrous web. Such an overwrap layer can also increase the integrity in the use of the retention portion. The overwrap layer may be suitably attached, such as with adhesive, to the adjacent components of the absorbent assembly e.

Due to the high concentrations of superabsorbent particles, or other high-absorbency material, in the retention portion 28, there may be an increased difficulty with respect to containing the high-absorbency particles within the retention portion and restricting the movement or emigration of the superabsorbent on the side of the body of the diaper. To improve containment of the high-absorbency material, the absorbent core 26 may include an improved overwrap placed immediately on one side and around all or part of the retaining portion 28. The overwrap layer is preferably a layer of an absorbent material which covers the surfaces from side to body and from side to side main of the holding part, and preferably essentially envelops all peripheral edges of the retaining portion to form an essentially complete envelope around them. Alternatively, the overwrap layer can cover the side-to-body and main-exterior surfaces of the retaining portion and essentially envelop only the side-side edges of the retaining portion. Therefore, the lateral side edges of the overwrap layer will be closed around the retaining portion. In such a set, however, the end edges of the overwrap layer may not be completely closed around the end edges of the retaining portion in the end portions of the article.

The overwrap layer 42 may comprise a multi-element wrapping sheet which includes a separate body-to-body overwrap layer and a separate outer-to-outer overwrap layer, each of which extends beyond all or some of the peripheral edges of the retaining portion 28 as shown representatively in Figures 1-6. Such a configuration of the overwrap layer can, for example, facilitate the formation of an essentially complete seal and a closure around the peripheral edges of the retaining portion 28.

The side-to-body and side-to-side layers of the overwrap layer 28 may be composed of essentially the same material, or be composed of different materials. For example, the side-to-side layer of the overwrap layer may be composed of a relatively lower basis weight material having relatively high porosity, such as a moisture-resistant cellulosic tissue composed of soft wood pulp. The side-to-body layer of the overwrap layer may comprise one of the above-described overwrap layer materials which has a relatively low porosity. The low porosity side-to-body layer can better prevent the migration of superabsorbent particles to the user's skin, and the lower-weight, high-porosity side-to-side layer can help reduce costs and facilitate the processing of the absorbent pad.

In order to provide the connection between the side-to-side and the body-side parts of the overwrap layer 42, an adhesive, such as the NATIONAL STARCH 72-3723 adhesive, may be printed over the designated joint areas of the over-wrap, with for example, a rotogravure type system. With alternating assemblies having an overwrap layer composed of a fibrous blow fabric with non-woven fusion, the peripheral sealing of the layers from side to body and from side to side can be achieved by employing hot calendering to provide a region of sealed strip around the periphery of the retaining portion.

Due to the thinness of the retention portion 28 and the high superabsorbent concentrations within the retention portion, the liquid intake rates of the retention portion may themselves be very low or may not be adequately sustained over multiple discharges. of liquid inside the absorbent core. The addition of a liquid permeable layer of discharge handling material can advantageously improve the overall absorbency rate of the absorbent core. Such emergence management part 30 is typically less hydrophilic than retention portion 28, and has an operable level of density and low weight to quickly and temporarily collect discharges of liquid to transport liquid from the initial entry point. and to essentially completely release the liquid to the other parts of the absorbent core 36 particularly in the retaining portion 28. This configuration can help to prevent the liquid from stagnating and collecting on the part of the absorbent assembly placed against it. of the user's skin, thus reducing the user's wet feeling.

Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used to construct the emergence management part 30. For example, the emergence management part can be a layer composed of a meltblown or bonded fabric with polyolefin fiber yarn. The emergence management part can also be a carded and bonded fabric or an air-laid fabric composed of synthetic and natural fibers. The carded and bonded fabric can, for example, be a carded fabric bonded with powder, a carded and infrared-bonded fabric, or a carded fabric bonded through air. The carded fabrics and joined through air and infrared can optionally include a mixture of different fibers, and the fiber lengths within a selected fabric fabric may be within the range of about 1.0-3.0 inches. The emergence management part may be composed of an essentially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity.

