CN1547458A - Disposables with Discontinuous Response Systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Disposable articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and/or inserts, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, tampons, and the like, having a responsive system. The article includes a sensor that detects an input, an actuator that is adapted to perform a responsive function upon the input, and a feedback control loop in which the actuator is adapted to perform the responsive function upon the input in a discontinuous manner. The responsive system may include an open loop or a closed loop system.

Description

Disposables with Discontinuous Response Systems

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to disposables, particularly disposables having discrete response systems.

Background technique

Disposable items such as diapers, pant diapers, training pants, adult incontinence shorts, sanitary napkins, and tampons are now widely used in the care of infants and toddlers, as well as in the care of incontinent adults. , Devices for isolating and disposing of bodily waste. As the preferred mode for these applications, such products have largely replaced those reusable, washable cloth garments due to their convenience and reliability.

Although many improvements have been made in the field of disposable products for infants and adults, making these products generally superior to traditional cloth garments, many problems remain. Problems with these disposables include leakage of bodily waste (e.g., urine, feces, menstruation), rashes and irritation, extensive soiling of the wearer's skin with feces, difficulty cleaning bodily waste such as feces, and foul-smelling feces , lack of customization (eg, adaptability) for individuals, etc.

Several attempts have been made to address these problems. For example, superabsorbent polymers have been used to enhance the ability of absorbent articles to absorb and retain urine. Blocking leg cuffs are also incorporated to improve fit and reduce leaks. For example, in US Patent 3,860,003 issued to Kenneth B. Bull on January 14, 1975, entitled "Retractable Sides of Disposable Diapers", leg sections with elastic threads that have gained wide acceptance and commercial success are described. Closing disposable diapers. Disposable items may also employ pouches, barriers, etc. to contain feces and prevent leakage of feces from the item. For example, reference may be made to U.S. Patent 4,695,278, entitled "Absorbent Article with Dual Closures," issued September 22, 1987 to Micheal I. Lawson; and US Patent 5,540,671, issued Jul. 30, 1996 to Dreier, entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Vertex Pouch Closure." Disposables are also disclosed having selectively expandable or inflatable elements that activate or respond to an activating liquid such as water or urine at the point of use to provide space for feces or to displace the topsheet to enhance adaptability. The following patents describe disposable absorbent articles having elements that expand at the point of use or expand in response to an activating liquid such as water or urine, such as Gary D. LaVon et al., issued July 19, 1994 entitled "Having U.S. Patent 5,330,459 issued May 28, 1996 to Gary D. LaVon et al. entitled "Disposable Absorbent Articles with Sealed Expandable Members". The problem with these expandable elements however is that an action by the caregiver is required to activate the elements or continuous operation and more fluid actuators are required to fully expand since expansion is proportional to the amount of fluid actuator. Additionally, self-contracting leg gathers are disclosed that react to liquid actuators such as water or urine. For example, US Patent 4,246,900 issued January 27, 1981 to Friedrich-Wihelm Schroder entitled "Diaper Including Moisture Responsive Seal". The problem that still exists with these self-shrinking gathers is that the action of the caregiver is required to activate these elements or continuous operation and more fluid actuators are required to fully collapse, because the shrinkage is proportional to the amount of fluid actuators.

Summary of Invention

The present invention relates to disposables having a discrete response system that acts in response to a threshold level of input such as bodily discharges, such as sequestering the discharge or preventing the activity of enzymes in the discharge, or in response to pressure, motion, or wear Other actions or states of the patient, such as lubricating the skin, etc. The output function of a discontinuous response system is essentially independent of the input quantity exceeding a threshold level. The responsive system of the present invention responds only when a threshold level of input is reached, rather than responding in a continuous manner to increasing input levels. Thus, the actuator or stored material can be stored in the disposable until the time the actuator is required to act upon bodily exudates, the wearer, the article or elements thereof. This allows the response system to perform functions that are not intended to be performed unless necessary or until necessary to activate the system stored in the supply in order to reduce the size and/or volume of the supply.

A brief description of the drawings

Although the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to substantially like parts.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the flat state of an article made according to the present invention, i.e. a diaper, with parts of the structure removed to more clearly show the structure of the article;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the body waste barrier device of the present invention in a compressed state prior to action;

Figure 2A represents a cross-sectional view taken along line 2A-2A in Figure 2;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of Figure 2 after activation;

Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A of Figure 3;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of Figure 2 after activation;

Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 4A-4A of Figure 4;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention comprising a dissolvable capsule;

Figure 6A shows a block diagram of an exemplary open-loop response system;

Figure 6B shows a block diagram of an exemplary closed-loop response system;

Figure 6C shows a block diagram of an exemplary open loop response system including a controller;

Figure 6D shows a block diagram of an exemplary closed-loop response system including a controller;

Figure 7A shows the ideal output function of the discontinuous response system of the present invention with a single threshold level;

Figure 7B shows the ideal output function of the discontinuous response system of the present invention with multiple threshold levels;

Figure 8A shows an exemplary output function and first, second and third derivatives of the output function for a discontinuous response system of the present invention;

Figure 8B shows the transfer function of a control system with a series of first order delays having the same time constant;

Figure 9A shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a response system of the present invention including a mechanical extractor;

Figures 10A and 10B represent an embodiment of a responsive system of the present invention comprising an electrosensitive gel;

Figures 11A, 11B and 11C represent another embodiment of the responsive system of the present invention comprising an electrosensitive gel;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bodily waste barrier device of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The term "absorbent article" as used herein refers to a device that absorbs or contains body exudates, especially a device that is worn on or placed near the body of the wearer to absorb and contain various exudates of the body. excretion of secretions. As used herein, the term "disposable" refers to an absorbent article that is not normally intended to be laundered, recovered or reused as an absorbent article (i.e. when intended to be discarded after a single use, preferably recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner) deal with). (The term "arrangement" used herein means that a constituent element of the diaper forms an integral structure with other elements of the diaper in a specific position, or is combined as a separate element on other elements of the diaper. The term used herein "Attachment" includes constructions in which one element of the diaper is directly secured to another element by directly attaching one element of the diaper to another element, as well as constructions in which An element is attached to an intermediate element to which it is attached to another element to indirectly secure that element of the diaper to another element.) A "unitary" absorbent article refers to an absorbent article that consists of several individual parts joined together to form a coherent whole supplies so that they do not need to be handled separately like a single support or shim. A preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention is a one-piece disposable absorbent article, such as the diaper 20 shown in FIG. The term "diaper" as used herein refers to absorbent articles commonly worn by infants and incontinent adults. The present invention is also applicable to other absorbent or non-absorbent articles such as incontinence pants, incontinence underwear, absorbent inserts, diaper supports and pads, feminine hygiene garments, tampons, wipes, mops, bandages and the like.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of an article made in accordance with the present invention, i.e. a diaper 20, in a flat state with parts of the structure removed to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of the diaper 20 that faces the wearer faces the viewer. As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet 24; a liquid-impermeable backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28, preferably disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; cuff 32; elastic waist 34; and a fastening assembly generally indicated at 40. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 having a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 opposite the first waist region and a crotch region 37 between the first and second waist regions. The perimeter of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 with the longitudinal edges 50 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 extending between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the transverse centerline 110 of the diaper 20.

The main body 22 of the diaper 20 constitutes the main part of the diaper 20 . The main body 22 includes at least a portion of the absorbent core 28 and preferably includes the outer cover layers of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 . If the absorbent article includes separate supports and spacers, the main body 22 typically includes the supports and spacers. (For example, the support may comprise one or more layers of material to form the outer covering of the article and the pad may comprise an absorbent assembly having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. In this case, the support and/or pad Fasteners may be included to hold the pad in place throughout use.) For a unitary absorbent article, the main body 22 comprises the main structure of the diaper, with other components added to form the composite diaper structure. Although the topsheet 24, backsheet 26, and absorbent core 26 may be combined in a variety of known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are generally described in the following patent: Kenneth B. Buell, issued January 14, 1975, entitled " Collapsible Side Sections for Disposable Diapers" US Patent 3,860,003; US Patent 5,151,092 issued September 9, 1992 to Buell; and US Patent 5,221,274 issued June 22, 1993 to Buell; and September 10, 1996 U.S. Patent 5,554,145 to Roe et al. entitled "Absorbent Article with Extensible Waist Member of Elastic-like Film Web of Multi-Zone Structure"; to Buell et al. on October 29, 1996 entitled "Disposable Pull-On 5,569,234 to Nease et al., issued Dec. 3, 1996, entitled "Zero Waste Process for the Production of Side Panels for Disposable Absorbent Articles"; and issued Aug. 20, 1997 in the name of Robles et al. Applied US Patent Application Serial No. 08/915,471 entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Multidirectionally Extensible Side Panels"; each patent is incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 disposed adjacent the garment-facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 that prevents exudates absorbed and contained therein from soiling articles that may contact the diaper 20, such as bed sheets and undergarments. In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet 26 is impermeable to liquids (e.g., urine) and comprises a thin plastic film, such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). film. Suitable backsheet films include those sold by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and under the trade designations X15306, X10962 and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials that allow vapor to escape from the diaper while still preventing the passage of exudates through the backsheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials include such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, and materials such as ESPOIR NO produced by Mitsui Toatsu Co. of Japan and manufactured by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, TX manufactures microporous films under the trade name EXXAIRE. A suitable breathable composite material comprising a polymer blend is available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH, under the designation HYTREL blend P18-3097. Such breathable composite materials are described in detail in PCT Application WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995 in the name of E.I. DuPont, and in pending U.S. Patent Application No. 6, 1996 in the name of Curro Application 08/744487. Other breathable backsheets including nonwoven webs and apertured formed films are described in US Patent 5,571,096, issued November 5,1996 to Dobrin et al. These documents are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, such as the insert of article 20, the backsheet may be liquid permeable and, for example, comprise the same materials as described below for topsheet 24.

