EP0801550A1 - Article absorbant a fermeture amelioree au niveau des jambes - Google Patents

Article absorbant a fermeture amelioree au niveau des jambes

Info

Publication number
EP0801550A1
EP0801550A1 EP94910131A EP94910131A EP0801550A1 EP 0801550 A1 EP0801550 A1 EP 0801550A1 EP 94910131 A EP94910131 A EP 94910131A EP 94910131 A EP94910131 A EP 94910131A EP 0801550 A1 EP0801550 A1 EP 0801550A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
absorbent
extended leg
stand
edge
diaper
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94910131A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0801550A4 (fr
Inventor
Jiro Kanebo Ashiya Urban Plaza 546 YAMADA
Takashi Hiuke
Hiroaki Shikata
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
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
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP0801550A4 publication Critical patent/EP0801550A4/en
Publication of EP0801550A1 publication Critical patent/EP0801550A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/494—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means
    • A61F13/49406—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region
    • A61F13/49413—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier
    • A61F13/4942—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier the barrier not being integral with the top- or back-sheet
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/49011—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the waist region
    • A61F13/49012—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the waist region the elastic means being elastic panels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/49014—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the side panels
    • A61F13/49015—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means is located at the side panels the elastic means being elastic panels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/49017—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means being located at the crotch region
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/494—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means
    • A61F13/49406—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region
    • A61F13/49413—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/496—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers in the form of pants or briefs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/4902—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material
    • A61F2013/49031—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material being elastic in longitudinal direction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F2013/49042—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length
    • A61F2013/49044—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length being stretchable non-elastic panels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F2013/49042—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length
    • A61F2013/49044—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length being stretchable non-elastic panels
    • A61F2013/49049—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length being stretchable non-elastic panels on the hips
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F2013/49042—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length
    • A61F2013/49044—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length being stretchable non-elastic panels
    • A61F2013/4905—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length being stretchable non-elastic panels at the waist
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F2013/49068—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterized by the shape of the outline
    • A61F2013/49082—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterized by the shape of the outline being a complex shape not covered by the other groups A61F2013/49068-A61F2013/4908
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS 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
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/494—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means
    • A61F13/49406—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region
    • A61F13/49413—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier
    • A61F2013/4944—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier having multiple barriers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, pull-on diapers, diaper holders, and the like, and more particularly, to absorbent articles having elastic leg features providing dynamic fit about the wearer as well as improved comfort characteristics of the absorbent article.
  • absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and incontinent briefs or undergarments
  • absorbent articles are thus intended to prevent body exudates from soiling, wetting, or otherwise contaminating clothing or other articles, such as bedding, that come in contact with the wearer.
  • Contemporary disposable diapers have a topsheet, a bac sheet, an absorbent core, and elasticized side flaps with one or more elastic members adjacent the longitudinal edge of the diaper to form elasticized leg openings.
  • These elasticized side flaps prove effective generally to prevent wicking and overflow from the fluid laden diaper to clothing contacting the edges of the diaper in that the elasticized side flaps present a fluid impervious barrier between the edge of the diaper and the contacting clothing, and in addition, provide a gasketing action about the legs of the wearer to maintain a seal about the leg and minimize gapping.
  • pull-on diapers such as training pants
  • training pants have become popular, especially for use on toilet-training children.
  • some training pants have been made elastically extensible using stretchable side panel disposed in the training pants such that the waist opening and leg openings having such elasticized side flaps are at least partially encircled with elasticized bands.
  • stretchable side panel is formed by attaching discrete stretchable members to the edge of each side flap of the disposable garment in the front waist area and the rear waist area. While the stretchable side panel described above are useful to form pull-on diapers, it has been found that the wide stretchable side panels are preferable to sustain wide range dynamic fit.
  • the stretchable side panel should be attached to the edge of the side flap, or the stretchable side panel should be associated to the side flap
  • the width of such stretchable side panels and the width of the elasticized side flap are considered as parameters to be balanced in order to provide an appropriate waist fit range in the waist opening, and an effective gasketing action about leg openings.
  • width of such stretchable side panels and the width of the elasticized side flap are considered as parameters to be balanced in order to provide an appropriate waist fit range in the waist opening, and an effective gasketing action about leg openings.
  • stretchable side panel is being applied to a diaper having a closure system such as an adhesive tape fastening system for a closure of a front portion and a rear portion of the diaper, the above difficulty is found among any type of absorbent articles having such stretchable side panel.
  • an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which has enough width of the stretchable side panels and enough width of the elasticized leg openings at need, so as to maximize both dynamic fit range in the waist opening and improve gasketing action along the leg openings.
  • an absorbent article comprises an absorbent chassis, a pair of side flaps, a pair of side panel, a pair of longitudinal extended leg cuff.
  • the absorbent chassis has a front portion, a rear portion, a crotch portion joining the front portion and the rear portion, and a pair of side edges in the longitudinal direction throughout the front, crotch and rear portion.
  • a pair of side flaps extend outwardly from each side edge of the absorbent chassis, each side flap having a side edge.
  • a pair of side panels extend outwardly from the side edge of the side flap in the front portion and the rear portion.
  • a pair of longitudinal extended leg cuffs are connectively assosiated with the absorbent chassis along the side flap in the crotch portion and extending longitudinally at least partially into the front portion and the rear portion.
  • Each of extended leg cuffs has a free distal edge remote from the side edge of the side flap at least in the crotch portion so as to extend outwardly from the side flap.
  • Each of the extended leg cuffs comprises a spacing means disposed in at least the crotch portion for spacing the distal edge upwardly away from said absorbent chassis.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the disposal pull-on diaper embodiment of the present invention in a typical in-use configuration as it would be applied to a wearer;
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the chassis of the pull-on diaper embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface which will form the outer surface of the disposable garment facing away from the viewer:
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 3-3 of Figure
  • Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 4-4 of Figure
  • Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 5-5 of Figure 2.
