Absorbent article with upright tucks and leg cuffs

Abstract

An absorbent article (1) for wearing around the lower torso of a wearer, the article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (9), a liquid impermeable backsheet (10) and an absorbent core (11) sandwiched therebetween. A non-woven outer cover layer (18) covers the backsheet (10) on an outer surface of the absorbent article (1). A pair of non-woven barrier straps (21, 22) are attached to the topsheet (9) along upright tuck hinge lines (25, 26) that divide the barrier straps into upright tuck portions (21 ', 22') and leg strap portions (21 '', 22 ''). The upright stoppers (21 ', 22') of the blocking strakes (21, 22) form part of a pair of elastic upright stoppers (29, 30). The leg cuff portions (21 ", 22") of the blocking cuff strips (21, 22) form part of a pair of leg cuffs (31, 32), which are arranged outside the upright stoppers (29, 30). A first portion (21a, 22a) of the leg cuff portion (21 ", 22") of each nonwoven barrier strap (21, 22) is folded back along a leg cuff fold line (36, 38) onto a second portion (21b, 22b) of the leg cuff portion (21 ", 22") of the barrier strap (21, 22) such that a leg cuff fold (35, 37) is formed between the first portion and the second portion of the leg cuff portion (21 ", 22") of the barrier strap (21, 22). Each leg cuff fold (35, 37) includes a plurality of spaced apart pre-tensioned elastic elements (41, 42) extending within the leg cuff fold (35, 37) and attached between a first portion (21a, 22a) and a second portion (21b, 22b) of the leg cuff fold (35, 37). The sides (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18) overlap the leg cuff portions (21 ", 22") of the non-woven barrier cuff (21, 22) and are directly or indirectly joined to the leg cuff folds (35, 37) such that side edges (51, 52) of the sides (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18) are arranged at a distance (d1) from the leg cuff fold line (36, 38).

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 a second side edge and including a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article is arranged to be worn in a pant-like manner, wherein the waist edges form a waist opening and the side edges form leg openings.

[0002] A nonwoven outer cover layer covers the backsheet and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article. The article further includes a pair of elastomeric direct gatherers and a pair of elastomeric leg cuffs. Background Art

[0003] Disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, which are applied to the lower body of a wearer and fastened around the wearer's body as a pair of underwear, are typically provided with elastic elements to form a fluid barrier and improve the body fit of the article. A good body 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 wearer's body, thereby reducing the risk of fluid leakage from the absorbent article. Additional leakage protection can be obtained by arranging elastomeric upright gatherers (also referred to as "raised barriers" or "inner barriers") inside the absorbent article.

[0004] Another important aspect of such articles is that they are soft and comfortable to wear and they do not cause abrasion of the sensitive skin in the genital area. Another problem is that the tensioned elastic elements may cause discomfort and red marks by applying high pressure on the skin of the wearer, especially around the legs of the wearer. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A disposable absorbent article having good leakage safety and comfort can be achieved by the features of claim 1. Variations of the present disclosure are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0006] Disclosed herein is an absorbent article having a first waist edge and a second waist edge extending in a lateral 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 including:

[0007] - A liquid-permeable topsheet;

[0008] - A liquid-impermeable backsheet;

[0009] - An absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;

[0010] - A nonwoven outer cover layer covering the backsheet and forming the outer surface of the absorbent article;

[0011] - A pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs that extend in the longitudinal direction and are symmetrically arranged such that there is one barrier cuff on each side of the longitudinal centerline. Each nonwoven barrier cuff includes an upright gathering member portion and a leg cuff portion. The upright gathering member portion is defined between a free upright gathering member edge extending in the longitudinal direction and an upright gathering member hinge line extending in the longitudinal direction. The barrier cuff is attached to the topsheet along the upright gathering member hinge line and has one or more elastic elements disposed along the free upright gathering member edge;

[0012] - A pair of upright gathering members that include the upright gathering member portions of the barrier cuffs;

[0013] - A pair of leg cuffs that extend in the longitudinal direction and are symmetrically arranged along the first side edge and the second side edge. Each leg cuff is disposed laterally outside the upright gathering member portion of the corresponding barrier cuff; and wherein each leg cuff includes:

[0014] - The leg cuff portion of the corresponding nonwoven barrier cuff that extends laterally between the upright gathering member hinge line and the leg cuff fold line. The nonwoven barrier cuff is folded back onto itself along the leg cuff fold line to form a leg cuff fold portion. The leg cuff fold line extends in the longitudinal direction and divides the leg cuff portion of the barrier cuff into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion together form the leg cuff fold portion;

[0015] A plurality of spaced-apart pre-tensioned elastic elements that extend in the longitudinal direction within the leg cuff fold portion and are attached between the first portion and the second portion of the leg cuff fold portion; and

[0016] - The side portion of the outer cover layer overlaps the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff and is joined to the leg cuff fold portion, wherein the side edge of the side portion of the outer cover layer is disposed at a distance from the leg cuff fold line.

[0017] The article disclosed herein may be in the form of an open diaper that includes a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.

[0018] The open diaper as disclosed herein may include a pair of side flaps disposed at one of the first waist edge or the second waist edge. Each side flap extends in the lateral direction from a proximal attachment end to a free distal end and includes a fastener disposed at the distal end of the side flap.

[0019] The open diaper may optionally be a belted diaper which is closed by connecting the ends of the belts provided at the waist edge of the article to each other.

