Patent ID: 6171290
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
An absorbent article having a perimeter defined at least in part by a pair of oppositely disposed ends and oppositely disposed sides which extend substantially between the ends, the article comprising:a) a liquid permeable cover material;b) a liquid repellent barrier material operatively attached to the cover material proximate the perimeter;c) an absorbent structure disposed between the cover material and the barrier material; andd) a pair of side flanges, each side flange extending outwardly from a proximal portion adjacent the absorbent structure to a distal portion proximate one of the article sides, and each side flange having a base element, an outer zone disposed adjacent the perimeter and an inner zone disposed between the outer zone and the absorbent structure; ande) a pair of elastically extensible elements, each elastically extensible element having a width sufficient to span at least the inner zone and a portion of the outer zone, a thickness, and a length, each elastically extensible element being operatively connected to a side flange, the length of each elastically extensible element being substantially greater than its width, which is substantially greater than its thickness;wherein each elastically extensible element is laminated to the cover material to form a cuff laminate; each cuff laminate is attached to the base element of the side flange in the outer zone to form an outwardly extending cuff, each cuff laminate being unattached to the base element in the inner zone to form an upwardly extending cuff; the cover is attached to the absorbent structure, at least in a central region; and at least a portion of each cuff laminate is deflected away from the base element of each side flange proximate the inner zone when the elastically extensible element is in a relaxed state.