CZ20004716A3 - An ionic, absorbent article comprising complexes for treating fecal material - 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 (36), a crotch region (37) disposed between the first waist region (36) and the second waist region (38). 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 topsheet (26), and an effective amount of an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent disposed in the article such that the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is operable to contact at least a portion of feces deposited in the article.

Description

Absorbent product containing an ionic, complexing agent for treating fecal material

Technical field

The invention relates to articles for absorbing and/or containing body exudates, including disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence products, sanitary napkins, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to disposable absorbent articles comprising one or more ionic complexing agents which modify the physical properties of fecal material or other body exudates that may be stored in the article.

State of the art

An important function of absorbent articles such as diapers and 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 have largely replaced durable, cloth absorbent articles in terms of convenience and reliability. However, despite the effectiveness of these disposable absorbent articles, body exudates still often leak or are retained in the diaper in a manner that soiles and/or irritates the wearer's skin. In addition, body exudates often adhere aggressively to the skin, increasing the difficulty of cleaning and the likelihood of chronic, residual soiling. The root cause of these and other key problems with absorbent products of this technology lies in the mobility of feces under applied shear loads and in their adhesion.

The undesirable effects of leakage and/or inadequate containment, difficult cleaning, and/or residual skin soiling are particularly apparent with respect to fecal material retained in a diaper. Feces retained by a diaper can cause damage to the wearer's skin over time, and fecal material escaping from the diaper almost always presents an unpleasant and delicate cleaning challenge. Thus, several attempts have been made to add features to diapers such as baffles, pockets, spacers, crossbars, perforated topsheets, and the like to limit the movement of fecal material through the topsheet and/or to better contain the material in the diaper. However, these attempts have been largely unsuccessful because they have failed to address the underlying causes of these problems (i.e., the nature of the fecal material) and because of their manufacturing cost and complexity. Furthermore, many fecal containment and/or containment devices are designed to target fecal material with specific physical properties (e.g., viscosity, free water content, and particle size) and are not effective on exudates having physical properties outside a very narrow range of these properties.

Chemical agents are used in superabsorbent polymer particles in an attempt to increase the osmotic potential of the polymer for the purpose of increasing the effective capacity of the superabsorbent for urine. For example, EP 0 420 048 A1 describes the use of osmotic materials encapsulated in chambers within superabsorbent polymer particles to increase their absorption capacity. In such cases, however, the osmotic material is not available to contact the surrounding fecal material and, therefore, does not function as a fecal treatment agent as described herein.

U.S. Patent No. 4,556,560 teaches the use of certain metal salts as lipase inhibitors. These compositions are attached to the topsheet by application using a volatile solvent. As stated, urine excretion is required to wet the topsheet and release the lipase inhibitor compositions. Lipase inhibitors may also be flushed into the absorbent core as part of the urine output. These factors clearly limit the accessibility of the composition to fecal material.

U.S. Patent No. 4,790,836 describes a diaper that includes a layer of medicated powder disposed between an absorbent core and a water-soluble thin film. The medicated 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 diaper embodiments described in this patent do not function to provide the fecal material treatment benefit 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 disposable, economical absorbent article with the ability to minimize the negative effects of feces or other viscous body exudates on the wearer or caregiver. It would also be advantageous to provide an article configured to chemically or physically interact with fecal material and change its properties to improve its uptake into the article and/or immobilization within the article and/or reduce its soiling of the wearer's skin. It is also desirable to provide an absorbent article that has sufficient effective capacity and retention capacity to safely and cleanly retain physically or chemically treated feces stored therein, away from the wearer's skin and/or clothing, throughout the expected period of wear.

The essence of the invention

To help address at least some of the above-described and otherwise identified problems in prior art absorbent articles, the present invention provides an article comprising an ionic complexing (i.e., complexing compounds, or complexes forming) fecal material treatment agent that is useful in an effective concentration to physically or chemically treat some or all of the fecal material or other body exudates deposited in the article. This treatment of the fecal material can improve the acquisition and/or retention of exudates within the article and reduce the spread of feces within the diaper and/or reduce the tendency of fecal material to adhere to the wearer's skin. The invention can also provide an absorbent article capable of acquiring, storing and/or immobilizing exudates in their treated form to reduce the likelihood that the exudates, 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 excreta.

Overview of images in drawings

While the relevant description is concluded with claims, specifically pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter,

which is considered to be the present invention, it is believed that its characteristics will be more readily understood from the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used to designate substantially identical parts, and in which:

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

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

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

Fig. 4 - shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention.

Fig. 5 - shows a plan view of an embodiment of a sanitary napkin of the present invention having sections cut away to reveal the underlying structure.

Fig. 6 - shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 - shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

• · · · · · ·

···· ·· ·· ·· ·· ··

Fig. 10 - shows a plan view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 9.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

As used herein, the term absorbent article refers to devices that absorb and contain body exudates and, more specifically, devices placed on or near the wearer's body to absorb and contain various exudates excreted by the body. The term disposable is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are generally not expected to be laundered or otherwise renewed or reused (i.e., are expected to be discarded after their single use and preferably recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in a manner compatible with the protection of the external environment). (As used herein, the term arranged means that a portion(s) of a diaper is 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 arrangements in which a portion is directly attached to another portion by attaching that portion directly to that second portion, and arrangements in which a given portion is indirectly attached to another portion by attaching to an intermediate component(s) that is in turn attached to the given second portion(s)). A unitary absorbent article refers to absorbent articles formed from separate portions joined together to form a coordinated entity, such that they do not require separate handling parts, such as a separate handle or cover.

A preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention is a unitary disposable absorbent article, a diaper 20, which is shown in Fig. 1. (As used herein, • ··· • ·

(The term diaper refers to an absorbent article generally worn by young children and incontinent persons around the lower torso.) However, the invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as, for example, 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 a diaper 20 of the present invention in a flattened and unstretched state, with portions of the structure cut away to better illustrate the assembly of the diaper 20. The wearer-facing portion of the diaper 20 faces the viewer. As shown in Fig. 1, the diaper 20 preferably 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 shown in Fig. 1 has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 opposite the first waist region 36, and a crotch region 37 located between the first waist region 36 and the second waist region

38. The perimeter of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20, 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.

