Patent claim: An infant or adult diaper 10 having a longitudinal centerline Y and a lateral centerline X perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline Y wherein the diaper 10 comprises a topsheet 22 and a backsheet 24 and positioned therein between an absorbent core 20 and a first longitudinally extending elastic cuff 30a and second longitudinally extending elastic cuff 30b the first and the second elastic cuff 30a 30b being positioned on either longitudinal side of the topsheet 22 and opposing each other and wherein the diaper 10 has a crotch region B positioned in between a front region A and a back region C and the first and the second longitudinally extending elastic cuff 30a 30b each have a crotch region B positioned in between a front region A and a back region C these regions of the longitudinally extending elastic cuffs 30a 30b being positioned in the respective regions of the diaper 10 and the first longitudinally extending elastic cuff 30a and the second longitudinally extending elastic cuff 30b each have a proximal edge 32a 32b at which the respective longitudinally extending elastic cuff is attached to the diaper and the first longitudinally extending elastic cuff 30a and the second longitudinally extending elastic cuff 30b each have a distal edge 34a 34b at least the crotch region B of which is not attached to the diaper 10 and forms a free flap 38a 38b and wherein the diaper 10 comprises a barrier element 70 arranged in the crotch region B the barrier element 70 comprising at least a wall element 76 and bridge element 72 the barrier element 70 extending in three dimensions such that it has a shape in the longitudinal plane of the diaper the shape being symmetrical about at least one transversal plane.

Related passage: That is the present invention provides the following items 1 to 17.1 An absorbent article includinga first leak preventer in sheet form having a base part a pair of side members extending in a longitudinal direction on right and left sides of the base part of the first leak preventer an absorber comprised of at least one layer in an inner space formed by the base part of the first leak preventer and the side members containing a super absorbent polymer and capable of absorbing a body fluid and a bridging member bonded to the pair of side members for bridging the side members dividing the inner space into front and rear parts capable of exhibiting a function of separating urine and feces in which the bridging member is formed to be stretchable in a lateraldirection.2 The absorbent article according to the above item 1 including a main body bonding member capable of bonding to the first leak preventer or the absorber at a lower end of the bridging member.3 An absorbent article includinga first leak preventer in sheet form having a base part a pair of side members extending in a longitudinal direction on right and left sides of the base part of the first leak preventer an absorber comprised of at least one layer in an inner space formed by the base part of the first leak preventer and the side members containing a super absorbent polymer and capable of absorbing a body fluid and a bridging member bonded to the pair of side members for bridging the side members and a urinefeces separating member dividing the inner space into front and rear parts capable of exhibiting a function of separating urine and feces in which the bridging member is formed to be stretchable in a lateral direction.4 An absorbent article includinga first leak preventer in sheet form having a base part a pair of side members extending in a longitudinal direction on right and left sides of the base part of the first leak preventer an absorber comprised of at least one layer in an inner space formed by the base part of the first leak preventer and the side members containing a super absorbent polymer and capable of absorbing a body fluid a bridging member bonded to the pair of side members for bridging the side members and a second leak preventer in sheet form present above the absorberon a rear side of the first leak preventer in which the bridging member is formed to be stretchable in a lateral direction.5 The absorbent article according to the above item 4 including a feces stopping member in an upper surface or in a vicinity of a front end of the second leak preventer.6 The absorbent article according to the above item 4 or 5 including a main body bonding member bonding to the first leak preventer the absorber or the second leak preventer at a lower end of the bridging member.7 The absorbent article according to the above item 2 or 6 in which the bridging member and the main body bonding member are formed of a same material.8 The absorbent article according to any one of the above items 2 6 and 7 in which the bridging member andor the main body bonding member is stretchable.9 An absorbent article according to any one of the above items 1 to 8 in which the side members are formed of a pair of extended parts of the first leak preventer formed integrally with the base part and a pair of peripheral shape retaining members provided along peripheries of the extended parts.10 The absorbent article according to any one of the above items 1 to 9 in which the side members have stretchability.11 The absorbent article according to the above item 10 in which the side members are leg gathers provided on right and left ends of the base part.12 The absorbent article according to the above item 11 in which the leg gathers are standing leg gathers each including a leg part bonded to the base part and formed of a nonwoven fabric and a head part bonded to the leg part and including an elastic body.13 The absorbent article according to any one of the above items 1 to 12in which the bridging member includes a stretchable area in a center part and nonstretchable areas on right and left sides of the stretchable area and the bridging member is bonded to the side members in the nonstretchable areas.14 The absorbent article according to any one of the above items 1 to 12 in which the side members are each stretchable the bridging member is nonstretchable and the side members are bonded to the bridging member so that the bridging member becomes stretchable in a lateral direction.15 The absorbent article according to any one of the above items 1 to 12 in which the side members and the bridging member are integrally formed of a stretchable material.16 The absorbent article according to the above item 15 in which the side members on right and left sides are bonded to each other in a longitudinal center part to form the bridging member.17 The absorbent article according to the above item 15 or 16 in which the side members and the bridging member form a front opening and a rear opening.