Absorbent article with upright pleats and leg hoops

Abstract

An absorbent article (1), such as an open diaper, comprises a liquid permeable topsheet (9), a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core (11) disposed between the topsheet (9) and the backsheet (10). The absorbent article (1) has a non-woven outer cover layer (18) covering a backsheet (10) and forming an outer surface of the absorbent article (1) and having side portions (33, 34) extending laterally outside the backsheet and forming a leg cuff fold (35, 37), the leg cuff fold (35, 37) being elastomeric by a plurality of spaced apart elastic elements (41, 42). A pair of non-woven barrier straps (21, 22) are arranged with upstanding pleat portions (21 ', 22') of each barrier strap (21, 22) forming part of upstanding pleats (29, 30), the barrier straps (21, 22) being attached to the topsheet (9) along upstanding pleat hinge lines (25, 26) and having one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements (27, 28) arranged along free upstanding pleat edges (23, 24). A pair of leg cuffs (31, 32) are arranged outside the upstanding pleats (29, 30), each leg cuff comprising a folded-back elastomeric side portion (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18) and a leg cuff portion of a corresponding nonwoven barrier strip (21, 22). A leg cuff portion (21 '', 22'') of the non-woven barrier strip (21, 22) covers at least one of the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article having a first waist edge and a second waist edge and a first side edge, and comprising a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. A nonwoven outer cover layer covers the back sheet and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article. The article also includes a pair of elasticized upright pleats and a pair of elasticized leg cuffs. A pair of side flaps are arranged at one of the waist edges, and the side flaps are provided with fasteners for fastening the absorbent article around the body of the wearer in a trouser-like manner. Background Art

[0002] Disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, are applied to the lower torso of the wearer and fastened around the body of the wearer as underpants. The disposable absorbent articles are usually provided with elastic elements to create a fluid barrier and improve the body conformity of the article. The good fit of the disposable absorbent article around the waist and legs of the wearer of the article ensures that the article remains in close contact with the body of the wearer, thereby reducing the risk of fluid leaking out of the absorbent article. Additional leakage protection can be obtained by arranging elasticized upright gathers (also called "raised barriers" or "inner barriers") inside the absorbent article.

[0003] Another important aspect of such articles is that they are comfortable to wear and that they do not cause irritation to the sensitive skin in the genital area. Another concern is that the tensioned elastic elements may cause discomfort and red marks by exerting high pressure on the wearer's skin, particularly around the wearer's legs. Summary of the invention

[0004] A disposable absorbent article with good leakage safety and comfort can be achieved by the features of claim 1. Variants of the disclosure are set out in the dependent claims.

[0005] Disclosed herein is an absorbent article having a first waist edge and a second waist edge extending in a transverse direction of the absorbent article and a first side edge and a second side edge extending in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising:

[0006] - a liquid-permeable topsheet having a topsheet first side edge and a topsheet second side edge;

[0007] - a liquid impermeable backsheet having a backsheet first side edge and a backsheet second side edge;

[0008] - an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet;

[0009] - a nonwoven outer cover layer which covers the backsheet and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article;

[0010] - a pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs extending in the longitudinal direction and symmetrically arranged with one barrier cuff on each side of the longitudinal centerline, each nonwoven barrier cuff comprising an upright pleat portion defined between a free barrier cuff edge extending in the longitudinal direction and an upright pleat hinge line extending in the longitudinal direction, the barrier cuff being attached to the topsheet along the upright pleat hinge line and having one or more elastic elements arranged along the free upright pleat edge;

[0011] - a pair of upstanding pleats, the upstanding pleats comprising upstanding pleat portions of the barrier cuff;

[0012] - a pair of leg cuffs extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged symmetrically along the first side edge and the second side edge, each leg cuff being arranged outside the upright pleat portion of the corresponding barrier cuff; and

[0013] in

[0014] Each leg cuff includes:

[0015] - side portions of the outer covering layer extending in the transverse direction outside the corresponding side edges of the chassis, the side portions of the outer covering layer being folded back on themselves along a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction, the fold line dividing the side portions of the outer covering layer into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion together forming a leg cuff fold having a free edge defined by the fold line and a leg cuff width in the transverse direction between the fold line and the standing pleat hinge line in the leg cuff fold;

[0016] - a plurality of spaced apart pre-tensioned elastic elements extending in the longitudinal direction inside the leg cuff fold and attached between the first and second portions of the leg cuff fold; and

[0017] - a corresponding leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier tape, the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier tape being defined between the upright pleat hinge line and an outer leg cuff edge of the nonwoven barrier tape, the outer leg cuff edge of the nonwoven barrier tape being parallel to the fold line in the leg cuff fold, the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier tape covering at least one elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements.

[0018] The article as disclosed herein may be in the form of an open diaper comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. Alternatively, the absorbent article may be a pant-type absorbent article having closed side seams.

[0019] An open diaper as disclosed herein may include a pair of side flaps arranged at one of the first waist edge or the second waist edge, each side flap extending in the transverse direction from a proximal attachment end to a free distal end and including a fastener arranged at the distal end of the side flap.

[0020] The attachment ends of the side flaps of the absorbent article as disclosed herein may be attached to the absorbent article between the leg cuff portions of the nonwoven barrier cuff and the side portions of the outer cover.The plurality of elastic elements may not extend longitudinally into the attachment locations of the side flaps.

[0021] Alternatively, the open diaper may be a belt diaper which is closed by connecting the ends of a belt arranged at the waist edge of the article to each other.

[0022] The absorbent article has a nonwoven outer cover layer, which covers the backsheet and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article, and the nonwoven outer cover layer has side portions extending laterally outside the backsheet and forming leg cuff folds, each leg cuff fold being elasticized by a plurality of spaced elastic elements. A pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs are arranged so that the upright pleat portion of each barrier cuff forms a part of the upright pleat, the barrier cuffs are attached to the topsheet along the upright pleat hinge line, and have one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements arranged along the free upright pleat edges. A pair of leg cuffs are arranged outside the upright pleats, each leg cuff comprising a folded elasticized side portion of the outer cover layer and a corresponding leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier tape. The leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier tape covers at least one elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements.

[0023] The barrier cuff is directly attached to the topsheet without any intermediate components between the barrier cuff and the topsheet along the standing pleat hinge lines.