The backsheet 26, or any portion thereof, is elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a structural elastic-like film ("SELF") web. Structurally an elastic-like film web is an extensible material that exhibits elastic-like properties in the direction of elongation without the use of additional elastic material. A SELF web includes a deformable network with at least two continuous, distinct and dissimilar regions. Preferably, one region is configured to exhibit resistance to axial elongation applied parallel to the predetermined axis before a substantial portion of the other region exhibits significant resistance to applied elongation. At least one of the regions has a surface pathlength that is greater than the other regions when measured substantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material is in an unstretched state. Regions exhibiting longer surface pathlengths include one or more deformations that extend beyond the plane of other regions. When subjected to applied elongation parallel to the predetermined axes, the SELF web exhibits at least two distinctly different states of controlled resistance to elongation along at least one predetermined axis. The SELF exhibits a first resistance to applied elongation until the elongation of the web is sufficient to bring a substantial portion of the area with the longer surface path into the plane of applied elongation, after which the SELF web exhibits a second resistance to further elongation. The total resistance to elongation is higher than the first resistance to elongation provided by the first region. SELF webs suitable for the present invention are more fully described in US Patent 5,518,801, entitled "Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Properties," issued May 21, 1996 to Chappell et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these or other materials with nonwovens or synthetic films.

The backsheet 26 may be attached to the topsheet 24, absorbent core 28, or any other component of the diaper 20 by any attachment means known in the art. For example, the attachment means may include a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrangement of single lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. A preferred method of attachment involves an open pattern network of adhesive filaments as disclosed in US Patent 4,573,986, issued March 4, 1986 to Minetola et al., entitled "Disposable Waste Containing Garments." Other suitable means of attachment include several filaments of adhesive coiled in a helical pattern, as illustrated in the apparatus and method shown in U.S. Patent 3,911,173, issued October 7, 1975 to Sprague, Jr.; US Patent 4,785,996 issued November 22, 1978 to Ziecker et al; and US Patent 4,842,666 issued June 27, 1989 to Werennicz et al. These patents are incorporated herein by reference. Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by the H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designation "HL-1620" and "HL-1358-XZP". Alternatively, the attachment means may include thermal bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other suitable attachment means known in the art or a combination of these attachment means.

The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body surface 47 of the absorbent core 28 and may be attached to the absorbent core and/or the backsheet 26 by any attachment means known in the art. Suitable attachment means for attaching the backsheet 26 of the diaper 20 to other elements are described above. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are directly attached to each other at some locations and indirectly joined together by directly attaching the topsheet and backsheet to other elements of the diaper 20 at other locations.

The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft to the touch and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Additionally, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is liquid permeable, allowing liquids to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet 24 can be made from a wide variety of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams; porous plastic films; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (such as wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (such as polyester woven or nonwoven webs of polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. If the topsheet includes fibers, the fibers may be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydrolaid, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. A suitable topsheet 24 comprising a web of tear-length polypropylene fibers is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts, under the designation "P-8".

Suitable formed film topsheets are described in the following patents: U.S. Patent 3,929,135 issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975 entitled "Sorbent Structure with Tapered Capillaries"; U.S. Patent 4,324,246 for "Disposable Absorbent Article with Deformation-Resistant Topsheet"; U.S. Patent 4,342,314 entitled "Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-like Properties" issued August 3, 1982 to Radel et al.; July 1984 U.S. Patent 4,463,045 to Ahr et al., entitled "Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic Web Presenting a Matte Viewable Surface and Cloth-Like Feel," issued April 31; and to Baird, entitled "Multilayer Polymer Films" US Patent 5,006,394. Other suitable topsheets 24 are made in accordance with US Patents 4,609,518 and 4,629,643, issued September 2, 1986, and December 16, 1986 to Curro et al., respectively, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. These formed films are commercially available as "DRI-WEAVE" from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, and from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana as "CLIFF-T".

Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material or treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquid contained in the absorbent core 28 . If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least the upper surface of the topsheet 24 is treated to be hydrophilic so that liquids will transfer through the topsheet more rapidly. This phenomenon reduces the likelihood that bodily exudates will flow off the topsheet 24 instead of being drawn through the topsheet 24 and absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 may be rendered hydrophilic by treating or incorporating surfactants into the topsheet. Suitable methods of treating the topsheet 24 with the surfactant include spraying the topsheet 24 material with the surfactant and immersing the material in the surfactant. A more detailed description of this treatment and hydrophilicity can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344, issued January 29, 1991 to Reising et al., entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Multiple Absorbent Layers," and U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 issued January 29, 1991 to Reising et al. U.S. Patent 4,988,345, entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Rapidly Absorbent Absorbent Core," issued to Reising on March 29. A more detailed description of some suitable methods for incorporating surfactants into the topsheet can be found in US Statutory Invention Registration H1670, published July 1, 1997 in the name of Aziz et al. These references are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 may comprise a hydrophobic apertured web or film. This can be accomplished by removing the hydrophilizing treatment step from the production process for the topsheet 24 and/or applying a hydrophobic treatment to the topsheet 24, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound like "SCOTCHGUARD" or hydrophobic lotion composition. In this embodiment, preferably the pores are large enough to allow aqueous liquids like urine to pass through without significant resistance.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion as is known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in the patent entitled "Disposable Absorbent Topsheet Containing Emollient Skin and Polyol Polyester Fixative" to Roe on March 4, 1997. Articles" U.S. Patent 5,607,760; issued March 11, 1997 to Roe entitled "Diapers with Lotion Treatment Topsheet Comprising Liquid Polyol Polyester Emollients and Immobilizers"; issued June, 1997 U.S. Patent 5,635,191 entitled "Diapers Containing Lotion-Treated Topsheets Containing Silicone Emollients" issued to Roe et al. on 3rd; US Patent 5,643,588. The lotion can be used alone or in combination with another agent for hydrophobic treatment as described above. The topsheet 24 may also include or be treated with an antimicrobial agent, some examples of which are disclosed in the PCT publication titled "Absorbent Articles Containing Antimicrobial Agents in Topsheet to Control Odor" in the name Theresa Johnson on September 14, 1995. Disclosed in WO95/24173. Additionally, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, or any portion of the topsheet 24 or the backsheet 26 may be embossed and/or matte finished to have a more cloth-like appearance.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material that is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other specific body exudates. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, "T" shaped, asymmetrical, etc.), and can comprise a variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles. Materials such as comminuted wood pulp commonly known as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coformed polymers; chemically hardened, modified, or crosslinked cellulose fibers; weaves, including tissue wrap and tissue Laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gel materials; or any other known absorbent material or combination of these materials.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 can also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core or other absorbent structure can have regions of different thickness, gradients in hydrophilicity, gradients in superabsorbency, or lower average density and lower average Alternatively, one or more layers or structures may be included.) However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper 20.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as absorbent cores are described in US Patent 4,610,678, issued September 9, 1986 to Weisman et al., entitled "High Density Absorbent Structures"; issued June 16, 1987 U.S. Patent 4,673,402 to Weisman et al. entitled "Absorbent Article Having a Double Layer Core"; to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989 entitled "High Density Absorbent Member Having Low Density and Lower Weight Acquisition Zones" U.S. Patent 4,834,735 issued to Angstadt on September 19, 1989 entitled "Absorbent Core with Powder Layer"; issued August 11, 1992 to Herron et al. Carboxylic Acid Crosslinked Woodpulp Cellulosic Fiber Absorbent Structure" US Patent 5,137,537; US Patent 5,147,345 issued September 15, 1992 to Young et al. entitled "Highly Efficient Absorbent Articles for Incontinence Management"; issued in 1994 U.S. Patent 5,342,338 issued to Roe on August 30, 1993 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Articles for Low Viscosity Fecal Materials"; issued September 9, 1993 to DesMarais et al. Materials and absorbent articles containing the same" U.S. Patent 5,260,345; "Thin-until-wet absorbent foam materials for aqueous body fluids and methods for making them" issued to Dyer et al. on February 7, 1995 US Patent No. 5,387,207, "Methods of Materials"; and U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207, entitled "Hygroscopic Foam Materials for Aqueous Liquids Made from High Internal Emulsions with Very High Water-to-Oil Ratio" to DesMarais et al. on July 22, 1997. Patent 5,625,222. These patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 can also include at least one elastic waist feature 34 to help provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waist member 34 generally elastically expands and contracts to dynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least one waist edge 62 of the absorbent core 28 and typically forms at least a portion of the end edges 52 of the diaper 20 . Disposable diapers are generally constructed with two elastic waist members, one waist member disposed in the first waist region 36 and the other waist member disposed in the second waist region 38 . In addition, although the elastic waist 34 or any of its constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elements attached to the diaper 20, the elastic waist 34 may be configured as other elements of the diaper 20 (such as the backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or extension of the backsheet 26 and topsheet 24).

