Absorbent article having auxillary absorbent member having standing leg gathers

An absorbent article, illustrated as a disposable diaper, includes a primary absorbent member and an auxiliary absorbent member. The primary absorbent member has an upper liquid-receiving surface area. The auxiliary absorbent member includes a liquid-permeable lower surface region, and a pair of substantially liquid-impermeable upstanding leg gathers in at least a target area of the absorbent article. An attachment arrangement joins the primary and auxiliary absorbent members to position the liquid-permeable lower surface region of the auxiliary absorbent member in liquid-transferring relationship with the upper liquid-receiving surface area of the primary absorbent member.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates generally to an absorbent article, and more 
particularly to an absorbent article comprising in combination a primary 
absorbent member and an auxiliary absorbent member having 
liquid-impermeable standing leg gathers. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The use in absorbent articles of an auxiliary absorbent pad in combination 
with a primary absorbent pad is well known, for example, such as the 
so-called "diaper doubler". Such an auxiliary absorbent pad is usually 
placed atop the primary absorbent pad for the purpose of increasing 
absorbent capacity. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,587, to Enloe, discloses a combination of a main 
absorbent pad and an auxiliary absorbent pad to increase the absorbent 
capacity of the front section of the diaper. The main and auxiliary 
absorbent pads are assembled together within an enclosure. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,756, to Salek, describes a two-piece absorbent article. 
An auxiliary absorbent member is placed atop a primary absorbent member 
such as a diaper. The auxiliary absorbent member has a liquid transferable 
undersurface, on which intermittent adhesive is provided for fastening to 
the primary absorbent member, so that liquids are transferable between the 
primary and auxiliary absorbent members. The auxiliary absorbent member 
may be T-shaped to maximize the absorbent capacity of the auxiliary 
absorbent member, for example, for gender specific diaper use. While this 
patent construction provides a variety of pad design options, it does not 
address the barrier characteristics of the construction to prevent 
overflowing of liquids running along top surfaces of the auxiliary and 
primary absorbent members. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,442, to Sabee, discloses a diaper having liquid 
impermeable side strips to cover side edges of an enclosed absorbent pad. 
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,006, to Ralph, shows a diaper including 
liquid impermeable side flaps which overlap respective opposite side 
margins of an absorbent pad. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,148, to Beckestrom, discloses a diaper having a 
liquid-impermeable upstanding gathers which improve liquid containment 
characteristics of the diaper. U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,454, to Dragoo, 
discloses an absorbent garment including a liquid barrier sheet along each 
side margin of the article to cover and seal the side edges of the 
absorbent core. The liquid barrier sheet also has an upstanding portion 
which is intended to prevent liquid from flowing along a top surface to 
the edge of the garment. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An absorbent article embodying the principles of the present invention 
includes a primary absorbent member and an auxiliary absorbent member. The 
primary absorbent member has an upper liquid-receiving surface. The 
auxiliary absorbent member is provided with a pair of substantially 
liquid-impermeable upstanding leg gathers in at least a target area of the 
absorbent article to abate passage of liquid transversely thereof. The 
auxiliary absorbent member further includes a liquid-permeable region at a 
lower surface thereof. An attachment means joins the primary and auxiliary 
absorbent members to position the liquid-permeable lower surface of the 
auxiliary absorbent member in liquid-transferring relationship with the 
upper liquid-receiving surface of the primary absorbent member. 
In the illustrated embodiments, an auxiliary absorbent means of the 
auxiliary absorbent member is longitudinally shorter than a length of the 
lower surface of the auxiliary absorbent member, and is positioned toward 
a front portion of the absorbent article and atop the liquid-permeable 
region of lower surface. The auxiliary absorbent means may comprise a 
plurality of separate absorbent members. 
In accordance with illustrated embodiments, the liquid-permeable region may 
comprise one or more holes provided in an otherwise substantially 
liquid-impermeable lower surface of the auxiliary absorbent member. The 
liquid-permeable region is preferably positioned in the target area of the 
absorbent article, (i.e., that area of the article at which liquid is 
typically discharged by a wearer) in order to rapidly transfer the 
discharged liquids downwardly therethrough toward the primary absorbent 
member. Alternatively, the liquid-permeable region may comprise a 
liquid-permeable hydrophilic region provided in the lower surface of the 
auxiliary absorbent member. 
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily 
apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying 
drawings, and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, 
there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently 
preferred embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure 
is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not 
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, therein is illustrated an absorbent 
article 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. It is to be 
understood that absorbent articles embodying the principles of the present 
invention can be appropriately sized for use by infants, children and 
incontinent adults. 
