CA1182602A

CA1182602A - Disposable absorbent article having an improved liquid containment construction

Info

Publication number: CA1182602A
Application number: CA000396822A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kenneth B. Buell
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1981-02-24
Filing date: 1982-02-23
Publication date: 1985-02-19
Also published as: DE3264977D1; IE52559B1; JPH027661B2; US4397645A; BR8200857A; AU544422B2; GR74716B; ES263414Y; EP0059014A3; IE820386L; ES263414U; ATE14524T1; JPS57210003A; EP0059014A2; AU8072782A; EP0059014B1

Abstract

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING
AN IMPROVED LIQUID CONTAINMENT CONSTRUCTION

Kenneth B. Buell 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.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING
AN IMPROVED LIeUlD CONTAIN~ENT CONSTRUCTION

Kenneth B. Buell BACKGROUND OF THE INVENT ION
~ 5 This invention relates to disposable absorbent articles = in g~neral and more particularly relates to disposable diapers and the like. Still more particularly, this invention relates to disposable diapers having a leakage resistant member positioned so that liquid will contact the leakage resistant member before leakage occurs.

~- Disposable absorbent articles are well known in the prior art and have many uses. For exa~ple, disposable diapers are intended to absorb and contain urine; bandages are intended to absorb and contain blood and other body exudates; while catamenial pads are intended to absorb and ; retain menstruàl fluids. In each instance 3 the disposable absorbent article absorbs and retains a liquid, thereby - preventing that liquid from soiling, wetting, or otherwise ~; contaminating the vicinity surrounding the point of liquid ` 20 discharge.

Disposable absorbent articles should perform without leaking and several concepts have been proposed to improve the contalnment characteristics of such articles. ror -~ example, i~ has been recognized tha~ the liquid containment characteristics of a disposable absorbent article ean be improved by rendering the perimeter of the article liquid impermea~le. Thus, as ~aught in U.S. Patent 3,520,303 entitled D:ISPOSABLF DIAPER which issued to D. D. Endres on July 14, 1970, a leak preventing barrier may be provided at the ends o;E a disposable diaper to prevent liquid leakage ;,~ from the waist. The barrier is a strip o thin fllm which . ,S.. ~ .
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is affixed between the topsheet and the backsheet along a single l;ne at the perimeter of the diaper. Fur~her, U.S.
Patent 3,693,622 entitled WASTE FLUID FLOW CONTROL EL~MENT
which issued to J. L. Jones, Sr. on September 26, 1972 teaches a waste fluid absorption device in which the periphery of the absorbent core is treated with a liquid repellent composîtion which renders the periphery liquid impermeable.
Additionally, U.S. Patent 3,799,167 entitled DISPOSABLE
- ABSORBENT PAD which issued to A. H. M~ller et al. on March 26, 1974 is similar in concept to the aforementioned Jones patent in that the periphery of the absorbent artlcle is rendered liquid impermeable by treatment with a waterproofing composition. Miller et al., however, apply the waterproofing 'composition to the periphe~y of the topsheet rather than to the periphery of the absorbent core.

U.S. Patent 3,860,003 entitled CONTRACTIBLE SIDE PORTIO~S
FOR A DISPOSABLE DIApER ~hich issued to K. B. Buell on January 14, 1~75 and U.S. Patent 4,050,462 entitled DISPOSABLE
DIAPER WITH ELASTICALLY CONSTRICTED CROTCH SECTION which ` 20 issued to L. S. Woon et al. on September 27, 1977 each teach a concept for reducing liquid leakage which involves providing an elastic member in a disposable diaper. The elastic member is positioned so that when the diaper is wor,n the diaper is drawn snu~ly about the leg of the diaper wearer.
The elastic therefore causes the diaper to orm a seal about the leg of the diaper wearer thereby preventing liquid from leaking out of the diaper.

The disposable absorbent articles of the prior art lack the aspects of the present invention whereby a reduction in li~uid leakage is obtained by providing a leakage resistant member having compacted portions` which are disposed below ,,1, the wearer-contacting surface of the diaper.
:j 'r It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having improved liquid containment characteristics.

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Z~2 . . .

! A further object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article having a leakage reduction member.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article h~ving a leakage reduc~ion member in which compacted portions of the faclng sheet are ~ disposed below the wearer-contacting surface of the diaper.

`` An additlonal object o the present invention is to provide an absorbent article having a leakage reduction -- me~ber which is elasticized.
~3,;, ~ .
These and other objects of the invention will be more readily apparent when considered in reference to the ollowing description and when taken in connection with the accompany-ing drawings.
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SUMMARY OF 1~ INVENTION
According to the present invention, a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper is manufactured such that the absorbent core is encased in an outer covering layer having a liquid permeable topsheet portion and a liquid impermeable backsheet portion. The disposable absorbent article is provided with at least one leakage resistant member which is positioned such that when the diaper is worn the liquid will contact a leakage resistant ~ember before r~ leakage occurs. However, a multiplicity of leakage reduction members may be affixed at Va~ious pQrt;ons of the diaper.

The leakage resistant member cornprises a ibrous facing sheet and a liquid impermeable backing sheet. The facing sheet has compacted portions which are afixed to the backing sheet and which are disposed below the wearer-contacting surface of the diaper. The leakage reduction member may be ,, 30 elasticized by providing an elastic member. The elastic member causes the facing sheet to buckle thereby forming plllows. The pillows enhance the elevational difference between the wearer-contacting surface and the compacted portion.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
~ igure 1 is a partially cutaway perspective vlew of a disposable diaper incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view o~ the diaper of Figure 1 taken along line 2-20 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the leakage resistant member shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a disposable diaper incorporating an alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper of Figure 4 taken along line 5-5.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a segment of the leakage resistant ~ember in an ungathered confi~ura~ion showing a preferred compacted portion.

Figure 7 is a perspective view o the leakage resistant member of Figure 6 in a gathered configuration.
?5 Figure 8 is a plan view of ~ segment of the leakage resistant member in an ungathered configuration showing an alternatively preferred compacted portion.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the leakage resistant member of Figure 8 in a gathered configuration~

Flgure 10 is a plan view of a segment of the leakage resistant member in an ungathered configurat~on showing an alternatively preferred compacted portion.

