US 4,681,579 AGranted

Absorbent article having reservoirs

AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company

InventorsJohn W. Toussant, Ted L. Blaney

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Abstract

A disposable absorbent article such as a diaper with a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, flexible side flaps extending outwardly from and along each side edge of the absorbent core in at least the crotch region of the diaper, elastic members secured to the side flaps, and a reservoir. The reservoir collects and holds body exudates, especially loose fecal material, until the diaper is removed. Leakage prevention is enhanced because body exudates would have to flow not only above and over the reservoir but also beyond the elasticized side flaps; leakage being additionally prevented by the elasticized side flaps because they form an additional liquid impervious barrier about the body of the wearer.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A disposable absorbent article having a front waist region, a crotch region and a back waist region, said absorbent article comprising:

a liquid pervious topsheet;
a liquid impervious backsheet associated with said topsheet;
an absorbent core having side edges, said absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet;
a flexible side flap extending outwardly from and along each side edge of said absorbent core in at least the crotch region;
an elastic member secured to each of said side flaps;
a securing means for securing portions of said side flaps to said topsheet;
and
a reservoir formed by a portion of each of said side flaps arranged in a multiplicity of layers, a first layer being formed by an inwardly longitudinally extending fold in said side flap and a second layer formed by an outwardly longitudinally extending fold, a portion of said first layer being secured to said topsheet by said securing means, the remaining portions of said first fold being unsecured, and a portion of said second layer being secured to a portion of said first layer.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.