The elastic waist 34 can be constructed into a large number of different configurations included in: U.S. Patent 4,515,595 issued May 7, 1985 to Kievit et al; U.S. Patent 4,710,189 issued December 1, 1987 to Lash; US Patent 5,151,092, issued September 9, 1992 to Buell; and US Patent 5,221,274 issued June 22, 1993 to Buell. Other suitable waist configurations may include waist cover members, such as those described in US Patent 5,026,364, issued June 25, 1991 to Robertson and US Patent 4,816,025, issued March 28, 1989, to Foreman. All above-mentioned documents are hereby incorporated by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening assembly 40 . The fastening assembly 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38 in an overlapping configuration, thereby providing lateral stretch around the periphery of the diaper 20 to fit the diaper on the wearer. Fastening assembly 40 preferably includes strap joints and/or hook and loop fastening components, although any other known fastening means is generally acceptable. Some exemplary fastening assemblies are disclosed in the following patents: Buell, issued November 19, 1974, entitled "Tape Fastening Assembly for Disposable Diapers"; Hirotsu et al., issued May 5, 1987 US Patent B14662875 for "Absorbent Article"; US Patent 4846815 issued to Scipps on July 11, 1989 entitled "Disposable Diaper with Improved Fastening Means"; issued to Nestegard on January 16, 1990 entitled U.S. Patent 4,8894,060 for "Disposable Diaper with Improved Hook Fastener Portion"; U.S. Patent 4,946,527, entitled "Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Fastener and Method of Making the Same," issued August 7, 1990 to Battrell; and US Patent 5,151,092, issued September 9, 1992 to Battrell; and US Patent 5,221,274 issued June 22, 1993 to Buell, previously cited herein. The securement assembly may also have means for supporting the article in the disposal configuration as disclosed in US Patent 4,963,140 issued October 16, 1990 to Robertson et al. These patents are incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment, opposite sides of the garment may be seamed or welded to form the pants. This uses the article as a pull-on diaper, such as training pants.

The diaper 20 may also include side panels 30 . When the diaper 20 has been loaded with excrement, since the side panels 30 made of elastomer expand and contract the side panels of the diaper 20, the side panels 30 may be elastic or extensible, and the diaper 20 is fitted by an initial fit. to the wearer and maintain this fit throughout the time of wear, providing further comfort and fit. Because the diaper 20 will "self-adjust" in wear even if the diaper user pulls one side panel 30 made of elastomer farther than the other side panels during application, the side panels 30 can also provide More effective diaper 20 applications.

Although the diaper of the present invention preferably has side panels 30 disposed in the second waist region 38, the diaper 20 may have side panels disposed in the first waist region 36 or disposed in both the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. 30 of the side panels. The side panels 30 may be configured in any suitable configuration. Examples of diapers having side panels made of elastic are disclosed in: U.S. Patent 4,857,067, issued August 15, 1989 to Wood et al., entitled "Disposable Diapers With Gathered Ears"; issued in 1983 US Patent 4,381,781 issued May 3, 1990 to Sciaraffa; US Patent 4,938,753 issued July 3, 1990 to Van Gompel et al; U.S. Patent 5,221,274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1997; U.S. Patent 5,669,897 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Continuous Dynamic Fit" issued to Lavon et al. on September 23, 1997; US Patent Application No. 08/915,471, entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Multidirectionally Extensible Side Panels," in the name of Robles et al.; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 also preferably includes leg cuffs 32 which provide improved containment of liquids and body exudates. Leg cuffs may also be referred to as leg straps, side wings, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs. US Patent 3860003 describes a disposable diaper with retractable leg openings having side flaps and one or more elastic members to provide leg cuffs (pad cuffs) made of elastomer. U.S. Patents 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. on February 28, 1989 and March 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers with "stand-up" side flaps (barrier cuffs) made of elastomer that improve the Containment in the leg area. US Patents 4,695,278 and 4,795,454, issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987 and to Dragoo on January 3, 1989, respectively, describe disposable diapers having dual cuffs, including a liner cuff and a barrier cuff. In some embodiments, as described above, it may be desirable to treat all or a portion of the leg cuff with lotion.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include pockets for receiving and containing waste, spacers for providing clearance for waste, barriers to limit movement of waste within the article, compartments or voids for receiving and containing waste material deposited in the diaper etc., or any combination of them. Examples of pouches and spacers for absorbent products are described in: U.S. Patent No. 5,514,121, issued May 7, 1996 to Roe et al., entitled "Diaper with Discharge Spacer"; December 15, 1992 U.S. Patent 5,171,236, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article with Core Spacer," issued to Dreier et al.; U.S. Patent 5,397,318, issued to Dreier on March 14, 1995, entitled "Absorbent Article with Pouch Closure"; U.S. Patent 5,540,671 issued to Dreier on July 30, 1996 entitled "Absorbent Article with Pouch Closing with Vertices"; published on December 3, 1993 entitled "Separators and PCT Application WO 93/25172, "Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Spacers"; and US Patent 5,306,266, entitled "Flexible Spacers for Use in Disposable Absorbent Articles," issued April 26, 1994 to Freeland. Examples of compartments or voids are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,968,312, issued April 6, 1990 to Khan, entitled "Disposable Diaper with Stool Compartment"; US Patent 4,990,147, "Absorbent Article with Elastic Liner for Waste Sequestration"; US Patent 562,840, issued November 5, 1991 to Holt et al., entitled "Disposable Diapers"; and December 14, 1993 US Patent 5,269,755 to Freeland et al. entitled "Three-Part Topsheet for Disposable Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having the Same". Examples of suitable lateral barriers are described in: U.S. Patent No. 5,554,142, issued September 10, 1996 to Dreier et al. entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Multiple Efficient Height Lateral Portions"; PCT Application WO 94/14395, entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Upright Transverse Portions," published in the name of Freeland et al. on 7th; Absorbent Articles" US Patent 5,653,703. All documents cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

The diaper 20 also preferably includes at least one sensor 60 . The term "sensor" as used in this application refers to a device capable of detecting an event or a parameter related to an event. An event-related parameter is any measurable signal related to the occurrence of an event (ie, a signal caused by the excrement, the wearer or a component thereof) within the frame of reference of the system. A sensor includes any item that responds to one or more specific inputs. Examples of inputs that may be detected by the sensors of the present invention include, but are not limited to: posture, pressure, motion, humidity, enzymes, bacteria, pH, conductivity, resistance, capacitance, inductance, or other chemical, biochemical, biological , mechanical or electrical properties and/or composition of bodily excretions. The sensor preferably detects "non-ambient" inputs, such as non-thermal or non-relative humidity inputs, so as to minimize the possibility of triggering the sensor by allowing environmental conditions to override signals detected by the sensor caused by excrement, the wearer, or components thereof to reduce the number of error responses. Electrical or biosensors can detect the elimination of a bodily discharge event, such as defecation, urination, or menstruation, for example, by sensing components of the discharge. A sensor may detect one or more events, or one or more parameters related to an event, and provide input to an actuator or controller. Furthermore, the sensors of the present invention may be reversible or irreversible. A dissolving film or capsule is an example of a non-reversible sensor, while an electrical sensor that detects electrical activity in the wearer's muscles can receive multiple sequential input signals (ie, is reversible).

