Disposable absorbent article having dual layer barrier cuff strips

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each barrier cuff strip includes an upper layer and a lower layer at least between its proximal edge and the attachment zones. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each barrier cuff strip adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the barrier cuff strips to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the barrier cuff strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer. The laterally opposing attachment zones may act as dams preventing a lateral flow of liquid bodily waste.

1 . A disposable diaper having a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region between the waist regions, a longitudinal axis, and a lateral axis, and comprising:
 an absorbent assembly;   two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to the absorbent assembly;   each barrier cuff strip having a longitudinally extending proximal edge and a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge;   each barrier cuff strip folded over itself to form an upper layer and a lower layer both formed of a water vapor-permeable nonwoven material, the upper and/or lower layers are attached to the absorbent assembly in a pair of laterally opposing first attachment zones adjacent to the respective side edges of the absorbent assembly, both the upper layer and the lower layer of each barrier cuff strip extending laterally from the proximal edge at least to the first attachment zone; and   wherein each barrier cuff strip is attached directly to a surface of a lower covering sheet of the absorbent assembly, and wherein at least a portion of a distal edge of the upper layer of each barrier cuff strip extends laterally outward beyond a distal edge of the absorbent assembly underlying each barrier cuff strip.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of one of the waist regions is laterally extensible to a greater degree than at least a portion of the crotch region. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the one of the barrier cuff strips laterally outward of the respective first attachment zone is laterally extensible. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the upper layer is attached to the lower layer in a second attachment zone disposed laterally coincidently with or farther outward than the first attachment zone. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the upper layer is attached to the lower layer in at least one longitudinally extending additional attachment zone disposed laterally between the proximal edge and a second attachment zone and spaced laterally inward from the second attachment zone. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable diaper of  claim 5  wherein the additional attachment zone extends in only the crotch region. 
     
     
         7 . The disposable diaper of  claim 5  wherein the additional attachment zone extends in the crotch region and in at least one of the waist regions. 
     
     
         8 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the elastic gathering member is sandwiched between the upper layer and the lower layer. 
     
     
         9 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the upper layer is attached to the lower layer in a laterally extending attachment zone adjacent to one of the waist edges. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable diaper of  claim 9  wherein the laterally extending attachment zone is laterally continuous from the proximal edge to the second attachment zone. 
     
     
         11 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein each barrier cuff strip includes a third layer formed of a water-impermeable material. 
     
     
         12 . The disposable diaper of  claim 11  wherein the third layer is sandwiched between the upper layer and the lower layer. 
     
     
         13 . The disposable diaper of  claim 12  wherein the upper layer is attached to the third layer laterally coincidently with or farther outward than the first attachment zone and the third layer is attached to the lower layer laterally coincidently with or farther outward than the first attachment zone. 
     
     
         14 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the proximal edge is formed by the folding of the barrier cuff strip to form the upper and lower layers. 
     
     
         15 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the upper layer extends laterally beyond the first attachment zone and the lower layer extends less far laterally outward than the upper layer. 
     
     
         16 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the upper layer and the lower layer have equal lateral extents. 
     
     
         17 . A disposable diaper having a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region between the waist regions, a longitudinal axis, and a lateral axis, and comprising:
 an absorbent assembly including an absorbent core having an exterior surface on which it is attached to a lower covering sheet in a cruciform pattern of attachment having a longitudinally extending portion intersecting with a laterally extending portion;   two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to the absorbent assembly;   each barrier cuff strip having a longitudinally extending proximal edge and a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge;   each barrier cuff strip folded over itself to form an upper layer and a lower layer both formed of a water vapor-permeable nonwoven material, the upper and/or lower layers are attached to the absorbent assembly in a pair of laterally opposing first attachment zones adjacent to the respective side edges of the absorbent assembly, both the upper layer and the lower layer of each barrier cuff strip extending laterally from the proximal edge at least to the first attachment zone; and   wherein at least a portion of a distal edge of the upper layer of each barrier cuff strip extends laterally outward beyond a distal edge of the absorbent assembly underlying each barrier cuff strip.