  • absorbent article refers to devices which absorb and contain body exudates, and, more specifically, refers to devices which are. placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body.
  • dispenser is used herein to describe absorbent articles which are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).
  • a "unitary" absorbent article refers to absorbent articles which are formed of separate parts united together to form a coordinated entity so that they do not require separate manipulative parts like a separate holder and liner.
  • a preferred embodiment of the unitary disposable garment of the present invention, disposable pull-on diaper 20, is shown in Figure 1.
  • the pull-on diaper 20 of Figure 1 comprise an absorbent chassis 21, stretchable side panels 23, side seams 25, and dual leg cuffs 27 about leg openings 28.
  • Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the disposable pull-on diaper 20 of Figure 1, prior to the front portion 29 and the rear portion 31 of the absorbent chassis 21 being joined together by the side seams 25.
  • the absorbent chassis 21 of the present invention preferably has a symmetric, modified hour-glass shape.
  • the absorbent chassis 21 will have at least a front portion 29, a rear portion 31, a crotch portion 33, longitudinal side regions 35, and a stretchable side panel 23 operatively attached to the side flaps 37 in the front portion 29 and the rear portion 31.
  • the side flaps 37 are formed from the extension of the backsheet 39 and the topsheet 41 extending outwardly from and along the side edges 43 of the absorbent core 45 in at least the crotch portion 33.
  • the side flap 37 of the present invention is relatively narrower than a side flap 37 being elasticized with one or more elastic members as is known in the art.
  • the dual leg cuffs 27 comprise a stand-up barrier cuff 50 and an extended leg cuff 60 which will be described in greater detail herein below.
  • the extended leg cuffs 60 of the present invention provide dynamic fit and skin comfort as well as a structure to restrain the free flow of body exudates along the topsheet 41 and to hold and contain such exudates within the diaper 20 and to provide a gasketing action about the wearer.
  • Each extended leg cuff 60 is a flexible member 61 having a proximal edge 63 and a distal edge 65.
  • the term "flexible” refers to materials which are compliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the body.
  • the extended leg cuffs 60 must be contractible so that the distal edges 65 may be sufficiently spaced away from the topsheet 41.
  • the extended leg cuffs 60 may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials such as polypropylene, polyester, rayon, nylon, foams, plastic films, formed films, elastic laminates and elastic foams. A number of manufacturing techniques may be used to manufacture the extended leg cuffs 60.
  • the extended leg cuffs 60 may be woven, non-woven, spunbonded, carded, a laminate of a non-woven polypropylene material secured to a liquid impermeable polyethylene film, or the like as is known in the art.
  • the extended leg cuff 60 is disposed adjacent to and preferable inboard of the longitudinal edge 69 of the diaper 20.
  • the term "inboard” is defined as the direction toward the centerline 71 of the diaper 20.
  • the proximal edge 63 is preferably disposed inboard of the longitudinal edge 69 so that exudates, especially loose fecal material which is not easily absorbed and tends to float along the topsheet 41, will contact the extended leg cuff 60 before it can contact the edges 69 of the diaper 20.
  • the proximal edge 63 is preferably disposed between the longitudinal edge 69 and the longitudinal centerline 71 of the diaper 20, more preferably, between the longitudinal edge 69 and the side edge 43 of the absorbent core 45 in at least the crotch portion 33 of the diaper 20. Most preferably, the proximal edge 63 is disposed along the side of the longitudinal edge 69 in at least the crotch portion 33 of the diaper 20.
  • the proximal edge 63 of the extended leg cuff 60 is preferably positioned between the proximal edge 63 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 and the longitudinal edge 69 in at least the crotch portion 33.
  • the proximal edges 63 and the distal edges 65 of the extended leg cuff 60 are in a spaced relation to each other and define the effective width of each of the extended leg cuffs 60.
  • the proximal edges 63 and the distal edges 65 may be in a parallel, nonparallel, rectilinear or curvilinear relationship.
  • each of the extended leg cuffs 60 may have a variety of different cross-sectional areas including circular, square, rectangular or any other shape.
  • the proximal edge 63 is spaced from the distal edge 65 in a parallel and rectilinear relationship.
  • the effective width of the extended leg cuff 60 is an important parameter in reducing leakage of body exudates out of the diaper 20.
  • the effective width of the extended leg cuff 60 is too small, then gaps will be formed between the leg of the wearer and the distal edge 65 such that liquids may flow over the distal edge 65 to the periphery 73 of the diaper 20.
  • the extended leg cuff 60 of the present invention does not affect to the width of stretchable side panel 23 while the side flap 37 comprises no elastic members for providing gasketing action and the flap 37 is relatively narrow.
  • the extended leg cuff 60 can have a relatively wide width at need so as to provide an effective gasketing action.
  • the effective width should be dimensionalized as the size of the wearer increases or decreases, particularly with adult wearers.
  • each extended leg cuff 60 is preferably not secured to any underlying elements of the diaper 20 in at least the crotch portion 33 so that it may be spaced away from the topsheet 41.
  • the distal edge 65 is preferably spaced away from the topsheet 41 so that the extended leg cuff 60 is easier to apply to the wearer and ensures that the fit of the extended leg cuff 60 is in the "no motion" zone in the crotch portion 33 with a snug fit about the wearer's buttocks.
  • "spaced" includes embodiments wherein the distal edges 65 may assume one or more positions relative to the topsheet 41 including at some times assuming a position adjacent the topsheet 41.
  • each extended leg cuff 60 is disposed inboard of the proximal edge 63, preferably outboard of the proximal edge 63 in the front portion 29 and the rear portion 31, so as to avoid gaps may be formed between the leg of the wearer and the distal edge 65, and present a more effective barrier against the flow of exudates.