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_ 5 -Figure 11 is a perspective view of ~he leakage resistant member of Figure 9` in a gathered configurationO
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Flgure 12 is a cross-sectional vie~ of an alternative diaper construction taken along a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view o an alternative diaper construction taken along a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Figure 4.

-~~ DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, there is shown a pre-ferred embodiment of the present invention as it would be used ln a disposable absorbent article and, in par~icular, as it ~ould be used in a disposable diaper. As used herein, the ter~ "disposable absorbent article'l refers to articles which absorb and contain liquid, and ~o~e specifically refers to articles ~hich are placed against or in proximity to the human body to absorb and contain the various liquids discharged therefrom (e.g., blood, menses, urine~ etc.), and further which articles are intended to be discarded after a single use (i.e., they are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored and reused). A "diaper" is a garment generally worn by infan~s and incontinent persons, which is ;~ drawn up bet~een the legs and fastened about the waist of the wearer. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is also applicable for use in other disposable absorbent articles such as bandages, bed pads', catamenial pads, and the like.

Figure 1 is a partially cut-away view of the disposable diaper 10 o:E the present invention prior to its being olded ~', and placed on the diaper wearer. ~s seen in ~igure 1, a pre:Eerred disposable diaper 10 basically co~prises an outer ; covering la;yer lL and an abso~bent core 14. l~hile the outer covering layer il and the absorbent core 14 ~ay be generally assembled in a variety of ~ell known conigurations such as ~ .

are described in U.S. Patent 3,860,003 en~itled COMTRACTABLE
SIDE PORTIONS FOR DISPOSABI.E DIAPER ~Jhich issued to K. B.
Buell on January 14, 1~75, and U.S. Patent RE 26,151 entitled DISPOSABLE DIAPER Which issued to R. C. D~can et al. on January 31, 1967, a preferred construction of the diaper lO
will no~ be described~

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 a preferred ou~er covering layer 11 encases and contains the absorbent core 14 and preferably has a topsheet portion 12 and a backsheet portlon 16 which are joined together in any suitable manner.
As used herein, the ~erm "joined" encompas~es configurations whereby the topsheet portion 12 is directly joined to the backsheet portion 16 by affixing ~he topsheet portion 12 directly to the backsheet portion 16 and configurations whereby the topsheet portion 12 is indirectly joined to the backsheet portion 16 by affixing the topsheet portion 12 to an intermediate member which in turn is affixed to the backsheet portion 16.

The topshee~ portion 12 and the backsheet portion 16 preferably ha~e length and width dimensions larger than thqse o the absorbent core 14. Thus, the topsheet portion 12 may be joined to the backsheet portion 16 by directly affixing the topsheet portion 12 to the backsheet portion 16. Preferablyl a ~eripheral seam 20 (Figure 2~ placed around the marginal portion of the diaper 10 is used to join the topsheet portion 12 to the backsheet portion 16. The peripheral seam 20 is preferably a continuous band of hot melt adhesive such as that manufactured by ~he Eastman Chemical Products Company of Kingsport, Tennessee and marketed unde~ ~he trademarkl~astobond A-3~' AlternatiYely, the topsheet portion 12 may be affi~;ed to the backsheet portion 16 using any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing or heat sealing and in any suitable configuration such as intermittent dots or dashes.-!" ~; I

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The peripheral seam 20 may be positioned at any convenient location on the diaper 10 considering the specific diaper configuration and the particular method used to manufacture the diaper 10. As shown in Figure 2 the peripheral seam 20 is preferably positioned outward from the absorbent core 14. Further, the peripheral seam preferably encircles :- the absorbent core 14 thereby encasing the absorbent core 14 ; between the topsheet portion 12 and the backsheet portion 16.

j 10 As can be seen in Figure 1, the disposable diaper 10 ;~ has a longitudinal centerline 28, a lateral centerline 29, a back portic~n 30, a front portion 31, a back waist portion 32, a front waist portion 33, and a crotch area 34. Further, the disposable diaper 10 has a peripheral edge 17 defining the outer periphery or in other words the outer extent of the diaper 10. The peripheral edge comprises a back edge 35, a front edge 36, and first and second longitudinal side ~dges 37 and 38, respectively.

The back portion 30, in general, is that part o the diaper from the la~eral centerline 29 to ~he back edge 35 of the diaper 10 and which when the diaper is worn contacts the back of the infant. The front portion 31, in general, is that portion of the diaper 10 from the lateral centerline 29 to the front edge 36 of the diaper 10 and which when the diaper 10 is worn contacts the front of the infant. The ; back waist portion 32 is that ~argin~l portion of ~he diaper 10 adjacent t:o back edge 35. The front waist portion 33 is that marginal portion of the diaper 10 adjacent to the front edge 36. The back and front waist portions 32 and 33, respectively,, cooperate with each o~her when the diaper 10 is fitted on and attached to an inant to encircle the infant's waist and hold the diaper 10 on the infant. The back waist portion 32 and the f~ont waist portion 33 each have a width which extends from the back edge 35 and the front edge 36, respectively, toward the lateral center line 29 a distance of ~pproxi~ately 1 inch to 2-112 inches (2.5 "~ .
,, . . ... , . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . ~ . . .. , . _ . , . .. . . . . _ -- 8 .~

cm. to 6.4 cm.) and each has a length which extends trans-versely across the diaper 10 at the back edge 35 and a~ the front edge 36, respectively. The depth of the back and front waist portions, 32 and :33 respectively, is established primarily by and includes the dlaper fastening means for affixing the diaper around the waist of the infant. An accep~able fastening means is an adhesive fastenin~ tape 39 as ls well known in the disposable diaper art~

The crotch area 34 of the diaper 10 is that area of the diaper which is generally located directly between ~he legs and around the lower portion of an infant when the diap2r 10 is worn and is approximately centered on the lateral center-~- line 29.
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~'~ The absorbent core 14 may be manufactured in a wide variety o sizes and from a wide variety of absorbent materials which are commonly used in disposable absorbent articles and which are capable of absorbing and retaining liquids. While comminuted wood pulp, generally referred to as airfelt, is preferred for the manufacture ~f the ab--~ 20 sorbent core 14~ other liquid absorbent materials such as f~ams, a multiplicity of plies of creped cellulose ~adding, or any equivalent material may also be used. The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 14 should, ho~ever, be compatible with the des~gn liquid loadings in the in-tended use of the absorbent article.

