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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, and more particularly, to absorbent articles having barrier cuffs which improve the containment characteristics and fit of the absorbent article.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The major function of absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and incontinent briefs or undergarments is to absorb and contain body exudates. Such articles are thus intended to prevent body exudates from soiling, wetting, or otherwise
contaminating clothing or other articles, such as bedding, that come in contact with the wearer. The most common mode of failure for such products occurs when body exudates leak out of the gaps between the article and the wearer's leg or waist to
adjacent clothing because they are not immediately absorbed within the article and the absorbent article is not able to sustain a good fit on the wearer such that gaps are created allowing the exudates to leak out of the chassis of the absorbent article. For example, urine tends to be deposited onto the topsheet in gushes such that the urine migrates to the gaps in the chassis where it can come in contact with clothing or other articles and be absorbed by these articles. Additionally, loose fecal
material that is not easily absorbed by the absorbent article tends to "float" on the liquid-receiving surface and work its way past the gaps in the article in the legs or waist of the wearer.
Contemporary disposable diapers have a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, and elasticized leg flaps generally formed from an elastic member being enclosed in the continuous topsheet and backsheet which extend beyond the edges of the
absorbent core. These elasticized leg flaps prove effective generally to prevent wicking and overflow from the fluid laden diaper to clothing contacting the edges of the diaper in that the elasticized leg flaps present a fluid impervious barrier between
the edge of the diaper and the contacting clothing, and in addition, provide a gasketing action about the legs of the wearer to maintain a seal about the leg and minimize gapping. However, leakage along the perimeter of the diaper may still occur. As
the diaper is worn for longer periods of time, forces tend to act on the diaper to degrade the initial fit on the wearer. Large gaps and sagging of the diaper in the legs and waist are formed by the degradation in fit. Thus, as liquids are deposited
onto the topsheet, some of the liquid is not immediately absorbed through the topsheet and migrates toward the edges of the diaper where it can leak through or past the gaps in the diaper and come in contact with clothing or undergarments where it can be
absorbed by and wicked into such garments.
Disposable diapers may be provided with barrier cuffs which inhibit loose fecal material or gushes of urine or liquids from soiling the wearer's clothing. The barrier cuffs restrain the free flow of this material and provide a structure to hold
such material within the diaper so that as such material freely floats or flows on the topsheet of the diaper, it is contained within the diaper. Despite the effectiveness of such structures in containing such material, it has been found that liquids
can leak beyond the barrier cuffs and soil the wearer's clothing because the diaper construction does not promote a sustained fit of the diaper on the wearer. Additionally, the barrier cuffs may not be properly applied to the wearer such that good
initial fit is not achieved and the sustained fit is often worse.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which has improved liquid containment characteristics.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having a barrier cuff which acts as a restraint against the leakage of body exudates.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having a barrier cuff that consistently provides excellent initial and sustained fit.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having a barrier cuff that minimizes fit degradation.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article that is easy to apply to the wearer and promotes better containment by being less sensitive to variations in the application of the diaper.