  • outboard is defined as the direction away from the centerline 71 of the diaper 20 that is parallel to the respective edge of the diaper 20 along which the extended leg cuff 60 is disposed, (i.e., the direction opposite from the direction defined by the term "inboard.")
  • the distal edges 65 are maintained outboard of the proximal edges 63 in both the front portion 29 and the rear portion 31 by a closing means 75 so as to obviate their inversion. As seen in Figs.
  • the closing means 75 is located in a closure zone 77 which is disposed outboard of the side flaps 37 and, in the same embodiment, or in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the closing means 75 is positioned above at least a portion of the stretchable side panel 23.
  • the distal edges 65 are also shown in Figs. 2 and 4, to be disposed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the end edge 79 of the diaper 20 in the front portion 29 and the rear portion 31. While this is a preferred embodiment, the distal edges 65 may alternatively be angled toward or away from each other, especially toward each other if the extended leg cuffs 60 are manufactured from a material having less extensibility, such that the distal edges 65 are disposed non-perpendicular to the end edges 79. Angling the extended leg cuffs 60 relative to the end edge 79 may assist in allowing the extended leg cuff 60 to curve outwardly with expanded stretchable side panels 23 during use so as to provide snug fit along leg opening 28.
  • the distal edges 65 are preferably laterally spaced apart from each other in the crotch portion 33.
  • the lateral spacing of the distal edges 65 is especially important in the crotch portion 33 to provide easiness on application to the wearer and ensure that the fit of the extended leg cuffs 60 outwardly extended from the centerline 71 of the diaper 20, with a snug fit.
  • the lateral spacing should be dimensionalized as the size of the wearer increases or decreases, especially for adult wearers.
  • a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with each of the extended leg cuffs 60 joined to the side flaps 37 of the diaper 20.
  • the term "joined” includes any means for securing the extended leg cuff 60 to the diaper 20, and includes embodiments wherein the extended leg cuffs 60 are separate members directly or indirectly secured to the side flaps 37 or embodiments wherein the extended leg cuffs 60 are constructed from the same member or material as an element of the diaper 20 such as stand-up barrier cuff 50 so that the extended leg cuffs 60 are a continuous and undivided element of the stand-up barrier cuff 50.
  • the extended leg cuffs 60 may alternatively be joined to the backsheet 39, the topsheet 41, or any combination of these or other elements of the diaper 20.
  • the extended leg cuffs 60 are joined with the side flaps 37 (directly to the portion of the topsheet 41 and backsheet 39 forming the side flap 37 ) by the seal means 81 such as adhesive to form the proximal edge 63, the distal edge 65 being formed by folding an end of the material 61 back upon itself and being secured to another segment by the distal attachment means 83.
  • the end of the material 61 is back upon itself and sealed to the distal edge 65 by the seal means, more preferably, sealed to the innerface or outerface of the backsheet 39 of the side flap 37 by seal means as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the extended leg cuff 60 are constructed from the same material of the stand-up barrier cuff 50.
  • Preferred material of such preferred embodiment is 20 gsy hydrohobic polypropylene carded nonwoven.
  • proximal edges 63 and the side flaps 37 are joined together in any suitable manner.
  • the term "joined” encompasses configurations whereby the proximal edges 63 are directly secured to the side flap 37 by affixing the proximal edges 63 directly to the side flap 37 and configurations whereby the proximal edges 63 are indirectly secured to the side flap 37 by affixing the proximal edges 63 to intermediate members which in turn are affixed to the side flap 37.
  • the proximal edges 63 and the side flaps 37 are directly secured to each other at least in the crotch portion 33 by the seal means 81.
  • the seal means 81 of the present invention for joining the proximal edges 63 to the side flaps 37 are shown in FIG.3.
  • the seal means 81 provide a seal along the proximal edge 63 to present a barrier to the wicking of liquids through the topsheet 41. While the topsheet 41 or the absorbent core 45 may extend beyond the seal means 81, protection against leakage of liquids emanating from the edges of the absorbent core 45 or wicking along the topsheet 41 may be enhanced by making the topsheet 41 or the absorbent core 45 not extend beyond the proximal edge 63.
  • the seal means 81 may be any means for securing the proximal edges 63 to the side flaps 37 such as adhesives, heat/pressure sealing, ultrasonic bonding, pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tapes, or any other means or methods as are known in the art.
  • the seal means 81 are preferably three adhesive lines or spiral lines consisting of hot melt adhesive such as adhesives manufactured by Eastman Chemical Products Company of Kingsport, Tennessee and marketed under the trade name Eastbond A-3 or by Century Adhesives, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio and marketed under the trade name Century 5227.
  • the seal means 81 consists of a nonwoven fabric strip enclosing elastomeric adhesive.
  • the spacing means 67 for spacing the distal edge 65 away from the topsheet 41 is any member which gathers, contracts, stiffens, shortens or otherwise acts on the extended leg cuff 60 so as to cause the extended leg cuffs 60 to stand up to provide easiness on application to the wearer and a gasketing action about the buttocks of the wearer to provide a snug fit.
  • the spacing means 67 preferably comprises elastic members operatively associated with each of the extended leg cuffs 60 adjacent the distal edge 65.
  • the elastic members 67 are preferably secured to the extended leg cuff 60 in an elastically contractible condition so that in a normally unrestrained configuration, the elastic members 67 effectively contract or gather the distal edge 65 of the extended leg cuff 60.
  • the elastic members 67 can be secured to the extended leg cuff 60 in an elastically contractible condition in at least two ways as is discussed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled "Contractible Side Portion For Disposable Diaper", which issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan. 26, 1974, which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • the length of the elastic member 67 in general is dictated by the diaper design. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the elastic member 67 extends along essentially the entire length of the extended leg cuff 60 in the crotch portion 33, although other lengths are cognizable.
