WO2004108041A1 - A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article - Google Patents

A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004108041A1
WO2004108041A1 PCT/US2004/008432 US2004008432W WO2004108041A1 WO 2004108041 A1 WO2004108041 A1 WO 2004108041A1 US 2004008432 W US2004008432 W US 2004008432W WO 2004108041 A1 WO2004108041 A1 WO 2004108041A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
zone
panel
absorbent assembly
front panel
absorbent article
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/008432
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jerome Steven Veith
Paul Van Gompel
Original Assignee
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=33451917&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=WO2004108041(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc. filed Critical Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
Priority to CA002525897A priority Critical patent/CA2525897A1/en
Priority to BRPI0410409A priority patent/BRPI0410409B8/en
Priority to MXPA05012393A priority patent/MXPA05012393A/en
Priority to KR1020057021801A priority patent/KR101084867B1/en
Priority to EP04785653.9A priority patent/EP1628612B1/en
Priority to AU2004244952A priority patent/AU2004244952B2/en
Publication of WO2004108041A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004108041A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/496Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers in the form of pants or briefs
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/49011Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the waist region
    • A61F13/49012Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the waist region the elastic means being elastic panels
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15577Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
    • A61F13/15707Mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping
    • A61F13/15747Folding; Pleating; Coiling; Stacking; Packaging
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/493Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers adjustable by adding or removing material, e.g. umbilical cord arrangements
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/46Interconnection of networks
    • H04L12/4641Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0803Configuration setting
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/49011Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the waist region
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/49014Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the side panels
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/49019Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means being placed longitudinally, transversely or diagonally over the article
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/4902Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material
    • A61F2013/49025Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material having multiple elastic strands
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/4902Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material
    • A61F2013/49034Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material being elastic in both the transversal and longitudinal direction
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49058Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by the modular concept of constructing the diaper
    • A61F2013/49063Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by the modular concept of constructing the diaper the diaper having decoupled components
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1002Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
    • Y10T156/1043Subsequent to assembly
    • Y10T156/1049Folding only
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1002Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
    • Y10T156/1051Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina by folding
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y10T156/1062Prior to assembly
    • Y10T156/1067Continuous longitudinal slitting