Absorbent article 10 comprises a primary absorbent member 12, such as a 
diaper, and an auxiliary absorbent member 14. Primary absorbent member 12 
includes a primary absorbent panel 16, which is hourglass-shaped, as 
illustrated in FIG. 1, but which may be otherwise shaped, such as 
rectangular, T-shaped, I-shaped, or otherwise contoured. The absorbent 
panel preferably comprises an absorbent matrix including comminuted wood 
pulp, sometimes referred to as pulp fluff, and superabsorbent material, 
which may comprise superabsorbent polymers or the like. Absorbent matrices 
comprising blends and/or layers of such superabsorbent materials can be 
employed. If desired, the superabsorbent material may optionally be more 
heavily concentrated in specifically selected regions of the absorbent 
panel. Additionally, an absorbent matrix formed in accordance with U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,573,988, to Pieniak, comprising a compressed composite 
absorbent structure including a resilient web of fibers having 
superabsorbent material incorporated therein, can be used. 
Primary absorbent member 12 further includes a backsheet 18 positioned on 
the side of primary absorbent panel 16 which defines the outer surface of 
primary absorbent member 12. Backsheet 18 typically comprises a 
liquid-impermeable material. A wide variety of suitable polymeric film 
materials can be employed for the backsheet 18, such as a polyethylene 
sheet having a thickness on the order of 0.0005 to 0.001 inches. 
Polyethylene terephthalate sheet material having a thickness of 
approximately 0.0005 to 0.001 inches may alternatively be employed. 
Composite or laminate sheet materials such as comprising integrated 
nonwoven fabric and polymeric film layers may also be employed. 
Primary absorbent member 12 is further provided with a pair of side 
marginal sheets 20 which extend along respective opposite side edges of 
primary absorbent member 12 to cover respective side edges of primary 
absorbent panel 16. Side marginal sheets 20 are laterally spaced from each 
other to define therebetween a central liquid-receiving open surface 22 in 
an upper surface of primary absorbent member 12. Liquid-receiving surface 
22 longitudinally crosses a target zone and extends the full length of 
primary absorbent member 12. Side marginal sheets 20 are preferably 
hydrophobic or liquid-impermeable to abate liquid flow. Suitable materials 
are a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric such as polypropylene or polyesters, or 
impermeable polyolefin film or sheet materials, laminates thereof, and the 
like. Each side marginal sheet 20 is preferably glued to backsheet 18 by 
lines of hot melt adhesive. 
Elastic members 24, such as elastic strands made from natural or synthetic 
rubber, are longitudinally placed between side marginal sheet 20 and 
backsheet 18 along each side edge of primary absorbent member 12 to 
provide an elastic gather around a wearer's leg. 
In order to secure absorbent article 10 in position, adhesive tape 
fasteners 26, as well known in the art, are provided on the rearward 
portions of primary absorbent member 12. Each of these fasteners 26 
includes a tab-like element having a pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon 
which, when brought into contact with a landing area associated with the 
forward, outer waist portion of absorbent article 10, secures absorbent 
article 10 in position. Primary absorbent member 12 may also be provided 
with an optional elasticized waistband, as is well known in the art. 
Auxiliary absorbent member 14 includes a lower surface 28, which in FIG. 1 
is illustrated as having a length substantially coextensive with primary 
absorbent member 12 and a width corresponding to the distance between the 
opposite elastic gathers. Lower surface 28 contains a liquid-permeable 
region 30 which in this particular embodiment comprises a plurality of 
holes 32 provided in the otherwise liquid-impermeable lower surface 28. 
Liquid-permeable region 30 is preferably positioned in the target area of 
absorbent article 10, which is the area at which liquid is typically 
discharged by the wearer, so as to rapidly transfer liquids downwardly 
therethrough. 
While illustrated as being rectangular, lower surface 28 may be T-shaped, 
I-shaped, or otherwise contoured. 
Auxiliary absorbent member 14 further includes a pair of substantially 
liquid-impermeable standing leg gathers 34 extending from and upwardly of 
respective side edges of lower surface 28 to abate passage of liquid 
transversely of auxiliary absorbent member 14. Each of standing leg 
gathers 34 comprises a substantially liquid-impermeable flap 36 having an 
overturned free edge to form a sleeve portion within which a pre-stretched 
monofilament elastic element 38 is enclosed. Each substantially 
liquid-impermeable flap 36 may be an extension of lower surface 28, or 
alternatively may be a separate sheet of material secured to each side 
edge of lower surface 28. Such material preferably comprises substantially 
liquid-impermeable plastic film material. 