Chassis (hereafter mostly a retaining set, note)

transl.) 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 ·· · ··· • φ φ ΦΦ·· ··· ·· ·· · · · · φ φφ·· ΦΦ·· · • · · φ φ · ΦΦ·

ΦΦΦ· ·· ·· ··· ·· ·· ·· ·· and preferably an outer cover layer, comprising a topsheet 24 and a 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 forming an outer cover (cover) of the article, and the cover may include an absorbent assembly comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. In such cases, the holder and/or 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 features that 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; in U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, Buell, issued September 9, 1992; in 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

on September 10, 1996, entitled Absorbent article with stretchable waist treatment 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. 5,580,411, 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 that portion of the diaper 20 that is disposed adjacent the garment-facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 and prevents exudates absorbed and retained therein from soiling articles that may contact the diaper 20, such as bed sheets and undergarment items. 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 trade 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 materials 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 P18-3097 HYTREL blend. Several breathable composite materials are described in more detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995, in the name of E.I. DuPont, and copending U.S. Patent Application Serial 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 material,

000000 00 00 ·· • · 0 0 0 0 ·· «000 000 0 000 000 00 elastic-like film (SELF), as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801, entitled "Structured (or Ribbed) 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 element 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, the 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 pliable, soft to the touch, 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 through its thickness. Suitable topsheet 24 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, or woven or 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. If the topsheet contains fibers, they may be nonwoven, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, 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 • Φ Φ··· φφ φφ φφ φ φ φ φ · φφ φφφ φφφφφ • · · · · φ · · • ΦΦΦ φφ φφφφ φφ

Veratec, lne., Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts, MA, under the designation P-8.

Suitable formed film topsheets 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 24 are made in accordance with U.S. Patent Nos.: 4,609,518 and 4,629,643, respectively, issued September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986, to Curro et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such formed films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation "DRI-WEAVE;" and from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation CLIFF-T.

The topsheet 24 may be made of a hydrophobic material or treated to be hydrophobic to isolate the wearer's skin from fluids contained in the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least its upper surface is treated to be hydrophilic so that fluids will pass through the topsheet more quickly. This reduces the likelihood that body exudates will run off the topsheet 24 rather than being drawn into and absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 is a hydrophobic material that is hydrophobic to the skin of the wearer.

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ··· · · 9 4 4 4

4 9 4 9 4 4 4 9

9494 49 94 4444 44 949 layer 24 can be made hydrophilic by treating it with or incorporating a surfactant therein. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with or incorporating a surfactant into the topsheet 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 Rapid-Acquisition Absorbent Cores, issued to Reising on January 29, 1991; and U.S. Patent No. H1670, published on

on July 1, 1997 in the name of Azize et al. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference into this material. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 may comprise an apertured structure or film that is hydrophobic. This may be achieved by eliminating the hydrophilicizing treatment step from the manufacturing process and/or by applying to the topsheet 24 a hydrophobic treatment such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound such as SCOTCHGUARD or a hydrophobic lotion composition as described below. In such treatments, it is preferred that the apertures be large enough to permit 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. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760, entitled Disposable Article Having a Skin Care Composition Treated Topsheet Containing a Softener and a Polyol Polyester Immobilizer, issued to Roe et al. on March 4, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587, entitled Diaper Having a Lotion Topsheet Containing a Liquid Polyol Polyester Softener and an Immobilizer, issued to Roe on March 11, 1997; U.S. Patent ·· 4444 ·· *· 4 • 4 · « * · 4 * * 44 · 4444

4444 4»·· 4 • 44 444 444

4444 44 44 4444 *· 444

No. 5,635,191, entitled Diaper Having a Topsheet with a Lotion Containing a Polysiloxane Emollient, issued to Roe et al. on June 3, 1997; and U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588, entitled Diaper With a Topsheet Treated with a Lotion, issued to Roe et al. on July 1, 1997. The lotion may function alone or in conjunction 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 the Topsheet for Odor Control, published September 14, 1995, in the name of Theresa Johnson. Additionally, the top layer 24, the bottom layer 26, or any portion of the top and bottom layers, may be embossed and/or matte-finished to provide a more fabric-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 fastening means known in the art. Suitable fastening means are described above with respect to the means of attaching the backsheet 26 to the other portions 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 may include a wide variety of fluid-absorbing materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as, for example, comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as airlaid. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crepe cellulose.

cotton wool, meltblown polymers including coform (mixed form), chemically stiffened, modified or crosslinked cellulose-based fibers, tissue paper including tissue paper webs and laminates thereof, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any other known absorbent material or combination of materials.

The arrangement and composition of the absorbent core 28 may also be varied (for example, the absorbent core(s) and/or other absorbent structure(s) may have varying zones of tactility, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or acquisition zones of 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 proposed load and intended use of the diaper 20.

Exemplary absorbent structures useful for 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; U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402, entitled Absorbent Articles with Double Layered Cores, issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; 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; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231, entitled Absorbent Core with Dust Layer, issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; U.S. Patent No.

137,537, Absorbent Structure Containing Individualized, Polycarboxylic Acid Crosslinked Cellulosic 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 Products 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 with such materials, issued to DesMarais et al. on November 9, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207, entitled Thin, absorbent foam materials for aqueous body fluids when wetted and a 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 to help provide better 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 to Kievit et al., issued May 7, 1985; U.S. Patent No. 4,710,189 to Lash, issued December 1, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 to Buell, issued

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.

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 by providing lateral tension around 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, • · 9 · • 9 • 9 · · · · ·

9 · · · · • ···· 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9

9999 99 99 9999 99 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 the hereinbefore incorporated by reference U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. The attachment system may also provide a means for maintaining the article in a disposal configuration, as disclosed 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 designation EBL and from Guilford under the trade designation 18904. In alternative embodiments, the opposite sides of the garment may be seamed or welded to form a panty, thereby enabling the article to be used as a pull-on type diaper, such as a training panty.

The diaper 20 may also include side panels 30 that are assembled and attached to the chassis (retention 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 Ears", issued to Wood et al. on August 15, 1989; in U.S. Patent No. 4,381,781, issued to Sciaraff et al. on May 3, 1983; in U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753, issued to Van Gompel et al. on July 3, 1990; in the previously referenced U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; in U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; in 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 Al, 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 that help provide improved containment of fluids and other body exudates. Leg cuffs may also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper providing 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, both issued to Aziz et al. on February 28, 1989 and March 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers with stand-up elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) that improve containment of 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 invention may also include pockets for receiving and retaining feces, spacers providing cavities (voids) for feces, barriers to restrict their movement within the article, compartments or cavities that receive and retain fecal materials deposited in the diaper, and the like, or any combination thereof. Examples of such 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 Extrusion Expansion Portion; U.S. Patent No. 5,171,236, issued to Dreier et al. on

on December 15, 1992, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article Having Core Spacer Portions; 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 Top; and PCT Application WO 93/25172, published on December 3, 1993, entitled Spacer Portions for Use in Sanitary Absorbent Articles and in Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Portion; 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. 5,622,840, 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.

