CZ69299A3 - Sanitary towel having wings with differently tough zones - Google Patents

Abstract

The sanitary napkin has an elongate central absorbent element with opposed longitudinal fifth wheel couplings and opposed transverse ends and a pair of swiveling ailerons fixed to the longitudinal fifth wheel couplings of the central absorbent element along the link line. Each wing has a resilient region (11) adjacent to the joint line and a reinforced area (12) that is continuous with the resilient portion (11) and extends laterally outwardly of the resilient portion (11). The reinforced portion (12) has resistance to lateral compression forces, resistance to longitudinal compression forces, and resistance to lateral compression forces greater than longitudinal compression forces.

Description

A sanitary napkin having an ehiepma with different stiff zones

Technical field

The present invention relates to an absorbent article for absorbing body fluids, and more particularly to a sanitary napkin having laterally extending flaps that are fixed to and extending laterally from the napkin. The flaps are provided with zones of varying stiffness which, when folded over the crotch region of the wearer's undergarment, create a preferential bending zone on the flap that defines a longitudinally extending bending region adjacent the joint line between the flap and the main absorbent body of the absorbent pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sanitary napkins having side flaps (also referred to in the art as tabs, ailerons, or side panels) and adapted to fold over the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment are known in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,343 (McNair), US 4,589, 876 (Van Tilburg) and US 4,608,047 (Mattingly). The McNair patent discloses sanitary napkins having flaps that are relatively inelastic and have a single flexible axis in which the flaps are fixed to the edges of the sanitary napkin.

The Van Tilburg and Mattingly patent discloses sanitary napkins having flexible side flaps. Van Tilburg further states that the flexible flaps have two bending axes to serve as bending lines, with each flap having a first one.

01-457-99 English · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ··· a bending axis in the joint line in which the flap is fixed to the body of the sanitary napkin, and a second longitudinally extending bending axis formed on the flap laterally from the joint line. The purpose of providing the flaps with these folding axes is to provide the flaps with the ability to bend upwardly from the first folding axis, towards the wearer ' s groin, and then downwardly from the second folding axis over the wearer's undergarment. The second bending axis is to form a seal abutting the body of the user.

Flexible flaps have been found to pose problems in placing the liner in the crotch portion of the undergarment, where the flaps often fold over each other, causing the adhesive-flap areas to stick together and render the liner unusable. In addition, it has been found that with flexible flaps the user has difficulty controlling the moment when the flaps fold over the edge of the undergarment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a new sanitary napkin having side flaps that attach to the garment more easily than conventional sanitary napkins.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sanitary napkin having side flaps that remain more stable to the wearer ' s undergarments during use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sanitary napkin having side flaps that have increased toughness and resistance to deformation caused by the lateral thigh pressure of the wearer during use.

• · · · ·

01-457-99 Če

The novel sanitary napkin of the present invention comprises a topsheet, a bottom liquid-impermeable layer, and an absorbent core that is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the topsheet and the backsheet being joined to each other along their peripheral edges to enclose the absorbent core. The sanitary napkin further comprises first and second longitudinal sidewalls, first and second transverse sidewalls and side flaps that laterally extend from the longitudinal sidewalls along the flap joint line and the longitudinal sidewall of the sanitary napkin, each side flap having a flexible portion adjacent the flap joint line, and a distal region that extends laterally outwardly from a nearby flexible portion. The distal portion comprises a reinforced portion having increased resistance to lateral compression forces over the flexible portion of the flap.

Brief description of the pictures

Giant. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin according to the invention;

Giant. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane

2-2 FIG. 1;

Giant. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention;

Giant. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention;

Giant. 5 is a view of a portion of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1, 3 or 4 while being placed in the crotch portion of the user;

* ·

01-457-99 Če

Giant. 6 is a plan view of a flap having a reinforced portion in the form of a relief pattern;

Giant. 7 is a plan view of a flap having a reinforced portion in the form of another relief pattern;

Giant. 8 is a plan view of a flap having a reinforced portion in the form of another relief pattern;

Giant. 9 is a plan view of a flap having a reinforced portion in the form of another relief pattern;

Giant. 10 is a bottom view of a sanitary napkin having flaps fixed to the barrier layer such that they extend from the longitudinal sidewall inwards;

Giant. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

Giant. 12 is a view of a portion of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 10 while being placed in the crotch portion of the user;

Giant. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention.

