KR19990014742A - Disposable pull up absorbent products with multidirectional stretchable side panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides absorbent products such as disposable bowel training panties, stretchable diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper holders, women's sanitary napkins, etc., having stretchable side panel features that improve the dynamic fit of the diaper around the wearer's legs and waist. do. Such absorbent articles include liquid permeable topsheets; Liquid impermeable backsheets; An absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet; A receiving assembly including an extensible side panel each comprising a waist panel and a thigh panel positioned along each longitudinal edge of the receiving assembly in a first waist region. The lumbar panel and thigh panel are operatively associated such that the lumbar panel has circumferential stretch in one direction and the thigh panel has circumferential stretch in the other direction. This allows the waist panel to remain circumferential and provide tension around the wearer to secure the diaper on the wearer, and the thigh panel expands and contracts to maintain dynamic fit around the wearer's leg. Form possible side panels. The waist panel and thigh panel thus increase the free movement and wearer comfort while reducing the negative effects of dynamic forces on the absorbent product, such as sagging and gap formation that can cause leakage.

Description

Disposable pull up absorbent products with multidirectional stretchable side panels

Infants and other incontinence wear absorbent products, such as diapers, to absorb and contain urine and other body waste. The absorbent product contains feces and functions to separate the feces from the wearer's body and the wearer's garment and bedding. Disposable absorbent articles having a number of different basic designs are known in the art. For example, US Reissue Patent 26,152, entitled Disposable Diaper, issued to Duncan and Baker on January 31, 1967, discloses disposable diapers that have gained wide acceptance and commercial success. .

In order to provide better consistency and reduce leakage, absorbent articles provide elastic features. Kenneth B. on 14 January 1975. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003, entitled Contractible Side Portions For Disposable Diaper to Kenneth B. Buell, describes an elasticized leg cuff disposable diaper that has gained wide acceptance and commercial success. U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell et al. On September 29, 1992, describes an absorbent article having elastic waist features that improve acceptance properties as well as dynamic matching. U.S. Patent No. 4,857,067 to Wood et al. On August 15, 1989, describes a disposable diaper with an elastic side panel for mating on the wearer's hips. The resilient features are designed to expand and contract in response to the wearer's movements and to provide consistency of the absorbent article (sustained dynamic consistency) around the wearer during use.

However, absorbent articles with elastic features still form gaps and tend to be too tight during use. As the wearer moves, changes occur in the wearer's body dimensions, particularly the hips and thighs, thereby applying a dynamic force to the diaper. These dynamic forces tend to deform the materials that make up the diaper and to push the diaper away from the wearer. As a result, diapers tend to sag and gap from the wearer, particularly dynamic areas of motion such as the hips and thighs. Conventional disposable diapers originally consisted of inelastic materials that could not be elastically inflated to facilitate physical exercise of the wearer. Incorporating the integral resilient side panels into conventional disposable diapers has improved consistency of the diaper and is generally comfortable by extending the side panels laterally around the wearer's waist. However, the integral resilient side panels cannot expand sufficiently elastically in the non-lateral direction without applying unnecessary pressure on the wearer's leg, hip or waist. Because the wearer's movement creates dynamic forces in a number of different directions, conventional disposable diapers with integral elastic side panel features still create gaps in the body, causing increased leakage and exerting force on the wearer to be comfortable. It tends not to appear and tends to show red spots on the wearer's skin.

Thus, it would be advantageous to provide an absorbent article having improved stretchable side panels that not only provide better consistency and wearer comfort, but also reduce leakage, sagging and crevice formation during use.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having improved dynamic fit around the waist and leg of the wearer by reducing sagging and gap formation of the absorbent article on the wearer.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having a unique multi-directional stretchable side panel that expands and contracts in multiple directions to minimize the effects of dynamic forces generated by the wearer's movement, thereby providing continuous dynamic consistency of the absorbent article. To improve the free movement and comfort for the wearer while improving the.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent with reference to the following description and attached drawings.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides absorbent articles such as training pants, stretch diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper covers, women's sanitary napkins and the like with stretchable side panel features that improve the dynamic fit of the diaper around the wearer's legs and waist. . Such absorbent articles include liquid permeable topsheets; Liquid impermeable backsheets; An absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet; And a retractable side panel, wherein each panel includes a stretchable side panel comprising a waist panel and a thigh panel positioned along each longitudinal edge of the receiving assembly in the first waist region. The lumbar panel and thigh panel are preferably operatively associated such that the lumbar panel is circumferentially stretchable in one direction, and the thigh panel is circumferentially stretchable in the other direction. This allows the waist panel to provide tension around the wearer to maintain cohesion around the waist and to secure the diaper on the wearer, and the femoral panel expands and contracts to maintain dynamic consistency around the wearer's leg. Form side panels. The waist panel and thigh panel thus increase the free movement and wearer comfort while reducing the negative effects of dynamic forces on the absorbent product, such as sagging and gap formation that can cause leakage.

The extensible side panel may comprise a single piece of extensible material or two or more individual elements joined together to form an extensible side panel. In addition, the stretchable side panels may be extensions of other elements of the absorbent article or individual structures coupled to other elements of the absorbent article. Mechanical treatments such as corrugated, wavy, ring-rolled, and the like can be performed on the side panels to provide the unique multidirectional stretchable features of the present invention. In addition, the material may be folded, split or cut to form separate waist panels and thigh panels with stretch in different directions.

In another embodiment, the multidirectional stretching properties are derived from stretchable side panels comprising individual waist panels and thigh panels having non-parallel, major stretching properties. In a preferred embodiment, the waist panel has a circumferential stretch around the waist of the wearer and the thigh panel preferably has a circumferential stretch that is not parallel to the direction of the waist panel at the lateral and longitudinal angles. In this form, the lumbar panel is elastically retracted to provide an internal force that holds the absorbent product in place around the wearer during use while the thigh panel expands and retracts in conjunction with the wearer's leg movements. The multidirectional stretchable side panels thus reduce the likelihood of gap formation in the waist and thigh areas of the absorbent article as well as reducing spots on the wearer's skin resulting from tension and dynamic forces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as training panties, pull-up diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper covers, and the like, and more particularly absorbent having stretchable side panels that provide improved comfort as well as dynamic fit around the wearer. It is about a product.

Although the specification is defined to specifically point out and specifically claim the subject matter deemed to form the invention, the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Represent the same element.

1 is a plan view of a disposable diaper embodiment of the present invention having a cut to reveal the underlying structure of the diaper, ie the inner surface, when facing towards the viewer.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial plan view of the inner surface of the stretchable side panel of the diaper shown in FIG. 1 with a cutout to reveal the underlying structure. FIG.

3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the outer surface of the stretchable side panel of the diaper shown in FIG. 1 with a cutout to reveal the underlying structure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial plan view of the inner surface of the stretchable side panel of the diaper shown in FIG. 1, showing the circumferential stretch of the waist panel and the circumferential stretch of the thigh with respect to the lateral axis. The tape tab and hardening member shown in FIG. 1 have been deleted for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a plan view in the form of a multi-component stretchable side panel with no distal rim of the lumbar panel and thigh panel combined; FIG.

6 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a polymeric web material having a deformable network with deformation towards the viewer.

7 is a partial perspective view of the polymeric web material of FIG. 6 in an unextended state.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the polymeric web of FIG. 6 in an extended state corresponding to step I on the resistivity-elongation curve shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the polymeric web material of FIG. 6 in an extended state corresponding to stage II on the resistivity-extension curve of FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a graph of resistivity versus elongation, comparing an aspect of the polymeric web material of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 to another coplanar, basic polymeric web material.

11 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of the present invention in which the stretchable side panel includes a single component.

12 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention in which a single extensible component is folded to form waist features and leg cuffs of a disposable absorbent article as well as stretchable side panels.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a disposable training pant comprising the multidirectional stretchable side panel of the present invention.

As used herein, the term absorbent product refers to a product that absorbs and contains body excretion, and more specifically refers to a product that is located opposite or in close proximity to the wearer's body to absorb and contain various excreta from the body. It means. The term disposable is used herein to describe absorbent articles which do not mean to be washed, otherwise restored or reused as absorbent articles herein (ie they are discarded after a single use, preferably recycled, composted or environmentally Otherwise differently treated in a friendly manner). Preferred embodiments of the absorbent article of the present invention are the disposable absorbent article (diaper 20) shown in FIG. 1 and the disposable pull up absorbent article shown in FIG. As used herein, the term diaper refers to an absorbent article that is generally worn by infants and incontinences, i.e., worn around the lower body of the wearer. However, the present invention can of course also be used in other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments, diaper holders, diaper liners, feminine sanitary napkins, training pants, comfort diapers and the like.

