MXPA00002363A - Diaper having adjustable absorbent assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an absorbent article having adjustable absorbent assemblies. The absorbent article includes a chassis having a urine collection zone disposed in at least a portion of the front waist region and a feces collection zone disposed in at least a portion of the rear waist region. The chassis includes a first absorbent assembly, at least a portion of which is located in the urine collection zone. The chassis also includes a second absorbent assembly, at least a portion of which is located in the feces collection zone. The chassis further comprises an adjustment member adjustably joining said first absorbent assembly and said second absorbent assembly such that said first absorbent assembly and said second absorbent assembly are moveable relative to each other in at least a direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline.

Description

PANAL WHICH HAS ADJUSTABLE ABSORBING ASSEMBLIES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to articles that absorb and / or contain body exudates, including disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence products, sanitary napkins and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to disposable absorbent articles having adjustable absorbent assemblies which provide improved fit and containment characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The main function of absorbent articles such as diapers and trusses for adult incontinence is to absorb and contain body exudates. These articles are also intended to prevent body exudates from staining, wetting or otherwise contaminating clothes and / or articles, such as sheets, which are put in contact with the user. Disposable diapers, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 issued to Kenneth Barclay Buell on January 14, 1975, generally have a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. However, despite the effectiveness of these structures, exudates from the body often leak or are stored in the diaper in such a way that exudates can irritate the wearer's skin. Although it is generally known that urine and fecal esses (BM) have physical properties and significantly different shape, current diapers do not have distinct zones configured for the collection and processing of urine and fecal esses (BM).

Although attempts have been made to separate the waste by incorporating several fecal barriers in the diapers, these attempts suffer because an individual, non-adjustable, absorbent assembly is used to collect both the urine and faeces. Since humans very considerably in terms of size and dimensions even within a given weight range, (for example, the distance between the urethra and the anus), it has been found to be advantageous to provide urine collection areas and eses fecal with separate absorbent assemblies which are able to adjust in relation to one another. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a diaper having an adjustable chassis. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a diaper having separate collection areas of urine and fecal eses ((BM).) Another object of the present invention is to provide a diaper having separate collection areas of urine and faeces. having separate absorbent assemblies, wherein the relative spacing between the absorbent assemblies is adjustable One further object of the present invention is to provide a diaper having separate collection zones of urine and fecal eses having separate absorbent assemblies, wherein the position The relative weight of the absorbent assemblies relative to the wearer's body is adjustable.A still further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment member attached to the separate absorbent assemblies, which is elastically adjustable.An even further object of the present invention is providing an adjustment member attached to the separate absorbent assemblies which s adjustable in a non-elastic way.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment member attached to the separate absorbent assemblies, which is reversibly non-resiliently adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an absorbent article having a front waist region, a back waist region, a longitudinal center line and a lateral centerline perpendicular to the longitudinal center line. The absorbent article comprises a chassis having a urine collection zone disposed in at least a portion of the front waist region of a fecal collection zone disposed in at least a portion of the posterior waist region. The chassis includes a first absorbent assembly wherein at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly is located in the urine collection zone. The chassis also includes a second absorbent assembly, wherein at least a part of the second absorbent assembly is located in the area of faecal collection. The article further comprises an adjustment member that adjustably connects the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly such that the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly are capable of moving relative to each other in at least one direction generally parallel to said longitudinal center line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims pointing out in a particular way and claiming differently the exposed matter that is considered as the present invention, it is believed that the description will be better understood from the following descriptions which are taken in combination with the drawings accompanying it, in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface that gives the garment of the diaper to the observer; Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of an absorbent article embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface that gives the garment of the diaper to the observer; Figure 5 is a plan view of an absorbent article embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface that gives the garment of the diaper to the observer; Figure 6 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface that gives the garment of the diaper to the observer; Figure 7 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, giving the surface that gives the garment to the observer; and Figure 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain exudates from the body, and, more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or close to the wearer's body to absorb and contain the different exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not intended to be washed or restored or reused in another way as an absorbent article (ie, they are intended to be discarded after a single use and , preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). (As used herein, the term "discarded" is used to imply that a diaper element or elements is formed (attached and placed) in a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other diaper elements or as a separate element attached to another diaper element). A "unitary" absorbent article refers to absorbent articles that are formed of separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity such that separate manipulated parts such as a fastener and separate liners are not required. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20, shown in Figure 1. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons which is carried around the lower torso of the user. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, interior incontinence garments, absorbent inserts, diaper liners and fasteners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its flat, non-contracted state (i.e., with the contraction induced by the elastic pulled outward) with parts of the structure that are cut out to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20 and with the part of the diaper 20 that gives away from the user facing the viewer. As shown in Figure 1, diaper 20 preferably comprises a topsheet 24 permeable to liquid; a back sheet 26 impervious to the liquid attached to the topsheet 24; a first absorbent assembly 28, a second absorbent assembly 29, each of which is preferably positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticated folds for the leg 32; a characteristic of elastic waist 34; and a fastening system generally designated 40. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a front waist region 36, a rear waist region 38 opposite the front waist region 36 and a periphery that is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20, in which the longitudinal edges 50 run generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 run between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateral centerline 110 of the diaper 20 Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20, in which the topsheet 24 and backsheet 26 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the first and second absorbent assemblies 28 and 29. The topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 preferably extends beyond the edges the first and second absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 to thereby form the periphery of the p añal 20. The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper 20. The chassis 22 comprises at least one absorbent assembly and preferably an outer cover layer comprising the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. When the absorbent article comprising a separate fastener and liner, the chassis 22 generally comprises the fastener and the liner. (For example, the fastener comprises one or more layers of material to form the outer cover of the article and the liner comprises an absorbent composite such as the topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent assemblies.In such cases, the fastener and / or the liner may include a fastener that is used to hold the liner in place during the entire time of use). For the unitary absorbent articles, the chassis 22 comprises the main structure of the diaper 20 with other additional features to form the composite diaper structure. Although top sheet 24, backsheet 26 and chassis 22 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled "Shrinkable side portions for disposable diaper "issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the diaper 20 taken along the section line 2-2 of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, one embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present invention includes a first assembly. absorbent 28 and a second absorbent assembly 29 adjustably attached by the adjustment member 80. (As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations by which one element is indirectly secured to the other element by attaching the element directly to the other element , and configurations by which one element is indirectly secured to the other element by fixing the element to a member or intermediate members which in turn attach to the other element.) As shown in Figure 1, the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 have longitudinal edges 60, a garment surface 45 and a body surface 47.

In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is impermeable to liquids (eg, urine) and comprises a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. (The term "flexible" as used herein to refer to films and other suitable materials of the backsheet, refers to materials that are docile and that will easily conform to the outline and general shape of the human body.) The back sheet 26 it generally prevents the exudates absorbed and contained within the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 from wetting the articles that are in contact with the diaper 20 such as sheets and undergarments. Therefore, the backsheet 26 may comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a nonwoven film-coated material. Preferably, the backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Particularly preferred materials for the backsheet include blown films and cast films as manufactured by Tredegar Industries, Inc. of Terre Haute, IN, under the tradenames RR8220 and RR5475, respectively. The backsheet 26 can be finished in highlight and / or dull to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet 26 preferably allows the vapors of the diaper 20 to escape, while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 26 (i.e., the backsheet is breathable). The backsheet 26, or any part thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a film web in the form of a structural elastic (SELF). A film web in the form of a structural elastic is an extensible material exhibiting an elastic behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of additional elastic materials. The SELF frame includes a deformable network having at least two contiguous, distinct and different regions. Preferably, one of the regions is configured such that it will exhibit resistance forces in response to an axial elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis before a substantial part of the other region develops significant resistance forces to the applied elongation. At least one of the regions has a surface path length that is greater than that of the other region as measured substantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material is in an unstressed condition. The region exhibiting the largest surface path length includes one or more deformations that extend beyond the plane of the other region. The SELF frame exhibits at least two significantly different stages of resistance strength controlled to elongation along at least one predetermined axis when subjected to an elongation applied in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The SELF web exhibits first applied elongation resistance forces until the elongation of the web is sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the region having the largest surface path length to enter the plane of the applied elongation, thereby the SELF screen exhibits second strengths of additional elongation resistance. The total resistance forces to the elongation are greater than the first elongation resistance forces provided by the first region. SELF webs suitable for the present invention are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Screen Materials Exhibiting Elastic Behavior", issued to Chappell, et al. On May 21, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, yarns, or combinations of these and other suitable materials with non-woven materials and synthetic films.