As already mentioned, the invention relates to a novel sanitary napkin having a pair of opposing laterally extending flaps fixed to individual longitudinal sidewalls along or adjacent to the joint line, each flap having zones of different stiffness that form lateral stiffness in the distal region of each flap, and a flexible portion in the proximal region of the flap that provides a bending zone in the proximal region adjacent the line of flap-liner joint. Valves, «·

01-457-99 which have zones of varying stiffness, provide enhanced control when the user folds the flaps over the crotch portion of the underwear. In particular, when the flap is wrapped around the elastic edges of the panty, it does not bend in a single fold line, but the fold actually takes place in a certain section, which is determined by the thickness of the panty edge (or elastic rim) and the crotch contour. Due to the shape of the panties, the flap bends first in the longitudinal direction, but certain components also bend in a transverse direction in some way. As used herein, the term " longitudinal direction " refers to bending that takes place particularly in the longitudinal direction. The reinforced flap region of the invention provides greater control when folding the flaps over the edges of the undergarment, and the flexible portion of the flap allows the tab to fold more smoothly over the edges of the panties when the flaps fold over the edges of the undergarment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, zones of varying stiffness will provide lateral stiffening of the flap but will not increase the longitudinal stiffness of the flap.

The invention thus provides a novel sanitary napkin having flaps that are fixed or otherwise attached to the longitudinal sidewalls of the central absorbent element of the sanitary napkin and which have zones of varying rigidity. Giant. 1 shows a sanitary napkin 1 according to the invention having a longitudinal main body 2 having a longitudinal centerline 25, opposite longitudinal sidewalls 26 and opposite transverse end regions 27 and two flaps 3, each flap extending laterally from the central region of each longitudinal sidewall 26.

Referring to FIG. 2, the main body 2 is made in a layered manner and generally comprises, from top to bottom, an upper, body-oriented, flexible, liquid-containing.

01-457-99 The permeable cover layer 5, the optional transport layer (not shown), the absorbent layer 2 ^and the garment-facing, flexible, liquid-impermeable barrier layer 10. The flaps 3 have a barrier layer 10a which is preferably a continuation of the barrier The barrier layer 10 is provided with a longitudinally extending adhesive strip 14 for fixing the main body 2 to the wearer's undergarments. The barrier layer 10a is also provided with adhesive pads 15 for attaching the flaps 3 to the underside of the wearer ' s undergarments, which provide additional securing of the sanitary napkin 1 against movement and release from the wearer ' s undergarments. It is common to provide adhesive tapes 14 and adhesive pads 15 with a temporary protective layer consisting of a silicone coated paper 20.

The cover layer 5 may be any flexible, liquid-permeable layer made of materials comprising a woven or nonwoven fabric or a perforated polymeric film.

An optional transport layer (not shown) may be placed below the cover layer 5 and preferably has a porous structure with a large free volume that is capable of rapidly absorbing liquid. The transfer layer may be made of cellulose fibers, rayon, polypropylene fibers, polyester fibers, polyethylene fibers, bicomponent fibers and the like, and combinations thereof. The ability of the transport layer to rapidly absorb liquid from the cover layer 5 prevents the body extrudate from forming lozenges on the cover layer 5 and reduces the likelihood that body exudates will flow past the sidewalls of the sanitary napkin 10. The transfer layer is preferably adhered, thermally welded or otherwise fixed to the cover

01-457-99 to the layer 5 lying above this layer and to the absorbent layer 9 lying below this layer.

The absorbent layer 9 may be made of cellulose wadding, sphagnum moss, superabsorbent polymers, synthetic fibers and the like, and combinations thereof. This layer provides intrinsic absorption and retention of the absorbed liquid. Thus, while the transport layer provides rapid absorption of liquid from the surface of the liner, the absorbent layer 2 more slowly absorbs and entrains liquid from the transport layer.

The barrier layer 10 may be made of any resilient, liquid impermeable material, preferably polyethylene. This layer lies below the absorbent layer 9 and is liquid impermeable. Thus, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent layer 9 cannot escape from the absorbent structure on the wearer's undergarments (not shown).