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, it is presently preferred 
that the free edge of each substantially liquid-impermeable flap 34 be 
overturned inwardly toward a longitudinal centerline of auxiliary 
absorbent member 14, particularly when the longitudinal end portions of 
each standing leg gather 34 are secured inwardly by securement means such 
as adhesive 40. 
In the illustrated embodiment, each standing leg gather 34 is of a 
substantially constant width throughout the length of auxiliary absorbent 
member 14. However, each leg gather may be configured to vary in width, 
being relatively narrow at front and/or rear waist portions, and 
relatively wider at the target area of absorbent article 10. 
Auxiliary absorbent member 14 further includes an auxiliary absorbent means 
42, positioned on top of lower surface 28. The auxiliary absorbent means 
42 may be similar in structure to primary absorbent means 16. It is 
however preferable that auxiliary absorbent means 42 has a lower density 
than primary absorbent means 16. In the illustrated embodiment, auxiliary 
absorbent means 42 is longitudinally shorter than the length of lower 
surface 28 and is positioned toward a front portion of absorbent article 
10 and atop liquid-permeable region 30 of lower surface 28, which 
corresponds to the target area of absorbent article 10. Auxiliary 
absorbent means 42 may alternatively be otherwise longitudinally placed in 
auxiliary absorbent member 14 to achieve a zoned absorbency effect. While 
as illustrated as being rectangular, auxiliary absorbent means 42 may have 
a generally T-shaped, I-shaped, or any contoured configuration. 
Auxiliary absorbent member 14 further includes a liquid-permeable facing or 
topsheet 44 positioned on top of auxiliary absorbent means 42, with 
topsheet 44 being adapted for positioning adjacent to the wearer of 
absorbent article 10. Topsheet 44 is typically made of carded, spunlaced, 
spunbonded, or thermally-bonded polypropylene or polyester nonwoven 
fabrics, as is well known in the art. 
Absorbent article 10 of the present invention further includes attachment 
means 46 for combining primary absorbent member 12 and auxiliary absorbent 
member 14. Specifically, attachment means 46 respectively join standing 
leg gathers 34 of auxiliary absorbent member 14 to marginal sheets 20 of 
primary 25 absorbent member 12 to position the liquid permeable lower 
surface region 30 of auxiliary absorbent member 14 in liquid-transferring 
relationship with liquid-receiving surface 22 of primary absorbent member 
12. Attachment means 46 may be any means as known in the art, including 
adhesive, heat-sealing and ultrasonic bonding. In a particular embodiment 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respective substantially liquid-impermeable 
standing leg gathers 34 are longitudinally coextensive with and joined to 
side marginal sheets 20 by continuous lines of adhesive 46 over the full 
length of primary absorbent member 12. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of absorbent article in 
accordance with the present invention. An absorbent article 110 includes 
an auxiliary absorbent member 114 placed on top of a primary absorbent 
member 112 by attachment means 146. Auxiliary absorbent member 114 is 
positioned in about front two-thirds section of absorbent article 110. 
Auxiliary absorbent member 114 includes in its middle section separate 
absorbent elements 142, 143 which are longitudinally spaced to each other 
to form a liquid acquisition area 150 between them in the target zone. 
Liquid acquisition area 150 is positioned to be placed in the vicinity of 
the point of liquid discharge by the wearer. 
Auxiliary absorbent member 114 further includes a liquid-impermeable lower 
surface 128 having a central opening to define a liquid-permeable region 
130. Liquid-permeable region 130 extends longitudinally the full length of 
lower surface 128. A pair of substantially liquid-impermeable standing leg 
gathers 134 extend from respective side edges of lower surface 128 so that 
they prevent liquid passage transversely of at least the target zone in 
absorbent article 110. 
Primary absorbent member 112 includes a hydrophilic sheet 152, preferably 
exhibiting liquid-wicking characteristics (such as a tissue layer), 
extending between opposite side marginal sheets 120 so it is positioned at 
liquid-receiving surface 122. Liquid-receiving surface 122 is configured 
to have a larger width than liquid-permeable region 130 of auxiliary 
absorbent member 114. 
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of auxiliary absorbent member 214 which 
includes liquid-permeable region 230 comprising a liquid-permeable fibrous 
sheet. The fibrous sheet 230 can be joined at each of its opposite side 
edges to a respective substantially liquid-impermeable flap 236 of 
standing leg gather 234. An intermittent adhesive 246 is provided for 
fastening the auxiliary absorbent member to the primary absorbent member. 
The primary absorbent member may optionally be configured to include a 
landing zone to releasably receive such intermittent adhesive 246 on each 
of its side marginal sheets. 
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and 
variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and 
scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be 
understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment 
illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is 
intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall 
within the scope of the claims.