FIG. 1 is an unshrinked unfolded state (ie, elasticity-induced contraction) in which part of the structure is cut and the interior of the diaper 20 facing the wearer is directed towards the viewer to more clearly show the structure of the diaper 20. This is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in the released state. As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably includes a liquid permeable top sheet 24; A liquid impermeable backsheet 26 bonded to the topsheet 24; And a receiving assembly 22 comprising an absorbent core 28 positioned between the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. The diaper also includes elasticized leg cuffs 32; Ear flaps 62; Elastic waist features 34; A fixing system 48 comprising a pair of first fixing members 40 and a second fixing member 42 each having a main center line F; And an extensible side panel 30 comprising an extensible waist panel 36 and a femoral panel 38, respectively. Each stretchable side panel 30 has a proximal rim 80 and a distal rim 82.

The diaper 20 also has two centerlines, a longitudinal centerline 100 and a transverse centerline 102. As used herein, the term longitudinal refers to a straight line in the plane of the diaper 20 (e.g. approximately parallel) arranged in a vertical plane that bisects the wearer who is generally upright in half when left to wear the diaper 20. , Refers to the axis or direction. As used herein, the terms transverse and lateral are interchangeable and refer to lines, axes, or directions that lie in the plane of the diaper and are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (half the wearer's body into the front and back).

As shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable side panel 30 preferably includes a waist panel that is operatively associated in a retractable state such that the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 have non-parallel circumferential stretchability. 36) and the femoral panel 38 (the terms waist panel and femoral panel refer to the stretchable components of the stretchable side panel, respectively, having a stretch in the circumferential direction. Possible member refers to stretchability in the direction with the largest stretchability). 1 shows that the waist panel 36 has a stretch in the circumferential direction around the waist of the wearer, and the thigh panel 38 has a stretch in the circumferential direction that is not parallel to the direction of the waist panel 36. An aspect is shown (the extensibility of the circumferential direction in the waist panel 36 is shown by the arrow G in FIG. 1. The extensibility of the circumferential direction in the thigh panel 38 is shown by the arrow H in FIG. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the femoral panel 38 has circumferential stretch that is not parallel to the lateral or longitudinal direction (lateral direction is defined as the direction parallel to the lateral center line of the diaper, and longitudinal direction is the longitudinal center line). Defined in a direction parallel to). The stretchable side panel 30 allows the side of the diaper 20 to expand and contract so that the wearer initially conforms to the diaper 20 and during the wear time after the feces are placed in the diaper 20. By maintaining mating, the stretchable side panel 30 provides more comfortable appearance mating. The waist panel 36 contracts elastically by providing an internal force that secures the diaper around the wearer during use. The femoral panel 38 expands and contracts as the wearer's legs move. Thus, the multidirectional stretchable waist panel and thigh panel reduce the formation of gaps in the waist or thigh areas of the diaper, and the likelihood of spots on the wearer resulting from fixation and dynamic forces.

The diaper 20 includes an inner surface 44 (surface facing the viewer of FIG. 1), an outer surface 46 facing the inner surface 44, a first waist region 50, and a first waist region 50. 2 waist region 52, crotch region 54 located between first waist region 50 and second waist region 52, and a periphery defined by an outer periphery or rim of diaper 20. FIG. 1, where the longitudinal rim is indicated by 56 and the distal rim is indicated by (58). The inner surface 44 of the diaper 20 is a portion of the diaper 20 positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use (ie, the inner surface 44 generally includes at least a portion of the upper sheet 24 and the upper sheet). Formed by other components bound to 24). The outer surface 46 is a portion of the diaper 20 positioned away from the wearer's body (ie, the outer surface 46 is generally formed by at least some of the backsheet 26 and other components bonded to the backsheet 26). Is formed). As used herein, the term combined refers to a structure in which one element is directly attached to another element so that one element is directly fixed to the other element and one element is attached to the intermediate member (s) and then attached to the other element. Contains a structure in which an element is indirectly fixed to another element. The first waist region 50 and the second waist region 52 extend from the distal edge 58 of the periphery to the crotch region 54. The first waist region 50 includes a central region 60 and a pair of stretchable side panels 30 that typically include an outer side portion of the first waist region 50. The second waist region 52 includes a central region 172, and a pair of ear flaps 62, typically including an outer side portion of the second waist region 52. The stretchable side panel located in the first waist region 50 is referred to as 30, while the ear flap in the second waist region 52 is referred to as 62.

The receiving assembly 22 of the diaper 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as including the main body (frame) of the diaper 20. The receiving assembly 22 comprises an outer covering layer comprising at least the absorbent core 28 and preferably the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. The receiving assembly 22 generally includes a holder and a liner when the absorbent article includes individual holders and liners (ie, the receiving assembly 22 includes one or more layers of material to define the holder, while the liner is Absorbent composites such as topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core). Generally, the receiving assembly 22 includes the main structure of the diaper with other features applied to form the composite diaper structure. Thus, the receiving assembly 22 for the diaper 20 generally includes a top sheet 24, a back sheet 26 and an absorbent core 28.

1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the receiving assembly 22 in which the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26 have generally larger length and width dimensions than the absorbent core 28. The top sheet 24 and back sheet 26 extend beyond the rim of the absorbent core 28 to form the periphery of the diaper 20. The top sheet 24, back sheet 26 and absorbent core 28 may be assembled into a variety of well known structures, although the preferred receiving assembly structure is generally described in Kenneth B. Jan. 14, 1975. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003, titled Contractible Side Portions for Disposable Diaper to Buell, dated September 29, 1992. US Pat. No. 5,151,092, entitled Absorbent Article With Dynamic Elastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge, to Buell et al., Each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2 and 3 are enlarged partial views of the stretchable side panel 30 with cutouts to reveal the underlying structure. 2 shows the inner surface of the extensible side panel 30 and FIG. 3 shows the outer surface of the extensible side panel 30. In the multicomponent embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stretchable side panel 30 includes a lumbar panel proximal rim 72, a lumbar panel distal rim 74, a lumbar panel first lateral rim 90 and a lumbar panel. Lumbar panel 36 with second lateral rim 92, and thigh panel proximal rim 78, thigh panel distal rim 76, thigh panel first lateral rim 94 and thigh panel second lateral Thigh panel 38 having a rim 96. As shown in FIG. 2, the lumbar panel proximal edge 72 and the femoral panel proximal edge 78 may be coupled between the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. In addition, lumbar panel proximal rim 72, femoral panel proximal rim 78, or both, may be coupled to outer surface 46 of backsheet 26, inner surface 44 of topsheet 24. 2 also shows that the lumbar panel distal rim 74 is operatively associated in a partially overlapped form that is coupled to the femoral panel distal rim 76.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first fastening member 40 is preferably located adjacent the distal edge 82 of the extensible side panel 30. The first fastening member 40 is preferably operatively associated to be coupled to both the waist panel 36 and the thigh panel 38. Thus, the force on the first fastening member 40 provides tension across both the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38. 2 also shows a proximal curing member 84 positioned adjacent the proximal edge 80 of the extensible side panel 30 and a distal curing member positioned adjacent the distal edge 82 of the extensible side panel 30. 86 is shown. The proximal hardening member 84 prevents the proximal edge 80 of each extensible side panel 30 from suddenly springing up during use, and the distal hardening member 86 spans each extensible side panel 30. Help distribute force on the securing system 48. As shown in FIG. 2, the proximal curing member 84 and distal curing member 86 may be individual elements coupled to the absorbent article by attachment means (not shown) as is well known in the art, or It may be integral with the elements of the absorbent article.

The absorbent core 28 may be any absorbent member that is generally compressible, compliant and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and capable of absorbing and containing liquids such as urine and other specific body excretion. As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent core 28 has an outer surface 64, an inner surface 66, a side rim 68 and a waist rim 70. Absorbent core 28 is of a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, T-shaped, asymmetrical, etc.), with a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, e. For example, it may be made from pulverized wood pulp, commonly referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wading, meltblown polymers including coforms, chemically cured, modified or crosslinked cellulose fibers, tissues including tissue wraps and tissue laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, candles Absorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials or any analogues or mixtures thereof.