As can be seen from FIG. 1, 3 and 4, in the manufacture of the sanitary napkin 1, the barrier layer 10 and the cover layer 5 are generally cut into substantially equal pieces having areas of an elongated main body that are slightly wider and longer than the transport layer (not shown), and the absorbent layer 9, and the laterally extending flaps (3) discussed above. The sanitary napkin 1 is closed along its edges, preferably by a continuous thermal or adhesive joint 16, between the barrier layer 10 and the cover layer 5, thereby forming a skirt 36. This joint is preferably also formed along the outer periphery of the flaps 3, along the outer peripheral edge of the main body 2 and optionally between the main body 2 and the flaps 3 (not shown), thereby forming a continuous closed line around the transport layer (not shown) and the absorbent layer 9.

01-457-99 Če

Α · · ·· ·

The flaps 3 have a length dimension which is defined as the length of the portion extending from the main body 2 of the sanitary napkin 1 laterally outward, substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 25 of the sanitary napkin, and measured from the line of the joint 29. wherein the flap is fixed to the insert up to the distal end 33 of the free projecting flap. The flaps 3 also have a width dimension which extends in the plane of the flap in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline 25 of the insert and generally perpendicular to the length dimension of the flap. The flaps 3 have zones of varying stiffness that include a resilient portion 11 adjacent and laterally extending outwardly from the joint line 29 and a stiffened portion 12 adjacent and extending laterally outwardly from the resilient portion 11 to the distal end 33 of the flap 3.

The elastic portion 11 of the flap 3 has a length that extends along the entire line of the joint 29 of the flap 3 and the main body 2 in the proximal region of the flap 3. The elastic portion 11 has a width that extends from the line of the joint 29 to the reinforced portion 12. to allow the resilient portion 11 to form a smooth curve when folded over the edge of the undergarment. The width of the resilient portion 11 is preferably greater than about 1 mm and generally ranges from about 1 to 25 mm, preferably from 2 mm to 10 mm.

The stiffened portion 12 of the flap 3 overlaps substantially the entire body of the flap 3, of course, except for the elastic portion 11. The stiffened portion 12 may not extend to opposite transverse edges or distal edge 33 of the flap, but may end somewhat in front of that edge, provided retain their increased lateral stiffness on a substantial portion of the flap. The reinforced portion 12 may terminate with the elastic portion 11 substantially in a straight line as shown in FIG. 3, which is in · ··· · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

01-457-99 English substantially parallel to the line of connection 29 or preferably may be terminated by an arc line, as shown in FIG. 4, which allows the flap 3 to more easily conform to the curved shape of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment. In a most preferred embodiment, the absorbent core is substantially hourglass-shaped, i. wider transverse end regions 27 and narrower central regions with arcuate longitudinal sides and regions of increased stiffness terminated by an arcuate line that is substantially parallel to the arcuate longitudinal sides of the absorbent core. Preferably, the reinforced portion 12 extends over the entire width of the flap. The reinforced portion 12 may be continuous or discontinuous, provided, of course, that the discontinuous regions do not form a second preferential bending zone over the length of the flap.

The stiffened portion 12 of the flap 2 has a higher resistance to lateral compression forces than the elastic portion 11. The stiffened region 12 should have a lateral pressure resistance which is generally 1.5 to 200 times greater than the lateral pressure resistance of the elastic portion 11 of the flap 3 and preferably 1.5 to 50 times greater, and most preferably 2 to 8 times greater. The relative stiffness or elasticity of the flap pressure resistance can be characterized by a measured bending resistance, which can be measured using a Genuine Gurley Bending Resistance / Stiffness Tester, Model 4171 D, commercially available from Gurley Precision Instruments, Inc. Troy, New York. When samples of the reinforced flap portion 12 of the present invention were evaluated on this apparatus, then the 2.52 cm x 5.04 cm samples had a bending resistance of 0.75 g to about 250 g, preferably 2 to 50 g, and most preferably 5 to 20 g. Using the same procedure, the resilient flap portion 11 of the invention had a bending resistance of 0.5 g to 8 g and preferably about 3 g.