These and other objects of the invention will be more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper is provided with a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet associated with the topsheet; an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet
and the backsheet; a barrier cuff positioned adjacent each longitudinal edge of the absorbent article and having a proximal edge and a distal edge; spacing means for spacing the distal edges away from the liquid-receiving surface so as to enhance the
containment characteristics of the barrier cuffs; first closing means for securing the distal edges of the barrier cuffs to the absorbent article inboard of the proximal edges in the first waist region of the absorbent article; and second closing means
for securing the distal edges of the barrier cuffs to the absorbent article outboard of the proximal edges in the second waist region so that the distal edges are "flipped out" to form inflected barrier cuffs which improve the containment and fit of the
diaper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following
descriptions which are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disposable diaper embodiment of the present invention having portions cut-away to reveal underlying structure.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 4--4 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to articles which absorb and contain body exudates and more specifically refers to articles which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various
exudates discharged from the body. Absorbent articles are typically differentiated by whether they are reusable or disposable. Disposable absorbent articles refers to articles which are intended to be discarded after a single use (i.e., they are not
intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused). The absorbent articles of the present invention are preferably disposable absorbent articles. The absorbent articles may be further defined by whether they are "unitary" such that they do not
require separate manipulative parts or whether they comprise an element of a diaper system such as a separate holder and liner. The absorbent articles of the present invention are preferably unitary. A preferred embodiment of a unitary disposable
absorbent article of the present invention, diaper 20, is shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to a garment generally worn by infants and incontinent persons that is worn about the lower torso of the wearer. It should be
understood, however, that the present invention is also applicable to other disposable absorbent articles such as incontinent briefs or undergarments, disposable training pants, diaper holders, sanitary napkins, and the like.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its flat-out, uncontracted state (i.e., with all elastic induced contraction pulled out) with portions of the structure being cut-away to more clearly show the construction of the
diaper 20 and with the portion of the diaper 20 which contacts the wearer facing the viewer. The diaper 20 is shown in FIG. 1 to have a first waist region 22, a second waist region 24, a crotch region 26, and a periphery 28 which is defined by the outer
edges of the diaper 20 in which the longitudinal edges are designated 30 and the end edges are designated 32. The diaper 20 additionally has a lateral centerline which is designated 34 and a longitudinal centerline which is designated 36.
The diaper 20 comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 38, the liquid-receiving surface of the diaper 20 being generally defined by the topsheet 38 and being designated 40; a liquid impervious backsheet 42; an absorbent core 44 having a garment
surface 46, a body surface 48, and edges that are designated side edges 50 and waist edges 52; fastening means 54 for securing the diaper on the wearer such as the pair of tape tab fasteners 56; a side flap 58 extending outwardly from each side edge 50
of the absorbent core 44 in at least the crotch region 26; barrier cuffs 62 each having a proximal edge 64, a distal edge 66, a first end 72, and a second end 74; spacing means 76 such as elastic members 77 for spacing the distal edge 66 away from the
liquid-receiving surface 40; first closing means 78 for securing a portion of the distal edge 66 inboard of the proximal edge 64; and second closing means 80 for securing a portion of the distal edge 66 outboard of the proximal edge 64.
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 in which the backsheet 42 has length and width dimensions generally larger than those of the absorbent core 44. The backsheet 42 extends beyond the edges of the absorbent core 44 to thereby
form the periphery 28 of the diaper 20. The periphery 28 defines the outer perimeter or, in other words, the edges of the diaper 20. The periphery 28 comprises the longitudinal edges 30 and the end edges 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the topsheet 38 is
generally coterminous with the backsheet 42 along at least the end edges 32 and preferably the longitudinal edges 30.
The diaper 20 has a first waist region 22 and a second waist region 24 extending, respectively, from the end edges 32 of the diaper periphery 28 toward the lateral centerline 34 of the diaper 20 a distance up to about 1/3, preferably from about
1/8 to about 1/4, of the length of the diaper 20. The waist regions generally comprise those portions of the diaper 20 which, when worn, encircle the waist of the wearer. The crotch region 26 is that portion of the diaper 20 positioned between the
first waist region 22 and the second waist region 24, and comprises that portion of the diaper 20 which, when worn, is positioned between the legs of the wearer and covers the lower torso of the wearer.