[0024] Articles as disclosed herein are skin-friendly and comfortable to wear because all body contact surfaces of the article are made of soft nonwoven materials. The leg cuffs are particularly soft because the pre-tensioned elastic elements in the leg cuffs are arranged inside the leg cuff folds, thereby providing the leg cuffs with folded outer edges. A plurality of spaced pre-tensioned elastic elements shrink the nonwoven material in the leg cuff folds and form soft, light and evenly distributed wrinkles on the surface of the leg cuffs. The pleated elastic portion of the leg cuff serves as a buffer distance structure between the wearer's body and the elastic elements. In addition, on the inner side of the article facing the wearer, the leg cuff includes a leg cuff portion of a nonwoven barrier cuff band, which forms an additional pleated buffer layer of the leg cuff. Therefore, under the influence of the contraction force from the elastic elements distributed on the width of each leg cuff, the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff band forms a soft, bulky but highly body-fitting leg cuff together with the nonwoven material in the leg cuff folds.

[0025] Since the leg cuffs are mainly composed of nonwoven material, they are highly breathable. The liquid impermeable backsheet may extend into the leg cuffs in the inner portion of each leg cuff to up to 50% of the leg cuff width, for example up to 40% of the leg cuff width or up to 30% of the leg cuff width. The liquid impermeable backsheet may extend into the leg cuffs to a greater portion of each leg cuff width in articles of smaller sizes than in articles of larger sizes.

[0026] It may be preferred that all or substantially all of the elastic elements in each leg cuff are arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff which is free of the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Such an arrangement of the elastic elements is particularly advantageous for obtaining a high breathability in the leg cuff and for a full cushioning effect of the two nonwoven layers on the wearer-facing side of the leg cuff.

[0027] The elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements in each leg cuff are preferably applied such that the outermost elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements is arranged no more than 5 mm from the fold line in the leg cuff fold, preferably no more than 3 mm from the fold line in the leg cuff fold, and most preferably no more than 1 mm from the fold line in the leg cuff fold. The outermost elastic element in each leg cuff may be arranged such that there is no distance between the fold line in the leg cuff fold and the outermost elastic element, i.e. arranged at the fold line.

[0028] The leg cuffs of absorbent articles as disclosed herein are well-defined, neat and distinct features that are easily identified by visual inspection of the absorbent article. In prior art absorbent articles, leg elastics are typically arranged between the laterally extending side portions of the top sheet and the back sheet or between the side portions of the standing pleat material and the back sheet. This arrangement results in frilled, floppy, non-elasticized side edge portions laterally outward of the elastic elements. When donning an article having such non-elasticized side portions, it is necessary to ensure that the side portions are folded out to avoid the article being applied to the wearer with the elastic side portions folded over the absorbent body, which can result in poor fit and ultimately leakage of body fluids from the article.

[0029] The absorbent article as disclosed herein has soft, corrugated, bulky and well-defined leg cuffs which are correctly positioned when the article is applied to the wearer without requiring any manipulation of the leg cuffs. The elasticized leg cuffs fit closely against the wearer's skin, forming a highly fitting and comfortable external leakage barrier. By distributing the elastic elements over the width of the leg cuffs, the risk of the leg cuffs exerting unduly high pressures on the wearer's skin is significantly reduced or even eliminated.

[0030] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, a leg cuff portion of a nonwoven barrier cuff may be attached to an upper portion of the leg cuff fold, wherein the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff covers all or substantially all of the plurality of elastic elements, thereby forming a cushioning layer over the entire surface of the elasticized portion of the leg cuff.

[0031] In the absorbent articles disclosed herein, the leg cuffs may be relatively wide. Each leg cuff may have a major portion of the leg cuff width elasticized by a plurality of elastic elements. The width of the leg cuff may be in the range of 20 mm to 60 mm, preferably in the range of 30 mm to 60 mm, and the elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements may be distributed over an area of ​​the leg cuff that is at least 40% of the width of the leg cuff, preferably at least 50% of the width of the leg cuff.

[0032] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, a first portion of the side portion of the outer cover may be adjacent to a central portion of the outer cover, the central portion of the outer cover covering the backsheet, and a second portion of the side portion of the outer cover may be a folded portion of the side portion of the outer cover.

[0033] When the article is worn, the upper portion of the leg cuff fold will face the wearer and the lower portion of the leg cuff fold will be the garment-facing portion of the leg cuff fold.

[0034] As viewed in the direction from the top sheet, the first part of the side portion of the nonwoven outer cover layer, i.e., the portion adjacent to the center portion of the outer cover layer, can be the lower part of the leg cuff fold, and as viewed in the direction from the top sheet, the second part of the side portion of the outer cover layer can be the upper part of the leg cuff fold. In this folded configuration, the second part of the side portion of the outer cover layer is folded back on top of the first part of the side portion of the outer cover layer, i.e., on the top sheet side of the absorbent article. This configuration can be beneficial because there is no clear boundary between the leg cuff and the center portion of the outer cover layer. By fixing the end of the folded second part of the side portion of the outer cover layer between the top sheet and the back sheet, a secure anchoring of the end of the side portion of the outer cover layer can be obtained.

[0035] Alternatively, the first portion of the outer cover layer may be the upper portion of the leg cuff fold as viewed in the direction of the top sheet, and the second portion of the side portion of the outer cover layer may be the lower portion of the leg cuff fold as viewed in the direction of the top sheet. In this folded configuration, the second portion of the side portion of the outer cover layer is folded back below the first portion of the side portion of the outer cover layer, i.e. on the backsheet side of the absorbent article.

[0036] In the absorbent article disclosed herein, the plurality of elastic elements may be composed of at least 3 elastic elements, preferably at least 4 elastic elements. The plurality of elastic elements may be composed of 3 to 15 elastic elements, preferably 4 to 10 elastic elements, more preferably 5 to 10 elastic elements, and most preferably 5 to 7 elastic elements.

[0037] The elastic element may be an elastic thread, a cord or an elastic band, preferably an elastic thread.

[0038] The elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements in each leg cuff may be spaced 1 mm to 8 mm apart in the transverse direction, preferably 3 mm to 8 mm apart. The elastic elements may be applied at equal intervals across the elasticized area of ​​the leg cuff, or may be applied at different intervals across the width of the leg cuff. For example, the elastic elements may be applied at smaller spacings in the inner portion of the leg cuff than in the outer portion of the leg cuff to achieve a tighter fit along the inner portion of the leg cuff.

[0039] In the absorbent article as disclosed herein, the elasticized portion of each leg cuff may have a width of 20 to 40 mm, preferably 20 to 35 mm, as measured in the transverse direction between the outermost elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements and the innermost elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements.

[0040] In the leg cuffs in the absorbent article as disclosed herein, the elasticized portion of each leg cuff may have a width of 10 mm to 60 mm measured in the transverse direction between the outermost elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements and the innermost elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements, the number of elastic elements in the elasticized portion of the leg cuff is in the range of 4 to 7, and the spacing between the elastic elements is 4 to 6 mm.