01-457-99 Če • · ··· · • 9 • · 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 9 9 • · • · • · • 9 9 99 99 9 9 · • ·· · • · • 9 99 9 9 • · As regards Giant. 3 and 4, reinforced part 12 can where appropriate include set of individual reinforced parts 12 that are separated laterally extending spring axes 13, for example in a striped pattern two or

a plurality of strips of reinforced portion 12 extending substantially over the length dimension of the flap. By detaching the reinforced portions 12 across the width of the flap, the distal end of the flap resists the pressure exerted by the lateral compression forces and at the same time resilient along the flap width (i.e., does not inhibit longitudinal deformation of the sanitary napkin 1). This embodiment allows the sanitary napkin 1 to easily conform to the wearer's body when placed in the crotch portion of the wearer's underwear, while providing resistance to lateral compression forces. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the reinforced flap portion 12 is freely resilient along its width, but resists bending along its length. In this method, not only does each flap preferably bend in the resilient portion 11 adjacent the line of joint 29 between the flap and the main absorbent body of the insert and resist lateral bending in the reinforced portion 12 of the flap 3, but is also resilient in the longitudinal direction of the insert. As shown in FIG. 13, the resilient portion 11 of the flap 3 may optionally include one or more strips of reinforcing material oriented over the width of the flap 3. These strips of reinforcing material provide bending resistance in the direction oriented over the width of the flap 3, but have not in the flexible part 11.

The stiffened portion 12 of the flap 3 can be formed by incorporating any material into the flap that will increase the stiffness of the flap over areas of the flap that do not contain the material. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, tissue paper, nonwoven fabric,

01-457-99 Polymeric film, pneumatically laid pulp, polymeric foam, pressure-sensitive adhesive, embossing, etc., and combinations thereof. The added materials are preferably flexible enough to not cause discomfort to the sanitary napkin wearer and will generally range in thickness from about 0.02 mm to 2 mm, preferably from about 0.025 mm to 0.25 mm. Although it is preferred that non-wicking materials are incorporated into the flap, since the material does not come into contact with body fluids, it is also possible to use materials that collapse upon exposure to moisture. It is also preferred that the materials incorporated in the flaps 3 be flexible. The elasticity of the distal regions of the flaps 3, if the flaps 3 fold over the wearer's undergarments and fixed to the undergarment by the central region of the absorbent pad, will then provide the pad more resilient to lateral compression forces, which is better able to regenerate. In other words, since the lateral compression forces of the user's thighs on the central region of the sanitary napkin, the elastic material in the flaps, when folded and fixed to the napkin, allows the sanitary napkin 1 to better retain its original shape and reduce destruction of the napkin material. crushing, twisting).

When constructing a sanitary napkin 1 having flaps 3 with zones of varying stiffness, it is important to determine where to place the elastic region 11 and the stiffened region 12 on the flap. By controlling the position of the preferential bending region on the flap relative to the central absorbent element to the edges of the central absorbent element and keep them in this position. This means that the closer the two opposing elastic zones are closer, the more the flaps 3 tend to summarize • ·· ·

9 9 9

999 999

01-457-99 Ce of the garment toward the longitudinal centerline 25 of the sanitary napkin. It is generally known in the art that average underwear has a mean crotch width of approximately 7.5 cm. It is also known that the crotch portion of the undergarment extends substantially towards the front and back. The distance between the preferential bending regions formed by the elastic region 11 in the opposedly attached flaps 3 is preferably about 7 to 8.5 cm. It has been found that in an absorbent article with opposed flaps 3 having zones of varying stiffness in which the elastic portions 11 of each respective flap are spaced apart by approximately 7 to 8.5 cm, the flaps 3 more easily fold the wider portions of the undergarment into center, to the longitudinal sidewalls 26 of the insert. The flaps 3 of the article may be fixed around the side edges of the undergarment and adhesively fixed below the absorbent element of the liner and not below the adjacent flap portion, as shown in FIG. 5. It has also been found that providing the flaps with 3 zones of varying stiffness helps to facilitate attachment, reduces the folding and squeezing of the flaps, thereby helping to hold the flaps in place in the crotch portion of the undergarment.

Referring to FIG. 6 to 9, in another embodiment of the invention, the flaps 3 are provided with zones of varying stiffness which are formed by relief of the distal end regions of the flaps 3 in a pattern in which relief 40 starts off the line 29, preferably 2 mm to 25 mm; The relief 40 is preferably terminated slightly in front of the distal edge of the flap, more preferably approximately 2 mm to 10 mm from the distal edge of the flap. A preferred embossing pattern is a series of loops 41 that begin next to the resilient portion 11 and extend outwardly to the distal edge.

• · ·

• ·

01-457-99 and the flaps are curved back toward the resilient portion 11 where they terminate.