Definitions

  • a disposable absorbent article is designed for absorbing human exudate.
  • the disposable absorbent article is similar in appearance, size and shape to a regular cloth underwear except that it is not designed to be laundered and reused two or more times.
  • a disposable absorbent article is intended to be worn by persons, including infants, toddlers, or adults, and is designed for single or temporary use.
  • the disposable absorbent article is meant to be disposed of after being used once.
  • the disposable absorbent article is designed to be pulled up around the user's torso without having to first open the garment in order to place it on a person's body.
  • the stretchability of the material used to construct the disposable absorbent article permits the garment to snugly conform to the anatomy of the user's torso.
  • the disposable absorbent article can be manufactured to be an infant diaper, a child training pant, an adult incontinence garment, a feminine menstrual pant, etc.
  • Some disposable absorbent articles manufactured today resemble regular cloth underwear in that they have a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Such disposable absorbent articles can be pulled up around the torso of a user in a similar fashion as regular cloth underwear. It has been found that a disposable absorbent article is generally more discreet when the front and back elastic panels snugly conform to the wearer's anatomy. It has also been found that a more comfortable article is obtained when the absorbent assembly does not extend and retract to match the movement of the front and back elastic panels. Now a disposable absorbent article for absorbing human exudate has been invented that allows the front and back elastic panels to extend and retract without causing the absorbent assembly to move in a similar fashion thereby providing a better fit to the user's body.
  • the disposable absorbent article for absorbing human exudate and a method of forming the article.
  • the disposable absorbent article includes a front panel and a back panel with each having a first zone and a second zone.
  • the first zone is extensible and retractable and the second zone is non-extensible and non- retractable.
  • Each of the front and back panels also has an inner surface and first and second side edges.
  • the second zone of each panel is spaced inward from the first and second side edges.
  • An absorbent assembly bridges across and is secured to the front and back panels.
  • the absorbent assembly includes a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious outer cover and an absorbent positioned therebetween.
  • the absorbent assembly has a first end and a second end.
  • the first end is secured to the second zone of the front panel and the second end is secured to the second zone of the back panel.
  • the absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the first and second side edges of the front panel to align with the first and second side edges of the back panel, respectively.
  • a pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable absorbent article.
  • Fig. 2 is a top view of the spaced apart front and back panels showing the first and second zones.
  • Fig. 3 is a plane view of a disposable absorbent article showing an absorbent assembly secured to the inner surfaces of the front and back panels and showing a partial cut away view of the construction of the absorbent assembly.
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the disposable absorbent article shown in Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable absorbent article shown in Fig. 3 taken along line 5-5.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable absorbent article shown in Fig. 3 taken along line 6-6.
  • Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of a method used to manufacture the disposable ' absorbent article of this invention.
  • a disposable absorbent article 10 is depicted.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 is intended to be worn by persons, including infants, toddlers, or adults, and is designed for a single or temporary use.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 is meant to be disposed of after being used once instead of being laundered or dry cleaned for re-use.
  • the term "disposable absorbent article” is herein defined to mean an absorbent article that is inexpensive and can be discarded by the consumer once it becomes soiled or otherwise unusable after a single use or after a few uses.
  • disposable personal care absorbent articles such articles are normally disposed of after they are soiled and are not meant to be laundered or treated for re-use and are distinguishable from limited use articles that can be used several times before being discarded, such as disposable razors and cigarette lighters.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 is designed to be pulled up around the user's torso without having to first open the article 10 in order to place it on a person's body. In Fig. 1 , the disposable absorbent article 10 is shown as it would appear just prior to being pulled up around a user's torso.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 has a longitudinal central axis X--X, a transverse central axis Y--Y, and a vertical central axis Z--Z.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 includes a front panel 12 having a first zone 14 and a second zone 16.
  • the first zone 14 is extensible and retractable in at least one direction. Desirably, the first zone 14 is extensible and retractable in two or more directions. When the first zone 14 is extensible and retractable in only one direction, that direction should be approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y of the disposable absorbent article 10.
  • the second zone 16 is non-extensible and non-retractable.
  • the second zone 16 can be of any geometrical configuration but a rectangular or square configuration works well.
  • the second zone 16 has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of the first zone 14. Desirably, the second zone 16 has a surface area that is less than about 25% of the surface area of the first zone 14. More desirably, the second zone 16 has a surface area that is less than about 20% of the surface area of the first zone 14. Most desirably, the second zone 16 has a surface area that is less than about 15% of the surface area of the first zone 14.
  • the front panel 12 also includes an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20.
  • the inner surface 18 is in direct contact with the user's skin and is sometimes referred to as the bodyside surface.
  • the outer surface 20 is situated opposite to the inner surface 18 and is spaced away from the skin of the user.
  • the outer surface 20 is sometimes referred to as the garment facing surface since it can be in direct contact with the inner surfaces of the user's outer clothing.
  • the front panel 12 further includes a first end 22, a second end 24, a first side edge 26 and a second side edge 28.
  • the overall size and shape of the front panel 12 can vary to suit the size and anatomy of the actual user. For example, the front panel 12 of an infant diaper will be smaller than the front panel 12 of an adult incontinence garment.
  • the first and second zones, 14 and 16 respectively, can be integrally formed from a single material or they can be formed from separate and distinct materials.
  • the second zone 16 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges 26 and 28.
  • the second zone 16 is also shown having an edge that is coterminuous with the second end 24 of the front panel 12.
  • the second zone 16 is located adjacent to or in an abutting relationship to the first zone 14.
  • the front panel 12 can be formed from a material that is extensible and retractable in at least one direction.
  • extendensible it is meant a material that is capable of being stretched, extended or elongated when a force, such as pulling, is applied to it.
  • retracttable it is meant a material that is capable of quickly recovering, retracting or returning to substantially its pre-stretched, pre-extended dimension once the force used to extend the material has been removed.
  • a material might not be able to fully recover or return to its original pre-stretched length.
  • Some materials might be extensible but are not retractable.
  • many conventional textile and non-woven materials, that lack an elastic component are extensible but lack retractability to return rapidly to substantially their pre-stretched dimension.
  • Such materials including but not limited to, a cotton knit T-shirt material or blends of cotton and non-elastic synthetic fibers can be extended but are not considered retractable for the purposes of this invention unless some elasticizing material, agent or treatment is added.
  • the front panel 12 can be formed from an elastomeric material.
  • An elastomeric material can be a single elastic sheet or layer, an elastic film, an elastic net-like material, a plurality of elastic strands arranged to form an elastic layer, an elastic laminate, etc.
  • a plurality of elastic strands When a plurality of elastic strands is utilized, they can be positioned on at least one layer of woven or non-woven material.
  • an elastic laminate When an elastic laminate is used, it can consist of two or more layers bonded together by heat, pressure, heat and pressure, adhesives, ultrasonics, or a combination of any of the above. Other means of securing one or more layers together to form a laminate structure are known to those skilled in the art. In a laminate, only one of the layers needs to be an elastomeric layer.
  • the front panel 12 is shown being formed as a three-layer laminate structure.
  • the front panel 12 includes a first layer 30, a second or middle layer 32, and a third layer 34.
  • the first and third layers, 30 and 34 respectively are the outer layers and can be formed from the same material or from different materials.
  • the first and third layers, 30 and 34 respectively can be constructed from natural or synthetic fibers and can be a woven or non-woven material.
  • the second or middle layer 32 has the elastic properties and is sandwiched between the first and third layers, 30 and 34 respectively. It should be noted that one or both of the outer layers 30 or 34 can be made from an elastic material, if desired.
  • the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 of the front panel 12 can be in one direction but desirably are in two or more directions. More desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 are in a direction approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y. The transverse direction extends laterally across the torso of the user of the disposable absorbent article 10 and extends from one hip bone to the other hip bone. Even more desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 are in at least two directions, one direction being approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X--X and the other direction being approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y-Y.
  • the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 are in multiple directions, or stated another way, in three or more directions extending over an arc of 360 degrees.
  • the ability of the first zone 14 to extend and retract will provide the requisite force needed during use of the disposable absorbent article 10 to ensure that it snugly conforms to the anatomy of the wearer's torso.
  • the front panel 12 can be constructed from various materials.
  • One suitable material is a stretch bonded laminate (SBL) where the elastic core or middle layer 32 is elongated before the two outer nonwoven layers 30 and 34 are attached.
  • SBL stretch bonded laminate
  • Exemplary SBL materials are described in U.S. patent 4,720,415 which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.
  • NBL necked bonded laminate
  • the NBL material is also a three-layer laminate but the elastic core or middle layer 32 is not pre-stretched prior to being attached to the two outer nonwoven layers 30 and 34. Instead, the outer layers 30 and 34 are necked stretched before the elastic core or middle layer 32 is attached to them.
  • Exemplary NBL materials are described in U.S. patent 5,336,545 which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.
  • Other examples of elastomeric materials that can be used for the front panel 12 include a continuous filament stretch bonded laminate (CFSBL), a vertical filament laminate (VFL), a necked stretch bonded laminate (NSBL) and a necked thermal laminate (NTL).
  • the front panel 12 can be constructed from an elastic film that is capable of being stretched in at least one direction. Desirably, the front panel 12 can be stretched in both the machine direction (approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X--X) and the cross-direction (approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y- Y).
  • the front panel 12 can also be formed from an elastic nonwoven that has a machine direction stretch and/or a cross-direction stretch.
  • the front panel 12 can be formed from two outer layers 30 and 34 with a plurality of elastic strands sandwiched therebetween.
  • the elastic strands can be formed from LYCRA®.
  • LYCRA® is a registered trademark of E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., having an office at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898.
  • the elastic strands can be aligned approximately parallel to one another or be angled or skewed relative to one another.
  • the elastic strands can also be uniformly or randomly spaced apart from one another.
  • the elastic strands can vary in shape, size, configuration, and/or length.
  • the diameter and/or cross-sectional configuration of the elastic strands, the decitex (weight in grams per 10,000 meters of a strand) of the elastic strands, and the tension imparted into the elastic strands can all be varied to suit one's particular product needs.
  • the elastic strands can have a round, semi-circular, square, rectangular, oval or some other geometrical configuration.
  • the elastic strands can overlap, intersect or crisscross at least one other elastic strand.
  • the various ways of positioning, orienting, and adhering the elastic strands to the two outer layers 30 and 34 are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the front panel 12 can also be constructed from a material that is substantially air permeable, if desired.
  • the front panel 12 can be constructed from a material that is substantially air impermeable.
  • the front panel 12 can be formed from a single integral elastomeric material that exhibits both extensible and retractable characteristics. The material can then be treated, fused, deadened, chopped, conditioned or somehow altered so as to form the second zone 16. The elastic properties of the material can be deadened before, during or after the material is stretched. Hammering the material between two hardened surfaces can cause the material to lose its extensible and retractable properties in a given area.
  • the material can also be treated with heat, pressure, heat and pressure, ultrasonics, chemicals, by mechanical means, or a combination of the above to remove its ability to elongate and retract.
  • the second zone 16 can be formed.
  • the second zone 16 can be a separated material that does not possess any extensible and retractable properties.
  • the second zone 16 is secured to the first zone 14 in order to construct the front panel 12.
  • first zone 14 of the front panel 12 encloses three sides of the second zone 16.
  • first zone 38 of the back panel 36 encloses three sides of the second zone 40. This construction ensures that the second zones 16 and 40 are situated adjacent to an end, 24 or 48 respectively, of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 also includes a back panel 36 which is spaced apart, discontinuous and distinct from the front panel 12.
  • the back panel 36 has a first zone 38 and a second zone 40.
  • the first zone 38 is extensible and retractable in at least one direction. Desirably, the first zone 38 is extensible and retractable in two or more directions. When the first zone 38 is extensible and retractable in only one direction, that direction should be approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y of the disposable absorbent article 10.
  • the second zone 40 is non-extensible and non-retractable.
  • the second zone 40 can be of any geometrical configuration but a rectangular or square configuration works well.
  • the second zone 40 has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of the first zone 38. Desirably, the second zone 40 has a surface area that is less than about 30% of the surface area of the first zone 38. More desirably, the second zone 40 has a surface area that is less than about 25% of the surface area of the first zone 38. Most desirably, the second zone 40 has a surface area that is less than about 20% of the surface area of the first zone 38.
  • the second zone 40 of the back panel 36 has a larger surface area than the second zone 16 of the front panel 12.
  • the front panel 12 usually has a smaller overall surface area than the back panel 36.
  • the back panel 36 is typically larger in size for it has to cover the buttocks of the user.
  • the back panel 36 also includes an inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44.
  • the inner surface 42 is in direct contact with the user's skin and is sometimes referred to as the bodyside surface.
  • the outer surface 44 is situated opposite to the inner surface 42 and is spaced away from the skin of the user.
  • the outer surface 44 is sometimes referred to as the garment facing surface since it can be in direct contact with the inner surfaces of the user's outer clothing.
  • the back panel 36 further includes a first end 46, a second end 48, a first side edge 50 and a second side edge 52.
  • the overall size and shape of the back panel 36 can vary to suit the size and anatomy of the actual user. For example, the back panel 36 for an infant diaper will be smaller than the back panel 36 for an adult incontinence garment.
  • the first and second zones, 38 and 40 respectively, of the back panel 36 can be integrally formed from a single material or they can be formed from separate and distinct material.
  • the second zone 40 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges 50 and 52.
  • the second zone 40 is also shown having an edge that is coterminuous with the second end 48 of the back panel 36.
  • the second zone 40 is located adjacent to or in an abutting relationship to the first zone 38. However, the second zone 40 should not overlay or be covered by any portion of the first zone 38. Desirably, the second zone 40 is surrounded on three sides by the first zone 38, as is shown in Fig. 2.
  • the back panel 36 can be formed from the same material or from a different material as the front panel 12.
  • the back panel 36 is extensible and retractable in at least one direction.
  • the definitions for "extensible and retractable" are as defined above with reference to the front panel 12.
  • the back panel 36 can be formed from an elastomeric material.