The shape and structure of the absorbent core 28 may vary (eg, the absorbent core may have various caliper bands, hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients or low average density and low average basis weight capture bands, or one). Or more layers or structures). However, the overall absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should match the design load of the diaper 20 and the intended use. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 can also be varied to suit the wearer from infant to adult.

One aspect of the diaper 20 is asymmetric, generally rectangular in the second waist region, while the first waist region is ear shaped and has a modified T-shaped absorbent core 28. An example of an absorbent structure for use as the absorbent core 28 of the present invention, which has gained wide acceptance and commercial success, is under the heading High-Density Absorbent Structures issued to Weisman et al. On September 9, 1986. United States Patent No. 4,610,678 to Weissman et al., June 16, 1987, US Patent No. 4,673,402, titled Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores, to Angstadt, December 19, 1989. U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231, entitled Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer, and High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones, issued to Alemany et al. 4,834,735. Absorbent cores are also disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,234,423 and September 15, 1992, entitled Absorbent Article With Elastic Waist Feature and Enhanced Absorbency, issued to Alemanny et al. On August 10, 1993. ) And Taylor contain a capture / distribution core of chemically cured fibers located on an absorbent storage core, as described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled High Efficiency Absorbent Articles For Incontinence Management. It may include a dual core system. All these patent documents are incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is located adjacent the outer surface 64 of the absorbent core 28 and is preferably joined by attachment means (not shown) as is well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 26 may be secured to the absorbent core 28 by a uniform continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer or an array of separation lines, spirals or dots of adhesive. The adhesive known to be satisfactory is H., St. Paul, Minnesota. ratio. Manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company and marketed as HL-1258. An example of a suitable attachment means comprising adhesive filaments of an open network is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,573,986, entitled Disposable Waste-Containment Garment, issued to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986. Other suitable means of attachment comprising an adhesive filament of several wires spiraling in a spiral form are described in US Pat. No. 3,911,173 to Sprague Jr, dated October 7, 1975; US Patent No. 4,785,996, issued to Ziecker et al. On November 22, 1978; And US Pat. No. 4,842,666 to Werenicz, dated June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the attachment means may comprise thermal bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, kinetic bonds or any other suitable attachment means or a combination of these attachment means as known in the art.

The backsheet 26 is impermeable to liquids (eg, urine) and is preferably made from thin plastic films, although other flexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. As used herein, the term flexible refers to a material that is compliant and easily conforms to the general shape and appearance of the human body. The backsheet 26 prevents the excretions absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 28 from being wetted by products that come into contact with the diaper 20, such as bedsheets and undergarments. The backsheet 26 also allows water vapor to escape (ie breathable) from the absorbent core 28, while preventing the feces from passing through the backsheet 26. Thus, the backsheet 26 comprises a composite material, such as a woven or nonwoven fabric, a polymerizable film such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene, or a film coated nonwoven fabric. An example of a suitable backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). Other suitable materials for the backsheet 26 include RR8220 blown films and RR5475 cast films made by Tredegar Industries, Inc., Terre Haute, Indiana. Preferably, the backsheet 26 is embossed and / or mat post-treated to provide a more cloth-like appearance.

The top sheet 24 is located adjacent the inner surface 66 of the absorbent core 28 and is preferably coupled to the back sheet 26 by attachment means (not shown) as is well known in the art. Suitable attachment means are described in connection with coupling the backsheet 26 to the absorbent core 28. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are directly bonded to each other at the periphery of the diaper and indirectly joined together by directly bonding them to the absorbent core 28 by means of attachment (not shown). do.

The topsheet 24 is compliant, has a soft feel and is non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The topsheet 24 is also preferably liquid permeable to allow liquid (eg, urine) to easily penetrate through its thickness. Suitable topsheets 24 include porous foams; Reticulated foam; Perforated plastic film; Or from a wide variety of materials, such as woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (eg wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg polyester or polypropylene fibers), or mixtures of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet 24 is preferably made of hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquid that passes through the topsheet 24 and contained in the absorbent core 28 (ie, to prevent rewetting). If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, at least the top surface of the topsheet 24 is hydrophilically treated so that the liquid moves faster through the topsheet. This reduces the likelihood of body excretion flowing through the topsheet 24 rather than being sucked through the topsheet 24 and being absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant. Suitable methods of treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying a surfactant onto the topsheet 24 material and immersing the material in the surfactant. A more detailed description of this treatment and hydrophilization is described in U.S. Pat. Absorbent Article with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores, issued to U.S. Patent No. 4,988,345, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

There are a number of fabrication techniques that can be used to fabricate the topsheet 24. For example, the topsheet 24 can be a nonwoven web of fibers. When the topsheet 24 comprises a nonwoven web, the web can be produced by spin bonding, carding, wetting, melt blowing, hydroentangle, or a combination of the above techniques. Suitable topsheets 24 are those that are carded and heat bonded by means well known to those skilled in the textile arts. Satisfactory topsheet 24 comprises polypropylene fibers of staple length having about 2.2 denier. As used herein, staple length fiber refers to a fiber having a length of at least about 15.9 mm (0.625 inch). Preferably, the topsheet 24 has a basis weight of about 18 to about 25 g / m ² . Suitable topsheets are manufactured by Veratec Corporation, a branch of International Paper Company, Walpole, Mass. Under the trademark P-8.

The diaper 20 preferably also includes elasticized leg cuffs 32 to provide improved accommodation of liquids and other body excretion. Each resilient leg cuff 32 includes several other aspects to reduce the leakage of body excretion in the leg area (leg cuffs are also sometimes referred to as legbands, side flaps, blocking cuffs or elastic cuffs). US Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper that provides a retractable leg opening with a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg cuff. U.S. Patent No. 4,909,803, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Flaps, issued to Aziz et al. On March 20, 1990. It describes. US Pat. No. 4,695,278, entitled Absorbent Article Having Dual Cuffs, issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987, describes a disposable diaper with double cuffs, including crevice cuffs and blocking cuffs. Each elastic leg cuff 32 may be of any legband, side flap, blocking cuff, or structure to be similar to the elastic cuff described above, and each elastic leg cuff 32 is preferably Includes the niche cuffs described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003.

The diaper 20 also preferably includes elastic waist features 34 that help provide improved consistency and water solubility. Elastic waist feature 34 is a portion or band of diaper 20 that elastically expands and contracts to dynamically mate the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34 preferably extends longitudinally outward from one or more waist rims 70 of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms one or more end rims 58 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers are generally made to have two elastic waist features (elastic waist features located in the first waist region 50 and elastic waist features located in the second waist region 52), It can be manufactured with elastic waist features. In addition, the elastic waist feature 34 or any component thereof may include a detachment element attached to the diaper 20 while the elastic waist feature 34 may include a backsheet 26 or a topsheet 24, It may preferably be made as an extension of another element of the diaper, such as both the backsheet 26 and the topsheet 24. Waist features 34 include a number of those described in US Pat. No. 4,515,595 to Kievit et al., Dated May 7, 1985, and US Pat. No. 5,151,092 to Buell, referenced above. And other patents, these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the diaper 20 also includes an ear flap 62 extending laterally outward from each longitudinal rim 56 of the receiving assembly 22 in the second waist region 52. do. Ear flap 62 provides a structure in which first waist region 50 can be attached to surround the wearer's leg and waist. Ear flaps 62 may take many different sizes, shapes, shapes, and materials. Ear flap 62 may comprise a portion of the material that constitutes one or more diaper elements, including top sheet 24 and back sheet 26. In addition, the ear flap 62 may include a plurality of elements or separation elements coupled to the diaper. Suitable materials for use as the ear flaps 62 include fabric webs; Nonwoven web; Films (eg polymerizable films); Foams; Laminates including film laminates, nonwoven laminates or zero modified laminates; Elastomers; Complexes; Or combinations of any of the materials described herein or those described for stretchable side panels as known in the art. Ear flap 62 may be coupled to receiving assembly 22 by any means as is known in the art; For example, the ear flaps 62 can be continuously or intermittently attached to the receiving assembly using heated or unheated adhesive, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, kinetic bonds, or any other method known in the art. Can be combined.