In another embodiment of the invention, the central absorbent core has a width that exceeds the width of the user ' s large pubic lips. Although the width of the large labia may vary considerably from one user to another, it has been found that the width of the absorbent core at least 70 mm, preferably about 75 mm, generally exceeds the width of the large labia of most users, 5 cm. The flaps 3 according to the invention, when used on sanitary napkins 7 having a core width of at least 70 mm and when used in conventional panty, will more easily fold over the crotch portion of the panty and fix more easily than conventional sanitary napkin with flaps as discussed above. since the flap elastic portion 11 determines where the flap folds. Thus, the flaps 3 may be adapted to secure them to the underside of the wearer ' s undergarments in an area below the absorbent element and not under the adjacent flap portion. A core width of at least 70 mm sufficiently separates the resilient portion 11 of the flaps 3 to reduce or eliminate the tension that is applied to the flaps 2 by the side edges of the wearer's undergarments (which often contain an elastic member). user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent article has an absorbent element comprising an upper garment facing layer 5, a garment facing base layer 10, and an absorbent core disposed between the facing layer 5 and the barrier layer 10, as defined above.

01-457-99 · Če φ φ Če Če Če Če Če «« «« «« «« «« «« φ φ φ φ φ

ΦΦΦΦΦ <φ φφ wherein said absorbent element further comprises at least one locking element. More specifically, the absorbent element has a central region, a first or front end region, and a second or rear end region. The central region has longitudinal edges that are identical to the edges of the absorbent element, and the first and second mutually opposed distal ends are defined by an area sufficient to at least cover the female vaginal atrium and the large labia. The first or front end region extends from the first distal end of the central portion and is adapted to overlap at least a portion of the pubic bump in use. The second or rear end region extends from the second distal end of the central region and is adapted to overlap at least a portion of the rear dam in use. The absorbent element has at least one securing means disposed in at least one of the end regions of the absorbent element, i.e. either in the first end region or in the second end region or in both the first and second end regions. Still referring to FIG. 1, the securing means comprises a reinforced element 50 and a non-reinforced region 51. The non-reinforced region 51 is adjacent the distal end of the central region and is located between the central region and the reinforced element 50. The reinforced element 50 is positioned internally from the transverse and longitudinal edges and the distal end of the absorbent element. The non-reinforced region 51 extends transversely across the end region, generally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent product, to the central longitudinal axis of the absorbent product, from one longitudinal edge of the absorbent element to the opposite longitudinal edge of the absorbent element. The reinforcing element 50 extends transversely across the end region, generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the absorbent article, at least at their intersection with this axis and centrally occupies at least 50% of the width of the absorbent article.

01-457-99 Ce element. The stiffening element 50 resists transverse folding in use, i. it has a higher resistance to lateral compression forces than the non-reinforced region 51. The combination of the reinforced element 50 and the non-reinforced region 51, in use, allows the end region of the absorbent product to be folded in the longitudinal direction. The reinforced element 50 may also act as a barrier to liquid wicking and conduct liquid so that it is retained only in the absorbent element. Thus, the locking member provides a bending axis that is identical to the transverse axis of the liner, bending resistance and compression in a direction perpendicular to that axis, i. along the longitudinal axis of the liner, and a relatively uncompressed region that can swell outward and conform to the body of the wearer. Optionally, the reinforced element 50 may be adapted to prevent fluid from flowing over the edges of the insert. The reinforcing element 50 may itself be a flexible means or may include a separate flexible means, for example a relief channel, or may include a projection, folds, slit, bending element or weakened area that provides a bending axis identical to the bending axis of such bending means and also provides reinforcement and resistance to compression in the transverse direction to the bending axis.

Optionally, the central region may comprise one or more reinforcing means, such as an absorbent material, an insert comprising sphagnum moss, a component having an embossed channel therein that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and combinations thereof. The extruded channels are preferably located between the central longitudinal axis and the longitudinal edge, provided, of course, that the reinforcing means in the central region is separated from the reinforcing element 50 in the end region.

01-457-99 • · Če Če Če Če Če Če Če · · Če · · Če · ·

The reinforcing means keeps the center of the absorbent element in a relatively straight profile along the longitudinal axis and resists bending of the absorbent element in a direction perpendicular to this axis, so that it effectively adheres to the user's body in this region, resists transverse bending and folding. In a most preferred embodiment, the central region, as compared to the end regions of the absorbent element, comprises another absorbent material having a pair of embossed arcuate channels therein and which forms a reinforced central region and a locking means disposed in both end regions of the absorbent element. Preferably, the flap width dimension is equal to or greater than the length of the extruded channel. The preferred length of the extruded channel is approximately 75 mm.