The absorbent assembly 10 may include a discharge handling part 30 which is arranged in a direct liquid contacting communication with an adjacent absorbent retaining portion 28. As representatively shown, the discharge handling part 30 may be configured for placement on one side of an exterior face, outside the lining from side to body 32. Optionally, the emergence management part can be placed on one side of an interior face, the surface side to the body of the liner from side to body 32. The shown configuration of the emergence management part is operatively connected to the side-to-body liner with a conventional adhesive pattern, such as with a swirl adhesive pattern. In addition, the emergence management part can be operatively connected to the side-to-body layer of the overwrap layer 42 with a conventional pattern of adhesive. The amount of adhesive added must be sufficient to provide the desired bond levels, but it must be sufficiently low to avoid excessive restriction of the movement of the liquid from the side-to-body layer, through the discharge handling part. and through the overwrap layer.

The holding part 28 is placed in communication of the liquid with the discharge handling part 30 to receive the liquid discharged from the emergence management part and to retain and store the liquid. In the embodiments shown, the emergence management part 30 comprises a separate layer which is placed on another separate layer comprising the retention portion, thereby forming a dual layer assembly. The emergence management part serves to quickly collect and temporarily retain the discharged liquids, to transport such liquids from the initial connection point and to spread the liquid to the other parts of the emergence management part, and then to release essentially complete such liquids inside the layer or layers comprising the retaining portion 28.

The configuration shown representatively of the discharge handling part is substantially free of the absorbent gelation material. The emergence management part 30 may, however, contain a very small amount of the particulate gelation material to assist in acquiring an initial liquid discharge, but the amount must not be excessive.

As previously mentioned, the discharge handling part 30 may be a separately formed layer, which lies on one side of the face facing surface of the side facing body 32 between the retaining portion and the skin liner. side to the body. Thus, the emergence management part 30 may not comprise the full thickness of the absorbent core 26. The retention portion may optionally include a recessed area which completely or partially surrounds the discharge handling part 30, or the portion of Retention may be completely placed below the emergence management part. The assembly which includes the recess in the holding part 28 can advantageously increase the contact area and the communication of the liquid between the holding part and the discharge handling part 30. It should be understood, however, that the part of discharge handling 30 may optionally be constructed to extend through the full thickness of the absorbent core 26 so that the capillary flow of the liquid into the holding portion 28 occurs primarily in a generally sideways (XY) direction.

The emergence management part can be any desired shape consistent with the absorbency requirements of the absorbent core 26. Suitable shapes include, for example, circular, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, oblong, bone of dog, the hourglass shape or the oval. Preferred forms of the emergence management part are those which increase the liquid and contact communication surface area between the discharge management part 30 and the retention portion 28 so that the relative capillary difference between the parts It can be used completely. In certain embodiments, for example, the discharge handling part may be generally rectangular in shape.

In the various configurations of the invention, the discharge handling portion 30 may extend over the entire length of the retaining portion 28, or may extend over only a portion of the length of the retaining portion. Where the discharge management part extends only or partially along the length of the retention portion, the emergence management portion can be selectively placed anywhere along the absorbent core 26. For example, the The emergence management part 30 can operate more efficiently when it is off-center towards the front waistband of the garment and transversely centered within the front section of the absorbent core 26. Thus, the emergence management part 30 can be centered approximately to about the longitudinal centerline of absorbent core 26, and placed primarily in a central region of the front section of the absorbent core 26.

In other aspects of the invention, the end edges of the discharge handling portion may be longitudinally spaced inward from the end edges of the retaining portion 28. In the particular configurations of the invention, the front end edge relatively adjacent and corresponding of the discharge handling part 30 may be spaced by a predetermined discrete distance of a front waistband end edge 34 of the retaining portion 28.

It has been found that an effective fabric for constructing the discharge handling part can be characterized distinctly by particular parameters. Such parameters include, for example, the basis weight, the permeability, the porosity, the surface area per hollow volume (SA / W), the compressive elasticity and the saturation capacity. Additional parameters may include a binding matrix which will help to stabilize the pore size structure, and hydrophilicity. The bonding matrix and fiber fiber mixture can advantageously provide and essentially maintain a structure of desired pore size.