As noted above, the sensor 60 of the present invention may comprise any item that responds to a particular input. For example, the sensor 60 of the present invention may be chemical, mechanical, electrical, or the like. Chemical sensors can respond to chemical and/or biochemical inputs such as enzymes normally present in bodily waste, pH, water such as bacteria, blood, or any one or more other components of bodily waste such as feces , urine or menstrual, etc.) biological input. Chemical sensors may employ chemical reactions as the means of detection or may involve the dissolution of soluble materials in the input material being detected. Examples of chemical or biological sensors include dissolvable or rupturable films, capsules, cells, seals, etc., which respond to a specific chemical, biochemical or biological input or a specific kind of chemical, biochemical or biological input and melt or rupture. Mechanical sensors can also respond to motion, posture, pressure, and more. An example of a mechanical sensor is a bellows-type sensor, where when the baby sits on the sensor, pressure is pressed down on the bellows causing parts of the sensor to expand. A mechanical sensor may also include a sensor or portion of a sensor that ruptures or separates under predetermined applied pressure. Electrical sensors can also be used to respond to humidity, urine, feces, menses, pressure, resistance, capacitance, inductance, and more. For example, electrical sensors may include sensors in which a conductive input such as urine or feces closes an electrical circuit; sensors that close an electrical contact such as pressure or tension to close an electrical circuit; A piezoelectric sensor that produces a signal from pressure induced on either part (for example, due to motion or muscle tone); a sensor that changes resistance, capacitance, or inductance when an input quantity to which the sensor responds is present; or a sensor through a contact (for example, skin contact) Sensors) sensors that receive electrical signals from the wearer's body (eg, from subcutaneous muscles), such as skin contact sensors. Alternatively, the sensor can be a biosensor known in the art (eg, an enzyme sensor, organelle sensor, tissue sensor, microbial sensor or electrochemical sensor). Such sensors are suitable for the detection of proteins, sugars, bile components, etc., as described in US Patent 4,636,474, entitled "Toilet Device," issued January 13, 1987 to Kenji Ogura et al. Biosensors may include biorecognition systems, typically enzymes or binding proteins such as antibodies, immobilized on the surface of physicochemical transducers. Biosensors can detect bodily waste components such as ammonia and phenol (eg, by including such biosensors as enzyme electrodes). A particular strain can be detected by a biosensor using antibodies raised against that strain. Exemplary enzymatic electrodes that can be used to detect phenol (e.g., in urine or feces) include U.S. Patent Nos. 5,676,820 and 1992 U.S. Patent No. 5,676,820 to Joseph Wang et al., entitled "Remote Electrochemical Sensors," issued Oct. 14, 1997, respectively. Tyrosinase-based electrodes or polyphenol oxidase electrodes described in US Patent 5,091,299, entitled "Enzyme Electrodes for Organic Solvents," issued to Anthony P.F. Turner et al. on March 25.

Alternatively, sensor 60 may be a "proactive sensor" capable of detecting changes or signals (i.e., inputs) in articles or waste on or within the wearer's body, directly or minimally. It is usually associated with an imminent event such as defecation, urination, or secretion. For example, a proactive sensor may detect an impending event such as defecation, urination or excretion or a parameter related to this event. An impending event may be related to bodily discharges, the wearer, the article, or components or components thereof. An event-related parameter is any measurable input signal related to the occurrence of an event within the system's frame of reference (ie, a signal caused by excrement or by the wearer). Proactive sensors may, for example, predict the occurrence of defecation, urination, or discharge of bodily waste, or may detect signals that may herald a rash or skin irritation. Proactive sensors in products can measure many different inputs in order to predict an event. For example, a proactive sensor may monitor the external anal sphincter for monitoring relaxation of the anal sphincter indicative of defecation and/or urination, separation of the buttocks, changes in pressure in the abdomen, concentration of gas in the supply, or any other method that can be used to predict or anticipate such as An indication of the occurrence of an event such as defecating, urinating, or passing bodily waste. Alternatively, the proactive sensor of the present invention can monitor for signals indicative of skin irritation. For example, the sensor can detect contamination of the wearer's skin by residual excrement (e.g., fecal enzymes left on the wearer's skin after cleaning a soiled diaper), which will disappear after a period of time. Skin irritation. Detection of high pH and increased skin hydration leading to increased skin conductivity or decreased impedance, etc. can also be used to predict potential skin irritation. Further embodiments of proactive sensors are described in pending U.S. Patent Application No. _ (P&G Docket No. 7196), entitled "Disposable Articles With Proactive Sensors" filed June 29, 1998, which It is incorporated herein by reference.

The sensor 60 may be placed on and/or operatively connected to any portion of the disposable that will be exposed to the input the sensor is designed to detect. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "operably connected" refers to a method of communication such that sensor 60 can signal some portion of article 20 when sensor 60 detects an input. The sensor 60 may be separate from or operatively connected to another portion thereof, another sensor 60 , the actuator 70 , the controller 80 , or some other portion or component of the article 20 . "Operably connected" may, for example, include electrical connection through wires or conductors, through transmission signals such as radio frequency, infrared or other transmission frequency communication means. Alternatively, the sensor 60 may be operatively connected by a mechanical connection such as a pneumatic connection or a hydraulic connection.

In the article 20, for example, the sensor 60 can be placed in the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38, or the crotch region 37 of the article 20, and can be connected to the main body 22, topsheet 24, backsheet 26, absorbent core 28, side panels 30, etc. , the leg cuff 32, the waist piece 34, the fixing assembly 40, the longitudinal edge 50 or the end edge 52 etc. are integrally formed, adjacently arranged, connected or form a part. Sensor 60 may be integrally formed with article 20, or mounted by the care receiver or wearer. The sensor 60 may be located outside the article 20 , partly outside the article 20 , or may be completely contained within the article 20 . For example, a sensor may have a receiving portion placed within the article so that it contacts the desired input quantity, and other portions such as a transmitting portion placed inside or outside the article. Sensor 60 is operatively connected to some portion of article 20 such that sensor 60 can detect an input external to article 20 and provide a signal to controller 80 and/or actuator 70 . In some embodiments, the sensor may be separate from the article (eg, applied separately to portions of the wearer) and/or may have one or more separate components from the article.

Sensor 60 may also include a sensing "system" having two or more sensors, each of which may detect the same or different signals from the same or different sources. The sensing system may include elements located inside, outside and/or separate from the article. For example, the sensing system may include sensors inside the article that detect electrical signals within the wearer's external anal sphincter, and sensors outside the article that detect movement, tension, or muscle movement in the wearer's abdomen. The sensing system may also or alternatively include elements other than sensing elements inside, outside and/or separate from the article. For example, the sensing system may include a transmitter external to the article 20 and transmitting signals to other parts of the sensing system connected to or disposed within the article 20 .

The article 20 preferably also includes an actuator 70 . The term "actuator" as used herein refers to a device which includes "potentiality" and means for converting potentiality to perform or drive a "responsive function". The potential of the actuator 70 may include stored or latent energy or stored material. In this manner, the actuator 70 may perform a responsive function by converting latent energy into kinetic energy or by releasing or transporting stored material. For the purposes of the present invention, "response function" is defined as a function acting on a body exudate, the wearer, the article or one or more component(s) thereof. A device that merely provides a signal that an event has occurred is not considered an "actuator" for the purposes of this invention. Bodily waste components may include, for example, moisture, electrolytes, enzymes, volatile gases, bacteria, blood, and the like. The wearer component may also include skin, genitals, anus, external anal sphincter, and the like. Article components may also include leg cuffs, waist cuffs or other waste barriers and/or closures, side panels, ears, main body, absorbent core, acquisition features, fastening components, longitudinal or end edges, and the like. Potential can be stored as mechanical, electrical, chemical or thermal energy. As used herein, "kinetic energy" refers to energy that does work or performs a responsive function as above (e.g., expansion of a compression device, rotation of a torsion device, gel in motion when changing phases, covering or treatment of skin or feces, inhibition of enzymes, pH adjustment, etc.).

Initiating the formation of a three-dimensional structure to collect waste includes, for example, responsive functions applied to components of the article and ultimately to the waste. For example, collecting waste, wiping the skin of the wearer, or treating the skin with a skin care composition are all responsive functions that act on the waste and/or the wearer. Adjusting the geometry (one-, two-, or three-dimensional) or physical properties (eg, flexural modulus, geometry, etc.) of an article are examples of such responsive functions acting on an article. Signaling the caregiver and/or wearer that an event has occurred is not performing a responsive function as it is not a function acting on the excrement, the wearer, the article or components thereof. The signaling device requires a medium external to the system (eg, a person, etc.) to function as an actuator. For example, an actuator for a disposable releases or delivers a deodorant, enzyme inhibitor, skin care composition, or pH control agent; collects, wipes, covers, confines, immobilizes, seals, suctions, or stores bodily waste ; or initiate the release or formation of a structure or member for implementing one or more of the above functions, or any other responsive function to excretions, the wearer, the article or its component(s).

The actuator 70 of the present invention can release the potential to perform or initiate a responsive function on the exudate, the wearer, the article or component(s) thereof. The release of this potential can convert mechanical potential, electrical potential, chemical or thermal potential into mechanical kinetic energy, electrical energy, or chemical kinetic energy to complete this response function. The actuator may be activated by a threshold level of input to release potential to perform a responsive function, or continuously in response to input as follows. Potency can be stored in any way sufficient to hold/suppress until it is needed. Examples include batteries and/or capacitors in the form of unreacted reactants, elastically strained materials or structures, torsionally strained materials or structures, compressively strained materials or structures, and materials capable of performing physical or chemical actions such as , Hygroscopic agent, emollient, PH buffer, enzyme inhibitor, stool modifier, compressed gas, etc.). For example, compressed foam has stored compressive mechanical potential and can provide mechanical kinetic energy when released. Torsion foam has stored torsional mechanical potential which, when released, provides mechanical kinetic energy, ie rotational motion. Furthermore, stored chemical, electrical or thermal energy can be used to release electrical, mechanical, chemical or thermal kinetic energy. Disposable actuators may include one or more of the following: stored lotion, stool modifier, enzyme inhibitor, pH buffer, dye, pressurized gas, compressed foam, extractor, electrosensitive gel , pH sensing gel and/or salt concentration sensing gel, etc.

