Disposable Absorbent Article With Excrement Receiving Pocket

A disposable wearing article includes liquid-pervious topsheets, a liquid-impervious chassis and first and second liquid-absorbent panels. A first absorbent panel is covered with the topsheet and lies on the side of a front waist region. A second absorbent panel is interposed between the topsheet and chassis and continuously lies in a crotch region and a rear waist region. The first absorbent panel has a proximal end extending close to one of end flaps in a transverse direction and a first distal end supposed, along its transversely opposite side edges, to distal side edges of respective leakage-barrier cuffs so that an excrement receiving pocket adapted to open from the front waist region toward a crotch region is defined between the chassis and the first distal end of the first absorbent panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a disposable wearing article for absorption and containment of bodily discharges.

Japanese Patent Application No. 1996-196565A discloses a disposable wearing article comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet facing wearer's body, a liquid-impervious backsheet facing away from the wearer's body and a liquid-absorbent core interposed between these sheets so as to define, in a longitudinal direction, a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending between these waist regions wherein the core comprises an upper layer of core and a lower layer of core placed upon each other.

The upper layer of core consists of a front side core extending from the front waist region toward the crotch region and a rear side core extending from the rear waist region toward the crotch region. In this wearing article, inner ends of the front side core and the rear side core opposed to each other are spaced from each other by a given dimension in the longitudinal direction and the topsheet covering respective upper surfaces of the front and rear side core is folded down toward the lower layer of core along the inner ends of these front and rear side cores and then folded onto respective lower surfaces of the front and rear side cores.

In this wearing article, a first excrement receiving pocket is formed between the front side core and the lower layer of core so as to be opened from the front waist region toward the crotch region and a second excrement receiving pocket is formed between the rear side core and the lower layer of core so as to be opened from the rear waist region toward the crotch region. With such a wearing article, it is possible to receive and to retain excrement in these excrement receiving pockets and thereby to prevent feces from clinging to the wearer's skin.

In the wearing article disclosed in the above-cited Application, the upper layer of core and the lower layer of core are placed upon each other in the front and rear waist regions of the article, so a thickness of the core in the front and rear waist regions is larger than that of the core in the crotch region. With a consequence, a difference in level is inevitably formed between the upper layer of core and the lower layer of core in the crotch region and such a difference in level may give the wearer a feeling of incompatibility during use of the article.

Furthermore, this wearing article disclosed in the above-cited Application has no means biasing the respective inner ends of the front side core and the rear side core to be spaced upwardly from the lower layer of core. Consequently, the inner ends of the front and rear side cores may often remain in contact with the lower layer of core and make it difficult to open the respective excrement receiving pockets and make it even impossible to receive excrement in these excrement receiving pockets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a disposable wearing article improved to eliminate the anxiety that the wearer might experience a feeling of incompatibility with the article put on his or her body, on one hand, and to ensure that feces is reliably received and retained in the excrement receiving pockets, on the other hand.

According to this invention, there is provided a disposable wearing article having a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region therebetween.

The disposable wearing article comprises a liquid-impervious chassis, a liquid-absorbent panel supported by the chassis, extending from the crotch region into the front and rear waist regions, a pair of leakage-barrier cuffs extending along transversely opposite side edges of the liquid-absorbent panel. Each of the leakage-barrier cuffs has a proximal side edge, a distal side edge and longitudinally opposite ends. The proximal side edge and the longitudinally opposite ends are fixed to the chassis and the distal side edge is provided therealong with an elastic member so that the leakage-barrier cuffs are biased to rise above the liquid-absorbent panel. The liquid-absorbent panel includes a first absorbent panel and a second absorbent panel. The first absorbent panel has a first proximal end, a first distal end and first transversely opposite side edges. The first proximal end is fixed to a vicinity of a longitudinal end of the chassis in the front waist region, the first transversely opposite side edges are located between the leakage-barrier cuffs, so that a first excrement receiving pocket is defined between the chassis and the first absorbent panel.

This invention includes the following embodiments. The first transversely opposite side edges of the first absorbent panel is supported by vicinities of the distal edges of the liquid-barrier cuffs, respectively.