  • An elastomeric material can be a single elastic sheet or layer, an elastic film, an elastic net-like material, a plurality of elastic strands arranged to form an elastic layer, an elastic laminate, etc. When a plurality of elastic strands is utilized, they can be positioned on at least one layer of woven or non-woven material.
  • an elastic laminate When used, it can consist of two or more layers bonded together by heat, pressure, heat and pressure, adhesives, ultrasonics, or a combination of any of the above. Other means of securing one or more layers together to form a laminate structure are known to those skilled in the art. In a laminate, only one of the layers needs to be an elastomeric layer.
  • the back panel 36 is shown being formed as a three-layer laminate structure.
  • the back panel 36 includes a first layer 54, a second or middle layer 56, and a third layer 58.
  • the first and third layers, 54 and 58 respectively are the outer layers and can be formed from the same material or from different materials.
  • the first and third layers, 54 and 58 respectively can be constructed from natural or synthetic fibers and can be a woven or non-woven material.
  • the second or middle layer 56 has the elastic properties and is sandwiched between the first and third layers, 54 and 58 respectively. It should be noted that one or both of the outer layers 54 or 58 can be made from an elastic material, if desired.
  • the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 of the back panel 36 can be in one direction but desirably are in two or more directions. More desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 are in a direction approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y. The transverse direction extends laterally across the torso of the user of the disposable absorbent article 10 and extends from one hip bone to the other hip bone. Even more desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 are in at least two directions, one direction being approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X--X and the other direction being approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y— Y.
  • the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 are in multiple directions, or stated another way, in three or more directions extending over an arc of 360 degrees.
  • the ability of the first zone 38 to extend and retract will provide the requisite force needed during use of the disposable absorbent article 10 to ensure that it snugly conforms to the anatomy of the wearer's torso.
  • the back panel 36 can be constructed from various materials.
  • One suitable material is a stretch bonded laminate (SBL) where the elastic core or middle layer 56 is elongated before the two outer nonwoven layers 54 and 58 are attached.
  • Another suitable material for the back panel 36 is a necked bonded laminate (NBL).
  • the NBL material is also a three-layer laminate but the elastic core or middle layer 56 is not pre- stretched prior to being attached to the two outer nonwoven layers 54 and 58. Instead, the outer layers 54 and 58 are necked stretched before the elastic core or middle layer 56 is attached to them.
  • the back panel 36 can be constructed from an elastic film that is capable of being stretched in at least one direction and, desirably, in both the machine direction (approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X-X) and the cross- direction (approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y — Y).
  • the back panel 36 can also be formed from an elastic nonwoven that has a machine direction stretch and/or a cross-direction stretch.
  • the back panel 36 can be formed from two outer layers 54 and 58 with a plurality of elastic strands sandwiched therebetween.
  • the elastic strands can be formed from LYCRA®.
  • LYCRA® is a registered trademark of E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., having an office at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898.
  • the elastic strands can be aligned approximately parallel to one another or be angled or skewed relative to one another.
  • the elastic strands can also be uniformly or randomly spaced apart from one another.
  • the elastic strands can vary in shape, size, configuration, and/or length.
  • the diameter and/or cross-sectional configuration of the elastic strands, the decitex (weight in grams per 10,000 meters of a strand) of the elastic strands, and the tension imparted into the elastic strands can all be varied to suit one's particular product needs.
  • the elastic strands can have a round, semi-circular, square, rectangular, oval or some other geometrical configuration.
  • the elastic strands can overlap, intersect or crisscross at least one other elastic strand.
  • the various ways of positioning, orienting, and adhering the elastic strands to the two outer layers 54 and 58 are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the back panel 36 can also be constructed from a material that is substantially air permeable, if desired.
  • the back panel 36 can be constructed from a material that is substantially air impermeable.
  • the back panel 36 can be formed from a single integral elastomeric material that exhibits both extensible and retractable characteristics.
  • the material can then be treated, fused, deadened, chopped, conditioned or somehow altered so as to form the second zone 40. Hammering the material between two hardened surfaces can also cause the material to lose its extensible and retractable properties in a given area.
  • the material can also be treated with heat, pressure, heat and pressure, ultrasonics, chemicals, by mechanical means, or a combination of the above to remove its ability to elongate and/or retract. In this fashion, the second zone 40 can be formed. Alternatively, the second zone 40 can be a separated material that does not possess any extensible and retractable properties.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 also includes an absorbent assembly 60.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 includes a liquid pervious bodyside liner 62, a liquid-impervious outer cover 64, and an absorbent 66 positioned therebetween.
  • a surge layer 68 can be optionally used which is located between the bodyside liner 62 and the absorbent 66.
  • the surge layer 68 can function to rapidly acquire and temporarily retain body fluid, such as urine, before it can be absorbed into the absorbent 66.
  • the surge layer 68 is also capable of wicking the body fluid lengthwise and/or widthwise across its surface, as well as directing the body fluid downward in a z-direction (approximately parallel to the vertical axis Z--Z) toward the absorbent 66.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 has a first end 70, a second end 72, a first side edge
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the inner surface 18 of the front panel 12 approximate the first end 70 by an attachment 78 and is secured to the inner surface 42 of the back panel 36 approximate the second end 72 by an attachment 80.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 could be secured to outer surface 20 of the front panel 12 approximate the first end 70 by the attachment 78 and could be secured to the outer surface 44 of the back panel 36 approximate the second end 72 by the attachment 80.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, either before or after each panel 12 and 36 has been stretched a predetermined amount.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 By attaching the absorbent assembly 60 to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, the absorbent assembly 60 is capable of moving downward away from the user's torso while the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, maintain their snug position against the user's torso. This unique ability for the absorbent assembly 60 to move outward and downward away from the user's torso without undue restrictions from the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, produces a useful undergarment.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is capable of taking in and retaining additional body fluid as it moves out away from the user's body.
  • the attachments 78 and 80 can be by various means and can include permanent attachments as well as removable or releasable attachments. Desirably, the attachments 78 and 80 are permanent attachments where they are not designed to be removed without destroying the bond.
  • the attachments 78 and 80 can be formed by using glue, adhesive, ultrasonic bonds, heat bonds, pressure bonds, heat and pressure bonds, a combination of any of the aforementioned, etc.
  • the attachments 78 and 80 can also include a mechanical fastener, such as by sewing with thread, using buttons and button holes, using snaps, by employing hook and loop fasteners, etc.
  • a hook and loop fastener is generally considered a releasable attachment.
  • VELCRO® One type of hook and loop fastener is VELCRO® wherein a hook material is releasably engaged into a loop material.
  • VELCRO® is a registered trademark of Velcro USA, Inc. having an office at 406 Brown Avenue, Manchester, New Hampshire 03103.
  • the attachments 78 and 80 can be formed along a continuous line or over a surface area having a predetermined length and width.
  • the attachments 78 and 80 can consist of intermittent point bonds that are spaced apart from one another.
  • the intermittent point bonds can be formed by using a hot or cold melt adhesive or by forming ultrasonic bonds.
  • Various bond formations can be used which are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the attachments 78 and 80 are formed using intermittent bonds.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is positioned to overlay the second zones 16 and 40 of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
  • Each of the second zones 16 and 40 can have the same width dimension or a width of a different dimension. Desirably, each of the second zones 16 and 40 has a width of the same dimension.
  • the width of the absorbent assembly 60 can be greater than, equal to or less than the width of either of the second zones 16 and 40.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is secured only to the second zones 16 and 40 so as not to extend and retract with the movement of the first zones 14 and 38 of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
  • This method of attachment will assure that the absorbent assembly 60 remains relatively stationary while the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, are capable of extending and retracting in correspondence to movement of the user's torso.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is positioned such that a greater portion of it is located over the back panel 36 than over the front panel 12.
  • This placement of the absorbent assembly 60 over a greater portion of the back panel 36 provides a better functioning disposable absorbent article 10, especially one that is designed to absorb both body fluid from the penis or vagina, as well as solid and semi-solid excrement from the anus.
  • the front panel 12 is usually smaller in size than the back panel 36.
  • This size difference also influences the placement of the absorbent assembly 60 over a greater portion of the back panel 36.
  • the result is that the first end 70 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the front panel 12 at a location that is closer to the second end 24 of the front panel 12 than it is to the first end 22.
  • the second end 72 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the back panel 36 at a location that is closer to the second end 48 of the back panel 36 than to the first end 46.
  • the crotch region 82 separates the front panel 12 from the back panel 36 and is designed to cover the perineum area of the wearer.
  • the crotch region 82 can cover a distance of a few inches in an infant diaper to several inches in an adult incontinence garment.
  • a crotch region 82 in an infant diaper may range from about 2 inches (about 5 centimeters(cm)) to about 10 inches (about 25 cm); while in an adult incontinence garment, the crotch region 82 may range from about 6 inches (about15 cm) to about 20 inches (about 51 cm).
  • the absorbent assembly 60 can be stretchable or non-stretchable in relation to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. Desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 is non-stretchable in relation to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. By having the absorbent assembly 60 be non-stretchable in relation to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, it is meant that the absorbent assembly 60 will not stretch appreciably in the longitudinal or transverse directions. For example, the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 50% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively. Desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 25% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 10% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively. Most desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 5% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively.
  • the reason for making the absorbent assembly 60 non-stretchable is that the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, are elastically stretchable and can expand and contract to snugly conform to the user's anatomy, especially to the wearer's torso.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is designed not to expand and contract as the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, stretch or retract since the absorbent assembly 60 is bonded to the non-extensible and non-retractable second zones 16 and 40. This feature allows the absorbent assembly 60 to remain positioned over the user's perineum. As the absorbent assembly 60 receives body fluid and/or excrement discharged by the wearer, it will be displaced outward and downward, away from the user's torso.
  • the ability of the absorbent assembly 60 to move outward away from the user's torso as additional body fluid is absorbed and retained is a direct result of the fact that it is not restricted from such movement in the crotch region 82 by the front or back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
  • the attachments 78 and 80 assure that the absorbent assembly 60 covers the perineum but is capable of moving outward away from the torso as additional body fluid is received and retained.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 also has at least one elastic member 84 positioned adjacent to and aligned approximately parallel to each of the first and second side edges 74 and 76 of the absorbent assembly 60.
  • Each of the elastic members 84 is situated between the bodyside liner 62 and the outer cover 64.
  • the elastic members 84 provide a gasket to hold the first and second side edges, 74 and 76 respectively, of the absorbent assembly 60 against the user's body.
  • Each of the elastic members 84 can be in the form of an elastic strand, ribbon or strip. Desirably, from two to six elastic members 84 will be positioned adjacent to each of the first and second side edges, 74 and 76 respectively. In Figs.
  • two elastic members 84 are shown positioned adjacent to each of the first and second side edges, 74 and 76 respectively.
  • the elastic members 84 are shown as having a round cross-sectional configuration although various other geometrical configurations can be utilized.
  • the elastic members 84 extend parallel to the longitudinal central axis X— X and extend completely through the crotch region 82. Desirably, the ends of the elastic members 84 will be located within the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is capable of being folded transversely, approximate the transverse central axis Y-Y, to enable the first and second side edges 26 and 28 of the front panel 12 to align with the first and second side edges 50 and 52 of the back panel 36, respectively.
  • a pair of seams 88 and 90 is then formed to join the front panel 12 to the back panel 36.
  • the seam 88 secures the second side edge 28 of the front panel 12 to the second side edge 52 of the back panel 36 while the seam 90 secures the first side edge 26 of the front panel 12 to the first side edge 50 of the back panel 36.
  • FIG. 3 is an open view of the interior of the disposable absorbent article 10 and the front panel 12 is folded along the transverse central axis Y-Y such that the front panel 12 lies over the top of the back panel 36.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 shown in Fig. 1 is obtained.
  • the disposable absorbent article 10 has a waist opening 92 and a pair of leg openings 94 and 96. Since the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, are formed from a stretchable elastic material, the waist opening 92 and the pair of leg openings 94 and 96 can expand or contract in size to accommodate the anatomy of the user.
  • a flow diagram is depicted showing a method of manufacturing the disposable absorbent article 10.
  • the method includes the steps of forming a front panel 12 having a first zone 14 and a second zone 16.
  • the first zone 14 is extensible and retractable and the second zone 16 is non-extensible and non-retractable.
  • the front panel 12 also has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 20, a first side edge 26 and a second side edge 28.
  • the second zone 16 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges, 26 and 28 respectively.
  • the method also includes forming a back panel 36 having a first zone 38 and a second zone 40.
  • the first zone 38 is extensible and retractable and the second zone 40 is non-extensible and non-retractable.
  • the back panel 36 also has an inner surface 42, an outer surface 44, a first side edge 50 and a second side edge 52. Furthermore, the second zone 40 of the back panel 36 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges, 50 and 52 respectively, of the back panel 36.
  • the method further includes forming an absorbent assembly 60 having a liquid pervious bodyside liner 62, a liquid-impervious outer cover 64, and an absorbent 66 positioned therebetween.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 has a first end 70 and a second end 72 and the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
  • the first end 70 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the second zone 16 of the front panel 12 and the second end 72 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the second zone 40 of the back panel 36.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 can be secured to either the inner or outer surfaces 18 and 42 or 20 and 44 of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
  • the absorbent assembly 60 is capable of being folded to enable the first and second side edges, 26 and 28 respectively, of the front panel 12 to align with the first and second side edges 50 and 52 respectively, of the back panel 36.
  • the method includes joining the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, together by a pair of seams 88 and 90 at the first and second side edges 74 and 76 to form a disposable absorbent article 10 having a waist opening 92 and a pair of leg openings 94 and 96.