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i The preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 has an hourglass shaped absorbent core 14 ~herein the absorbent core 14 in the back ~nd front waist p~rtions 32 and 33 respectively~ is wider than the absorbent core 14 in ~he crotch area 34, thereby forming ears 40, 41~ 42, (Figure 1) and a ourth ear which is not shown, at the cor~ers of the absorbent core 14. The preferred ~mbodiment illustrated in Figure 1 is intended to be worn by infants ranging in weight from 12 pounds to about ~6 pounds (5 kgs. to about 12 kgs.).

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g The absorbent core 14 is, therefore, a pad of airfelt ;; approximately 16 inches (40.6 cm.~ long when measured along '' the longitudinal centerline 28, having a width of approxi-mately l2 inches (31.9 cm.) across back and front waist portions 32 and 33, respectively, and having a width of approxlmately 4 inches (]0.2 cm.) across the crotch area 34 of the diaper 10. The absorptive capacity of the airelt used for the absorbent core 14 is sufficient to absorb and retain approximately fro~ 8 to 16 grams of water per gram of absorbent. Accordingly, the airfelt used in the preferred e~bodiment shown in Figure 1 weighs approximately from 30 to 56 grams. It should be understood, however, that the size, ', shape, and total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 14 may be varied to acco~modate diaper wearers ranging from infants to adults. Thereore, o~her dimensions and even other shapes (e.g., rectangula~) may also be used for the absorbent core 14.
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As best seen in Figure 2, a preferred absorbent core 14 ~' com~rises an absorbent layer 46 and a first tissue layer 48 which forms a first opposed surface 49 of the absorbent core 14 and a second tissue layer 50 which forms a second opposed surface 52 of the absorbent core 14.

The absorbent layer 46 is preferably c~minuted wood ~ pulp as hereinb~,ore described. The first and second '~ 25 tissue layers 48 and S0 improve the tensile strength of the absorbent layer 46 and reduce the tendency of the absorbent layer 46 to lump or ball when wetted. I~hile a nu~ber of materials and manufacturing techniques may be used to manufacture the tissue layers 48 and 50, satisfactory results have been obtained with sheets of we~ streng~h tissue paper having a basis weight of about 12 pounds per ,"~ 3,000 square feet (19 gms. per sq~are meter) and having an `, air permeability of about 100 cublc feet per ~inute per ,' square ft. (30.5 cubic meters per minute per square meter) ., ~, .. .
.... w. . . . . . . . .

over a l/2 inch (12.8 mm.) water pressure drop. While the tissue layers 48 and 50 are preferably coterminous wi~h the absorbent layer 46, they may have different dimensions, a diferent configura~ion, or may be omitted entirely.

The second tissue layer 50 of the absorbent core 14 is superposed on backsheet 16 and is pre~erably attached thereto by attachment means such as those well known in the art. Accordingly, the absorbeni: core 14 can be secured to ~he backsheet 16 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive or a number o~ separated lines ox spots of adhesive. An ~dhesive which has been found to be satisfactory is manufactured by Eastman Chemical Products 5Ompany of Kingsport, Tennessee and marketed under the trademark Eastobond A-3.

The backsheet portion 16 is impermeable ~o liquids and prevents liquids absorbed by the absorbent core 14 from wetting the undergarments, clothing, beddingl and other objects which contact the ~earer of the disposable diaper lO. Preferably the backsheet portion 16 is a polyethylene film of from about 0.0005 t~ about 0.002 inches (about 0.0012 to about 0.051 mm~) thick, although other flexible, liquid impermeable materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible~' refers to materials which are compliant and which readily conform to the shape and contours of the human body. A suitable polyethylene ilm is manu-factured by Monsanto Chemical Company and marketed in the trade as film No. 8020.

In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet portion 16 has a modified hourglass configuration extending beyond the edge of the'absorbent core 14 a distance of approximately 1/2 inch to 1 inch (1.3 cm. to 2.5 cm.). ~long the first and second longitudinal sides 37 and 38, the backsheet portion 16 extends beyond and is generally parallel to the longitudinal sides o the a'bsorbent core 14. ~s the absorbent core 14 6~%

gets narrower towards the crotch area 34, the edge of the backsheet portion 16 is substantially linear and parallel to the longitudinal centerl;ne 28 so that the backsheet portion 16 is wider than the absorbent core 14. I~e linear portion of the first and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38, respectively, is generally betweell S inches and 12 inches (between 12 and 30 cm.) long and for the diaper 10 of the preferred embodiment illustrated :in ~igure 1, is about 9 inches (23 cm.) long. The backsheet portion 16 îs preferably embossed andtor matte fi.nished to provide a more cloth-like appearanc~. Further, the backsheet portion 16 may be perfora~ed or otherwise modified to permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core 14, provided liquid is not allowed ~o pass from the absorbent core 14 through the backsheet portion 16.

The topsheet portion 12 is compLiant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet portion 12 is liquid permeable, per~itting liquids to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable ~opsheet portion 1~ may be manufac~ured f~om a ~ide range of materials such as plastic films, natural fibers ~e.g., wood or co~ton fibers) synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene) or a combination of natural and synthe~ic fibers and prevents the wearer of the diaper 10 from contacting the absorben~
core 14.

A particularly preferred topsheet portion 12 is fibrous comprising by weight about 65 percent staple length polyester ibers having a denier of about 1.5, such as'kode~Type 411 polyester fiber marketed by Tennessee Eastman Corporation o Kingsport, Tennessee, about L5 percent staple length crimped rayon fibers having a denier of approximately 1.5; and about 20 percent acry-Lic copolymer binder such asl'Celanese CPE
8335"*m*arketed by Celanese Corporation of Charlotte, North Caroiina. As used herein, the term "staple length fibers"
refers to those fibers having a len~th of a~ least about 0,~25 inches (15.9 mm.).
*Trademark **Trademark Clearly, there are a number of manufacturing techniques which may be utilized to manufacture ~he preferred topsheet por~ion 12. For example, the topsheet portion 12 may be wo~en, nonwoven, spunbonded, carded, or the like. A preferred topsheet portion 12 is carded, saturated with a bînder solution, dried and cured by means wPll knownto those skilled in the art. Preferably, the topsheet portion I2 has a basis weight range of Xrom about 18 to about 30 grams per square yard, a minimum we~ tensile strength of at least 400 grams ~ per cm. in the rnachine d;rection and at least about 55 grams pe~ cm. in the cross-machine direction.