[0041] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, the outer leg cuff edge of the nonwoven barrier cuff may be arranged at or inside the fold line in the leg cuff fold as seen in the transverse direction. By avoiding the leg cuff portion of the barrier cuff to extend laterally outside of the fold line in the leg cuff fold, the side edges of the leg cuff and the side edges of the absorbent article will be defined by the soft, elastically deformable folded edges of the leg cuff fold.

[0042] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, the outer leg cuff edge of the nonwoven barrier cuff can be arranged at least 4 mm inside the fold line in the leg cuff fold as seen in the transverse direction, for example to avoid a raised edge close to the side edge of the leg cuff, thereby promoting a soft and elastic fold edge experience.

[0043] In absorbent articles as disclosed herein, the leg cuff portion of a nonwoven barrier cuff can be attached to the leg cuff fold by using an adhesive uniformly distributed on the attachment area between the nonwoven barrier cuff and the leg cuff fold or using a heat bond or an ultrasonic bond uniformly distributed. Therefore, the adhesive is uniformly distributed on the attachment area between the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff and the upper portion of the side portion of the outer cover. The adhesive can be applied by any suitable technology, such as slit coating. The purpose of producing uniform attachment between the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff and the leg cuff fold is to ensure that the contractile force of the pre-tensioned elastic element spaced apart in the leg cuff fold is transferred to the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff in a uniform manner, thereby causing the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff to pleat and form corrugations in a controlled manner. An example of realizing this is by adhesive slit coating.

[0044] The attachment may be arranged such that the outermost longitudinal edge of the attachment area is at least 5 mm, preferably 10 mm inwardly of the leg cuff fold. By arranging the outermost longitudinal edge of the attachment area inwardly of the leg cuff fold, the outermost portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff may remain unattached and thus retain its soft properties.

[0045] The nonwoven material used for the outer cover material and the barrier cuff may include one or more spunbond layers and optionally one or more meltblown layers. The nonwoven material in the nonwoven barrier tape may be different from the nonwoven material of the outer cover material forming the leg cuff fold. The nonwoven barrier cuff may be formed of a relatively bulky material. The basis weight of the material in the nonwoven barrier tape may be 8 g / m 2 Up to 25g / m 2 The nonwoven material can be made of thermoplastic polymer fibers or filaments, such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides and combinations thereof. The nonwoven material can be formed by any of a variety of different methods, such as spunbond, airlaid, meltblown or bonded carded web formation methods. The nonwoven layer can be made of a co-formed layer of a nonwoven material, such as SMS (spunbond / meltblown / spunbond) nonwoven material or SS (spunbond / spunbond) nonwoven material. The thermoplastic polymer material in the nonwoven layer can be a bicomponent fiber of polypropylene or polypropylene and polyethylene, or a combination of these materials. It can be preferred that the nonwoven barrier tape is made of a hydrophobic material. The nonwoven barrier cuff can be a single-layer nonwoven material.

[0046] One or more pretensioned elastic elements arranged along the free standing pleat edge of the nonwoven barrier cuff can be arranged in the folded portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff at the free standing pleat edge. The end of the folded portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff can be attached to the standing pleat portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff, for example to surround the one or more pretensioned elastic elements. The one or more pretensioned elastic elements can also be provided with adhesive. The one or more pretensioned elastic elements of the standing pleat portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff can include any suitable number of pretensioned elastic elements. However, the one or more pretensioned elastic elements are preferably 1, 2 or 3 elastic elements arranged parallel to each other in the edge portion of the standing pleat portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff. The spacing between the elastic elements on the standing pleat portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff can be 2 to 5mm. The one or more elastic elements can be in the form of one or more elastic lines, ropes or belts.

[0047] The corrugations formed in the leg cuff by the elastic elements are visible on both the inside, wearer facing side and the outside, garment facing side of the leg cuff, but have a slightly different appearance due to the added softness and bulk of the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff tape on the inside of the leg cuff.

[0048] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, an elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements may be attached between the first and second portions of the leg cuff fold by means of an adhesive. An adhesive may be applied to the elastic element, whereby the first and second portions of the leg cuff fold are indirectly attached to each other by means of the elastic element.

[0049] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, the one or more elastic elements arranged in the inner portion of each leg cuff fold may have a greater resistance to stretch than the one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more elastic elements arranged in the inner portion of the leg cuff fold may be arranged at a smaller spacing than the elastic elements arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold.

[0050] The one or more elastic elements arranged in the inner portion of each leg cuff fold may have a higher linear density (dtex) than the one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold.

[0051] As an alternative aspect, the present invention also discloses an absorbent article having a first waist edge and a second waist edge extending in a transverse direction of the absorbent article and a first side edge and a second side edge extending in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising:

[0052] - a liquid-permeable topsheet having a topsheet first side edge and a topsheet second side edge;

[0053] - a liquid impermeable backsheet having a backsheet first side edge and a backsheet second side edge;

[0054] - an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet;

[0055] - a nonwoven outer cover layer which covers the backsheet and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article;

[0056] - a pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs extending in the longitudinal direction and symmetrically arranged with one barrier cuff on each side of the longitudinal centerline, each nonwoven barrier cuff comprising an upright pleat portion defined between a free upright pleat edge extending in the longitudinal direction and an upright pleat hinge line extending in the longitudinal direction, the barrier cuff being attached to the top sheet along the upright pleat hinge line and having one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements arranged along the free upright pleat edge;

[0057] - a pair of upstanding pleats, the upstanding pleats comprising upstanding pleat portions of the barrier cuff;

[0058] - a pair of leg cuffs extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged symmetrically along the first side edge and the second side edge, each leg cuff being arranged outside the upright pleat portion of the corresponding barrier cuff; and

[0059] Each leg cuff includes:

[0060] - a tube structure extending in a transverse direction outboard of the standing pleat hinge line, the tube structure having an outer tube edge defining a leg cuff fold edge and a leg cuff width in the transverse direction between the outer tube edge and the standing pleat hinge line;

[0061] - a plurality of spaced-apart pre-tensioning elastic elements arranged inside the tube structure and extending in the longitudinal direction,

[0062] - a corresponding nonwoven barrier cuff leg cuff portion, the nonwoven barrier cuff leg cuff portion being defined between the upright pleat hinge line and an outer leg cuff edge of the nonwoven barrier cuff, the outer leg cuff edge of the nonwoven barrier cuff being parallel to the outer tube edge of the tube structure, the nonwoven barrier cuff leg cuff portion covering at least one elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements.

[0063] In such an article, the tube structure may be attached to the backsheet and / or the outer cover sheet. The tube structure may be arranged between the leg cuff portion of the corresponding nonwoven barrier cuff and the backsheet and / or the outer cover sheet.