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article are disclosed. The article has front and back panels, each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the first and second side edges of the front panel to align with the first and second side edges of the back panel, respectively. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Description

A DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE ARTICLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A disposable absorbent article is designed for absorbing human exudate. The disposable absorbent article is similar in appearance, size and shape to a regular cloth underwear except that it is not designed to be laundered and reused two or more times. A disposable absorbent article is intended to be worn by persons, including infants, toddlers, or adults, and is designed for single or temporary use. The disposable absorbent article is meant to be disposed of after being used once. The disposable absorbent article is designed to be pulled up around the user's torso without having to first open the garment in order to place it on a person's body. The stretchability of the material used to construct the disposable absorbent article permits the garment to snugly conform to the anatomy of the user's torso. The disposable absorbent article can be manufactured to be an infant diaper, a child training pant, an adult incontinence garment, a feminine menstrual pant, etc.
Some disposable absorbent articles manufactured today resemble regular cloth underwear in that they have a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Such disposable absorbent articles can be pulled up around the torso of a user in a similar fashion as regular cloth underwear. It has been found that a disposable absorbent article is generally more discreet when the front and back elastic panels snugly conform to the wearer's anatomy. It has also been found that a more comfortable article is obtained when the absorbent assembly does not extend and retract to match the movement of the front and back elastic panels. Now a disposable absorbent article for absorbing human exudate has been invented that allows the front and back elastic panels to extend and retract without causing the absorbent assembly to move in a similar fashion thereby providing a better fit to the user's body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, this invention relates to a disposable absorbent article for absorbing human exudate and a method of forming the article. The disposable absorbent article includes a front panel and a back panel with each having a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is extensible and retractable and the second zone is non-extensible and non- retractable. Each of the front and back panels also has an inner surface and first and second side edges. The second zone of each panel is spaced inward from the first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly bridges across and is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly includes a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious outer cover and an absorbent positioned therebetween. The absorbent assembly has a first end and a second end. The first end is secured to the second zone of the front panel and the second end is secured to the second zone of the back panel. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the first and second side edges of the front panel to align with the first and second side edges of the back panel, respectively. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable absorbent article.
Fig. 2 is a top view of the spaced apart front and back panels showing the first and second zones.
Fig. 3 is a plane view of a disposable absorbent article showing an absorbent assembly secured to the inner surfaces of the front and back panels and showing a partial cut away view of the construction of the absorbent assembly.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the disposable absorbent article shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable absorbent article shown in Fig. 3 taken along line 5-5. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable absorbent article shown in Fig. 3 taken along line 6-6.
Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of a method used to manufacture the disposable' absorbent article of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Fig. 1 , a disposable absorbent article 10 is depicted. The disposable absorbent article 10 is intended to be worn by persons, including infants, toddlers, or adults, and is designed for a single or temporary use. The disposable absorbent article 10 is meant to be disposed of after being used once instead of being laundered or dry cleaned for re-use. The term "disposable absorbent article" is herein defined to mean an absorbent article that is inexpensive and can be discarded by the consumer once it becomes soiled or otherwise unusable after a single use or after a few uses. In the context of disposable personal care absorbent articles, such articles are normally disposed of after they are soiled and are not meant to be laundered or treated for re-use and are distinguishable from limited use articles that can be used several times before being discarded, such as disposable razors and cigarette lighters. The disposable absorbent article 10 is designed to be pulled up around the user's torso without having to first open the article 10 in order to place it on a person's body. In Fig. 1 , the disposable absorbent article 10 is shown as it would appear just prior to being pulled up around a user's torso.
Referring to Figs. 2-4, the disposable absorbent article 10 has a longitudinal central axis X--X, a transverse central axis Y--Y, and a vertical central axis Z--Z. The disposable absorbent article 10 includes a front panel 12 having a first zone 14 and a second zone 16. The first zone 14 is extensible and retractable in at least one direction. Desirably, the first zone 14 is extensible and retractable in two or more directions. When the first zone 14 is extensible and retractable in only one direction, that direction should be approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y of the disposable absorbent article 10. The second zone 16 is non-extensible and non-retractable. The second zone 16 can be of any geometrical configuration but a rectangular or square configuration works well. The second zone 16 has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of the first zone 14. Desirably, the second zone 16 has a surface area that is less than about 25% of the surface area of the first zone 14. More desirably, the second zone 16 has a surface area that is less than about 20% of the surface area of the first zone 14. Most desirably, the second zone 16 has a surface area that is less than about 15% of the surface area of the first zone 14.
Still referring to Figs. 2-4, the front panel 12 also includes an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20. The inner surface 18 is in direct contact with the user's skin and is sometimes referred to as the bodyside surface. The outer surface 20 is situated opposite to the inner surface 18 and is spaced away from the skin of the user. The outer surface 20 is sometimes referred to as the garment facing surface since it can be in direct contact with the inner surfaces of the user's outer clothing.
Referring to Fig. 2, the front panel 12 further includes a first end 22, a second end 24, a first side edge 26 and a second side edge 28. The overall size and shape of the front panel 12 can vary to suit the size and anatomy of the actual user. For example, the front panel 12 of an infant diaper will be smaller than the front panel 12 of an adult incontinence garment. The first and second zones, 14 and 16 respectively, can be integrally formed from a single material or they can be formed from separate and distinct materials. The second zone 16 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges 26 and 28. The second zone 16 is also shown having an edge that is coterminuous with the second end 24 of the front panel 12. The second zone 16 is located adjacent to or in an abutting relationship to the first zone 14. However, the second zone 16 should not overlay or be covered by any portion of the first zone 14. Desirably, the second zone 16 is surrounded on three sides by the first zone 14, as is shown in Fig. 2. The front panel 12 can be formed from a material that is extensible and retractable in at least one direction. By "extensible" it is meant a material that is capable of being stretched, extended or elongated when a force, such as pulling, is applied to it. By "retractable" it is meant a material that is capable of quickly recovering, retracting or returning to substantially its pre-stretched, pre-extended dimension once the force used to extend the material has been removed. Because of hysteresis, a material might not be able to fully recover or return to its original pre-stretched length. Some materials might be extensible but are not retractable. For example, many conventional textile and non-woven materials, that lack an elastic component, are extensible but lack retractability to return rapidly to substantially their pre-stretched dimension. Such materials, including but not limited to, a cotton knit T-shirt material or blends of cotton and non-elastic synthetic fibers can be extended but are not considered retractable for the purposes of this invention unless some elasticizing material, agent or treatment is added.
The front panel 12 can be formed from an elastomeric material. An elastomeric material can be a single elastic sheet or layer, an elastic film, an elastic net-like material, a plurality of elastic strands arranged to form an elastic layer, an elastic laminate, etc.
When a plurality of elastic strands is utilized, they can be positioned on at least one layer of woven or non-woven material. When an elastic laminate is used, it can consist of two or more layers bonded together by heat, pressure, heat and pressure, adhesives, ultrasonics, or a combination of any of the above. Other means of securing one or more layers together to form a laminate structure are known to those skilled in the art. In a laminate, only one of the layers needs to be an elastomeric layer.
Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the front panel 12 is shown being formed as a three-layer laminate structure. The front panel 12 includes a first layer 30, a second or middle layer 32, and a third layer 34. The first and third layers, 30 and 34 respectively, are the outer layers and can be formed from the same material or from different materials. The first and third layers, 30 and 34 respectively, can be constructed from natural or synthetic fibers and can be a woven or non-woven material. The second or middle layer 32 has the elastic properties and is sandwiched between the first and third layers, 30 and 34 respectively. It should be noted that one or both of the outer layers 30 or 34 can be made from an elastic material, if desired.
The extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 of the front panel 12 can be in one direction but desirably are in two or more directions. More desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 are in a direction approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y. The transverse direction extends laterally across the torso of the user of the disposable absorbent article 10 and extends from one hip bone to the other hip bone. Even more desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 are in at least two directions, one direction being approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X--X and the other direction being approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y-Y. Most desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 14 are in multiple directions, or stated another way, in three or more directions extending over an arc of 360 degrees. The ability of the first zone 14 to extend and retract will provide the requisite force needed during use of the disposable absorbent article 10 to ensure that it snugly conforms to the anatomy of the wearer's torso. The front panel 12 can be constructed from various materials. One suitable material is a stretch bonded laminate (SBL) where the elastic core or middle layer 32 is elongated before the two outer nonwoven layers 30 and 34 are attached. Exemplary SBL materials are described in U.S. patent 4,720,415 which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof. Another suitable material for the front panel 12 is a necked bonded laminate (NBL). The NBL material is also a three-layer laminate but the elastic core or middle layer 32 is not pre-stretched prior to being attached to the two outer nonwoven layers 30 and 34. Instead, the outer layers 30 and 34 are necked stretched before the elastic core or middle layer 32 is attached to them. Exemplary NBL materials are described in U.S. patent 5,336,545 which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof. Other examples of elastomeric materials that can be used for the front panel 12 include a continuous filament stretch bonded laminate (CFSBL), a vertical filament laminate (VFL), a necked stretch bonded laminate (NSBL) and a necked thermal laminate (NTL). Combinations of the above materials can also be used. Exemplary CFSBL materials are described in U.S. patent 5,385,775 which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof. Furthermore, the front panel 12 can be constructed from an elastic film that is capable of being stretched in at least one direction. Desirably, the front panel 12 can be stretched in both the machine direction (approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X--X) and the cross-direction (approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y- Y). The front panel 12 can also be formed from an elastic nonwoven that has a machine direction stretch and/or a cross-direction stretch.
Still further, the front panel 12 can be formed from two outer layers 30 and 34 with a plurality of elastic strands sandwiched therebetween. The elastic strands can be formed from LYCRA®. LYCRA® is a registered trademark of E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., having an office at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898. The elastic strands can be aligned approximately parallel to one another or be angled or skewed relative to one another. The elastic strands can also be uniformly or randomly spaced apart from one another. The elastic strands can vary in shape, size, configuration, and/or length. The diameter and/or cross-sectional configuration of the elastic strands, the decitex (weight in grams per 10,000 meters of a strand) of the elastic strands, and the tension imparted into the elastic strands can all be varied to suit one's particular product needs. The elastic strands can have a round, semi-circular, square, rectangular, oval or some other geometrical configuration. The elastic strands can overlap, intersect or crisscross at least one other elastic strand. The various ways of positioning, orienting, and adhering the elastic strands to the two outer layers 30 and 34 are well known to those skilled in the art.
It should be noted that the front panel 12 can also be constructed from a material that is substantially air permeable, if desired. Alternatively, the front panel 12 can be constructed from a material that is substantially air impermeable. The front panel 12 can be formed from a single integral elastomeric material that exhibits both extensible and retractable characteristics. The material can then be treated, fused, deadened, chopped, conditioned or somehow altered so as to form the second zone 16. The elastic properties of the material can be deadened before, during or after the material is stretched. Hammering the material between two hardened surfaces can cause the material to lose its extensible and retractable properties in a given area. The material can also be treated with heat, pressure, heat and pressure, ultrasonics, chemicals, by mechanical means, or a combination of the above to remove its ability to elongate and retract. In this fashion, the second zone 16 can be formed. Alternatively, the second zone 16 can be a separated material that does not possess any extensible and retractable properties. In this case, the second zone 16 is secured to the first zone 14 in order to construct the front panel 12.
Referring again to Fig. 2, one can see that the first zone 14 of the front panel 12 encloses three sides of the second zone 16. Likewise, the first zone 38 of the back panel 36 encloses three sides of the second zone 40. This construction ensures that the second zones 16 and 40 are situated adjacent to an end, 24 or 48 respectively, of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
Referring again to Figs. 2-4, the disposable absorbent article 10 also includes a back panel 36 which is spaced apart, discontinuous and distinct from the front panel 12. The back panel 36 has a first zone 38 and a second zone 40. The first zone 38 is extensible and retractable in at least one direction. Desirably, the first zone 38 is extensible and retractable in two or more directions. When the first zone 38 is extensible and retractable in only one direction, that direction should be approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y of the disposable absorbent article 10. The second zone 40 is non-extensible and non-retractable. The second zone 40 can be of any geometrical configuration but a rectangular or square configuration works well. The second zone 40 has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of the first zone 38. Desirably, the second zone 40 has a surface area that is less than about 30% of the surface area of the first zone 38. More desirably, the second zone 40 has a surface area that is less than about 25% of the surface area of the first zone 38. Most desirably, the second zone 40 has a surface area that is less than about 20% of the surface area of the first zone 38.
It should be noted that the second zone 40 of the back panel 36 has a larger surface area than the second zone 16 of the front panel 12. One reason for this is that the front panel 12 usually has a smaller overall surface area than the back panel 36. The back panel 36 is typically larger in size for it has to cover the buttocks of the user.
Still referring to Figs. 2-4, the back panel 36 also includes an inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44. The inner surface 42 is in direct contact with the user's skin and is sometimes referred to as the bodyside surface. The outer surface 44 is situated opposite to the inner surface 42 and is spaced away from the skin of the user. The outer surface 44 is sometimes referred to as the garment facing surface since it can be in direct contact with the inner surfaces of the user's outer clothing.
The back panel 36 further includes a first end 46, a second end 48, a first side edge 50 and a second side edge 52. The overall size and shape of the back panel 36 can vary to suit the size and anatomy of the actual user. For example, the back panel 36 for an infant diaper will be smaller than the back panel 36 for an adult incontinence garment. The first and second zones, 38 and 40 respectively, of the back panel 36 can be integrally formed from a single material or they can be formed from separate and distinct material. The second zone 40 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges 50 and 52. The second zone 40 is also shown having an edge that is coterminuous with the second end 48 of the back panel 36. The second zone 40 is located adjacent to or in an abutting relationship to the first zone 38. However, the second zone 40 should not overlay or be covered by any portion of the first zone 38. Desirably, the second zone 40 is surrounded on three sides by the first zone 38, as is shown in Fig. 2.
The back panel 36 can be formed from the same material or from a different material as the front panel 12. The back panel 36 is extensible and retractable in at least one direction. The definitions for "extensible and retractable" are as defined above with reference to the front panel 12. The back panel 36 can be formed from an elastomeric material. An elastomeric material can be a single elastic sheet or layer, an elastic film, an elastic net-like material, a plurality of elastic strands arranged to form an elastic layer, an elastic laminate, etc. When a plurality of elastic strands is utilized, they can be positioned on at least one layer of woven or non-woven material. When an elastic laminate is used, it can consist of two or more layers bonded together by heat, pressure, heat and pressure, adhesives, ultrasonics, or a combination of any of the above. Other means of securing one or more layers together to form a laminate structure are known to those skilled in the art. In a laminate, only one of the layers needs to be an elastomeric layer.
Referring again to Figs. 3 and 4, the back panel 36 is shown being formed as a three-layer laminate structure. The back panel 36 includes a first layer 54, a second or middle layer 56, and a third layer 58. The first and third layers, 54 and 58 respectively, are the outer layers and can be formed from the same material or from different materials. The first and third layers, 54 and 58 respectively, can be constructed from natural or synthetic fibers and can be a woven or non-woven material. The second or middle layer 56 has the elastic properties and is sandwiched between the first and third layers, 54 and 58 respectively. It should be noted that one or both of the outer layers 54 or 58 can be made from an elastic material, if desired. The extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 of the back panel 36 can be in one direction but desirably are in two or more directions. More desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 are in a direction approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y--Y. The transverse direction extends laterally across the torso of the user of the disposable absorbent article 10 and extends from one hip bone to the other hip bone. Even more desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 are in at least two directions, one direction being approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X--X and the other direction being approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y— Y. Most desirably, the extensible and retractable properties of the first zone 38 are in multiple directions, or stated another way, in three or more directions extending over an arc of 360 degrees. The ability of the first zone 38 to extend and retract will provide the requisite force needed during use of the disposable absorbent article 10 to ensure that it snugly conforms to the anatomy of the wearer's torso.
The back panel 36 can be constructed from various materials. One suitable material is a stretch bonded laminate (SBL) where the elastic core or middle layer 56 is elongated before the two outer nonwoven layers 54 and 58 are attached. Another suitable material for the back panel 36 is a necked bonded laminate (NBL). The NBL material is also a three-layer laminate but the elastic core or middle layer 56 is not pre- stretched prior to being attached to the two outer nonwoven layers 54 and 58. Instead, the outer layers 54 and 58 are necked stretched before the elastic core or middle layer 56 is attached to them. Other examples of such elastomeric materials that can be used for the back panel 36 include a continuous filament stretch bonded laminate (CFSBL), a vertical filament laminate (VFL), a necked stretch bonded laminate (NSBL) or a necked thermal laminate (NTL). Combinations of the above materials can also be used. Furthermore, the back panel 36 can be constructed from an elastic film that is capable of being stretched in at least one direction and, desirably, in both the machine direction (approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis X-X) and the cross- direction (approximately parallel to the transverse central axis Y — Y). The back panel 36 can also be formed from an elastic nonwoven that has a machine direction stretch and/or a cross-direction stretch.