The first absorbent panel comprises a first liquid-absorbent material and a first liquid-pervious topsheet covering at least an upper surface of the first liquid-absorbent material. The second absorbent panel comprises a second liquid-absorbent material and a second liquid-pervious topsheet covering an upper surface of the second liquid-absorbent material. A lower surface of the second absorbent material is joined to the chassis.

The second absorbent panel comprises a third absorbent panel and a fourth absorbent panel. The third absorbent panel has a second proximal end, a second distal end and second transversely opposite side edges. The second proximal end is fixed to a vicinity of a longitudinal end of the chassis in the rear waist region, the second transversely opposite side edges are supported by vicinities of the distal side edges of the leakage-barrier cuffs, respectively, so that a second excrement receiving pocket is defined between the chassis and the second absorbent panel. The third absorbent panel comprises a third liquid-absorbent material and a third liquid-pervious topsheet covering an upper surface of the third liquid-absorbent material. A lower surface of the third liquid-absorbent material is joined to the chassis. The fourth absorbent panel comprises a fourth liquid-absorbent material and a fourth liquid-pervious topsheet covering an upper surface of the fourth liquid-absorbent material. A lower surface of the fourth liquid-absorbent material is joined to the chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Details of the disposable wearing article according to this invention will be more fully understood from the description given hereunder and explaining an open-type diaper as an example in reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the diaper1A,FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A—A inFIG. 1,FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B—B in FIG.1andFIG. 4is a perspective view showing the diaper1A ofFIG. 1as put on a wearer's body. InFIG. 1, a transverse direction is indicated by an arrow X and a longitudinal direction is indicated by an arrow Y. InFIG. 4, a wearer22is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. Expression “upper surfaces of first and second absorbent panels5a,5b”should be understood to be the surfaces facing the wearer's body and expression “lower surfaces of these panels5a,5b”should be understood to be the surfaces facing away from the wearer's body.

The diaper1A basically comprises a liquid-impervious chassis4, first and second liquid-absorbent panels5a,5bsupported by the chassis4and substantially liquid-impervious leakage-barrier cuffs13.

The diaper1A is composed, in the longitudinal direction, of a front waist region6, a rear waist region8and a crotch region7extending between these waist regions6,8. End flaps11extend in the transverse direction immediately outside longitudinally opposite ends9of the panels5a,5band side flaps12extend in the longitudinal direction immediately outside transversely opposite side edges10of the panels5a,5b. In the diaper1A, the side flaps12in the crotch region7describe circular arcs which are convex inwardly in the transverse direction of the diaper1A so that the diaper1A has a hourglass-like shape as viewed in its plan view.

The chassis4comprises a hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric and a breathable but liquid-impervious plastic film placed upon and joined to each other along surfaces thereof facing each other. The leakage-barrier cuffs13are made of a hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric.

The leakage-barrier cuffs13lie on the respective side flaps12and extend in the crotch region7and further extend into the front and rear waist regions6,8in the longitudinal direction. Each of the cuffs13has a proximal side edge13afixed to the associated side flap12and extending in the longitudinal direction, a distal side edge13bbiased to rise above the liquid-absorbent panels5a,5band extending in the longitudinal direction and longitudinally opposite ends13ccollapsed inwardly in the transverse direction of the diaper1A and fixed to the end flaps11in such a collapsed state. An elastically stretchable member14extending in the longitudinal direction is secured to the distal side edge13bin a stretched state. The elastic member14is covered with a part of the distal side edge13b.

The liquid-absorbent panels5a,5bare supported by the chassis4so as to extend in the crotch region7further into the front and rear waist regions6,8. The panels5a,5bare separated in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of a transverse boundary line L1defined between the front waist region6and the crotch region7. A first absorbent panel5alies on the side of the front waist region6and a second absorbent panel5blies on the crotch region7as well as on the rear waist region8.

The first absorbent panel5aincludes a first absorbent material25aand a liquid-pervious topsheet2(a first liquid-pervious topsheet) entirely covering the first absorbent material25a. The first absorbent panel5ahas, a first proximal end15a, a first distal end16aand first transversely opposite side edges10a. The first proximal end15ais fixed to the chassis4through the intermediately of a liquid-pervious topsheet3. The first distal end16ais not fixed to the chassis4but spaced upwardly from the chassis4. The first transversely opposite side edges10ais supported by the vicinities of the distal side edges13bof the respective leakage-barrier cuffs13.