[0064] The same benefits as previously described herein are achieved with this absorbent article. The leg cuff is particularly soft because the pre-tensioned elastic elements in the leg cuff are arranged inside the tube structure, thereby providing the leg cuff with the outer edge of the leg cuff fold. The plurality of spaced-apart pre-tensioned elastic elements cause the nonwoven material in the leg cuff fold to contract and form soft, light and evenly distributed wrinkles on the surface of the leg cuff.

[0065] The backsheet may have the same width as the outer covering sheet, or it may be narrower than the outer covering sheet width. The backsheet may extend partially into the leg cuffs, or not at all. Thus, the tube structure may be arranged to completely or partially cover the backsheet, or to be arranged completely outside the side edges of the backsheet in the transverse direction, such that the tube structure is arranged directly on the outer covering sheet.

[0066] The tube structure may be arranged at least partially outside the outer edge of the outer cover sheet in the transverse direction.Thus, the leg cuff consists of three sheets and may be soft and flexible.

[0067] The tube structure may be formed by a continuous sheet of material folded around a plurality of elastic elements and connected by longitudinally extending joints to form the tube structure.

[0068] The tube structure may be attached to the wearer-facing side of the outer cover sheet. Alternatively, the tube structure may be attached to the garment-facing side of the outer cover sheet.

[0069] Alternative leg cuff aspects may be combined with one or more features as described above to achieve similar advantages.

[0070] For example, the outer leg cuff edge of the nonwoven barrier cuff may be arranged at or inside the outer tube edge as seen in the transverse direction.

[0071] Furthermore, the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff may be attached to the tube structure using an adhesive evenly distributed over the attachment area between the nonwoven barrier cuff and the tube structure or using evenly distributed heat bonds or ultrasonic bonds as previously disclosed herein.

[0072] Furthermore, the sheet material used for the tube structure may be the same as that disclosed above for the outer cover material and the barrier cuff. As already disclosed, the leg cuffs are highly breathable because they are primarily composed of nonwoven material. The dimensions of the leg cuffs may be the same as those already disclosed herein.

[0073] Furthermore, the plurality of spaced apart pre-tensioning elastic elements arranged in the tube structure may have the same properties and distribution as previously disclosed herein.

[0074] Alternative leg cuffs may be arranged in an open diaper and may include a pair of side flaps or bands with fasteners as disclosed herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The absorbent article disclosed herein will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0076] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a stretched-out absorbent article in the form of a diaper as viewed from the side intended to face the wearer during use of the diaper;

[0077] Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 The line II-II in the Figure 1 A cross section of a diaper in;

[0078] Figure 3 Details of the leg cuffs are shown; Figure 1 and Figure 2 The leg cuffs shown;

[0079] Figure 4 Shown is a diagram of a device ready to be applied to a wearer. Figure 1 A perspective view of an absorbent article in FIG.

[0080] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 1 The line II-II in the Figure 1 Alternative cross-sections of diapers in; and

[0081] Figure 6a -d shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a leg cuff as disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] Various aspects of the absorbent articles disclosed herein will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings.The embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting the claimed absorbent articles.

[0083] It should be understood that the drawings are schematic and that various components, such as material layers, are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0084] refer to Figure 1 , shows an absorbent article 1 in the form of an open diaper. The absorbent article 1 is Figure 1 1 is shown in an unfolded and flat state, wherein all elastic elements and components are in a stretched state, so that the absorbent article 1 appears to be generally two-dimensional. Figure 1 The article is shown viewed from the inner surface of the article facing the wearer. Any measurements of distances and dimensions are made with the absorbent article in the position shown. Figure 1 Shown in fully extended, non-pleated condition.

[0085] The trouser-type article 1 has a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T.

[0086] The absorbent article 1 has a first 2 and a second 4 waist edge and a first 6 and a second 8 side edge. Figure 1 The first waist edge 2 of the absorbent article 1 shown is a rear waist edge, and the second waist edge 4 of the absorbent article 1 is a front waist edge. The first waist edge 2 and the second waist edge 4 extend in the transverse direction T of the absorbent article 1, and the side edges 6, 8 extend in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article 1. The absorbent article 1 can be divided in the longitudinal direction L into a front portion 3, a rear portion 5, and a crotch portion 7 located between the front portion 3 and the rear portion 5.

[0087] The absorbent article 1 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 9 and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 10. An absorbent core 11 is disposed between the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 10. The top sheet 9 has a top sheet first side edge 9' and a top sheet second side edge 9", and the back sheet 10 has a back sheet first side edge 10' and a back sheet second side edge 10", such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0088] The absorbent article 1 further comprises a nonwoven outer cover layer 18 which covers the backsheet 10 and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article 1 .

[0089] A pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs 21, 22 are arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction L and are symmetrically arranged with one barrier cuff 21, 22 on each side of a longitudinal centerline Lc perpendicular to the transverse centerline Lt, each nonwoven barrier cuff 21, 22 comprising a standing pleat portion 21', 22'. The standing pleat portions 21', 22' of the nonwoven barrier cuffs 21, 22 are defined between free standing pleat edges 23, 24 extending in the longitudinal direction L and standing pleat hinge lines 25, 26 extending in the longitudinal direction L. A pair of raised elasticized standing pleats 29, 30 are arranged on the top sheet 9, the raised elasticized standing pleats comprising the standing pleat portions 21', 22' of the barrier cuffs 21, 22.

[0090] Thus, the upstanding pleat portions 21 ′, 22 ′ of the barrier cuffs 21 , 22 form part of the upstanding pleats 29 , 30 .

[0091] Each barrier cuff 21, 22 is directly attached to the top sheet 9 along the standing pleat hinge line 25, 26 and has one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements 27, 28 arranged along the free standing pleat edges 23, 24. The one or more elastic elements may be elastic cords, threads or bands applied spaced apart along the free standing pleat edges 23, 24. In the absorbent article disclosed herein, the number of elastic elements 27, 28 arranged along the standing pleat edges 23, 24 is typically 1, 2 or 3. The elastic elements 27, 28 are typically arranged parallel to each other at a spacing of 2 to 5 mm, with the outermost elastic elements being arranged at the free standing pleat edges 23, 24.

[0092] The absorbent article 1 further comprises a pair of leg cuffs 31, 32. The leg cuffs 31, 32 extend in the longitudinal direction L and are symmetrically arranged along the first 6 and second 8 side edges, each leg cuff 31, 32 being arranged outside the upright pleated portion 21', 22' of the corresponding barrier cuff 21,22.