Still further, the back panel 36 can be formed from two outer layers 54 and 58 with a plurality of elastic strands sandwiched therebetween. The elastic strands can be formed from LYCRA®. LYCRA® is a registered trademark of E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., having an office at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898. The elastic strands can be aligned approximately parallel to one another or be angled or skewed relative to one another. The elastic strands can also be uniformly or randomly spaced apart from one another. The elastic strands can vary in shape, size, configuration, and/or length. The diameter and/or cross-sectional configuration of the elastic strands, the decitex (weight in grams per 10,000 meters of a strand) of the elastic strands, and the tension imparted into the elastic strands can all be varied to suit one's particular product needs. The elastic strands can have a round, semi-circular, square, rectangular, oval or some other geometrical configuration. The elastic strands can overlap, intersect or crisscross at least one other elastic strand. The various ways of positioning, orienting, and adhering the elastic strands to the two outer layers 54 and 58 are well known to those skilled in the art.
It should be noted that the back panel 36 can also be constructed from a material that is substantially air permeable, if desired. Alternatively, the back panel 36 can be constructed from a material that is substantially air impermeable.
The back panel 36 can be formed from a single integral elastomeric material that exhibits both extensible and retractable characteristics. The material can then be treated, fused, deadened, chopped, conditioned or somehow altered so as to form the second zone 40. Hammering the material between two hardened surfaces can also cause the material to lose its extensible and retractable properties in a given area. The material can also be treated with heat, pressure, heat and pressure, ultrasonics, chemicals, by mechanical means, or a combination of the above to remove its ability to elongate and/or retract. In this fashion, the second zone 40 can be formed. Alternatively, the second zone 40 can be a separated material that does not possess any extensible and retractable properties. In this case, the second zone 40 is secured to the first zone 38 in order to construct the back panel 36. Referring again to Figs. 1 and 3-5, the disposable absorbent article 10 also includes an absorbent assembly 60. The absorbent assembly 60 includes a liquid pervious bodyside liner 62, a liquid-impervious outer cover 64, and an absorbent 66 positioned therebetween. A surge layer 68 can be optionally used which is located between the bodyside liner 62 and the absorbent 66. The surge layer 68 can function to rapidly acquire and temporarily retain body fluid, such as urine, before it can be absorbed into the absorbent 66. Desirably, the surge layer 68 is also capable of wicking the body fluid lengthwise and/or widthwise across its surface, as well as directing the body fluid downward in a z-direction (approximately parallel to the vertical axis Z--Z) toward the absorbent 66. The absorbent assembly 60 has a first end 70, a second end 72, a first side edge
74 and a second side edge 76. Desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the inner surface 18 of the front panel 12 approximate the first end 70 by an attachment 78 and is secured to the inner surface 42 of the back panel 36 approximate the second end 72 by an attachment 80. Alternatively, the absorbent assembly 60 could be secured to outer surface 20 of the front panel 12 approximate the first end 70 by the attachment 78 and could be secured to the outer surface 44 of the back panel 36 approximate the second end 72 by the attachment 80. The absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, either before or after each panel 12 and 36 has been stretched a predetermined amount. By attaching the absorbent assembly 60 to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, the absorbent assembly 60 is capable of moving downward away from the user's torso while the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, maintain their snug position against the user's torso. This unique ability for the absorbent assembly 60 to move outward and downward away from the user's torso without undue restrictions from the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, produces a useful undergarment. The absorbent assembly 60 is capable of taking in and retaining additional body fluid as it moves out away from the user's body.
The attachments 78 and 80 can be by various means and can include permanent attachments as well as removable or releasable attachments. Desirably, the attachments 78 and 80 are permanent attachments where they are not designed to be removed without destroying the bond. The attachments 78 and 80 can be formed by using glue, adhesive, ultrasonic bonds, heat bonds, pressure bonds, heat and pressure bonds, a combination of any of the aforementioned, etc. The attachments 78 and 80 can also include a mechanical fastener, such as by sewing with thread, using buttons and button holes, using snaps, by employing hook and loop fasteners, etc. A hook and loop fastener is generally considered a releasable attachment. One type of hook and loop fastener is VELCRO® wherein a hook material is releasably engaged into a loop material. VELCRO® is a registered trademark of Velcro USA, Inc. having an office at 406 Brown Avenue, Manchester, New Hampshire 03103.
The attachments 78 and 80 can be formed along a continuous line or over a surface area having a predetermined length and width. Alternatively, the attachments 78 and 80 can consist of intermittent point bonds that are spaced apart from one another. For example, the intermittent point bonds can be formed by using a hot or cold melt adhesive or by forming ultrasonic bonds. Various bond formations can be used which are known to those skilled in the art. Desirably, the attachments 78 and 80 are formed using intermittent bonds.
Referring again to Figs. 3 and 4, one will notice that the absorbent assembly 60 is positioned to overlay the second zones 16 and 40 of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. Each of the second zones 16 and 40 can have the same width dimension or a width of a different dimension. Desirably, each of the second zones 16 and 40 has a width of the same dimension. The width of the absorbent assembly 60 can be greater than, equal to or less than the width of either of the second zones 16 and 40. However, the absorbent assembly 60 is secured only to the second zones 16 and 40 so as not to extend and retract with the movement of the first zones 14 and 38 of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. This method of attachment will assure that the absorbent assembly 60 remains relatively stationary while the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, are capable of extending and retracting in correspondence to movement of the user's torso. In Figs. 3 and 4, one will also notice that the absorbent assembly 60 is positioned such that a greater portion of it is located over the back panel 36 than over the front panel 12. This placement of the absorbent assembly 60 over a greater portion of the back panel 36 provides a better functioning disposable absorbent article 10, especially one that is designed to absorb both body fluid from the penis or vagina, as well as solid and semi-solid excrement from the anus. In addition, the front panel 12 is usually smaller in size than the back panel 36. This size difference also influences the placement of the absorbent assembly 60 over a greater portion of the back panel 36. The result is that the first end 70 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the front panel 12 at a location that is closer to the second end 24 of the front panel 12 than it is to the first end 22. Likewise, the second end 72 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the back panel 36 at a location that is closer to the second end 48 of the back panel 36 than to the first end 46. Referring now to Figs. 3-6, one will notice that when the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, a crotch region 82 is formed. The crotch region 82 separates the front panel 12 from the back panel 36 and is designed to cover the perineum area of the wearer. The crotch region 82 can cover a distance of a few inches in an infant diaper to several inches in an adult incontinence garment. For example, a crotch region 82 in an infant diaper may range from about 2 inches (about 5 centimeters(cm)) to about 10 inches (about 25 cm); while in an adult incontinence garment, the crotch region 82 may range from about 6 inches (about15 cm) to about 20 inches (about 51 cm).
The absorbent assembly 60 can be stretchable or non-stretchable in relation to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. Desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 is non-stretchable in relation to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. By having the absorbent assembly 60 be non-stretchable in relation to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, it is meant that the absorbent assembly 60 will not stretch appreciably in the longitudinal or transverse directions. For example, the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 50% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively. Desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 25% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively. More desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 10% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively. Most desirably, the absorbent assembly 60 will have less than about 5% of the stretch of the front and/or back panels, 12 and/or 36 respectively.
The reason for making the absorbent assembly 60 non-stretchable is that the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, are elastically stretchable and can expand and contract to snugly conform to the user's anatomy, especially to the wearer's torso. The absorbent assembly 60 is designed not to expand and contract as the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, stretch or retract since the absorbent assembly 60 is bonded to the non-extensible and non-retractable second zones 16 and 40. This feature allows the absorbent assembly 60 to remain positioned over the user's perineum. As the absorbent assembly 60 receives body fluid and/or excrement discharged by the wearer, it will be displaced outward and downward, away from the user's torso. The ability of the absorbent assembly 60 to move outward away from the user's torso as additional body fluid is absorbed and retained is a direct result of the fact that it is not restricted from such movement in the crotch region 82 by the front or back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. The attachments 78 and 80 assure that the absorbent assembly 60 covers the perineum but is capable of moving outward away from the torso as additional body fluid is received and retained.
Referring now to Figs. 1 , 3 and 6, the disposable absorbent article 10 also has at least one elastic member 84 positioned adjacent to and aligned approximately parallel to each of the first and second side edges 74 and 76 of the absorbent assembly 60. Each of the elastic members 84 is situated between the bodyside liner 62 and the outer cover 64. The elastic members 84 provide a gasket to hold the first and second side edges, 74 and 76 respectively, of the absorbent assembly 60 against the user's body. Each of the elastic members 84 can be in the form of an elastic strand, ribbon or strip. Desirably, from two to six elastic members 84 will be positioned adjacent to each of the first and second side edges, 74 and 76 respectively. In Figs. 3 and 6, two elastic members 84 are shown positioned adjacent to each of the first and second side edges, 74 and 76 respectively. The elastic members 84 are shown as having a round cross-sectional configuration although various other geometrical configurations can be utilized. The elastic members 84 extend parallel to the longitudinal central axis X— X and extend completely through the crotch region 82. Desirably, the ends of the elastic members 84 will be located within the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively.
Referring again to Figs. 1-4, the absorbent assembly 60 is capable of being folded transversely, approximate the transverse central axis Y-Y, to enable the first and second side edges 26 and 28 of the front panel 12 to align with the first and second side edges 50 and 52 of the back panel 36, respectively. A pair of seams 88 and 90 is then formed to join the front panel 12 to the back panel 36. The seam 88 secures the second side edge 28 of the front panel 12 to the second side edge 52 of the back panel 36 while the seam 90 secures the first side edge 26 of the front panel 12 to the first side edge 50 of the back panel 36. One will notice that Fig. 3 is an open view of the interior of the disposable absorbent article 10 and the front panel 12 is folded along the transverse central axis Y-Y such that the front panel 12 lies over the top of the back panel 36. After folding and forming the pair of seams 88 and 90, the disposable absorbent article 10 shown in Fig. 1 is obtained. The disposable absorbent article 10 has a waist opening 92 and a pair of leg openings 94 and 96. Since the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, are formed from a stretchable elastic material, the waist opening 92 and the pair of leg openings 94 and 96 can expand or contract in size to accommodate the anatomy of the user.
Method Referring now to Fig. 7, a flow diagram is depicted showing a method of manufacturing the disposable absorbent article 10. The method includes the steps of forming a front panel 12 having a first zone 14 and a second zone 16. The first zone 14 is extensible and retractable and the second zone 16 is non-extensible and non-retractable. The front panel 12 also has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 20, a first side edge 26 and a second side edge 28. Furthermore, the second zone 16 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges, 26 and 28 respectively. The method also includes forming a back panel 36 having a first zone 38 and a second zone 40. The first zone 38 is extensible and retractable and the second zone 40 is non-extensible and non-retractable. The back panel 36 also has an inner surface 42, an outer surface 44, a first side edge 50 and a second side edge 52. Furthermore, the second zone 40 of the back panel 36 is spaced inward from the first and second side edges, 50 and 52 respectively, of the back panel 36. The method further includes forming an absorbent assembly 60 having a liquid pervious bodyside liner 62, a liquid-impervious outer cover 64, and an absorbent 66 positioned therebetween. The absorbent assembly 60 has a first end 70 and a second end 72 and the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. The first end 70 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the second zone 16 of the front panel 12 and the second end 72 of the absorbent assembly 60 is secured to the second zone 40 of the back panel 36. The absorbent assembly 60 can be secured to either the inner or outer surfaces 18 and 42 or 20 and 44 of the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively. The absorbent assembly 60 is capable of being folded to enable the first and second side edges, 26 and 28 respectively, of the front panel 12 to align with the first and second side edges 50 and 52 respectively, of the back panel 36. Lastly, the method includes joining the front and back panels, 12 and 36 respectively, together by a pair of seams 88 and 90 at the first and second side edges 74 and 76 to form a disposable absorbent article 10 having a waist opening 92 and a pair of leg openings 94 and 96.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:
1. A disposable absorbent article comprising: a) a front panel having a first zone and a second zone, said first zone being extensible and retractable and said second zone being non-extensible and non- retractable, said front panel also having a first side edge and a second side edge, and said second zone is spaced inward from said first and second side edges; b) a back panel having a first zone and a second zone, said first zone being extensible and retractable and said second zone being non-extensible and non- retractable, said back panel also having a first side edge and a second side edge, and said second zone of said back panel is spaced inward from said first and second side edges of said back panel; c) an absorbent assembly including a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid- impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween, said absorbent assembly having a first end and a second end, said absorbent assembly being secured to said front and back panels, said first end of said absorbent assembly being secured to said second zone of said front panel and said second end of said absorbent assembly being secured to said second zone of said back panel, and said absorbent assembly capable of being folded to enable said first and second side edges of said front panel to align with said first and second side edges of said back panel; and d) a pair of seams joining said front and back panels together at said first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
2. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein each of said second zones is formed from the same material as said first zone but does not possess extensible and retractable properties.
3. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said second zone of said front panel has a smaller surface area than said first zone of said front panel.
4. The disposable absorbent article of claim 3 wherein said second zone of said front panel has a surface area that is less than about 25% of the surface area of said first zone.
5. The disposable absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said second zone of said front panel has a surface area that is less than about 20% of the surface area of said first zone.
6. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said front panel has an inner surface and said absorbent assembly is secured to said inner surface, and said front panel has a first end and a second end and said first end of said absorbent assembly is secured at a location that is closer to said second end of said front panel.
7. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said back panel has an inner surface and said absorbent assembly is secured to said inner surface, and wherein said second zone of said back panel has a smaller surface area than said first zone of said back panel.
8. The disposable absorbent article of claim 7 wherein said second zone of said back panel has a surface area that is less than about 30% of the surface area of said first zone.
9. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said second zone of said back panel has a larger surface area than said second zone of said front panel.
10. A disposable absorbent article comprising: a) a front panel having a first zone and a second zone, said first zone being extensible and retractable and said second zone being non-extensible and non- retractable,' said front panel also has a first side edge and a second side edge, and said second zone is spaced inward from said first and second side edges; b) a back panel having a first zone and a second zone, said first zone being extensible and retractable and said second zone being non-extensible and non- retractable, said back panel also has a first side edge and a second side edge, said second zone of said back panel is spaced inward from said first and second side edges of said back panel, and said second zone of said back panel has a larger surface area than said second zone of said front panel; c) an absorbent assembly including a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid- impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween, said absorbent assembly having a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge, said absorbent assembly being secured to said front and back panels, said first end of said absorbent assembly being secured to said second zone of said front panel and said second end of said absorbent assembly being secured to said second zone of said back panel, and said absorbent assembly capable of being folded to enable said first and second side edges of said front panel to align with said first and second side edges of said back panel; and d) at least one elastic member positioned adjacent to each of said first and second side edges of said absorbent assembly and situated between said bodyside liner and said outer cover; and e) a pair of seams joining said first and second side edges of said front and back panels together to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
11. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said back panel has an inner surface and said absorbent assembly is secured to said inner surface, and said second zone of said back panel has a larger surface area than said second zone of said front panel.
12. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said front panel has an inner surface and said absorbent assembly is secured to said inner surface, and said front panel has a first end and a second end and said first end of said absorbent assembly is secured at a location that is closer to said second end of said front panel.
13. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said back panel has a first end and a second end and said second end of said absorbent assembly is secured at a location that is closer to said second end of said back panel.
14. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said second zone of said front panel is rectangular in configuration.
15. The disposable absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said second zone of said back panel is rectangular in configuration.
16. A method of forming a disposable absorbent article comprising the steps of: a) forming a front panel having a first zone and a second zone, said first zone being extensible and retractable and said second zone being non-extensible and non- retractable; b) forming a back panel having a first zone and a second zone, said first zone being extensible and retractable and said second zone being non-extensible and non- retractable; c) forming an absorbent assembly having a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid- impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween; d) securing said absorbent assembly to said second zones of said front and back panels; e) folding said absorbent assembly so that said front panel is positioned over said back panel; and f) joining said front and back panels together by a pair of seams to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein each of said front and back panels has an inner surface and said absorbent assembly is secured to said inner surfaces of said front and back panels.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein each of said front and back panels has an outer surface and said absorbent assembly is secured to said outer surfaces of said front and back panels.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein said second zone of said front and back panels are extended before said absorbent assembly is secured thereto.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein said second zone of said front and back panels are not extended before said absorbent assembly is secured thereto.
PCT/US2004/008432 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article WO2004108041A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002525897A CA2525897A1 (en) 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article
BRPI0410409A BRPI0410409B8 (en) 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 disposable absorbent article and process of forming it
MXPA05012393A MXPA05012393A (en) 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article.
KR1020057021801A KR101084867B1 (en) 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article
EP04785653.9A EP1628612B1 (en) 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article
AU2004244952A AU2004244952B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/449,988 US7604624B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2003-05-30 Disposable absorbent article with overlapping absorbent assembly secured to front and back panels
US10/449,988 2003-05-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004108041A1 true WO2004108041A1 (en) 2004-12-16