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, Heightwise Transverse Divisions, issued September 10, 1996, to Dreier et al.; PCT Patent WO 94/14395, entitled Absorbent Article With 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 Rising Transverse Divisions, issued to Roe et al. on August 5, 1997. All of the above-cited references are hereby incorporated by reference.

The product of the invention may also contain one or more fecal material conditioning agents or agents (also referred to as FMAs, viscous body fecal material conditioning agents(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 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. 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 their drainage, decrease the stickiness of the feces or their adhesive characteristics, or any combination thereof. Although the fecal conditioning agents of the 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°C and Jif Peanut Butter Cream (available from Procter and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH) has a value of approximately 4 x 10 ^cP at 25°C). The viscosity determination method as used herein is described in more detail below in the test methods section.

Regardless of the specific effect of a particular chemical composition on feces, in order to perform its function, a given composition on feces must be usable (or available). As used herein, in the context of the FMA, the term usable indicates that a composition 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 composition is placed within a structure (for example, in an absorbent layer beneath a topsheet), the structure must be substantially permeable to feces. In such cases, a composition is usable if the structure has a compressive 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 compressive uptake measurement described below in the Test Methods section. If encapsulated, the agent should be released by the product at or about the time that feces impact the product. For example, the FMAs may be contained in a water-soluble film that dissolves upon contact with urine or fecal water, releasing the FMAs 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 treating feces, an FMA concentration of at least about 0.01 weight percent of the feces to be treated is preferably desired, and more typically, an amount between about 0.1 and about 50 percent of the weight of the feces is available on the feces. For example, to treat an entire 25 gram load of feces in a diaper (i.e., volume treatment), at a 5 weight percent level, 1.25 grams of FMA must be available per fecal mass (assuming a specific gravity of the feces of 1.0). Thus, the FMA(s) is(are) 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.

The FMA(s) preferably has the ability to increase the hardness of the fecal material analog, and preferably actual feces, by about 100% (preferably by about 200%, more preferably by about 400%), at a concentration of no greater 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 greater 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 greater than about 5 percent by weight of the treated feces. In other preferred embodiments, 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 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 the 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, 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 between about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of the treated feces.

Preferably, the defined hardness increase is carried out within about 30 minutes, preferably within about 15 minutes, more preferably within about 5 minutes, even more preferably within about 3 minutes, and most preferably within about 1 minute after contact with the feces. Typically, the desired hardness change is carried out within about 1 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 is capable of increasing 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 presents the reference hardness values of two artificial fecal analog materials. (Hardness was found to be closely related to the complex modulus of the fecal material). Analog A represents the water content, hardness and adhesion properties of typical liquid feces, while Analog B represents typically mushy, hereafter simply pasty feces. The two fecal consistencies are simulated to better document the performance of the FMA. The methods for preparing Analog A and B are described below in the Test Methods section.

TABLE I

Fecal analogue Analogue hardness (g)

8.6

620

Fecal analogues A and B provide a robust and reproducible means of evaluating the performance of FMA. However, real feces are very complex materials. Due to certain chemical treatments, the effect of FMA on real feces may be greater than that of either of the analogues described above. To demonstrate the similarity in the relative responses to a given treatment, data on the change in hardness between the fecal analogues and real feces are presented for one of the products evaluated. The real feces used in these experiments consisted of both a composite liquid stool sample and a composite pasty stool sample. The composite liquid stool sample was collected using multiple stools (uncontaminated with urine) from two American breastfed φφ φ φ φ φ φ · · φφφφ four-month-old male infants. A sample of pasty stool was collected using multiple stools (uncontaminated with urine) from two American four-month-old male formula-fed infants and a twelve-month-old male infant transitioning from breast milk to regular food. Fecal collection was performed using a Seward Stomacher 400 Lab System from Seward Medical, Ltd., London, UK. For reference, the hardness of the untreated (i.e., as collected) liquid stool sample was 28 grams, and the hardness of the untreated pasty stool sample was 297 grams.

The effect of mixing several of the comparison samples with fecal analogs is shown below in Table II. 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

Comparator additive

Concentration (% wt.)

Hardness (g) of treated fek, corn starch analogue 1.0 (Dietary Fiber Control, 5.0

Sigma Chemical Co.

St.Louis,MO,S-2388) pure 1.0 cornstarch baby powder 5.0 (Johnson & Johnson Co.,

Skillman, NJ)

12, 6 8.6

14.4

7.1 ····· ·· ·· ·· ·· · · · · * · ··· • · · ♦ · · · • · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · «··· ·

A Baby powder (talcum powder) 1.15 10.2 B (Johnson & Johnson Co.) corn starch 1.1 643 (Dietary Fiber Control, 4.9 533 B Sigma Chemical Co. St.Louis,MO,S-2388) Baby Powder (Talcum) 1.0 854 (Johnson & Johnson Co.) 5.0 679

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, modifying agents are used to increase the viscosity and reduce the mobility of feces, which increase the structure of the feces by increasing the degree of water binding through ionic complexation (or the formation of complex compounds). This can be achieved by ionic complexing agents at appropriate concentrations. Certain FMAs 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 functions as a viscosity reducing agent for a flowable fecal analogue, but at the same concentrations as a thickener (by ionic complexation) for pasty feces.

Ionic complexing agents can comprise any single component that complexes (i.e., forms complex compounds) with itself or with water or other chemical entities in fecal material and forms regions of increased internal organization (structure) and rigidity within the material. The resulting complex acts to stabilize or bind more water in the feces. Exemplary ionic complexing agents include ZnO, MgO, MnO, CaO, calcium hydroxide, Α1 ₂ 0 ₃ , aluminum salts, zinc salts such as zinc acetate and zinc glucanate, gelatin, quaternary ammonium salts, ethanolamines, alginic acid, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and the like). The ionic complexing agent may alternatively comprise a two- or multi-component system in which the relevant complex (i.e., the structure or internal arrangement of a larger area or extent) is formed by the interaction of two added components (for example, an aluminum, calcium or zinc salt plus alginic acid and/or its salt). Ionic complexing agents, when complexed with water, may alternatively form crystalline hydrates. In general, some of the most effective fecal conditioning agents are calcium-containing compounds or systems (for example, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide and calcium alginate, etc.).