[0020] The absorbent article as disclosed herein may be a disposable article intended to be discarded after single use. The absorbent article may be an absorbent insert which is arranged to be used together with a reusable retainer. Generally, the reusable retainer incorporates fastening means for fastening the combination of the absorbent article and the retainer in the manner of shorts around the torso of the wearer of the article.

[0021] The absorbent article as disclosed herein is arranged to be worn around the lower torso of the wearer and includes a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core sandwiched therebetween. A nonwoven outer cover layer covers the backsheet on the outer surface of the absorbent article. A pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs are attached to the topsheet along an upright gather hinge line which divides the barrier cuffs into an upright gather portion and a leg cuff portion. The upright gather portion of the barrier cuffs forms part of a pair of elasticized upright gathers. The leg cuff portion of the barrier cuffs forms part of a pair of leg cuffs which are arranged outside the upright gathers. The first part of the leg cuff portion of each nonwoven barrier cuff is folded back onto the second part of the leg cuff portion of the barrier cuff along a leg cuff fold line such that a leg cuff fold is formed between the first part and the second part of the leg cuff portion of the barrier cuff. Each leg cuff fold contains a plurality of spaced-apart pre-tensioned elastic elements which extend within the leg cuff fold and are attached between the first part and the second part of the leg cuff fold. The side portions of the outer cover layer overlap the leg cuff portions of the nonwoven barrier cuffs and are directly or indirectly joined to the leg cuff fold such that the side edges of the side portions of the outer cover layer are arranged at a distance from the leg cuff fold line. By arranging the outer cover layer at a distance from the leg cuff fold line, the leg cuffs can be perceived as softer since there is no free material edge at the outermost position (i.e., the outer leg cuff side edge).

[0022] The distance between the side portion of the outer cover layer and the leg cuff fold line may be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, and most preferably at least 10 mm.

[0023] The absorbent article has a nonwoven outer cover layer which covers the liquid-impermeable backsheet and forms a textile-like outer surface of the absorbent article. The side portions of the nonwoven outer cover layer may laterally extend in the transverse direction beyond the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Alternatively, the nonwoven outer cover and the backsheet may have the same width. In the latter case, the nonwoven outer cover and the backsheet may be pre-laminated, while when the backsheet is narrower than the nonwoven outer cover, it may be laminated online during the manufacture of the absorbent article.

[0024] If the liquid-impermeable backsheet and the outer cover layer have the same width, they can be arranged such that the corresponding side edges are arranged at the same distance from the leg cuff fold line, which is the outer leg cuff side edge. This distance can be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, and most preferably at least 10 mm.

[0025] A pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs are arranged such that the upright gathering member portion of each barrier cuff forms part of the upright gathering member, and the leg cuff portion of each barrier cuff forms part of the elastic leg cuff. The leg cuffs are arranged laterally outward of the upright gathering member in the transverse direction. Each barrier cuff is attached to the topsheet along the upright gathering member hinge line, which also divides the barrier cuff into an upright gathering member portion and a leg cuff portion.

[0026] The barrier cuffs are attached directly to the topsheet along the upright gathering member hinge line, with no intermediate member between the barrier cuff and the topsheet.

[0027] The article disclosed herein is skin-friendly and comfortable to wear because all body contact surfaces of the article are made of a soft nonwoven material. The leg cuffs are particularly soft because the pre-tensioned elastic elements in the leg cuffs are arranged within the leg cuff fold, thereby providing a folded outer edge for the leg cuff. The multiple spaced-apart pre-tensioned elastic elements cause the nonwoven material in the leg cuff fold to contract and form soft, breathable, and evenly distributed wrinkles on the surface of the leg cuff. The elastic portion of the wrinkles in the leg cuff serves as a buffer distance device between the wearer's body and the elastic elements. Thus, under the influence of the contraction force from the elastic elements distributed across the width of each leg cuff, the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff forms a soft, bulky but body-height conforming leg cuff.

[0028] When the article is worn, the upper portion of the leg cuff fold will be the portion of the leg cuff fold facing the wearer, and the lower portion of the leg cuff fold will be the portion of the leg cuff fold facing the clothing.

[0029] The first portion of each barrier cuff can be folded back along the leg cuff fold line onto the wearer-facing side of the absorbent article. In this folded configuration, the first portion of the barrier cuff is folded on top of the second portion of the barrier cuff and attached to the second portion of the barrier cuff on the wearer-facing side of the absorbent article.

[0030] Optionally, the first portion of each barrier cuff may be folded back along the leg cuff fold line onto the garment-facing side of the absorbent article. In this folded configuration, the first portion of the barrier cuff is folded under the second portion of the barrier cuff and attached to the second portion of the barrier cuff on the garment-facing side of the absorbent article. In such configurations, the inner portion of the first portion of the leg cuff portion of each barrier cuff may overlap the liquid-permeable topsheet such that the leg cuff edge of the leg cuff portion of the barrier cuff is disposed inwardly in the lateral direction relative to the side edge of the topsheet. The leg cuff edge of the leg cuff portion of the barrier cuff may be disposed between the second portion of the leg cuff and the topsheet or between the topsheet and the backsheet.