Referring to FIG. 10 to 12, in another embodiment of the invention, flaps 3 having zones of varying rigidity are fixed to the barrier layer 10 of the sanitary napkin 1, internally from the longitudinal side edges 26 of the napkin. In this embodiment, the elastic portion 11 and the reinforced portion 12 allow the user to more easily fold or hold the edges of the undergarment internally from the longitudinal side edges 26 of the liner. Inserts having flaps 3 fixed to the barrier layer 10 according to this embodiment of the invention are described in more detail in copending patent application US 08 / 772,343, (PCT / CA97 / 00990, filed Dec. 22, 1997), which is incorporated herein by reference. The flaps 2 preferably have a resilient portion 11 having a width less than or equal to twice the distance at which the flaps 3 are fixed internally from the longitudinal side edges 26 of the insert. That is, if the flaps (3) are fixed 4 mm internally from the lateral longitudinal edges 26, then the elastic portion 11 should preferably have a width

000000 «·· 0» 0 0 ·· 9 0 0 0 0 · · · ·

01-457-99 English · ί * t: ί * **: ί

0 0 0 0> ·· 00 00 0 · approximately 8 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 12, the stiffened flap portion 12 ensures that the undergarment remains in position internally from the longitudinal side edges 26 of the sanitary napkin 1.

The invention is generally applicable in the field of disposable sanitary absorbent articles and generally includes, but is not limited to, sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinent devices and the like.

The above embodiments are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

PATENT CLAIMS An absorbent article for absorbing body exudate that is adapted to be placed in the crotch portion of a user's undergarment comprising an elongate main body having opposed longitudinal side edges and opposing transverse ends and further comprising: a body facing topsheet; and a liquid pervious, garment-facing liquid impervious backsheet and absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, and a pair of flaps fixed to the longitudinal side edges along the joint line in the central region of the main body that extend laterally and terminate at the distal end; the flaps, which are capable of wrapping the crotch portion of the wearer &apos; s undergarment, have an elastic portion and a reinforced portion, the elastic portion adjacent and extending laterally outward from the line and the reinforced portion adjacent the elastic portion from which laterally outwardly of the elastic portion, wherein the reinforced portion has a higher resistance to lateral compression forces than the elastic portion and the reinforced portion forms a preferential bending moment in the elastic portion of the flap when the flap folds over the crotch portion of the undergarment of the wearer the seams by a distance sufficient to allow the elastic portion to form a smooth curve around the edge of the wearer's undergarments. • · · · · · · · · · · · 01-457-99 Če 2. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said absorbent article is selected from the group consisting of sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinent devices. 3. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the reinforced portion extends continuously from the resilient portion of the flap to the free protruding distal end of the flap. 4. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the seam line is non-linear. 5. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the embossing pattern is a series of loops that begin adjacent to the resilient region and extend outwardly toward the distal edge of the flaps and curved back toward the resilient region where they terminate. 6. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the elastic portion has a generally arcuate shape that allows it to conform to the widened front and back widths of the crotch portion of the pantie. 7. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the reinforced portion is built-in 01-457-99 A material selected from the group consisting of tissue paper, nonwoven, polymeric film, pneumatic pulp, polymeric foam, pressure-sensitive adhesive, embossing pattern, and combinations thereof. 8. An absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the reinforced portion is a combination of a pressure-resistant adhesive and a relief pattern. The absorbent article of claim 8, wherein the relief pattern comprises a plurality of side lines extending approximately from the distal end of the flap to approximately the joint line. 10. A sanitary napkin comprising a longitudinal central absorbent member having opposed longitudinal sidewalls and opposed transverse ends and a pair of laterally extending side flaps fixed to the garment facing side along the joint line, each flap having zones of varying rigidity which further comprising a resilient portion adjacent and extending laterally outward from the joint line and a reinforced portion adjacent and extending outwardly from the resilient portion, the resilient portion and the reinforced portion having resistance to lateral compression forces, the reinforced portion having greater resistance to lateral compression forces compared to the elastic part.