Absorbent article with a flap and biasing spacer

Details Absorbent article with a flap and biasing spacer Absorbent article with a flap and biasing spacer

1999-02-19

2001-08-28

Seidel, Richard K. (Department: 3763)

Surgery

Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material

Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...

C604S385101

Reexamination Certificate

active

06280426

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to absorbent articles and, more specifically, to absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, training pants and incontinence garments which are intended to receive and contain fecal insults.
Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence garments and similar items are well known in the art. Such absorbent articles conventionally include an absorbent material for absorbing bodily exudates and include a front portion disposed adjacent the front pelvic or lower abdominal region of the wearer, a rear portion disposed adjacent the rear pelvic or lower abdominal region of the wearer and a crotch portion interconnecting the front and rear portions of the article and disposed between the legs of the wearer.
Many such conventional absorbent articles, and diapers in particular, are typically secured about the waist of the wearer using fasteners which are releasably engageable, i.e., refastenable. Such articles also often include elasticized, longitudinally extending barrier flaps which are positioned along the upper inner thighs of the wearer and inhibit the escape of exudates from between the absorbent article and legs of the wearer. Such articles are also known to include waist flaps in either or both the front and rear waist regions of the article to inhibit the escape of exudates from between the absorbent article and either the front or rear pelvic or lower abdominal region of the wearer. It is also known to provide absorbent articles with various forms of voids or pockets for receiving and containing bodily exudates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventors have recognized difficulties and problems inherent in the prior art and in response thereto have developed an improved absorbent article having a flap and a spacer assembly. The flap is positioned in the rear waist portion of the article and forms a pocket while the spacer assembly is positioned proximate the pocket opening.
In one aspect, the present invention concerns an absorbent article which has a bodyside surface which is positioned adjacent the crotch and rear waist regions of a wearer when the article is in use and wherein the bodyside surface of the article includes a laterally central, longitudinal axis, e.g., a longitudinal centerline. The article comprises, i.e., includes but is not limited to, a backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet attached to the backsheet and an absorbent structure disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. A laterally extending liquid impermeable flap is disposed in the rear waist portion of the article and is fixedly secured to the article along a seam. The seam, which may be substantially U-shaped, extends between first and second terminal ends. The flap has a free edge which extends between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The seam and free edge of the flap define the boundaries of a pocket which is formed between the flap and the topsheet and which has an opening extending between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The article further includes a spacer affixed to the article. The spacer is disposed between the flap and the backsheet and is positioned proximate the pocket opening. The spacer includes a first element in contact with the flap and a second element disposed between the first element and the backsheet. A biasing element forcibly separates the first and second elements of the spacer whereby the free edge of the flap is biased away from the topsheet.
Alternative embodiments of the present invention may also include a second spacer disposed between the flap and the backsheet. One of the spacers may be positioned in proximity to the first terminal end, while the second spacer may be positioned in proximity to the second terminal end. The pocket opening may extend substantially laterally whereby the two spacers are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal axis. The laterally central portion of such a pocket opening would be disposed between the two spacers.
In some embodiments, the spacer of the present invention may be formed by folding a material to thereby create a resilient hinge at the fold line of the material. Other embodiments may employ two spacers disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis whereby a laterally central portion of the free edge is disposed between the two spacers and biased away from the topsheet.
Still other spacers which can be used with the present invention may be formed with a resiliently compressible material or may extend through the pocket opening. Additional alternative embodiments of the present invention may include a flap which is formed with a liquid permeable material.
An advantage of the present invention is that the spacer maintains a separation between the flap and the topsheet at the pocket opening. This maintains the pocket opening in a position adapted for receiving fecal insults. Fecal materials which are contained within the pocket are thereby removed from contact with the wearer's skin while the article is being worn and reduces the opportunity for the fecal material to contact the skin or clothing of either the wearer or the caregiver during the removal of the article from the wearer.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the biasing element of the spacer dynamically biases the flap away from the topsheet at the pocket opening thereby enhancing the functionality of the flap for an active wearer. As a wearer moves, the absorbent article may shift relative to the wearer. This may cause the distance between the topsheet and the rear waist region of the wearer to vary in response to the wearer's movements. By providing a dynamically biasing spacer, the flap opening can be automatically adjusted in coordination with the wearer's movements and thereby inhibit the formation of a gap between the flap's free edge and the wearer through which bodily exudates might escape.


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