Absorbent article having pre-formed compliant gaskets

An absorbent article for use in the perineal area of the body to absorb fluid, comprising:

• a) a central portion having (I) an absorbent core, (ii) a first layer having first and second longitudinally extending edges and forming a first body facing surface, (iii) a second layer having first and second longitudinally extending edges and forming a second surface opposite said body facing surface, and (iv) first and second longitudinal sides extending between said first and second surfaced;
• and
• b) first and second strips of material formed into first and second compliant cuffs by forming said strips into loops, each of said cuffs having a distal end and a proximal end attached to said central portion, whereby said distal ends are adapted to be compressed against a portion of said user's body so as to form gaskets for preventing lateral leakage of said fluid past said central portion without folding over said first surface and wherein each of said strips of material has first and second longitudinally extending edges, and wherein said strips are formed into said loops by bringing said first and second edges of each of said strips together.

An absorbent article for use in the perineal area of the body to absorb fluid, comprising:

• a) a central portion having (i) an absorbent core, (ii) a body facing surface formed by a first layer enclosing at least a portion of said core and having first and second longitudinally extending edges first and second portions of said first layer extending longitudinally adjacent said first and second edges, respectively, (iii) a second surface opposite said body facing surface formed by a second layer enclosing at least a portion of said core and having first and second longitudinally extending edges, first and second portions of said second layer extending longitudinally adjacent said first and second edges, respectively;
• b) first and second longitudinally extending compliant members having proximal and distal ends and formed by enclosing said first and second portions of said second layer within said first and second portions of said first layer, respectively, whereby said distal ends are compressed against a portion of said user's body so as to form gaskets for preventing lateral leakage of said fluid past said central portion without folding over said first surface.

An absorbent article for use in the perineal area of the user's body to absorb fluid, comprising:

• a) a longitudinally extending central portion having (i) an absorbent core, (ii) a first layer covering at least a portion of said absorbent core and forming a body facing surface, said first layer having right and left longitudinally extending edges, and (iii) second layer covering at least a portion of said absorbent core and forming a garment facing surface, said second layer having right and left longitudinally extending edges;
• and
• b) right and left hand longitudinally extending gaskets for preventing lateral leakage of said fluid, said right and left hand gaskets pre-formed to extend outward from said central portion, said gaskets pre-formed by enclosing first and second portions of said second layer disposed adjacent its right and left edges, respectively, within first and second portions of said first layer disposed adjacent its right and left edges, respectively, and joining said first and second portions of said first layer to said first and second portions of said second layer enclosed therein, whereby said first and second portions of said first layer form the distal end of said gaskets and are compressed against a portion of said user's body in use.

An absorbent article for use in the perineal area of the user's body to absorb fluid, comprising:

• a) a longitudinally extending central portion having an absorbent core disposed therein, said central portion having a longitudinally middle section and end sections extending fore and aft therefrom;
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• b) a plurality of longitudinally extending elastic segments attached to said article in tension, said elastic segments extending only in said end sections, so as to impart an arcuate shape to said end section while leaving said middle section substantially straight, and wherein there are at least four of said elastic segments, two of which are disposed in said end section extending fore and two of which are disposed in said end section extending aft.