The second absorbent panel5bcomprises a second liquid absorbent material25band the liquid-pervious topsheet3(a second liquid-pervious topsheet) covering an upper surface of the second absorbent material25b. A lower surface of the panel5bis fixed to the chassis4. The topsheet3is placed upon and joined to the chassis4along surfaces thereof outside the second liquid absorbent material25b. The topsheet2entirely covering the first absorbent panel5ais joined to the chassis4through the intermediary of the topsheet3at the first proximal end15a. The topsheets2,3are made of a hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric.

Band-like waist-surrounding elastic members17extending in the transverse direction are attached in a stretched state to the respective end flaps11. Each of the side flaps12, on the other hand, is provided with a plurality of tigh-surrounding elastic members18extending in the longitudinal direction attached thereto in a stretched state. The side flaps12in the rear waist region8are provided with tape fasteners19extending inwardly in the transverse direction. In the front waist region6, the chassis4is provided on its outer surface with a rectangular target tape20serving as a landing zone for the tape fasteners19. Each of these tape fasteners19has its free end zone coated with an adhesive (not shown) and temporarily fixed to the associated side flap. The tape fasteners19as well as the target tape20are made of a flexible plastic film.

To wear the diaper1A, the side flaps12in the rear waist region8are placed upon the outer surfaces of the side flaps12in the front waist region6, then the distal end of the respective tape fasteners19are fixed on the target tape20by means of the adhesive and thereby the front waist region6and the rear waist region8are connected to each other. With the front and rear waist regions6,8connected to each other in this manner, the diaper1A is formed with a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes.

When the diaper1A is left to curve in the longitudinal direction with the panels5a,5binside, the elastic members14contract and thereby distal side edges13bof the respective leakage-barrier cuffs13rise on the liquid-absorbent panels5a,5b. In the diaper1A, the distal side edges13bof the rising cuffs13form barriers against bodily discharges and prevent the bodily discharges from leaking between the crotch region7and the wearer's thighs.

In the diaper1A, an excrement receiving pocket21(first excrement receiving pocket) adapted to open from the front waist region6toward the crotch region7is formed between the chassis4and the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5a. The distal side edges13bof the rising cuffs13lift the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5aabove the chassis4and thereby prevent the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5afrom coming in contact with the chassis4. Consequently, there is no possibility that the excrement receiving pocket21might be collapsed. Of bodily discharges, feces can be reliably received in the excrement receiving pocket21and the first absorbent panel5aprevents feces from coming in contact with a crotch region of the wearer22. In this way, it is unlikely that feces might cling to the crotch region of the wearer22.

In the diaper1A, the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5ais spaced upwardly from the chassis4so that a difference in level is defined between the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5aand the second absorbent panel5b. However, when a pressure due to the wearer's body weight is exerted on the first absorbent panel5a, the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5acomes in contact with the chassis4without overlapping the second absorbent panel5bas indicated by a chain double-dashed line inFIG. 4and no difference in level is defined between these panels5a,5b. In the front and rear waist regions6,8of the diaper1A, it is unlikely that the liquid-absorbent panel5might become bulky and the difference in level between the first absorbent panel5aand the second absorbent panel5bis eliminated under a pressure due to the body weight of the wearer22. In this way, there is no anxiety that the wearer22might experience the feeling of incompatibility during use of the diaper1A.

In the end flaps11lying the front waist region6, longitudinal ends2a,3aof the respective topsheets2,3and the longitudinal end4aof the chassis4extend outwardly beyond the outer end9aof the first absorbent panel5ain the longitudinal direction. The ends2a,3a,4aof the these sheets2,3,4are placed upon and joined one to another. In the end flaps11lying in the rear waist region8, on the other hand, the longitudinal end3aof the topsheet3and the longitudinal end4aof the chassis4extend outwardly beyond the outer end9bof the second absorbent panel5bin the longitudinal direction. The ends3a,4aof these sheets3,4are placed upon and joined together. The waist-surrounding elastic members17are interposed between the longitudinally opposite ends3aof the topsheet3and the longitudinally opposite ends4aof the chassis4and secured to these ends3a,4a.