Additional details regarding the source materials and suitable techniques for determining the parameters described above are set forth in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 206,986 of C. Ellis and D. Bishop, entitled DISCHARGE LAYER. OF FIBROUS NON-TISSUE FABRIC FOR ABSORBENT PERSONAL CARE AND SIMILAR ITEMS, and filed on March 4, 1994 (Attorney Case No. 11,256); and U.S. Patent Application No. 206,069 to C. Ellis and R. Everett, entitled FIBROUS NON-WOVEN HANDLING OF IMPROVED DISCHARGE HANDLING FOR ABSORBING ARTICLES FOR PERSONAL CARE AND THE LIKE, and filed on March 4, 1994 (Lawyer Case No. 11,387); as well as U.S. Patent Nos. 5,364,382 issued November 15, 1941 to Latimer et al. and U.S. Patent No. 5,429,629 issued July 4, 1995 to Latimer et al., whose descriptions they are incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent therewith.

In the desired configurations of the invention, the discharge material may include natural fibers, synthetic fibers, such as synthetic polymer fibers and combinations thereof. The fabric may, for example, be composed of polyolefin fibers, and in particular configurations, the fibers may include bicomponent fibers. For example, the polypropylene / polyethylene bicomponent fibers can be used to form the bicomponent fiber portion of any of the fabrics described. In addition, the bicomponent fibers may be flat curled or helically crimped.

The spaced elastic members 54 and the elastic members 56 may be attached, for example, to the first liquid impervious material 38 and / or to the body contact materials 40 with the appropriate securing means., such as a selected adhesive pattern or other type of bond. For example, the adhesive can be applied by spraying adhesive, discontinuous filament droplets and / or applied by arranging generally continuous lines of adhesive in a selected pattern, such as a swirl pattern. Alternatively, the elastic members 56 and the spaced elastic members 54 can be joined with a plurality of longitudinally extending and individual adhesive strips. Each strip of individual adhesive can be separated from the immediately adjacent adhesive strips by a discrete distance, and each strip of individual adhesive can be arranged to essentially join an individual one of the elastic members 56 or of the remote elastic members 54 to the first material impermeable to the liquid 38 and / or to the material in contact with the body 40.

The distant elastic members 54 are adapted to fold the distal edge of the bent region 48 to thereby place the distal edge outwardly from the side facing to the body 32 in at least a portion of the intermediate part of the absorbent assembly 10. Therefore, even when in the illustrated embodiment the elastic members 54 are illustrated, extending along the entire length of the remote edge 50 of the bent portion 48, the remote elastic member 54 may be located only along a part of the length of the remote edge 50.

The elastic members 56 are adapted to contract and fold at least a portion of the intermediate portion 20 of the absorbent assembly 10. In use, this results in the intermediate portion 20 of the absorbent assembly 10 maintaining a closed notch around the leg and / or thigh of the user during use.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic members 56 are illustrated as extending along less than the entire length of the absorbent assembly 10. It is generally desired that the elastic members 56 extend at least a major portion of the intermediate portion 20 of the absorbent assembly 10. It is from then, it is possible for the elastic members 56 to extend along the length of the absorbent assembly 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, two spaced elastic members 54 are illustrated. Of course it is possible to employ a single remote elastic member or to employ multiple spaced elastic members. Similarly, all of the remote elastic members may extend to the same length along the absorbent assembly 10 or may extend along different lengths of the absorbent assembly 10.

In a similar manner, while in the illustrated embodiment there are four elastic members 56 illustrated, it is possible, for example, to employ between 0 and about 15 or more elastic members. The elastic members 56 may extend along the same length of the absorbent assembly 10 or they may extend along different lengths of the absorbent assembly 10. The spacing of the elastic members 56 from one another and from the spaced elastic members may vary widely. In essence, the elastic members 56 can be located anywhere in the absorbent assembly 10 which allows them to perform the desired function. While the spaced elastic members 54 and the elastic members 56 are illustrated as being directly attached to either the first liquid impervious material 38 or the body contacting materials 40, it is also possible to join the distant elastic members 54 or the elastic members 56 for separating the flexible sheet of material which in turn is attached to the absorbent assembly 10. The spaced elastic members 54 and the elastic members 56 are illustrated as being generally parallel to each other and to the longitudinal central axis of the Absorbent set 10. It is possible to understand that non-parallel orientations such as curved orientations are possible.