FIG. 2 is fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and depicts a preferred diaper construction in the crotch region 26 of the diaper 20. The absorbent core 44 is disposed between the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42; the
topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 extend beyond the side edge 50 of the absorbent core 44 to form the side flap 58. The barrier cuff 62 is preferably formed by joining portions of a separate barrier cuff member to the diaper 20 adjacent the longitudinal
edge 30. The proximal edge 64 of the barrier cuff 62 is formed by joining a segment of the barrier cuff member to the diaper 20 by the seal means 82 such as an adhesive bead so as to form a seal along the proximal edge 64 to present a barrier to liquids
wicking past the barrier cuffs. The distal edge 66 is preferably not secured to any underlying elements of the diaper 20 in the crotch region 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the distal edge 66 is formed by folding an end of the barrier cuff member back upon
itself and securing it to another segment of the barrier cuff member by the distal attachment means 84 to form a hem. A spacing means 76, such as a plurality of elastic members 77, preferably the three elastic members 77 shown in FIG. 2, is enclosed in
the hem that is formed in the distal edge 66 of the barrier cuff member; the elastic members 77 being operatively associated with the barrier cuff 62 by the elastic attachment means 86. The distal edge 66 is thus spaced away from the liquid-receiving
surface 40 of the topsheet 38 by the elastic gathering action of the elastic members 77; a channel 88 thereby being formed between the proximal edge 64 and the distal edge 66. The channel 88 is shown as being open and ready to restrain, contain, and
hold body exudates until the diaper 20 is removed from the wearer.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and depicts a preferred diaper construction in the first waist region 22 of the diaper 20. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 extend beyond the side edge 50 of the
absorbent core 44 to form the side flap 58. The barrier cuff 62 is formed by joining portions of a separate barrier cuff member to the topsheet 38. The proximal edge 64 is formed by joining a segment of the barrier cuff member to the underlying
structure of the diaper 20 by the seal means 82 such as an adhesive bead. The distal edge 66 is secured inboard of the proximal edge 64 to the underlying structure (topsheet 38) of the diaper 20 by the first closing means 78, which preferably comprises
an adhesive. Therefore, the distal edge 66 is closed (i.e., it is not open nor capable of being spaced away from the liquid-receiving surface 40). It should also be noted that the spacing means 76 is preferably not disposed in the first waist region 22
because the distal edge 66 is preferably secured closed and is not designed to be spaced away from the liquid-receiving surface 40 in the first waist region 22. The lack of gathering of the distal edge 66 adjacent the end edge 32 also tends to reduce
the forces which tend to pull the diaper 20 downward resulting in sagging and gapping of the diaper 20 in the waist region. Although the channel 88 is not open to restrain the flow of body exudates in the first waist regions, it may act to contain and
hold exudates which flow along the channel 88.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and depicts a preferred diaper construction in the second waist region 24 of the diaper 20. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 extend beyond the side edge 50 of the
absorbent core 44 to form the side flap 58. The barrier cuff 62 is formed by joining portions of a separate barrier cuff member to the side flap 58; i.e., the topsheet 38. The proximal edge 64 is formed by joining a segment of the barrier cuff member
to the underlying structure of the diaper 20 by the seal means 82 such as an adhesive bead. The distal edge 66 is secured outboard of the proximal edge 64 to the underlying structure (topsheet 38) of the diaper 20 by the second closing means 80, which
preferably comprises an adhesive. Therefore, the barrier cuff 62 is closed such that it is not capable of being spaced away from the liquid-receiving surface 40. It should also be noted that a spacing means 76 such as an elastic member 77 is preferably
not disposed in the second waist region 24 because the distal edge 66 is preferably secured closed and is not designed to be spaced away from the liquid-receiving surface 40 in the second waist region 24.
The absorbent core 44 may be any means which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids and certain body exudates. A preferred absorbent core 44 has a garment
surface 46 and a body surface 48.
The absorbent core 44 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, asymmetric, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent
articles, such as comminuted wood pulp which is generally referred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, super absorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials,
or any equivalent materials or combination of materials. The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 44 should, however, be compatible with the design exudate loading in the intended use of the diaper 20. Further, the size and absorbent capacity
of the absorbent core 44 may be varied to accommodate wearers ranging from infants through adults.
