# US 4,397,645 A · Disposable absorbent article having an improved liquid containment construction

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- Number: US 4,397,645 A
- Document ID: US4397645A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/237,789
- Filed: 1981-02-24
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1981-02-24
- Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Inventors: Kenneth B. Buell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397645A

## CPC

- A61F 13/49413: {the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier}
- A61F 13/49017: {the elastic means being located at the crotch region}
- A61F 13/513: {characterised by its function or properties, e.g. stretchability, breathability, rewet, visual effect;} having areas of different permeability
- A61F 13/47: Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins (A61F13/49 takes precedence)
- A61F 13/49009: {with elastic means}
- A61F 13/539: characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
- A61F 2013/49076: {as "I"-shaped}
- A61F 2013/51409: {being a film}
- A61F 2013/5395: {with thermoplastic agent, i.e. softened by heat}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as urine. An absorbent core is encased in an outer covering layer. Leakage resistant members are affixed at each segment of the diaper from which leakage is to be reduced. The leakage resistant member has a facing sheet having compacted portions affixed to a backing sheet. The leakage resistant members may be elasticized by providing a separate elastic element or by using an elastic material for the backing sheet.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A disposable diaper comprising:
an outer covering layer;
an absorbent core means for absorbing liquids, said absorbent core means being encased in said outer covering layer;
a peripheral edge comprising a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge; and
a multiplicity of leakage resistant members, one of said leakage resistant members being affixed at said first longitudinal side edge and one of said leakage resistant members being affixed at said second longitudinal side edge, said leakage resistant member comprising a fibrous facing sheet, a liquid impermeable backing sheet underlaying said facing sheet, and an elastic member interposed between said facing sheet and said backing sheet, said facing sheet having a compacted portion and an uncompacted portion, said compacted portion comprising a multiplicity of continuous bands which redirect liquid away from said peripheral edge from which leakage may occur, said elastic member being affixed to said compacted portion and being affixed to said backing sheet, said elastic member gathering said facing sheet when said elastic member is unrestrained, said uncompacted portion forming pillows when said facing sheet is gathered, said facing sheet having a wearer-contacting surface and said compacted portion being disposed below said wearer-contacting surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The disposable diaper of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the caliper of said uncompacted portion to the caliper of said compacted portion is 1.5:1.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The disposable diaper of claim 1 wherein said continuous bands have expanded areas.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The disposable diaper of claim 3 wherein said bands have disconnected areas.

### Claim 5

A disposable diaper comprising:
an outer covering layer;
an absorbent core means for absorbing liquids, said absorbent core means being encased in said outer covering layer;
a peripheral edge comprising a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge; and
a multiplicity of leakage resistant members, one of said leakage resistant members being affixed at said first longitudinal side edge and one of said leakage resistant members being affixed at said second longitudinal side edge, said leakage resistant member comprising a fibrous facing sheet, a liquid impermeable backing sheet underlaying said facing sheet, and an elastic member interposed between said facing sheet and said backing sheet, said facing sheet having a compacted portion and an uncompacted portion, said compacted portion comprising an array of discrete areas which render the path followed by liquid tortuous, said elastic member gathering said facing sheet when said elastic member is unrestrained, said uncompacted portion forming pillows when said facing sheet is gathered, said facing sheet having a wearer-contacting surface and said compacted portion being disposed below said wearer-contacting surface.