  • the elastic member 67 is operatively associated with the extended leg cuff 60 by securing it within the extende leg cuff 60 with an elastic attachment means 85.
  • the elastic attachment means 85 should be flexible and of sufficient adhesiveness to hold the elastic member 67 in its stretched condition. While the elastic members 67 may be secured to the extended leg cuff 60 adjacent only the end of the elastic member 67, it is preferable to secure the entire length of the elastic member 67 to the extended leg cuff 60.
  • the elastic attachment means 85 herein are preferably glue beads made of hot melt adhesive such as marketed by Findley Adhesives Incorporated, Elmgrove, Wisconsin, as Findley Adhesives 581, although the elastic members 67 may be affixed to the extended leg cuff 60 in any of several other ways which are well known in the art.
  • the elastic members 67 may be ultrasonically bonded or heat/pressure sealed into the extended leg cuff 60 using a variety of bonding patterns, or the elastic members 67 may simply be glued to the extended leg cuffs 60.
  • a more detailed description of the manner in which the elastic members 67 may be positioned and secured to the extended leg cuff 60 can be found in U.S. Pat. No.
  • An elastic member 67 which has been found suitable is an elastic strand having a cross section of 0.18 mm by 1.5 mm and made from natural rubber as available from Easthampton Rubber Company of Stewart, Virginia, under the trademark L-1900 Rubber Compound.
  • Other suitable elastic members 67 can be made from natural rubber, such as elastic tape sold under the trademark Fulflex 9411 by Fulflex Company of Middletown, Rhode Island.
  • the spacing elastic member 67 may also comprise any heat shrinkable material as is well known in the art.
  • Other suitable elastic materials may comprise a wide variety of materials as are well known in the art include elastomeric films, polyurethane films, Lycra, elastomeric foams and formed elastic scrim.
  • the elastic members 67 and the elastic attachment means 85 can be formed by an adhesive strip stretched having a thickness of 0.5 mil as available from Findlay Adhesives Incorporated, Elm Grove, Wisconsin as Findley Adhesives 581, sold under trademark H 2330.
  • the elastic members 67 may take a multitude of configurations.
  • the width of the elastic members 67 may be varied; the elastic members 67 may comprise a single strand or several parallel or non-parallel strands of elastic material; or the elastic members 67 may be rectilinear or curvilinear.
  • the spacing means 67 for spacing the distal edge 65 away from the topsheet 41 may alternatively comprise several other elements.
  • the extended leg cuff 60 may have stiffening means disposed in or on each extended leg cuff 60.
  • the stiffening means must be sufficiently stiff so that the distal edge 65 is spaced away from the topsheet 41.
  • Suitable materials for the stiffening means include foams, non ⁇ woven fabrics, batting, polyethylene film, foamed films, spray glues, foamed elastomerics, polyester, polyurethane, or high loft materials.
  • the spacing means 67 may also comprise means for shortening the length of the distal edge 65 in comparison to the length of the edges of the diaper 20.
  • the distal edge 65 can be shortened by making a fold or pleat in the distal edge 65. This fold or pleat is secured by any of the holding means well known to those of ordinally skill in the art, such as adhesives or heat sealing. Alternatively, a section may be cut out of the distal edge 65 and the resultant edges brought together to form a butt or lap joint.
  • the distal edge 65 may also be shortened by attaching a length of the distal edge 65 to the topsheet 41 at a position different from where the distal edge 65 would lie when the diaper 20 is in a flattened out condition. Other shortening techniques as are known in the art may also be used.
  • the closing means 75 for securing the front end and the rear end, respectively, of the extended leg cuff 60 closed are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
  • the closing means 75 provide a more comfortable fit for the wearer and secure the distal edges 65 of the extended leg cuff 60 in the proper position to form an sufficient gasketing cuff.
  • the closing means 75 are disposed in the front portion 29 and in the rear portion 31.
  • the remaining portions of the distal edges 65 are preferably not secured to any underlying structure of the diaper 20 so that the distal edges 65 are left freely openable.
  • the closure zones 77 are formed on the above of the stretchable side panel 23 adjacent to the leg opening 28 (adjacent to the crotch portion 33 ).
  • the closing means 75 closed entire length of the front end and the rear end overlapped on the front ear and the rear ear respectively.
  • closing means 75 may comprise any of several securement means as are known in the art such as ultrasonic bonds or heat/pressure bonds or seals using a variety of bonding patterns, or adhesives and/or glues
  • the closing means 75 are preferably adhesive beads consisting of hot melt adhesive such as manufactured by Eastman Chemical Products Company of Kingsport, Tenessee and marketed under the trade name Eastbond A-3 or by Century Adhesives, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio and marketed under the trade name Century 5227.
  • the dual leg cuff 27 further comprises the stand-up barrier cuff 50.
  • the stand-up barrier cuff 50 may comprise several different embodiments for reducing the leakage of body exudates in the leg opening 28.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 provide a barrier to restrain the free flow of body exudates along the topsheet 41 and provide a structure to hold and contain such exudates within the diaper 20.
  • Each of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 is a flexible member having a proximal edge 91, a distal edge, an inboard surface, an outboard surface.
  • the spacing means comprises one or more spacing elastic members
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 must be contractible so that the distal edges may be sufficiently spaced away from the topsheet 41 so that the channel formed along the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 is open to constrain, retain and hold body exudates within the diaper 20.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials such as polypropylene, polyester, rayon, nylon, foams, plastic films, formed films, and elastic foams. A number of manufacturing techniques may be used to manufacture the stand-up barrier cuffs 50.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 may be woven, nonwoven, spunbonded, carded, or the like.
