CZ20004658A3 - An absorbent article comprising calcium based, fecal material modifying agents - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article (20) adapted to receive fecal material, having a first waist region (36), a second waist region (38) opposite the first waist region, and a crotch region (37) disposed between the first waist region and the second waist region. The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet (24), a liquid impervious backsheet (26) attached to at least a portion of the topsheet (24), and an absorbent core (28) disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet (24) and the backsheet (26), and an effective amount of a calcium-based fecal conditioning agent disposed in the article such that the calcium-based fecal conditioning agent is operable to contact at least a portion of the feces.

Description

Absorbent product containing calcium-based, fecal conditioning agents

Technical area

The invention relates to articles that absorb and/or contain body exudates and those that comprise disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence products, sanitary napkins and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to disposable absorbent articles containing one or more calcium-based agents that modify the physical properties of feces or other body exudates that may be stored in the article.

State of the art

An important function of absorbent articles such as diapers or incontinence briefs is to prevent body exudates from soiling, wetting, or otherwise contaminating clothing or other articles such as bed linens that come into contact with the wearer. In recent years, disposable diapers, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 to Buella et al., have become very popular, and their convenience and reliability have largely replaced durable, cloth absorbent articles. However, despite the effectiveness of these disposable absorbent articles, body exudates are still often ¢- · • ·

4 ·

they leak or are retained in the diaper in a manner that soils and/or irritates the wearer's skin. In addition, body exudates often adhere aggressively to the skin, increasing the difficulty of cleaning and increasing the likelihood of chronic, residual soiling. The root cause of these and other key problems with absorbent products in the art lies in the mobility of feces under applied shear loads and their adherence.

The undesirable effects of leakage and/or poor containment, difficulty in cleaning, and/or residual skin soiling are particularly evident with respect to fecal material deposited in a diaper. Feces retained in a diaper can damage the wearer's skin over time, and fecal leakage from a diaper almost always presents an unpleasant and delicate cleaning challenge. Accordingly, several attempts have been made to add features to diapers such as barriers, pockets, spacers, crossbars, perforated topsheets, and the like, to limit the movement of fecal material through the topsheet and/or to better contain fecal material in the diaper. However, these attempts have been generally unsuccessful because they did not address the underlying causes of these problems (i.e., the nature of the fecal matter) and because of their manufacturing cost and complexity. Furthermore, many fecal containment and containment devices are specific to fecal material of certain physical properties (e.g., viscosity, free water content, and particle size) and are not effective for exudates with physical properties that fall outside a very narrow range of these properties.

U.S. Patent No. 4,790,836 describes a diaper comprising a layer of medicated powder disposed between an absorbent core and a water-soluble film. The powder is used to aid in drying the infant's skin after the wearer has wetted the diaper. However, as shown in Table II below, the embodiments described in this patent do not function to provide the fecal treatment benefits of the present invention.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an absorbent article with improved fecal control properties. It would further be advantageous to provide a cost-effective, disposable absorbent article with the ability to minimize the adverse effects of feces or other viscous body exudates on the wearer and/or caregiver. It would also be advantageous to provide an article that is configured to chemically or physically interact with fecal material and change the properties of the feces to improve their uptake into the article and/or immobilization within the article and/or reduce their soiling of the wearer's skin. It would also be desirable to provide an absorbent article having sufficient effective capacity and retention capacity to safely and cleanly contain physically or chemically treated feces stored therein, away from the wearer's skin and/or clothing, throughout its expected period of use.

The essence of the invention

To help address at least some of the problems described above and otherwise encountered in prior art absorbent articles, the invention provides an article comprising a lime-based composition which is useful, in an effective concentration, for physically or chemically treating some or all of the fecal material or other body exudates deposited in the article. Treating the feces may improve the uptake and/or retention of the exudates within the article to reduce the spread of fecal material within the diaper and/or reduce the tendency of the fecal material to adhere to the wearer's skin. The invention also provides an absorbent article capable of receiving,

contain and/or immobilize exudates in their conditioned form to reduce the likelihood that feces, once absorbed by the article, will move back toward the wearer's skin. Accordingly, the absorbent article of the invention can reduce the likelihood of damage to the wearer's skin and/or caregiver discomfort normally associated with stool.

Overview of images in drawings

Although the present description is concluded by claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is believed to be the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used to refer to substantially identical parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 - A plan view of an embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention, having portions cut away to show the underlying structure, with the body surface of the diaper facing the viewer.

Fig. 2 - A plan view of an embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention, having portions cut away to show the underlying structure, with the body surface of the diaper facing the viewer.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an absorbent article of the invention taken along section lines 3-3.

Fig. 4 - Cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention.

Fig. 5 - A plan view of an embodiment of a sanitary napkin of the invention, with portions cut away to show the underlying structure.

0 0 · · · 0 • · 0 0 · 0 0 0 • · · 0 0 0 • · 0 0·0 ·· 0000 00 000

Fig. β - plan view of an alternative embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention.

Fig. 7 - An enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention.

Fig. 8 - A plan view of an embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention, having portions cut away to show the underlying structure, with the body surface of the diaper facing the viewer.

Fig. 9 - Schematic front view of a device that can be used to measure the pressure-receiving characteristics of certain structures.

Fig. 10 - plan view of part of the device shown in Fig. 9.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

As used herein, the term absorbent article refers to devices for absorbing and containing body exudates and, more particularly, devices that are placed on or near the wearer's body to absorb and contain various exudates secreted by the body. The term disposable is used to describe products that are generally not expected to be laundered or otherwise recovered or reused (i.e., are expected to be disposed of as waste after their single use and are preferably recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in a manner compatible with the protection of the external environment). (As used herein, the term assembled means that some portion(s) of the diaper are formed (joined and positioned) in a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other portions of the diaper or as a separate portion attached to yet another portion of the diaper. As used herein, the term connected includes an arrangement, β

(i.e., arrangements in which a part is directly attached to another part by attaching that part directly to the other part, and arrangements in which a given part is indirectly attached to the other part by attaching it to an intermediate component(s) which in turn are attached to the second part.) Unitary absorbent article refers to absorbent articles formed from separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity, so that they do not require separate handling parts, such as a separate handle or cover.

A preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention is a unitary disposable absorbent article, a diaper 20, shown in Fig. 1. (As used herein, the term diaper refers to an absorbent article generally worn by young children and incontinent individuals about the lower torso.) The present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs and incontinence undergarments, absorbent pads, diaper holders and covers, feminine hygiene garments, wipes, mops, bandages, and the like. The present invention is also applicable to absorbent or non-absorbent fecal collection devices that can be used separately on the perianal area of a wearer.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its flat, unstretched condition, with portions of the structure cut away to better illustrate the assembly of the diaper 20 and with the wearer-facing portion of the diaper 20 facing the viewer. As shown in Fig. 1, the diaper 20 includes a liquid pervious topsheet 24; a liquid impervious backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28 preferably disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs 32; an elasticized waist 34; and a fastening system generally designated 40. The diaper 20 of Fig. 1 has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38, opposite the first waist region 36, and a crotch region 37 disposed between the first and second waist regions. The perimeter of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper, in which the longitudinal edges 50 extend generally parallel to the longitudinal center axis 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 extend between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateral center axis 110 of the diaper 20.

The containment assembly (chassis) 22 of the diaper 20 includes the main body of the diaper 20. The containment assembly 22 includes at least a portion of the absorbent core 28 and preferably an outer cover layer comprising the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. When the absorbent article includes a separate holder and cover, the containment assembly 22 generally includes the holder and cover. (For example, the holder may include one or more layers of material to form the outer cover of the article, and the cover may include an absorbent assembly comprising the topsheet, the backsheet and the absorbent core. In such cases, the holder and/or the cover may include a fastener that is used to hold the cover in place throughout the period of use.) For unitary absorbent articles, the containment assembly 22 includes the main structure of the diaper with other added modifications to form a composite diaper structure.

Although the topsheet 24, backsheet 26 and absorbent core 28 may be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 (Kenneth B. Buell), entitled Pull-On Side Panels for Disposable Diapers, issued January 14, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 (Buell), issued September 9, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274 (Buell), issued June 22, 1993; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,145 (Roe et al.), issued September 10, 1996, entitled Absorbent article with stretchable waist finish with multi-zone structural, elastic film-like structure; in U.S. Patent No. 5,569,234, entitled Disposable pull-up panties, issued to Buell et al. on October 29, 1996; in U.S. Patent No. 5,580,422, entitled Waste-free method of manufacturing side panels for absorbent articles, issued to Nease et al. on December 3, 1996; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is generally the portion of the diaper 20 disposed adjacent the garment-facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 and preventing exudates absorbed and retained therein from soiling articles that may contact the diaper 20, such as bed sheets and undergarment components. In preferred embodiments, 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 from about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Suitable films for use as the backsheet 26 include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries, Inc. of Terre Haute, Indiana, IN, and sold under the designations X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials that permit vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet.

26. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven or nonwoven structures, composite structures such as film-coated nonwovens, and microporous films, such as those manufactured by Mitsui Taotsu Co., of Japan, under the designation ESPOIR NO, and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, TX, under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materials containing polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH, under the designation HYTREL, blend P18-3097. Certain breathable composite materials are described in more detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746, published

on June 22, 1995, in the name of E.I. DuPont, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/744,487, filed November 6, 1996, in the name of Curro. Other breathable backsheets comprising nonwoven structures and apertured formed films are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,571,096, issued to Dobrin et al. on November 5, 1996. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference.

The backsheet 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a structural, elastic-like film (SELF) material, as more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801, entitled "Structured Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior," issued to Chappell et al. on May 21, 1996, incorporated herein by reference. In alternative embodiments, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these or other suitable materials with nonwovens or synthetic films.

The backsheet 26 may be attached to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28, or any other portion of the diaper 20 by any suitable attachment means known in the art. For example, the attachment means may comprise a uniform, continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrangement of discrete lines, spirals, or dots of adhesive. Alternatively, such attachment means may include heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other suitable attachment means known in the art.

The topsheet 24 is preferably conformable, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Furthermore, at least

a portion of the topsheet 24 is permeable to liquids, allowing them to readily penetrate its thickness. Suitable topsheets 24 may be made from a wide variety of materials such as porous foams, reticulated (net-like) foams, apertured plastic films, or woven and nonwoven structures of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), man-made fibers (such as polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and man-made fibers. When the absorbent assemblies contain fibers, the fibers may be nonwoven, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. One preferred topsheet 24, comprising a structure of staple-length polypropylene fibers, is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts, MA, under the designation P-8.