Liquid discharged onto the diaper 10 which is being worn will be distributed throughout the diape~ 10. As a result of the liquid distribution some of the liquid will reach segments o the diaper 10 from which leakage can occur. The location of these segments and the specific means by which leakage occurs will depend on the particular construction used for the diaper 10. In general, however, liquid leakage is likely to occur at those segments of the diaper 10 which are fitted about the waist and legs of the diaper wearer.

More specifically, liquid leakage ~ay occur at one segment of the diaper 10 such as at the front edge 35 or at the back edge 35. Alternatively, liquid leakage may occur 2S at a multiplicity of se~ments of the diaper 10 such as at both the front and back edges 36 and 35 or ~t both the firs~
and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38 or at the front edge 36, the back edge 35, ~he first longitudinal side edge 37 and second longitudinal side edge 38.

A leakage resistant member 22 ls affixed ~t each segment from which liquid leakage is to be reduced. For exar~ple, a leakage ~esistant member 22 may be afixed at the front edge 36 or at the back edge 35. Alternatively, a multiplicity of leakage resistant rne~bers 22 may be affixed to the dlaper 10 at a multiplici~y of segments at whlch liquid leakage may ~1~

n ~ 13 ~

occur. Fvr example, leakage -resistant members 22 may be affixed at both the front and back edges 36 and 35 or at both the ront and back edges 36 and 35 and at the first and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38. The leakage resistant members 22 reduce an~ preferably prevent liquid leakage in a manner hereinafte~ described.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which liquid leakage is to be reduced at the legs of the wearer of the diaper 10. Accord-ingly, a leakage resistant member 22 is afflxed at each ofthe se~ments of the diaper 10 which sur~ound the wearer's legs ~hen the diaper 10 is ~orn. Thus, the diaper 10 has a leakage resistant member 22 affixed at the first longitudinal side 37 and another liquid resistant member 22 affixed at the second longitudinal side 38. ~s hereinbefore stated, however, additional or other leakage resistant members 22 may be affixed at additional or other segments of the diaper 10. For example, it may be advanta~eous to reduce liquid leakage at either the back edge 35 or at the front edge 36 - 20 of the diaper 10 in conjunction with reducing liquid leakage at the irst and second longitudinal sides 37 and 38. Since the leakage resistant member 22 is generally the same irrespec-tive of which segment of the diaper 10 it is affixed at, the construction of the leakage resistant members 22 intended to reduce li.quid leaka~e at the legs of the wearer will be described.
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Reerring now to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the leakage resistant members 22 have a fibrous liquid permeable faci.ng sheet 21, a liquid impermeable backing sheet 23 and a fi.rst end portion 24 (Figure 2) defining the boundary of the leakage resistant ~ember 22 along one end.
The facing sheet 21 may be n~nufactured from a wide variety -of fibrous materials wnich are compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer7s skin. The facin~ sheet 21 may be woven D~ nonwov~n from natural ibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers3 ~r fro~ synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or ~ - 14 -.
polypropylene fibers) or from a combination thereof.
Alternatively, the facing sheet 21 may be a fiber-like foam such as the reticulated foams which are well known in the art. In general, fibrous webs which are suitable for use as the topsheet portion 12 are also suitable for use as - the facing sheet 21.

The backing sheet 23 underlays the facing sheet 21, is impermeable to liquids and is preferably a polyethylene film of from about 0.0005 to about 0.002 inches thick-(about 0.0012 to about 0.051 mm.), although other flexible, liquid impermeable materials may also be used. In general, materials ~hich are suitable for use as the backsheet portion 16 are ~;
also suitable for use as the backing sheet 23.
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As used hereîn, the term "affixed at" means that the leakage resistant member 22 is connected to the diaper 10 at or near a se~ment of the diaper 10 from which liquid leakage may occur such that liquid will preferably contact the leakage resistant member 22 before leakage occurs (i.e., before liquid contacts the wearer's undergarment, etc.) at those segments. The term "connected" includes any means of ~oining the leakage resistant member 22 to the diaper 10 and encompasses means whereby the leakage resistant member 22 is made integral with the diaper 10 (i.e., the leakage resistant member 22 is a separate element affîxed to the diaper 10) and means whereby the leakage resistant member 22 is ~mitary ~, with the diaper 10 (i.e., the leakage resistant member 22 has at least one continuous and undivided element in common with the outer covering layer 11).
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In the preferred e~bodiment of the leakage resistan~
member 22 illustrated in Fi~ures 2 and 3, the leakage resistant member 22 is positioned outward rom the absorbent core 14 and is made unitary with the diaper 10 by extending the topsheet portion 12 and the backsheet portion 16 out~ard from the absorbent core 14 to ~o~ the facing sheet 21 and *

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the backing sheet 23 9 respectively. Alternatively, the leakage resistan~ member 22 may be made integral with ~he diaper 10 by affixing the first end portion 24 to the outer covering layer ll using any suitable means such as by gluing, heat sealing or ultrasonic bonding techniques.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the facing sheet 21 is oriented so as to be placed against the skin o the diaper wearer and has a compacted portion 54, which alters the flow pattern of liquid. The desired affect of the compacted portion 54 may be achieved in ~any ways such as by ~illing or partially filling the interstitial voids of the facing sheet 21 in the com~acted portion 54 with an adhesive or other liquid impermeable material. In this manner, the compacted portion 54 is not compacted or compressed but is nonetheless ~ade to act as a non-wicking barrier to the movemen~ of liquid. -In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the compacted portion 54 is compressed or densified relative to the other po~tions of the facing sheet 21, which other portions, for convenience, are desig-nated uncompacted portions 55. In other words, both the spacing between fibers and the interstitial void volume are reduced in the compacted portion 54 to an extent sufficient to cause the compacted portion 54 to exhibi~ a greater capillary ~ttraction for liquid than the uncompacted portion 55. Thus, liquid contacting the compacted portion 54 will wick into and through the compacted portion 54. Having once entered the compacted portion 54, the liquid will tend to be held in the compacted portion 54 because the compacted portion 54 has a higher capillary attraction for the liquid than does the adJacent ~mcompacted portion 55. The compacted portion 54, therefore, alters the liquid flo~ pattern and by configuring the compacted portion 54 as hereinafter described, the liquid is redirec~ed away from those parts of the diaper 3S from whieh leakage m~y occur.