Alternatively, the actuator 70 of the present invention may comprise stored material having the ability to perform or activate a responsive function on the exudate, the wearer, the article, or any composition thereof. For example, in one embodiment, actuator 70 may deliver stored material that performs a responsive function. In this embodiment, the actuator 70 may be activated by a threshold level of input volume to discontinuously deliver the stored substance for a given period of time. Actuator 70 may include, for example, stored lotions, skin care compositions, stool modifiers, enzyme inhibitors, pH buffers, dyes, and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, materials such as expanding elastic materials, releasing pressurized gas, etc. may be delivered by actuator 70 .

In another embodiment, the sensor and/or actuator may comprise a closed system liquid transport. A "closed system liquid transfer" or "transfer" includes a liquid fill with an inlet and an outlet that releases liquid at the outlet almost immediately upon receipt of even a small amount of liquid at the inlet. The liquid released from the outlet can be used as a signal to the input sensor. For example, the liquid may be water, which is released when the transfer member receives urine at the inlet, which serves to dissolve a seal to release stored mechanical energy to form a faecal containment space. Alternatively, the transport member itself may activate the actuator (e.g., mix with the agent to perform a chemical action), or may perform at least part of the activation function (e.g., released water is absorbed by superabsorbent polymer disposed within a specific geometry) , the superabsorbent polymer swells and forms a stool holding space). Liquid transport through such transport elements is based on direct absorption rather than capillary action. The liquid is transported through an area where no large quantities of air (or other gas) can enter. The driving force for liquid flow through such transport members can be provided by a liquid reservoir (eg, capillary action or osmotic absorbent structure) or a liquid source in fluid communication with the transport member. Thus, the liquid transport member must have a relatively high liquid permeability.

Preferably there are at least two regions in the transmission member with different apertures, namely one or more port regions with small apertures, and an inner region with larger apertures. The inner region of the transport member is more permeable than the port region (higher liquid permeability provides less resistance to flow), which may be a part of the outer/wall region limiting the inner/most region. Non-limiting examples of high porosity materials suitable for use as interior region materials include fibrous structures including polyolefins, PET, cellulose and cellulose-based fibers, and porous open-cell foams (e.g., reticulated foam, cellulose sponge, , polyurethane foam, and HIPE foam). In one embodiment, the inner region space is substantially completely filled with a substantially incompressible liquid. The term "substantially complete" refers to a state in which a sufficient spatial volume of the interior region is filled with liquid such that a continuous flow path is established between the inlet and outlet.

The port region of the transport member comprises a material that is permeable to the transport liquid but impermeable to the surrounding gas (like air) once wetted by the transport liquid. Typically, such materials are described as membranes, which are defined as regions permeable to liquids, gases, or suspensions of particles in liquids or gases. The membrane, for example, may include a microporous region to provide liquid permeability by capillary action. In an alternative embodiment, the membrane may comprise a monolithic region comprising a block copolymer that transports fluid by diffusion. Typical examples of port region membranes include cellulose acetate (as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,108,383 entitled "Membranes for Absorbent Articles" issued to White on April 28, 1992), cellulose acetate as disclosed in EP-A-0451797. PET film, nitrocellulose diaphragm, nitrocellulose diaphragm, PTFE diaphragm, polyamide diaphragm and polyester. Other suitable materials are polymeric meshes such as polyamide or polyethylene meshes available from Verseidag in Geldern-Waldbeck, Germany, or from SEFAR in Ruschlikon, Switzerland.

Alternatively, actuator 70 may comprise an electrosensitive gel. Electrosensitive gels are polymeric gel networks that change volume and/or geometry under the action of an electrical current or electric field when at least partially swollen with water. For example, certain partially ionized polyacrylamide gels will undergo anisotropic shrinkage of about 50% when immersed in acetone and water under a weak electric field (eg, 0.5 volts/cm). Alternative electrosensitive gels can undergo electro-induced bending in the presence of water and surfactants, or undergo shock wave motion when subjected to a vibrating electric field. It is believed that a portion of the gel (eg, on one side of the gel) induces local shrinkage by concentrating positively charged surfactant molecules on the negatively charged gel in an electric field. Changing the strength and/or polarity of the electric field causes movement of the gel as the length of the case decreases (eg, a strip of gel curls). Electrosensitive gels can include different geometric shapes, such as rectangles, circles, grid patterns, etc., in order to provide valves that release materials that allow the flow of bodily waste and prevent the flow of bodily waste as they change volume and/or geometry , Encapsulation of body excrement, etc. When the wetness of the feces is detected, strips of electrosensitive gel, for example, are bent to transport the feces. In FIGS. 10A and 10B , for example, a strip of electro-sensitive gel is shown in a circuit, where faecal moisture bridges contacts 485 and allows current to pass through the electro-sensitive gel, causing it to bend or straighten. Alternatively, when urine is detected, an electrosensitive gel that forms a grid pattern (as shown in Figures 11A, 11B, and 11C) can be electrically induced to expand or contract to form a valve that allows and/or prevents the flow of urine to the article 20 other parts. For example, FIG. 11A shows a circuit including an electrosensitive gel grid pattern. Figures 1 IB and 11C further show microscopic views of the gel in contracted and swollen states, respectively. A typical material is weakly cross-linked PAMPs gel (poly(acrylamide-2-methylpropane)sulfonic acid). This type of gel can perform a variety of functions, such as applying or delivering chemical stool management agents or acting as a valve to release material. Other typical electrosensitive gels are described in US Patent 5,100,933, issued March 31, 1990 to Tanaka, and WO9202005. Alternatively, a pH-sensitive gel or a salt concentration-sensitive gel that changes volume and/or geometry at a specific pH value or salt concentration, respectively, is used as the actuator of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention may include one or more proactive sensors and one or more actuators 70 . By detecting an input signal prior to an impending event, response systems in the appliance can be activated in preparation for the event. This allows for a construction feature of the article such that the waste management technology is initially "hidden" or unobtrusive, but the article is accessible just prior to use or when needed. Regardless of the particular input, the proactive sensor in these embodiments can activate the actuator to act on the body exudate, the wearer, the article or its component(s) in preparation for this event to occur. For example, if an impending defecation or urination is detected by electrical activity of the external anal sphincter, the system is preferably activated by a signal related to the reflex of the anal sphincter (ie the response system is activated). The actuator can then perform functions such as: treating the wearer's skin to prevent or reduce skin irritation; preparing the body waste management device by activating the fecal space barrier; opening the valve to allow urine to flow into the storage device; releasing enzyme inhibitors agents, skin care compositions, pH control agents or other skin treatments as known in the art.

Actuator 70 may be placed within and/or be operably connected to any portion of the disposable article which will allow the actuator to perform a responsive function acting on bodily exudates, the wearer, the article or components thereof . In the article 20, for example, the actuator 70 can be placed in the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38 or the crotch region 37 of the article, and can be integrated with the components of the main body 22, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, the absorbent core 28, The position where the side panels 30, leg cuffs 32, waist 34, fastening assembly 40, longitudinal edge 50 or end edge 52 are integrally formed, adjacent or connected. Actuator 70 may also be entirely housed within an article such as article 20 , may have a portion inside the article and a portion outside of the article, or may be placed entirely outside of article 20 . Actuator 70 or a portion thereof may be operatively connected to one or more sensors 60 , one or more controllers 80 , other portions of actuator 70 , or other portions of article 20 . Further, the actuator 70 may be integral to the article 20, or may be mounted by a caregiver or wearer.

Article 20 may also include a controller 80 . A "controller" is defined for this application as a device that receives input from sensors and determines whether one or more actions are to be taken. The controller may receive a signal from the sensor 60 and instruct the actuator 70 to apply a responsive function to the body exudate, the wearer, the article, or components thereof. Alternatively, actuator 70 may receive a signal directly from sensor 60 and apply a responsive function to the wearer, exudate, article, or components thereof. A controller may comprise a material subjected to a chemical or physical change, and may be a chemical, mechanical or electrical device that processes information from sensors or the like. For example, in an article having compressed plastic foam encapsulated or confined under vacuum with a moisture-dissolvable bag, sensor 60 may comprise a moisture-dissolvable bag. The physical and chemical characteristics of the film, i.e. polymer type and thickness, etc., which determine how much input must be present before the film dissolves, act as a controller, and determine the threshold level of input at which the controller 80 allows the actuator 70 to release the stored The input quantity threshold level must be reached before energy can act in response to the function. The actuator 70 is a combination of compressed foam and vacuum loss that allows the mechanical energy stored in the compressed foam to be released. In this embodiment, the controller 80 acts as a one-time switch. However, electrical controller 80, which receives a signal from sensor 60 (eg, wearer muscle electrical activity), may receive and monitor multiple electrical signals, and may repeatedly activate the actuator. The controller can be integrated with the sensor assembly, the actuator assembly, or be a separate component of the system.