Suitable topsheets of formed sheet material are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975, entitled Absorbent Structures Having Narrowed Capillaries; in U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246, issued to Mullane et al. on April 13, 1982, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article Having a Spill-Resistant Topsheet; in U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314, issued to Radel et al. on August 3, 1982, entitled Flexible Plastic Structure Exhibiting Cloth-Like Properties; in U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045, issued to Ahra et al. on July 31, 1984, entitled Macroscopically Expanded, Three-Dimensional Plastic Structure Exhibiting a Non-Gloss Visible Surface and a Cloth-Like Tactile Impression; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394, issued to Baird on April 9, 1991, entitled Multiple Polymeric Film. Other suitable topsheets 30 are made in accordance with U.S. Patents

made of hydrophobic that is hydrophobic, to be processed so, to pass through this upper of is

Nos.: 4,609,518 and 4,629,643, issued September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986, respectively, to Curro et al. These formed films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the trade name "DRI-WEAVE;" and from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the trade name CLIFF-T. The topsheet 24 may be of a material or is treated to insulate the wearer's skin from fluids contained in the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, it is preferred that at least the top surface thereof be hydrophilic so that fluids will pass through the layer more readily. This reduces the likelihood that body fluids will run off the topsheet 24 rather than being drawn into and absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 may be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with or incorporating therein a surfactant. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with or incorporating therein a surfactant are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344, entitled Absorbent Articles with multiple absorbent layers, issued to Reising et al. on January 29, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 4,988,345, entitled Absorbent Articles with Fast-Acquiring Absorbent Cores, issued to Reising on January 29, 1991; and U.S. Patent No. H1670, published July 1, 1991, to Azize et al. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 may comprise an apertured structure or film that is hydrophobic. This may be accomplished by eliminating the hydrophilicizing treatment step from the manufacturing process and/or by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the topsheet 24, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound such as SCOTCHGUARD or • ·

the composition of the hydrophobic lotion as described below. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the apertures be large enough to allow the passage of aqueous fluids such as urine without significant resistance.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion (or skin care composition) as is known in the art. Suitable examples thereof include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760, entitled Disposable article having a skin care composition treated topsheet, comprising a softener and a polyol polyester immobilizing agent, issued to Roe et al. on March 4, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587, entitled Diaper having a lotion topsheet, comprising a liquid polyol polyester softener and immobilizing agent, issued to Roe on March 11, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191, entitled Diaper having a lotion topsheet, comprising a polysiloxane softener, issued to Roe et al. on June 3, 1997; and U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588, entitled Diaper with Topsheet Treated with Lotion, issued to Roe et al. on July 1, 1997. The lotion may function alone or in combination with another agent, such as the hydrophobic treatment described above. The topsheet may also contain or be treated with antibacterial agents, some examples of which are described in PCT Publication No. WO 95/24173, entitled Absorbent Articles Containing Antibacterial Agents in a Topsheet for Odor Control, published September 14, 1995, in the name of Theresa Johnson. Additionally, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, or any portion of the topsheet and backsheet, may be embossed and/or matte-finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance.

·♦ ·· ·♦ • · · · · · · • · · · ·

The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body-facing surface 47 of the absorbent core 28 and may be attached thereto and/or the backsheet 26 by any attachment means known in the art. Suitable attachment means are described above with respect to means for attaching the backsheet 26 to the other elements of the diaper 20.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material known in the art. The absorbent core 28 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, T-shaped, asymmetrical, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid-absorbing materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as airlaid. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crepe cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers including blended forms, chemically stiffened, modified or crosslinked cellulose-based fibers, tissue paper including tissue paper webs and laminates thereof, absorbent foams and absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any other known material or combination of materials.

The arrangement and construction of the absorbent core 28 may also vary (for example, the absorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) may have zones of varying tangibility or thickness, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or zones of acquisition with lower average density and lower average basis weight; or may include one or more layers or structures). However, the overall absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should be compatible with the designed load and intended use of the diaper 20.

···» acid-crosslinked structure containing

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as absorbent cores are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,610,678, entitled

High Density Absorbent Structures, issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; in U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402, entitled Absorbent Articles with Double Layered Cores, issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; in U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735, entitled High Density Absorbent Components Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones; issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; in U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231, entitled Absorbent Core with Dust Layer, issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; in U.S. Patent No. 5,137,537, entitled Absorbent Individualized, Polycarboxylate Cellulose Wood Pulp Fibers, issued to Herron et al. on August 11, 1992; further described in U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345, entitled High Performance Absorbent Articles for Incontinence Management, issued to Young et al. on September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article for Low Viscosity Fecal Material, issued to Roe on August 30, 1994; U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345, entitled Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles Containing the Same, issued to

to DesMarais et al. on November 9, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207, entitled Before Wetting Thin, Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids and Process for Making the Same, issued to Dyer et al. on February 7, 1995; and U.S. Patent No. 5,625,222, entitled Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids Made from High Internal Phase Emulsions Having Very High Water to Oil Ratios, issued to DesMarais et al. on June 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include one or more waist features 34 that help provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waist feature 34 may be constructed in a variety of configurations, including those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595, issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985; U.S. Patent No. 4,710,189, issued to Lash on December 1, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell et al. on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist belt arrangements may include waist belt cover modifications such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,026,364, issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991, and U.S. Patent No. 4,816,025, issued to Foreman on March 28, 1989. All of the above references are incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. The fastening system 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38 in an overlapping configuration so as to provide lateral (sideways) tension about the circumference of the diaper 20 to maintain it on the wearer. The fastening system 40 preferably includes tape tabs and/or hook and loop fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some exemplary fastening systems are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594, entitled Tape Fastening System for a Disposable Diaper, issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; in U.S. Patent No. B1 4,662,875, entitled Absorbent Article, issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; in U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815, entitled Disposable Diaper Having Improved Fastening Device, issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; in U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060, entitled Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook Fastener Portion, issued to Nestegard on January 16,

1990; in U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527, entitled Self-Adhesive Adhesive Fastener and Method of Making the Same, issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992, previously referenced herein; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. The fastening system may also provide a means for maintaining the product in a disposition for destruction, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140, issued to Robertson et al. on October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Some exemplary hooks are available from Aplix under the trade designations 960E and 960D. Exemplary suitable loop materials are available from 3M under the trade name EBL and from Guilford under the trade name 18904. In alternative embodiments, the opposing sides of the component may be seamed or welded to form a pant allowing the product to be used as a pull-on type diaper, such as a training pant.

The diaper 20 may also include side panels 30 assembled and attached to the containment assembly in any suitable arrangement. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,857,067, entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Gathered Tabs," issued to Wood et al. on August 15, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,381,781, issued to Sciaraff et al. on May 3, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753, issued to Van Gompel et al. on July 3, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell et al. on September 9, 1992, previously incorporated herein by reference; U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,669,897, issued to LaVon on

September 23, 1997, entitled Absorbent Articles Providing Permanent Dynamic Fit; and in EPO Publication No. WO 95/13775 A1, published May 26, 1995, entitled Absorbent Article • · with Multidirectional, Stretchable Side Panels; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 preferably further includes leg cuffs 32 to help provide improved containment of fluids and other body exudates. Leg cuffs may also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier flaps, or elastic cuffs. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper that provides a leg opening with a side flap and one or more elastic elements to secure an elasticized leg cuff (sealing cuff). U.S. Patent Nos. 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 elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) to improve containment in the leg regions. U.S. Patent Nos. 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 sealing cuffs and barrier cuffs. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to treat all or a portion of the leg cuffs with a skin care composition (or lotion) as described above.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include pockets for receiving and retaining feces, spacers providing cavities for feces, barriers for restricting their movement within the article, compartments or cavities for receiving and retaining fecal materials deposited in the diaper, and the like, or any combination thereof. Examples of pockets and spacers for use in absorbent articles are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,514,121, issued to Roe et al. on May 7, 1996, entitled Diaper Having an Extrusive Spacer; U.S. Patent No. 5,171,236, issued to Dreier et al. on December 15, 1992, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article with Core Spacers;

fl • fl • flfl • flfl · • flfl • flfl ··

U.S. Patent No. 5,397,318, issued to Dreier on March 14

1995, entitled Absorbent Article Having a Pocket Cuff; U.S. Patent No. 5,540,671, issued to Dreier on July 30

1996, entitled Absorbent article having a pocket cuff with a peak; and PCT application WO 93/25172, published December 3, 1993, entitled Spacers for use in sanitary absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles having such a spacer; and U.S. Patent No. 5,306,266, entitled Elastic spacers for use in disposable absorbent articles, issued to Freeland on April 26, 1994. Examples of compartments or cavities are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,968,312, entitled Disposable diaper with fecal compartments, issued to Khan on November 6, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,990,147, entitled Absorbent article with elastic cover for containment of fecal material, issued to Freeland on February 5, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 5,62(?) 840, entitled Disposable Diapers, issued to Holt et al. on November 5, 1991; and U.S. Patent No. 5,269,755, entitled Three-Piece Topsheets for Disposable Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Three-Piece Topsheets, issued to Freeland et al. on December 14, 1993. Examples of suitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,142, entitled Absorbent Article Having Multiple, Effective Height Transverse Divisions, issued to Dreier et al. on September 10, 1996; PCT Patent WO 94/14395, entitled Absorbent Article Having Upwardly Rising Transverse Divisions, published July 7, 1994, to Freeland et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,653,703, entitled Absorbent Article Having Angular Upwardly Protruding Transverse Division, issued to Roe et al. on August 5, 1997. All of the above-cited references are hereby incorporated by reference.

The product of the present invention may also contain one or more fecal material conditioning agents (or FMAs, viscous body fecal material conditioning agent(s), conditioning agent(s), or agent(s)) in an effective concentration capable of modifying the chemical or physical properties of viscous body exudates such as fecal materials and menses. As used herein, the term fecal material conditioning agents (or FMAs) refers to any chemical composition capable of increasing the hardness of a given fecal analog (mimic), or preferably real feces, by at least about 100% or decreasing the hardness of a given fecal analog, or preferably real feces, by at least about 25%, as measured by the hardness measurement method described below. However, depending on the particular embodiment of the product and the type of feces, embodiments are contemplated that increase or decrease the effective viscosity of the feces, increase or decrease the ease of drainage of the feces, decrease the stickiness of the feces, decrease their adhesive characteristics, or any combination thereof. Although the fecal conditioning compositions of the present invention may be capable of modifying the properties of solid fecal matter, FMAs are generally most effective in altering the properties of viscous liquid fecal matter, which generally have a viscosity greater than about 10 cP and less than about ¹⁰ cP at a shear rate of one unit 1/sec (at about 35 degrees Celsius), and more specifically between about ¹⁰ cP and ¹⁰ cP at a shear rate of one unit 1/sec, in a controlled load rheometry test using parallel plates on a controlled load rheometer (for comparison, at this same shear rate, water has a value of 1.0 cP at 20 degrees Celsius and Jif Creamy Peanut Butter (available from Procter and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH) has a value of approximately 4 x ¹⁰ cP at 25

degrees Celsius). The viscosity determination method as used herein is described in more detail in the Test Methods section below.

Regardless of the specific effect of a chemical agent on feces, in order to perform its function, a given feces agent must be usable. As used herein, in the context of the FMA, the term usable means that a certain agent is placed within an article or exposed by the article or some component thereof during normal wear of the article so as to directly contact at least a portion of the feces deposited in the article or on the skin of the wearer. If the agent is placed within a structure (e.g., in an absorbent layer beneath a topsheet), the structure must be substantially permeable to feces. In such cases, a given agent is usable if the structure has a pressure uptake of greater than about 0.50 g/cm ² /J, and preferably greater than about 1.0 g/cm ² /J, as measured by the uptake measurement described below in the test methods section. If the agent is encapsulated, it should be released by the article at or about the moment that feces impact the article. For example, FMA can be retained in a water-soluble thin film (film) that dissolves upon contact with urine or fecal water, releasing the FMA into contact with the feces.