Family

ID=33451917

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2004/008432 WO2004108041A1 (en) 2003-05-30 2004-03-19 A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (4) US7604624B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1628612B1 (en)
KR (1) KR101084867B1 (en)
AR (1) AR044032A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2004244952B2 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0410409B8 (en)
CA (1) CA2525897A1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA05012393A (en)
TW (1) TWI234453B (en)
WO (1) WO2004108041A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006007008A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent garments with tailored stretch properties in the lateral direction
US7993319B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2011-08-09 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having an absorbent structure configured for improved donning of the article
EP2376048A2 (en) * 2008-12-30 2011-10-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for making disposable absorbent garments employing elastomeric film laminates with deactivated regions
US8066685B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2011-11-29 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Stretchable absorbent article having lateral and longitudinal stretch properties
US8167861B2 (en) 2003-12-31 2012-05-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable garment with stretchable absorbent assembly
US8246594B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2012-08-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having an absorbent structure configured for improved donning and lateral stretch distribution
US8491556B2 (en) 2005-12-15 2013-07-23 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent garments with multipart liner having varied stretch properties
EP3212143B1 (en) 2014-10-29 2018-12-19 Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag A pant-type absorbent article comprising an elastic laminate

Families Citing this family (49)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7018369B2 (en) * 2003-05-30 2006-03-28 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable pant-like undergarment having an elastic band adjacent the waist opening
US20040243085A1 (en) * 2003-05-30 2004-12-02 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable absorbent article having an integral waistband
US7264686B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2007-09-04 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of forming a waist band on an absorbent article
US7066921B2 (en) * 2003-12-22 2006-06-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable undergarment with body conforming fit and containment pocket
US8241263B2 (en) 2005-08-26 2012-08-14 Medline Industries, Inc. Absorbent article
EP2020972B1 (en) * 2006-05-12 2012-11-07 SCA Hygiene Products AB A pant-type absorbent article and a method for producing pant-type absorbent articles.
BRPI0621657B1 (en) * 2006-05-12 2018-01-16 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Method for producing an extensible stretch laminate and stretch elastic laminate
JP4890216B2 (en) 2006-12-01 2012-03-07 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Absorbent wearing article and manufacturing method thereof
US20100168705A1 (en) * 2008-12-30 2010-07-01 Stabelfeldt Sara J Disposable Absorbent Garments Employing Elastomeric Film Laminates With Deactivated Regions
US8753466B2 (en) * 2009-10-23 2014-06-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of making disposable absorbent garments employing elastomeric film laminate body panels
US20110098668A1 (en) * 2009-10-23 2011-04-28 Thorson Russell E Disposable absorbent garments employing elastomeric film laminate body panels
US8940116B2 (en) * 2009-12-30 2015-01-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for making disposable absorbent garments to reduce absorbent bunching
JP5534839B2 (en) * 2010-01-29 2014-07-02 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Absorbent articles
US10117792B2 (en) 2010-10-19 2018-11-06 Medline Industries, Inc. Absorbent articles and methods of manufacturing the same
CA2815196C (en) 2010-10-19 2019-08-13 Daniel B. Love Absorbent articles and methods of manufacturing the same
WO2012174204A2 (en) 2011-06-17 2012-12-20 Fiberweb, Inc. Vapor permeable, substantially water impermeable multilayer article
WO2012178027A2 (en) 2011-06-23 2012-12-27 Fiberweb, Inc. Vapor-permeable, substantially water-impermeable multilayer article
US9827755B2 (en) 2011-06-23 2017-11-28 Fiberweb, Llc Vapor-permeable, substantially water-impermeable multilayer article
US9765459B2 (en) 2011-06-24 2017-09-19 Fiberweb, Llc Vapor-permeable, substantially water-impermeable multilayer article
JP5814063B2 (en) * 2011-09-30 2015-11-17 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Disposable wearing items
USD716938S1 (en) 2011-10-19 2014-11-04 Medline Industries, Inc. Absorbent core
US10118754B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2018-11-06 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of folding pant-like disposable absorbent garments in a chute
US20130289512A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-10-31 Brian Keith Rhodes Disposable Garment Having Soft, Discreet Seams
CN104540487B (en) 2012-05-15 2017-10-20 宝洁公司 With in texture area have texture than band part absorbent article
US9469091B2 (en) 2012-08-08 2016-10-18 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of making extensible web laminates
CN105705122B (en) 2013-11-05 2019-07-19 宝洁公司 Absorbent article with waistband
US9486368B2 (en) 2013-12-05 2016-11-08 Medline Industries, Inc. Disposable hygienic article with means for diagnostic testing
US9259364B2 (en) 2013-12-12 2016-02-16 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Package of folded disposable absorbent pants
US9375367B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2016-06-28 Medline Industries, Inc. Fastener for an absorbent article
JP2017510398A (en) 2014-03-06 2017-04-13 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー Multi-component top sheet
WO2015134375A1 (en) 2014-03-06 2015-09-11 The Procter & Gamble Company Multi-component topsheets
US10206826B2 (en) 2014-03-06 2019-02-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Three-dimensional substrates
US9622922B2 (en) 2014-04-21 2017-04-18 Medline Industries, Inc. Stretch breathable protective absorbent article using bilaminate
US10226388B2 (en) 2014-04-21 2019-03-12 Medline Industries, Inc. Stretch breathable protective absorbent article using tri-laminate
US20150297421A1 (en) * 2014-04-21 2015-10-22 Medline Industries, Inc. Stretch breathable protective absorbent article using tri-laminate
US20150297419A1 (en) * 2014-04-21 2015-10-22 Medline Industries, Inc. Stretch breathable protective absorbent article using bilaminate
EP3157486B1 (en) * 2014-06-17 2021-05-05 Medline Industries, Inc. Stretch breathable protective absorbent article using bilaminate
CN107072827A (en) 2014-09-09 2017-08-18 H.B.富乐公司 Disposable garment
RU2634678C1 (en) * 2014-09-26 2017-11-02 Кимберли-Кларк Ворлдвайд, Инк. Waist assembly for absorbent articles, containing layer with holes and layout without holes
US10857040B2 (en) 2014-12-11 2020-12-08 Attends Healthcare Products, Inc. Disposable absorbent garment having elastic sheet material and elastic strands
EP3240513B1 (en) 2014-12-31 2019-08-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having stretchable panels and method of making same
US10603402B2 (en) 2015-03-16 2020-03-31 H.B. Fuller Company Elastic adhesive composition and an elastic composite made with the same
US10973702B2 (en) 2015-08-26 2021-04-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent articles having three dimensional substrates and indicia
EP3429533B1 (en) 2016-03-18 2022-04-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus for advancing and folding an absorbent article
WO2017161213A1 (en) 2016-03-18 2017-09-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for advancing and folding an absorbent article
WO2018000410A1 (en) 2016-07-01 2018-01-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent articles with improved topsheet dryness
KR102537171B1 (en) 2017-06-09 2023-05-26 킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크. Absorbent article with elastomeric panels
US11389341B2 (en) * 2020-01-15 2022-07-19 Tailored Technologies, Inc. Incontinence pant and incontinence pant system
EP4205714A4 (en) 2020-10-02 2024-02-28 Zuiko Corp Wearable article manufacturing method and wearable article manufactured therewith

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5947948A (en) * 1994-02-28 1999-09-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with multiple zone structural elastic-like film web extensible leg flap panels
US6313372B1 (en) * 1994-01-18 2001-11-06 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Stretch-activated elastic composite
WO2002074213A1 (en) * 2001-03-15 2002-09-26 Daio Paper Corporation Paper diaper and method for manufacturing extensible sheet used in the diaper
WO2003039423A1 (en) 2001-11-02 2003-05-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having a body conforming absorbent composite