In the side flaps12, transversely opposite side edges2bof the topsheet2and transversely opposite side edges3bof the topsheet3extend outwardly slightly beyond the transversely opposite side edges10a,10bof the first and second absorbent panels5a,5bin the transverse direction. Transversely opposite side edges4bof the chassis4and the proximal side edges13aof the respective leakage-barrier cuffs13further extend outwardly beyond the side edges2b,3bof the respective topsheets2,3. In the side flaps12, the side edges2b,3b,4b,13aof these sheets2,3,4,13are placed upon and joined one to another. The thigh-surrounding elastic members18are interposed between the side edges4bof the chassis4and the proximal side edges13aof the leakage-barrier cuffs13and secured to these side edges4b,13aof the respective sheets4,13.

FIG. 5is a partially cutaway perspective view showing one preferred embodiment1B of the diaper according to this invention andFIG. 6is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C—C in FIG.5. InFIG. 5also, the transverse direction is indicated by the arrow X and the longitudinal direction is indicated by the arrow Y. Similarly to the diaper1A ofFIG. 1, this diaper1B also comprises the liquid-impervious chassis4, the first absorbent panel5aextending in the front waist region6, the second absorbent panel5bextending in the crotch region7as well as the rear waist region8and the substantially liquid-impervious leakage-barrier cuffs13extending in the longitudinal direction on the respective side flaps12. This diaper1B differs from the diaper1A in a specific arrangement as will be described.

In the case of the diaper1B, the first and second absorbent panels5a,5bare covered with the contiguous topsheet2. The topsheet2is folded back from the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5aonto the lower surface of the absorbent panel5aand then folded back from the first proximal end15aof the panel5atoward the second absorbent panel5bso as to extend to the end flap11in the rear waist region8. As shown inFIG. 6, the topsheet2is tucked under the lower surface of the first absorbent panel5aso as to present a Z-shaped cross-section. In the first absorbent panel5a, the first distal end16ais not fixed to the chassis4and the first transversely opposite side edges10aare not fixed to the distal side edges13bof the respective leakage-barrier cuffs13.

In the case of this diaper1B, the mass of feces discharged onto the crotch region7causes the second absorbent panel5bto be spaced from the crotch region of the wearer22and, as a result, the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5ais spaced upwardly from the chassis4as indicated by imaginary lines in FIG.6. In this way, the excrement receiving pocket21(first excrement receiving pocket) adapted to open from the front waist region6toward the crotch region7is defined between the first distal end16aspaced upwardly from the chassis4in this manner. The diaper1B also can reliably receive the discharged feces in the excrement receiving pocket21and thereby can advantageously prevent any amount of the discharged feces from clinging to the crotch region of the wearer22. In the diaper1B prior to discharge of feces, no difference in level is formed between the first absorbent panel5aand the second absorbent panel5b. With an advantageous consequence, these panels5a,5bare not bulky in the front waist region6and the rear waist region8, respectively, and the wearer22is free from the feeling of incompatibility.

FIG. 7is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another preferred embodiment1C of the diaper according to this invention,FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D—D inFIG. 7,FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view taken along a line E—E in FIG.7andFIG. 10is a perspective view showing the diaper1C ofFIG. 7as put on a wearer's body. InFIG. 7also, the transverse direction is indicated by the arrow X and the longitudinal direction is indicated by the arrow Y. In FIG.10, the wearer22is indicated by a chain double-dashed line.

Similarly to the diaper1A ofFIG. 1, the diaper1C comprises the liquid-impervious chassis4, first, third and fourth liquid-absorbent panels5a,5c,5dand the substantially liquid-impervious leakage-barrier cuffs13. This diaper1C differs from the diaper1A ofFIG. 1in a specific arrangement as will be described.

The first, third and fourth absorbent panels5a,5c,5dare separated in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of a boundary line L1defined between the front waist region6and the crotch region7and in the vicinity of a boundary line L2defined between the rear waist region8and the crotch region7. A first absorbent panel5alies on the side of the front waist region6, a third absorbent panel5clies on the side of the rear waist region8and a fourth absorbent panel5dlies on the crotch region7. To prepare the first, third and fourth absorbent panels5a,5c,5d, the second absorbent panel5bofFIG. 1may be divided into two in the vicinity of the boundary line L2.