The term effective concentration of FMA, as used herein, refers to the relative amount of the composition required to have a measurable effect on the hardness (as measured by the hardness measurement method described below) of at least a portion of the feces in the article or on the skin of the wearer. Data documenting the effective concentration are provided below. For treatment, a concentration of FMA of at least about 0.01 weight percent of the feces to be treated is desirable, and more typically, an amount of between about 0.1 and about 50 weight percent of the feces is available on the feces.

For example, to treat a full 25 gram load of feces in a diaper (i.e., volume treatment), at a 5 percent weight level, 1.25 grams of FMA must be available per fecal mass (assuming the specific gravity of the feces is 1.0). Accordingly, FMA is preferably present in the product at concentrations ranging from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight of the product. Typically, however, the concentration of this composition is between about 0.01 to about 20 percent by weight of the product.

Preferably, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the fecal analog, and preferably actual feces, by about 100% (preferably by about 200%, more preferably by about 400%), at a concentration of no more than about 20 percent by weight of the treated feces at room temperature (20-25 °C). More preferably, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the fecal analog, or actual feces, by about 100% (preferably by about 200%, more preferably by about 400%), at a concentration of no more than about 10 percent by weight of the treated feces. Even more preferably, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the fecal analog, or actual feces, by about 100% (preferably by about 200%, more preferably by about 400%), at a concentration of no more than about 5 percent by weight of the treated feces. In other preferred embodiments, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of a fecal analog, or actual feces, by about 100% (preferably by about 200%, more preferably by about 400%), at a concentration of no greater than about 1 percent by weight of the treated feces. In still other preferred embodiments, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of a fecal analog, or actual feces, by about 100% (preferably by about 200%, more preferably by about 400%), at a concentration of no greater than about 0.5 percent by weight of the treated feces. Typically, FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of a fecal analog, or actual fecal material, by about 100% (preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%), at a concentration of between about 0.1 and about 10 percent by weight of the treated feces.

The defined hardness increase is preferably carried out within about 30 minutes, preferably within about 15 minutes, more preferably within 5 minutes, even more preferably within about 3 minutes, and most preferably within about 1 minute after contact with the feces. Typically, the desired change in hardness is carried out within about 1 minute to about 10 minutes. In more preferred embodiments, the defined hardness increase is carried out within about 3 minutes, at a concentration of FMA not greater than about 5% by weight of the feces to be treated, or within about 3 minutes, at a concentration of FMA of about 1.5% by weight of the feces to be treated. In other preferred embodiments, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the fecal analog, or actual feces, by about 200% within about 3 minutes, at a concentration not greater than about 5% by weight of the feces to be treated. In yet other preferred embodiments, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of a fecal analog, or actual feces, by about 400% within about 3 minutes, at a concentration of no greater than about 5% by weight of the treated feces.

Table I shows the reference hardness values of two artificial faecal analogue materials (hardness was found to be closely related to the complex modulus of the faecal material). Analog A represents the water content, hardness and adhesion of typical liquid faeces, while Analog B represents typically pasty faeces. The two faecal consistencies are simulated to better illustrate the performance of the FMA. The methods for preparing Analog A and B are described in the Test Methods section below.

«<· • · • ·· ·· ·· ·· · · · · · · ··· · · ·«· • · · · · · · Μ · · • · · ··· ·· ·· ··· ·β ···· ··

TABLE I

Fecal analogue

Hardness (g)

A 8.6

B 620 faecal analogues used in these consisted of both a sample and a composite sample

Fecal Analogs A and B provide a robust and reproducible means of evaluating the performance of FMA. However, real feces are a very complex material. Due to certain chemical treatments, the effect of FMA on real feces may be greater than that of either of the analogs described above. To demonstrate the similarity in relative responses to a given treatment, data are presented for one of the evaluated agents in relation to the change in hardness of and real feces. Real feces in composite liquid feces experiments, pasty feces. A composite liquid feces sample was collected using several stools (uncontaminated with urine) from two American, breastfed four-month-old male infants. A sample of pasty faeces was collected using several stools (uncontaminated with urine) from two American infants - a four-month-old male formula-fed infant and a twelve-month-old male transitioning between breast-feeding and regular food. Faecal collection was performed using a Seward Stomacher 400 Lab System from Seward Medical, Ltd., London, UK. For reference, the hardness

The hardness of the untreated (i.e., as collected) sample of liquid feces collected was 28 grams, and the hardness of the untreated sample of pasty feces collected was 297 grams.

Table II below shows the effect of mixing several comparison samples with fecal analogs. All comparison materials were mixed with fecal analog as described below in the sample preparation method. As is evident from the data above, the desired changes in hardness were not achieved with the comparison materials.

TABLE II

Fecal

Analog/feces

Comparator additive

Concentration (% wt.)

cornstarch 1.0 (Dietary Fiber Control, 5.0 Sigma Chemical Co. St. Louis, MO, S-2388) pure baby powder 1.0 cornstarch 5.0 (Johnson & Johnson Co., Skillman, NJ) Baby powder (talcum powder) 1.15 (Johnson & Johnson Co.) cornstarch 1.1 (Dietary Fiber Control, 4.9 Sigma Chemical Co. St. Louis, MO, S-2388) Baby powder (talcum powder) 1.0 (Johnson & Johnson Co.) 5.0

Hardness (g) of treated faeces/faeces

12, 6 8, 6

14.4

7.1

10.2

643

533

854

679

B

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, fecal conditioning agents containing calcium are used to increase the viscosity and reduce the mobility of feces, which generally increase the structure of the feces by increasing the degree of water binding. It is important to note that a given FMA may function differently on different types of fecal material, due to the variability in the structural character of a particular type of feces. One example of this is calcium hydroxide, which may function as a viscosity reducing agent for a flowable fecal analogue, but as a thickener (by ionic complexation) for pasty feces at the same concentrations. The use of the calcium-containing agents of the present invention, for example, to reduce viscosity is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Calcium-containing compositions may comprise inorganic compounds that are completely or only partially soluble in water, or those whose solubility is a function of some other condition (e.g., pH, temperature, presence of other ions or proteins, etc.). In certain preferred embodiments, the calcium-containing composition may comprise calcium salts of water-soluble (i.e., generally non-crosslinked) polymers. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that in at least some embodiments, calcium ions are particularly effective in associating with negatively charged groups on structural components of feces (e.g., mucins, polysaccharides, proteins, bacteria, etc.) to effectively increase the overall structure of feces through a complexation mechanism. In alternative embodiments, it is believed that the calcium-containing composition combines with water in the feces to form a crystalline hydrate. Thus, depending on the

In actual practice, calcium ions can act to increase or decrease the water binding capacity of feces. Regardless, the treated fecal textures and consistencies appear qualitatively different. For example, sticky, pasty feces become very stiff and, in some cases, exceptionally dry-feeling and friable when mixed with the calcium-containing compositions of the present invention. Non-limiting examples of suitable calcium-containing compositions include, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, hydrated calcium chloride, and calcium salts of polymeric materials such as calcium alginate and calcium polyacrylate.

Table II shows the effect of various calcium-containing agents on the hardness of fecal analog or fecal material (mixing of fecal analog and/or feces was performed as specified in the sample preparation method below).

Hardness (g) of treated faeces

• ·

TABLE III

Fecal

Calcium content.

Concentration

Analogon/fecal agent (% wt.) analog/feces A calcium oxide 1.0 26 (Sigma C-2178) 5.0 385 A alginic acid/chloride 5.0 114 zinc (wt. 50%:50%) (total mixture)

acid acid (alginic acid - sodium salt, from sea kelp, high viscosity Sigma A-7128; zinc chloride Sigma Z-4875) calcium hydroxide 1.0 (ACS reagent, 5.0

Sigma C-5551) calcium chloride 4.9 (anhydrous,

Sigma C-4901) . alginate, ammonium-calcium. 5.0 salt (Sigma A-7253) . alginate, ammonium-calcium. 5.0 salt (Sigma A-7253)

206

223

405

513

070 compound liquid feces alginic acid, ammonium-calcium salt (Sigma A-7253)

5.0 compound pasty faeces alginic acid, ammonium-calcium salt (Sigma A-7253)

5.0

908 • 0 • 0

desirable to treat the entire mass treatment),

Although in certain embodiments, the fecal matter is within the article (i.e., in some preferred embodiments, only a portion of the fecal matter is treated with the FMA. In such embodiments, the FMA may penetrate only a relatively small distance into the fecal matter, thereby forming a treated outer layer that is relatively stiff and non-sticky. This may be advantageous in terms of the use of the FMA, or eliminate the need to mix the FMA into the fecal matter. The treated outer layer is a region or layer of fecal material at or near the surface of the fecal matter with different physical properties than the remainder of the fecal matter. The treated layer is preferably harder (i.e., has a higher shear stress), less sticky, and/or has a higher resistance to diffusion of volatile molecules contained in the fecal matter than the remainder of the fecal matter, resulting in reduced dispersion/mobility of the fecal matter and/or reduced adhesion of the fecal matter to the wearer's skin and/or reduced fecal odor. The treated outer layer area preferably has a thickness of between about 1 and about 1000 microns and may cover all or any portion of the fecal matter. For example, it may be desirable to treat only the feces at the skin/feces interface (e.g., by reducing adhesion and/or promoting cleansing or limiting diffusion across the wearer's skin or by promoting absorption and/or limiting diffusion within the article). Thus, to treat a 1 millimeter thick layer of fecal matter on an area of 30 square centimeters of skin or topsheet of the article, at a level of 10 weight percent, 0.30 grams of FMA must be available to the feces in the area of contact therewith (assuming a specific gravity of feces of 1.0).

In various embodiments, FMAs may be organic or inorganic, low molecular weight or polymeric in nature, and/or may be liquid, solid (e.g., powder,

fibers, films, structures), semi-solids, or combinations thereof. FMAs may be present in a water/oil or oil/water emulsion, suspension, or mixture. FMAs may be arranged in an article as an individual, stand-alone element (for example, as a fibrous web or layer within or attached to the article) or may be retained in or on a carrier, such as a lotion or skin care composition (described below), structure, or may be releasably encapsulated under a film or in a structure of a package, chamber, or shell.

In embodiments in which the FMA is delivered via a skin care composition, it may be soluble in the skin care composition or may be retained in a suspension or as a simple mixture. Larger FMA particles (e.g., preferably larger in their largest dimension than about 250 microns) may be at least partially encapsulated or adhesively retained by the skin care composition. Some exemplary materials useful in skin care compositions that can be used in embodiments of the present invention include Category 1 active ingredients as defined in the Interim Final Monograph on Skin Care Products Sold Over the Counter for Human Use, issued by the US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which currently include: allantoin, aluminum hydroxide gel, calamine (zinc carbonate), cocoa butter, dimethicone, cod liver oil (in combination), glycerin, kaolin, petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, shark liver oil, white petrolatum, talc, topical (external) starch, zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and the like. Other potentially useful materials are Category III active ingredients as defined in the Interim Final Monograph on Skin Protection Products Sold Over the Counter for Human Use, issued by the US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which currently include: live yeast cell derivatives, aldiox, aluminum acetate, microporous cellulose, cholecalciferol (vitamin D), colloidal oatmeal, cysteine hydrochloride, dexpanthenol, balsam of Peru oil, protein hydrolysates, racemic methionine, sodium bicarbonate, vitamin A, and the like. Many of the skin care ingredients listed in the FDA monograph are currently used in commercially available skin care products such as: Ointment A and D ^R , Vaseline ^R , DESTIN ^R diaper rash ointment and daily care ointment, GOLD BOND ^R baby medicated powder, AQUAPHOR ^r medicated ointment, BABY MAGIC ^R baby lotion, JOHNSON'S ULTRA SENSITIVE ¹³ baby cream, Johnson's baby lotion, lip balm, and so on. Other suitable skin care compositions are described in detail in U.S. Patent Nos.: 5,643,588, 5,607,760, 5,609,587, and 6,635,191. The disclosures of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The skin care compositions useful in the present invention preferably have a melting profile such that they are relatively immobile and localized on the surface of the article contacting the wearer at room temperature, are readily transferable to the wearer at body temperature, and are still not completely liquid under extreme storage conditions. Preferably, these compositions are readily transferable to the wearer's skin through normal contact, wearer movement, and/or body heat.