Table III shows the effect of various ionic complexing agents on the hardness of fecal analog and/or feces (mixing of fecal analog and/or feces was performed as specified in the sample preparation method below).

····

T A B U L K A III Ionic Fecal complexing Analogon/fecal environment/system Concentration (% wt.) Hardness (g) of treated faeces/faeces 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) (alginic acid - sodium salt,

acid

acid

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

Sigma C-5551) zinc oxide 5.1 (ACS reagent,

Sigma Z-1753) sodium chloride 5.2 (ACS reagent,

Sigma C-9888) 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

192

275

405

513

070 compound liquid feces compound pasty feces alginic acid, ammonium-calcium 5.0 salt (Sigma A-7253) alginic acid, ammonium-calcium 5.0 salt (Sigma A-7253)

908

0000 •0 00 00 0 0 0 00«0 000 • 0 0 0 0 0 0

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

While in certain embodiments it is desirable to treat the entire mass of fecal material within a given product (i.e., bulk treatment), in some preferred embodiments only a portion of the fecal material is treated with the FMA. In these embodiments, the FMA(s) may penetrate only a relatively small distance into the feces, thereby forming a modified 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 mass. The modified outer layer is a region or layer of fecal material on or near the surface of the fecal mass, and already has different physical properties than the rest of the fecal mass. This treated layer is preferably harder (i.e., has a higher slip limit stress), less sticky, and/or has a higher resistance to diffusion of volatile molecules contained in the feces than the remaining feces, 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 region is preferably between about 1 and about 1,000 microns thick and may cover all or any portion of the fecal matter. For example, it may be appropriate to treat only the feces at the skin/feces interface (e.g., by reducing adhesion and/or promoting cleansing, or by reducing dispersion across the wearer's skin, or by promoting absorption and/or reducing dispersion within the article). Thus, to treat a 1 millimeter thick layer of fecal matter on a 30 square centimeter area of skin or top layer of a product, at a level of 10 percent by weight, 0.30 grams of FMA must be available for the feces in the area of contact with them (assuming the specific gravity of the feces as 1.0).

• ft ···· «

·· ·· ·· • · · · · * · • ftft · · >

• •ft · · ·· * ftft·· ftft • ftft ftftftft ftft

The FMA(s) may be in various forms organic or inorganic, low molecular weight and/or polymeric in nature, and/or may be liquid, solid (e.g., powder, fiber, film, structure), semi-solid, or a combination thereof. The FMA may be present in a water/oil or oil/water emulsion, suspension, or mixture. The FMA may be arranged in an article as a single, discrete element (e.g., 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), a structure, or may be releasably encapsulated under a film or in a package, chamber, or shell structure.

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 some suspension or as a simple mixture. Larger particles of the FMA (e.g., preferably greater than about 250 microns in their largest dimension) may be at least partially encapsulated or adhesively retained by the skin care composition. Some exemplary materials useful in skin care compositions that may 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, published by the U.S. The following are currently listed by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA): 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 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, Peru balsam 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, AQUAPH0R ^r healing ointment, BABY MAGIC ^R baby lotion, JOHNSON'S ^{ULTRA SENSITIVE R baby} cream, Johnson's baby lotion, lip balm, and so on. Other suitable skin care compositions are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588 , U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760 , U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587 , and U.S. Patent No. 6,635,191 . The disclosures of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The skin care compositions useful in the invention preferably have a melting profile such that they are relatively immobile and localized at room temperature on the surface of the article contacting the wearer, 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 by normal contact, wearer movement, and/or body heat.

In preferred embodiments, the skin care compositions herein are useful in a solid or, more often, semi-solid form at °C, i.e., at 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 have a semi-solid appearance, but when the amount of shear is increased, the compositions 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 preferably 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 appreciate 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 silica, 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 viscosity versus shear plot to zero shear. 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 protectants or emollients. As used herein, an 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 that term is used herein). In preferred forms, the 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, such as that of a lotion.

Exemplary plasticizers useful in the invention include, but are not limited to, petroleum-based plasticizers, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof, surfactants, 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 C12-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 products listed in the above-mentioned monograph on skin care products, or mixtures of these emollients.

Yet another preferred component of the carrier means of the skin care composition useful in the present invention is an agent capable of immobilizing the composition (containing the preferred emollient and/or other skin conditioning agents, therapeutic or protective agents and/or FMA present in the composition) at a desired location in or on the article to be treated. The immobilizing agent counteracts 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 agent increases the melting point and/or viscosity of the composition above that of the emollient. Because the immobilizing agent is preferably miscible with the plasticizer (either dissolved therein by means of a suitable emulsifier or dispersed therein), the agent traps the plasticizer on the carrier contacting surface or in the area to which it is applied.

It is also advantageous to lock the appropriate 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 when applied to the article. Additionally, external cooling of the treated article by means of blowers, fans, cold rollers, etc., can accelerate 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 and more typically in the range of about 50°C to about 150°C.

• · • · • ·

The immobilizing agents useful in the present invention may be selected from any number of agents so long as the preferred properties of the skin care composition provide the skin benefit described herein. 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 _C16 - _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 promote 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. Mixtures of palmitic acid and stearic acid are particularly preferred. Still other preferred immobilizing agents include C16- _C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 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 crystallization rate of the respective mixture, causing the mixture to crystallize rapidly on the surface of a given substrate. Still other types of additives suitable as immobilizing agents, either alone or in combination with the aforementioned immobilizing agents, include waxes such as carnauba wax, petroleum wax, beeswax, candelilla wax, paraffin wax, ceresin wax, esparto wax, ouricuri wax, resveratrol wax, isoparaffin wax, and other known mineral and mineral waxes.

• · « ·

The fecal material conditioning composition 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 parts of the article prior to its transfer to the feces. The carrier composition 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 slightly 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 dispersed over at least a portion of either the composition or the substrates prior to or during their contact. In such cases, the structure is preferably dried prior to its incorporation into the article.