[0031] The side edges of the side portions of the outer cover layer are disposed at a distance from the leg cuff fold line in the lateral direction. The leg edge portions of each leg cuff fold portion located between the side edge of the side portion of the outer cover layer and the leg cuff fold line may include two or more of the plurality of elastic elements in the leg cuff fold portion. The leg edge portion of each leg cuff fold portion that extends beyond the corresponding side edge of the side portion of the outer cover layer in the lateral direction forms a part of the leg cuff that is more deformable than the part of the leg cuff to which the leg cuff fold portion is attached to the outer cover layer and / or the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Thus, the nonwoven material in the leg edge portion of the leg cuff may be longitudinally gathered with a lower gathering force than is required to obtain the same degree of gathering in the part of the leg cuff to which the leg cuff fold portion is attached to the outer cover layer and / or the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Additionally, the leg edge portion of the leg cuff has a higher compressibility in the lateral direction than the part of the leg cuff to which the leg cuff fold portion is attached to the outer cover layer and / or the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Thus, the leg edge portion of the leg cuff provides lateral compressibility of the leg cuff, which contributes to the cushioning effect on the wearer's legs.

[0032] In the absorbent article as disclosed herein, the leg cuffs may be relatively wide. Each leg cuff may have a major portion of the width of the leg cuff elastified 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. The elastic elements among the plurality of elastic elements may be distributed over an area that is at least 40% of the width of the leg cuff, preferably at least 50% of the width of the leg cuff.

[0033] In the absorbent article as 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.

[0034] The elastic elements may be elastic threads, cords, or elastic bands.

[0035] The elastic elements among the multiple elastic elements in each leg cuff may be spaced 1 mm to 8 mm, preferably 3 mm to 8 mm, in the transverse direction. The elastic elements may be applied at equal intervals over the elasticized region 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 a smaller interval in the inner portion of the leg cuff than in the outer portion of the leg cuff to achieve a closer fit along the inner portion of the leg cuff.

[0036] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, the elasticized portion of each leg cuff may have a width of 20 mm to 40 mm, preferably 20 mm 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.

[0037] In a leg cuff of an absorbent article as disclosed herein, the elasticized portion of each leg cuff may have a width of 20 mm to 60 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, the number of elastic elements in the elasticized portion of the leg cuff being in the range of 4 to 7, and the spacing between the elastic elements being 4 mm to 6 mm.

[0038] The leg cuff fold may be arranged such that there is no overlap between the leg cuff fold and the topsheet. If the backsheet and the outer cover layer have the same width in the transverse direction, the leg cuff fold may be directly attached to the liquid-impermeable backsheet. If the outer cover layer has a greater extension in the transverse direction than the backsheet, the leg cuff fold may alternatively be directly attached to the outer cover layer. Thus, the outer cover layer may be directly joined to the leg cuff fold without any intervening member or may be indirectly joined to the leg cuff fold by joining to an intervening backsheet. By not involving the topsheet in the direct or indirect joining between the leg cuff fold and the outer cover layer, the number of material layers and the number of attachments between the layers in the inner portion of each leg cuff can be reduced. Thus, a reduction in the flexibility and compliance of the inner portion of the leg cuff can be avoided.

[0039] Optionally, the leg cuff fold may be arranged such that there is an overlap between the leg cuff fold and the topsheet. Such an arrangement may reduce the risk of the leg cuff fold coming off and exposing the elastic elements.

[0040] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, all or substantially all of the elastic elements among the multiple elastic elements in each leg cuff fold may be arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold that does not overlap with the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Thus, the elasticized portion of the leg cuff is highly breathable, flexible, and contractible.

[0041] The nonwoven material for the outer cover material and the barrier cuffs may include one or more spunbond layers and optionally one or more meltblown layers. The nonwoven material in the nonwoven barrier cuffs may be different from the nonwoven material of the outer cover material forming the leg cuff fold. The nonwoven barrier cuffs may be formed from a relatively large volume of material. The basis weight of the material in the nonwoven barrier strip may be in the range of 10 g / m 2 to 25 g / m 2 . The nonwoven material may be made of thermoplastic polymer fibers or filaments such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, and combinations thereof. The nonwoven material may be formed by any of a variety of different processes such as spunbonding, airlaid, meltblowing, or bonded carded web forming processes. The nonwoven layer may be made of a coform layer of nonwoven material such as SMS (spunbond / meltblown / spunbond) nonwoven material or SS (spunbond / spunbond) nonwoven material. The thermoplastic polymer material in the nonwoven layer may be polypropylene or bicomponent fibers of polypropylene and polyethylene, or a combination of such materials. Preferably, the nonwoven barrier strip is composed of a hydrophobic material. The nonwoven barrier cuffs may be a single layer of nonwoven material.

[0042] One or more pre-tensioned elastic elements disposed along the free-standing gather edge of the nonwoven barrier cuffs may be disposed in the folded portion of the nonwoven barrier cuffs at the free-standing gather edge. The one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements of the upright gather portion of the nonwoven barrier cuffs may include any suitable number of pre-tensioned elastic elements. However, the one or more pre-tensioned elastic elements are preferably 1, 2, or 3 elastic elements, which are arranged parallel to each other in the edge portion of the upright gather portion of the nonwoven barrier cuffs. The spacing between the elastic elements on the upright gather portion of the nonwoven barrier cuffs may be 2 to 5 mm. The one or more elastic elements may be in the form of one or more elastic threads, cords, or bands.

[0043] In the absorbent article disclosed herein, the elastic elements among the plurality of elastic elements in the leg cuff portion of each barrier cuff may be attached between the first portion and the second portion of the leg cuff fold by an adhesive. The adhesive may be applied to the elastic elements, whereby the first portion and the second portion of the leg cuff fold are indirectly attached to each other through the elastic elements. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the adhesive may be applied to one or both of the first portion and the second portion of the leg cuff fold.