In preferred embodiments, the skin care compositions useful herein are solid or more often semi-solid at 20°C, i.e., ambient temperature. By semi-solid is meant that the composition has a rheology typical of pseudoplastic or plastic • · · · · · • « · · · ·

fluids. When no shear is applied, these compositions may appear semi-solid, but when the amount of shear is increased, they may flow. This is due to the fact that although these compositions may also contain primarily solid components, they may also contain some minor liquid components. The compositions of the present invention have a zero shear viscosity between about 1.0 x 10 ⁶ cP (centipoise) and about 10 x 10 ⁸ cP. More preferably, the zero shear viscosity is between about 5.0 x 10 ⁶ cP and about 5.0 x 10 ⁷ cP. As used herein, the term "zero shear viscosity" refers to the viscosity measured at very low shear rates (e.g., 1.0 sec) using a plate and cone viscometer (a suitable instrument is available from TA Instruments of New Castle, DE, as model number CSL 100). One skilled in the art will recognize that means other than high melting point components may be used to provide comparable viscosities. For example, the composition could be provided with a structure that has a high zero shear viscosity, but upon application of shear, such structure collapses, with a resulting decrease in viscosity (mixtures of this type are said to have a yield strength value). Such a structure may be provided by certain clay materials, such as bentonite clays or montmorillonite clays and fumed silicas, which are particularly preferred and available from Cabot Corp. Cab-O-Sil Div. of Tuscola, IL as CABO-SIL. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the zero shear viscosity of these mixtures can be measured by extrapolating a plot of viscosity versus shear rate to zero shear rate. These viscosity measurements should be made at a temperature of about 20°C.

The carrier of the skin care composition may contain a useful active ingredient, such as one or more skin

emollients or emollients. As used herein, the term emollient refers to a material that protects against moisture or irritation, softens, soothes, softens, coats, lubricates, moisturizes, protects and/or cleanses the skin (it will be understood that several of the active ingredients listed above in the monograph are emollients as the term is used herein). In a preferred embodiment, emollients will have either a plastic or liquid consistency at ambient temperatures, i.e. 20°C. This consistency allows the composition to impart a soft, creamy feel similar to a lotion.

Exemplary plasticizers useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, plasticizers that are petroleum-based, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof, wetting agents, fatty acid ester type, alkyl ethoxylate type, fatty acid ester ethoxylates, fatty alcohol type, polysiloxane type, propylene glycol and derivatives thereof, glycerin and derivatives thereof including glyceride, acetoglycerides and ethoxylated glycerides of C1 ^- _C28 fatty acids; triethylene glycol and derivatives thereof; spermaceti or other waxes; fatty acids; fatty alcohol ethers, particularly those having from 12 to 28 carbon atoms in their fatty chain such as stearic acid; propoxylate fatty alcohols; other fatty esters of polyhydroxy alcohols; lanolin and derivatives thereof; kaolin and derivatives thereof; any of the agents in the above monograph of skin care agents, or mixtures of these emollients.

Another preferred component of the carrier means of the skin care composition useful in the present invention is a means capable of immobilizing the composition (containing the preferred emollient and/or other skin conditioning agents, therapeutic, protective agents and/or FMA present in the composition) at a desired location in or on the article to be treated. The immobilizing (immobilizing) means can counteract the tendency of the emollient to migrate or flow by keeping the emollient primarily localized to the surface or area of the article to which the composition is applied. It is believed that this is due, in part, to the fact that the immobilizing means increases the melting point and/or viscosity of the composition above that of the emollient. Since the immobilizing agent is preferably miscible with the plasticizer (or dissolved therein by means of a suitable emulsifier or dispersed therein), it traps the plasticizer on the carrier contacting surface or in the area to which it is applied.

It is also advantageous to lock the immobilizing agent to the carrier contacting the surface or area to which it is applied. This can be achieved by using immobilizing agents that set (i.e., solidify) rapidly upon application to the article. Additionally, external cooling of the treated article by means of blowers, fans, cold rollers, etc., can hasten the crystallization of the immobilizing agent.

In addition to being miscible with (or soluble in) the plasticizer, the immobilizing agent will preferably have a melting profile that will provide a mixture that is solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature. In this regard, preferred immobilizing agents will have a melting point of at least about 35°C. This prevents the immobilizing agent from tending to move or flow. Preferred immobilizing agents have melting points of at least about 40°C, more typically in the range of about 50 ^°C to 150°C.

The immobilizing agents useful in the invention may be selected from any number of agents as long as the preferred properties of the skin care composition provided herein are as described herein.

skin benefit. Preferred immobilizing agents generally comprise a member selected from _the group consisting of C14- _C22 fatty alcohols, _C12 - _C22 fatty acids, and _C12 - _C22 fatty alcohol ethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 2 to about 30, and mixtures thereof. Preferred immobilizing agents comprise _C18 - _C18 fatty alcohols, preferably crystalline high melting materials selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof (the linear structure of these materials may accelerate setting on the treated absorbent article). Other preferred immobilizing agents comprise C16-C18 fatty acids, preferably selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and mixtures thereof. Still other preferred immobilizing agents include C16-C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation in the range of about 5 to about 20. The fatty alcohols and fatty acids are preferably linear. Importantly, these preferred immobilizing agents, such as _C16 - _C18 fatty alcohols, increase the rate of crystallization of the composition, causing the composition to crystallize rapidly on the surface of the substrate. Still other types of additives suitable as immobilizing agents, either alone or in combination with the above immobilizing agents, include waxes such as carnauba wax, ozokerite, beeswax, candelilla wax, paraffin wax, ceresin wax, esparto wax, ouricuri wax, reswax, isoparaffin wax, and other known mineral and mineral waxes.

The fecal material conditioning agent may be delivered to the feces directly by transferring the FMA to the feces, or may be initially transferred to the wearer's skin or other elements of the article prior to transfer to the feces. The carrier may be integral with the disposable article or may form, or be a component of, a separate article to be applied to the wearer (preferably at least over the perianal region) before or in place of a diaper, training pants, underwear, or other article.

The means for attaching the FMA to the carrier may include any means known in the art, such as adhesives (especially water-soluble adhesives), hydrogen bonding, releasable encapsulation, spraying, coating, and the like. Hydrogen bonding of the FMA to a substrate may be accomplished by wetting either the FMA or at least a portion of the substrate with water. After drying, the FMA is releasably attached to the substrate (i.e., subsequent contact with water will break this bond). This effect is enhanced for those FMAs that gel and become tacky when wet (e.g., alginic acid and derivatives thereof, etc.). Wetting may be accomplished by exposing either the FMA, the substrate, or both, to a high humidity environment (e.g., a relative humidity of 80% or greater) prior to or at the time of contact. Alternatively, water may be sprayed, misted, or sprayed over at least a portion of either the composition or the substrates prior to or at the time of contact. In such cases, the structure is preferably dried before being incorporated into the product.

The FMA may contact feces on or near the surface of the article (e.g., at the topsheet/feces interface), within the article (such as the fecal control portion 120, as described below), or on the body-facing surface of the fecal matter (i.e., first transferred to the skin or other surface above the plane of the article). The FMA will typically contact feces in the area of the article associated with the wearer's anus (e.g., in the context of a diaper, the crotch area). Feces may alternatively contact the FMA when passing through an opening, flange, gate, or the like at or near the anus of the wearer.

wearer. In such cases, the FMA may be forced or pulled from a given opening or gate (e.g., from a reservoir) by the pressure of the passage of feces as they are excreted from the body. The respective opening may comprise a longitudinal slit, cut, or perforation in a layer, shell, package, or other structure containing the FMA or composition containing the FMA, arranged proximate to the point of exit of the feces from the body. The opening may be initially closed by a dissolvable film that dissolves upon contact with the feces, then releasing the composition or composition. Alternatively, the opening may be opened when the structure is deformed by the passage or pressure of the feces. The pressure of the feces, in addition to body pressure and movements, may assist in pushing the FMA through the opening onto the feces.

In other preferred embodiments, the FMA may be associated with a sealing cuff such as a leg cuff, waist barrier, waist, fecal pocket, or fecal spacer. In embodiments where the FMA is associated with a sealing element such as a leg cuff, waist barrier, or fecal pocket, it is preferred that the FMA be associated with the portion of the sealing cuff disposed closest to the point of origin of exudates from the wearer (e.g., the anus for feces). In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA is releasably attached to the surface of the sealing material to assist in processing feces contacting the sealing material. The FMA may be releasably attached to the surface of the sealing cuff by any of the means described above, or by any other means known in the art. In other embodiments, the FMA is releasably encapsulated on or in at least a portion of the surface of the sealing material.

In embodiments comprising fecal spacer members, any portion of the spacer member may comprise one or more FMAs. The spacer member may be releasably coated • 0

by the given composition as described above, or may comprise chambers, packets or pouches of the composition covered at least in part by a water- or fecal-soluble film (as described above).

The FMA may be delivered passively (e.g., feces flow through and contact it during normal wear conditions), actively (e.g., some portion responds to a signal and delivers/releases the FMA to the feces), or via a secondary carrier (e.g., a powder or other skin care composition initially transferred to the wearer's skin). Delivery of the FMA to the feces may occur as a result of the pressure of the expelled feces, weight, temperature, enzyme activity, water content, and/or pH; the presence of urine (e.g., urine triggers the release of the agent in response to or in anticipation of defecation); body movement, pressure, or heat; or any other trigger or event during the wear cycle of the product.

The FMA may be initially stored within or on the article or any part thereof and subsequently released by any triggering event described herein. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA is encapsulated under a film, in chambers, sheaths, packets, and the like, so as to prevent movement and/or loss prior to contact of the article with feces and/or to assist in positioning the FMA for contact with feces during use. Film coatings, chambers, packets, or other containers for the composition may include a water-soluble film over at least the feces-contacting surface area of the container. Water from urine, feces, and other exudates dissolves the film, releasing the composition (i.e., triggers release) upon contact and processing of the feces. An example of a water-soluble film useful in the present invention is polyvinyl alcohol film, commercially available as MONOSOL • 0 • 00

M·

M7031, from Chris Craft Industrial products of South Holland, IL or HL1636 from H. B. Fuller Co. of St. Paul, MN. Alternatively, the film may be soluble only in the presence of certain fecal enzymes (such as trypsin) or within certain pH ranges.