The controller 80 may be located in and/or operably connected to any part of the disposable article that allows the controller 80 to receive signals from the sensor 60 and provide signals to the actuator 70 . In the article 20, for example, the controller 80 may be located in the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38 or the crotch region 37 of the article 20 and may be integrally formed with the components of the main body 22, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, the absorbent Where the core 28, side panels 30, leg cuffs 32, waist 34, fastening assembly 40, longitudinal edge 50 or end edge 52 are integrally formed, adjacent or connected. Controller 80 may be integral with article 20, or mounted by a caregiver or wearer. Controller 80 may be entirely contained within an article such as article 20 , may have portions inside and outside of the article, or may be entirely outside of article 20 . Controller 80 , or a portion of controller 80 , may be operably connected to one or more sensors 60 , one or more actuators 70 , other portions of the controller 80 , or other portions of the article 20 . Controller 80 may, for example, receive a signal from sensor 60 and provide a signal to actuator 70, such as by radio frequency transmission.

Although different structural members may perform the functions of sensor 60, actuator 70 and controller 80, the functions of sensor 60, actuator 70 and/or controller 80 of the present invention need not be performed by different structural members. The functions of sensor 60 and controller 80 may, for example, be fulfilled by the same structural member, such as a film that melts on contact with fecal components. In this embodiment, the membrane acts as a sensor and responds to the input component of bodily discharge. The physical and chemical characteristics of the film that determine how much input must be present before the film dissolves, i.e. polymer type and thickness, etc. act as a controller, and determine the threshold level of input at which the controller allows the actuator to release stored energy to The input volume threshold level must be met before the response function can act. In another embodiment, the response system may include a closed system fluid transport that receives an input such as urine at an inlet and delivers an agent such as a skin care composition, pH control agent discontinuously at an outlet of the transport. or enzyme inhibitors. In this embodiment, the transfer member functions as both a sensor (ie, receives urine) and an actuator (ie, actively delivers an agent to the waste to be treated, the wearer, the article, and components thereof). Additionally, the closed system liquid transport may further function as a controller to determine a desired threshold level of input. For example, in an embodiment where the closed system liquid transport member receives urine at the inlet port and expels a liquid such as water from the outlet port to dissolve the soluble film holding the compressed elastic material, the closed system liquid transport member acts as a sensor and controller. effect. In this embodiment, the transfer member acts as a receiver by receiving the urine, and the permeability of the inlet port or outlet port can act as a controller and determine the desired pressure before the transfer member delivers the liquid to the dissolvable membrane. Threshold amount of liquid.

The article 20 of the present invention preferably comprises a discontinuous response system. For the purposes of this application, a "responsive system" is defined as a system that includes a sensor 60 and an actuator 70 that acts on bodily exudates, clothing, user, article, or one or more components thereof. When a given input parameter is detected, the actuator 70 effects the release of stored energy or the release or transfer of stored material to perform a responsive function, i.e., act in a discrete manner on bodily exudates, the wearer, the article or one or more of its components.

Response Systems can respond in a "continuous" or "discontinuous" manner. "Continuously responsive system" as used in this application refers to a responsive system in which the output depends quantitatively on the quantity of the input, that is, a continuously increasing quantity of input is required to achieve a continuously increasing quantity of output, or a responsive system The output includes passive release of stored material. The superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent core of the article, for example, provides a continuous response in which the output depends quantitatively on the amount of the input, i.e. when an increasing amount of liquid exudates contacts the superabsorbent polymer, an increasing amount of the polymer holds the liquid until until the polymer capacity is exhausted. A stoichiometric chemical reaction is another example of a system with a continuous response increasing output. For example, in the reaction A + excess B → C, the amount of excess B converted to C is stoichiometric, so "continuously" is related to the amount of A obtained in the system. An example of a continuous response system is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,330,459 issued to Gary D. Lavon et al. on July 19, 1994, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Articles With Expandable The expandable barrier expands by a stoichiometric chemical reaction when the liquid contacts the material including the gas to provide a space for storing feces (ie a continuously responsive system). Another example of a continuous response system is described in U.S. Patent 4,246,900, issued to Schroder et al. on January 27, 1981, entitled "Diapers Including Moisture Responsive Sealing Means," wherein the disposable is passed through a liquid-dissolving film such as urine. The release of the leg cuffs, which remain in the expanded state, improves the fit to the wearer. However, responsive systems that passively release stored materials generally provide a continuous response regardless of how the material itself is released, since the actual responsive function acting on bodily exudates, the wearer, the article, or their component(s) is Achieved by the material, not by the release of the material. In this way, whether the material is released continuously in response to a given input, or released discontinuously at individual times when a threshold level of a given input is detected, the responsive function performed by the released material is performed such that continuously increasing amounts of input are required to A continuous increase in output is achieved until all material is released.

However, a "discontinuously responsive system" of the present invention refers to a responsive system that has an output function that is substantially independent of input quantities exceeding a threshold level. For example, a responsive system will release all of its stored energy, or a predetermined portion of its stored energy, or, deliver (i.e., actively transmit) all of its stored energy, or its stored energy, when threshold levels for one or more given inputs are met A predetermined part of the , to implement a specific response function. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the output function f(x) comprises a "stepped" function as shown in FIG. 7A. In this embodiment, when the input quantity is greater than or less than the threshold level, the rate of change of the output quantity (d(output)/d(input)) as the input quantity increases, that is, the slope of the output function f(x) or Preferably the first derivative is substantially zero. At the threshold level, however, the rate of change d(out)/d(in) preferably approaches infinity. Thus, in an ideal discontinuous response, the limit of the function f(x-ε) when ε→0 is not equal to the limit of the function f(x+ε) when ε→0, that is

$\underset{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&epsiv;</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&Right\; Arrow;</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}}{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; lim</span>}}\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; f</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; x</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; -</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&epsiv;</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; \&NotEqual;</span>\underset{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&epsiv;</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&Right\; Arrow;</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}}{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; lim</span>}}\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; f</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; x</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; +</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&epsiv;</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>$

However, the present invention recognizes that in the objective world, ideally instantaneous step changes in threshold levels are unnecessary, and in many cases even impossible. In a preferred embodiment, it is only required that the output function have a substantial step change with small changes in the input quantity at or around the input threshold level. Thus, the present invention contemplates having a discontinuous response system whose output function responds in a sufficiently discontinuous manner in the transition region that the output function has at least a minimum relative steepness in the transition region. While not wishing to be limited to the particular method of discontinuous systems described or exemplified, in one preferred method of determining whether a given output function performs in a sufficiently discontinuous manner as defined for the purposes of this invention, at the inflection point The slope of the output curve is compared with the relative slope of the line between the first and last point in the transition region. For example, Figure 8A shows a typical output function f(x) and aligned derivatives of this typical output function, namely the first derivative f'(x), the second derivative f"(x) and the third derivative f'(x) The curve of. The output function f(x) shows the impact of the input (X or I) on the output or response (R(I)). For the purpose of the present invention, the transition region is defined as the two sides of the output function f(x). The region between the relative maximum value R(I ₁ ) and the minimum value R(I ₂ ) of the order derivative f”(x). The relative maximum value R(I ₁ ) and minimum value R(I ₂ ) are the points where the third order derivative f(x) is equal to zero. The point of inflection _I0 is defined as the point in the transition region where the second derivative f"(x) is equal to zero, i.e.,

$\frac{{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; d</span>}}^{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; R</span>}}{{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; iGO</span>}}^{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}}{<span\; class="notranslate">\; |</span>}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; I</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; I</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}$

The comparison of the slope of the output function at the point of inflection with the slope of the line between the first and last point of the transition region is described by the following equation:

$\frac{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; d</span>}}{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; iGO</span>}}{<span\; class="notranslate">\; |</span>}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; I</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; I</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; k</span>}\frac{<span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&Delta;</span>}{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; R</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; T</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>}{<span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&Delta;I</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; T</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>}$

In this equation, dR/dI at the point of inflection is the first derivative of the output function at that point. The term _ΔIT refers to the change in the input quantity of the response system between the first point I ₁ and the last point I ₂ in the transition region, that is, I ₂ -I ₁ , and the term ΔR _T refers to the change in the first point I ₁ in the transition region and the change in the output function of the response between the last point I ₂ , ie R(I ₂ )-R(I ₁ ). The coefficient k is a proportionality constant that describes the relative steepness between the slope of the output function at the inflection point _I0 and the slope of the line between the first point _I1 and the last point _I2 of the transition region. For a responsive system having a discontinuous output function, the proportionality constant k must be at least about 2.0, preferably at least about 3.0, more preferably at least about 5.0, even more preferably at least about 10.0, and most preferably at least about 100.0.