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 material spacer. In embodiments in which the FMA is associated with a sealing element such as a leg cuff, waist barrier, or fecal material pocket, it is preferred that it be • ·

The FMA is associated with a portion of the sealing sleeve 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 the processing of feces contacting the sealing material. The FMA may be releasably attached to the surface of the sealing sleeve 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 spacers for fecal material, any portion of the spacer portion may comprise one or more FMAs. The spacer element may be releasably coated with the composition as described above, or may comprise chambers, packets or pouches of the composition encapsulated in at least a portion of a water- or fecal-soluble film (as described above).

The FMAs may contact fecal material on or near the surface of the article (e.g., at the topsheet/feces interface), within the article (as in the fecal management 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(s) will typically contact fecal material in the area of the article associated with the wearer's anus (e.g., in the context of a diaper, in the crotch region). Feces may alternatively contact the FMA(s) as they pass through an opening, flange, gate, or the like at or near the wearer's anus. In such cases, the FMA(s) may be pushed or pulled from the opening or gate (e.g., from reservoirs) by the pressure of the passage of the fecal matter as it is pushed out of the body. The aperture may comprise a longitudinal slit, cut or perforation in a layer, sheath, package or other structure containing the FMA or composition containing the FMA, arranged in proximity to the point of exit of the feces from the body. The aperture may initially be closed by a dissolvable film that is dissolved by contact with the feces, then releasing the composition or composition. Alternatively, the aperture 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 expelling the FMA through the aperture onto the feces.

The FMA may be delivered passively (e.g., feces flow through and contact it during normal wear conditions), actively (e.g., some part in the product 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 applied 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(s) may be initially stored within or on the article or any part thereof and subsequently released by any of the triggering events described herein. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA is releasably encapsulated under a film, in chambers, sheaths, packets, and the like, so as to prevent movement and/or loss of the composition prior to contact of the article with feces and/or to assist in positioning the FMA for contact with feces during use. The film coating, chamber, packet, or other container 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, which releases the composition (i.e., triggers release) upon contact and processing of the feces. An example of a water-soluble film useful in the invention is polyvinyl alcohol film, available as MONOSOL 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 fecal material 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 (for example, sodium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate and citric acid). The particles may be entrapped in a water-soluble matrix (for example, polyvinyl alcohol, 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 fecal-contacting surface. Thus, for example, when water present in fecal material dissolves a water-soluble film, the gas-generating mixture 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 mixture may include water-soluble capsules containing compressed gas and FMA. Water from the feces contacting these capsules may act to dissolve the film and release gas explosively, again forcing mixing/trapping of the gas in the ..... *.

Other mixtures and gas generating or releasing systems are contemplated within the scope of this invention.

The product of the present invention may also include a reaction system 65, including a sensor 66, an actuation portion 67, and stored energy used to transfer the FMA to the feces, mix the composition with the feces, or cause the composition to be extruded into contact with the feces. One preferred embodiment includes a shaped, compressed, macroporous foam 68 held in compression under a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film, as shown in Fig. 8. The foam 68 additionally contains 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 stored mechanical energy in the foam 68 and the mechanical transfer of the composition toward and into the fecal matter. In certain embodiments, mixing may occur by means of 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 and/or after the act of defecation (particularly low viscosity feces) to facilitate processing of a larger portion of the fecal mass. Other reaction systems suitable for use with the present invention are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. _, entitled Disposable Product 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 a given 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 fecal material. In one ·· ··♦·

In a preferred embodiment, fibers or strands of a hot melt resin containing a fecal conditioning agent may be printed onto the substrate 82 (an example of a substrate comprising fibers containing FMA is shown in FIG. 7 ). The agent may be incorporated into the resin so that it moves to the surface of the fibers and is usable on the feces. Alternatively, the agent 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; further described in 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 Peckov 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. The brush arrangement 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 the feces are pushed past the brush fibers 62, the agent is released and mixed with the feces. The brush structure 60 may be integral with the article or separately applied to the perianal region of the wearer and may optionally include an adhesive or other bonding means to adhere it to the wearer or article. The brush structure 60 may be attached via a spacer element (as described above) having a hollow space beneath the fibers 62 and thus providing a space for the feces to be treated.

FMAs can also be delivered through the use of smart gels that undergo a phase transition or geometric and/or volume 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 is reached) can also be used to move the device into a position to contact or mix with feces, provided that the temperature change is appropriate. In addition, swellable materials such as superabsorbent polymers or foams can be used to promote contact of feces with FMAs. A structure containing such swellable materials imbibes water, whether from fecal material or urine, and can move FMA associated with the body-contacting surface of the structure toward the fecal matter and/or promote its mixing with 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.

Fecal material conditioning agents (FMA) may also be retained on or within macroparticulate elements 170, as described below. These macroparticulate elements 170 may be included in the exudate control portion 120, attached to a topsheet, cuff, or other treatment of the article (releasable ...

.. . ···· ··· • · · · · · · · • ···· ·

··*' ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· · or not), or free in a separate article attached independently to the body (some exemplary macroparticulate structures are shown in Figs. 2-4). Furthermore, any of the structures that retain, deliver, or mix the FMA may include protrusions or other three-dimensional geometries designed to increase the contact area of the FMA and fecal material and/or to promote mixing.

In preferred embodiments, the FMA is associated with the top layer of the absorbent structure or article. However, such FMA may be associated with a layer underlying the top layer, such as an acquisition layer. In embodiments in which the FMA is disposed in a sublayer beneath the top layer in the exudate control portion 120, fecal material must readily penetrate the top layer, the sublayer beneath it, 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 uptake 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 event, the composition is preferably located proximate that region of the article that is generally associated with the perianal region of the wearer.

As shown in Fig. 2, the invention may include an exudate or fecal material management portion 120. The fecal management portion 120 is designed and constructed to assist in the management of the receipt, storage, and/or immobilization of viscous, liquid body exudates. The fecal management 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 management portion 120 is located in a region of the article that is proximate the perianal region during wear. ·· • 9 9999 • · • 9 9 · ·

9 9 <

···

This helps to ensure that any excreted exudate is deposited on or near the fecal control portion 120.