The release of the composition may be rapid (for example, with an explosive release of gas generated by contact of urine or fecal material with a gas-generating composition) to encapsulate or coat the feces with the composition. The gas-generating composition may include particles, beads, etc. of one or more substances that generate gas when mixed with or together in water (e.g., sodium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate and citric acid). The particles may be entrapped in a water-soluble matrix (e.g., PVA). The FMA may be arranged on or attached to the exudate-contacting surface of the film, or encapsulated in a water-soluble film between the gas-generating composition and the exudate-contacting surface. Thus, for example, when water present in the feces dissolves a water-soluble film, the gas generating composition is activated (i.e., the component(s) are mixed with water) and gas is rapidly evolved, forcing mixing of the FMA and the feces. The particles may include combinations such as citric acid and sodium bicarbonate which, when mixed with water, rapidly release carbon dioxide gas. Alternatively, the gas generating composition may include water-soluble capsules containing compressed gas and the FMA. Water from the feces contacting these capsules may act to dissolve the film and release the gas explosively, again forcing mixing/entrapment of the gas in the feces. Other compositions and gas generating or releasing systems are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

The product of the invention may also include a reaction system 65, including a sensor 66, an actuator 67, and stored ·· ·· ) · · φ· ··· · energy used to transfer the FMA to the feces, mix the composition with the feces, or cause it to be extruded into contact with the feces. One preferred embodiment includes a shaped, compressed, macroporous foam 68 maintained in compression under a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film, as shown in Fig. 8. The foam 68 additionally contains the FMA 75. Contact with the water by the feces results in the dissolution of at least a portion of the PVA film, which results in the release of the stored mechanical energy in the foam 68 and the mechanical transfer of the composition towards and into the fecal matter. In certain embodiments, mixing may be accomplished by a mechanism incorporated into the article as described above (e.g., a reaction system), mechanical action from the wearer's weight and/or movements, and/or flow of feces during or after the act of defecation (particularly low viscosity feces) to facilitate processing of a greater portion of the fecal mass. Other reaction systems are described in more detail in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. __, entitled Disposable Article Having a Discontinuous Reaction System (Procter and Gamble Case No. 7197), filed in the name of Donald C. Roe et al. on June 29, 1998; which is incorporated herein by reference.

In alternative embodiments, the FMAs may be arranged on or associated with three-dimensional structures, attached to or separate from other elements of the absorbent article. For example, the absorbent article may include a portion with protrusions, bumps, loops, or the like that help keep the FMAs available for contact with feces. In one preferred embodiment, fibers or strands of a hot melt resin containing a feces-treating agent may be printed on the substrate 82 (an example of a substrate including fibers containing FMAs is shown in FIG. 7). The agent may be incorporated into

· • · ·· 00 99 9 9 · 9 99 9 9 • 9 · 99 999 9 9 9 09 9999 9 · 99

resin so that it moves to the surface of the fibers and is usable for feces. Alternatively, the composition may be releasably attached to the fibers by any of the techniques described above. Examples of suitable fibers and hooks are described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,058,247, issued to Thomas et al. on October 22, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 5,116,563, issued to Thomas et al. on May 26, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,326,415, issued to Thomas et al. on July 5, 1994; and U.S. Patent No. 5,762,634, issued to Peck et al. on June 9, 1998. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

In yet another embodiment, the FMA may be delivered to the feces via a brush structure 60, one example of which is shown in Fig. 6. This structure may comprise a plurality of substantially aligned strands, fibers, twisted fibers, threads or other fibrous materials attached to a substrate. The substrate may be planar, curved, ribbon-like, or have a compound curvature, and may be porous or non-porous. The brush fibers 62 are preferably flexible under pressures exerted by the feces during defecation such that they allow the feces to easily pass through or between the fibers 62. The brush fibers 62 may be permanently or releasably attached to a given substrate. The fibers 62 may be of plant or animal origin (e.g., cotton, etc.), cellulose-based or man-made, and may have different or similar lengths. The FMA is preferably attached to the fibers 62 of the brush structure 60 such that when feces are pushed past the brush fibers 62, the composition is released and mixed with the feces. The brush structure 60 may be integral with the product or separately applied to the perianal area and may optionally include an adhesive or other bonding means to adhere the structure to the wearer or product. The brush structure 60 may be attached via a ...

a spacer element (as described above) having a hollow space beneath the fibers 62 and thus providing space for the feces to be processed to occupy.

FMAs can also be delivered using smart gels that undergo a phase transition or geometric or volumetric change in response to certain changes in pH, water content, and/or some other trigger. Shape memory materials (i.e., metal alloys or plastics that return to a predetermined geometry or shape when a predetermined temperature threshold is reached) can also be used to move the device into a position to contact or mix with feces, provided that the temperature is changed accordingly. Additionally, swellable materials such as superabsorbent polymers or foams can be used to promote contact of feces with the FMA. A structure containing these swellable materials imbibes water, whether from feces or urine, and can move FMA associated with the body-contacting surface of the structure toward the fecal matter and/or promote mixing with the feces. Foam-forming materials can also move FMA and promote contact with feces in the product. In this case, the foam-forming material includes the FMA (or is associated with the composition) and covers the fecal matter as the foam develops and increases in volume.

The FMA may also be retained on or within macroparticulate elements 170, as described below. These macroparticulate elements 170 may be contained within the exudate control portion 120, attached to a topsheet, cuff, or other device (releasable or not), or free in a separate device attached independently to the body (some exemplary macroparticulate structures are shown in Figs. 2-4). Furthermore, any structure that retains, delivers, or mixes the FMA may include • ♦ * · *· • · protrusions or other three-dimensional geometries designed to increase the contact area of the FMA and feces and/or to promote mixing.

In preferred embodiments, the FMA is associated with the top layer of an absorbent structure or article. However, the FMA may be associated with a layer below the top layer, such as an acquisition layer. In embodiments where the FMA is disposed in a layer below the top layer, such as the exudate control portion 120, feces must readily penetrate the top layer, the layer below, and any other overlying structure in order for the composition to be available in an effective amount. Accordingly, it is preferred that such structures have a pressure acquisition of at least about 0.50 g/cm ² /J, and preferably at least about 1.0 g/cm ² /J, as described in the Test Methods section below. In any case, the composition is located proximate to the region of the article generally associated with the perianal region of the wearer.

As shown in Fig. 2, the present invention may include a fecal material control portion 120. The fecal material control portion 120 is designed to assist in controlling the receipt, storage, and/or immobilization of viscous, liquid body exudates. The fecal material control portion 120 may be located anywhere in the article, including the crotch region or either waist region, or may be associated with or contained within any structure or feature such as the core 28, leg cuff, and the like. In preferred embodiments, the fecal material control portion 120 is located in a region of the article that is proximate the perianal region of the wearer when worn. This helps ensure that any excreted exudate is deposited on or near the fecal material control portion 120.

Although structures that receive, store, and immobilize viscous, liquid bodily waste are preferred, in certain embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the

The fecal management device 120 may comprise only a receiving portion, a storage portion, or a immobilization portion, or may comprise a combination of two of these portions, but not the third. In some embodiments, a single portion may also perform more than one function (e.g., a storage portion may perform both a storage and immobilization function). For example, an absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a receiving and storage element for managing viscous, liquid bodily excrement, without a separate immobilization element as such.

The acquisition element or portion 150 may be any material or structure capable of receiving body exudates. (As used herein, the term acquisition or acquisition refers to the penetration of a structure by materials deposited thereon. Penetration is defined as the passage of materials through a surface of a structure upon which a material is deposited.) The acquisition element 150 may comprise a single material or a plurality of materials operably connected together. Further, the acquisition element 150 may be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or may be one or more parts connected directly or indirectly to one or more elements of the diaper 20. If desired, any portion or all of the acquisition element 150 may be removed from the absorbent article for separate disposal.

The receiving element 150 is preferably disposed at least partially in the crotch region 37 of the diaper 20, adjacent the surface to the body 47 of the core 28, although in some alternative embodiments, the receiving element 150 may include at least a portion of a leg cuff, a waistband, a fecal material retention pocket, or the like, or may be operably connected to any such arrangement. Preferably, at least a portion of the receiving element 150 is disposed in a region of the diaper 20 that is close to the wearer's anus when worn, unobstructed by overlapping layers.

fl· flfl ♦ ♦ • •flfl ♦ · · • fl · · * • · · · · • fl flflflfl flfl · structures such as the topsheet 24. Accordingly, it may be desirable to cut through a portion of the topsheet 24 in the area of the article that is expected to be located at the wearer's anus and provide a receiving element 150 as a side cover in that area. Alternatively, any portion or all of the topsheet 24 may be manufactured or processed to function as the receiving element 150. In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the receiving element 150 comprises at least a portion of the topsheet 24. In other embodiments, the receiving element 150 may comprise at least a portion of other parts of the diaper such as the absorbent core 28 or the storage element (described below).

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to provide the diaper 20 with different acquisition or absorption performance in different parts of the diaper. This may be accomplished by providing different acquisition elements in different regions of the diaper 20 or by providing a single acquisition element 150 manufactured or processed to have regions with different acquisition characteristics. Furthermore, the acquisition element 150 may be elevated above the plane of the body-facing surface of the article to better manage the viscous liquid bodily wastes that are excreted. In some embodiments, it may even be desirable to have the acquisition element 150 in contact with the wearer's skin near the source of such wastes (e.g., the perianal region).

The receiving element 150 may be any material or structure capable of receiving body exudates. (As used herein, the term receiving, or receiving, refers to the penetration of a structure by materials deposited thereon. Specifically, the term receiving refers to the penetration of a structure by a fluid when subjected to the conditions specified in the pressure receiving test described herein in the Test Methods section. Permeation is defined as the passage of materials through the surface of the structure upon which a given material is deposited. Permeation of heterogeneous structures may be defined as the passage of materials through a plane defining the surface of the structure upon which a given material has been deposited.) The receiving element 150 may comprise a single material or a plurality of materials operatively connected together with each other. Furthermore, the acquisition element 150 may be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or may be one or more separate parts connected directly or indirectly to one or more elements of the diaper 20. If desired, any or all of the acquisition element 150 may be removed from the absorbent article for separate disposal.

The acquisition element 150 is preferably disposed at least partially in the crotch region 37 of the diaper 20, adjacent the surface to the body 47 of the core 28, although in some alternative embodiments, the acquisition element 150 may include at least a portion of a leg cuff, a waistband, a fecal material retention pocket, or the like, or may be operably connected to any such arrangement. Preferably, at least a portion of the acquisition element 150 is disposed in a region of the diaper 20 that is, when worn proximate the wearer's anus, unobstructed by overlapping layers of structures such as the topsheet 24. Accordingly, it may be desirable to cut through a portion of the topsheet 24 in the region of the product that is expected to be positioned proximate the wearer's anus and provide the acquisition element 150 as a side cover in that region. Alternatively, any portion or all of the topsheet 24 may be fabricated or processed to function as the acquisition element 150. In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2 , the acquisition element 150 comprises at least a portion of the topsheet 24. In other embodiments, the acquisition element 150 may comprise at least a portion of other diaper elements such as the absorbent core 28 or the storage element (described below).

• · ·· · · · · ♦ 0 ·

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to provide the diaper 20 with different acquisition or absorption performance in different parts of the diaper. This may be accomplished by providing different acquisition elements in different regions of the diaper 20 or by providing a single acquisition element 150 that has been manufactured or processed to have regions with different acquisition characteristics. Furthermore, the acquisition element 150 may be elevated above the plane of the body-facing surface of the article to better manage the viscous, liquid bodily wastes that are excreted. In some embodiments, it may even be desirable to have the acquisition element 150 in contact with the wearer's skin near the source of these viscous, liquid bodily wastes (e.g., the perianal region).