The backsheet 26 is generally placed adjacent to at least a portion of the garment surface 45 of the absorbent assemblies, and is preferably attached thereto by attachment means 70 such as those well known in the art. . For example, the backsheet 26 can be secured to one or more of the absorbent assemblies by a uniform, continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate lines, spirals or spots of adhesive. A preferred attachment means comprises a network of open-pattern adhesive filaments as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Garment of Waste Containment", which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4. from 1986. More preferably, the joining means will include several adhesive filaments that are twisted in a spiral pattern, as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker, and others on November 22, 1978; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, and marketed as HL-1258. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints, or any other suitable joining means or combinations of these joining means as are known in the art. The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body surface 47 of the absorbent assemblies and is preferably attached to these and to the backsheet 26 by the joining means such as those well known in the art (not shown). Suitable attachment means are described with respect to the means for attaching the backsheet 26 to other elements of the diaper 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are directly bonded together in some locations and are indirectly joined together in other locations by attaching them directly to other elements of the diaper 20. The topsheet 24 is preferably docile, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, preferably the topsheet 24 is permeable to liquids, allowing liquids (eg, urine) to easily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet 24 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; cross-linked foams; plastic films with openings; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquids contained within the absorbent assemblies. There are a number of fabrication techniques which can be used to manufacture the topsheet 24. For example, the topsheet 24 can be a web of spunbonded non-woven fibers, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or similar. A preferred top sheet 24 comprises a weft of cut length polypropylene fibers as manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts under the designation P-8. The diaper 20 preferably further comprises at least one elastic waist feature 34 that helps provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waist feature 34 is adapted to elastically expand and contract to dynamically adjust the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least the waist edge 62 of one of the absorbent assemblies and generally forms at least a portion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. However, the disposable diapers are constructed in a general manner to have two elastic waist features, one placed in the front waist region 36 and the other placed in the rear waist region 38. In addition, while the elastic waist feature 34 or any of its constituent elements may comprise a separate element attached to the diaper 20, preferably the elastic waist feature 34 is constructed as an extension of other diaper elements 20, such as the backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both the sheet upper 26 as the top sheet 24. The elastic waist feature 34 can be constructed in a number of different configurations, including those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985 and the previously referred to United States Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; each of these references being incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 also preferably comprises a fastening system 40. The fastening system 40 preferably maintains the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38 in an overlapping configuration to provide lateral stresses around the circumference of the waist. diaper 20 for retaining the diaper 20 on the wearer. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises tape tabs and / or hook-and-loop fastening components, although other known means are generally acceptable. Exemplary fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable diaper having an improved fastening device" issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060 entitled "Disposable diaper with improved hook fastener portion" issued to Nestegard on January 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure sensitive adhesive fastener and method for making the same" issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990; United States Patent No. 3,848,594 entitled "Disposable diaper tape fastening system" issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; U.S. Patent No. B1 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbing article" issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; and in the above-referenced U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 may be elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and contour fit by initially initially comfortably fitting the diaper 20 to the wearer and holding this fit throughout the time of use even after when the diaper 20 has been loaded with the exudates, since the elasticized side panels 30 will allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract. The side panels 30 can also provide greater effective application of the diaper 20 because even if the diapering person pulls an elasticized side panel 30 farther than the other during the application (asymmetrically), the diaper 20 will "self-adjust" during the use. Although the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has the side panels 30 disposed in the rear waist region 38; the diaper 20 can also be provided with side panels 30 arranged in the front waist region 36 or both of the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38. The side panels 30 can be constructed in any of the appropriate configurations . Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,857,067, entitled "Disposable diaper having straightened ears" issued to Wood, et al. On August 15, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,381, 781 issued to Sciaraffa, and others on May 3, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753 issued to Van Gompel, and others on July 3, 1990; the above-referenced hereby United States Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 155,048 entitled "Absorbent Article with Extendable Side Panels in Multiple Directions" filed on November 19, 1993 in the name of Robles, et al .; each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 preferably further comprises leg cuffs 32 which provide containment of liquids and other exudates of the improved body. Leg folds can also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds, or elastic folds. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a collapsible opening for the leg having a side flap and one more elastic members to provide an elastified fold for the leg (packing gusset). U.S. Patent No. 4,909,803 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Fins" issued to Aziz et al. On March 20, 1990, discloses a disposable diaper having "upright" elasticated fins (barrier folds) to improve the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Patent No. 4,695,278 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Double Folds" issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper having double folds including a gusset fold and a barrier fold. In preferred embodiments, the leg cuffs 32 extend generally longitudinally from the front waist region 36 through the crotch region 37 to the back waist region 38. Although the cuffs 32 may extend from an end edge 52 from the diaper 20 to the opposite end edge 52, it is not necessary that they do this. In addition, although the folds 32 are preferably mirror images structurally one from the other, the folds 32 can be configured differently. In any case, preferably the leg cuffs 32 extend laterally outwardly from the longitudinal edges 60 of the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29. The diaper 20 preferably has a urine collection zone 90 and a fecal collection zone 92. The urine collection zone 90 is that part of the diaper 20 intended to collect and contain the majority of urine deposited in the diaper 20. (However, modalities are also known in which the urine collection zone 90 collects fecal eses. or less than a majority of the urine.) In this manner, the urine collection zone 90 is generally located in the front waist region 36 and is generally coordinated with the location of the opening of the urethra. However, the urine collection zone 90 can comprise any part of the front waist region 36 or the rear waist region 38 of the diaper 20. The urine collection zone 90 can be releasably attached to the diaper frame 22. 20 and can be constructed using materials capable of being discharged in water. In preferred embodiments, the urine collection zone 90 preferably comprises at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly 28. The fecal collection zone 92 is that portion of the diaper 20 intended to collect and contain the majority of fecal eses. deposited in the diaper 20. (However, modalities are also known in which the fecal collection area collects urine or less from most of the fecal esses.) Therefore, the fecal collection zone 92 is it usually locates in the posterior waist region 38 and is generally coordinated with the location of the opening of the anus. However, the collection area of the fecal eses 92 can comprise any part of the posterior waist region 38 or the front waist region 36 of the diaper 20. In preferred embodiments, the fecal collection zone 92 comprises preference for at least a part of the second absorbent assembly 29.

The faecal collection zone 92 may comprise similar materials and constructions such as the urine collection zone 90. Alternatively, the faecal collection zone 92 may comprise a design and / or specific materials for the processing or storage of urine. the fecal eses. For example, if the fecal collection zone 92 is adapted to absorb low viscosity fecal eses (for example, from a breastfed baby) the diaper 20 may comprise a topsheet 26 having one or more openings in at least one the collection area for fecal eses 92. If, on the other hand, highly viscous fecal esters are to be stored, characteristics that have sufficient open hollow volume in this area can be used. The fecal collection zone 92 can be removably attached to the chassis 22 of the diaper 20 and can be constructed using materials that are discharged in water. The absorbent cores and other exemplary structures for the faecal collection describe detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338 entitled "Disposable absorbent article for fecal low viscosity material" issued to Roe on August 30, 1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The diaper 20 may also comprise bags for receiving and containing the waste, separators that provide voids for waste, barriers to limit the movement of the waste in the article, compartments or voids that accept and contain the waste materials deposited in the diaper, and similar, or any of combinations thereof. Examples of bags and separators for use in absorbent products are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. On May 7, 1996, entitled "Diaper having an expulsion separator"; U.S. Patent No. 5,171,236 issued to Dreier et al. on December 15, 1992, entitled "Disposable absorbent article having core spacers"; PCT Application No. WO 96/07382 published March 14, 1996, entitled "Absorbent article having a bag fold with an apex"; PCT Application No. WO 93/25172 published December 3, 1993, entitled "Separators for use in hygienic absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having said separator". Examples of compartments or voids are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,968,312, entitled "Disposable faecal diaper," issued to Khan on November 6, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,990,147, entitled "Absorbent article with elastic liner for insulation of waste material", issued to Freeland on February 5, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 5,62,840, entitled "Disposable diapers", issued to Holt et al. on November 5, 1991; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,269,755 entitled "Three-Section Top Sheets for Disposable Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Top Three-Section Sheets", issued to Freeland et al. on December 14, 1993. An example of a diaper having a transverse barrier is described in PCT Application No. WO 94/14395, published July 7, 1994, entitled "Absorbent article having an upright transverse partition". Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 may comprise any of the absorbent means, which are generally capable of compressing, capable of forming, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain exudates of the patient. body. Absorbent assemblies can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, "T", asymmetric, etc.) and can comprise a wide variety of commonly used liquid absorbent materials in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; blown polymers in the molten state, including coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates, absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials; or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent assemblies may also be varied (for example, the core or absorbent cores or other absorbent structure or structures may have zones of variable gauge, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or acquisition zones with average density lesser or lesser average basis weight, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent assemblies must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper 20. The first and second absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 may comprise the same materials and constructions in general, or may be designed differently For example, a preferred absorbent assembly for urine collection is specifically configured to absorb and better contain urine, while a preferred absorbent assembly for fecal collection is designed to effectively contain and process urine. fecal eses. The first and second absorbent assemblies may comprise absorbent cores that are very similar in size and shape, or the absorbent cores may be of different sizes or shapes and may include different materials. In addition, each absorbent assembly may include additional elements such as top sheets, back sheets, acquisition zones, barriers, etc. The first and second absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 may be separate longitudinally apart, but they may abut one another, or they may have overlapping portions (as shown in Figure 3). (As used herein, the term "separately spaced apart" refers to a relative spacing between the elements where the elements are separated apart in a direction preferably parallel to the longitudinal center line 100 of the diaper 20). The longitudinal separation between the first absorbent assembly 28 and the second absorbent assembly 29 is approximated by the letter D, as shown in Figure 2. The separation D between the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 can be adjusted and reset by the caregiver in order to provide the best fit and containment characteristics for the particular user at the particular time during use. For example, the first absorbent assembly 28 can be adjusted to be in an ideal location to absorb and contain the urine and the second absorbent assembly 29 can be adjusted to be in an ideal location to absorb and / or contain the fecal eses. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing D between the absorbent assemblies can be adjusted anywhere from at least about -1cm (overlapping) to about 1cm for medium-sized babies on average (between about 12 and between about 25 pounds). However, adult incontinence garments can have much larger ranges for the separation of absorbent assemblies due to their generally larger chassis. (For example, incontinence garments may have the spacing between the absorbent assemblies on either side of at least about -20 cm to about 20 cm.) More preferably, the gap D between the first absorbent assembly 28 and the second assembly. absorbent 29 can be adjusted from at least about -5 cm to about 5 cm, or between at least about -10 cm and about 10 cm. Of course, the first absorbent assembly 28 may be placed to abut the second absorbent assembly 29 such that the gap D would be capable of adjusting from 0 cm to anywhere between about -10 cm to about 10 cm or anywhere between approximately -20cm or 20cm. In this way, the separation limits can be varied depending on the intended use and can include modalities where the separation ranges from the adjoining to a positive separation or from the adjoining to an overlap separation. Other modes may be adjustable only in the positive separation ranges (ie the assemblies are always separate apart) or adjustable only in the negative separation ranges (ie, the assemblies are always at least partially overlapped). Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 5 to 7, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a first absorbent assembly 289 generally located toward the front of the diaper 20, a second absorbent assembly 29 located toward the back of the diaper 20, and a member of fit 80 operatively associated or associated with both of the first absorbent assembly 28 and the second absorbent assembly 29. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent assemblies are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "Absorbent Structures". high density "issued to Weisman and others on September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent articles with cores in double layers" issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dust Cap" issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735, entitled "High density absorbent members having acquisition zones with lower density and lower basis weight", issued to Aleman and others on May 30, 1989. Each of these patents is Incorporate here by reference. An exemplary embodiment of a suitable absorbent structure is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,137,537 issued to Herron et al.