The diaper 20 preferably further comprises an expandable side panel 30 positioned adjacent each longitudinal rim 56 of the receiving assembly 22 of the diaper 20 in the first waist region 50. (As used herein, the term located refers to a particular place or location as an integral structure in which the element (s) of the absorbent article have other elements of the absorbent article or as a separate element coupled to another element of the absorbent article. Formed (combined and positioned). The stretchable side panel 30 is suitable for initial fit of the diaper to the wearer since the stretchable side panel 30 can inflate and deflate the sides of the diaper 20 and the entire wear after the feces have been placed on the diaper. Maintaining coherence over time provides elastically extensible features that provide more comfortable appearance coherence. The stretchable side panel 30 also provides a more effective application of the diaper because the diaper self-adjusts to provide improved mating while wearing, even though the wearer mates the diaper asymmetrically to the wearer. The extensible side panels 30 of the present invention also provide improved dynamic matching not only around the wearer's waist but also around the wearer's thigh, reducing the likelihood of sagging and gaping around the waist and legs where leakage may occur, respectively. Increases freedom of movement and comfort of the wearer at the site.

Each stretchable side panel 30 includes a waist panel 36 and a thigh panel 38. The waist panel 36 preferably has a lateral stretch that is different from the femoral panel 38 to provide a stretchable side panel 30 with unique multidirectional stretch characteristics. The waist panel 36 initially provides tension to secure the diaper 20 around the wearer's waist, and once activated, dynamically expands and contracts according to the wearer's movements, thereby diapering the snug 20 during use. Is a portion or element of the stretchable side panel 30 designed to maintain a waist and provide comfortable fit of the patient. (Activated or activated, as used herein, is applied by tensioning the stretchable material in a relaxed state so that the stretchable material is No longer relaxed, and thus can expand and contract according to the wearer's movement). The lumbar panel 36 includes a lumbar panel proximal rim 72, a lumbar panel distal rim 74 opposite to the lumbar panel proximal rim 72, a lumbar panel proximal rim 72, and a lumbar panel distal rim 74. A first lateral rim 90 extending therebetween, and a second lateral rim 92 longitudinally opposed to the first lateral rim 90. In a preferred embodiment, the waist panel 36 is positioned farther from the transverse centerline 102 of the receiving assembly 22 than the first lateral rim 90 is than the second lateral rim 92, Position to form part of the distal edge 58.

The waist panel 36 preferably comprises an extensible material having circumferential stretch (represented by arrow G) around the waist of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential extensibility of the waist panel 36 is laterally oriented outwardly of the first vector component (greater than zero), and the second vector component (greater than zero and oriented towards the lateral centerline 102). ). More preferably, the first stretchable first vector component of the lumbar panel is larger than the second vector component (however, it is recognized that all or part of the lumbar panel 36 may also be extendable in a direction other than the longitudinal stretchable). Should be). The angle A in FIG. 4 represents the angle (measured in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction) between the circumferential stretch of the waist panel 36 and the lateral axis 104 parallel to the lateral center line 102 ( In FIG. 4, the angle A is measured clockwise from the lateral axis 104). The angle (A) is preferably about 0 to 45 degrees from the lateral direction, more preferably about 5 to 20 degrees from the lateral direction, most preferably about 10 to about 15 degrees from the lateral direction.

The femoral panel 38 is a portion or element of the stretchable side panel 30 that is designed to expand and contract in response to the wearer's dynamic movements in the outer thigh area where the diaper wraps around the wearer's leg. The femoral panel 38 includes a femoral panel proximal edge 78, a femoral panel proximal edge 78 laterally opposite the femoral panel proximal edge 78, a femoral panel proximal edge 78 and a femoral panel distal edge 76. It has a first lateral edge 94 extending therebetween and a second lateral edge 96 longitudinally opposite the first lateral edge 94. Preferably, the femoral panel 38 is located adjacent to the longitudinal rim 56 of the receiving assembly 22 and laterally from a position closer to the transverse centerline 102 of the receiving assembly 22 than the waist panel 36. Extend outward Preferably, the second lateral rim 96 of the femoral panel 38 is located further from the distal rim 58 of the receiving assembly than the first lateral rim 94. In a preferred embodiment, when the diaper 20 is mated to the wearer, the second lateral rim 96 forms part of the diaper 20 that wraps around the wearer's thigh.

The femoral panel 38 preferably comprises an extensible material having circumferential stretchability of the waist panel, preferably circumferential stretch that is not parallel to the lateral and longitudinal angles (indicated by arrow H). . In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential extensibility of the femoral panel includes a first vector component (greater than zero) that is laterally oriented outwardly, and a second vector component (greater than 0 and oriented away from the lateral centerline 102). (All or part of the femoral panel may also be extendable in a direction other than major stretch). As shown in FIG. 4, angle B is represented by the angle between the lateral stretch of the femoral panel and the lateral axis 104 (angle B used herein is counterclockwise from the lateral axis 104). Direction is measured). The angle (B) is preferably about 0 to 40 degrees from the lateral direction, more preferably about 10 to 35 degrees from the lateral direction, most preferably about 20 to about 30 degrees from the lateral direction. In a preferred embodiment, when the diaper 20 is initially mated to the wearer, the thigh panel 38 wraps the outer thigh of the wearer's leg. Once activated, the femoral panel 38 dynamically expands and contracts as the wearer's legs move to maintain a comfortable fit around the wearer's leg throughout use. This improves the receptive properties of the diaper while reducing red spots on the wearer's skin.

The waist panel 36, the femoral panel 38, and the stretchable side panel 30 can take many different sizes, shapes, shapes, and materials. The exact length, width and thickness of waist panel 36 and thigh panel 38 as well as stretchable side panel 30 will vary depending on the dimensions of the user and the exact shape of stretchable side panel 30. Thus, the waist panel 36 may be the same size and shape as the femoral panel 38, or the waist panel 36 may be formed of the diaper 20 to provide the multidirectional stretching characteristics of the present invention as described herein. It may have other dimensions as long as it can be operatively associated with the femoral panel 38 and the receiving assembly 22. An example of a suitable stretchable side panel 30 that is worn on a medium sized infant is generally a trapezoidal shape having dimensions of about 2 to 4 inches in the longitudinal direction and about 2 to 5 inches in the lateral direction.

The extensible side panel 30 may comprise a single piece of extensible material, or two or more extensible members that are operatively associated together to form each extensible side panel 30. As used herein, a single component stretchable side panel or a single component aspect means an aspect of the invention wherein the stretchable side panel comprises a single stretchable member. Multicomponent stretchable side panels or multicomponent embodiments represent aspects of the invention in which stretchable side panels 30 comprise two or more stretchable members that are operatively associated together to form stretchable side panels 30. Used herein. In a preferred embodiment, the stretchable side panel 30 has at least one, preferably two stretchable members, a waist panel member 37 forming the waist panel 36 and a separate thigh panel forming the thigh panel 38. And a member 39. The stretchable member may consist of an extension of other elements of the diaper, such as the backsheet 26 or the topsheet 24 or both, or may include the entirety of the detachment elements attached to the receiving assembly 22.

The proximal rim 80 of the stretchable side panel 30 is located adjacent to one longitudinal rim 56 of the receiving assembly 22 of the diaper. In one form, the proximal edge 80 of the stretchable side panel 30 is located between the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. However, the stretchable side panel 30 may be coupled to the receiving assembly 22 in a number of different forms. For example, the proximal edge 80 of the stretchable side panel 30 may be coupled to the outer surface of the back sheet 26 or the inner surface 44 of the top sheet 24. Also, in a multicomponent embodiment in which the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 include separate stretchable members, the waist panel member 37 and the femoral panel member 39 may be on the same or different surface or on the top sheet. It may be located between the 24 and the backsheet 26. In another aspect, the stretchable side panel 30 or any component thereof may be located on a separating element coupled to the receiving assembly 22.

The stretchable side panel 30 is preferably coupled to the receiving assembly 22 or diaper 20 by attachment means (not shown) well known in the art. Suitable means for attaching each extensible side panel 30 to the receiving assembly 22 is melt bonding (eg, ultrasonic, thermal or pressure bonding). In addition, the extensible side panel 30 may be intermittently or continuously bonded to the receiving assembly 22 using adhesive, kinetic bonding, or any other method known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, at least a portion of the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 are joined together. Preferably, at least some lumbar panel distal rim 74 is coupled to at least some femoral panel distal rim 76. In a multicomponent embodiment, the lumbar panel distal rim 74 and the femoral panel distal rim 76 are preferably joined in at least partially overlapping form. This is because the force applied to the first fastening member 40 positioned adjacent the distal edge 82 of the stretchable side panel 30 causes the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 to expand and contract. It will be activated so that it can contract. The waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 can be joined to each other using adhesive, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, kinetic bonding or other bonding methods known in the art.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a multi-component stretchable side panel 30 is possible in which the waist panel member 37 and thigh panel member 39 are not initially joined to each other. The lumbar panel distal rim 74 is separated from the femoral panel distal rim 76 and each extensible member has a separate securing component coupled thereto. This provides the wearer with greater flexibility in the placement of the distal rim of the stretchable member that forms the waist panel member 37 and thigh panel member 39 when securing the diaper 20 around the wearer. For example, in this form, the waist panel member 37 and thigh panel member 39 may be individually fixed to the diaper 20 itself. In addition, the waist panel member 37 may be fixedly fixed to the thigh panel member 39, or the thigh panel member 37 may be fixed to the waist panel member 39. The lumbar panel member 37 and the femoral panel member 39 are the previously discussed fastenings for the lumbar panel member and any other fastening member coupled to the lumbar panel member and the thigh panel member, such as the thigh panel member or the hook and loop fastener. The components can be used to fix each other stationarily in multiple locations.