[0093] like Figure 2 As shown, the leg cuffs 31, 32 each include a side portion 33, 34 of the outer covering layer, which extends outside the corresponding side edges 10', 10" of the backsheet in the transverse direction, and the side portions 33, 34 of the outer covering layer 18 are folded back on themselves along folding lines 36, 38 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and the folding lines 36, 38 divide the side portions 33, 34 of the outer covering layer 18 into a first portion 33', 34' and a second portion 33", 34", and the first portion 33', 34' and the second portion 33", 34" together form a leg cuff fold 35, 37, and the leg cuff fold 35, 37 has a free edge defined by the folding lines 36, 38 and a leg cuff width W defined in the transverse direction T between the free edge of the leg cuff fold lines 36, 38 and the upright pleat hinge lines 25, 26.

[0094] The first portions 33', 34' of the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 are Figure 2 The second portions 33", 34" of the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 are folded over the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18.

[0095] In the embodiment shown in the figures, as viewed from the direction of the top sheet 9, the first parts 33′, 34′ of the side parts 33, 34 of the outer covering layer 18 constitute the lower parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37, and as viewed from the direction of the top sheet 9, the second parts 33″, 34″ of the side parts 33, 34 of the outer covering layer 18 constitute the upper parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37. The upper parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 are folded back on top of the lower parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 and fixed between the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 10 are directly connected to each other along the side edges of the absorbent core 11 and directly connected to the tucked-in portion of the outer cover layer secured between the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 10. The tuck-in of the outer cover layer comprises inner ends 47, 48. The garment-facing side of the back sheet is directly attached to the central portion of the outer cover sheet.

[0096] As described herein, the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 can be optionally folded so that, viewed from the direction of the top sheet, the first portions 33', 34' of the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18, which are adjacent to the central portion 18' of the outer cover layer 18, constitute the upper portion of the leg cuff folds 35, 37, and the folded-back second portions 33", 34" constitute the lower portion of the leg cuff folds 35, 37, viewed from the direction of the top sheet 9. In this configuration, as Figure 5 As shown, the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover 18 are folded back upon themselves on the outer, garment-facing side of the absorbent article 1.

[0097] A plurality of spaced apart pretensioning elastic elements 41, 42 are arranged in each leg cuff fold 35, 37. The elastic elements 41, 42 extend in the longitudinal direction L inside the leg cuff fold 35, 37 and are attached between the first portion 33', 34' and the second portion 33", 34" of the leg cuff fold 35, 37, for example by adhesive.

[0098] The width of the leg cuffs 31, 32 may be in the range of 20 mm to 60 mm, and the elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 may be distributed over an area of ​​each leg cuff that is at least 40% of the width of the leg cuff, preferably at least 50% of the width of the leg cuff. The width of the elasticized portion of the leg cuffs 31, 32 may be in the range of 20 mm to 40 mm.

[0099] The elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in each leg cuff 31, 32 may be suitably attached between the first portion 33', 34' and the second portion 33", 34" of the leg cuff fold 35, 37 by means of an adhesive. The adhesive may be applied to the elastic elements, and / or to one or both of the first portion 33 and the second portion 34 of the leg cuff fold 35, 37. Alternatively, the elastic elements may be anchored in the leg cuff fold 35, 37 by means of heat welding or ultrasonic welding, for example as disclosed in WO2021 / 037352A1.

[0100] The elastic elements may be elastic threads, bands, cords, etc. All elastic elements may be of the same type and have the same elastic properties. Optionally, one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 may have a greater resistance to stretching than one or more elastic elements arranged in the inner portion of the leg cuff folds 35, 37.

[0101] The one or more elastic elements in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold 35 , 37 may have a higher linear density (dtex) than the one or more elastic elements arranged in the inner portion of the leg cuff fold 35 , 37 .

[0102] Each leg cuff 31, 32 also includes a leg cuff portion 21", 22" of a corresponding nonwoven barrier tape 21, 22. The leg cuff portions 21", 22" of the nonwoven barrier cuff tapes 21, 22 are defined between the upright pleat hinge lines 25, 26 and the outer leg cuff edges 43, 44 of the nonwoven barrier cuff tapes 21, 22. The outer leg cuff edges 43, 44 of the nonwoven barrier cuff tapes 21, 22 are parallel to the fold lines 36, 38 in the leg cuff folds 35, 37 and cover at least one elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the leg cuff portions 21″, 22″ of the nonwoven barrier tapes 21, 22 cover all elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in the leg cuff folds 35, 37, and the outer leg cuff edges 43, 44 of the leg cuff portions 21″, 22″ coincide with the fold lines 36, 38 in the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18. It should be understood that the outer leg cuff edges 43, 44 of the leg cuff portions 21″, 22″ may not coincide with the fold lines 36, 38 and may be arranged on the inner side of the fold lines 36, 38 in the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18.

[0103] Figure 338. A simplified detail of a portion of the leg cuff 32 arranged along the second side edge is shown. A plurality of elastic elements 42, represented by five individual elastic elements, are arranged in the leg cuff fold 37 with spacing d between the individual elastic elements. The elastic elements are shown with equal spacing between all elastic elements. However, the spacing may be different in different portions of the leg cuff 32. As an example, the spacing between the individual elastic elements may be smaller in the outer portion of the leg cuff 32 near the fold line 38 than in the portion of the leg cuff 32 closer to the upright pleat hinge line 26 ( Figure 3 The internal division of the device is not shown in the figure.

[0104] The leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff band 22 covers all elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 42 in the leg cuff fold 37, but is attached to the second upper portion 34″ of the leg cuff fold 37 only in such an area of ​​the second portion 34″ of the leg cuff fold 37: that is, this area corresponds to the positions of 4 elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 42 arranged at a certain distance from the fold line 38. The leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff band 22 is attached to the second portion 34″ of the leg cuff fold 37 by means of an adhesive 46, leaving the outermost portion of the leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff band 22 not attached to the leg cuff fold 37. In this way, no adhesive is arranged adjacent to the side edges of the absorbent article 1. The adhesive attachment between the leg cuff fold and the leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff tape 22 may increase the structural stability of the leg cuff 32 by increasing the leg cuff's resistance to bending. This is an effect of the adhesive attachment, which may benefit the overall function of the leg cuff but may be detrimental to the softness of the portion of the leg cuff along the side edge 8. However, it should be understood that the adhesive area 46 may extend all the way to the fold line 38 in the leg cuff fold 37.

[0105] As shown in the highly schematic exploded view of the leg cuff 32 Figure 3 As shown, the outermost elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements 42 is positioned at the fold line 38 so that there is no excess material outside the outermost elastic element. This may be an ideal positioning of the outermost elastic element. However, due to manufacturing tolerances, the positioning of the outermost elastic element in an actual absorbent article 1 may deviate slightly from Figure 3 Position shown.