Suitable materials and structures for use as the acquisition element 150 may be absorbent or non-absorbent and may include apertured nonwovens, apertured films, apertured formed films, scrims, woven structures, mesh, macroporous thin foams, and the like. One particularly preferred material is a woven mesh, available as a Toy Tub Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., of Norfolk, VA. Furthermore, the acquisition element 150, or any portion thereof, may be coated with a skin care agent or other known substances to add, enhance, or alter the performance or other characteristics of the portion. For example, the acquisition element 150 may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, or treated to be both.

As described above, the FMA may be associated with a receiving element preferably in the perianal region of the wearer. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA is releasably attached to the receiving element by the means described above. In alternative embodiments, the means is releasably encapsulated in some structure associated with at least a portion of the receiving element 150.

• ·

The composition may be released into the feces upon contact with water, heat, or pressure/motion of the wearer. The composition may first be transferred to the wearer's skin or another part of the article (e.g., a leg cuff) before being deposited on the feces. For example, urine may release the releasably encapsulated composition or composition. The composition may be transferred to the wearer's skin by body contact and/or pressure. Upon subsequent contact with feces, the composition will be transferred from the skin to the surface of the feces.

Once viscous, liquid body exudates have penetrated the fecal control portion 120, it is desirable to contain these exudates from the wearer and from the caregiver during the remainder of the wear cycle when the article is changed. As used herein, the term contain refers to the physical separation of the material contained in the diaper from the body-facing surface of the article such that the material contained in the diaper is not in direct contact with or accessible to the wearer's skin. Adequate storage capacity is essential to reduce the likelihood of leakage and contamination of the skin surface with viscous, liquid body exudates because viscous, liquid body exudates that are contained are less likely to reach the body-facing surface of the structure to leak and move within the article.

The storage element 152 may be located anywhere in the diaper 20. However, it is preferred that the storage element 152 be operatively connected to the acquisition element 150 and/or the topsheet 24, if any, so that viscous, liquid body waste received by the acquisition element 150 may enter the storage element 152. (Embodiments are contemplated where the diaper 20 has no topsheet 24 or acquisition element 150. In such cases, the body waste may enter the storage element 152 directly, without passing through any overlying structure.) In any event, it is preferred that the storage element 152 be located in the region of the diaper 20 that is closest to the wearer's anus when the diaper is worn. Accordingly, it is preferred that at least a portion of the storage element 152 be disposed in the crotch region 37 of the absorbent article. However, in some alternative embodiments, the storage element 152 may include at least a portion of either a waist region, a leg cuff, a waistband, a fecal exudate retention pocket, or the like, or may be operably associated with any such feature. Furthermore, the storage element 152 may be elevated above the plane of the body-facing surface of the article to better control the discharge of viscous, liquid bodily waste. In some embodiments, it may even be desirable to have the storage element 152 in contact with the wearer's skin near a source of viscous, liquid bodily waste (e.g., in the perianal region).

The pressure storage capacity of the storage element 152 may be uniform or may vary throughout the diaper 20. Such variations may be achieved by using multiple storage elements 152 within the diaper 20 or by providing a single storage element with regions of different pressure storage capacities. Further, if desired, any or all of the storage element 152 may be removable from the absorbent article for separate disposal.

The storage element 152 may be any material or structure capable of storing body exudates, as described above. Accordingly, the storage element 152 may comprise a single material or a plurality of materials operably connected to one another. Furthermore, the storage element 152 may be integral with another portion of the diaper 20 or may be one or more separate portions of the diaper 20 connected directly or indirectly to one another. In one embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, the storage element 152 comprises a structure that is separate from the core 28. However, embodiments are contemplated where the storage element 152 comprises at least a portion of the core 28.

Suitable materials for use as the storage element 152 may include large-cell open-cell foams, macroporous compression-resistant and nonwovens, highly expanded materials, large particle size forms of open and closed cellular foams (macro and/or microporous), highly expanded nonwovens, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethane foams or particles, structures comprising a plurality of vertically oriented looped fiber strands, the absorbent core structures described above having pierced holes or recesses, and the like. (As used herein, the term microporous refers to materials capable of transporting fluids by capillary action. The term macroporous refers to materials having pores too large to conduct capillary fluid transport, generally having pores greater than about 0.5 mm in diameter and more particularly having pores greater than about 1 mm in diameter.) One embodiment includes a looped mechanical fastener having an uncompressed thickness of about 1.5 millimeters, available as XPL-7124, from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Another embodiment includes a crimped, resin-bonded, nonwoven, highly lightweight material with a 6 denier value, having a basis weight of 110 grams per square meter and an uncompressed thickness of 7.9 mm, available from Glit Company of Wrens, Georgia, USA. The storage element 152, or any portion thereof, may contain or be coated with a skin care composition or other known substances to add, enhance, or alter the performance or other characteristics of the element.

An alternative embodiment of the storage element 152 includes a macroparticle structure 170 comprising a plurality of individual particles 172, non-limiting examples of which are illustrated in Figs. 2-4. The macroparticles 172 preferably have a nominal size, preferably between about 1.0 mm and about 25.4 mm, and more preferably between about 2 mm and about 16 mm. However, particles as small as 0.5 mm and smaller, and particles larger than about 25.4 mm are also contemplated. Particles having a nominal size of about 1.0 mm or larger are those that are generally retained on the surface of a standard (U.S.) 18 mesh sieve. Particles having a nominal size of less than about 25.4 mm are those that pass through a standard (U.S.) 25.4 mm mesh sieve. Particles having a nominal size of 16 mm or larger are those that are retained entirely on the surface of a standard (U.S.) 16 (mm) mesh sieve. The nominal particle size is measured before the particles are incorporated into the storage element 152 for testing or use. Particles having a nominal size of 8 mm or larger are those that are retained entirely on the surface of a standard (U.S.) 8 mm mesh sieve.

The macroparticulate structure 170 may include any number of particles 172. Furthermore, the particles 172 may be unconnected and free to move within the structure 170 or may be connected to each other by any known means. Alternatively, the structure 170 may include an external support such as a hot melt adhesive, a web, mesh, scrim or fiber, or other adhesive or non-adhesive interwoven supports. Any particle 172 may also be connected to any other part of the diaper assembly such as a topsheet or core. The particles 172 may also be confined in patterned, three-dimensional regions such as pleats, pads, and pockets.

0 0 «0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 ···· 0 • 00 0 0 0 000 • 0 ··» ·· ··· ·· ··

The individual particles 172 may be made of any material suitable for use in absorbent articles, including those materials described above with respect to the absorbent core 28 or storage element 152. The materials used in the particles 172 may be absorbent, non-absorbent, microporous, macroporous, flexible, inflexible, etc., or may have any other desirable characteristics. Examples of macroporous absorbent materials suitable for use in the particles 172 include highly expanded nonwovens, open-cell foams, fiber bundles, sponges, and the like. Other absorbent materials include cellulose-based webs, capillary-channeled fibers, osmotic storage materials such as superabsorbent polymers, and the like. Non-absorbent particles 172 may include plastic, metal, ceramic, and glass materials, closed-cell foams, column packing materials, synthetic fibers, gels, encapsulated gas, liquids, and the like. Additionally, any or all of the particles 172 may include odor absorbers, lotions, skin care products, antimicrobial materials, pH buffers, enzyme inhibitors, and the like.

The storage element 152 may contain a single type of particle 172 (size, shape, material, etc.) or may contain a mixture of different particles 172. This mixture may be homogeneous; heterogeneous (heterogeneous), such as when particles 172 having different properties are arranged in certain areas of the storage element 152; layered; or any other arrangement. In some embodiments, more than one type of mixture may be used (e.g., macroporous and non-absorbent particles 172 may be homogeneously mixed in one layer, while another layer contains only absorbent particles.) The different layers of particles may be directly adjacent to each other or may be separated by one or more ·· · ·· · v 00

0 0 0 0 · · 0 0 0 « 0 0 00 000

000 00 0000 00 0 materials such as mesh, fleece, non-woven or woven structure, foam, adhesive and the like.

The macroparticle structure 170 preferably includes a continuous, interspaced hollow space 174 defined by the space between the particles 172. By varying the size and/or shape of the particles 172, this space 174 can be controlled. The particles can have any known shape, including spheres, oblate spheroids, rectangular and polygonal solids, and the like.

In addition to its storage function, the storage element 152 can transport viscous, liquid bodily waste within the absorbent article 20 in directions generally parallel to the plane of the backsheet 26. This transport can be active, such that capillary or other forces result in the movement of the viscous, liquid bodily waste or its components (e.g., free water). In other embodiments, this transport can be passive, such that the viscous, liquid bodily waste or its components move through the structure under the influence of externally applied forces such as gravity, wearer pressure, or wearer movement. In the case of passive transport, the storage element 152 should have relatively large, unconnected channels, or the like, such that the viscous, liquid bodily waste can easily move through the structure with minimal energy input.

The FMAs of the invention may be associated with any portion of the storage element 152 comprising macroparticulate structures. In certain preferred embodiments, where the storage element 152 has raised regions, the FMAs are associated with the raised regions of the element. Viscous bodily wastes penetrating the receiving element may contact the FMAs and be carried to the lower regions of the storage element 152, providing improved mixing. For example, the raised upper portions of loop-type storage elements may be slightly wetted or moistened and then contacted with the FMAs to releasably attach the FMAs to these raised portions and then dried. The releasable attachment may also be accomplished by water-soluble adhesives. In macroparticulate embodiments, the agent may be retained within the macroporous particle. In alternative embodiments, the composition may be releasably attached to the outer surface of the particulate elements. Contact of feces with the FMA preferably causes the composition to be released from the storage element and allows mixing with the feces.

Viscous, liquid body exudates received by or penetrating the absorbent article are also preferably retained in the diaper away from the wearer. One preferred method of retaining body exudates, particularly viscous, liquid body exudates, is to immobilize them in a location away from the wearer. As used herein, the term immobilize refers to the ability of a material or structure to retain retained viscous, liquid body exudates under applied pressure and/or gravitational forces.

The immobilizing element 154 may be any material or structure capable of limiting the tendency of viscous, liquid body excrements that have penetrated the immobilizing element 154 to not leave the structure. Thus, the immobilizing element 154 may comprise a single material or a plurality of materials operably associated with one another. Furthermore, the immobilizing element 154 may be integral with another portion of the diaper 20 or may be one or more elements connected directly or indirectly to one or more portions of the diaper 20. For example, the immobilizing element 154 may be a non-bonded layer of material disposed beneath the storage element 152 or may comprise all or a portion of the storage element 152 that is capable of immobilizing and containing viscous, liquid body excrements, as described above. In any event,

It is preferred that the immobilizing element 154 be operatively associated with the storage element 152 and the receiving element 150. This is necessary to ensure that viscous liquid bodily wastes received and/or stored by the article pass into or come into contact with the immobilizing element 154. Accordingly, it may be desirable to position the immobilizing element 154 below the storage element 152 and the receiving element 150, at least in a portion of the crotch region 37 of the article. However, as noted above, if the storage element 152 has transfer capabilities, the immobilization element 154 can be positioned anywhere in the diaper 20 such that viscous, liquid body wastes received and/or stored can be transferred to the immobilization element 154. Further, as in the case of the receiving and storage elements 150 and 152, the diaper 20 can have uniform or non-uniform immobilization performance characteristics. Thus, in an article having regions of varying immobilization and/or retention performance, one or more immobilization elements 154 can be incorporated. Further, if desired, any (or any portion of) or all of the immobilization element 154 can be removed from the absorbent article for separate disposal.