In some embodiments, the relative steepness in the transition region of the discontinuous response system can also be modeled by the transfer function of the control system with a series of integers n, the first order delays having equal time constants. For the purposes of the present invention, the transfer function of a responsive system is defined as the Laplace transform ratio between the output (response change) and the input (disturbance change). See, eg, Chapter 22 of "The Perry's Handbook", Sixth Edition, Robert H Perry, co-authored with Don Green, McGraw Hill, Inc., 1984. As shown in FIG. 8B, the relative steepness of the output function can be approximately expressed by the following formula: KG(s)=K/(Ts+1) ⁿ , where KG(s) is the transfer function, K is the proportional component, T is the time constant of the system, and n is the integer of the first-order time delay. In this mode, as the integer n increases, the steepness of the output function increases in the transition region and the mode begins to approximate a discontinuous response system. Some of the discontinuous response systems of the present invention can be modeled by the above equation when n is greater than or equal to about 25, more preferably n is greater than or equal to about 50, and most preferably n is greater than or equal to about 100.

As shown in Figure 7A, the responsive system of the present invention may include a threshold level at which the responsive system releases all of its stored energy to perform a specific responsive function, or may include multiple threshold levels at which the system A predetermined portion of its stored energy can be released to achieve one or more specific responsive functions at each threshold level. For example, in an embodiment with one threshold level, the response system may release all of its stored energy to perform the entire response function when the threshold level is reached. In such embodiments having a threshold level, discontinuously responsive systems include systems having two states, such as on or off. When a threshold level of input such as bodily discharges is present in the absorbent article, the response system may perform a responsive function on the discharge, the wearer, the article, or components or components thereof, such as wrapping the discharge away from the wearer patient's skin. In this way, the discrete response system can implement a one-time "switch-like" effect that changes from one state to another in the presence of an input threshold level.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7B, the response system may have multiple threshold levels, and when each threshold level is reached, the system releases a given "quantum" of energy or delivers a given amount of material to achieve a specific response function . In this embodiment, a portion of the overall response function may be implemented when each threshold level is reached, and/or different individual response functions may be implemented depending on the different threshold levels reached. For example, the response system can monitor fecal enzymes and deliver the same or different amounts of enzyme inhibitors when each threshold enzyme level is reached, or expand or expand the reservoir of the supply, or deliver a pH buffer at the first threshold level And perform another responsive function at the second threshold level, like delivering some enzyme inhibitors. At each transition region, the response system reacts substantially the same as the transition region in the single threshold level embodiment described above.

Additionally, a single response system can monitor multiple inputs such as humidity and/or one or more fecal enzymes to perform one or more response functions when threshold levels of different inputs are reached, or when two or more different inputs Only one response function is executed when each threshold level is reached. In this way, the controller can monitor a number of different inputs and perform different responsive functions when different input threshold levels are reached. Alternatively, the controller may implement a logic "OR" type function such that a response function is performed when one or more threshold levels of multiple inputs are reached. The controller may also implement a logic "AND" type function such that a response function is performed when each threshold level of two or more different inputs is reached.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bodily waste barrier comprises a compressed elastic material held in compression within the bag, at least a portion of which is water soluble. Preferably, the compressed elastic material remains vacuum compressed within the bag. When a threshold level of humidity (ie, input) dissolves a portion of the water-soluble region without continuously releasing the vacuum, the compressive material expands, ie, an increase in volume is output, and performs a responsive function to one or more bodily exudates. The compressive material, for example, may be a resilient plastic foam with shaped spaces that, when expanded, have sufficient volume to capture feces. The bodily waste barrier may be positioned in the article 20 proximate the wearer's anus so that when it is capable of expanding, it can capture bodily waste, such as feces, and store the waste away from the wearer's skin. Alternatively, the compressive material may be a hygroscopic material that, as it expands, acts as an extractor by drawing liquid into itself. For example FIGS. 9A-9C , a compressed high porosity macro-tissue elastic foam as described above may be contained in a film, wrapper, bag or capsule having at least a soluble portion 392 and an insoluble backing 393 . Figure 9A shows an exemplary mechanical extractor of the present invention. Figure 9B shows feces on the structure, and Figure 9C shows the structure after the feces have been absorbed. Preferably, the compressed foam is kept under vacuum. When liquids such as urine, menses, or the wetness of feces contact the dissolvable film, the film dissolves and causes the compressed foam to expand, drawing liquid into the foam as it expands. In one embodiment, the absorbent material may comprise a plurality of individual vacuum-sealed tissues to maintain suction to underlying exudates.

In the bodily waste isolation device shown in Figures 2 and 3, the compressive material 94 may comprise any resilient foam having suitable compression and recovery properties such that it can be compressed and retained in the bag 92, and will return after the restraining force is relaxed. Capable of recovering most of its original height, preferably at least about 75%. At least a portion of bag 92 includes a soluble region or soluble seal. The soluble area or seal can dissolve when exposed to water, urine, fecal enzymes, etc. The bag 92 preferably maintains the compressed material 94 in vacuum compression until a portion of the soluble region of the bag 92 is sufficiently dissolved (ie, a threshold level of water is detected) without continuously releasing the vacuum. Once expanded, the foam is also preferably rigid enough, for example, to bear the weight of the infant so that the foam does not compress significantly (preferably less than 50% compression) and does not release captured waste if the infant sits on the device. EVA foam designated SIF/210PPI or Aquazone 80A commercially available from Foamex Corporation of Eddystone, Pennylvania or designated MC1900EVA ² lb/ft from Sentinel Products Corporation of Hyannis, MA or described in the following patents Foams can be used as feces acquisition compressive materials 94: U.S. Patent 5,260,345, DesMarais et al., issued Nov. 9, 1993, entitled "Absorbent Foam Material for Aqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles Containing Same"; issued Feb. 1995 U.S. Patent 5,387,207 of "Thin-until-wet Hygroscopic Foam Material for Aqueous Body Fluids Before Wetting and Method for Making the Material" by Dyer et al on the 7th; and DesMarais et al on July 22, 1997 U.S. Patent 5,625,222 entitled "Absorbent Foam for Aqueous Liquids Made from High Internal Emulsions with Extremely High Water-to-Oil Ratio." As shown in FIG. 2, the compressive material 94 may include pores that open when the compressive material 94 is compressed. When the compressed material 94 expands, the pores are surrounded by the perimeter of the compressed material 94, as shown in FIG. 3 . This keeps exudates captured or sealed away from the wearer's skin within the pores of the compressed material. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the compressive material 94 may have open pores to act as a spacer and provide a space with sufficient volume to store bodily exudates deposited in the article 20 . This makes the compressed material 94 receptive to multiple hazards from bodily discharges after expansion.

Bag 92 is soluble in the presence of one or more different types of input (such as water, urine, fecal enzymes, pH, etc.) and/or chemical characteristics (eg, thickness). The dissolving bag 92, for example, may comprise a water soluble film such as MONOSOL M7031 film available from Chris-Craft Industrial Products, Inc. of South Holland, IL, or HL1636 or HL1669 from H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, MN -X PVA film. The thickness of the film, for example, can be varied to provide the desired actuation. The thickness of the film used is, for example, in the range of 0.0005 to 0.0015 inches. A HL 1636 film with a thickness of about 0.001 inches can be started with, for example, about 0.049 grams per square inch of humidity.

In this embodiment, the bodily waste isolation device 90 operates as a non-modulated, discrete response system. The soluble portion of bag 92 acts as a sensor that responds to specific inputs. The sensors could respond to, for example, water in urine or enzymes in feces. When any soluble portion of the bag 92 contacts a threshold level of urine, fecal moisture, or fecal enzymes, the soluble portion of the bag 92 dissolves and releases the compressed material, which swells to capture, surround, or encapsulate the nutrient deposited on the article 20. stool. The physical and chemical characteristics of the material used to form pocket 92 define the threshold level of input and act as a controller for determining when compressed material 94 is released. When the bag dissolves, the release of the vacuum and expansion of the compressed material 94 acts as an actuator to capture bodily waste. Thus, the bodily waste barrier 90 acts as a one-time discrete switch, releasing the stored mechanical energy of the compressive material 94 when a threshold level of a given input is detected. The useful energy of the response system consists of: (stored energy) - (hysteresis loss). The compressive material 94 used preferably has a minimum hysteresis loss and a maximum recovery rate. More preferably, the compression hysteresis loss is less than about 25%, such that the recovery after release is at least about 75%.

In another embodiment of the invention, the foam or other elastic material described in the above examples can be twisted to create a twisting mechanical potential and encapsulated in a dissolvable film, wrapper, bag or capsule as described above. Preferably, the torsionally elastic material remains in a torsionally elastic state under vacuum in the dissolvable film, wrapper, bag or capsule. In this embodiment, when a threshold level of humidity, pH, etc. is detected, the film or capsule dissolves, releasing the vacuum discretely and releasing the foam. The stored torsional mechanical potential allows the foam to unfold and can perform responsive functions such as storing, acquiring or retaining bodily discharges such as feces, urine or menses, wiping the wearer's skin, applying skin care agents to the wearer's skin, etc. .