[0044] In the absorbent article disclosed herein, one or more elastic elements disposed in the inner portion of each leg cuff fold may have a greater tensile resistance than one or more elastic elements disposed in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold. Alternatively or in addition thereto, one or more elastic elements disposed in the inner portion of the leg cuff fold may be disposed at a smaller spacing than the elastic elements disposed in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold.

[0045] The linear density (dtex) of the elastic element or elements arranged in the inner portion of each leg cuff fold may be higher than the linear density of the elastic element or elements arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff fold.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The leg cuffs of absorbent articles as disclosed herein are well-defined, neat and different characteristic structures that are easy to identify by visual inspection of the absorbent articles. In the absorbent articles of the prior art, the leg elastics are usually arranged between the side portions extending laterally of the top sheet and the back sheet or between the side portions of the upright gathering piece material and the back sheet. Such an arrangement results in wrinkled, unsightly and usually relatively rigid and worn non-elastic side edge portions on the lateral outside of the elastic element. When putting on articles with such non-elastic sides, it is necessary to ensure that the sides are folded out to avoid the articles being applied to the wearer when the elastic sides are folded onto the absorbent body, which may result in poor fit and ultimately cause body fluids to leak out of the articles.

[0048] The absorbent article disclosed herein has soft, corrugated, bulky and well-defined leg cuffs which automatically position correctly when the article is applied to the wearer without requiring any special attention or manipulation of the leg cuffs. The elasticized leg cuffs are placed against the wearer's skin and form a highly conformable 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 pressure on the wearer's skin is significantly reduced or even eliminated.

[0049] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, the side edges of the nonwoven outer cover layer are arranged inboard of the leg cuff fold line in the nonwoven barrier cuff strip as seen in the transverse direction. By avoiding the nonwoven outer cover layer extending all the way to the leg cuff fold line or even extending laterally outward from the fold line in the leg cuff fold, the side edges of the leg cuffs of the absorbent article will be defined by the soft, elastically deformable folded edges of the leg cuff fold.

[0050] In an absorbent article as disclosed herein, the nonwoven outer cover layer and / or the liquid-impermeable backsheet may be attached to the leg cuff fold portion by an adhesive uniformly distributed over the attachment area between the nonwoven outer cover layer and / or the liquid-impermeable backsheet and the leg cuff fold portion, or by uniformly distributed thermal bonds or ultrasonic bonds. Thus, the adhesive is preferably uniformly distributed over the attachment area between the leg cuff portion of the nonwoven barrier cuff strip and the upper portion of the side of the outer cover layer and / or the backsheet. The adhesive may be applied by any suitable technique such as slot coating.

[0051] The corrugations formed by the elastic elements in the leg cuff are visible both on the inner side of the leg cuff facing the wearer and on the outer side facing the clothing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The absorbent article disclosed herein will be further explained below with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0053] Figure 1 FIG. shows a plan view of an unfolded absorbent article in the form of a diaper, as viewed from the side intended to face the wearer during use of the diaper;

[0054] Figure 2 FIG. shows a cross-section through the diaper taken along line II-II in Figure 1 FIG. ; Figure 1 FIG. shows details of the leg cuff;

[0055] Figure 3 FIG. shows details of an alternative leg cuff;

[0056] Figure 4 FIG. shows details of an alternative leg cuff;

[0057] Figure 5 FIG. shows details of an alternative leg cuff,

[0058] Figure 6 FIG. shows details of an alternative leg cuff; and

[0059] Figure 7 FIG. shows a perspective view of the absorbent article in Figure 1 FIG. ready to be applied to a wearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The different aspects of the absorbent article as disclosed herein will be described more fully below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting the claimed absorbent article.

[0061] It should be understood that the drawings are schematic and that the various components, such as the material layers, are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0062] Referring to Figure 1 , an absorbent article 1 in the form of an open diaper is shown. The absorbent article 1 is inFigure 1 is shown in an unfolded and flat state, in which all elastic elements and components are in a stretched state, such that the absorbent article 1 appears to be substantially two-dimensional. Figure 1 The article is shown from the inner surface facing the wearer. Any measurement of the distance and dimensions of the actual absorbent article shall be made when the absorbent article is in the fully stretched and un-gathered state as Figure 1 shown.

[0063] The pant-type article 1 has a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T.

[0064] The absorbent article 1 has a first waist edge 2 and a second waist edge 4, and first and second side edges 6, 8. Figure 1 The first waist edge 2 of the absorbent article 1 shown is the rear waist edge, and the second waist edge 4 of the absorbent article 1 is the front waist edge. The first and second waist edges 2, 4 extend along the transverse direction T of the absorbent article 1, and the side edges 6, 8 extend along 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.

[0065] The absorbent article 1 includes a liquid-permeable topsheet 9 and a liquid-impermeable backsheet 10. An absorbent core 11 is disposed between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet 10. The topsheet 9 has a first side edge 9' and a second side edge 9'' of the topsheet, and the backsheet 10 has a first side edge 10' and a second side edge 10'' of the backsheet, as Figure 1 and 2 shown.

[0066] The absorbent article 1 further includes a nonwoven outer cover layer 18 that covers the backsheet 10 and forms the outer surface of the absorbent article 1.