A suitable material for use as the distant elastic members 54 or the elastic members 56 is a LYCRA elastomeric yarn of 470 decitex which is available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours, a business having offices in Wilmington, Delaware. Alternatively, the elastic yarns can be composed of a spandex Glospan S7 700 denier elastomer, which is available from Globe Manufacturing, a business having offices in Fall River, Massachusetts. Other elastomeric materials such as non-woven or elastomeric foam materials or elastomeric pressure sensitive adhesives are also suitable for use as the spaced elastic members 54 or the elastic members 56.

Figure 7 illustrates the absorbent assembly of Figure 3 attached to an outer cover to form an absorbent article. With reference to figure 7, the outer cover 58 has a longitudinal length dimension in the direction 12 and a side width dimension in the direction 14. The cover 58 further includes a front part 60, a back part 62 and an intermediate part 64 which interconnects the part front 60 and back 62. In the illustrated embodiments, at least one of the front and back portions of the outer cover has a side width dimension greater than the side width dimension of the middle portion of said outer cover to define the ear parts. The outer cover can define the ears on either or both the front part or the back part. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer cover 58 defines the ear portions 66 and 68 in the front portion 60 and the ear portions 70 and 72 in said rear portion 62.

The outer cover further comprises the fastening means attached to said outer cover for securing said article around a user's waist. With reference to Figure 7, the outer cover 58 includes the fastening tabs 74 which, in the embodiment illustrated further, include the first fastening elements 76 adapted to releasably engage a second attachment member located on the front 60.

The outer cover 58 can be made of any flexible material which is compliant and which will readily conform to the shape and general contour of the user's body. The material from which the outer cover 58 is formed may be either liquid permeable or liquid impermeable and may be either permeable or impermeable to water vapor. Examples of the materials from which the outer shell can be manufactured include polymeric films, woven or woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, foams, and the like. Suitable films can be either water vapor permeable or water vapor impervious. A suitable water vapor impermeable film is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 millimeters (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeters (2.0 mil). A vapor permeable film is, for example, a microporous film commercially available from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., under the trade designation PMP-1 or a polyolefin film XKO-8044 available from 3M Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. . The polymeric film may be used separately or may comprise a woven or non-woven fibrous fabric layer bonded to the polymeric films. The woven or non-woven fibrous fabric layer suitably imparts a cloth-like feel to the outer surface of the film. For example, a cloth-type outer cover may be composed of a polypropylene spunbonded fabric of about 0.5 ounces per square yard (about 17 grams per square meter) of basis weight which is laminated and thermally bonded to a stretched-thinned polypropylene film having a thickness of about 0.0006 inches (about 0.015 millimeters) and a film basis weight of about 14.5 grams per square meter. Such material and the method for its manufacture is suitably described in the patent application of the United States of America series No. 08 / 997,800 filed on December 29, 1992 in the name of McCormick et al. (Attorney's Issue No. 9945).

Similarly, the outer cover can be formed of a woven or non-woven fabric which can be treated to impart a desired degree of liquid impermeability and / or water vapor impermeability. Suitable non-woven materials include spunbond materials and meltblown materials. A preferred material from which the outer cover 10 can be manufactured is a composite material of spunbond / meltblown / spunbond (SMS) fibers. A specific material from which the outer cover 10 can be manufactured is a vapor permeable and liquid impermeable SMS material having a basis weight of about 50 grams per square meter (gsm). The SMS is suitably formed of a meltblown polypropylene layer which has a basis weight of about 17 grams per square meter and which is placed between two layers of polyethylene / polypropylene joined by spinning, each of which has a basis weight of around 17 grams per square meter. The meltblown layer may comprise up to about 5 by weight of polybutylene commercially available from Shell Chemical Company under the trade designation DP8911. The polypropylene is commercially available suitably from Exxon Chemical under the trade designation 3546G. The layers joined by spinning include up to about 4 percent by weight of a 50 percent concentration of titanium dioxide pigment commercially available from Ampacet under the trade designation Ampacet 41438. The rest of the layers bonded by spinning comprise 3 percent by weight polyethylene and 97 weight percent polypropylene copolymer which is commercially available from Shell Chemical Company under the trade designation 6D43. The meltblown layer provides from about 25 to about 35 percent by weight of the SMS laminate. This material has a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of around 5, 000 grams per square meter per 24 hours.