[0106] As disclosed herein, the leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff 22 can be attached to the leg cuff fold 37 with an adhesive that has been evenly distributed over the attachment area between the barrier cuff 22 and the upper portion 34″ of the leg cuff fold 37, thereby creating a uniform attachment between the leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff 22 and the leg cuff fold 37, so that the contractile force from the spaced-apart pre-tensioned elastic elements 42 in the leg cuff fold 37 is transmitted to the leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff 22 in a substantially equal manner over the entire attachment area. Therefore, when the elastic element contracts, the leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuff 22 is pleated together with the material in the leg cuff fold 37 and forms soft ripples in the leg cuff 32 in a controlled and neat manner.

[0107] Also like Figure 3 As shown, the second portion 34" of the leg cuff fold 37 is secured to the chassis 10 at the inner end 48 of the second portion 34" of the leg cuff fold 37 along the chassis side edge 10". Figure 2 As shown, the inner ends 47, 48 of the second portions 33″, 34″ of the side portions 33, 34 are inserted between the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 10 and fixed therebetween. Attachment is performed by adhesive 50. However, it should be understood that the leg cuff portion 22″ of the nonwoven barrier tape 22 may alternatively be attached by heat welding or ultrasonic welding. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, all of the plurality of elastic elements 42 are arranged in the portion of the leg cuff fold 37 that is free of the chassis 10. While this may be a desired arrangement to provide the leg cuff 32 with maximum breathability, the chassis 10 may alternatively extend into the leg cuff 32 such that the chassis 10 overlaps the innermost elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements 42.

[0108] The first side flap 12 is arranged on the rear portion 5 of the absorbent article 1 at the rear waist edge 2 and extends from the first side edge 6 in the transverse direction T of the absorbent article 1, and the second side flap 13 is arranged on the rear portion 5 at the rear waist edge 2 and extends from the second side edge 8 in the transverse direction T of the absorbent article 1. The first side flap 12 and the second side flap 13 are attachment flaps and are provided with fasteners 14, 15 for fixing the absorbent article 1 in a pant-like configuration around the lower torso of the wearer's body. Such attachment flaps are an optional feature of the absorbent article as disclosed herein, for example, in an absorbent article that is a pant diaper or a belt diaper.

[0109] The first side wing 12 and the second side wing 13 are tensioned when the absorbent article is put on, and need to be firmly anchored along the side edges 6, 8 to determine that they will not fall off the article when exposed to the pulling force applied laterally. The first side wing 12 and the second side wing 13 can be made of any suitable material known in the art, such as a fiber nonwoven material. The first side wing 12 and the second side wing 13 can be elastic or elastically stretchable at least in the lateral direction of the absorbent article 1. The first side wing 12 and the second side wing 13 can be breathable, and are preferably soft and flexible to provide good body conformability and comfort.

[0110] Figure 1 and Figure 4 The first and second side flaps 12, 13 are shown provided with fastening elements 14, 15 which may be of any suitable type, such as adhesive or mechanical fasteners. One common type of mechanical fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

[0111] exist Figure 1 and Figure 4 In the absorbent article 1 of FIG. 1 , the fastening elements 14, 15 are shown as hook-type fasteners, i.e., fasteners having a plurality of protruding elements that can engage with corresponding loop-type fasteners, such as loop-type nonwoven materials. The loop-type fasteners can be provided by a portion of a nonwoven outer cover layer 18 covering the backsheet 10 on the garment-facing outer surface of the absorbent article 1. Optionally, a dedicated fastener receiving area 20 formed of a fastener receiving material can be arranged on the garment-facing outer surface of the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0112] Alternatively, the fastening elements 14, 15 may be adhesive fastening tapes arranged to be attached to a receiving area arranged on the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1. Another option is that the first side wing 12 and the second side wing 13 are arranged to be attached to a third side wing and a fourth side wing arranged at opposite waist edges. In addition, the first side wing 12 and the second side wing 13 may have a lateral extension large enough to allow the first side wing 12 and the second side wing 13 to be fastened to each other in the manner of a belt. It should also be understood that in a hook-and-loop fastener arrangement, the hook-type fastening elements may be arranged on the receiving surface, while the loop-type fastening elements are arranged on the first side wing and / or the second side wing.

[0113] The third side flap 16 and the fourth side flap 17 as shown in the figure are optional for the absorbent article disclosed herein. The third side flap 16 and the fourth side flap 17 can be made of substantially the same material as the first side flap 12 and the second side flap 13. However, elastic materials are less suitable for use in the third side flap 16 and the fourth side flap 17. Figure 1 and Figure 4In the absorbent article 1 in , the third side flap 16 and the fourth side flap 17 are positioning flaps that serve as gripping members when the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1 is applied over the abdomen of a wearer.

[0114] like Figure 1 As best shown, the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in the leg cuffs 31, 32 preferably extend only along the portion of the side edges 6, 8 located between the first and third side flaps 12, 16 for the first side edge 6 and between the second and fourth side flaps 13, 15 for the second side edge 8, so that a major portion of the leg cuffs 31, 32 is located in the crotch portion 7 of the absorbent article 1. Likewise, the elastic elements 27, 28 in the standing pleats 29, 30 are preferably as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The arrangement shown is such that the elastic elements 27, 28 do not extend all the way to the end edges 2, 4 of the absorbent article 1. The non-elastic portions of the upright pleats 29, 30 are secured to the top sheet along securing lines 39. Thus, under the influence of the elastic forces in the elastic elements 27, 28, the portion of the absorbent article 1 located between the upright pleats 29, 30 assumes a bag-like use configuration in the crotch portion 7, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 shown.

[0115] Figure 1 and Figure 4 The absorbent article 1 in the embodiment of the present invention further comprises an optional waist elastic member 18. The waist elastic member 19 is located at the rear waist edge 2 and extends in the lateral direction only along a portion of the rear waist edge 2. As known in the art, any type of waist elastic member can be used. In addition, the absorbent article 1 can also include a waist elastic member at the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1.

[0116] like Figure 4 As shown, when the absorbent article 1 has been taken out of the package and has been folded open to be ready for application to the wearer, the upright gathers 29, 30 are lifted from the top sheet 9 due to the contraction force exerted on the free upright gather edges 23, 24 by the pre-tensioned elastic elements 27, 28 arranged on the upright gathers 29, 30. The elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in the leg cuffs 31, 32 pleat the nonwoven material in the leg cuff folds 35, 37 and the nonwoven material in the leg cuff portions 21″, 22″ of the nonwoven barrier cuffs 21, 22 together, thereby producing a fluffy and breathable leg cuff 31, 32, which is elastically compressible in the thickness direction of the leg cuffs 31, 32 and has a wide skin-contacting inner surface, on which the contraction force from the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in the leg cuffs 31, 32 is distributed. The leg cuffs thus fit closely around the legs of the wearer in a comfortable manner, with virtually no risk of chafing or other discomfort caused by the leg cuffs.