[0067] A pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs 21, 22 are arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction L and are symmetrically arranged such that one barrier cuff 21, 22 is on each side of the longitudinal centerline Lc perpendicular to the transverse centerline Lt. Each nonwoven barrier cuff 21, 22 includes an upright gathering portion 21', 22', which is defined between a free upright gathering edge 23, 24 extending along the longitudinal direction L and an upright gathering hinge line 25, 26 extending along the longitudinal direction L. A pair of elastic upright gatherers 29, 30 including the upright gathering portions 21', 22' of the barrier cuffs 21, 22 are arranged on the topsheet 9.

[0068] Each of the barrier cuffs 21, 22 is directly attached to the top sheet 9 along the upright gatherer hinge lines 25, 26 and has one or more elastic elements 27, 28 that are pre-tensioned and arranged along the free upright gatherer edges 23, 24. The one or more elastic elements can be elastic cords, threads or bands that are applied at intervals along the free upright gatherer edges 23, 24. In the absorbent article disclosed herein, the number of elastic elements 27, 28 provided along the upright gatherer edges 23, 24 is typically 1, 2 or 3. The elastic elements 27, 28 are typically arranged parallel to each other at intervals of 2 to 5 mm, with the outermost elastic elements being arranged at the free upright gatherer edges 23, 24.

[0069] The absorbent article 1 further includes a pair of leg cuffs 31, 32 that extend along the longitudinal direction L and are symmetrically arranged along the first side edge and the second side edge 6, 8. Each leg cuff 31, 32 is arranged outside the upright gatherer portions 21', 22' of the corresponding barrier cuffs 21, 22.

[0070] As Figure 2 shown, each of the leg cuffs 31, 32 includes the leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of the corresponding barrier cuffs 21, 22. The leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of the non-woven barrier cuffs 21, 22 are defined in the transverse direction T between the upright gatherer hinge lines 25, 26 and the leg cuff fold lines 36, 38, and the non-woven barrier cuffs 21, 22 are folded back onto themselves along the leg cuff fold lines. The leg cuff folds 35, 37 are formed between the first portions 21a, 22a and the second portions 21b, 22b of the leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of the barrier cuffs 21, 22. The leg cuff folds 35, 37 have leg edges that coincide with the side edges 6, 8 and the fold lines 36, 38 of the absorbent article 1. The width W of the leg cuff is defined in the transverse direction T between the leg edges of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 and the upright gatherer hinge lines 25, 26.

[0071] In Figure 2 the embodiment shown, the first portions 21a, 22a of the leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of each barrier cuff are the upper parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37, which are folded back along the leg cuff fold lines 36, 38 and attached to the second portions 21b, 22b of the leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of the barrier cuffs 21, 22 on the wearer-facing side of the absorbent article 1.

[0072] In an alternative folding variant, as Figures 3 - 5 shown, the first portions 21a, 22a of the leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of each barrier cuff are the lower parts of the leg cuff folds 35, 37, which are folded back along the leg cuff fold lines 36, 38 and attached to the second portions 21b, 22b of the leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of the barrier cuffs 21, 22 on the clothing-facing side of the absorbent article 1.

[0073] A plurality of spaced-apart pre-tensioned resilient elements 41, 42 are arranged in each of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37. The resilient elements 41, 42 extend in the longitudinal direction L within the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37 and are attached, for example, by an adhesive between a first portion 21a, 22a and a second portion 21b, 22b of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37.

[0074] The sides 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 extend outwardly in the transverse direction T on each side of the absorbent core 11 and overlap the leg cuff portions 21'', 22'' of the non-woven barrier cuffs 21, 22. The sides 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 are joined to the corresponding leg cuff folding portions 35, 37 such that side edges 51, 52 of the sides 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 are arranged at a distance d1 from the leg cuff folding lines 36, 38.

[0075] The portions of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37 that are laterally outwardly arranged from the side edges 51, 52 of the sides 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18 constitute the leg edge portions 53, 54 of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37. Each of the leg edge portions 53, 54 of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37 includes two of the plurality of resilient elements 41, 42 in each of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37. The leg edge portions 53, 54 are more flexible and conformable than the portions of the leg cuffs 31, 31 that are laterally located between the upright gather line hinges 25, 26 and the side edges 51, 52 of the sides 33, 34 of the outer cover layer 18. Accordingly, the non-woven material in the leg edge portions 53, 54 can be gathered in the longitudinal direction L with a lower contracting force than that required to obtain the same degree of gathering in the portions of the leg cuffs where the leg cuff folding portions are attached to the outer cover layer and / or the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Further, although the resilient elements 41, 42 in the leg edge portions 53, 54 counteract the complete collapse of the non-woven material in the leg edge portions 53, 54, the leg edge portions 53, 54 of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37 have a higher compressibility in the transverse direction T than the portions of the leg cuff folding portions of the leg cuffs that are attached to the outer cover layer and / or the liquid-impermeable backsheet. Accordingly, the leg edge portions of the leg cuffs provide lateral compressibility of the leg cuffs, which contributes to the cushioning effect on the legs of the wearer.

[0076] Figure 3 A portion of an absorbent article having a leg cuff 32 disposed along a second side edge 8 is shown. A plurality of resilient elements 42, represented by five individual resilient elements, are arranged in the leg cuff folding portion 37 at a spacing d2. As described above, Figure 3 the upright gatherer / leg cuff arrangement shown in Figure 2 is the same as that shown in Figure 2The upper part shown.