  • a particularly preferred stand-up barrier cuff 50 comprises a polypropylene material containing no finish or surfactant to render it liquid impermeable.
  • a particularly preferred polypropylene material is manufactured by Crown Zellerbach Company as Celestra.
  • the stand-up barrier cuff 50 comprises the same member or material of the extended leg cuff 60 . As shown in FIGS.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge 69 of the diaper 20 and are preferably disposed adjacent to an inboard of the extended leg cuffs 60; the proximal edges 91 being preferably disposed inboard of the proximal edges 63 of the extended leg cuffs 60.
  • the proximal edge 91 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 is preferably disposed inboard of the extended leg cuff 60, so that exudates, especially loose fecal material which is not easily absorbed and tends to float along the topsheet 41, will contact the channel portion of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 before it can contact the extended leg cuff 60.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are disposed adjacent the extended leg cuffs 60 to provide a more effective dual restraint against the flow of body exudates.
  • the proximal edge 91 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 is preferably disposed between the proximal edge 63 of the extended leg cuff 60 and the longitudinal centerline 71 of the diaper 20.
  • the proximal edge 91 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 is disposed between the proximal edge 63 of the extended leg cuff 60 and the side edge 43 of the absorbent core 45 in at least the crotch portion 33 of the diaper 20.
  • the proximal edges 91 and the distal edges 93 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 are in spaced relation to each other and define the effective width of each of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50.
  • the proximal and distal edges 91, 93 may be in a parallel, nonparallel, rectilinear or curvilinear relationship.
  • each of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 may have a variety of different cross-sectional areas including circular, square, rectangular or any other shape such as that shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.
  • the proximal edges 91 are spaced from the distal edges 93 in a parallel and rectilinear relationship to provide stand-up barrier cuffs 50 having uniform effective widths.
  • the distal edges 95 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 are preferably disposed inboard of the proximal edges 91 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 to present a more effective barrier against the flow of exudates.
  • the distal edges 95 are maintained inboard of the proximal edges 91 by the closing means 103 so as to obviate their inversion. While the distal edges 95 may alternatively be disposed in other positions in relation to the proximal edges 91, such positions are not preferred.
  • the distal edges 95 are preferably not secured to any other element in at least the crotch portion 33 of the diaper 20 so that they may be spaced away from the topsheet 41.
  • the distal edges 95 are preferably spaced away from the topsheet 41 so that the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 may form a channel 101 to enhance the containment of the diaper 20.
  • spacing includes embodiments wherein the distal edges 95 may assume one or more positions relative to the topsheet 41 including at some times assuming a position adjacent the topsheet 41.
  • the distance between a distal edge 95 to the topsheet 41 is measured along a line drawn from the distal edge 95 to the closest part of the topsheet 41 when the distal edge 95 is positioned so as to be spaced away from the topsheet 41 as far as possible (i.e., in the elastically contracted position).
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are preferably hydrophobic and more preferably liquid impermeable so as to prevent the strikethrough of body exudates.
  • a liquid impermeable stand-up barrier cuff 50 retards the movement of liquid through the stand-up barrier cuff 50, thereby making it more leakage resistant.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 may be rendered liquid impermeable in any manner well known in the art such as selectively treating the stand-up barrier cuffs 50, untreating the stand-up barrier cuffs 50, or by securing a separate material to the stand-up barrier cuffs 50.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 may additionally be provided with absorbent means secured to or within the stand-up barrier cuff 50.
  • a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, is provided with each of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 joined to the side flaps 37 (i.e., the backsheet 39 ).
  • the term "joined” includes any means for affixing the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 to the diaper 20, and includes embodiments wherein the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are separate members directly or indirectly adjoined to the side flaps 37 (i.e., integral) or embodiments wherein the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are constructed from the same member or material as an element of the diaper 20 so that the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are a continuous and undivided element of the side flaps 37 (i.e., unitary).
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 may alternatively be joined to the backsheet 39, the absorbent core 45, the topsheet 41 or any combination of these or other elements of the diaper 20 such as the extended leg cuff 60 as discussed before.
  • both the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 and the extended leg cuffs 60 are integral with the side flaps 37.
  • the integral stand-up barrier cuffs 50 and extended leg cuff 60 are thus preferably formed by a single separate strip of material with an intermediate segment adjoined to the side flaps 37 by the seal means 81 such as an adhesive to form the proximal edge 91, the distal edge being formed by folding an end of the material back upon itself and being secured to another segment by the distal attachment means , and the remaining portion of the material, the side flap 37 portions, extending and terminating outboard of the proximal edges 91 and preferably associated with the backsheet 39 by the seal means 81 to define a portion of side flap 37 between the proximal edges 91 of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 and the proximal edges 63 of the extended leg cuffs 60.
  • the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 and the side flaps 37 (backsheet 39) are adjoined together in any suitable manner.
  • the term "adjoined” encompasses configurations whereby the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are directly secured to the side flaps 37 by affixing portions of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 directly to the backsheet 39, and configurations whereby the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 are indirectly joined to the side flaps 37 by affixing them to intermediate members which in turn are affixed to the backsheet 39.
  • the stand- up barrier cuffs 50 and the side flaps 37 are adjoined directly to the each other by a seal means 81 such as adhesive or any other attachment means such as heat/pressure sealing, ultrasonic bonding or any other methods as are known in the art.
  • a seal means 81 such as adhesive or any other attachment means such as heat/pressure sealing, ultrasonic bonding or any other methods as are known in the art.
  • the seal means 81 is preferably a hot melt adhesive such as manufactured by Eastern Chemical Products Company of Kingsport, Tennessee and marketed under the tradename Eastbond A-3 or Century Adhesives, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio and marketed under the tradename Century 5227.