The third absorbent panel5cincludes a third absorbent material25cand a liquid-pervious topsheet2(a third liquid-pervious topsheet) entirely covering the third absorbent material25c. Both the first absorbent panel5aand the third absorbent panel5chave surfaces thereof inclusive of upper and lower surfaces entirely covered with the topsheet2. The third absorbent panel5chas a second proximal end15cextending close to the associated end flap11in the transverse direction, a second distal end16cand second transversely opposite side edges10c. The proximal ends15a,15cof these absorbent panels5a,5care fixed to the chassis4through the intermediary of the topsheet3. The distal ends16a,16cof these panels5a,5care not fixed to the chassis4but spaced upwardly from the chassis4. The distal ends16a,16cof these panels5a,5care supported by the vicinities of the distal side edges13bof the respective leakage-barrier cuffs.

The fourth absorbent panel5dcomprises a fourth liquid absorbent material25dand the liquid-pervious topsheet3(a fourth liquid-pervious topsheet) covering an upper surface of the fourth absorbent material25d. The fourth absorbent panel5dhas its upper surface covered with the topsheet3and its lower surface covered with the chassis4and is fixed to at least one of these sheets3,4. The topsheet3covering the fourth absorbent panel5dextends outwardly in the longitudinal direction slightly beyond the longitudinally opposite ends9dof the fourth absorbent panel5dand reaches neither the end flaps11nor the outer ends9a,9cof the first and third absorbent panels5a,5c. In the side flaps12, transversely opposite side edges2b,3bof the topsheets2,3extend outwardly slightly beyond the transversely opposite side edges10a,10c,10dof the first, third and fourth absorbent panels5a,5c,5din the transverse direction.

In the diaper1C, a first excrement receiving pocket21adapted to open from the front waist region6toward the crotch region7is defined between the chassis4and the first distal end16aof the first absorbent panel5aand a second excrement receiving pocket23adapted to open from the rear waist region8toward the crotch region7is defined between the chassis4and the second distal end16cof the third absorbent panel5c. Feces discharged onto this diaper1C is reliably received in these excrement receiving pockets21,23and these panels5a,5cwell prevent the feces from coming in contact with the crotch region of the wearer22. Consequently, there is no possibility that any amount of the discharged feces from clinging to the crotch region of the wearer22. With this diaper1C, even if the feces discharged thereon moves toward the rear waist region8, such feces will be received in the second excrement receiving pocket23, so it is possible for this diaper1C to prevent any amount of the discharged feces from clinging to the crotch region of the wearer not only in the front waist region6but also in the rear waist region8.

In the diaper1C also, the distal side edges13bof the rising cuffs13lift the first and second distal ends16a,16cof the first and third absorbent panels5a,5cabove the chassis4. In this way, it is unlikely that the distal ends16a,16cof the panels5a,5cmight come in contact with the chassis4and the excrement receiving pockets21,23might be collapsed.

In the diaper1C, there is a difference in level between the distal ends16a,16cof the panels5a,5cand the fourth absorbent panel5d. However, the distal ends16a,16cof the first and third absorbent panels5a,5ccome in contact with the chassis4without overlapping each other as indicated by imaginary lines inFIG. 10when a pressure due to the body weight is placed on these panels5a,5c. Thus differences in level possibly defined by these panels5a,5c,5dare eliminated. In the diaper1C, the panels5a,5care not bulky in the front and rear waist regions6,8and the pressure due to the body weight of the wearer22eliminates any difference in level defined by these panels5a,5c,5d. In this way, it is unlikely that the diaper1C might give the wearer22the feeling of incompatibility.

The topsheets2,3may be formed using a material selected from a group including a hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric, a hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric having a plurality of pores and a liquid-pervious plastic film having a plurality of fine pores. The chassis4may be formed using a material selected from a group including a hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric, a breathable but liquid-impervious plastic film, a composite nonwoven fabric consisting of two or more layers of a hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric laminated one with another and a composite sheet consisting of a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric and a breathable but liquid-impervious plastic film.

It is also possible to form the chassis4and the leakage-barrier cuffs13using a composite nonwoven fabric comprising a melt blown fibrous nonwoven fabric having a high water-resistance and two layers of a spun bond fibrous nonwoven fabric having a high strength and a flexibility sandwiching the melt blown fibrous nonwoven fabric therebetween.

