Pocket-like diaper or absorbent article

• US 5,462,541 A
• Filed: 08/18/1993
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Inventors: Zehner, Georgia L., Uitenbroek, Duane G., Vukos, John P., Rosch, Paulette M., Bruemmer, Mary A., Rasmussen, Christine A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLARKE, ROBERT A
• Application Number:
  US08/116,262
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 604/378, 604/385.1-391
• US Class Current: 604/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49009 with elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49413 the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/495 with faecal cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51 characterised by the outer layers wicking or transfer layers A61F13/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/511 Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15365 Dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/1539 being expandable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4568 three-dimensional; with split absorbent core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4587 with channels or deep spot depressions on the upper surface A61F13/4704 and A61F13/49001 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49031 being elastic in longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49076 as "I"-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49096 with braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49493 the edge leakage prevention means being or forming three-dimensional barrier with raised lateral side-or end-wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53769 with the wicking layer not contacting the absorbent core

Abstract

A diaper or absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent between the topsheet and backsheet, and an elevating device for spacing the topsheet above the absorbent to form a pocket-like shape. The topsheet can have an opening and the absorbent can have a hole therein, both of which receive and isolate waste material from the wearer.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, comprising:

a backsheet,

a topsheet having an opening therein, wherein said opening allows solid fecal matter to move underneath said topsheet,

an absorbent having a hole therein and being between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein said hole extends through said absorbent,

an elevating means below said topsheet for elevating at least a portion of said topsheet away from said absorbent, thereby forming a shape effective to allow solid fecal matter to move underneath said topsheet, wherein said shape is positioned underneath said topsheet, and

a masking layer being positioned between said backsheet and said absorbent, wherein said masking layer comprises a first layer of absorbent material and a second layer of liquid-impermeable material.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said first layer further comprises a superabsorbent material.

3. An absorbent article, comprising:

a backsheet,

a topsheet having an opening therein, wherein said opening allows solid fecal matter to move underneath said topsheet.

an absorbent having a hole therein and being between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein said hole extends through said absorbent,

an elevating means below said topsheet for elevating at least a portion of said topsheet away from said absorbent, thereby forming a shape effective to allow solid focal matter to move underneath said topsheet, wherein said shape is positioned underneath said topsheet,

a masking layer being positioned between said backsheet and said absorbent, and

an absorbent pledget member disposed adjacent said hole.

4. The article of claim 3 wherein said pledget member partially encircles said hole.

5. The article of claim 3 wherein said pledget member totally encircles said hole.

6. The article of claim 3, 4, or 5 wherein said pledget member includes a superabsorbent material.

7. An absorbent article, comprising:

a backsheet,

a topsheet having an opening therein, wherein said opening allows solid fecal matter to move underneath said topsheet,

an absorbent having a hole therein and being between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein said hole extends through said absorbent, wherein said absorbent comprises generally opposite panels,

an elevating means below said topsheet for elevating at least a portion of said topsheet away from said absorbent, thereby forming a shape effective to allow solid focal matter to move underneath said topsheet, wherein said shape is positioned underneath said topsheet,

a masking layer being positioned between said backsheet and said absorbent, and

a pair of elastic members attached with at least one of said backsheet, said absorbent, and respective ones of said absorbent panels.

8. The article of claim 7 wherein each said elastic member is attached in a stretched condition to its respective said absorbent panel and said backsheet.

9. The article of claim 7 wherein each said elastic member is attached in a stretched condition to its respective said absorbent panel and said absorbent.

10. The article of claim 7 wherein each said elastic member is attached in a stretched condition to said absorbent and said backsheet.

11. The article of claim 7 wherein each said elastic member is attached in a stretched condition to said absorbent, said backsheet, and its respective said absorbent panel.

12. A method of making an absorbent article, comprising the steps of:

providing a backsheet and a topsheet having an opening therein, wherein said opening allows solid focal matter to move underneath said topsheet,

positioning an absorbent with a hole, wherein said hole extends through said absorbent, between the backsheet and the topsheet,

providing a pledget member adjacent the hole in the absorbent,

elevating at least a portion of the topsheet from the absorbent, and

providing a masking layer between the absorbent and the backsheet.