[0117] As in Figure 4As can be seen further in the figure, the wide elasticized leg cuffs 31, 32 are bulky and shape-stable and automatically assume the correct position when the absorbent article is applied to the wearer.

[0118] exist Figure 5 In the configuration shown, the leg cuffs 31, 32 each include a side portion 33, 34 of the outer covering layer, which extends outside the corresponding side edge 10', 10" of the backsheet in the transverse direction, and the side portions 33, 34 of the outer covering layer 18 are folded back on themselves along fold lines 36, 38 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and the fold lines 36, 38 divide the side portions 33, 34 of the outer covering layer 18 into a first portion 33', 34' and a second portion 33", 34", and the first portion 33', 34' and the second portion 33", 34" together form a leg cuff fold 35, 37, and the leg cuff fold 35, 37 has a free edge defined by the fold lines 36, 38 and a leg cuff width W defined in the transverse direction T between the free edge of the leg cuff fold lines 36, 38 and the upright pleat hinge lines 25, 26.

[0119] The first portions 33', 34' of the side portions 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 are Figure 5 1. The central portion 18' of the outer cover layer 18 is shown adjacent to the central portion 18' of the outer cover layer 18 which covers the backsheet 10.

[0120] like Figure 5 As shown, as seen from the direction of the top sheet 9, the first parts 33′, 34′ of the side parts 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 constitute the upper parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37, and as seen from the direction of the top sheet 9, the second parts 33″, 34″ of the side parts 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 constitute the lower parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37. The lower parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 are folded back under the upper parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 and attached to the outer cover layer 18.

[0121] In a highly schematic Figure 6a -d shows an alternative leg cuff comprising a tube structure 50. The elastic element 42 is arranged inside the tube structure 50. The leg cuff portion 22" of the nonwoven barrier cuff 22 covers the elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 42. Figure 6a In the embodiment, the backsheet 10 is narrower than the outer cover sheet 18 in the transverse direction, and the tube structure 50 is attached to the outer cover sheet 18. Figure 6b As shown, the tube structure 50 can be attached to the backsheet. Figure 6c -d, the tube structure may also be attached to the garment-facing side of the outer covering sheet 18. The tube structure may also be partially arranged outside the outer edge of the outer covering sheet 18 (not shown).

[0122] Absorbent core 11 is arranged between top sheet 9 and back sheet 10, and is arranged to absorb liquid, such as urine or other body fluids, that has passed through top sheet 9. Absorbent core 11 can be a single-layer structure, or a layered structure. Absorbent core 11 can include any conventional materials suitable for absorbing the body waste discharged, such as cellulose fluff pulp, tissue paper layer, superabsorbent polymer (superabsorbent), absorbent foam material including hydrogel foam material, nonwoven material, etc. Absorbent core can include non-absorbent components, such as reinforcing element, forming element, adhesive, etc. Various types of liquid reception and liquid distribution materials can also be included in the core.

[0123] The absorbent core 11 can be a three-dimensionally shaped core with different amounts of absorbent material in different parts of the core. The core can be provided with features such as embossing, fluid collection chambers and fluid distribution channels. The properties of the absorbent core, such as density, amount of absorbent material, and absorption capacity can also vary in different parts of the absorbent core. The absorbent core 11 can include a core cover, sandwiching the absorbent material between an upper core cover layer and a lower core cover layer. Such a core cover can be a tissue paper material or a nonwoven material and is provided in addition to the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 10.

[0124] Liquid-permeable top sheet 9 can comprise nonwoven material or be made up of nonwoven material.Other suitable top sheet materials comprise tow fibers, porous foam, apertured plastic film and laminate and the combination of these materials.The material most suitable as top sheet material is soft and non-irritating to the skin, is easily penetrated by body fluids, and shows low rewetting of the body fluids absorbed.

[0125] The liquid impermeable backsheet 10 may be any conventional liquid impermeable material, such as a thin plastic film, for example, a polyethylene or polypropylene film. The backsheet material may be breathable to allow vapor to escape from the absorbent body while still preventing liquid from passing through the backsheet material.

Claims

1. An absorbent article (1) having a first waist edge (2) and a second waist edge (4) extending in a transverse direction (T) of the absorbent article (1) and a first side edge (6) and a second side edge (8) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the absorbent article (1), the absorbent article (1) comprising: - a liquid-permeable topsheet (9) having a topsheet first side edge (9') and a topsheet second side edge (9"); - a liquid-impermeable backsheet (10) having a backsheet first side edge (10') and a backsheet second side edge (10"); - an absorbent core (11) arranged between said top sheet (9) and said back sheet (10); - a nonwoven outer cover layer (18) which covers the backsheet (10) and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article (1); - a pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged symmetrically one barrier cuff (21, 22) on each side of a longitudinal center line (Lc), each nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) comprising an upright pleat portion (21', 22') defined between a free upright pleat edge (23, 24) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and an upright pleat hinge line (25, 26) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), the barrier cuffs (21, 22) being attached to the top sheet (9) along the upright pleat hinge line (25, 26) and having one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements (27, 28) arranged along the free upright pleat edge (23, 24); - a pair of upright pleats (29, 30), said upright pleats (29, 30) comprising said upright pleated portions (21', 22') of said barrier cuffs (21, 22); - a pair of leg cuffs (31, 32) extending in said longitudinal direction (L) and arranged symmetrically along said first side edge (6) and said second side edge (8), each leg cuff (31, 32) being arranged outside said upright pleated portion (21', 22') of the corresponding barrier cuff (21, 22); and in Each leg cuff (31, 32) comprises: - side portions (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18), the side portions (33, 34) extending in the transverse direction (T) outside the corresponding side edges (10', 10") of the backsheet, the side portions (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18) being folded back on themselves along folding lines (36, 38) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and dividing the side portions (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18) into a first portion (3 3', 34') and a second portion (33", 34"), the first portion (33', 34') and the second portion (33", 34") together forming a leg cuff fold (35, 37), the leg cuff fold (35, 37) having a free edge defined by the fold line (36, 38) and a leg cuff width (W) in the transverse direction (T) between the fold line (36, 38) and the standing pleat hinge line (25, 26) in the leg cuff fold (35, 37); - a plurality of spaced apart pre-tensioned elastic elements (41, 42) extending in said longitudinal direction (L) inside said leg cuff fold (35, 37) and attached between said first portion (33', 34') and said second portion (33", 34") of said leg cuff fold (35, 37); and - A leg cuff portion of a corresponding nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22), the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) being defined between the upright pleat hinge lines (25, 26) and outer leg cuff edges (43, 44) of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22), the outer leg cuff edges (43, 44) of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) being parallel to the folding lines (36, 38) in the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37), the leg cuff portions (21″, 22″) of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) covering at least one elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42).

2. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article (1) further comprises a pair of side wings (12, 13) arranged at one of the first waist edge (2) or the second waist edge (4), each side wing (12, 13) extending from a proximal attachment end to a free distal end along a transverse direction (T), and comprising a fastener (14, 15) arranged at the distal end of the side wing (12, 13).

3. An absorbent article (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg cuff portion (21", 22") of each non-woven barrier cuff (21, 22) is attached to a corresponding leg cuff fold (35, 37), wherein the leg cuff portion (21", 22") of the non-woven barrier cuff (21, 22) covers all or substantially all of the multiple elastic elements (41, 42) in the leg cuff fold (35, 37).

4. An absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of each leg cuff (31, 32) is in the range of 20 mm to 60 mm, and wherein the elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) in each leg cuff (31, 32) are distributed over an area of ​​the leg cuff (31, 32) whose width in the transverse direction (T) is at least 40% of the width (W) of the leg cuff (31, 32), preferably at least 50% of the width (W) of the leg cuff (31, 32).

5. An absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (33', 34') of the side part (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18) is adjacent to the central part (18') of the outer covering layer (18), the central part (18') of the outer covering layer (18) covers the back sheet (10), and wherein the second part (33", 34") of the side part of the outer covering layer (18) is a folded part of the side part (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18).

6. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The first part (33', 34') of the side part (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18) is the lower part of the leg cuff fold (35, 37) when viewed from the direction of the top sheet (9), and the second part (33", 34") of the side part (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18) is the upper part of the leg cuff fold (35, 37) when viewed from the direction of the top sheet (9).

7. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 6, wherein the inner ends of the second parts (33", 34") of the side parts (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18) are fixed between the top sheet (9) and the back sheet (10).

8. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) in each leg cuff (31, 32) consists of at least 3 elastic elements, preferably at least 4 elastic elements.

9. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 8, wherein the elastic elements (41, 42) are spaced apart in the transverse direction (T) by 1 mm to 8 mm, preferably by 3 mm to 8 mm.

10. An absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer leg cuff edges (43, 44) of the nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) are arranged at or inside the folding lines (36, 38) in the leg cuff folds (35, 37) when viewed in the transverse direction (T).

11. An absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the leg cuff portions (21", 22") of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) are attached to the second portions (33", 34") of the side portions (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18) using an adhesive, and the adhesive is evenly distributed on the attachment area between the leg cuff portions (21", 22") of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) and the second portions (33", 34") of the side portions (33, 34) of the outer covering layer (18).

12. An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the backing film (10) extends in the inner part of each leg cuff (31, 31) to at most 50% of the width of the leg cuff in the leg cuff (31, 32), for example at most 40% of the width of the leg cuff or at most 30% of the width of the leg cuff.

13. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 12, wherein: All or substantially all of the elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements in each leg cuff (31, 32) are arranged in an outer portion of the leg cuff (31, 32) that is free of the liquid-impermeable backsheet (10).

14. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) is a single layer of nonwoven material.

15. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein An elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) is attached between the first portion (33', 34') and the second portion (33", 34") of the leg cuff fold (35, 37) by means of an adhesive.

16. An absorbent article (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more elastic elements arranged in the inner part of the leg cuff fold (35, 37) have a greater stretch resistance than one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer part of the leg cuff fold (35, 37).

17. An absorbent article (1) according to claim 16, wherein the linear density (dtex) of the one or more elastic elements in the inner part of the leg cuff fold (35, 37) is higher than the linear density of the one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer part of the leg cuff fold (35, 37).

18. An absorbent article (1) having a first waist edge (2) and a second waist edge (4) extending in a transverse direction (T) of the absorbent article (1) and a first side edge (6) and a second side edge (8) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the absorbent article (1), the absorbent article (1) comprising: - a liquid-permeable topsheet (9) having a topsheet first side edge (9') and a topsheet second side edge (9"); - a liquid-impermeable backsheet (10) having a backsheet first side edge (10') and a backsheet second side edge (10"); - an absorbent core (11) arranged between said top sheet (9) and said back sheet (10); - a nonwoven outer cover layer (18) which covers the backsheet (10) and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article (1); - a pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and symmetrically arranged one barrier cuff (21, 22) on each side of the longitudinal center line (Lc), each nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) comprising an upright pleat portion (21', 22') defined between a free upright pleat edge (23, 24) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and an upright pleat hinge line (25, 26) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), the barrier cuffs (21, 22) being attached to the top sheet (9) along the upright pleat hinge line (25, 26) and having one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements (27, 28) arranged along the free upright pleat edge (23, 24); - a pair of upright pleats (29, 30), said upright pleats (29, 30) comprising said upright pleated portions (21', 22') of said barrier cuffs (21, 22); - a pair of leg cuffs (31, 32) extending in said longitudinal direction (L) and arranged symmetrically along said first side edge (6) and said second side edge (8), each leg cuff (31, 32) being arranged outside an upright pleated portion (21', 22') of a corresponding barrier cuff (21, 22); and in Each leg cuff (31, 32) comprises: - a tube structure (50) extending outside of said standing pleat hinge lines (25, 26) in said transverse direction (T), said tube structure (50) having an outer tube edge (51) defining an edge of said leg cuff fold and a leg cuff width (W) in said transverse direction (T) between said outer tube edge (51) and said standing pleat hinge lines (25, 26); - a plurality of spaced-apart pre-tensioned elastic elements (41, 42) arranged inside the tube structure (50) and extending in the longitudinal direction (L), - A leg cuff portion of a corresponding nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22), the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) being defined between the upright pleat hinge lines (25, 26) and the outer leg cuff edges (43, 44) of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22), the outer leg cuff edges (43, 44) of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) being parallel to the outer tube edge (51) of the tube structure (50), the leg cuff portion (21", 22") of the nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) covering at least one elastic element of the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42).

19. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 18, wherein the tube structure (50) is attached to the backsheet (10) and / or the outer covering sheet (18).

20. An absorbent article (1) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the tube structure (50) is arranged between the leg cuff portions (21", 22") of the corresponding nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) and the backsheet (10) and / or the outer coversheet (18).

21. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the tube structure (50) is arranged at least partially outside the outer edge of the outer covering sheet (18) in the transverse direction (T).

22. An absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the tube structure (50) is formed by a continuous sheet folded around the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) and connected by longitudinally extending joints to form the tube structure (50).

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