The absorbent core 44 may comprise a layer of absorbent material comprising hydrophilic fibers and particles of absorbent gelling material (hydrogel) such as the absorbent structure described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled "High-Density
Absorbent Structure" which issued to Paul T. Wiseman and Steven A. Goldman on Sept. 9, 1986 and which patent is incorporated herein by reference. A preferred embodiment of the absorbent core 44 is a dual-layered absorbent core in a preferred
configuration such as is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Article With Dual-Layered Cores" which issued to Paul T. Wiseman, Dawn I. Houghton and Dale A. Gellert on June 16, 1987, and which is incorporated herein by
reference, having an asymmetric-shaped upper layer and a lower layer. Another exemplary embodiment of an absorbent core useful in the present invention is described in European Patent Application EP-A-254,476; The Procter & Gamble Company; published
Jan. 27, 1988, which discloses absorbent members having a storage zone and an acquisition zone having a lower average density and a lower average basis weight per unit area than the storage zone so that the acquisition zone may effectively and
efficiently rapidly acquire discharged liquid. This European patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
A preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 shown in FIG. 1 has an hourglass-shaped absorbent core 44 and is intended to be worn by infants ranging in weight from about 5 kgs to about 12 kgs (about 12 pounds to about 26 pounds). It should be
understood, however, that the size, shape, configuration, and total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 44 may be varied to accommodate wearers ranging from infants through adults. Therefore, the dimensions, shape, and configuration of the
absorbent core 44 may be varied (e.g., the absorbent core may have a varying caliper, or a hydrophilic gradient, a capillarity differential, low density zones, or may or may not contain absorbent gelling materials). The absorbent core 44 is preferably a
batt of airfelt and absorbent gelling material about 32 cm wide (lateral dimension), about 45 cm long (longitudinal dimension) and approximately 7 cm across the narrowest part of the crotch region.
The backsheet 42 is positioned adjacent the garment surface 46 of the absorbent core 44 and is preferably secured thereto by core attachment means (not shown) such as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 42 may be secured to
the absorbent core 44 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines or spots of adhesive. Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by Eastman Chemical Products Company
of Kingsport, Tennessee and marketed under the trade name Eastobond A-3 and by Century Adhesives, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio and marketed under the trade name Century 5227. The core attachment means preferably comprise an open pattern network of filaments
of adhesive as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment" which issued to J. A. Minetola and David R. Tucker on Mar. 4, 1986, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
The backsheet 42 is impervious to liquids and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. The backsheet 42 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the
absorbent core 44 from wetting articles which contact the diaper 20 such as bedsheets and undergarments. Preferably, the backsheet 42 is a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 cm (2.0 mils), although other
flexible, liquid impervious materials may be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials which are compliant and which will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body.
A suitable polyethylene film is manufactured by Monsanto Chemical Corporation and marketed in the trade as Film No. 8020. The backsheet 42 is preferably embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more clothlike appearance. Further, the
backsheet 42 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core 44 while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 42.
The size of the backsheet 42 is dictated by the size of the absorbent core 44 and the exact diaper design selected. In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet 42 has a modified hourglass shape extending beyond the absorbent core 44 a minimum
distance of at least about 1.3 cm to about 2.5 cm (about 0.5 to about 1.0 inch) around the entire diaper periphery 28.
The topsheet 38 is compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet 38 is liquid pervious permitting liquids to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from a wide
range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.
Preferably, it is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from liquids in the absorbent core 44.
A preferred topsheet 38 comprises staple length polypropylene fibers having a denier of about 1.5, such as Hercules Type 151 polypropylene marketed by Hercules, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware. As used herein, the term "staple length fibers"
refers to those fibers having a length of at least about 15.9 mm (0.625 inches).
There are a number of manufacturing techniques which may be used to manufacture the topsheet 38. For example, the topsheet 38 may be woven, non-woven, spunbonded, carded, or the like. A preferred topsheet 38 is carded, and thermally bonded by
means well known to those skilled in the fabrics art. Preferably, the topsheet 38 has a weight from about 18 to about 25 grams per square meter, a minimum dry tensile strength of at least about 400 grams per centimeter in the machine direction and a wet
tensile strength of at least about 55 grams per centimeter in the cross machine direction.