  • the seal means 81 consists of a nonwoven fabric strip enclosing elastomeric adhesive. (It should be noted that the seal means 81 herein are preferably the same type of means as the seal means 81 for joining the proximal edges 63 of the extended leg cuff 60 to the side flaps 37).
  • the seal means 81 for adjoining the proximal edges 91 of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 to the side flaps 37 provide a leakage-resistant seal along the proximal edge 91 to present a barrier to the wicking of liquid through the topsheet 41 so as to prevent liquids from wicking underneath the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 to the edges of the diaper 20.
  • the spacing means 105 for spacing the distal edges 95 away from the topsheet 41 is any member which gathers, contracts, stiffens, shortens or otherwise acts on the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 so as to cause the stand-up barrier cuff 50 to stand up to provide a channel 101 along the barrier cuff 50 that acts as a constraint against the leakage of exudates.
  • the spacing means 105 preferably comprises a spacing elastic member 105 operatively associated with each of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 adjacent the distal edge 95.
  • the spacing elastic member 105 is preferably secured to the stand-up barrier cuff 50 in an elastically contractible condition so that in a normally unrestrained configuration, the spacing elastic member 105 effectively contracts or gathers the distal edge 95 of the barrier cuff 50.
  • the spacing elastic member 105 can be secured to the stand-up barrier cuff 50 in an elastically contractible condition in at least two ways as is discussed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 that issued to K. B. Buell.
  • the length of the spacing elastic member 105 in general is dictated by the diaper design. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the spacing elastic members 105 extend essentially the entire length of the stand-up barrier cuff 50 in the crotch portion 33. In the most preferred embodiment, the spacing elastic members 105 extend beyond the crotch portion 33 any distance, including all the way to the end edges of the diaper 20, so as to provide the most effective spacing of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 away from the topsheet 41.
  • the spacing elastic member 105 is operatively associated with the stand-up barrier cuff 50 by securing it within the stand-up barrier cuff 50 with a spacing elastic attachment means 107.
  • a detailed description of the manner in which the spacing elastic members 105 may be positioned and secured to the stand- up barrier cuffs 50 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,301, issued to Buell on March 28, 1978, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,461, issued to Strickland and Visscher on March 3, 1981, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should also be noted that one or more spacing elastic members 105 can be used to elasticize each stand-up barrier cuff 50.
  • a spacing elastic member 105 which has been found suitable is an elastic strand having a cross section of 0.18 mm by 1.5 mm and made from natural rubber as available from Easthampton Rubber Company of Stewart, Virginia, under the trademark L-1900 Rubber Compound.
  • Other suitable spacing elastic members 105 can be made from natural rubber, such as elastic tape sold under the trademark Fulflex 9411 by Fulflex Company of Middletown, Rhode Island.
  • the spacing elastic member 105 may also comprise any heat shrinkable elastic material as is well known in the art.
  • Other suitable elastic materials may comprise a wide variety of materials as are well known in the art include elastomeric films, polyurethane films, elastomeric foams and formed elastic scrim.
  • the elastic members 105 and the elastic attachment means 107 can be formed by an adhesive strip stretched having a thickness of 0.5 mil as available from Findlay Adhesives Incorporated, Elm Grove, Wisconsin as Findley Adhesives 581, sold under trademark H 2330.
  • the spacing elastic members 105 may take a multitude of configurations.
  • the width of the spacing elastic members 105 may be varied; the spacing elastic members 105 may comprise a single strand or several parallel or non-parallel strands of elastic material; or the spacing elastic members 105 may be rectilinear or curvilinear.
  • the spacing means 105 for spacing the distal edges away from the topsheet 41 may alternatively comprise several other elements as described before for the spacing means of the extended leg cuff 60.
  • the closing means 103 for securing the distal edges 93 of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 together provide a more comfortable fit for the wearer and obviate inversion of the distal edges 93 of the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 during application and use. Inversion is generally defined as the inboard-disposed distal edges 93 turning outwardly when the diaper 20 is applied to the wearer.
  • the closing means 103 are preferably adhesive beads consisting of hot melt adhesives such as marketed by Eastman Chemical Products Company, Kingsport, Tennessee, as Eastbond A-3 or Century Adhesives, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio as Century 5227 although other closing means as are known in the art such as ultrasonic bonding or heat/pressure sealing may also be used.
  • the pull-on diaper 20 is applied to a wearer by placing the wearer's feet in the leg openings 28 and sliding the pull-on diaper up the legs into position, the stand-up barrier cuffs 50 and the extended leg cuff 60 should be disposed to provide the dispositions and functions described hereinbefore.
  • the absorbent chassis 21 further comprises stretchable side panels 23 in the front portion 29 and the rear portion 31.
  • the stretchable side panel 23 are separately manipulative elements secured to the chassis 21, but can be formed from extensions of the chassis 21 materials.
  • the stretchable side panel 23 provide an elastically extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the disposable garment to the wearer and sustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well past when the disposable garment has been loaded with exudates since the stretchable side panel 23 allow the sides of the disposable garment to expand and contract.
  • each stretchable side panel 23 comprises that portion of the absorbent chassis 21 that extends laterally outwardly from and along the central portion 33 of the absorbent chassis 21 to the longitudinal side region of the absorbent chassis 21.
  • the side panel 23 generally extends longitudinally from the end edge 109 of the absorbent chassis 21 to the portions of the longitudinal edge 69 of the absorbent chassis 21 that forms the leg opening 28 (this segment of the longitudinal edge being designated as leg edge ).
  • the stretchable side panel 23 can be formed by the portions of the topsheet 41 and the backsheet 39 that extend beyond the side flap 37.
  • the stretchable side panels 23 are formed by securing a piece of stretchable panel to the side edge 38 of the side flap 37 in the front portion 29 and the rear portion 31, so that the stretchable side panel 23 allow to be elastically extensible as desired in the lateral direction (laterally elastically extensible).
