Absorbent article with transversal barrier

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the substantially liquid impermeable film layer comprises, preferably consists of, a backsheet (7) of the absorbent insert (4) and preferably comprises a material comprising, or consisting of, a polyester, more preferably said material being selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polylactic acid, and polypropylene.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the at least portion of said absorbent insert (4) proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof comprises one or more folds forming the transversal waist barrier(s) (5), wherein at least one of said folds is substantially U-shaped.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the fold has a length (L) in a longitudinal direction running substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (y), and wherein said insert (4) further comprises a pair of longitudinally extending cuffs positioned along left and right longitudinal edges thereof and joined thereto along a tack-down length (LT) extending from a position proximal to at least the back transversal edge to a tack-down terminal position (TP), and wherein the tack-down length (LT) is less than or equal to about 2 L, preferably said cuffs being joined to a body-facing surface of the topsheet (6).

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the insert (4) comprises a pair of longitudinally extending cuffs positioned along left and right longitudinal edges thereof, wherein each cuff comprises at least one elastic (cE), and wherein at least a terminal portion (TPe) of said elastic overlaps the transversal waist barrier (5).

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the transversal waist barrier (5) comprises one or more second elastic strands (12) positioned at a distance (d) from a terminal edge (TE) of the transversal waist barrier (5) forming a pocket opening, and wherein the distance between said terminal edge (TE) and the elastic closest to said terminal edge is less than about 0.6 L, preferably from 0.15 L to 0.5 L, even more preferably from 0.20 to 0.45 L.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the one or more second elastic strands (12) of the transversal waist barrier (5) have a first dtex and the front and back panels (2,3) comprise a plurality of elastics having a second dtex, wherein the first dtex is greater than the second dtex, and preferably wherein the second dtex is from 300 dtex to 1200 dtex.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the transversal waist barrier (5) comprises one or more second elastic strands (12) and wherein at least one of said elastic strands is a flat elastic.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the absorbent insert (4) comprises a substantially liquid permeable topsheet (6), a substantially liquid impermeable backsheet (7), and an absorbent core (8) sandwiched therebetween, preferably wherein the absorbent core (8) is positioned inboard of the perimeter of said absorbent insert (4) when viewed in a planar direction such that the one or more folds are substantially free of absorbent material.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the font and/or back panels (2, 3) are elastic and comprise an inner nonwoven layer (9), an outer nonwoven layer (10), and an elastic material (11) sandwiched therebetween, wherein the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of an elastic film and a plurality of elastic strands.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the transversal waist barrier(s) (5) is elastic, preferably comprising an elastic material selected from the group consisting of an elastic film and one or more elastic strands.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the absorbent core (8) comprises absorbent material selected from the group consisting of superabsorbent polymer particles and/or fibers;

• and cellulose fibers, preferably wherein said absorbent material is enclosed within a core wrap comprising top and bottom core wrap layers being a same nonwoven layer folded to sandwich the absorbent material therein or distinct nonwoven layers joined together to sandwich the absorbent material therein.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the back panel (3) is wider than the front panel (2) such that a length of the seams is substantially equal to a width of the front panel (2) and less than a width of the back panel (3);

• or wherein the front panel (2) is wider than the back panel (3) such that a length of the seams is substantially equal to a width of the back panel (3) and less than a width of the front panel (2).

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the absorbent insert (4) is folded-over to form the waist barrier(s) (5) such that the topsheet (6) of the non-folded part of said insert (4) is able to come into contact with the folded part of said insert (4).

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the substantially liquid impermeable film layer, or backsheet (7), comprises indicia, preferably a coloured print, at a position corresponding to the transversal waist barrier (5);

• and/or wherein the one or more second elastic strands (12) are coloured;
• and/or wherein a garment facing surface of the outer nonwoven layer (10) is coloured;
• and/or wherein the transversal waist barrier (5) comprises indicia selected from a coloured print and coloured adhesive.

An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding Claims further comprising a pair of longitudinally extending cuffs positioned along left and right longitudinal edges of the insert (4), and wherein the transversal waist barrier(s) (5) is positioned above said cuffs such that said barrier(s) (5) is closer to a wearer's skin than said cuffs;

• preferably wherein the cuffs are joined to a body-facing surface of the topsheet (6) and wherein each of said cuffs is folded and joined to itself on a body-facing surface thereof at a joining position (JP) substantially corresponding to the transversal waist barrier(s) (5) to form an exudate collection pocket.