The nonwoven fabric may be selected from a group including products obtained by spun lacing, needle punching, melt blowing, thermal bonding, spun bonding, chemical bonding and air-through processes. Component fibers of the nonwoven fabric may be selected from a group including polyolefine-, polyester- and polyamide-based fibers and core-sheath-type and side-by-side-type conjugated fibers of polyethylene/polypropylene and polyethylene/polyester.

The absorbent panels5a,5b,5c,5dcomprise a mixture of fluff pulp and super-absorbent polymer particles or a mixture of fluff pulp, super-absorbent polymer particles and thermoplastic synthetic resin fibers compressed to a desired thickness. Preferably, the absorbent panels5a,5b,5c,5dare entirely covered with a tissue paper to prevent possibility that the panels5a,5b,5c,5dmight get out of shape or the polymer particles might fall off from the panels5a,5b,5c,5d. The polymer particles may be selected from a group including of a starch-based polymer, a cellulose-based polymer or a synthetic polymer.

Joining of the topsheets2,3and the chassis4, joining of the leakage-barrier cuffs13, joining of the absorbent panels5a,5b,5c,5d, and securing of the elastic members14,17,18may be carried out using hot melt adhesives or welding techniques such as a heat-sealing and a sonic-sealing.

This invention is applicable, not only to an open-type disposable diaper having the front and rear waist regions adapted to be connected as the diaper is being put on the wearer's body but also to a pants-type disposable diaper having front and rear waist regions previously connected together so as to define a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes.

The disposable wearing article according to this invention has the advantageous effects that a mass of feces discharged onto the crotch region causes the second absorbent panel to be spaced downwardly from the crotch region of the wearer and causes the first distal end of the first absorbent panel to be spaced upwardly from the chassis so as to define, between the chassis and the first distal end of the first absorbent panel, the first excrement receiving pocket adapted to open from the front waist region toward the crotch region. It is possible for this wearing article to receive the feces discharged thereon in this first excrement receiving pocket and thereby to prevent any amount of the feces from clinging to the crotch region of the wearer. In the wearing article prior to discharge of feces, no difference in level is defined between the first absorbent panel and the second absorbent panel and therefore the article put on the wearer's body gives the wearer no feeling of incompatibility. Furthermore, this wearing article enables the feces received in the first excrement receiving pocket to be visually recognized from the exterior and facilitates a timing for exchange of the article to be known.

With the article in which the first transversely opposite side edges of the first absorbent panel are supported by the distal side edges of the respective cuffs, the distal side edges of the rising cuffs lift the first distal end of the first absorbent panel above the chassis. That is, there is no possibility that the distal end of the first absorbent panel might come in contact with the chassis and the first excrement receiving pocket might be collapsed. In this way, feces discharged on the article can be reliably received in the first excrement receiving pocket. In this wearing article, the liquid-absorbent panel is not bulky in the front and rear waist regions and, when a pressure due to the wearer's body weight is placed on the first absorbent panel, the difference in level defined between the first distal end of the first absorbent panel and the second absorbent panel is eliminated. Consequently, the wearer of the article is free from any feeling of incompatibility.

With the article having the first, third and fourth absorbent panels, in addition of the first excrement receiving pocket, the second excrement receiving pocket adapted to open from the rear waist region toward the crotch region is defined between the chassis and the second distal end of the third absorbent panel. It is possible for the article according to this embodiment to receive the feces discharged on the article not only in the first excrement receiving pocket but also in the second excrement receiving pocket. In this way, there is no anxiety that any amount of the feces might cling to the front waist region as well as the rear waist region.

With the article having the first, third and fourth absorbent panels and the first and second distal ends of the first and third absorbent panels are supported by the distal side edges of the respective leakage-barrier cuffs, the distal side edges of the rising cuffs lift the first and second distal ends of the first and third absorbent panels above the chassis. Therefore, there is no possibility that first and second distal ends of the first and third absorbent panels might come in contact with the chassis and the first and second excrement receiving pockets might be collapsed. In this way, feces discharged on the article can be reliably received in the first and second excrement receiving pockets. In this wearing article, the liquid-absorbent panels are not bulky in the front and rear waist regions and, when a pressure due to the wearer's body weight is placed on the first and third absorbent panels, the differences in level defined between the first and second distal ends of the first and third absorbent panels and the fourth absorbent panel are eliminated. Consequently, the wearer of the article is free from any feeling of incompatibility.