[0077] Figure 4 The upright gathering member / leg cuff arrangement shown in has the same leg cuff folding configuration as Figure 3 but is different from the upright gathering member / leg cuff arrangement in Figure 3 in that there are only 4 elastic elements 42 instead of 5 in the leg cuff folding portion 37. The difference in the number of elastic elements indicates that the number of elastic elements can vary within the range disclosed herein, e.g., depending on the size of the article. It should be understood that although the elastic elements are shown as being distributed across the width of the leg cuff with equal spacing between the elastic elements, the spacing d2 can vary as disclosed herein, e.g., to create a tighter fit in the inner portion of the leg cuff than in the leg edge portion of the leg cuff. Additionally, as disclosed herein, the linear density of the elastic elements and thus typically the diameter can be different in different portions of the leg cuff.

[0078] Figure 4 Another difference between the upright gathering member / leg cuff arrangement shown in and the upright gathering member / leg cuff arrangement shown in Figure 3 is that Figure 4 in the embodiment, the backsheet 10 has the same width as the outer cover layer 18, where the second side edge 10” of the backsheet 10 is located at the same distance d1 from the outer leg cuff side edge 44 as the side edge 52 of the outer cover layer 18. Such an arrangement of the backsheet 10 and the outer cover layer 18 may be advantageous because the backsheet and the outer cover layer can be produced separately as a backing laminate which is applied as a single unified component when producing an absorbent article as disclosed herein.

[0079] Figure 5 The upright gathering member / leg cuff arrangement shown in has the same leg cuff folding configuration as Figure 4 but is different from the upright gathering member / leg cuff arrangement in Figure 4 in that there are 5 elastic elements 42 in the leg cuff folding portion 37. Additionally, the leg cuff edge of the first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” of the barrier cuff strip 22 is arranged below the liquid-permeable topsheet 9. In this arrangement, the liquid-permeable topsheet 9 and the second side edge 9” of the topsheet overlap a part of the first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” of the barrier cuff strip 22. The topsheet and the first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” are attached to each other at the overlap by a longitudinal seal (not shown). The first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” can also be attached to the liquid-impermeable backsheet 10.

[0080] Figure 6 The upright gathering member / leg cuff arrangement shown in has the same leg cuff folding configuration as Figure 5The same leg cuff folding configuration, except that the leg cuff edge of the first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” of the blocking cuff strip 22 is arranged on top of the liquid-permeable topsheet 9. In other words, a part of the first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” is arranged between the topsheet 9 and the second part 22b of the leg cuff portion 22”. The topsheet 9 and the first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” are attached to each other at the overlap by a longitudinal seal (not shown). The first part 22a of the leg cuff portion 22” can also be attached to the second part 22b of the leg cuff portion 22”.

[0081] In Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the liquid-impermeable backsheet 9 and the nonwoven outer cover have the same width, but can also have different widths and the topsheet 9 and the leg cuff portion 22a overlap.

[0082] For all embodiments, the width of the leg cuffs 31, 32 can be in the range of 20 mm to 60 mm, and the elastic elements in the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 can be distributed over an area of at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, of the width of each leg cuff. The width of the elasticized portion of the leg cuffs 31, 32 can be in the range of 20 mm to 40 mm.

[0083] The elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in each leg cuff 31, 32 can be suitably attached by an adhesive between the first parts 21a, 22a and the second parts 21b, 22b of the leg cuff folds 35, 37. The adhesive can be applied to the elastic elements, and / or to one or both of the first parts 21a, 22a and the second parts 21b, 22b of the leg cuff folds 35, 37. Optionally, the elastic elements can be anchored in the leg cuff folds 35, 37 by heat welding or ultrasonic welding, for example, as disclosed in WO2021 / 037352A1.

[0084] The elastic elements can be elastic threads, bands, cords, etc. All the elastic elements can be of the same type and have the same elastic properties. Optionally, one or more elastic elements arranged in the inner part of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 can have a greater tensile resistance than one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer part of the leg cuff folds 35, 37. By way of example, the elastic elements in the leg edge portions 53, 54 of the leg cuff folds 35, 37 can have a lower tensile resistance than the other elastic elements in the leg cuff folds 35, 37.

[0085] The linear density (dtex) of the one or more elastic elements in the inner part of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37 may be higher than the linear density of the one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer part of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37. By way of example, the elastic elements in the leg edge portions 53, 54 of the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37 may have a linear density lower than the linear density of the other elastic elements in the leg cuff folding portions 35, 37.

[0086] Referring Figure 1 , the first side wing 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. The second side wing 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 and second side wings 12, 13 are attachment tabs 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. Such attachment tabs are an optional feature of the absorbent article as disclosed herein, for example in an absorbent article that is a pant-type diaper or a tape diaper.

[0087] The first side wing and the second side wing 12, 13 are tensioned when the absorbent article is put on and need to be firmly anchored along the side edges 6, 8 to ensure that they do not detach from the article when exposed to a laterally applied tensile force. The first side wing and the second side wing 12, 13 can be made of any suitable material known in the art, such as a fibrous nonwoven material. The first and second side wings 12, 13 can be elastic or at least elastically stretchable in the lateral direction of the absorbent article 1. The first side wing and the second side wing 12, 13 can be breathable and are preferably soft and flexible to provide a good body fit and comfort.

[0088] Figure 1 and 7 The first and second side wings 12, 13 shown in

[0089] are provided with fastener elements 14, 15 which can be of any suitable type, such as an adhesive or a mechanical fastener. A common type of mechanical fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0089] In Figure 1 and 7 the absorbent article 1, the fastener elements 14, 15 are shown as hook-type fasteners, that is, fasteners having a plurality of protruding elements which can engage with a corresponding loop-type fastener such as a loop nonwoven material. The loop fastener can be provided by a part of the nonwoven outer cover layer 18 that covers the backsheet 10 on the outer surface of the absorbent article 1 facing the clothes. Alternatively, a dedicated fastener receiving area 20 formed of a fastener receiving material can be arranged on the outer surface of the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1 facing the clothes, as Figure 1 shown.