Family Cites Families (213)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US613241A (en) * 1898-11-01 Bethel burton
US2749912A (en) 1956-06-12 teitler
US1696909A (en) 1926-03-25 1929-01-01 Gillespie Nellie Combination abdominal supporter and girdle
US2166012A (en) 1938-02-03 1939-07-11 Maida Thomas La Garment
US2544620A (en) 1948-11-22 1951-03-06 Margaret E Steinert Diaper cover
US2748772A (en) 1954-11-01 1956-06-05 Titone Georgette Disposable combined pantie and sanitary napkin
US3098484A (en) 1961-01-03 1963-07-23 Mense Inc Catamenial pants
US3237625A (en) 1964-10-30 1966-03-01 Riegel Textile Corp Baby panty with hydrophobic lining
CH421025A (en) 1965-05-20 1966-09-30 Parravicini Flora Underpants
US3368563A (en) 1966-06-06 1968-02-13 Kendall & Co Panty with pile center panel
FR2182374A5 (en) 1972-04-28 1973-12-07 Textile Financ Auxiliair Knitted tights and briefs - with integrally knitted waistband
US4031568A (en) 1975-05-30 1977-06-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Legless panty
US4036233A (en) 1976-07-02 1977-07-19 Union Carbide Corporation Flexible waist diaper
US4327448A (en) 1977-07-12 1982-05-04 Lunt Audrey T Disposable non-woven shorts
US4388075A (en) 1977-12-20 1983-06-14 Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company Disposable diaper with wide elastic gathering means for improved comfort
US4227531A (en) 1978-06-12 1980-10-14 Mcleod Syble A Panty liner construction
SE425942C (en) 1979-07-02 1985-05-14 Moelnlycke Ab The disposable diaper
US4300967A (en) 1979-11-15 1981-11-17 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Methods and apparatus for elasticizing discrete areas of conformable garments
US4486192A (en) 1979-11-15 1984-12-04 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Conformable garments with discrete elasticized areas
US4450026A (en) 1979-12-21 1984-05-22 Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company Method of forming a conformable garment with "killed" elastic portions
US4355425A (en) 1980-02-01 1982-10-26 The Procter & Gamble Company Panty with a built-in elastic system to minimize gathering and provide a comfortable, conforming fit and method to assemble a panty
US4437860A (en) 1981-08-21 1984-03-20 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Disposable diaper with elasticized leg openings
US4507163A (en) 1981-08-27 1985-03-26 Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company Imparting an inelastic and elastic character to predetermined portions of an elastic web for use in making disposable diapers
US4710189A (en) 1983-03-18 1987-12-01 The Procter & Gamble Company Shaped disposable diapers with shaped elastically contractible waistbands
US4543154A (en) 1983-11-04 1985-09-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for severing a laminated web containing a dimensionally heat unstable layer to produce non-linear shirred edges
US4563185A (en) 1983-11-04 1986-01-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable diaper having elasticized waistband with non-linear severed edge
US4615695A (en) 1983-11-14 1986-10-07 Cooper Rosanna M Combination diaper training pant for children and adults
US4639949A (en) 1985-01-10 1987-02-03 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Elastic form-fitting closure constructions for disposable garments
US4681580A (en) 1985-03-29 1987-07-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable diapers with unitary waistshield and elastically expansible waistbands
US4720415A (en) 1985-07-30 1988-01-19 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Composite elastomeric material and process for making the same
US4663220A (en) 1985-07-30 1987-05-05 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Polyolefin-containing extrudable compositions and methods for their formation into elastomeric products including microfibers
US4756709A (en) 1985-09-06 1988-07-12 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Form-fitting self-adjusting disposable garment with a 3-section stretchable outer cover
CA1288201C (en) 1985-09-06 1991-09-03 Leona G. Boland Form-fitting self-adjusting disposable garment with fully integrated absorbent structure
US4610685A (en) 1985-09-09 1986-09-09 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Fibrous web with reinforced marginal portions, method for making the same and absorbent article incorporating the same
US4606964A (en) 1985-11-22 1986-08-19 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Bulked web composite and method of making the same
US4863779A (en) 1986-03-24 1989-09-05 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Composite elastomeric material
US4762521A (en) 1986-04-11 1988-08-09 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Absorbent garment with quilted and conformable absorbent pad
US4743241A (en) 1986-04-15 1988-05-10 Uni-Charm Corporation Disposable absorbent underpants
US4908247A (en) 1986-04-15 1990-03-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Article including segment which is elastically shirrable after manufacture
US4909804A (en) 1986-04-28 1990-03-20 Douglas Sr Herman Child's toilet training pants
JP2602221B2 (en) 1986-06-30 1997-04-23 ト−ヨ−衛材株式会社 Method of stretching and attaching thread-like or belt-like elastic body in sheet width direction
US4820572A (en) 1986-10-15 1989-04-11 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Composite elastomeric polyether block amide nonwoven web
US4789699A (en) 1986-10-15 1988-12-06 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Ambient temperature bondable elastomeric nonwoven web
US4724184A (en) 1986-10-15 1988-02-09 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Elastomeric polyether block amide nonwoven web
US4923742A (en) 1986-10-15 1990-05-08 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Elastomeric polyether block amide nonwoven web
US4707398A (en) 1986-10-15 1987-11-17 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Elastic polyetherester nonwoven web
US4741949A (en) 1986-10-15 1988-05-03 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Elastic polyetherester nonwoven web
US4770656A (en) 1986-12-31 1988-09-13 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Routing of leg elastic to reduce stresses in a stretchable outer diaper cover
US4872871A (en) 1986-12-31 1989-10-10 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Disposable absorbent garment having elastic outer cover and integrated absorbent insert structure
US4808176A (en) 1986-12-31 1989-02-28 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Elasticized waist integration member for disposable absorbent garments
US4747846A (en) 1987-04-03 1988-05-31 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Stretchable disposable absorbent undergarment
US4816026A (en) 1987-06-25 1989-03-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable diaper having an improved leg conforming cuff
EP0301431A1 (en) 1987-07-30 1989-02-01 Peaudouce Napkin with elastic bands extending longitudinally, and method for manufacturing this article
US4940464A (en) 1987-12-16 1990-07-10 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Disposable incontinence garment or training pant
CA1326328C (en) 1987-12-16 1994-01-25 Paul Theodore Van Gompel Disposable incontinence garment or training pant
AU2751588A (en) 1987-12-31 1989-07-06 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Disposable diaper having abdominal support band
US4968312A (en) 1988-06-03 1990-11-06 Sarbuland Khan Disposable fecal compartmenting diaper
US4895568A (en) 1988-08-18 1990-01-23 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Diaper liner with selectively elasticized portions
US4892536A (en) 1988-09-02 1990-01-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having elastic strands
US4981747A (en) 1988-09-23 1991-01-01 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Composite elastic material including a reversibly necked material
US5514470A (en) 1988-09-23 1996-05-07 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Composite elastic necked-bonded material
US5226992A (en) 1988-09-23 1993-07-13 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Process for forming a composite elastic necked-bonded material
US4938754A (en) 1989-05-10 1990-07-03 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Disposable diaper with improved body comformity and liquid retention
US5019066A (en) 1989-05-18 1991-05-28 The Proctor & Gamble Company Absorbent article having a waistpanel
FR2648344A1 (en) 1989-06-15 1990-12-21 Peaudouce Sa ELASTIC BELT PANTS
SE464109B (en) 1989-07-06 1991-03-11 Moelnlycke Ab ELASTIC MATERIAL AND ABSORBABLE SINGLE ARTICLES MANUFACTURED THEREOF
US6340782B1 (en) 1989-10-04 2002-01-22 Sca Hygiene Products Aktiebolag Method of securing an elastic band and an article that includes such an elastic band
JP2824856B2 (en) 1989-11-30 1998-11-18 王子製紙株式会社 Pants-type disposable diapers
JPH0813310B2 (en) 1989-12-04 1996-02-14 株式会社瑞光 Brief-type disposable diaper manufacturing method
JP2591682B2 (en) 1989-12-25 1997-03-19 株式会社瑞光 Brief-type disposable diaper manufacturing method
US5260126A (en) 1990-01-10 1993-11-09 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Low stress relaxation elastomeric nonwoven webs and fibers
US5169706A (en) 1990-01-10 1992-12-08 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Low stress relaxation composite elastic material
ATE118335T1 (en) 1990-05-16 1995-03-15 Pope & Talbot Co EDUCATIONAL PANTIES FOR CHILDREN AND PRODUCTION METHOD.
JP3033833B2 (en) 1990-05-24 2000-04-17 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Pants-type disposable wearing article
US5204997A (en) 1990-05-24 1993-04-27 Uni-Charm Corporation Disposable garments of pants type
JPH0489050A (en) 1990-07-31 1992-03-23 Oji Paper Co Ltd Pants type throwaway diaper
AU648112B2 (en) 1990-10-25 1994-04-14 Uni-Charm Corporation Disposable wearing article of pants type
SG30640G (en) 1991-03-01 1995-09-01 Kao Corp Diapers
JP3315993B2 (en) 1991-06-03 2002-08-19 花王株式会社 Disposable pants
CA2053105A1 (en) 1991-08-07 1993-02-08 Jody D. Suprise Disposable absorbent child's training pant with stretchable panels
CA2053106A1 (en) 1991-08-08 1993-02-09 Mary A. Bruemmer Disposable diaper enabling standing application with childproof fastening
US5690627A (en) 1991-08-22 1997-11-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with fit enhancement system
US5385775A (en) 1991-12-09 1995-01-31 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Composite elastic material including an anisotropic elastic fibrous web and process to make the same
SE508409C2 (en) 1992-03-04 1998-10-05 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Absorbent diaper pants
US5366793A (en) 1992-04-07 1994-11-22 Kimberly Clark Co Anisotropic nonwoven fibrous web
CA2145662C (en) 1992-09-28 1999-10-19 Sandra Hintz Clear Absorbent article with dynamic elastic feature comprising elasticized hip panels
CA2092581C (en) 1992-12-22 2003-10-14 Judith K. Faass Self-adhesive nonwoven elastic compressible composite material
CA2099842A1 (en) 1993-05-03 1994-11-04 Joanne Mary Lantz Absorbent article having an umbilical protection feature and an abbreviated absorbent structure
SE508027C2 (en) 1993-05-12 1998-08-10 Moelnlycke Ab Belt fastening device
SE508186C2 (en) 1993-05-12 1998-09-07 Moelnlycke Ab Fixing belt for garments of absorbent material
US5807368A (en) 1993-06-14 1998-09-15 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Disposable garment formed from an elastic film laminate
ES2130213T3 (en) 1993-07-16 1999-07-01 Procter & Gamble DIAPERS AS A BRAGA.
FR2709415B1 (en) * 1993-08-31 1996-03-29 Kimberly Clark Co Disposable period panties.
AU685833B2 (en) 1993-10-15 1998-01-29 Uni-Charm Corporation Disposable absorbent pad
EP0650714A1 (en) 1993-11-01 1995-05-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Method of making an absorbent article using an activatable composite elastic member
CN1114386C (en) 1993-11-19 2003-07-16 普罗克特和甘保尔公司 Absorbent article with structural elastic-like film web waist belt
US5476458A (en) 1993-12-22 1995-12-19 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Liquid-retaining absorbent garment and method of manufacture
US5624424A (en) 1994-02-25 1997-04-29 New Oji Paper Co., Ltd. Disposable diaper
SE508613C2 (en) 1994-04-12 1998-10-19 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab A method of making a pant diaper or a panty and such an absorbent article
US5545158A (en) 1994-06-23 1996-08-13 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Disposable absorbent garment and a continuous, selectively elasticized band joined there to
US5500063A (en) 1994-06-28 1996-03-19 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Method of joining an elastic band to a continuously moving partially elastic substrate
WO1996000551A1 (en) 1994-06-30 1996-01-11 Drypers Corporation Diaper with de-elasticized elastic and manufacturing method
CA2152119A1 (en) 1994-09-15 1996-03-16 Annamaria Cesco-Cancian Partially elastic, disposable absorbent pant having a substantially uniformly, fully gathered elastic waistborder
JPH10509748A (en) 1994-10-07 1998-09-22 ザ、プロクター、エンド、ギャンブル、カンパニー Adhesive composition, method and apparatus for producing them, and absorbent products containing said adhesive composition
EP0734242B1 (en) 1994-10-14 1999-07-21 Kao Corporation Shorts type disposable diaper
US5745922A (en) 1995-01-31 1998-05-05 Kimberly Clark Corporation Disposable garment and related manufacturing equipment and methods
US5660657A (en) 1995-01-31 1997-08-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Composite method for fabricating garments
SE508283C2 (en) 1995-02-02 1998-09-21 Moelnlycke Ab Absorbent pants
US5897547A (en) * 1995-02-16 1999-04-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with elastically extensible landing member
US5772649A (en) 1995-02-27 1998-06-30 Siudzinski; Betty S. Panel attachment for absorbent undergarments
CA2216447C (en) 1995-04-13 2001-11-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent articles for infants
US6551430B1 (en) * 1995-05-31 2003-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for making a training pant having a unitary waist elastic system
US5711832A (en) 1995-05-31 1998-01-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for making a training pant having a separate waist elastic system
US6336921B1 (en) 1995-05-31 2002-01-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Waist elastic system with improved elastic decay properties for a training pant
US5601547A (en) 1995-05-31 1997-02-11 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Waist elastic system with improved modulus of elasticity for a child's training pant
US5940887A (en) * 1995-06-07 1999-08-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Elasticized garment
AU712652C (en) 1995-07-14 2004-11-11 Uni-Charm Corporation Disposable absorbent undergarment of pants type
MY117986A (en) 1995-08-25 2004-08-30 Uni Charm Corp Disposable absorbent undergarment
US5827259A (en) 1995-10-25 1998-10-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with waist elastic and containment system
CA2166008A1 (en) 1995-12-18 1997-06-19 Daniel Richard Laux Absorbent article with improved elastic margins and containment system
US5846232A (en) 1995-12-20 1998-12-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article containing extensible zones
SE508214C2 (en) 1995-12-22 1998-09-14 Moelnlycke Ab Process for manufacturing resealable absorbent garments and absorbent garments thus obtained
AU3208597A (en) 1996-05-21 1997-12-09 Jps Elastomerics Corporation Elasticized absorbent products
US6336922B1 (en) 1996-06-19 2002-01-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having a fit panel
US5879500A (en) 1996-06-21 1999-03-09 Herrin; Robert M. Disposable undergarment forming apparatus and method of forming same
US6132409A (en) * 1996-08-29 2000-10-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Personal care article with aperture aligned for receiving fecal material
SE508102C2 (en) 1996-12-09 1998-08-24 Moelnlycke Ab Process for producing an intermittent elastic material web
KR20000069777A (en) 1996-12-30 2000-11-25 로날드 디. 맥크레이 Improved Composite Elastic Material and Process for Producing the Same
US6187425B1 (en) 1996-12-30 2001-02-13 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Elastic materials with improved performance at body temperature
SE513388C2 (en) 1997-05-29 2000-09-04 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Carrier arrangement for an absorbent article and combination of the carrier arrangement and the absorbent article
US5932497A (en) 1997-09-15 1999-08-03 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Breathable elastic film and laminate
CA2273284C (en) 1997-10-03 2009-12-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. High performance elastic composite materials made from high molecular weight thermoplastic triblock elastomers
US6193701B1 (en) 1997-12-31 2001-02-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Personal care article having zones with different resistance-to stretch
US6129720A (en) 1997-12-31 2000-10-10 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Extensible absorbent article including an extensible absorbent pad layer
JP3398047B2 (en) * 1998-04-24 2003-04-21 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Disposable pants-type diapers
US6264641B1 (en) 1998-05-07 2001-07-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Expandable cover garment
US6132410A (en) * 1998-05-07 2000-10-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable garment having dryness barriers with expandable attachment to an absorbent
JPH11318978A (en) 1998-05-14 1999-11-24 Oji Paper Co Ltd Shorts type disposable diaper
AU7800998A (en) 1998-05-28 1999-12-13 Procter & Gamble Company, The Disposable panttype diaper for improved application to wearer's body
TR200003491T2 (en) 1998-05-28 2001-06-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable panties type diaper that fits better on the body
AU7801098A (en) 1998-05-28 1999-12-13 Procter & Gamble Company, The Disposable panttype diaper having side and waist elastomeric material
WO1999060972A1 (en) 1998-05-28 1999-12-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable panttype diaper having zone of extensibility
TR200101818T2 (en) 1998-05-28 2002-06-21 The@Procter@@@Gamble@Company
US6478785B1 (en) * 1998-05-28 2002-11-12 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable pant-type diaper having enhanced extensibility around waist opening
US20040082933A1 (en) * 1998-06-12 2004-04-29 Hamzeh Karami Absorbent articles having improved fastening system
US6322552B1 (en) 1998-06-19 2001-11-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles having belt loops and an adjustable belt
BR9912002A (en) 1998-07-10 2001-04-10 Kimberly Clark Co Intimate disposable pants including skewed absorbent core
US6248097B1 (en) 1998-08-06 2001-06-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with more conformable elastics
AU773323B2 (en) 1998-12-18 2004-05-20 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Refastenable and adjustable fastener system for diaper
AR022136A1 (en) 1998-12-28 2002-09-04 Kimberly Clark Co A FILM MATERIAL OR FILM OF ELASTOMERO CELLULAR WITH CAPACITY TO BREATHE WITH CELLS CREATED IN THE SAME THROUGH A CELL OPENING AGENT AND THE METHOD TO PRODUCE SUCH MATERIAL
US6135975A (en) 1999-02-01 2000-10-24 Leading Lady, Inc. Surgical chest dressing
US6217563B1 (en) * 1999-02-12 2001-04-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Three-dimensional, inward leg gather disposable garment
US6387471B1 (en) 1999-03-31 2002-05-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Creep resistant composite elastic material with improved aesthetics, dimensional stability and inherent latency and method of producing same
JP4173598B2 (en) 1999-03-31 2008-10-29 株式会社リブドゥコーポレーション Disposable pants
US6572601B2 (en) 1999-06-04 2003-06-03 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable absorbent articles having an adjustable, pretensioned waistband fastening system
JP4421012B2 (en) 1999-06-16 2010-02-24 株式会社瑞光 Disposable pants and manufacturing method thereof
US6465073B1 (en) 1999-06-30 2002-10-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Variable stretch material and process to make it
JP3519025B2 (en) 1999-07-27 2004-04-12 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Disposable wearing items
US6570056B1 (en) 1999-08-27 2003-05-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having zoned directional stretching
JP3576045B2 (en) 1999-08-30 2004-10-13 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Pants-type disposable diapers
US6361527B1 (en) 1999-10-21 2002-03-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Three-dimensional pocket garment
US6551294B1 (en) 1999-12-17 2003-04-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Disposable absorbent articles having a stretch panel and an integrated waist size adjustment mechanism
US6541679B2 (en) 2000-03-10 2003-04-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwode, Inc. Composite and absorbent article comprising ultrasonics-friendly adhesive, and method of making same
US6482278B1 (en) * 2000-03-29 2002-11-19 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Pants type diaper and method for producing same
US20020046802A1 (en) 2000-08-04 2002-04-25 Ikuo Tachibana Method for manufacturing disposable worn article
US20020007148A1 (en) 2000-05-15 2002-01-17 May Raymond Jeffrey Garment having integrated zone of elastic tension aligned with an opening
US20020009940A1 (en) 2000-05-15 2002-01-24 May Raymond Jeffrey Targeted elastic laminate having zones of different polymer materials
US8182457B2 (en) 2000-05-15 2012-05-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Garment having an apparent elastic band
US20020007164A1 (en) 2000-05-15 2002-01-17 Boggs Lavada Campbell Garment having gasket with integrated zone of elastic tension and/or stretch
US6833179B2 (en) 2000-05-15 2004-12-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Targeted elastic laminate having zones of different basis weights
US20020019616A1 (en) 2000-05-15 2002-02-14 Thomas Oomman Painumoottil Elastomeric laminate with film and strands suitable for a nonwoven garment
US20020119722A1 (en) 2000-05-15 2002-08-29 Welch Howard M. Elastic stranded laminate with adhesive bonds and method of manufacture
US6969441B2 (en) 2000-05-15 2005-11-29 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing laminated articles
JP3699331B2 (en) 2000-05-26 2005-09-28 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Pants-type disposable wearing articles
US7329245B2 (en) 2000-07-19 2008-02-12 Daio Paper Corporation Disposable paper diaper and method of attaching expansible members of the disposable paper diaper
JP3734694B2 (en) 2000-09-01 2006-01-11 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Pants-type disposable diapers
JP2002065734A (en) 2000-09-04 2002-03-05 Kao Corp Shorts-type disposable diaper
JP4197835B2 (en) 2000-10-04 2008-12-17 花王株式会社 Absorbent articles
JP3929249B2 (en) 2001-02-27 2007-06-13 花王株式会社 Disposable diaper manufacturing method
US20020177829A1 (en) 2001-03-01 2002-11-28 Fell David Arthur Disposable underpants and method
JP3862510B2 (en) 2001-03-15 2006-12-27 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Continuous production method for pants-type diapers
JP3696115B2 (en) 2001-04-06 2005-09-14 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Disposable diapers
JP3875507B2 (en) 2001-04-06 2007-01-31 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Disposable diapers
JP3916878B2 (en) 2001-04-12 2007-05-23 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Disposable pants-type diapers
US20020169432A1 (en) 2001-05-14 2002-11-14 Fell David A. Absorbent garment with expandable absorbent element
US6605070B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2003-08-12 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having selectively changeable size adjustment
US7297139B2 (en) 2001-07-05 2007-11-20 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Refastenable absorbent garment
US7207979B2 (en) 2001-07-05 2007-04-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Refastenable absorbent garment
SE519784C2 (en) 2001-08-30 2003-04-08 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Absorbent articles with belt parts attached to them and a belt for such absorbent articles
US6730188B2 (en) 2001-09-14 2004-05-04 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for assembling refastenable absorbent garments
US6743321B2 (en) 2001-09-14 2004-06-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method and apparatus for assembling refastenable absorbent garments
US20030055389A1 (en) * 2001-09-14 2003-03-20 Sanders Donald J. Method and apparatus for assembling refastenable absorbent garment
EP1300124B1 (en) 2001-09-28 2012-03-21 Kao Corporation Shorts type disposable diaper
US20040045924A1 (en) * 2001-11-09 2004-03-11 Masanori Naritomi Leak stop plug against needle piercing and method of manufacturing the leak stop plug
US7662138B2 (en) * 2001-12-28 2010-02-16 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Absorbent article
JP4153725B2 (en) * 2002-05-22 2008-09-24 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Pants-type diapers
BR0303717A (en) 2002-08-22 2005-04-26 Zuiko Corp Method and apparatus for producing garments
JP4116845B2 (en) 2002-08-30 2008-07-09 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Pants-type disposable wearing articles
US8043273B2 (en) * 2002-12-19 2011-10-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable undergarment with a stretchable absorbent insert and method for the use thereof
US20040116887A1 (en) * 2002-12-12 2004-06-17 Thorson Russell E. Disposable undergarment with a gathered crotch member and method for the manufacture thereof
US7347914B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2008-03-25 Zuiko Corporation Method for producing an article having an elastic bonded between two webs
JP4482457B2 (en) 2002-12-18 2010-06-16 株式会社瑞光 Method for producing disposable wearing article
US7855316B2 (en) * 2002-12-20 2010-12-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Preferentially stretchable laminates with perforated layers
US7727217B2 (en) * 2002-12-20 2010-06-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc Absorbent article with unitary elastomeric waistband with multiple extension zones
US8257333B2 (en) * 2002-12-20 2012-09-04 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with an elastic waistband having a preferred ratio of elastic to non-elastic materials
US20040210205A1 (en) * 2003-04-15 2004-10-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable pant-like undergarment
US7018369B2 (en) * 2003-05-30 2006-03-28 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable pant-like undergarment having an elastic band adjacent the waist opening
US20040243085A1 (en) * 2003-05-30 2004-12-02 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable absorbent article having an integral waistband
US20050004549A1 (en) 2003-07-01 2005-01-06 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable pant-like undergarment
US7635360B2 (en) * 2003-07-22 2009-12-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method for the manufacture of a disposable undergarment having a cutout
US20050107763A1 (en) * 2003-11-19 2005-05-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable pull-on garment
US7264686B2 (en) 2003-12-12 2007-09-04 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of forming a waist band on an absorbent article
US7108759B2 (en) * 2003-12-19 2006-09-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method for improved bond strength in an elastomeric material