Although structures that receive, store, and immobilize viscous, liquid bodily waste are preferred, in certain embodiments of the invention, the fecal management portion 120 may include only a receiving portion, a storage portion, and/or an immobilization portion, or may include a combination of two of these elements, 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 include a receiving and storage element for managing viscous, liquid bodily waste, 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 separate parts connected directly or indirectly to one or more elements of the diaper 20. Further, if desired, any portion or all of the acquisition element 150 may be removable 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 facing the body 47 of the core 28, although in some alternative embodiments, the acquisition element 150 may include at least a portion of the leg cuffs, waist, fecal material retention pocket, or the like, or may be operatively connected to any such feature. Preferably, during wear, at least a portion of the acquisition element 150 is located in the region of the diaper 20 at the wearer's anus and is not obstructed by overlapping layers of structures such as the topsheet 24. Thus, it may be desirable to cut out a portion of the topsheet 24 in that region of the product that is expected to be located at 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 components 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 capacities 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 is 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 discharge of viscous, liquid bodily waste. 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 viscous, liquid bodily waste (e.g., in 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 composition or other known substances for the purpose of adding, improving, or altering 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 FMAs may be associated with a receiving element, preferably in the perianal region of the wearer. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMAs are releasably attached to the receiving element by the means described above. In alternative embodiments, the composition is releasably encapsulated in a structure associated with at least a portion of the receiving element 150. The composition may be released into the fecal material 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) prior to being deposited on the feces. For example, urine may effect the release of the releasably encapsulated composition or mixture. The composition may be transferred to the wearer's skin by body contact and/or pressure. Upon subsequent contact with the 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 or contain them away from the wearer and from the caregiver during the remainder of the wear cycle when the product 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 product such that

The material stored 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 waste, because such stored viscous, liquid body waste is less likely to reach the body-facing surface of the structure and leak and move within the product.

The storage element 152 may be located anywhere in the diaper 20. However, it is preferred that it be operably connected to the acquisition element 150 and/or the topsheet 24, if any, so that viscous body exudates received by the acquisition element 150 may enter the storage element 152. (This includes embodiments in which the diaper 20 does not have a topsheet 24 or acquisition element 150. In such cases, body exudates 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 positioned near 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 comprise 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 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 bodily waste (e.g., in the perianal region).

The 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 in the diaper 20 or by providing a single storage element 152 with regions but with different storage properties. Further, if desired, any portion or all of the storage element 152 may be removable from a given 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 yet another portion of the diaper 20 or may be one or more separate portions of the diaper 20 connected directly or indirectly to one or more diaper elements 20. In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the storage element 152 comprises a structure that is separate from the core 28. However, embodiments in which the storage element 152 comprises at least a portion of the core 28 are contemplated.

Suitable materials for use as the reservoir 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 strands of fibers, the absorbent core structures described above with 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 larger than about

9

0

0.5 mm in diameter and more particularly, having pores greater than about 1 mm in diameter.) One embodiment includes a looped mechanical fastener attachment element having an uncompressed thickness of about

1.5 millimeters, available under the designation XPL-7124, from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Another embodiment includes a crimped, resin-bonded, nonwoven, highly lightweight material with a size of 6 denier, 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 agent 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, with 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. 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 generally pass through a standard (U.S.) 25.4 mm mesh sieve. Particles having a nominal size of 16 mm or larger are those that generally are retained on the surface of a standard (U.S.) 16 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 • · # ·

• · · · · · which are retained overall on the surface of a standard (USA) 8 mm mesh sieve.

A given macroparticulate structure 170 may include any number of particles 172. Further, 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.

The individual particles 172 may be made of any material suitable for use in absorbent articles, including those 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 that are 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. Further, any or all of the particles 172 may include odor absorbers, lotions,

skin care, 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 a mixture of different particles 172. The mixture may be homogeneous; heterogeneous (various), such as particles 172 with different properties being arranged in certain areas of the storage element 152; it may be layered; or any other desired 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 materials, such as mesh, scrim, nonwoven or woven structures, 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 and include spheres, oblate spheroids, rectangular and polygonal solids, and the like.

In addition to its storage function, the storage element 152 can transport viscous, body 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 cause the viscous, body waste or components thereof (e.g., free water) to move. In other embodiments, this transport can be passive, such that the viscous, liquid body waste or components thereof moves 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, non-interconnected

channels, or the like, so that viscous body feces can easily move through the structure with minimal energy input.

The FMAs of the present invention may be associated with any portion of the storage element 152 comprising macroparticulate structures. In certain preferred embodiments, in which the storage element 152 has raised regions, the FMAs are associated with the raised regions of the element. Viscous body wastes penetrating the receiving element may contact the FMAs and entrain them 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. 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 agent may be releasably attached to the outer surface of the particulate elements. Contact of feces with the FMA preferentially releases the composition from the storage element and allows mixing with fecal materials.

Viscous body exudates that are received by, or penetrate, the absorbent article are also preferentially retained in the diaper away from the wearer. One preferred method of retaining body exudates, particularly viscous body feces, is to immobilize the exudates 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, body feces under applied pressure and/or gravitational forces.

The immobilizing element 154 may be any material or structure capable of limiting the tendency of viscous body waste that has penetrated the immobilizing element 154 to not exit 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 separate 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 capable of immobilizing and containing viscous body waste, as described above. In any case, 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 body wastes that are 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, in at least a portion of the crotch region 37 of the article in question. 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 with 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 this 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 Articles for Incontinence Control, issued to Young et al. on September 15, 1992. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Fecal material conditioning agents, FMAs, may be associated with the immobilization element 154. In such 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 immobilization, and/or by reducing the ultimate mobility of the remaining solid fraction of the fecal material. 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 to it (i.e., such that their release can be effected by the water in the feces).

Preferred rendering

As noted above, the 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 covers, feminine hygiene garments, wipes, disposable wipes, bandages, and the like, and stand-alone articles attached to a wearer via his perianal region. Accordingly, the following examples of preferred embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limiting its scope.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is an absorbent article 20, which is shown in Fig. 1. The absorbent article 20 has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38, and a crotch region 37 located 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-facing surface 47 of the core 28. The diaper 20 also includes a receiving portion or element 150, connected to the topsheet 24 and extending longitudinally away from the topsheet 24 through at least a portion of the crotch region 37 and at least a portion of the second waist region 38. The receiving element 150 includes a woven mesh fabric, available as a Tub Toy Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., of Norfolk, VA.