  • the term "elastically extensible” means a segment or portion of the chassis 21 that will elongate in at least one direction (preferably the lateral direction for the side panel) when tensional forces (typically lateral tensional forces of the side panel) are applied, and will return to about its previous size and configuration when the tensional forces are removed.
  • Patent 4,107,364 issued to Sisson on August 15, 1978
  • U.S. Patent 4,209,563 issued to Sisson on June 24, 1980
  • U.S. Patent 4,525,407 issued to Ness on June 25, 1985
  • U.S. Patent 4,834,741 issued to Sabee on May 30, 1989
  • the side seams 25 are preferably formed by bonding together the longitudinal side region of stretchable side panel 23 of the front portion 29 and the longitudinal side region of the stretchable side panel 23 of the rear portion 31.
  • the seams 25 can be formed in a number of different ways.
  • the seams 25 can be formed by bonding together portions of outwardly extending longitudinal side regions to form an outwardly extending fin seam using any seam configurations that are known in the art.
  • the bonding can be by any suitable means known in the art; thus ultrasonic bonding, heat sealing, adhesive bonding, and the like.
  • Example of such seaming techniques are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,355,425 issued to Jones, et al. on October 26, 1982; U.S. Patent 4,619,649 issued to Roberts on October 28, 1986; U.S. Patent 4,909,804 issued to Douglas, Sr. on March 20, 1990. These references are also incorporated herein by reference.
  • the absorbent chassis 21 comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 41, a liquid impervious backsheet 39 joined with the topsheet 41, an absorbent core 45 positioned between the topsheet 41 and the backsheet 39.
  • Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 in which the topsheet 41 and the backsheet 39 length and width dimensions generally larger than those of the absorbent core 45.
  • the topsheet 41 and the backsheet 39 extend beyond the edges 43 of the absorbent core 45. While the topsheet 41, the backsheet 39, and the absorbent core 45 may be assemble in a variety of well known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are described generally in U.S. Patent 3,860,003 entitled "Contractable Side Portions for Disposable Diaper" which issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; and U.S.
  • Patent Application Serial No. 07/715,152 allowed, "Absorbent Article With Dynamic Elastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge", Kenneth B. Buell et al. filed June 13, 1991; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the absorbent core 45 may be any absorbent means which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain body exudates. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the absorbent core 45 has the side edges 43, and waist edges.
  • the absorbent core 45 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, "T"-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp which is generally referred to as airfelt.
  • absorbent materials examples include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulose fibers; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; super absorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials.
  • the configuration and construction of the absorbent core 45 may also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core 45 may have varying caliper zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a super absorbent gradient, or lower average density and lower average basis weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures).
  • the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 45 should, however, be compatible with the design loading and the intended use of the diaper 20.
  • the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 45 may be varied to accommodate wearers ranging from infants through adults.
  • Examplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 45 are described in U.S. Patent 4,610,678 entitled “High-Density Absorbent Structures” issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent 4,673,402 entitled “Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores” issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent 4,888,231 entitled “Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer” issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; and U.S. Patent 4,834,735, entitled “High Density Absorbent Members having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones", issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989. Each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the backsheet 39 is positioned adjacent the garment surface of the absorbent core 45 and is preferably joined thereto by attachment means (not shown) such as those well known in the art.
  • the backsheet 39 may be secured to the absorbent core 45 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive.
  • Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota and marketed as HL-1258.
  • the attachment means will preferably comprise an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as is disclosed in U. S. Patent 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment", which issued to Minetola et al.
  • attachment means may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means as are known in the art.
  • the backsheet 39 is impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used.
  • the term "flexible” refers to materials which are compliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body.
  • the backsheet 39 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 45 from wetting articles which contact the diaper 20 such as bed sheets and undergarments.
  • the backsheet 39 may thus comprise a woven or non woven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as a film-coated non woven material.
  • the backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils).
  • Particularly preferred materials for the backsheet include RR8220 blown films and RR5475 cast films as manufactured by Tredegar Industries, Inc. of Terre Haute, IN.
  • the backsheet 39 is preferably embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more cloth like appearance. Further, the backsheet 39 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core 45 (i.e., breathable) while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 39.
  • the topsheet 41 is positioned adjacent the body surface of the absorbent core 45 and is preferably joined thereto and to the backsheet 39 by attachment means (not shown) such as those well known in the art. Suitable attachment means are described with respect to joining the backsheet 39 to the absorbent core 45.
  • the term "joined” encompasses configuration whereby an element is directly secured to the other element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.
  • the topsheet 41 24 and the backsheet 39 are joined directly to each other in the diaper periphery and are indirectly joined together by directly joining them to the absorbent core 45 by the attachment means (not shown).
  • the topsheet 41 is compliant, soft feeling, and no-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet 41 is liquid pervious permitting liquids (e.g., urine) to readily penetrate through its thickness.
  • a suitable topsheet 41 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams; aperture plastic films; or woven or non woven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.
  • the topsheet 41 is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 45.
  • the topsheet 41 may be a nonwoven web of fibers spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or the like.
  • a preferred topsheet 41 is carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabrics art.
  • a preferred topsheet 41 comprises a web of stable length polypropylene fibers such as is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts under the designation P-8.