The ratio of the calip~r of the uncompacted portion 55 of the facing sheet 21 to the caliper of the compacted : - portion 54 is at least about 1.5:1 and preferably at least about 2.0:1. Most preferably, the ratio of the caliper of -- S the uncompacted portion 55 to~the caliper of the compacted . portion 54 is at least about 4:1. It should be unclerstood the term "caliper" refers to thickness of the facing sheet 21 - on~y and does not in any way refer to the relative elevations of the compacted and uncompacted portions 54 and 550 Many procedures are suitable for determining the ratio . of the caliper of the uncompacted portion 55 to the caliper ~7 of the compacted portion 54. For example, a simple optical procedure may be used whereby a strip of the topsheet is cut -~- lS perpendicular to the compacted portion 54. By vie~ing the ~ edge of the strip through a microscope having a calibrated ~~ eyepiece, the ca]ipers of the uncompacted portion 55 and of the compacted portion 54 can be determined. Fro~ the individual calipers, the ratio o the calipers is easily c 20 calculated.

. ~ The compacted po~tion 54 of the facing sheet 21 is ~¦ affixed to the backing sheet 23 using any suitable means I which will provide a liquid retarding bond between the

3 25 facing sheet 21 and the backing sheet 23. Thus, liquid migration along the interfacial junction between the facing sheet 21 and the backing sheet 23 is retarded and is prefer-ably prevented. In a preferred embodiment, heat sealing ! along the compacted portion 54 as is well known in the art was used and found to be sa~isfactory. The use of heat . 30 sealing tec~miques to aflx the compacted portion 54 to the backing sheet 23 has the additional advantage of compressing ' the co~pacted portion 54 at the same ti~e it is afflxed to ,: the backing sheet 23.
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- ~7 -A compacted portion 54 corresponds to each liquid resistant member 2Z and is intended to retard and preferably to prevent liquid from reaching a point from which leakage may occur. Accordingly, the compacted portion 54 is con-figured so as to render the path followed by ~he liquidtortuous and preferably impassible. Thus, each compacted portion 54 preferably, comprises a multiplicity of continuous bands 56 (F;gure 3) defining reservoirs 57 therebetween.
The reservoirs 57 are preferably neither compacted nor afixed to the backing sheet 23.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a compacted portion 54 comprising a multiplicity of continuous bands 56 is p~ovided at each leakage resistant ~ember 22. The bands 56 are straight lines which are gen-erally parallel to the first and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38, respectively.

The combination of bands 56 and reservoirs 57 promote a redirection and absorption of liquids so that the liquids will not reach a point from which they can wet the vicinity surrounding the diaper 10. The bands have a ~idth of at least about 0.01 inches ~0.25 mm) and preferably at least about 0.03 inches (0.79 mm) while the reservoirs 57 have a width of at least about 0.03 inches ~0.79 mm) and preferably at least about 0.09 inches (2.38 mm). The narrower the width of bands 56 and reservoirs 57 the more readily liquid w~ll bridge them without being red.ixected or absorbed.

The compacted portion 54 may take on a variety o configurations such as an array o discrete areas. For example, the array of discrete areas may comprise a multi-plicity of spaced circles~ ovals, or dashes arranged in either a random or re~ular pattern which provides a tortuous , 35 or impassible path from the point of liquid discharge to a point rom which liquid can ~et the ~icinity surrounding the diaper 10, Alternatively, the compacted portion 54 may ~3Z6~
'~1','~ ~ , ,.`.~' comprise a multiplicity of bands having gaps or spaces arranged so that the gaps or spaces in adjoining bands do - not coincide thereby providing a tortuous or impassible path-l rom the point of liquid discharge to a point from which the5 liquid can wet the vicinity surrounding the diaper 10.
Further, the compacted portion 54 may comprise a mul-tiplicity of bands 56 which may be rectilinear, curvilinear, straight, or curved and which may have parallel sides forming a band 56 of uniform width or ~ay have non-parallel sides forming a 10 band 56 of varying width. As hereinbefore s~ated, a compacted portion 54 corresponds to each liquid leakage resistant member 22. The diaper 10 may, thexefore, have a multiplicity of compacted portions 54 each of which comprises a multiplicity ~' of bands 56.
In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3 the uncompacted portions 55 have a wearer-contacting surface 58 ~hich is placed in contact with the diaper wearer when the ' diaper is worn. The compacted portion 54 is disposed below 20 the wearer contacting surface 58 and, therefore, does not contact the skin of the diaper wearer. Preferably, the compacted portion 54 ls disposed at least 0.005 inches (0.127 mm.) below the wearer-contacting surface when the wearer-contacting surface 58 is placed against the ~earer's skin.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a particularly preferred embodimen~ of the present invention. Basically, the diaper . 10 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 is cons~ructed as hereinbefore described with like numbers refer~ing to like parts. In the 30 preerred embodimen~ illustrated in Fi~ures 4, 5 and 6, however, the diaper 10 is provided with an elastic member 59 positioned at the leakage resistant members 22 which are affixed at the first and second longitudinal sides 37 and qo " J (~ .

!' . , - 19 ~

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6; the elastic member 59 is operatively assoc;ated with the leakage resistant member 22 in an elastically contractible . condition so that in a normally unrestrained configuration, elastic member 59 effectively contracts or ga~hers the facing sheet 21 and the backing sheet 23 to provide an elasticized contractible line through the leakage resistant member 22. The elastic member 59 can be operatively associated ~Jith the leakage resistant member 22 in at least two ways, i.e., by stretching the elastic rnember 59 to its stretched conditlon and affixing it to the leakage resistant member 22 while the leakage resistant member 22 is in an uncontracted or stretched condition, o~ by contrac~ing the`leakage resistant member 22 - for example, by pleating it - and ixing the elastic member 59 to the contracted leakage resistant member 22 o~ the elastic member 59 is in its relaxed or unstretched conditio~.

