Disposable diaper with cuff

#This invention generally relates to absorbent articles and, more particularly, to an improved disposable garment for incontinent adults or infants.

#Infants and other incontinent persons wear disposable garments to receive and to contain discharge such as feces, urine, and other fluids from the body. Disposable diapers function both to contain the discharged materials and to isolate these materials from the body of the wearer and from the wearer's surroundings. Modern embodiments of disposable diapers perform these tasks in a manner superior to that of traditional cloth diapers.

#Prior art disposable diapers disclose three basic structural elements: a fluid permeable topsheet designed to be placed next to the wearer's skin, a backsheet which forms the outer surface of the diaper, and an absorbent element interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet is permeable to fluids. The backsheet is a usually liquid impermeable or repellent. Its function is to contain fluids within the absorbent element thereby protecting the wearer's outer garments and other surfaces from soiling by these fluids. Backsheets are commonly formed of a thin sheet of polyethylene, polypropylene, or other flexible moisture impeding material which is substantially water impervious. The absorbent core of prior art diapers is comprised of a mass of hydrophilic fiber material. These fibers are often formed at least in part from cellulose. The core is intended to absorb fluids that permeate the topsheet. The core is capable of absorbing fluids many times its weight. Disposable diapers are generally hourglass shaped so as to best conform to the body of the wearer. The narrow portion of the shape is placed at the crotch of the wearer and the wide portions of the shape are folded about the body. The wide portions of the shape have projections, called "ears." The diapers are typically secured by tape fasteners attached to the ears.

#FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of a disposable garment, in a stretched state, embodying features of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along lines 1--1 of the disposable garment depicted in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention.

#FIGS. 1-8 depict various exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like features in the figures are identified by like numbers.

#FIGS. 1-2 depict a disposable garment 10 having longitudinal edges 12a and 12b and lateral edges 14a and 14b. The disposable garment 10 is preferably cut from a continuous web along lateral edges 14a and 14b. The disposable garment 10 exhibits interior surface 16, exterior surface 18, and leg holes 20a and 20b. The disposable garment 10 has a centerline 22 and a crotch area 25.

#Disposable garment 10 exhibits elasticized unitary cuffs 24. A disposable garment having such "unitary" cuffs is one which has no elasticized gasketing means outboard the centerline of the crotch area other than the "unitary" cuff. A "unitary" cuff has a proximal edge attached to or made from the disposable garment material, has only one distal edge, and exhibits a planar elasticating surface. A "unitary" cuff is a sole elasticizing means for containing waste from a wearer within the crotch area of a disposable garment.