Abstract

Articles absorbants tels que couches jetables, slips d'incontinence, couches à enfiler, couvre-couches et analogues, qui fournissent une plage d'ajustement dynamique maximisée au niveau de la taille et une étanchétié améliorée au niveau des ouvertures pour les jambes. Des panneaux latéraux (23) s'étendent vers l'extérieur à partir de pattes latérales (37) afin de fournir une plage d'ajustement importante au niveau de l'ouverture de la taille. Les pattes latérales (37) ne comportent pas d'élastique en vue de l'effet d'étanchéité et lesdites pattes sont relativement étroites. Des revers (60) allongés au niveau des jambes sont reliés à une armature (21) située le long des pattes latérales (37) afin de produire l'effet d'étanchéité. Chacun des revers (60) allongés comporte un bord distal libre (65) éloigné de la patte latérale (37) et un élément d'écartement (67) destiné à écarter ledit bord distal (65) de l'armature absorbante (21) en direction du haut. Ledit article absorbant comporte des panneaux latéraux (23) et des ouvertures pour les jambes suffisamment larges pour répondre au besoin.
EP94910131A 1993-02-24 1994-02-23 Article absorbant a fermeture amelioree au niveau des jambes Withdrawn EP0801550A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP35768/93 1993-02-24
JP5035768A JPH06254119A (ja) 1993-02-24 1993-02-24 改良された脚まわり漏れ防止構造を備える使い捨てパンツ型おむつ
PCT/US1994/001767 WO1994018927A1 (fr) 1993-02-24 1994-02-23 Article absorbant a fermeture amelioree au niveau des jambes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0801550A4 EP0801550A4 (fr) 1997-10-22
EP0801550A1 true EP0801550A1 (fr) 1997-10-22

Family

ID=12451049

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94910131A Withdrawn EP0801550A1 (fr) 1993-02-24 1994-02-23 Article absorbant a fermeture amelioree au niveau des jambes

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0801550A1 (fr)
JP (2) JPH06254119A (fr)
AU (1) AU6269094A (fr)
CA (1) CA2156482C (fr)
CZ (1) CZ214895A3 (fr)
FI (1) FI953951A (fr)
HU (1) HUT71928A (fr)
NO (1) NO953334L (fr)
SG (1) SG54155A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1994018927A1 (fr)

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US5496428A (en) * 1994-01-07 1996-03-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Process for making an absorbent article having inflected barrier leg cuff
CA2205898C (fr) * 1994-12-21 2002-02-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant possedant des prolongements anti-fuite et procede de fabrication
US5569234A (en) * 1995-04-03 1996-10-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable pull-on pant
MX9600133A (es) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-28 Kimberly Clark Co Articulo absorbente con margenes elasticos y sistema de contencion mejorados.
EP0883394B1 (fr) * 1996-02-29 2002-05-02 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Rabats de retenue assurant a la fois impermeabilite et elasticite a un article absorbant jetable
US6264642B1 (en) 1996-02-29 2001-07-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Elasticized laminate, liquid impermeable backsheet for a disposable absorbent article
US5827387A (en) 1996-12-20 1998-10-27 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of making an absorbent article having leg cuffs combined with containment flaps
SE513202C2 (sv) 1997-02-28 2000-07-31 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Absorberande alster
EP1014909A4 (fr) * 1997-09-16 2005-03-30 Paragon Trade Brands Inc Culotte de proprete jetable a flancs elastiques
US5993433A (en) * 1997-10-20 1999-11-30 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with enhanced elastic design for improved aesthetics and containment
US6652693B2 (en) 1998-08-06 2003-11-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for applying adhesive in an article having a strand material
US6248097B1 (en) 1998-08-06 2001-06-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with more conformable elastics
US6235137B1 (en) 1998-08-06 2001-05-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process for manufacturing an elastic article
JP3595471B2 (ja) * 1999-11-19 2004-12-02 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 使い捨ての尿とりパッド
JP3626647B2 (ja) * 1999-11-30 2005-03-09 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 使い捨ておむつ
US6361634B1 (en) 2000-04-05 2002-03-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Multiple stage coating of elastic strands with adhesive
US6764478B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2004-07-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable absorbent garment having highly extensible leg openings
US7572250B2 (en) 2001-11-30 2009-08-11 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Absorbent article
JP4427446B2 (ja) * 2002-06-05 2010-03-10 株式会社リブドゥコーポレーション 吸収性物品
US7794441B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2010-09-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Dual cuff for a unitary disposable absorbent article being spaced away from backsheet
US20050234411A1 (en) * 2004-04-14 2005-10-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Dual cuff for a unitary disposable absorbent article made of a continuous cuff material
US8684988B2 (en) * 2004-06-29 2014-04-01 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable absorbent article having barrier cuff strips
JP4540624B2 (ja) * 2005-04-21 2010-09-08 花王株式会社 使い捨ておむつ
US8038661B2 (en) 2005-09-02 2011-10-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with low cold flow construction adhesive
JP5503863B2 (ja) * 2008-10-17 2014-05-28 株式会社リブドゥコーポレーション 使い捨て吸収性物品
JP5475323B2 (ja) * 2009-05-18 2014-04-16 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 吸収性物品
US8956493B2 (en) 2010-12-17 2015-02-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Leg and flap elastic composite for an absorbent article and method of manufacturing same
JP5793003B2 (ja) * 2011-05-31 2015-10-14 株式会社リブドゥコーポレーション 使い捨ておむつ
WO2014150638A1 (fr) 2013-03-22 2014-09-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Articles absorbants jetables

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO953334D0 (no) 1995-08-24
JPH06254119A (ja) 1994-09-13
CZ214895A3 (en) 1996-01-17
FI953951A0 (fi) 1995-08-23
JPH08508657A (ja) 1996-09-17
CA2156482C (fr) 1999-09-21
NO953334L (no) 1995-08-24
CA2156482A1 (fr) 1994-09-01
SG54155A1 (en) 1998-11-16
EP0801550A4 (fr) 1997-10-22
WO1994018927A1 (fr) 1994-09-01
FI953951A (fi) 1995-09-12
HUT71928A (en) 1996-02-28
HU9502463D0 (en) 1995-10-30
AU6269094A (en) 1994-09-14

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