By positioning the elastic member 59 at the leakage 2~ resistant members 22 at the first and second longitudinal sides 37 and 38, the diaper 10 is pro~ided ~ith Plasticized - portions which when the diaper is worn by an infant, form elasticized le~ cuffs. An elastic mer~ber 59 to provide the proper elasticity in the leakage resistant member 22 should have a tensional force within in its prestretched condition in the range of from about 10 to about 315 gramstcm o width and preferably in the range of from about 80 to about 160 gramsfcm o width.

The elastic member 59 is preferably manufactured from thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-butadiene block copolymers or ethylene-propylene elastomers although many other materials such as natural rubbers, synthetic elastorners (e.g., spandex fibers), elastomeric foams or heat shrink 1exible films may also be used. The elastic member S9 is preferably a sin~le sheet of material of from about 0.001 i.nches to about 0.010 inches (about 0.025 ~ to about 0.25 mm) thick.

~82~i~2 The elas~ic member 59, as s~own ;n Figures 4, 5 and 6, is operatively associated with the leakage resistant member.
22 by interposing the elastic member 59 between the facing sheet 21 and the backing sheet 23 and by securing the elastic member 59 to the facing sheet .21 and preferably to the backing sheet 23. Any sui~able means may be used to affix the elastic member 59 to the leakage resistant member 22.
For example, the elastic member 59 may be affixed to the leakage rèsistant member 22 by using ultrasonic bonding io techniques as are well known in the art. Preferably, the elastic member 59 is a~ixed to the compacted portion 54 of the facing shee~ 21 only. Therefore, the uncompacted portion 55 of the facing sheet 21 is not adhered to the elastic member 59.
As hereinbefore stated, it is advantageous to have the compacted portion 54 disposed below the wearer contacting surface 58O ~hen the elastic member S9 is provided, however, the compacted portion 54 may buckle and project toward the diaper wearer to such an extent that the compacted portion 54 ~ctually touches the diape~ wearer's skin. Accordingly, a preferred pattern for the compacted portion 54 will maintain the compacted portion 54 in a position below the ~earer contacting surface 58 and will enhance the ~levational differences between the compacted portion 54 and the wearer contacting surface 58 by causing a multiplicity of pillows 60 to be formed when the elastic ~ember 59 is con~racted.
The pillows 60 are the uncompacted portions 55 of ~he facing sheet 21 which have been made to buckle and project toward the diaper wearer. When placed against the wearer, the skin o~ the wearer will contact the uppermost portions of the pillows 60. These portions thererore ~orm the wearer-contacting surface 58.

... .

,, .
Figure 6 is a plan view of a segment of the leakage resistant member 22 ln an ungathered configuration. Figure 6 shows a preferred compacted portion 54 comprising a multlplicity of continuous bands 56 defining reservoirs 57 therebetween. ~s hereinbefore described, the compacted portion 54 is affixed to the elastic member 5g (not shown in Figure 6) and preferably is also affixed to the backing sheet 23 (not shown in Figure 6) ~hile the uncompacted portion 55 is not so fixed. As the elastic member 59 1~ contracts, the facing sheet 21 is gathered. As the facing sheet 21 gathers, it will buckle. Because the uncompacted portion 55 is not affixed to the elastic member 59, it can ~ freely buckle thereby forming pillows 60 as can be seen in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a perspective view o~ the leakage resistant member 22 shown in Figure 6 in a gathered configura-tion (i.e., the elastic member 59 has been allowed ~o relax). Those areas of the pillows 60 which contact the wearer when the diaper is worn, ~o~m the ~eare~-contacting - surface 5$.
As can be seen in Figure 7, the compacted portion 54 is disposed below the ~earer-contacting surface 58 and is therefore prevented from contacting the skin of the diaper wearer. As used herein the term "disposed belo~" means that the compacted portion 54 is farther from the skin of the wearer than is the weare~-contacting sur~ace 58 which contacts the wearex's skin when the diaper 10 is worn. It is believed that two factors make a major contribution to the preferred gathering of the facing sheet 21 whereby the compacted portion 54 is kept below the wearer-contacting surface 58. First, since the compacted portion 54 is af~i~ed to the elastic membe~ and preferably also affixed to the backing sheet 23, in order to buckle along the compacted portion 54, both the elastic member 59 and the backing sheet 23 must also buckle. On the other hand, the uncompacted portion 55 is free to buckle without deformlng any other component of the leakage resistant member 22~ Accordin~
the compacted portion S4 wilI not ~eadlly buckle out of the .. . ... . .

22 ~ 6 ~ ~ .

plane of the elastic member 59 while the unco~pacted portion 55 will readily buckle away ro~ the elastic member 59. The uncompacted portion 55 will buckle with a low frequency but high amplitude thereby forming pillows 60 while, by comparison, the compacted portion 54 will tend to buckle with a high frequency ~ut low ampli~ude. Amplitude refers to the distance away from the elastic member 5g.

The second factor contributing to the preferred gathering of the facing sheet 21 is the cornbined effect of the relative stiffnesses and compressive load distributlons of the co~pacted portion 54 and the uncompacted portion 55. More specifically, since the compacted portion 54 has been modified so as to alter the flow pattern of liquid, the compacted portion 54 will generally differ in bending stifness from the uncompacted portion 55. Also the compacted portion 54 is affixed to the elastic.member 59 and therefore assumes the greater share of the compressive forces induced by the contraction of the elastic member 59. Because of the inherent stiffness and the compressive load concentration differences between the compacted portion 54 and the uncompacted portion 55, the compacted portion 54 ~ill tend to buckle with a higher frequency but lower amplitude than the unco~pacted portion 55. Buckling is a well known failure mode ~or columns and other members subjected ~o a compressive force ~5 and is described in H. Rothbart,' Mechanic'al Design 2nd ' Sys'tems Han'dbook, Section 15 (1964), and T. Baumeister and L. Marks,' St'andard Xan'db'ook' for Mechan'ical Engineers, Sections 5-21 (7th Ed. 1967), .