Suitable materials from which the outer cover 58 can be manufactured are described in the co-pending US patent application commonly owned by applicant No. 08 / 223,210 filed on April 5, 1994, in the name of Bradley and others . Other materials suitable for use as the outer cover 10 include those described in United States Patent No. 4,713,068 issued December 15, 1987 to Wang et al .; U.S. Patent No. 4,758,239 issued July 19, 1988 to Yeo et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,818,600 issued April 4, 1989 to Braun et al .; and U.S. Patent No. 4,826,556 issued May 9, 1989 to Braun et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that they are consistent therewith.

Depending on the specific properties desired for the absorbent article, the outer cover and the liquid impervious member are selected to provide the desired properties. For example, if the liquid impervious member is permeable to water vapor, and the water vapor permeability is desired for the absorbent article, it will generally be desirable to select a material which is permeable to water vapor for the outer cover material.

It is often desired that the material from which the outer cover is made be permeable to water vapor. The water vapor permeability is suitably quantified with reference to the water vapor transmission rate of the material. The method by which the water vapor transmission rate for a given material is determined is described in relation to the examples. The outer casing suitably has a water vapor transmission rate of about 200 to about 8000 or more grams per square meter per 24 hours, alternatively from about 500 to about 5000 grams per square meter per 24 hours .

Suitable fastening means for use in connection with the outer cover are known to those skilled in the art. Suitable fastening means include adhesive fasteners, as well as mechanical fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners, boteroles, buttons and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment means includes the fastening appendages 74 including the first fastening element 76. The first fastening element 76 suitably comprises a hook or a curl component of a hook and loop fastener. A second fastening element is associated with the outer cover and is adapted to engage releasably with the first fastening element 76. For example, the first fastening element may comprise a hook material, and the second fastening element may comprise a material of curl that can be hooked with the hook material. Hook materials suitable for use in the present invention include those materials commercially available from Velero Group Company, under the trade designation CFM 29-1029 or CFM 29-1058. Suitable curl materials for use in the present invention include a < those commercially available knitted terry materials from Guilford Mills under the trade designation CCK 34922, Style Number 36871. Suitable terry materials may also include nonwoven materials such as those described in the commonly assigned co-pending patent application entitled "Non-Woven Fabric". Disjointed Weaving with Pattern and Process to Do the Same, "presented on November 22, 1996, in the name of Stokes et al. (Attorney's Issue No. 12232).

The fastening appendages 74 can be formed of any material capable of performing the function of a fastening tab. That is, the attachment of the disposable absorbent article around the waist of a wearer. For example, the fastening tab can be formed of the same materials as the outer cover 58. In a specific embodiment, the fastening tab is formed of a material which is elastic and is capable of stretching in at least one direction 14 and is capable of to stretch at least about 200 percent of its relaxed length and after stretching to around 200 percent, returning to approximately its relaxed length.

Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7. As can be seen from the reference to Figures 7-8, the absorbent assembly can be continuous with the outer cover . Of course, it is possible that the absorbent assembly has a length which is greater than the outer covering or which is less than the outer covering. The absorbent assembly is adhesively bonded appropriately to the outer cover. Other methods of joining the absorbent assembly to the outer cover 58 can be used suitably. Elastic members 54 and 56 are allowed to relax properly before the absorbent assembly attaches to the outer cover.

In some cases, it may be desirable to attach a portion of the intermediate portion 20 of the folded portion 48 to the side liner to the body 32. Such attachment may be desirable to prevent the folded portions 48 from overlapping one another. in the middle part (crotch). For example, with reference to Figure 7, the attachment points 80 can join the folded portion 48 to the side liner to the body 32 in the intermediate part of the folded portion 48. Suitable methods for forming the attachment points 80 they include bonding with adhesive and thermal bonding such as ultrasonic bonding.