The diaper 20 preferably further 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 reservoir element 152 includes a macroparticulate structure 170 comprising particles 172. Specifically, the macroparticulate structure 170 includes about two grams of brush (abrasive layer) 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. (These brush particles may be made by cutting the abrasive nonwoven, highly lightweight side (hereinafter referred to as the brush layer) of a scrubbing 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). Said strips are about 19 millimeters long, 6.4 millimeters wide, and 2 millimeters thick. The brush particles are distributed (dispersed) over an area of 6.35 cm x 16.2 cm (103.2 cm ² ) arranged along the longitudinal axis of an approximately 0.8 mm thick, thin-wetted, foam absorbent material (described in U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207, incorporated herein by reference) having a basis weight of 126 grams per square meter. These particles are relatively uniformly mixed with said absorbent foam strips and are unrestricted in their movement within the area surrounded by a layer of thin-wetted, absorbent foam material. These particles and strips are preferably not attached to the top layer of woven mesh or any other layer. The FMA(s) is/are preferably associated with the particulate elements of the storage layer by any means described herein. The acquisition element 150 is attached to the underlying layers outside the perimeter of the layer until it wets the thin absorbent foam.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the absorbent article of the present invention may be a pad 21 or sanitary napkin intended to be placed on a wearer's undergarment, outer wrapper, or the like. Accordingly, the pad 21 is not generally 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 ··

999 central region 137, and includes an absorbent assembly 27, which 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, during use, hold the pad 21 in place in the panty and/or outer packaging 29. 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

Viscosity

Viscosity can be determined with a controlled-load (shear) rheometer. A suitable rheometer is available from T.A. Instruments, Inc. of New Castle, DE, as model number SC2100.

This rheometer 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. The 2 cm diameter parallel plate is used for solid, pasty or highly viscous samples, while the 4 cm diameter parallel plate is used for very fluid or water-like fecal material 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.

• 9

9999

9 • 9 9 9

9 9

9 9

9 9

The drive motor and tension sensor are also mounted on this 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, displaced beyond the diameter of the second plate, is removed using a lancet. Water is then misted around the edges of the sample to prevent edge effects due to moisture loss during the measurement procedure. The rheometer applies a programmed shear stress (or shear stress) to the sample from 500 ^-5 to 500,000" ⁵ newtons/cm ² for pasty and solid samples. For flowable and watery samples, a shear stress range of 50~ ⁵ to 50,000~ ⁵ newtons/cm ² is used instead. 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-class processor or higher. A 1.27 cm thick, stainless steel spherical probe and a fecal 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 vials under the designation #58503-7. The test material analog container is filled to the top (level) with the material (analog A or B, as described below), or feces, to be tested.

If a fecal conditioning agent is to be evaluated, the appropriate 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 100 mm per minute and then stopped.

Hardness is the maximum recorded resistance force encountered by this probe over its 7 mm path. (The room and analogon temperature should be between about 18.3 and 23.8°C during measurement.) As for fact-checking, hardness has been found to have 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

To an empty metal mixing bowl, 1.5 grams of Ultra Dawn brand dishwashing liquid (available from Procter and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH) is added. To the bowl containing the Dawn, 10 grams each of Feclone FPS-2 and Feclone FPS-4 are added. (Both of these Feclone materials are available from Siliclone Studios, Valley Forge, PA.) Then 200 milliliters of distilled water, heated to a temperature of about 200°F, is added to the mixing bowl.

The resulting mixture is then carefully hand-mixed to avoid introducing air bubbles into the mixture, using a rubber or plastic spatula, until it is homogeneous (usually about 3-5 minutes).

If properly prepared, fecal analog A will have a hardness value between about 7 and 10 grams, according to the hardness measurement method described above.

Method of producing fecal analogue B

To an empty metal mixing bowl, 5 grams each of Feclone FPS-4, Feclone FPS-6, and Feclone FPS-7 are added. (All of these 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 water, heated to a temperature of about 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 it is 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 faecal material mimic, prepared by mixing 10 grams of Carbopol 941, available from B. F.

Goodrich Corporation of Brecksville, OH, or equivalent

• * · · • · „ _ · • · · · · · · · · · · ··· ··· ··· ··· ···· acrylic polymer, in 900 milliliters of distilled water. Carbopol 941 and distilled water are weighed and measured separately.

A three-blade propeller-type impeller having a 5.08 cm diameter paddle (available from VWR Scientific Products Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio, under catalog number BR4553-64, attached to a 1 cm diameter stirrer shaft, no. BR4553-52, is used to stir 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 rotated as necessary to achieve a homogeneous mixture. (The mixture will probably be slightly clouded with air bubbles.) Then, slowly add One hundred grams of 1.0 N NaOH stock solution, available from J.T. Baker Co., Philipsburg, NJ, is measured out and the mixture is stirred until homogeneous. The mixture should become thick and clear. After the alkaline solution is added, 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, if 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 processor series • · • and

486 or higher. A 1.27 cm thick, stainless steel spherical probe and a fecal analog container are provided. A suitable probe is the TA18 probe, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The fecal analog container can be made by cutting a 7 ml linear low density polyethylene scintillation vial (having an inner diameter of 13.97 mm +/- 0.127 mm) to a length of 15 mm. Suitable vials are available from Kimble Glass Company of Vineland, New Jersey, as vials designated #58503-7. The test material analog container is filled to within 2 mm 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 mm of the surface of the analog in the vial. The probe 162 is moved downward 7 millimeters at a speed 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 room and analogon temperature should be between about 18.3 and 23.8 °C during the measurement.)

Sample preparation method

A pre-cleaned VWR container (VWR No. 15900-196) is placed on a scale and tared. The desired amount of chemical is measured into the cup 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 feces analog is measured into the container containing the chemical. The exact amount of feces or feces analog is recorded and the chemical and feces or feces analog are mixed vigorously using the spatula end of a standard Ayre Worm Scraper62

Scraper (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 purposes of the data presented herein, the reaction time is set at t=three minutes elapsed from the start of the mixing process. It 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 which uses the apparatus 139 shown in Fig. 9. A hollow Plexiglas cylinder 140 is provided, attached to a stainless steel plate 142, about 9.5 mm thick. The plate 142 is a square with dimensions of about 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm. The junction of the cylinder 140 and the 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 a distance of about

3.5 mm. The nozzle 143 prevents the test fluid 166 from leaking outside the designated test area. Also provided are two 625 gram weights 156, each 5.08 cm in diameter.