In view of the foregoing, many alternative patterns for the compacted portion 54 will suggest themselves to one skilled in the artO For example, Figure 8 ~s a plan vieW of a se~ment of the leakage resist~nt member 22 in an ~mgathered configuration showin~ an alternati~ely preerred compacted portion 54. As can be seen ln Fi~ure 8, the facing sheet 21 of the leakage resistant member 22 h~s a compacted portion 54 and an uncompacted portion 55. The co~pacted portion 54 ,. . .

comprises a multiplicity of continuous bands 56 having expanded areas 62 which are simply widened sections of the band 56. The bands define reservoirs 57 therebetween.

As can be seen ln Figure 9, which is a perspective view of the leakage resis~ant member 22 shown in Figure 8 in a ~athered configuration, the compacted portion 54 is afEixed to the elastic me~ber 59 and preferably i5 also affixed to the backing sheet 23 while the uncompacted portion 55 is not affixed to either the elastic member 59 or the backing sheet 230 As the elastic ~ember 59 con~racts, the acing sheet 21 is gathered. As hereinbefore described, the uncompacted portion 55 buckles with a low frequency but high ampli~ude compared to the compacted portion 54 thereby for~ing pillows 60. Those areas of the pillows 60 which contact the ~earer when the diaper is ~orn, ~orm the wearer-contacting surface 58.

The compacted portion 54 having buckled at a lowe~
amplitude than the uncompacted portion 55, will be disposed below the wearer-contacting surface 580- The expanded areas 62 provide additional control of the buckling frequency, amplitude and regularity of the compacted portion 54.
; Accordingly, the expanded areas 62 may be positioned so as to provide a more re~ular buckling pattern than is achiev-able with a band not having expanded areas.

Expanded areas 62 ~hich are generally rectangular having a length dimension of O.lOO inches ~2~5 mm) and a width dimension o~ 0.030 inches (0.76 mm) placed on a band 56 having a width of 0.030 inches (0.76 mm) have been used and found to be satisfactory. The expanded areas were placed 0.25 inches (6.3 mm) center to center with the long dimension of the expanded areas 62 perpendicular to the l 35 length of the band 56. The band~ 56 were spaced 0.375 '! inches (9.S mm) apart.
~ lgure l;D ~s'a pl~ view o~ a seg~ent of ~he leakage re~lstant mem~2r ~2 i~ ~n ungathered configuration showing . .
.: .

another alternatively preferred compacted port;on 54. As can be seen in Figure 10, facing sheet 21 of the leakage resis,tant member 22 has a compac~ed portion 54 and an uncompacted portion 55. The compacted portion 54 comprises a multiplicity of continuous bands 56 having expanded areas 62 and a multiplicity of disconnected areas 64. The bands 56 define reservoirs 57 therebetween which are interrupted by the disconnected areas.

~s can be seen in Figure 11, which is a perspectlve view of the leakage resistant member 22 sho~n in Figure 10 ' ln a gathered configuration, the compacted portion 54 is affixed to the'elastic member 5~ and preferably affixed to the backing sheet 23 while the uncompacted portion 54 is not affixed to either the elastic member 59 or the backing sheet 23. As the elastic member 59 contracts, the facing sheet 21 ; is gathered. As hereinbefore described, the uncompacted portion 55 buckles with a low frequency but high amplitude co~pared to the compacted portion 54 thereby ~orming pillows 60. Those areas of the pillows 60 which contact the wearer when the diaper is worn form the wearer-contacting surface 5~.

The compacted portion 54 havin~ buckled at a lower 2S amplitude than the uncompacted portion 55 will be disposed ' below the wearer-contactlng sur~ace 58. The expanded areas ,1 62 provide additional control of the bucklin~ ~requency, amplitudeJ and regularity o~ the compacted portion 54.
Accordingly, the expanded areas 62 may be positioned so as to provide a more regular bucklin~ pattern than is achievable with a band not having expanded areas. The disconnected areas 64 provide additional control over the f~rmation of pillows 60 as the uncompacted area 55 is gathered. Accord-ingly, the disconnected areas 64 are poslti~ned so as to ', 35 encourage the formation of pillows 60 which will retain their shape and loft as the leakage resistant member 22 is ! placed against the skin of the diaper ~earer.

.. . . _ . _ . .. . _ ~ . .. _ ~ _ . _ . . .. , . ... . . ... . .. . ...... . . . _ . .. _ _ . . . . .

`: ~

While not wishing to be bound by any one theory describ-~ ing the operation of the present invention, it is believed - that the improvement and liquid containment is achieved in the manner now to be described~
. S
- In use, the diaper 10 is placed between the legs of the diaper wearer and a back ~aist portion 32 and the front waist portion 33 are drawn and fastened about the diaper wearer's waist using any suitable means such as adhesive -~ 10 tapes 39. When the diaper 10 of the present invention is applied to an infant, it exhibits improved liquid containment.
As urine is discharged onto the topsheet portion 12, some of the urine penetrates the topsheet 12 where it is 2bsorbed by the absorbent core 14 (absorbed urine), some of the urine 10ws on the surface of the topsheet portion 12 (surace urine), some of the urine is absorbed by and ~icks laterally through the topshee~ portion 12 and some of the urine flows into capillary channel formed a~ the interface between the topsheet 12 and the skin o~ the dlaper wearer.
The absorbed urine migrates ~hroughout the absorben~
core 14 moving from the point of discharge (i.e., the crotch area 34) toward the first and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38. Eventually, the absorbed urine reaches the edge of the ~lbsorbent core 14. Since the leakage resistant member 22 is positioned outward from the absorbent core 14 ~i the absorbed urine is retarded from reaching the periphery 17 o~ the diaper 10.
;i ., The sur:Eace urine, likewise, moves from the point of discharge toward the first and second longl~udinal side edges 37 and 38 on the surface of the topsheet por~ion 12.
~s the surface urine approaches the ~irst and second longitu-dinal side edges 37 and 38, respectively, the cor~pacted ' 35 portions 54 ~ill be contacted. Having a greater capillary attraction for liquid than does ~he unco~pacted portlon 55, the compacted portion 54 will cause the surface urine to be absorbed by ~L8~6 and to w;ck laterally along the continuous band 56 rather than continue to flow toward the first and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38 of the diaper 10. As the local areas of the bands 56 become saturated, ~he surface urine may 5. overcome the retarding effect of the band 56 and may flow into and be contained by the reservoir 57. As the reservoir 57J in turn, becomes saturated, the surface urine will encounter a second band 56 and again will be absorbed by and wick laterally along the band 56O In this manner, li~uid is retarded or prevented from reaching the first and second lon~itudinal side edges 37 and 38 of the diaper 10.