In another embodiment, the electrical sensor may detect changes in the electrical activity of the wearer's external anal sphincter to predict imminent urination and/or defecation (ie, a proactive sensor). Once a decrease in the threshold signal of electrical muscle activity is detected, the sensor or controller can, for example, trigger the opening of a valve to release water to dissolve the water soluble portion or seal of the bag supporting the compressed foam under vacuum compression as described above, ready Obtain the excrement of impending urination and/or defecation. Alternatively, the switch can complete the release of the skin care composition to treat the skin surface before the feces contact the skin. In this embodiment, the response system is a discrete system that responds to the electrical activity of the wearer's external anal sphincter when the electrical activity reaches a threshold signal level. Alternatively, the controller may trigger the actuator to deliver an activation current to the anal sphincter to keep it closed until the wearer is ready to defecate.

In yet another embodiment, the discrete response system of the present invention may deliver (ie, actively deliver) an agent to bodily exudates, a wearer, an article, or components thereof to perform a responsive function. In this embodiment, the actuator 70 may comprise, for example, a compressed elastic foam or a closed system liquid delivery member that delivers an agent when a sensor detects a threshold level of input. Agents may include, for example, skin care compositions, enzyme inhibitors, pH control agents, and the like.

In yet another embodiment, a sufficient amount of aqueous electrolyte (such as from urine or feces) is detected by an electrical sensor when the moisture therein forms a circuit (i.e., acts as a switch), generating a charge from a stored energy source (such as a battery) Current inhibits chemical reactions such as phase transitions. For example, an electrical current can be applied to the electrosensitive gel, causing it to change geometry and create void spaces in the product that store feces.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a hygroscopic material that swells upon absorption of fluid can be used as a sensor to mechanically close a pair of electrical contacts to complete the electrical circuit when a threshold level of expansion occurs. In this embodiment, the electrical circuit activates the actuator in discrete states to perform a responsive function on the bodily exudates, the wearer, the article, or components thereof. For example, the actuator can open a valve to allow fluid to flow to other parts of the product, pump the fluid to other parts of the product, initiate a geometric change in the electro-sensitive colloid to change the geometry and create void spaces, releasing the skin care composition , PH control agent or deodorant, etc.

Materials such as fibers, films, nonwovens, or other cellular structures can also be confined within a given structure by materials reacted with bodily excretions such as feces or components thereof. When bodily waste comes into contact with the restraining material, the restraining material can release fibers, films, nonwovens or other cellular structures to capture or keep the waste away from the wearer's skin. The elastic barrier can be constrained at two points away from the void space in the article, for example by a material that dissolves, weakens in response to urine, fecal moisture, or fecal enzymes. As feces are deposited in the void space, the restraining material dissolves at one or both restraint points, and the elastic barrier contracts in a discrete fashion and covers the void space to isolate the feces from the wearer's skin. Alternatively, a discontinuous response system can improve the fit to the wearer by adding elastic materials such as leg cuffs or waist cuffs that are held in place by dissolvable restraint materials at two distinct restraint points. An expanded state such that when the constraining material dissolves at one or both constraining points, the elastic material can contract and form a seal with the wearer's skin.

In another embodiment, a sensor (such as an enzyme-degradable film or capsule, or a biosensor as described above) detects one or more fecal enzymes, triggering a separate actuator (such as an electrically operated valve) to deliver Treat the skin with enzyme inhibitors. Exemplary enzyme inhibitors are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 09/041,266, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Skin Care Compositions Containing Enzyme Inhibitors," filed March 12, 1998, which is incorporated herein as refer to. In another embodiment, a pH sensing gel is used to detect certain pH conditions and the gel will open a valve to release a pH control agent to treat the skin. In yet another embodiment, a predetermined pressure threshold is detected, which causes the capsule or "bubble" to rupture, affecting the release of the skin care agent or composition. Exemplary skin care compositions (or lotions) are disclosed in the following patent: Disposable Absorbent Treatment Topsheet Containing Emollient Skin and Polyol Polyester Fixative, issued to Roe on March 4, 1997. Articles" U.S. Patent 5,607,760; granted March 11, 1997 to Donald C. Roe entitled "Diapers with Lotion Treatment Topsheets Comprising Liquid Polyol Polyester Emollients and Immobilizers" U.S. Patent 5,609,587; issued in 1997 U.S. Patent 5,635,191 entitled "Diaper with Lotion Treated Topsheet Containing Silicone Emollient" to Donald C. Roe et al., issued June 3, 1997; U.S. Patent 5,643,588 for Diapers with Treated Topsheet"; U.S. Patent Applications 08/926,532 and 08/926,533, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

While particular embodiments and/or individual features of the invention have been described, it should be apparent that various modifications of the invention could be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the invention has been described with respect to disposable diapers, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. The invention may also be used in articles such as pull-on diapers, diaper inserts, sanitary napkins, tampons, etc., which are applied directly to the wearer prior to application of a disposable diaper or in place of a disposable diaper. It is therefore intended in the appended claims to cover all such modifications and improvements as are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (19)

1. a disposable product that is used for the wearer is characterized in that, described articles for use comprise:

(a) responding system comprises:

(i) be operably connected to the pick off of described articles for use, described pick off is suitable for detecting input; And

(ii) be operably connected to the actuator of described pick off, when described sensor arrived described input, described actuator was suitable for carrying out response function in discontinuous mode.

2. disposable product as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, but also comprises the top flat of transflective liquid, with the egative film that described top flat links to each other, places the absorbent article core between at least a portion top flat and at least a portion egative film.

3. each described disposable product in the claim as described above is characterized in that described pick off is proactive sensor and/or is suitable for being fixed on the wearer.

4. each described disposable product in the claim as described above, it is characterized in that, also comprise controller, described controller is suitable for receiving and allows from the signal of described pick off and when reaching the threshold level of described input or start described actuator and finish described response function.

5. each described disposable product in the claim as described above is characterized in that described pick off, described actuator and/or described controller are different elements.

6. each described disposable product in the claim as described above is characterized in that, when described sensor during to second threshold level of described input, described actuator is suitable for finishing second response function in discontinuous mode.

7. as 6 described disposable products in the claim, it is characterized in that described second response function is different from described response function.

8. each described disposable product in the claim as described above is characterized in that also comprise second pick off and/or second actuator, wherein said second pick off is suitable for detecting second input; And/or when described second sensor was imported to described second, described actuator or described second actuator were suitable for finishing the second sound function in discontinuous mode; Or when described second sensor arrived second threshold level of described input, described actuator was suitable for finishing the second sound function in discontinuous mode.

9. each described disposable product in the claim as described above is characterized in that described discontinuous responsive system comprises the stepped ramp type responding system.

10. each described disposable product in the claim as described above, it is characterized in that described response function comprises select in the following group one or more: with potential be converted into kinetic energy, transmit storage material, transmit active component, to wearer's skin transmit storage material, to body excretions transmit storage material, hold back feces, seal feces, void space be provided, and extract liquid body excretions.

11. the described disposable product of each in the claim as described above, it is characterized in that, described actuator is suitable for transforming potential so that finish described response function, and described potential is one or more for what select from organize down: chemical energy, electric energy stored and the battery of the mechanical energy of storage, the mechanical energy of compression, the mechanical energy of reversing, storage.

12. the described disposable product of each in the claim is characterized in that as described above, described pick off is from selecting the group down: electric transducer, mechanical pick-up device, chemical sensor, water-soluble thin film, water-soluble PH sensor film and closed-system liquid transfer part.

13. the described disposable product of each in the claim as described above, it is characterized in that described actuator is from selecting the group down: vacuum release, compression elastic material, constrain in vacuum-packed compression elastic material, a plurality of independent vacuum-packed tissue, electric quick gel, PH induction gel, salinity induction gel and closed-system liquid transfer part that can water-soluble thin film.

14. the described disposable product of each in the claim is characterized in that as described above, described input is from selecting the group down: pressure, water, PH, electroactive and enzyme.

15. the described disposable product of each in the claim is characterized in that as described above, finishes described response function, makes the output function of described responding system be modulated by following equation:

$\frac{\mathrm{dR}}{\mathrm{dI}}{|}_{I=I_0}=k\frac{\left(\mathrm{\&Delta;}{R}_T\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\&Delta;}{I}_T\right)}$

Wherein, described constant k is more than or equal to the value of selecting from following group: about 2.0, about 3.0, about 5.0, about 10.0 or about 100.

16. the described disposable product of each in the claim is characterized in that as described above, finishes described response function, makes the output function of described responding system be modulated by the control system of the transfer function with following equation: KG (s)=K/ (Ts+1) ⁿ, wherein said n value is more than or equal to about 25, about 50 or about 100.

17. the described disposable product of each in the claim is characterized in that as described above, described articles for use are from selecting the group down: diaper, training pants, sanitary towel, tampon and colostomy bag.

18. the described disposable product of each in the claim is characterized in that as described above, described pick off comprises can water-soluble thin film, and described actuator comprises the compressor mechanical energy of the elastomeric material of compression vacuum sealing.

19. the described disposable product of each in the claim is characterized in that as described above, described pick off is suitable for detecting the input relevant with body excretions; Described actuator comprises the compression elastic material that constrains in the vacuum seal thin film, and when described sensor arrived described body excretions, it was suitable for absorbing or encapsulating described body excretions.

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