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6313372B1 (en) * 1994-01-18 2001-11-06 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Stretch-activated elastic composite
US5947948A (en) * 1994-02-28 1999-09-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with multiple zone structural elastic-like film web extensible leg flap panels
WO2002074213A1 (en) * 2001-03-15 2002-09-26 Daio Paper Corporation Paper diaper and method for manufacturing extensible sheet used in the diaper
EP1374814A1 (en) * 2001-03-15 2004-01-02 Daio Paper Corporation Paper diaper and method for manufacturing extensible sheet used in the diaper
WO2003039423A1 (en) 2001-11-02 2003-05-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having a body conforming absorbent composite

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8167861B2 (en) 2003-12-31 2012-05-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable garment with stretchable absorbent assembly
US7993319B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2011-08-09 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having an absorbent structure configured for improved donning of the article
US8246594B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2012-08-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having an absorbent structure configured for improved donning and lateral stretch distribution
US8603058B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2013-12-10 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article having an absorbent structure configured for improved donning and lateral stretch distribution
WO2006007008A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent garments with tailored stretch properties in the lateral direction
US8066685B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2011-11-29 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Stretchable absorbent article having lateral and longitudinal stretch properties
US8377023B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2013-02-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent garments with tailored stretch properties in the lateral direction
US8491556B2 (en) 2005-12-15 2013-07-23 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent garments with multipart liner having varied stretch properties
EP2376048A2 (en) * 2008-12-30 2011-10-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for making disposable absorbent garments employing elastomeric film laminates with deactivated regions
EP2376048A4 (en) * 2008-12-30 2012-07-18 Kimberly Clark Co Process for making disposable absorbent garments employing elastomeric film laminates with deactivated regions
EP3212143B1 (en) 2014-10-29 2018-12-19 Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag A pant-type absorbent article comprising an elastic laminate

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20090326499A1 (en) 2009-12-31
AR044032A1 (en) 2005-08-24
US9433539B2 (en) 2016-09-06
AU2004244952B2 (en) 2009-10-29
EP1628612A1 (en) 2006-03-01
KR101084867B1 (en) 2011-11-21
AU2004244952A1 (en) 2004-12-16
US7604624B2 (en) 2009-10-20
EP1628612B1 (en) 2013-09-18
TW200425879A (en) 2004-12-01
CA2525897A1 (en) 2004-12-16
TWI234453B (en) 2005-06-21
MXPA05012393A (en) 2006-02-02
BRPI0410409A (en) 2006-05-30
KR20060015257A (en) 2006-02-16
BRPI0410409B1 (en) 2021-01-19
US8147476B2 (en) 2012-04-03
US20140128830A1 (en) 2014-05-08
US20040243089A1 (en) 2004-12-02
US20120157956A1 (en) 2012-06-21
BRPI0410409B8 (en) 2021-06-22
US8664469B2 (en) 2014-03-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9433539B2 (en) Disposable absorbent article with overlapping absorbent assembly secured to front and back panels
AU2004244955B2 (en) A disposable pant-like undergarment having an elastic band adjacent the waist opening
US20040243085A1 (en) Disposable absorbent article having an integral waistband
KR101116578B1 (en) Method of forming a waist band on an absorbent article
US20060173436A1 (en) Disposable absorbent article having a waist opening with a scalloped edge
US20040210205A1 (en) Disposable pant-like undergarment
EP2032106B1 (en) A three-piece disposable absorbent article having an absorbent with cross-direction flexibility

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2525897

Country of ref document: CA

Ref document number: 1020057021801

Country of ref document: KR

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: PA/a/2005/012393

Country of ref document: MX

Ref document number: 2004244952

Country of ref document: AU

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2004785653

Country of ref document: EP

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2004244952

Country of ref document: AU

Date of ref document: 20040319

Kind code of ref document: A

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2004244952

Country of ref document: AU

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1020057021801

Country of ref document: KR

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2004785653

Country of ref document: EP

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: PI0410409

Country of ref document: BR