Suitable materials for use in the immobilizing element 154 include microporous foams, superabsorbent polymer particles or fibers, cellulose-based fibers, capillary channel fibers, braided synthetic fiber webs, and the like. Some preferred materials include foam absorbent materials such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,260,345; 5,387,207; and 5,625,222. Other preferred materials include absorbent gel materials such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345, entitled High Performance Absorbent Products for Incontinence Control ⁴ ', issued to Young et al. on September 15, 1992. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

·β· ·· ···· ·· ··

The FMAs may be associated with the immobilization element 154. In these embodiments, the conditioning agent may act to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the immobilization element 154 by facilitating the removal of water from the feces, thereby increasing the rate of the immobilization process and/or reducing the ultimate mobility of the remaining solid fraction of the feces. Alternatively, the FMAs may serve to increase the viscosity of the feces during immobilization through a direct thickening mechanism. The FMAs may be loosely associated with the immobilization element or may be releasably attached (i.e., such that fecal water can effect its release) to the immobilization element 154.

Preferred rendering

As noted above, the present invention is applicable to many types of absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments or pads, absorbent pads, diaper holders and diaper covers, feminine hygiene garments, wipes, disposable wipes, bandages, and self-contained articles attached to a wearer via the perianal region. Thus, the following examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is an absorbent article 20, shown in Fig. 1. The absorbent article has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38, and a crotch region 37 disposed between the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. The diaper 20 includes a topsheet 24, a backsheet 26, and an absorbent core 28 disposed between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. The topsheet 24 is disposed in at least a portion of the first waist region 36 adjacent the body.

Φ Φ φ φ · φφ · · φφφφ · φ φ φ φφφ φφφ φφφ φφφφ φφφφ φφφφ • φφ ΦΦ· φφ φφφ φφφ φφ ···· φφ

The diaper 20 further preferably includes a storage element 152 disposed between the acquisition element 150 and the backsheet 26. The storage element 152 is disposed in at least a portion of the crotch region 37 and in at least a portion of the second waist region 38. In this embodiment, the storage element 152 includes a macroparticulate structure 170 comprising particles 172. Specifically, the macroparticulate structure 170 comprises about two grams of scrubber particles mixed with about 0.35 grams of strips of foam absorbent material having a basis weight of 45 grams per square meter, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345. (The scrubber particles may be made by cutting the abrasive nonwoven, lightweight side (hereinafter referred to as the scrubber layer) of a scrub pad (for example, available under the designation Light Duty Scrubbers #00065 from Libman Company of Arcola, IL) into particles measuring about 8 mm x about 7 mm x about 5 mm. The strips are about 19 millimeters long, 6.4 millimeters wide, and 2 millimeters thick. The particles from the brush are distributed over an area of 6.35 x 16.2 cm (103.2 cm ² ), arranged along the longitudinal axis of the article approximately 0.8 mm thick, to wet a thin foam absorbent material (described in U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207, which is incorporated herein by reference), with a basis weight of 126 grams per square meter. These particles are relatively uniformly mixed with the absorbent foam strips and are not restricted to movement within the area surrounded by the layer • · « ·· ·· ·· φ··· · · · · * · · • · » ♦ · · · · « 9 · ··

In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the absorbent article of the present invention may be a pad 21 or sanitary napkin, which is intended to be placed alone on the wearer or placed within the wearer's undergarment, outer packaging, or the like. Accordingly, the pad 21 is generally not intended to be in the form of a panty, but rather is intended to be used in conjunction with a panty or other structure that holds the pad 21 in place about the wearer. The absorbent pad 21 has a pair of opposed end regions 135 separated by a central region 137 and includes an absorbent assembly 27 that may include an absorbent core 28, an acquisition element 150, a storage element 152, and/or an immobilization element 154. The pad 21 may also include one or more attachment elements 41 that maintain the pad 21 in place in the panty or outer package 29 during use. The attachment element 41 may include adhesive, cohesive, hooks, snaps, buckles, buttons, laces, magnetic, electronic, and/or any other known means of attaching absorbent articles to undergarment components.

TESTING METHODS • · · flfl · · · · · • flflfl · · · · · flflfl • flfl · · fl · · · • · fl fl · · · « · · « • flfl · · · flfl

Viscosity

Viscosity can be determined by a controlled-load rheometer (shear stress). A suitable rheometer is available from T.A. Instruments, Inc. of New Castle, DE, as model number SC2100. The instrument uses a stainless steel parallel plate fixture. The rheometer has a rigid horizontal first plate on which the sample is placed and a second plate mounted across the first plate so that the axis of the second plate is perpendicular to the first plate. The second plate has a diameter of 2 or 4 centimeters. A parallel plate with a diameter of 2 cm is used for solid, pasty, or highly viscous samples, while a parallel plate with a diameter of 4 cm is used for very fluid or water-like fecal samples. The first and second plates are spaced apart by up to 2000 microns during the measurement procedure. The second plate is connected to a drive shaft for axial rotation. .The drive motor and tension sensor are also mounted on the drive shaft.

A suitable sample (typically 2 to 3 grams) of faecal material to be tested is centered on the first plate and generally centered under the axis of the second plate. Prior to this test, any large pieces of undigested food material (e.g., seeds) are removed. The first plate is raised into position. Excess sample that has moved beyond the diameter of the second plate is removed using a lancet. Water is then removed from around the edges of the sample to avoid edge effects due to moisture loss during the measurement procedure. A programmed application of shear stress (or shear stress) from 500" ^s to 500,000' ⁵ newtons/cm ² for pasty and solid samples is applied to the sample by the rheometer. For flowable and watery samples, a ... 0 00 00 00 0000 0000 00 000 00 000 is used instead.

000 000 00

000 00 0000 0· 0 shear stress range from 50~ ⁵ to 50,000“ ⁵ newtons/cm ² . The data are fitted to a power law function where apparent viscosity = kj ^(n_1) , k = consistency (units of cP times sec ^(n_1) , j = shear rate (units of 1/sec), an = shear index (dimensionless). Thus, when j = one unit of 1/sec, viscosity = k. (The plates are maintained at 35° ^c · ) throughout the test.

Hardness measurement method

Hardness is measured using a Stevens-Farnell texture analyzer, QTS-25, model 7113-5 kg, and associated software on an Intel-based computer having a 486 or higher processor. A 1.27 cm thick, stainless steel spherical probe and a material analog container are provided. A suitable probe is the TA18 probe, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The material analog container can be made by cutting a -7 milliliter linear low density polyethylene scintillation vial (having an inside diameter of 13.97 mm +/- 0.127 mm) to a length of about 16 millimeters. Suitable vials are available from Kimble Glass Company of Vineland, New Jersey, as vial #58503-7. The test material analog container is filled to the top with the material (analog A or B, as described below), or feces, to be tested. If a fecal conditioning agent is being evaluated, the sample will be prepared as described in the sample preparation method below. The vial is centered under a 1.27 cm thick stainless steel spherical probe. The probe is lowered so that it just contacts the surface of the analog in the vial. The probe 162 is moved downward 7 millimeters at a rate of about mm per minute and then stopped. The hardness is the maximum

100 ·· · ·· ·· ·· · • · · · · · · · · · · ··· • · ♦ 9 9 4 9 9 9 «· ···· 4 4 9 4 4

9 9 4 4 4 9 9 9

494 94 4444 4· 949 recorded resistance force encountered by this probe in its 7 mm path. (The room and analogon temperature should be between about 18.3 and 23.8 °C during the measurement.) In terms of fact-checking, it has been found that hardness has a strong relationship with the complex modulus of a material, which is a combination of the viscous and elastic modulus of a given material.

Method for producing faecal analogue A

1.5 grams of Ultra Dawn dishwashing liquid (available from Procter and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH) is added to an empty metal mixing bowl. 10 grams each of Feclone FPS-2 and Feclone FPS-4 are added to the bowl containing Dawn. (Both Feclone materials are available from Siliclone Studios, Valley Forge, PA.) 200 milliliters of distilled water, heated to about 200°F (93.5°C), is then added to the mixing bowl. The resulting mixture is then carefully hand-mixed to prevent the introduction of air bubbles into the mixture, using a rubber or plastic spatula, until it is homogeneous (usually about 3-5 minutes). If properly prepared, Analog A will have a hardness value between about 7 and 10 grams, as measured above.

Method of producing fecal analogue B

Five grams each of Feclone FPS-4, Feclone FPS-6, and Feclone FPS-7 are added to an empty metal mixing bowl. (Both Feclone materials are available from Siliclone Studios, Valley Forge, PA.) Then 0.67 grams of Carbopol 941 (available from B.F. Goodrich Corp. of Brecksville, OH) is added to the bowl and the four ingredients are mixed, using a rubber or plastic spatula, until homogeneously mixed, to ensure adequate dispersion of the powdered materials when mixed in the water. Then 60 milliliters of distilled water, heated to a temperature of about 200°F (93.5°C), is added to the mixing bowl. The resulting mixture is stirred and mixed by hand to prevent the introduction of air bubbles into the mixture, using a rubber or plastic spatula, until homogeneous (usually about 3-5 minutes). If properly prepared, Analog B will have a hardness value between about 600 and 650 grams.

Method for producing fecal analogue C

Analog C is a fecal material prepared by mixing 10 grams of Carbopol 941, from B. F. Goodrich Corporation of Brecksville, OH, or an equivalent acrylic polymer, in 900 milliliters of distilled water. The Carbopol 941 and distilled water are weighed and measured separately. A three-bladed impeller having a 5.08 cm diameter paddle (available from VWR Scientific Products Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio, catalog number BR4553-64, attached to a 1 cm diameter mixing shaft, BR4553-52, is used to mix the distilled water. The impeller speed during mixing should be constant at 450 rpm. The mixer should create a vortex without splashing. The Carbopol is slowly sieved into the water by being drawn into the vortex and mixed without forming white lumps or fisheyes. The mixture is mixed until all the Carbopol is added and then for a further two minutes. The sides of the bowl containing the mixture should be scraped and the container should be rotated as necessary to achieve a homogeneous mixture. (The mixture will probably be slightly clouded with air bubbles.) One hundred grams of 1.0 N NaOH volumetric solution, available from •· 0 00 00 ··

0 0 0 · · · · 0 · 0 0 0 0 0 0· 0 00

J.T. Baker Co., Philipsburg, NJ, and the mixture is stirred until homogeneous. The mixture should become thick and clear. After the addition of the alkaline solution, the mixture should be stirred for 2 minutes. The neutralized mixture should be allowed to reach equilibrium for at least 12 hours and then, within 96 hours, should be used for the pressure acceptance test. Before use, the Carbopol mixture should be stirred in the container for about 1 minute at low speed (about 50 rpm) to ensure its homogeneity.