Each extensible side panel 30 may comprise any suitable extensible, extensible, or elastomeric material (extendable as used herein means a material that can increase in one or more dimensions. Stretchable means a material that is extensible when exerting force is applied to the material and that provides some resistance to extensibility Elastomericity is about one dimension that extends in one or more directions when exerting force and releases the extensibility Means the substance to be recovered). An elastomeric material that has been found to be particularly suitable for use in the waist panel 36 and the thigh panel 38 is a laminate of two coverstock layers with an elastomeric film sandwiched between the coverstock layers. Coverstock as used herein may include any woven or nonwoven fabric. An example of a suitable coverstock material is that made by Veratec Corporation, a branch of International Paper Company, Walpole, Mass., Under the trademark P-8. An example of a suitable film sandwiched between coverstock layers is EXX-500 (formerly EXX-7), an elastomeric film made by Exxon Chemical Company of Laker Zurich, Illinois. Stretchable side panels and other materials suitable for use as or in the side panel members include structural elastic film (SELF) webs, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, synthetic rubber foam, natural rubber foam, elastomers, as described below. Elastomeric composites such as polymeric scrims, woven elastomeric webs, nonwoven elastomeric webs, elastomeric nonwoven laminates, zero modified stretch laminates, premodified stretch laminates, and the like. U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, entitled Absorbent Article with Dynamic Elastic Waist Feature Having a Predisposed Flexural Hinge, issued September 29, 1992, describes suitable zero-modified kidney laminates and pre-modified kidney laminates, Cited for reference. In another preferred embodiment, the side panel 30 can be fully or partially exposed (ie, a film with slits, holes or gaps through which air can pass). The side panels may also include breathable or microporous materials, such as Clofei P18-2321 film.

Structurally elastic film (SELF) webs are stretchable materials that exhibit an elastic action in the stretching direction without the use of an applied elastic material. SELF webs include deformable reticular tissue having two or more adjacent separate different regions. One of the regions is configured such that a substantial portion of the other region exhibits a resistance to the applied axial stretch in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis before advancing a significant resistance to the applied stretch. One or more regions have a larger surface path length than other regions by measuring substantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material is under no tension. Areas representing longer surface path lengths include one or more deviations extending beyond the plane of another area. SELF webs exhibit two or more significantly different resistivity versus stretching stages adjusted along one or more predetermined axes when applied stretching in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The SELF web exhibits a first resistance to the applied stretch until the stretch of the web is sufficient to introduce an area of the substantial portion with a longer surface path length to the applied stretch surface, after which the SELF web further stretches. Represents a second force relative to. The total resistance to stretching is greater than the first resistance to stretching provided by the first region.

In a preferred embodiment the deformable web material comprises a molded polymeric film. The deformable web material may consist of a base material having relatively low extensibility under the forces typically applied when wearing a diaper. However, when molded into the deformable web material described herein, the base material will be extensible under these forces. The deformable web material may also be molded into a structure that provides a force wall created under certain preselected stretches and forces. The deformable web material is preferably substantially composed of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The deformable web material may also consist of polyethylene or polypropylene, including low density polyethylene (LDPE), ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and blends of these and other materials. Examples of other suitable polymeric materials that may also be used include, but are not limited to, polyesters, polyurethanes, blendable or biodegradable polymers, heat shrinkable polymers, thermoplastic elastomers, and breathable polymers.

The deformable web material may be used in a variety of other forms in the stretchable side panel 30 of the diaper 20. An example of a structurally elastic film of a suitable form is a laminate. The laminate includes a deformable web material that is secured between two longitudinally extendable, preferably carded nonwoven webs (also deformable web material may be used in various other components of the absorbent article described herein). have).

The deformable web material is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in a substantially unextended state. The deformable web material has two centerlines, ie a longitudinal centerline, also referred to below as an axis or direction l, and also a transverse or lateral centerline referred below as an axis or direction t. The lateral center line t is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal center line l. In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal centerline l of the deformable web material is aligned with the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20. However, in other embodiments the longitudinal centerline l of the web material may be oriented in a different direction depending on the direction of desired extensibility.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the deformable web material 660 includes deformable reticulated tissue in separate areas. As used herein, deformable network refers to an interconnected, correlated group of regions that can be elastically deformable at a relatively low resistive and relatively high resistive stage to extend in a predetermined direction to a certain degree of usefulness. do. The deformable network includes at least a first region 664 and a second region 666. The first region 664 has an elastic modulus E1 and a cross sectional area A1. The second region 666 has an elastic modulus E2 and a cross sectional area A2. The first region and the second region each have a first surface and an opposing second surface. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the deformable network includes a plurality of first regions 664 and a plurality of second regions 666. The first region 664 has a first axis 668 and a second axis 669, and the first axis 668 is preferably longer than the second axis 669. The first axis 668 of the first region 664 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis l of the deformable web material 660 while the second axis 669 is substantially deformable web material 660. Is parallel to the transverse axis t of. The second region 666 has a first axis 670 and a second axis 671. The first axis 670 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the deformable web material while the second axis 671 is substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the deformable web material. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6, the first region 664 and the second region 666 are straight, extending continuously in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substantially deformable web material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the web material deformable altogether along a predetermined axis (which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web material in the case of the illustrated embodiment) when an applied axial extension force is applied in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A portion of the deformable web material is molded to have this controlled resistance. As used herein, the term molded refers to creating a desired structure or geometry in a web material such that it substantially maintains the desired structure or geometry when no externally applied stretching or force is applied. do. Suitable methods for molding materials such as the deformable web materials described herein include, but are not limited to, embossing, thermoforming, high pressure molding or casting by matte plating or rolls.

The web material used in the present invention consists of separate, different regions of deformable network in proximity, wherein the deformable network comprises at least a first region and a second region, the first region being smaller than the second region. It has a surface path length. The surface path length is measured parallel to the predetermined axis when the material is unextended. As used herein, a molded part refers to a part of a material composed of deformable network of desired structure or geometry. As used herein, surface path length refers to measurements along the toposurface of the area in question in a direction parallel to a predetermined axis. As used herein, the term separate or different refers to an area within a deformable network having measurably different surface path lengths when measured parallel to a predetermined axis while the web material is in an unstretched state. .

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first region 664 comprises a substantially planar region. That is, the material in the first region 664 is substantially the same before and after the forming step performed by the deformable web material. The second region 666 includes a plurality of adjacent, interconnected variants 674 that also extend beyond the plane of both the first surface 664A and the second surface 664B of the first region 664. . In another aspect, the variant 674 may extend beyond just one plane of either the first surface or the second surface of the first region.

Deformation 674 has a first axis 676 substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the web material and a second axis 677 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the deformable web material. The first axis 676 of the variant 674 is at least equal to the second axis 677 and is preferably longer than the second axis. The ratio of the first axis 676 to the second axis 677 is at least 1: 1, preferably at least 2: 1 or more in order to improve the two-stage resistance to stretch characteristics of the present invention (side flaps). In general, the larger this ratio, the more pronounced the two-stage resistance versus stretch characteristics of the web material.

The first region 664 and the second region 666 each have a projected path length. As used herein, the term projected path length refers to the area of the projection when projected perpendicular to the surface of the web material measured parallel to the predetermined axis of the deformable web material 660 (ie, parallel to the longitudinal axis). Refers to length. The projected path length of the first region 664 and the projected path length of the second region 666 are equal to each other.

However, while the web material is in an unstretched state, the first area 664 is less than the surface path length L2 of the second area 666 when measured geographically parallel to the longitudinal axis of the web material. L1). The surface path length of the second region 666 is at least about 15%, more preferably at least about 30% greater than the surface path length of the first region to improve the two-stage resistance versus stretch characteristics of the deformable web material 660, Most preferably at least about 70%.

