Disposable absorbent article having elasticized outer leg cuff

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, an outer surface and an inner surface. The absorbent article is folded before use along the lateral direction. The disposable absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed therebetween, and an elasticized outer leg cuff. The elasticized outer leg cuff is disposed adjacent to a longitudinal side edge of the absorbent article. The elasticized outer leg cuff has a base and a gasket cuff supported by the base at a joint of the base to the gasket cuff. The gasket cuff is provided with elasticity and has a top gasket cuff surface, an inner cuff extending laterally inwardly from the joint and an outer cuff extending laterally outwardly from the joint. Before use of the absorbent article, the elasticized outer leg cuff is folded laterally inwardly onto the inner surface of the absorbent article such that the top gasket cuff surface faces upwardly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, an outer surface and an inner surface, the absorbent article being folded before use along the lateral direction, 
 the disposable absorbent article comprising: 
 a liquid pervious topsheet,  
 a liquid impervious backsheet,  
 an absorbent core disposed therebetween,  
 an elasticized outer leg cuff disposed adjacent to a longitudinal side edge of the absorbent article, the elasticized outer leg cuff having a base and a gasket cuff supported by the base at a joint of the base to the gasket cuff, the gasket cuff being provided with elasticity and having a top gasket cuff surface, an inner cuff extending laterally inwardly from the joint and an outer cuff extending laterally outwardly from the joint,  
 wherein, before use of the absorbent article, the elasticized outer leg cuff is folded laterally inwardly onto the inner surface of the absorbent article such that the top gasket cuff surface faces upwardly.  
   
     
     
         2 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent article is further folded along the lateral direction.  
     
     
         3 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the absorbent article has a side flap extending laterally outwardly from the absorbent core and having a proximal flap and a distal flap, the base comprises the proximal flap, the gasket cuff comprises the distal flap, and the elasticized outer leg cuff is folded laterally inwardly along a first folding line positioned on the proximal flap.  
     
     
         4 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 3  wherein the absorbent core has longitudinal side edges and the first folding line is positioned adjacent the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core.  
     
     
         5 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 3  wherein the elasticized outer leg cuff is folded back laterally outwardly along a second folding line positioned between the first folding line and the joint.  
     
     
         6 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 5  wherein the second folding line is positioned adjacent the joint.  
     
     
         7 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the outer cuff has an outer longitudinal edge and the outer longitudinal edge is positioned laterally inboard of the first folding line when the elasticized outer leg cuff is folded.  
     
     
         8 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the elasticized outer leg cuff is integrally formed with an extension of an element constructing the absorbent article.  
     
     
         9 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 8  wherein the extension of the element constituting the absorbent article comprises an element selected from an extension of the topsheet, an extension of the backsheet, an extension of an outer nonwoven covering the backsheet, an extension of the barrier leg cuff, or combination thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein the elasticized outer leg cuff is generally T-shaped.