The adjustment member 80 which generally joins the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29, directly or indirectly, provides a means to adjust the spacing and relative orientation of the first and second absorbent assemblies 28 and 29. (In some preferred embodiments, the member of adjustment 80 may be attached to either the first absorbent assembly 28 or the second absorbent assembly 29. However, the adjustment member 80 may be attached to the topsheet 24, to the backsheet 26, both of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 or any other element of the diaper 20. The adjustment member 80 provides the caregiver with the ability to achieve the improved relative longitudinal placement of the urine and faecal collection areas 90 and 92 based on anatomy. of the specific user. (The term "longitudinally positioning" as used herein refers to the location of a specific element or elements along the longitudinal center line 100 of the diaper 20 or along another generally parallel axis, similarly located.) Additionally , the adjustment member 80 can provide the caregiver with the ability to change the fit and total length of the diaper 20 without losing the correct relative placement of the urine and faecal collection zone 90 and 92. As mentioned above, this It is beneficial because of the significant variation in the specific dimensions among humans that have the same size and weight in general. For babies especially, the ability to change the size of the diaper 20 and the orientation of the urine collection zone 90 and the collection area of fecal eses 92 in relation to one another is important due to its body size and weight that They change quickly as well as to very extreme differences among babies of the same age. In the preferred embodiments, the adjustment member 80 provides "continuous adjustment" over a particular limit. (As used herein, the term "continuous adjustment" refers to the ability of the diaper elements to be positioned relative to each other in an infinite number of "arrangements" or configurations along a predetermined trajectory or trajectories. For example, the adjustment member 80 can provide a number of infinite configurations with different separations (or overlaps) between the absorbent assemblies within a certain limit (for example, -20cm to 20cm). Alternately, the adjustment member 80 may have a number of defined arrangements or positions to which it can be adjusted intermittently. An example of this type of intermittency would be an adjustment member which has only two arrays or positions, such as where the absorbent assemblies are either abutting or spaced apart at a predetermined distance. It is generally preferred to increase the flexibility of the caregiver by increasing the number of arrangements of available positions to which the diaper can be adjusted. The adjustment member 80 may be a single element or may include any number of separate or joined elements and may include absorbent or non-absorbent materials. As used herein, the term "absorbent" refers to materials that receive and contain body fluids. The term "non-absorbent" refers to the materials that do not receive and do not contain the fluids of the body, but instead tend to be hydrophobic and / or to allow the continuous passage of them without containing them. The adjustment member 80 may have elastic, non-elastic, or inelastic, or reversible extension properties, or a combination of the foregoing. As used herein, the terms "elastic", "elastically extensible" and "elastomeric" refer to elements which, if extended, maintain a return force tending to return the element to substantially its original dimensions and configuration. The preferred elastic adjustment members 80 may comprise any elastic material, elastomeric or elastically extensible known in the art, including but not limited to elastomeric yarns, films, nonwovens, woven materials, laminates, canvases, springs, foams, adhesives, and the like, or any combination thereof. The adjustment member 80 may comprise all or a portion of the backsheet 26. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the backsheet 26 includes at least a portion 86 which is elastically extensible. The elastically extensible portion 86 is preferably located at least partially longitudinally inside the attachment means 70, which joins the absorbent assemblies to the backsheet 26. The extensible portion 86 of the backsheet 26 can be the adjustment member 80 or may be an element in a multi-element adjustment member 80. In embodiments wherein the adjustment member 80 is relatively "non-elastic", little or no return force is generated when the adjusting member 80 is subjected. to an elongation to a contraction force. In this way, the adjusting member 80 does not tend to return to its original dimensions or configuration when the force is removed, but instead tends to maintain its new shape or configuration. In one embodiment, first and second absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 can be joined by an inelasticly extensible material, such as the carded polypropylene nonwoven material designated P-8 or P-11 by Veratec Nonwoven Group of International Paper Company of Walpole, Massachusetts. , or any non-extensible material that can be adjusted to configure the absorbent assemblies. The non-elastic adjustment member 80 can be "reversible". As used herein the term "reversible" means the structure, once extended, contracted or adjusted, that can be restored to substantially its original dimension or configuration upon the occurrence of the application of a force generally opposite to the force that resulted in the original extension , contraction or adjustment. In one embodiment, the adjustment member 80 comprises a thin, relatively non-extensible wire-shaped element, which joins the first and second absorbent assemblies 28 and 29. (As used herein, the term "wire-shaped" does not imply that it is limited to the materials that the adjusting member 80 can comprise, but instead is used to describe an embodiment of the invention having an adjustment member 80 which has a relatively shorter cross section than the length total of the member.) In other embodiments, the adjustment member 80 may include a corrugated inelastic material, or the like, which may be extended or contracted. As shown in Figure 5, the adjustment member 80 permits elongation of the diaper 20 and separation of the first absorbent assembly 28 and the second absorbent assembly 29 by applying a tension force generally in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 20. Another force generally along the same axis may result in the restoration of the structure to its original configuration or to any other configuration limited only by the characteristics of the adjustment member 80 or any other element of the diaper 20. As shown in Figures 4 and 5 , the adjustment member 80 can bend or deform in some way to provide adjustment between the absorbent assemblies. However, alternate embodiments are contemplated wherein the adjustment member does not bend or deform. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention having an adjustment member 80 which is able to slide and thus not necessarily deform to provide adjustment, is shown in Figures 6 and 7. (Figure 6 shows diaper 20 in a more extended configuration than that shown in Figure 7.) The adjustment member 80 may be slidably attached to either the first absorbent assembly 28, the second absorbent assembly 29, or both. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment member 80 includes at least one slidable member 82 which is associated in a perforated manner with at least one of the absorbent assemblies. In other preferred embodiments, a chamber 84 is provided for the slidable member 82 to move within. Modes are also contemplated wherein the slide member 82 does not slip into one of the absorbent assemblies in a chamber within the absorbent assembly, but instead slides in or along another diaper member. The sliding member 82, the chamber 84 or any other operatively associated structure may include an element or elements for restricting the movement of the slidable member relative to the other structure. A non-limiting example would be a slidable member having ridges, which slide into the complementary ridges or other suitable structures associated with the chamber 84 such that the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 are capable of intermittently adjusting over a capacity limit. of major adjustment. (As used herein, the term "capable of intermittently adjusting" refers to the ability of the elements to be placed with respect to each other in such a way that certain previously determined arrangements or configurations may be obtained by the application of forces to the parts of the product.This is in contrast to the number of infinite configurations available in the continuously adjustable modes, as described above.) In another preferred embodiment, the diaper 20 comprises urine collection areas and fecal esses 90 and 92 overlapping each other and having one or more slide elements 49 of relatively low friction disposed between the zones. An example of a slip member 49 comprises a plastic film such as the designated 1.0 mil polypropylene film 1401 manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio. The sliding member 49 preferably reduces the friction between the overlapping portions of the absorbent assemblies so that they can be adjusted more easily relative to one another. However, embodiments are contemplated wherein the sliding element or element 49 provides reduced friction when the absorbent assemblies are adjusted in at least one direction and provide greater friction when the absorbent assemblies are adjusted in other directions. In this way, the sliding member 49 can be used to help maintain the configuration of the absorbent assemblies once they have been adjusted one relative to the other. Since the friction between the elements is generally dependent on the material, modalities are contemplated where sliding elements are not required or even desired. Any of the above-described embodiments or any of other embodiments within the scope of the invention may also include an adjustment retention member 98 which fixes the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 and / or the urine and fecal collection areas 90 and 92 in a particular relationship with each other. The retention member 98 may include any part of one or more of the diaper-forming elements, the absorbent assemblies, the collection zones or the adjustment member. For example, the retention member 98 may include a sliding member 49 as described above, which uses friction to retain the absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 in place after adjustment. However, any other retention member can also be used which is separate from the other elements of the diaper 20 and attached thereto. Suitable retention members 98 include adhesives, mechanical fasteners, belts, buckles, clips, loops, magnets, electronics, teeth or any combination of these or other known fastening and / or retaining devices. The retention member 98 may also be disposed on the outer surface of the diaper 20 and between any other element. In a modality, as shown in Figure 8, the retention device 98 includes teeth 98 which retain the separated absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 once they have been placed. (As used herein the term "teeth" includes any single structure or multiple structure extending from the retention member.) The teeth may extend perpendicularly from the base of the retention device 98 or they may be at any angle. The teeth can also have any suitable length, shape or hardness, etc. Also the diaper 20 may comprise an upright transverse barrier 75, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, which prevents the exudates from migrating from the rear waist region 38 to the front waist region 36 of the diaper 20, vice versa. The transverse barrier 75 is preferably attached to the chassis 22 and is located adjacent the longitudinal center line 100, although other configurations are contemplated. Other examples of suitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 347,026 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Multiple Effective Height Cross Section" filed on November 30, 1994 in the name of Dreier. and others; and in PCT patent WO 94/14395 entitled "Absorbent article having an upright transverse partition" published on July 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland et al. Both of the references cited above are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The diaper 