Absorbent article having enhanced leakage protection

Abstract

An absorbent article () capable of inhibiting leakage of a fluid insult generally extends in a plane defined by a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The absorbent article () contains fluid-shrinkable members (), a topsheet (), and a base pad () that includes a baffle () and an absorbent core () positioned between the topsheet () and the baffle (). The topsheet () extends in the longitudinal direction to define a distal end () and an opposing proximal end (). At least a portion of the proximal end () remains generally unbonded to the baffle (). The fluid-shrinkable members () extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article () so that at least a portion of the fluid-shrinkable members () are located adjacent to the proximal end () of the topsheet (). Thus, when the fluid-shrinkable members () contract upon contacting a fluid insult, the proximal end () of the topsheet () can raise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article (). The raised area creates a barrier to the leakage of fluids from the center of the absorbent article () towards its end. Contraction of the fluid-shrinkable members can also cause an outer region of the topsheet () to raise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article () to create a barrier to the leakage of fluid from the center of the absorbent article () towards the side edge. Because such barriers are generally created only after contact with a fluid insult, their effectiveness is not diminished through use of the article prior to the insult.