Web material 660 exhibits a modified Poisson lateral shrinkage effect that is substantially smaller than other identical unformed web materials of the prior art. As used herein, the Poison lateral contraction effect is to describe the lateral contraction pattern of the material when an extensive force is applied. Preferably the Poison lateral shrinkage effect of the web material of the present invention is less than about 0.4 when the web is stretched about 20%. Preferably, the web material exhibits a Poison lateral shrinkage effect of less than about 0.4 when the web material is about 40, 50 or even 60% elongated. More preferably the Poison lateral contraction effect is less than about 0.3 when the web material is stretched 20, 40, 50 or 60%.

In the deformable web material, the direction of axial stretch 680 applied is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 676 of the strain 674 (the amount of axial stretch is the distance D). Since the strain 674 is extendable in a direction substantially perpendicular to its first axis 676, the direction of axial stretching applied to cause extensibility in the deformable web material is also defined by the strain 674. It is substantially perpendicular to one axis 676.

Although the direction of the applied axial stretch, indicated by arrow 680, is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 676 of the variant 674, the applied axial stretch with the longitudinal component causes the deformable web material to be applied to the applied axis. Direction will extend in the direction of elongation.

In FIG. 10 an exemplary graph of the resistivity-elongation curve 720 of the molded polymeric web material of the present invention is shown along with a similar curve 710 of the planar basic polymeric film in which the web material is formed. In the resistivity-elongation curve 720, the substantially resistive elongation stage I 720a, the transition zone 720b, and the web material, which are initially substantially linear, correspond beyond the resistive wall where it can be further permanently deformed. There is a substantially linear phase II (720c) that exhibits high resistivity versus elongation behavior.

The shaped web material with deformable network as shown in FIG. 10 exhibits a controlled multi-step aspect when stretching force is applied in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the web material. Resistance versus applied elongation is significantly different between stage I 720a and stage II 720c of curve 720 when compared to curve 710 not exhibiting this aspect. In FIG. 6, the first region 664 having a short surface path length L1 when the web material is elongated in the axial direction indicated by arrow 680 in FIG. To provide the corresponding height. In step I, the deformation 674 in the second region 666 is mostly outside the plane of the applied stretch and provides the minimum resistivity versus the applied stretch. In the transition band between stages I and II, the variants 674 are arranged according to the applied elongation. As shown in FIG. 9, in step II, the variant 674 in the second region 666 is arranged substantially side by side with the applied stretching plane and begins to resist further stretching. The second region 666 imparts a second resistance force P2 to further elongation. The first resistivity and the second resistivity versus stretch provide a total resistivity PT greater than the resistivity provided by the first region 664. Thus, the general slope of the resistivity-elongation curve in step II exhibits a characteristic of the force wall that is significantly greater than the general slope of the resistivity-elongation curve in step I.

When (L1 + D) is less than L2, the resistive force P1 is substantially larger than the resistive force P2. When (L1 + D) is less than L2, the first region 664 provides an initial resistance P1 and generally satisfies the following equation:

When (L1 + D) is greater than L2, the first and second regions provide the combined total resistance (PT) for the applied elongation (D) and generally satisfies the following equation:

(Where × represents the multiplication mark)

The maximum elongation that occurs in step I is referred to the available elongation of the web material. The available elongation can be effectively measured by examination of the resistivity-extension curve 720, where the bending approximation of the transition band between stages I and II is the elongation point of the available elongation. The range of elongations available may vary from about 10% to 100% or more, and the range of elastic reactions is often of interest in disposable absorbent products, with the surface path length L2 in the second region 666 being The degree of exceeding the first region 64 and the surface path length L1 and the properties of the base film can be greatly controlled. Significantly greater resistivity is required to obtain an elongation of the base film that is equivalent to the elongation of the web 660. The approximate range of step I can be preferably adjusted by adjusting the path lengths L1 and L2 in the unextended state. The resistive-elongation aspect of step I can be adjusted by adjusting the width, thickness and spacing of the first region 664, and the properties of the base film.

Unless the web material of FIG. 6 is stretched to its yield point, the web material stretches in the direction of the applied stretch when an extensive force is applied to the web material, and returns to a substantially unextended state when the applied stretch force is removed. Demonstrate the characteristics. The web material can exert stretching force without substantially losing its ability to recover. Thus, the web material may return to a substantially unextended state when the applied stretching force or force is removed several times.

While the web material can be easily reversibly stretched in an applied axial stretching direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 676 of the strain 674, the web material can be stretched in a first axis ( Relatively flat in a direction substantially parallel to 676). The plastic strain imparted on the strain 674 can extend in one direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the strain, while the plastic strain is substantially in the direction of stretching force that is substantially parallel to the first axis of the strain. It does not stretch relatively in the vertical direction. In another aspect, a first region 664 extending outwardly from the center and a second concentrically positioned around the center to produce the deformable web material 660 extensible in one direction or more in the deformable web material 660. Area 666 may be provided.

The amount of applied force required to extend the web material depends on the intrinsic properties of the base material forming the web material and the width and spacing of the undeformed area 664 and the narrower and wider spaced undeformed area 664 Less stretching force is required to achieve the desired elongation. The first axis (ie, the length axis) of the undeformed region 664 is preferably larger than the second axis (ie, the width axis), with a preferred length to width ratio of 5: 1 to 300: 1.

The depth and number of variants 674 can also be varied to adjust the applied force or elongation required to stretch the web material of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation is formed by two steel plates having an external dimension of 5.0 × 12 × 0.75. On one side of each plate there is a series of meshing teeth that are substantially triangular in cross section, tapering to a vertex with a radius of 0.030 at the base and 0.008 at the top. The centerlines of the processes are evenly spaced and increased by 0.030. On the projection surface of one plate, a series of grooves are cut, perpendicular to the projections parallel to each other and evenly spaced apart. These grooves measure 0.031 wide, are continuous over the entire length of the plate, and are spaced at a distance of 0.25 on the center. These grooves correspond to the undeformed regions of the deformed web material.

Preferred LLDPE base materials are located between the plates in a hydraulic press with platelets larger than the plates to distribute pressure evenly. The plate is compressed to a load of 4,000 pounds or more. The molded web material is then removed from between the plates. Increasing the height or degree of strain imparted on a strain for a given strain increases the available elongation or elongation. Likewise, for a given height or degree of deformation, increasing the number or frequency of the deformation increases the available elongation or elongation.

Elongation properties, elongation characteristics including elongation coefficient and elongation available (elongation), and retraction force, elastic creep, elastic history, and shrinkage ratio of stretchable side panel 30 may be determined by stretchable side panel 30 and diaper 20. Is an important consideration for performance. Elongation properties provide overall perceived extensibility to the wearer and the wearer during use. They also affect the performance of the diaper to obtain a suitable application elongation (i.e., the overall size of elongation created for the commonly perceived tension of the diaper during application is desirable to obtain / maintain a good consistency match). . Stretchable side panels with relatively high elongation coefficients can cause red spots on the wearer's skin, while relatively low elongation coefficients can cause sagging / sliding on the wearer. Side panels with too little available elongation may not obtain adequate levels of body integrity and may make diapers that are inconvenient for the wearer and difficult to apply to the wearer. Diapers having stretchable side panels with very low shrinkage forces cannot hold in place on the wearer and tend to sag / slip on the wearer, resulting in poor mating and retention.

Typical stretchable materials exhibit a hysteretic loop of force in their stress-strain properties. That is, for a given extensibility, the force (elongation force) required to stretch the stretchable material in a single axis is greater than the force (shrinkage force) of the stretchable material exerted when it contracts from the pre-stretched state. The former curve may be referred to as the load curve and the latter curve may be referred to as unloaded curve. Load extensibility (extension) is felt by the wearer when the stretchable side panel is stretched to apply the diaper to the wearer. Once the diaper is worn, the wearer feels the unloaded force (shrinkage) more closely. Thus, the hysteresis loss is not so large that the shrinkage force is low enough to allow sagging / gap formation on the wearer.

In the composite stretchable side panels of the present invention, it has been found that the stretching force, the contracting force and the minimum amount of stretching are preferably within the defined range. Refers to stretchable side panels as a whole). The stretching force for initially stretching the composite stretchable side panel is preferably about 100 g to about 1,200 g. More preferably, the stretching force is about 200 g to about 1,000 g. Preferably, the composite stretchable side panel maintains a contractile force of about 75 g to about 900 g, more preferably about 100 g to about 850 g when the composite stretchable side panel is kept stretched for about 5 minutes. Composite stretchable side panels having stretch and retractive force within these ranges will preferably provide stretch of at least about 0.15 in the direction of applied force.