[0090] Optionally, the fastening elements 14, 15 can be adhesive fastening tapes, which are arranged to be attached to a receiving area arranged on the front part 3 of the absorbent article 1. Another option is that the first and second side flaps 12, 13 are arranged to be attached to third and fourth side flaps arranged at opposite waist edges. In addition, the first and second side flaps 12, 13 can have a lateral extension large enough such that the first and second side flaps 12, 13 can 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 can be arranged on the receiving surface, while the loop-type fastening elements are arranged on the first and / or second side flaps.

[0091] The third and fourth side flaps 16, 17 as shown in the figure are optional for the absorbent article disclosed herein. The third and fourth side flaps 16, 17 can be made of substantially the same material as the first and second side flaps 12, 13. However, elastic materials are less suitable for the third and fourth side flaps 16, 17. In Figure 1 and Figure 7 the absorbent article 1, the third and fourth side flaps 16, 17 are positioning flaps that serve as gripping members when the front part 3 of the absorbent article 1 is applied to the abdomen of the wearer.

[0092] As Figure 1 best seen, a plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in the leg cuffs 31, 32 preferably only extend along the portions of the side edges 6, 8 that are between the first side flap 12 and the third side flap 16 for the first side edge 6 and between the second side flap 13 and the fourth side flap 15 for the second side edge 8. This means that the main part of the leg cuffs 31, 32 is located in the crotch 7 of the absorbent article 1. Similarly, the elastic elements 27, 28 in the upright gathers 29, 30 are preferably arranged as Figure 1 shown, 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 inelasticized portions of the upright gathers 29, 30 are fixed to the topsheet along the fixing line 39. Therefore, under the influence of the elastic force in the elastic elements 27, 28, the portion of the absorbent article 1 located between the upright gathers 29, 30 assumes a pouch-like use configuration in the crotch 7, as Figure 7 shown.

[0093] Figure 1 and 7 the absorbent article 1 also includes an optional waist elastic member 19. The waist elastic member 19 is located at the rear waist edge 2 and only extends laterally along a part of the rear waist edge 2. As is known in the art, any type of waist elastic can be used. In addition, the absorbent article 1 can also include a waist elastic at the front part 3 of the absorbent article 1.

[0094] AsFigure 7 As shown, when the absorbent article 1 has been removed from the package and folded out for application to the wearer, the upright gathering members 29, 30 rise from the topsheet 9 due to the contracting force exerted on the free edges 23, 24 of the upright gathering members by the pre-tensioned elastic elements 27, 28 disposed on the upright gathering members 29, 30. The elastic elements of the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in the leg cuffs 31, 32 gather the nonwoven material in the leg cuff folds 35, 37, thereby creating fluffy and breathable leg cuffs 31, 32 having a wide skin-contact inner surface on which the contracting force from the plurality of elastic elements 41, 42 in the leg cuffs 31, 32 is distributed. The leg cuffs 31, 32 can be elastically compressed in the thickness direction of the leg cuffs 31, 32. Due to the provision of the leg edge portions 53, 54, the leg cuffs 31, 32 can also be elastically compressed in the lateral or transverse direction. Thus, the leg cuffs fit snugly around the wearer's legs in a comfortable manner with little risk of chafing or other discomfort caused by the leg cuffs.

[0095] As further seen in Figure 7 the wide, generally band-shaped, elasticized leg cuffs 31, 32 are fluffy and shape-stable and assume the correct position automatically when the absorbent article is applied to the wearer.

[0096] The absorbent core 11 is disposed between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet 10 and is arranged to absorb liquids such as urine or other body fluids that have passed through the topsheet 9. The absorbent core 11 can be a single-layer structure or can be a layered structure. The absorbent core 11 can include any conventional material suitable for absorbing excreted body waste, such as cellulose fluff pulp, tissue paper layers, superabsorbent polymers (superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials including hydrogel foam materials, nonwoven materials, etc. The absorbent core can include non-absorbent components such as reinforcing elements, shaping elements, binders, etc. Various types of liquid receiving and liquid distributing materials can also be included in the core.

[0097] The absorbent core 11 can be a three-dimensional shaped core having different amounts of absorbent material in different parts of the core. The core can be provided with features such as embossing, fluid collection cavities, and fluid distribution channels. The characteristics 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 that sandwiches 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 topsheet 9 and the backsheet 10.

[0098] The liquid-permeable topsheet 9 may comprise or consist of a nonwoven material. Other suitable topsheet materials include tow fibers, porous foams, open-cell plastic films, and laminates and combinations of such materials. The most suitable materials for the topsheet are soft and non-irritating to the skin, readily permeable to body fluids, and exhibit low rewetting of absorbed body fluids.