The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 are associated together in any suitable manner as is well known in the diaper manufacturing art. As used herein, the term "associated" encompasses configurations whereby the topsheet 38 is directly joined to
the backsheet 42 by affixing the topsheet 38 directly to the backsheet 42, and configurations whereby the topsheet 38 is indirectly joined to the backsheet 42 by affixing the topsheet 38 to intermediate members which in turn are affixed to the backsheet
42. In a preferred embodiment, the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 are joined directly to each other in the diaper periphery 28 by flap attachment means (not shown) such as an adhesive or any other attachment means as is known in the art. In general,
the core attachment means that affixes the absorbent core 44 to the backsheet 42 is the same means as the flap attachment means that affixes the topsheet 38 to the backsheet 42. Thus, for example, a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned
layer of adhesive, an array of separate lines or spots of adhesive, or a network of adhesive filaments such as shown in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 may be used.
The side flaps 58 are that portion of the diaper 20 between the periphery 28 and the side edges 50 of the absorbent core 44. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the side flaps 58 are formed from the
extension of the backsheet 42 and the topsheet 38 extending outwardly from and along the side edges 50 of the absorbent core 44 of the diaper 20 in at least the crotch region 26.
The diaper 20 is provided with a fastening means 54 for forming a side closure in the diaper 20. Thus, the diaper 20 is fitted to the wearer and preferably the first waist region 22 and the second waist region 24 are maintained in an overlapping
configuration when the diaper 20 is worn. While the fastening means 54 may comprise any of a number of fastening systems as are known in the art such as belts or inner fastening members, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in
FIG. 1, the fastening means 54 comprises a tape tab 56 disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge 30 of the diaper 20 preferably in the second waist region 24. Tape tab fasteners 54 are preferably applied to the second waist region 24 of the diaper 20 to
provide a fastening means to hold the diaper to the wearer, although they may alternatively be disposed in the first waist region 22. The tape tab fasteners 54 can be any of those tape tabs well known in the art, such as the adhesive fastening tape tabs
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening System For Disposable Diaper" issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Nov. 19, 1974, which patent is incorporated herein by reference.
The barrier cuffs 62 of the present invention provide a structure to restrain the free flow of body exudates along the liquid-receiving surface 40 and to hold and contain such exudates within the diaper 20 and to provide a gasketing action about
the wearer. Each barrier cuff 62 is a flexible member having a proximal edge 64 and a distal edge 66. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials which are compliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the body.
In addition, if the spacing means 76 comprises one or more elastic members 77, the barrier cuffs 62 must be contractible so that the distal edges 66 may be sufficiently spaced away from the liquid-receiving surface 40 to form the channel 88 and may
provide a gasketing action about the buttocks of the wearer. The barrier cuffs 62 may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials such as polypropylene, polyester, rayon, nylon, foams, plastic films, formed films, elastic laminates and elastic
foams. A number of manufacturing techniques may be used to manufacture the barrier cuffs. For example, the barrier cuffs 62 may be woven, non-woven, spunbonded, carded, or the like. A particularly preferred barrier cuff 62 comprises a laminate of a
nonwoven polypropylene material secured to a liquid impermeable polyethylene film. The materials may be secured or laminated to each other by any method as is known in the art.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the barrier cuff 62, and more particularly, the proximal edge 64, is disposed adjacent to and preferably inboard of the longitudinal edge 30 of the diaper 20. The term "inboard" is defined as the direction toward the
centerline (34 or 36, respectively) of the diaper 20 that is parallel to the respective edge of the diaper 20 along which the particular barrier cuff is disposed. The proximal edge 64 is preferably disposed inboard of the longitudinal edge 30 so that
exudates, especially loose fecal material which is not easily absorbed and tends to float along the liquid-receiving surface 40, will contact the barrier cuff 62 before it can contact the edges of the diaper 20. Thus, the proximal edge 64 is preferably
disposed between the longitudinal edge 30 and the longitudinal centerline 36 of the diaper 20. Most preferably, the proximal edge 64 is disposed between the longitudinal edge 30 and the side edge 50 of the absorbent core 44 in at least the crotch region
26 of the diaper 20. (It should be noted that if the side flaps 58 are elasticized by one or more flap elastic members to form a gasketing cuff adjacent each longitudinal edge 30, as is known in the art, then the proximal edge 64 is preferably
positioned between the innermost flap elastic member and the side edge 50 of the absorbent core 44 in at least the crotch region 26.)