20 is preferably applied to a wearer by placing one of the waist regions, preferably the rear waist region 38, under the user's back and pulling the rest of the diaper 20 between the wearer's legs. The other waist region, preferably the front waist region 36, is positioned across the front of the wearer. The person placing the diaper then wraps the side panels 30 around the wearer such that the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38 are in an overlapping configuration. The side panels 30 will typically be stretched and stretched during this operation to conform to the size and shape of the user. The clamping system is secured to make a lateral closure. In another embodiment, the absorbent article of the present invention may be an insert 95 which is intended to be placed in an undergarment of the wearer, an outer cover 94 or the like. In this way, the insert 95 is not generally intended to take the form of a brief, but instead will be used in combination with a brief or other structure that retains the insert 95 in place around the wearer. An example of an insert 95 is provided in an outer cover 94 is shown in Figure 9. The absorbent insert 95 includes a first absorbent assembly 28 and a second absorbent assembly 29. The first and second absorbent assemblies are attached, directly or indirectly by at least one adjustment member 80. The adjustment member or members 80 may include any one or more of the adjustment member structures described hereinbefore. In addition, absorbent assemblies 28 and 29 may be placed in any of the configurations described above, such as overlapping or separate. The absorbent insert 95 may also include one or more attachment elements 99 for retaining the insert 95 in place in the pants or outer cover 94 during use. The connecting element 99 may comprise adhesives, adherents, hooks, clips, buckles, buttons, loops, magnetic, electronic and / or any other known means for attaching the absorbent articles to the undergarments. Although the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, attempts are made in the appended claims to protect all these changes and modifications that are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. An absorbent insert for use with an outer cover, the outer cover having a front waist region, a back waist region, a longitudinal center line and a lateral center line perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline, the absorbent insert comprising: a first assembly absorbent; a second absorbent assembly; the insert characterized in that it includes an adjustment member that adjustably connects the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly such that the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly are capable of moving relative to each other in at least one direction parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the outer cover when the insert is disposed in said outer cover. The absorbent insert according to claim 1, wherein said insert includes a top sheet and a back sheet attached to the top sheet, said first absorbent assembly and said second absorbent assembly being located between the top sheet and the back sheet. 3. An absorbent insert for use with an outer cover, the outer cover having a front waist region, a back waist region, a longitudinal center line and a lateral center line perpendicular to the longitudinal center line, the absorbent article comprising: first absorbent assembly; a second absorbent assembly; and the insert characterized in that the insert includes a slidable fit member slidably attaching said first absorbent assembly and said second absorbent assembly such that the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly are capable of adjusting one relative to the other in at least one direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline of the outer cover when the insert is disposed in the outer cover. The absorbent insert according to claim 3, wherein the slidable adjustment member is slidably attached to a chamber formed in at least one of the first or second absorbent assembly. The absorbent insert according to claim 3, wherein the slidable adjustment member includes a restriction element which restricts the movement of the adjustment member to provide the intermittent adjustment capability, preferably said restriction element including ridges arranged in said chamber which engage the shoulders in said slidable adjustment member to provide the intermittent adjustment capability. 6. An absorbent article having a front waist region, a back waist region, a longitudinal center line and a lateral centerline perpendicular to the longitudinal center line, the absorbent article comprising: a chassis that has a urine collection area arranged in at least a part of the frontal waist region and a fecal collection zone disposed in at least a portion of the posterior waist region; including the chassis: a first absorbent assembly, at least a portion of said first absorbent assembly located in said urine collection zone; a second absorbent assembly, at least a portion of said second absorbent assembly located in said collection area of the fecal eses; characterized the absorbent article because the absorbent article includes an adjustment member that adjustably links said first absorbent assembly and said second absorbent assembly such that the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly are capable of moving relative to each other in at least one direction parallel to said longitudinal center line from a first position to a second position; and a retaining member for retaining the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly in said second position during use. 7. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the retention member includes one or more retention members selected from the group consisting of: mechanical fasteners, adhesives, belts, buckles, loops, magnets and teeth. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment member is non-absorbent or non-elastic. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first absorbent assembly comprises different materials than said second absorbent assembly. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further including a transverse barrier joined with the first absorbent assembly, with the second absorbent assembly or both.