[0099] The liquid-impermeable backsheet 10 can be any conventional liquid-impermeable material, such as a thin plastic film, such as a polyethylene or polypropylene film. The backsheet material can be breathable to allow vapors to escape from the absorbent body while still preventing liquids 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 along a transverse direction (T) of the absorbent article (1) and a first side edge (6) and a second side edge (8) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) of the absorbent article (1), the absorbent article (1) comprising: - a liquid-permeable topsheet (9); - a liquid-impermeable backsheet (10); - an absorbent core (11) disposed between the topsheet (9) and the backsheet (10); - a nonwoven outer cover layer (18) covering the backsheet (10) and forming an outer surface of the absorbent article (1); - a pair of nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) that extend in the longitudinal direction (L) and are symmetrically arranged with one barrier cuff (21, 22) on each side of a longitudinal centerline (Lc), each nonwoven barrier cuff (21, 22) including an upright gather portion (21', 22') and a leg cuff portion (21”, 22”), the upright gather portion (21', 22') being defined between a free upright gather edge (23, 24) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and an upright gather hinge line (25, 26) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), the barrier cuffs (21, 22) being attached to the topsheet (9) along the upright gather hinge line (25, 26) and having one or more elastic elements (27, 28) arranged along the free upright gather edge (23, 24) that are pre-tensioned; - a pair of upright gathers (29, 30) that include the upright gather portions (21', 22') of the barrier cuffs (21, 22); - a pair of leg cuffs (31, 32) that extend along the longitudinal direction (L) and are symmetrically arranged along the first side edge (6) and the second side edge (8), each leg cuff (31, 32) being arranged outside the upright gather portion (21', 22') of the corresponding barrier cuff (21, 22) in the transverse direction (T); and wherein each leg cuff (31, 32) includes: - the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of the corresponding nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22), the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of the nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) extending in the transverse direction (T) between the upright gather hinge line (25, 26) and a leg cuff fold line (36, 38), the nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) being folded back onto themselves along the leg cuff fold line (36, 38) to form a leg cuff fold (35, 37), the leg cuff fold line (36, 38) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and dividing the leg cuff portions of the barrier cuffs (21, 22) into a first portion (21a, 22a) and a second portion (21b, 22b), the first and second portions (21a, 22a; 21b, 22b) together forming the leg cuff fold (35, 37); - A plurality of spaced-apart pre-tensioned elastic elements (41, 42) that extend in the longitudinal direction (L) within the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) and are attached between the first portions (21a, 22a) and the second portions (21b, 22b) of the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37); and - The sides (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18) overlap the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of the non-woven barrier cuffs (21, 22) and are joined to the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) such that the side edges (51, 52) of the sides (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18) are disposed at a distance (d1) from the leg cuff folding lines (36, 38).

2. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first portions (21a, 22a) of the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of each barrier cuff (21, 22) are folded back along the leg cuff folding lines (36, 38) and are attached to the second portions (21b, 22b) of the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of the barrier cuffs (21, 22) on the wearer-facing side of the absorbent article (1).

3. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first portions (21a, 22a) of the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of each barrier cuff (21, 22) are folded back along the leg cuff folding lines (36, 38) and are attached to the second portions (21b, 22b) of the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of the barrier cuffs (21, 22) on the clothing-facing side of the absorbent article (1).

4. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inner portions of the first portions (21a, 22a) of the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of each barrier cuff (21, 22) overlap the liquid-permeable topsheet (9) such that the leg cuff edges of the leg cuff portions (21”, 22”) of each barrier cuff (21, 22) are disposed inwardly in the transverse direction (T) relative to the side edges (9”) of the topsheet (9).

5. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg edge portions (53, 54) of each leg cuff folding portion (35, 37) that are between the side edges (51, 52) of the sides (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18) and the leg cuff folding lines (36, 38) contain two or more of the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) in the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37).

6. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width (W) of each leg cuff (31, 32) as measured in the transverse direction (T) from the upright gather hinge lines (25, 26) to the leg cuff folding lines (36, 38) is in the range of 20 mm to 60 mm.

7. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 6, wherein the elastic elements among the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) in each leg cuff (31, 32) are distributed over an area in the leg cuff (31, 32) having a width in the transverse direction (T) of 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).

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 a spacing (d2), wherein the spacing (d2) is in the range of 1 mm to 8 mm, preferably 3 mm to 8 mm.

10. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid-impermeable backsheet (10) and the nonwoven outer cover layer (18) have the same width in the transverse direction (T).

11. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 10, wherein there is no overlap between the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) and the topsheet, and the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) are directly attached to the liquid-impermeable backsheet (10).

12. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The nonwoven outer cover layer (18) extends further in the transverse direction (T) than the liquid-impermeable backsheet (10).

13. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 12, wherein there is no overlap between the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) and the topsheet (9), and the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) are directly attached to the side portions (33, 34) of the outer cover layer (18).

14. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all or substantially all of the elastic elements among the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) in each leg cuff folding portion (35, 37) are arranged in the part of the leg cuff folding portion (35, 37) that does not overlap with the liquid-impermeable backsheet (10).

15. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 4 - 14, wherein the leg edge portions (53, 54) are arranged outside the liquid-impermeable backsheet (10) in the transverse direction (T).

16. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nonwoven barrier cuffs (21, 22) are made of a single layer of nonwoven material.

17. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic elements among the plurality of elastic elements (41, 42) are attached by an adhesive between the first part and the second part (33', 33”, 34', 34”) of the leg cuff folding portion (35, 37).

18. The absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more elastic elements arranged in an inner portion of the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) have a greater tensile resistance than one or more elastic elements arranged in an outer portion of the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37).

19. The absorbent article (1) according to claim 18, wherein the linear density (dtex) of the one or more elastic elements in the inner portion of the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37) is higher than the linear density of the one or more elastic elements arranged in the outer portion of the leg cuff folding portions (35, 37).

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

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