The proximal edges 64 and the distal edges 66 are in a spaced relation to each other and define the effective width of each of the barrier cuffs 62. The proximal edges 64 and the distal edges 66 may be in a parallel, nonparallel, rectilinear or
curvilinear relationship. In addition, each of the barrier cuffs 62 may have a variety of different cross-sectional areas including circular, square, rectangular or any other shape such as that shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Preferably, the proximal edge
64 is spaced from the distal, edge 66 in a parallel and rectilinear relationship. The effective width of the barrier cuff is an important parameter in reducing leakage of body exudates out of the diaper 20. If the effective width of the barrier cuff is
too small, then gaps will be formed between the leg of the wearer and the distal edge 66 such that liquids may flow over the distal edge 66 to the periphery 28 of the diaper 20. A preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 is intended to be worn by infants
ranging in weight from about 5 kgs to about 12 kgs (about 12 pounds to about 26 pounds, and each barrier cuff 62 preferably has an effective width of at least about 25 mm (about 1 inch), preferably from about 25 mm (about 1 inch) to about 50 mm (about 2
inches), and most preferably about 38 mm (about 11/2 inch). Of course, the effective width should be dimensionalized as the size of the wearer increases or decreases, particularly with adult wearers.
The distal edge 66 of each barrier cuff 62 is preferably not secured to any underlying elements of the diaper 20 in at least the crotch region 26 so that it may be spaced away from the liquid-receiving surface 40. The distal edge 66 is
preferably spaced away from the liquid-receiving surface 40 so that the barrier cuff 62 may form a channel 88 to enhance the containment of the diaper 20. As used herein, "spaced" includes embodiments wherein the distal edges 66 may assume one or more
positions relative to the liquid-receiving surface 40 including at some times assuming a position adjacent the liquid-receiving surface 40.
The distal edge 66 of each barrier cuff 62 is disposed inboard of the proximal edge 64 in the first waist region 22 so as to present a more effective barrier against the flow of exudates. The distal edges 66 are maintained inboard of the
proximal edges 64 in the first waist region 22 by the first closing means 78 so as to obviate their inversion. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first closing means 78 is located in a first closure zone 92
which is disposed inboard of the side flaps 58 and, in the same embodiment, or in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the first closing means 78 is positioned above at least a portion of the absorbent core 44.
As shown in FIG. 1, the distal edges 66 are preferably laterally spaced apart from each other in the first waist region 22. However, the lateral spacing between the distal edges 66 can range from being crossed over each other to abutting each
other to being laterally spaced apart up to the width of the proximal edges in the first waist region 22. Thus, in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the distal edges may be laterally spaced apart from about -25 mm (-1 inch) (overlapping edges)
up to about 150 mm (6inches). Preferably, the distal edges 66 are spaced apart not greater than about 100 mm (about 4 inches) so that the barrier cuff will fit in the innermost leg crease of the wearer rather than ride along the wearer's outer thigh.
Most preferably, the distal edges are spaced apart from about 75 mm (about 3 inches) to about 100 mm (about 4 inches) on a medium sized diaper, most preferably about 88 mm (about 3.5 inches).