Examples Water Vapor Transmission Rate - A technique for determining the WVTR value of a material's steam transmission rate is as follows. For the purposes of the present invention, 76 millimeter circular samples were cut from the test material and from a control material, Celguard® 2500 (Hoechst Celanese Corporation). Two or three samples were prepared for each material. The test cups used to test are aluminum forged, flanged, 2 inches deep and come with a mechanical seal and a neoprene gasket. The cups are distributed by Thwing-Albert Instrument Company, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the Vapometer rate designation # 681. 100 milliliters of distilled water was poured into each cup of Vapometer and each of the individual samples of test materials and control material were placed through the open top area of an individual cup. The bolted flanges are tightened to form a seal along the edges of the cups leaving the associated test material or control material exposed to the ambient atmosphere over a circular area of 62 millimeters in diameter (an exposed and open area). of around 30 cm2). The cups are then weighed, placed on a tray, and placed in a forced air oven set at IOOOF (38oC). The oven is at a constant temperature with the external air circulating through it to prevent the accumulation of water vapor inside. A suitable forced air furnace is, for example, the Blue M Power O-Matic 60 furnace, distributed by Blue M Electric Co., of Blue Island, Illinois. After 24 hours the cups are removed from the oven and weighed. The test water vapor transmission value was calculated as follows: Test WVTR = í (grams weight loss in 24 hours) x 7571] cr / mV24 hours) 24 The relative humidity inside the oven is not specifically controlled. Under predetermined conditions of lOOoF and an ambient relative humidity, the WVTR for the Celguard 2500 has been determined as being 500 g / m2 / 24 hours. Therefore, the Celguard 2500 runs as a control sample with each test. The Celguard 2500 is a 0.0025 cm thick film composed of a microporous polypropylene.

Having thus described the invention in considerable detail, it will easily be to a person of ordinary skill that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

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

1. An absorbent assembly having a longitudinal length dimension, a lateral width dimension, a front part, a rear part, and an intermediate part which interconnects the front and rear parts, said absorbent assembly comprises: a liquid impervious member having a pair of laterally opposite side margins defining the lateral width dimension of said absorbent assembly in said intermediate portion of said absorbent assembly, said laterally opposite side margins of said liquid impervious member being defined by the longitudinal fold lines which define the folded parts having the longitudinal end portions, an intermediate part between said longitudinal end portions, and a distant edge, said longitudinal end portions are attached to said absorbent assembly in said front portions and back of said absorbent assembly in the middle of the lateral width dimension of said absorbent assembly, said distal edge of said folded portion is not attached to said absorbent assembly in at least a portion of the intermediate portion of said folded portion, and an absorbent assembly attached to said liquid impervious member between the laterally opposite side margins of said liquid impervious member, said absorbent core comprises a retaining portion for absorbing and retaining the liquids, said retaining portion having a length dimension longitudinal defined by the end margins and a lateral width dimension defined by the lateral margins, and a side liner to the body which at least partially covers said retaining part, said liner side to body extends laterally further beyond the longitudinal side margins of said retention portion by at least about 12 millimeters to define the stiffeners.

2. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the side-to-body liner extends laterally beyond the longitudinal side margins of said retaining portion by a distance of from about 12 millimeters to about 80 mm.

3. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said laterally opposite side margins of said liquid impermeable member are elasticized.

4. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the laterally opposite side margins of said liquid impervious member are elastified with a plurality of elastic threads attached to said impermeable member.

5. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clauses 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said remote edge is elasticized so that said folded parts form a containment bag.

6. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said portions of the stiffener elements are disengaged from the liquid impermeable member so as to move with respect thereto.

7. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises an overwrapped layer which at least partially envelops said retention portion wherein said liner sideways to the body at least partially covers said retention portion and said overwrap layer.

8. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that said overwrap layer and said side-to-body liner extends laterally beyond the longitudinal side margins of said retaining portion to define the stiffeners.

9. The absorbent assembly as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that the parts of said stiffeners are not attached to said member impervious to the liguid so as to be movable with respect thereto.

10. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 8, characterized by "that said overwrapped layer and said liner side to body extend laterally beyond the longitudinal side margins of said retainer portion for a distance of from about from 12 millimeters to around 80 millimeters. SUMMARY An absorbent assembly comprising a liquid impervious member having a pair of laterally opposite side margins is described. The laterally opposite side margins of the liquid impervious member are defined by the longitudinal fold lines which define the folded part having the longitudinal end portions, an intermediate part between said longitudinal end portion and a distal edge. The longitudinal end portions are attached to the absorbent assembly in the middle of the width of said absorbent assembly. The edge remote from the bent part is disengaged from the absorbent assembly in at least a part of the intermediate part of said bent part. The absorbent assembly further includes an absorbent core attached to the liquid impervious member and includes a retaining portion. A liner sideways to the body at least partially covers the retaining portion and extends laterally beyond the longitudinal side margins of the retaining portion by at least about millimeters to define the stiffener elements.