Patent ID: 9033945
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An absorbent article comprising: an absorbent assembly having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region between the front and back waist regions, an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; an absorbent core disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces and having at least a portion extending into one of the waist regions; two laterally opposing, longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips associated with the interior surface of the absorbent assembly, each barrier cuff strip having longitudinally opposing front and back ends disposed in the respective waist regions and longitudinally extending, laterally proximal and distal edges connecting the front and back ends, each barrier cuff strip being joined to the interior surface of the absorbent assembly along the proximal edge, each barrier cuff strip distal edge being attached to the interior surface of the absorbent assembly at end bonds located adjacent to the front and back ends of the barrier cuff strip, wherein each end bond comprises a discrete bond site defining a closure zone having a lateral width that is less than a lateral distance between the proximal and distal edges, and each barrier cuff strip including a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to the distal edge such that when allowed to relax, the elastic gathering member contracts and lifts the distal edge away from the interior surface of the absorbent assembly; wherein each barrier cuff strip is also joined to a portion of the absorbent assembly within one of the waist regions at a discrete, intermediate bond, and wherein the entire intermediate bond is laterally offset from the width of the respective closure zone.