Liquid is retarded ~rom flowing along the capillary channe~ formed between the topsheet portion 12 and the skin of the diaper wearer by the elevational di~ference between the compacted portion 54 and the uncompacted portion 55 of the liquid leakage resistant member 22. Thus, liqlid flowing between the wearer's skin and the topsheet 12 will encounter a band 56 which in the preferred em~odiment illùstrated in Figures 1 and 2 is depressed below the ~earer-contacting surface and is therefore not in contact with the wearer's skin. Thus, a discontinuity is created between the wearer's skin and ~he topsheet portion 12. This discontinuity interrupts the capillary channel and retards further liquid flow toward the first and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38. In the embodi~ent illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the compacted portion 54 is maintained below the wearer-contacting surface 58 so that a discontinuity is again created even though the elastic me~ber 5~ tends to press the compacted portion 54 into contact with ~he diaper ~earer's skin.

Finally, urine which is absorbed interstitially by the topsheet port:ion 12 wicks laterally through the topsheet portion 12 toward the ~irst. and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38. As m the ins~ance o the sur~zce urine, . _ . ~ .... . .

the urine absorbed by the topsheet portion 1~ encounters a compacted portion 54 which causes the urine to wick laterally along the band 56. The urine absorbed by the topsheet portion 12 is thereby prevented from reaching the Xirst and second longitudinal side edges 37 and 38.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary e~bodiments and that variations or modifications can be effected in the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, several components o the diaper 10 hereinbefore described as individual components may be combined into a single component. Flgure 12 is a section view of an alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along a section line corresponding to section 5-5 of Figure 4. Fl~ure 12 shows the topsheet portion 12 and the backsheet portion 16 of the outer covering layer 11 extending beyond the ed~e of the absorbent core 14 and being joined by a peripheral seam 20 at the peripheral edge 17. The leakage resistant member 22 has a ~acing sheet 21 which is integral with and a part of the topsheet portion 12. The e7astic member 59 is affixed to the compacted portion 54 as hereinbefore described.

Figure 13 ls a section view of an alternatively preferred embodiment of the present inven~ion taken along a section corresponding to section 5-5 of Figure 4. Figure 13 shows the topsheet portion 12 extending to the edge of the absorbent core 14 while the backsheet portion 16 wraps around ~he edge o the absorbent core 14 and is joined to the topsheet portion 12 by cL peripheral seam 20. The lea~a~e resistane member 22 has a facing sheet 21 having a compacted portion 54. The compacted por~ion 54 is a~fixed to the backing sheet 23. In ~he preferred embodiment shown in Figure 13 ~82~i~2 . .

- 2~ -- the backing sheet 23 is manu~actured from an elastic material and therefore, the backing she.et 23 is also the elastic member 59. The leakage resistant member 22 is affixed to the outer covering layer 11 alon~ the firs~ end portion 240 .

,. . .
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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

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,

2. 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 back edge and a front edge; and a multiplicity of leakage resistant members, one of said leakage resistant members being affixed at said front edge and one of said leakage resistant members being affixed at said back edge, said leakage resistant member comprising a fibrous facing sheet, a longitudinal 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 elastic member being affixed to said compacted portion and being affixed to said backing sheet, 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 gathering said facing sheet when said elastic member is unrestrained said uncompacted portions forming pillows when said facing sheet is gathered, said facing sheet having a wearer-contacting surface.

3. A disposable diaper comprising:
an outer covering layer;

an absorbent core means for absorbing liquid, said absorbent core means being encased in said outer covering layer:
a peripheral edge comprising a front edge: and a leakage resistant member, said leakage resistant member being affixed at said front 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 unre-strained, said uncompacted portion forming pillows when said facing sheet is gathered, said facing sheet having a wearer-contacting surface.

4. The disposable diaper of Claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein the ratio of the caliper of said uncompacted portion to the caliper of said compacted portion is at least 1.5:1.

5. The disposable diaper of Claim 1 where the diaper has a multiplicity of reservoirs between said bands.

6. The disposable diaper of Claims 2 or 3 wherein the diaper has a multipli-city of reservoirs between said bands.

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

8. The disposable diaper of Claim 2 wherein said continuous bands have expanded areas.

9. The disposable diaper of Claim 3 wherein said continuous bands have expanded areas.

10. The disposable diaper of Claim 7,8 or 9 wherein said bands have discon-nected areas.

11. The disposable diaper of Claim 5 wherein said continuous bands have a width of at least about 0.01 inches and said reservoirs have a width of at least about 0.03 inches.

12. The disposable diaper of Claim 7. wherein said expanded areas have a width of 0.03 inches and a length dimension of about 0.1 inches, said expanded areas being placed on said continuous bands such that the length dimension of said expanded areas is perpendicular to the length of said continuous bands.

13. The disposable diaper of Claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said compacted portion is disposed below said wearer-contacting surface of said facing sheet.

14. A disposable absorbent article 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 portions forming pillows when said facing sheet is gathered, said facing sheet having a wearer-contacting surface.

15. The absorbent article of Claim 14 wherein the ratio of the caliper of said uncompacted portion to the caliper of said compacted portion is at least 4.0:1.

16. The absorbent article of Claim 14 wherein the absorbent article has a multiplicity of reservoirs between said bands.

17. The absorbent article of Claim 14 wherein said continuous bands have expanded areas.

18. The absorbent article of Claim 17 wherein said bands have disconnected areas.

19. The absorbent article of Claim 14 wherein said compacted portion is disposed below said wearer-contacting surface of said facing sheet.

20. The absorbent article of Claim 15 wherein said compacted portion is disposed below said wearer-contacting surface of said facing sheet.

21. The absorbent article of Claim 20 wherein said outer covering layer comprises a topsheet portion and a backsheet portion joined to said topsheet portion.

22. The absorbent article of Claim 21 wherein said topsheet portion and said facing sheet are unitary.

23. The absorbent article of Claim 15 wherein said elastic member has a tensional force of from about 10 to about 315 grams/centimeters of width.

24. The absorbent article of Claim 15 wherein said elastic member has a tensional force of from about 80 to about 160 grams/centimeters of width.

25. 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 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.