The distal edges 66 are also shown in FIG. 1 to be disposed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the end edge 32 of the diaper 20 in the first waist region 22. While this is a preferred embodiment, the distal edges 66 may alternatively be
angled toward or away from each other, preferably toward each other, such that the distal edges 66 are disposed non-perpendicular to the end edges 32. Angling the barrier cuffs relative to the end edge 32 may assist in allowing the barrier cuff to
remain spaced from the liquid-receiving surface 40 in the crotch region 26 during use.
The distal edges 66 are preferably laterally spaced apart from each other in the crotch region 26. The lateral spacing of the distal edges 66 is especially important in the crotch region 26 to prevent body exudates, especially urine, from
leaking out of the diaper 20 in the leg regions of the wearer. If the distal edges 66 are laterally spaced too far from each other, then the barrier cuffs 62 have an increased tendency to "flip out" in the crotch region 26 such that urine can flow over
the barrier cuffs 62. If the distal edges 66 are spaced too close to each other, then the barrier cuffs 62 provide a reduced area for deposition of exudates such that exudates could be deposited directly onto the barrier cuffs 62 and flow to the edges
of the diaper 20. Thus, the lateral spacing of the distal edges 66 in the crotch region 26, measured at the narrowest spacing of the distal edges 66 when the diaper 20 is placed into its flat-out, uncontracted state as shown in FIG. 1, should be at
least about 1.5 times the effective width of the narrowest barrier cuff 62, typically each barrier cuff. Preferably, the lateral spacing of the distal edges 66 in the crotch region 26 should be between about 1.5 times and 4 times the effective width of
the narrowest barrier cuff, most preferably about 2.3 times. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the distal edges 66 are laterally spaced apart in the crotch region 26 at least about 63 mm (about 2.5 inches), preferably from about 75 mm (about 3 inches) to
about 100 mm (about 4 inches), most preferably about 88 mm (about 3.5 inches). Of course, the lateral spacing should be dimensionalized as the size of the wearer increases or decreases, especially for adult wearers.
The distal edge 66 of each barrier cuff 62 is disposed outboard of each proximal edge 64 in the second waist region 24 of the diaper 20. The term "outboard" is defined as the direction away from the centerline of the diaper 20 that is parallel
to the respective edge of the diaper 20 along which the barrier cuff is disposed. (i.e., the direction opposite from the direction defined by the term "inboard.") Thus, the barrier cuff 62 is "flipped out" in the second waist region 24. The flipped out
portion of the barrier cuff promotes better containment that is less sensitive to application variations and provides a contoured fit about the buttocks of the wearer. The distal edges 66 are maintained outboard of the proximal edges 64 in the second
waist region 24 by the second closing means 80.
As shown in FIG. 1, the distal edges 66 are laterally spaced apart from each other in the second waist region 24. However, the spacing between the distal edges 66 can range such that the distal edges are angled relative to each other. Thus, in
a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the distal edges may be spaced apart up to about 250 mm (10 inches), preferably from about 150 mm (6 inches) to about 200 mm (8 inches). The distal edges 66 are also shown in FIG. 1 to be disposed parallel to
each other and perpendicular to the end edge 32 of the diaper 20. While this is a preferred embodiment, the distal edges 66 may alternatively be angled toward or away from each other, preferably away from each other, such that the distal edges are
disposed non-perpendicular to the end edges.
Because the distal edge 66 is disposed inboard of the proximal edge 64 in the first waist region 22 and outboard of the proximal edge 64 in the second waist region 24, the distal edge 66 is inflected ("flipped out") along its length. This
inflection transitions the barrier cuff from snugly fitting about the buttocks (the flipped out portion) to fitting in the "no motion" zone of the legs for better containment (the stand-up portion; i.e., the distal edge 66 being disposed inboard of the
proximal edge 64). Th | | |