Analog C, when properly prepared, should have a hardness value between 55 and 65 grams. Hardness is measured using a Stevens-Farnell Texture Analyzer, QTS-25, Model 7113-5 kg, and associated software on an Intel-based computer having a 486 series processor or higher. A 1.27 cm thick, stainless steel spherical probe and a material analog container are provided. A suitable probe is the TA18 probe, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The material analog container can be made by cutting a 7 milliliter linear low density polyethylene scintillation vial (having an inside diameter of 13.97 mm +/- 0.127 mm) to a length of 15 millimeters. Suitable vials are available from Kimble Glass Company of Vineland, New Jersey, as vials designated #58503-7. The test material analogon container is filled to within 2 millimeters of the top with the material. The vial is centered under a 1.27 cm thick stainless steel spherical probe. The probe is lowered to within about 1 millimeter of the surface of the analogon in the vial. The probe 162 is moved downward 7 millimeters at a rate of about 100 mm per minute and then stopped. The hardness is the maximum recorded resistance force encountered by the probe in its 7 mm path. (The temperature of the room and analogon should be between about 18.3 and 23.8 °C during the measurement.)

Sample preparation method

A pre-cleaned VWR jar (VWR No. 15900-196) is placed on a scale and tared. The desired amount of chemical is measured into the beaker and the exact weight is recorded. After the weight of the chemical is recorded, the scale is tared again. The desired amount of feces or fecal analogue is measured into the beaker containing the chemical. The exact amount of feces or fecal analogue is recorded and the chemical and feces or fecal analogue are mixed vigorously using the spatula end of a standard Ayre CerviScraper (VWR No. 15620-009) until homogeneous (total mixing time is generally about 2 minutes). For the purposes of this method, the start of the mixing process is defined as t=0 minutes. After mixing, the sample is allowed to settle for the remainder of the desired reaction time. For the data presented here, the time of this reaction is determined at t=three minutes elapsed from the start of the mixing process. This is then filled into a 16 millimeter vial, as described above in the hardness measurement method, using the spatula end of a standard Ayre Cervi-Scraper, and a hardness test is performed (starting at t=3 minutes from the start of the mixing process, as described above).

Accepting under pressure

The acceptance under pressure is measured by the following test, using the apparatus 139 shown in Fig. 9. A hollow • r a ·· ·♦ «· 9 is provided

4 49 ♦ 4 · · A··· • 4 9 9 9 4 4 9 4

4 9 4 4 4 4 4 9 9 ·

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

444 94 *··* 49 499 pattern cylinder 140, made of plexiglass, mounted on a stainless steel plate 142, about 9.5 mm thick. Plate 142 is a square with dimensions about 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm. The connection of cylinder 140 and plate has a height

7.6 cm, the inner diameter is 5.08 cm and the outer diameter is 6.3 cm. The bottom of the cylinder 140 extends below the plate 142 by a distance of about 3.5 mm. A nozzle 143 prevents the test fluid 166 from leaking outside the designated test area. Two 625 gram weights 156 are also provided, each having a diameter of 5.08 cm.

A cylindrically shaped plexiglass weight 144 is provided, weighing 24.6 grams. The weight 144 is 2 inches in diameter, so that it fits snugly inside the cylinder 140, but is free to slide through the opening 141 in the cylinder 140. This arrangement provides a pressure of about 119 Pa and a test area of about ⁸ square inches. If desired, the weight 144 may have a handle 145 so that it can be easily inserted in and out of the cylinder 140. In such cases, the combined weight of the handle 145 and the cylindrical weight 144 should be 24.6 grams.

A sample 146 of the structure is provided for testing the compressive properties. This sample may be cut from an existing diaper or may be constructed from material that has not been formed into a diaper. The sample 146 comprises the entire structure for use in the product or the entire product structure, including the topsheet 161, for evaluation. (In order to measure the compressive performance of individual acquisition elements (parts) as described above in the Acquisition Element section, the compressive test is conducted using a standard stock element 147, in place of any underlying structure or layers. The standard stock element 147 used herein comprises an aluminum plate, a square 10.16 cm on a side and 1.6 mm thick, having 153 regularly spaced apertures 168

with a diameter of 4.3 mm, as shown in Fig. 10. The holes are arranged so that there are about 4 holes per square centimeter.) Sample 146 should be cut into a square measuring 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm.

Five sheets of high basis weight absorbent paper 149 are provided, measuring 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm. The top sheet 161 of the sample 146 is removed and the remaining components, or layers, of the sample 146 (if there are multiple components or layers) and the five sheets of absorbent paper 149 are weighed to the nearest 0.01 gram. Thus, if the sample 146 is to be taken from a diaper, the layers of the diaper such as topsheets, secondary topsheets, acquisition layers, absorbent cores, etc., should be separated prior to weighing. (In some cases, a single layer may include two or more permanently bonded components.) In doing this, care must be taken not to destroy the sample 146 or cause unintended gross deformation of any portion of the sample. The sample layers 146 may be frozen to aid in their separation from adjacent sample layers 146. Freezing may be accomplished using a PH100-15 peripheral freezer, available from Philips ECG, Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts.

The sample 146 should be reassembled as originally arranged on top of five stacked layers of absorbent material 149, with the side of the sample 146 that is intended to face the wearer facing up and away from the absorbent material 149. The absorbent material 149 is preferably filter grade paper, available from Ahlstrom Filtration, Inc. of Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania under the designation #632-025, having a basis weight of about 90 grams per square meter.

The combined sample assembly 146 and the suction material 149 are centered on the work surface 164 of the texture analyzer 160 from

Stevens-Farnell, model QTS 7113-5 kg (available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, GB), under probe 162. A suitable probe 162 is a 100 cm, flat-ended, cylindrical, aluminum expansion rod QTSM3100, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, GB. Cylinder 140 is centered on sample 146. Two 625 gram weights 156 are placed at opposite corners (diagonally) of plate 142 to stabilize it. A dose of approximately 10 cubic centimeters of the imitation, or analog 166 (analog C as described below) of viscous, liquid body feces is dispensed through opening 141 in cylinder 140 onto the top of sample 146 using a syringe with a bore of about 4 to 6 mm.

Once the appropriate amount of fecal simulant 166 (analogon C) has been measured into the cylinder 140, a weight 144 weighing 24.6 grams is slowly inserted into the opening in the cylinder 140 until it rests on the surface of the analogon and then gently rotated, one clockwise rotation followed by one counterclockwise rotation, both rotations being performed while carefully avoiding applying downward pressure to the weight. The texture analyzer 160 is activated by the probe 162 compressing the cylindrical weight 144 at a rate of 10 mm per minute until a resistive force of about 144.6 grams is reached. The texture analyzer 160 is set to stop its downward pull once a resistive force of 144.6 grams is reached. The recorder is set to trigger at a resistance force of 5 grams (the maximum resistance force of 144.6 grams corresponds to an applied pressure of 700 Pa, or 0.1 pounds per square inch). Once the resistance force of 144.6 grams is reached, the probe 162 is retracted to its starting position.

The weight 144 is removed from the cylinder 140 and the cylinder 140 is then removed from the surface of the sample 146, taking care not to drip any of the analog C remaining in the cylinder 140 onto the sample 146. The top layer 161 of the sample 146 is then removed from the backing layer(s) of the sample 146 by pulling the top layer 161 parallel to the surface of the backing layers, if possible. For certain structures where it is difficult to remove the top layer 161 by pulling parallel to the backing layers, the top layer 161 may be peeled or pulled away from the backing layers of the sample 146. If the sample 146 comprises only a single layer, the standard receiving element 151 described below is used as the top layer 161 of the sample 146. The backing layers of the sample 146 and the absorbent material 149 are then weighed. The amount of test analog C absorbed by sample 146 is equal to the increase in the combined weight of the backing layer(s) of sample 146 and the absorbent material 149 caused by the penetration of test analog C through the top surface layer of sample 146 per unit work done (in millijoules) per unit area. The pressure-area curve, used in calculating unit work, is obtained by integrating the force resisting the probe as it moves downward over the entire distance traveled until a maximum force of 144.6 grams is recorded. Unit work is calculated using the following equation:

distance is calculated

Unit of work (mJ) = area under pressure vs. distance curve (g/mm)(9.81 m/s ² )/(1000 mm/m)

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

PATENT CLAIMS A disposable absorbent article (20) adapted for use on a perianal region of a wearer to receive fecal material, the article comprising a fecal material conditioning agent substrate and means for maintaining it in contact with the wearer's perianal region; The absorbent article is characterized in that an effective amount of calcium based fecal treatment composition is provided therein such that the calcium based fecal treatment composition is useful for contacting at least a portion of the faeces stored in the article. An absorbent article (20) adapted to receive fecal material and having a first waist region (36), a second waist region (38) opposite the first waist region, and a crotch region (37) disposed between the first and second waist regions; the absorbent article comprises: a liquid pervious topsheet (24), a liquid impervious backsheet (26) attached to at least a portion of the topsheet (24), an absorbent core (28) disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet (24) and the backsheet (26); The absorbent article is characterized in that an effective amount of a calcium based fecal treatment composition is arranged therein such that the calcium based fecal treatment composition is useful for contacting at least a portion of the faeces stored in the article. • 0 • 0 • 0 An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the calcium-based, faecal material conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of: calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, hydrated calcium chloride, a polymeric compound, calcium alginic or ionic salt, forming means. complex compounds The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the calcium-based, faecal treatment agent increases the hardness of at least a portion of the faeces by more than about 100%, at a concentration of no more than about 5 percent by weight of the treated faeces, preferably no greater. more than about 1.5 percent by weight, and more preferably no more than about 0.5 percent by weight. 5. An absorbent article according to claim 4 wherein the increase in hardness occurs in no more than about 5 minutes and preferably no more than about 3 minutes. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the calcium-based, faecal material conditioning agent is present at a concentration greater than or equal to about 0.01% by weight of the article. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calcium-based, faecal material modifying agent is arranged on a carrier structure, preferably comprising a skin care composition and a rib-like or brush-like structure. ΊΟ 8. An absorbent article according to claim, wherein the skin care composition comprises components selected from the group consisting of petroleum oils and paraffins, and silicone oils and silicone waxes. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the calcium-based, faecal material conditioning agent is releasably attached to at least a portion of the article, preferably a fastener selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble adhesive or hydrogen bonding. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one three-dimensional structure which is attached to or extends from a portion of the absorbent article, the three-dimensional structure, preferably printed fibers, comprising calcium-based, fecal material modifying means wherein the three-dimensional structure promotes contact between the calcium-based, faecal material conditioning agent and faeces. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the calcium-based, faecal material conditioning agent is disposed adjacent the water-soluble film. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a gas generating system comprising at least one mixture that produces a gas, wherein said gas, when mixed with water. the developing system delivers a calcium-based, faecal material treating the faeces; or a gas generating system comprising a water soluble material containing compressed gas that develops when mixed with water, wherein the gas generating system delivers a calcium-based, fecal conditioning agent to the faeces. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a fecal material control portion (120) having a pressure acquisition value greater than about 0.077 grams of viscous, liquid body feces per square centimeter of said portion per millioule of supplied energy, preferably greater. than about 0.155 grams of viscous, liquid body feces per square centimeter of that portion per milliliter of energy input. 14. An absorbent article according to claim 13 wherein the faecal material control portion comprises a macroparticle structure comprising a plurality of discrete particles having a nominal size between about 1 mm and about 25.4 mm. 15. An absorbent article according to claim 14 wherein the calcium-based, faecal material modifying means is disposed in at least a portion of the faecal material control portion, preferably on at least some of said discrete particles. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a reaction system (65) comprising a sensor (66) operably coupled to the article and adapted to detect faecal input, and a trigger portion (67) operatively coupled to the article and adapted for delivering an effective amount of a calcium based, fecal conditioning agent to the faeces when the sensor detects their input.