A cylindrically shaped, plexiglass weight 144 is provided, weighing 24.6 grams. The weight 144 has a diameter of 5.08 cm, so that the weight 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 20.27 cm ² . If desired, the weight 144 may have a handle 145 so that it can be • · • »

• φ · • · · · « · easily inserted into and out of the cylinder 140. In such cases, the combined weight of the handle 145 and the cylindrical weight 144 should equal 24.6 grams.

A sample 146 of the structure is provided for testing the compression acquisition properties. The sample 144 may be cut from an existing diaper or may be assembled from material that has not been formed into a diaper. Sample 146 comprises the entire structure intended to be used in the product or the entire structure of the product to be evaluated, including the top layer 161. (To measure the pressure-receiving performance of individual receiver elements (parts), as described above in the Receiver Element section, the pressure-receiving test is performed 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 a pattern 153 of regularly spaced holes 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 layers of high basis weight absorbent paper 149 are provided, measuring 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm.

The top layer 161 of sample 146 is removed and the remaining components, or layers, of sample 146 (if there are multiple components or layers) and five sheets of absorbent paper 149 are weighed to the nearest 0.01 gram. Thus, if sample 146 is taken from a diaper, the layers of that 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 so, care must be taken not to destroy or cause unintended gross deformation of the sample 146. The layers of the sample 146 may be frozen to aid in their separation from adjacent layers of the sample 146. Freezing may be accomplished using a PH100-15 peripheral freezer, manufactured by 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 commercially available filter paper Filtration, Inc.

Ahlstrom Pennsylvania grade, available from Mt. Holly Springs, 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 a Stevens-Farnell texture analyzer 160, model QTS 7113-5 kg (available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England), under a probe 162. A suitable probe 162 is a 100 cm long, flat-ended, cylindrical, aluminum stretch bar QTSM3100, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The cylinder 140 is centered on the sample 146. Two 625 gram weights 156 are placed at opposite corners (diagonally) of the plate 142 to stabilize it.

A dose of approximately 10 cubic centimeters of a replica, or analog 166 (analog C as described below) of viscous, liquid bodily feces is dispensed onto the top of the sample 146 through a hole 141 in the cylinder 140 using a syringe with a bore of about 4 to 6 mm.

• ·

9 0 9 99

Once the appropriate amount of faecal imitation 166 (analog C) has been measured into the cylinder 140, a weight 144, weighing 24.6 grams, is slowly inserted into the opening 141 in the cylinder 140 until it rests on the surface of the analog and then gently rotated by it, one clockwise rotation followed by one counterclockwise rotation, both rotations being performed while carefully avoiding applying any 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 recording device 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 sample surface 146, taking care not to drip any of the analog C remaining in the cylinder 140 onto the sample.

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 underlying layers, and if possible, taking care not to drip any analogon C onto the absorbent paper. 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) on a unit area basis. Area-pressure curve vs.

used in calculating unit work 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)

While specific embodiments of the 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 to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A disposable absorbent article /20/, adapted for use on the perianal region of a wearer to receive fecal material, the article comprising: the substrate fecal material of the treatment composition, means for maintaining it in contact with the perianal region of the wearer; this absorbent article is characterized in that an effective amount of an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is arranged therein such that the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is usable to contact at least a portion of the feces stored in the article. 2. 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 /36/, and a crotch region /37/ disposed between the first and second waist regions, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid-permeable topsheet (24), a liquid-impermeable 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); this absorbent article is characterized in that an effective amount of an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is arranged therein such that this ionic complexing, fecal material • · · · ♦· •· ·· ·· φ· · * · * · · < 4 • « « · 9 9 9 • ««·· · * · · 9 9 · 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 9 9 99 9999 99 * the conditioning agent is applicable to contact at least a portion of the feces stored in this product. 3. An absorbent product according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of: ZnO, MgO, MnO, CaO, calcium hydroxide, ethanolamines, quaternary ammonium salts, Al ₂ 0 ₃ , alginates, aluminum salts, zinc salts, and combinations thereof. 4. An absorbent article according to any preceding claim, wherein the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent acts to increase the viscosity of the fecal material. 5. An absorbent article according to any preceding claim, wherein the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent increases the hardness of the fecal material by at least about 100%, at a concentration of less than about 5 percent by weight of the treated feces, preferably less than about 1.5 percent by weight thereof, and preferably less than about 0.5 percent by weight thereof, preferably within no more than 5 minutes, and more preferably within no more than 3 minutes. 6. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is arranged on a carrier structure such as a skin care composition, and a ribbed or brush structure. flfl 4·♦ · * · • • • 4 · · · 4 4 · < • 4 · · · 4 fl flfl · • 4 4· « · 94 4 · · 4 flfl « 69 Absorbent product according to claim 6, v y z listen ing by that, that mixture for care for skin contains components selected from the group consisting of: petroleum oils and paraffins, and silicone oils and silicone waxes. 8. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ion complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is releasably attached to at least a portion of the article, preferably releasably attached to at least a portion thereof by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble adhesive or hydrogen bonding. 9. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one three-dimensional structure attached to or extending from a portion of the absorbent article, said three-dimensional structure, preferably printed fibers, comprising an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent, said three-dimensional structure promoting contact between the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent and feces. 10. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is arranged adjacent to the water-soluble film. 11. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a gas generating system comprising at least one mixture that generates gas when mixed with water, wherein said gas generating system 9· 9 99 9 » · 9 * 9 9 . · « « · 9 « · · • · · · * 9 9 · • · » 9 9 · • 9 »··» delivers an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent to the feces; or a gas generating system comprising a water-soluble material retaining a compressed gas that is evolved when mixed with water, wherein the gas generating system delivers an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent to the feces. 12. An absorbent article according to any preceding claim, comprising a fecal material control component (120) having a pressure acquisition value of greater than about 0.077 grams of viscous, liquid bodily feces per square centimeter of the component, per millijoule of energy input. 13. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the fecal material control component (120) has a pressure acquisition value of greater than about 0.155 grams of viscous, liquid bodily waste per square centimeter of the component per millijoule of energy input. 14. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the fecal material control component comprises a macroparticulate 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 12, characterized in that the ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is arranged in at least a portion of the fecal material control component, preferably on at least some of said discrete particles. • · 16. An absorbent article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a reaction system (65) comprising a sensor (66) operatively connected to the article and adapted to detect the entry of fecal material, and a trigger portion (67) operatively connected to the article and adapted to deliver an effective amount of an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent to the feces after the sensor (66) senses the entry thereof.