The stretchable side panel 30 may also be provided with differential stretch along the longitudinal axis when stretched laterally. As used herein, differential extensibility is used to mean a material having non-uniform elongation properties measured in the direction of stretching at various points along an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of stretching. This may include, for example, various modulus of elasticity or elongation available for each extensible material (s) or both. Differential extensibility can be obtained in a number of different ways. The stretchable side panel 30 may have multiple bonded stretchable materials, multiple forms for stretchable materials, or stretchable stretch properties, or other materials that make up the stretchable side panels may be non-uniform. For example, differential extensibility may be achieved by using extensible materials having various stretching forces, retraction forces, coefficients, or other inherent properties such that some (various) lateral extensibility is obtained in a portion of the side panel 30 that is stretchable than adjacent panels. It may be obtained in selected adjacent portions of the stretchable side panel. Extensible materials can also have a variety of lengths, sizes, and shapes that provide differential extensibility. Other methods of changing the properties of the materials forming the stretchable side panels 30 as known in the art may also be used.

The diaper 20 is also preferably provided as a fixing system 48 for mating the diaper on the wearer. The fixation system 48 retains the first waist region 50 and the second waist region 52 in an overlapping form to form a lateral closure. The fastening system 48 also maintains tension on both the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 to not only secure the diaper 20 on the wearer but also provide improved dynamic fit around the wearer's legs and waist. do. The fastening system 48 may include any attachment means known in the art, and may include pressure sensitive adhesives, adhesive materials, mechanical fastening means, hook and loop fasteners, or any combination thereof or known in the art. Any other attachment means may be included, but not limited to. Examples of suitable adhesive tape tab fastening systems are described in US Pat. And US Pat. No. 4,662,875 to Hirotsu and Robertson, dated May 5, 1987, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of other closure systems including mechanical closure systems useful in the present invention include US Pat. No. 4,869,724 to Scripps, Sep. 26, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815, issued July 11, 1989 to Scripps; And US Pat. No. 5,242,436 to Weil, Buell, Clear and Falcon, dated September 7, 1993, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The fastening system 48 shown in FIG. 1 preferably comprises at least one pair of first fastening members 40 and at least one second fastening member 42 having a main center line F. As shown in FIG. The main center line F of the first fastening member is generally parallel to the line of tension normally applied to the stretchable side panel 30 when mating the diaper 20 to the wearer. The main center line F of the first fastening member 40 is the angle of both the longitudinal center line L and the transverse center line T of the diaper 20, which is preferably in an unextended state. In a preferred embodiment, the first fastening member is located on the inner surface 44 of each stretchable side panel 30 adjacent the distal edge 82. The first fastening member 40 is preferably coupled to the distal edge 82 of each stretchable side panel 30 and preferably overlaps the boundary between the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38. This ensures that the first fastening member 36 can provide more tension to activate both the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 so that the panel can be more dynamically inflated and shrunk in response to the wearer's movement. The second fixing member 42 is preferably located on the outer surface 46 of the receiving assembly 22 in the second waist region 52 and can be engaged with the first fixing member 40.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the diaper 20 includes one or more proximal curing members 84 positioned adjacent the proximal rim 80 of each stretchable side panel 30. As used herein, a hardening member is used to accommodate any diaper element, any element of any extensible side panel 30 or the extensible side panel 30 or diaper 20 providing compression / buckling resistance in one or more directions. Any other element coupled to the assembly 22. The compression / buckling resistance provided by the proximal curing member 84 is preferably a bundle of diapers 20 longitudinally along the longitudinal rim 56 of the receiving assembly 22 during the first waist region 50. Decrease. The proximal hardening member 84 also reduces the tendency of the distal edge 58 of the receiving assembly 22 positioned among the first waist region 50 and the waist feature 34 from curling up as a result of the wearer's dynamic movement. Let's do it. Thus, the proximal hardening member 84 provides improved dynamic matching around the waist and thighs of the wearer, reducing gaps in the waist region of the diaper 20 and increasing the effectiveness of the multidirectional stretchable side panel 30. .

The proximal curing member 84 may be located between the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26, but the proximal curing member 84 may also be located on the outer surface 46 of the back sheet 26, the inner surface of the top sheet 24. 44 or a number of other forms. The proximal hardening member 84 may also be taken on a number of different sizes, shapes, shapes, and materials. For example, the proximal curing member 84 may be formed from one or more curing components, and the proximal curing member 84 may have various widths, lengths, thicknesses, and shapes. Proximal curing member 84 preferably comprises some material that constitutes one or more elements of the diaper, including top sheet 24, back sheet 26 or a material or material used in stretchable side panel 30. do. In addition, the proximal curing member 84 may comprise a material of the separator located adjacent to the proximal edge 80 of the stretchable side panel 30. Suitable materials for use as the proximal hardening member 84 of the present invention include laminate materials, screens, unidirectional or more, including woven webs, nonwoven webs, films, molded films, foams, film laminates or nonwoven laminates of two or more nonwoven layers. Corrugated materials that provide curability and any combination of these materials or other materials known in the art. The proximal hardening member 84 may be coupled to the receiving assembly 22 by any means known in the art.

In another preferred embodiment, the diaper additionally includes a distal hardening member 86 positioned adjacent the distal rim 82 of the extensible side panel 30. Preferably, distal curing member 86 is coupled to both waist panel 36 and thigh panel 38. In this form, the distal hardening member 86 distributes any tension or force applied to the distal rim 82 of the stretchable side panel 30 across both the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38. The distal hardening member 86 also preferably provides compression / buckling resistance along the longitudinal direction of the distal edge 82 of the extensible side panel 30 and distals of the extensible side panel 30 as the wearer moves. It reduces the likelihood that the edge 82 is twisted or folded. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the distal fixation member 86 positioned adjacent the distal rim 82 of the stretchable side panel appropriately fits the diaper to the wearer, and the waist panel 36 and the thigh panel 38 are worn by the wearer. It will be sure that it is properly positioned to expand and contract according to its dynamic movement. Proximal hardening member 84 and distal hardening member 86 may take a number of different sizes, shapes, shapes, and materials. The distal hardening member 86 may be formed from one or a plurality of hardening components, and the distal hardening member 86 may have various widths, lengths, thicknesses, and shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the distal hardening member 86 comprises some material that constitutes the extensible side flap 30 or other element of the diaper 20. In addition, the distal hardening member 86 may include material of the separator located adjacent to the distal edge 82 of the extensible side flap 30. Materials suitable for use in the distal curing member 86 and a method of bonding the distal curing member 86 to the diaper 20 are described above with respect to the proximal curing member 84.

The diaper 20 preferably places one waist region, preferably the first waist region 52, under the wearer's back and pulls the remainder of the diaper 20 between the wearer's legs, thereby rest of the waist region, preferably. The second waist region 50 is placed on the front of the wearer and applied to the wearer. The wearer then surrounds the stretchable side panel 30 around the wearer while grasping one first holding member 40 positioned on each stretchable side panel 30. In embodiments in which the at least one waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 are joined together, the tension created by enclosing the stretchable side panel 30 around the wearer is such that both the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 are secured. Activating (dual activation) and causing expansion and contraction in accordance with the wearer's movement (in embodiments in which the waist panel member and thigh panel member are not joined together, the subject applies tension independently to the individual waist panel member and thigh panel member). Double activity occurs). The adherent then repeats this step for the remaining stretchable side panel 30. A waist closure is formed by engaging the first fixing member 40 with the second fixing member 42 positioned in the second waist region 52. As the waist obstruction is formed, the diaper 20 initially conforms to the wearer's surroundings. If the diaper 20 is asymmetrically mated, the diaper will self-adjust during wearing to achieve improved mating. When mated to the wearer, the multidirectional stretchable side flap 30 provides improved dynamic matching over wear time and expands and contracts with the wearer's movement to allow the diaper to pass well when filled with feces. This improved dynamic registration increases wearer comfort while reducing sagging and gaping of the diaper 20 in the waist and thigh regions.

Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention having a single component stretchable side panel. The stretchable side panel of this aspect is indicated by 30. The stretchable side panel 30 includes a single portion of stretchable material, the first portion of the stretchable side panel 30 forming the waist panel 36 and the second portion forming the femoral panel 38. The stretchable material may comprise a single layer material or a laminate of two or more layers of materials to be bonded together. The multidirectional elongation properties of the single portion stretchable side panel 30 are preferably obtained by performing mechanical operations such as pleating, corrugation or ring-rolling on the material to create other sites of stretchable behavior. Preferred mechanical operations suitable for providing the multidirectional elongation properties of the materials used in the stretchable side panels 30 are described above for structural elastic film webs. The extensible side panel 30 may also be made of an extensible material having a site of other elastic behavior obtained by means other than the above mentioned mechanical operation such as tearing, cutting, bonding or folding the extensible material forming the extensible side panel. Can be configured. In such embodiments, tearing, folding, bonding or cutting in the material is not limited to any particular size or shape. For example, the materials that make up the stretchable side panel 30 may have portions in the stretchable side panel 30 that may be completely or partially separated or cut or joined to create other stretchable properties. As used herein, fully isolated refers to a single component stretchable side panel 30 having a cut or tear along the entire distance between the proximal edge 80 and the distal edge 82 of the stretchable side panel 30. Partially separated refers to a single component stretchable side panel 30 having a cut or tear that does not extend from the proximal edge 80 to the distal edge 82 of the stretchable side panel 30).

In a preferred embodiment, the waist panel 36 preferably has a circumferential stretch G around the waist of the wearer. The femoral panel 38 preferably has an elongation (H) in the circumferential direction at the lateral and longitudinal angles around the wearer's thigh. FIG. 11 shows an aspect of a single extensible stretchable side panel 30 that includes a distinct boundary between the waist panel and the femoral panel that defines the elastic characteristics of each panel to start and end (the border line is line C in FIG. 11). ). The boundary between the waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 can be located at any point on the stretchable side panel. However, stretchable side panels are expected to have no distinct boundary between the lumbar panel and the femoral panel. For example, the extensible side panels may be configured such that portions of different elastic behavior do not partially overlap or normally meet at boundaries.

12 has a single portion of stretchable material coupled to the receiving assembly 22 of the diaper 20, the stretchable material being two multidirectional stretchable side panels 30 of the diaper 20, the waist features ( 34) and another single component embodiment of the present invention that is folded to extend over at least one crotch region 54. FIG. The stretchable material may be homogeneous throughout or have a site with other stretchable properties. In one aspect, the stretchable material extends along at least one crotch region 54 of the receiving assembly 22 of the diaper 20 juxtaposed with one or more longitudinal rims 56. The stretchable material in the first waist region 50 is folded to form the femoral panel proximal rim 78. The material extensible from the femoral panel proximal edge 78 preferably extends outwardly from the receiving assembly 22 at angular and longitudinal angles. The outwardly extensible material forms the femoral panel 38 and is folded inwardly at a point laterally outwardly from the longitudinal rim 56 of the receiving assembly 22. The fold preferably forms the distal rim 82 of the stretchable side panel 30 as well as the waist panel distal rim 74 and the femoral panel distal rim 76. The infoldable stretchable material is contained in the receiving assembly 22 in the first waist region 50 adjacent the distal edge 58 forming the waist panel 36 from the distal edge 82 of the stretchable side panel 30. Extends to a position on the longitudinal rim 56 thereof. The stretchable material from the waist panel proximal rim 72 (waist panel 36 coupled to the receiving assembly 22) is laterally relative to the first waist region 50 adjacent the distal rim 58 of the diaper 22. Elongate. The same stretchable material also extends laterally outward from the other longitudinal rim 56 of the receiving assembly 22, and the waist panel 36 and the thigh panel 38 of the opposing stretchable side panels 30. As well as folded above to form at least a portion of the crotch portion 54 of the receiving assembly 22.

Another aspect is also contemplated that the same portion of the stretchable material extends through the multicomponent of the diaper 22. In another preferred embodiment, the single portion of stretchable material is folded to form only the waist panel 36 and the thigh panel 38. In this form, the lumbar panel distal rim 74 and the femoral panel distal rim 76 are formed by folding in the stretchable material. The waist panel 36 and the femoral panel 38 extend from the fold (distal rim of the extensible side panel 82) to the receiving assembly 22. Incorporating a single portion of stretchable material into the multicomponent of a diaper has the advantage of reducing the number of individual elastic components that are formed separately and attached to the receiving assembly.

Figure 13 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, such as a pull up absorbent article, a training pant, a pull up diaper or a brief. In a preferred embodiment, the side panel 30 has a proximal rim 80 and a distal rim 82, respectively, and includes a waist panel 36 and a thigh panel 38. Preferably, at least a portion of the proximal rim 80 of each side panel 30 is permanently coupled to the diaper 20 of the first waist region 50 juxtaposed on one of the longitudinal rims 56. At least a portion of the distal rim 82 of each side panel 30 is permanently coupled to the diaper 20 in the second waist region 52 juxtaposed to one of the longitudinal rims 56. In another preferred embodiment, at least one of each distal rim 82 is permanently coupled to at least one ear flap 62 positioned in the second waist region 52 (a component of permanent diaper used herein is reconsidered). It is used to indicate that it is coupled to other elements or elements of the diaper so that it is not definite, but it is possible and even desirable that the permanent bond is rupturable so that the diaper can be removed without pulling down if desired). In a preferred embodiment the side panel 30 comprises a waist panel 36 and a thigh panel 38, respectively. Each waist panel 36 preferably forms at least one distal edge 58, and each femoral panel 38 preferably forms a portion of the diaper 20 that wraps around the wearer's leg.

The side panel 30 of the present invention, configured in the pull-up form of FIG. 13, preferably has the ability to stretch to a relaxed length of at least 100%. More preferably, the side panel 30 has the ability to stretch to a relaxed length of at least 200%. Thus, in most embodiments, the side panels will have the ability to stretch more than one inch from the relaxed length. An example of a material that can provide such elongation is a continuous mechanical deformation to form a zero strain elongation laminate as described above for stretchable side panels, ie overlapping between two layers of Fiberweb E004204 nonwoven. 20 millimeters of Clopay 2870-A elastomeric film. In another preferred embodiment, the side panel 30 is fully or partially exposed (ie, through a slit, hole or gap through which air can pass). Having a film). In addition, the side panels may include breathable or microporous materials, such as Clofei P18-2321 film.

Multi-directional side panel 30 may comprise any side panel form or any of the above-described materials or any other form or material that provides the only multi-directional stretching properties described above. In a preferred embodiment, the side panel 30 includes the same structure, but the embodiment is contemplated that the side panel 30 includes a different structure (the same structure used herein includes a side panel comprising identical structural components). And side panels mirrored to one another).

While certain aspects of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention are intended to be included in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

Having a first waist region and a second waist region, a) a receiving assembly having a pair of longitudinal edges, a distal edge located in said first waist region and a distal edge located in said second waist region, said receiving assembly comprising an absorbent core, and b) a proximal rim positioned along each longitudinal rim of the receiving assembly in the first waist region, protruding laterally outwardly from the longitudinal rim, and positioned adjacent to the longitudinal rim of the receiving assembly; A stretchable side panel each having a distal rim spaced laterally outward from the proximal rim, Each of the stretchable side panels includes a lumbar panel and a thigh panel, wherein the lumbar panel is longitudinally outward of the thigh panel and forms at least a portion of the distal edge located in the first lumbar region, and the first stretch. At least a portion of said distal rim of each said side panel having a sex direction, said thigh panel forming at least a portion of an absorbent article surrounding the wearer's leg and having a second stretch direction that is not parallel to the first stretch direction; A portion permanently associated with at least a portion of the absorbent article in the second waist region Absorbent products. The method of claim 1, Wherein each of said stretchable side panels is folded between said waist panel and said thigh panel, said folds preferably forming at least a portion of said distal edge of said stretchable side panel. The method according to claim 1 or 2, At least a portion of each of said extensible side panels is an extension of one or more components of said receiving assembly. A longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a first waist region, a second waist region longitudinally opposite the first waist region, and a pair of distal edges, a) a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet bonded to said topsheet, said topsheet having a pair of longitudinal edges, a distal edge located in said first waist region and a distal edge located in said second waist region; A receiving assembly comprising an absorbent core positioned between the backsheet; b) the proximal rim and the proximal rim, located along each longitudinal rim of the receiving assembly in the first waist region and projecting laterally outwardly from the longitudinal rim, and located adjacent to the longitudinal rim of the receiving assembly. A multi-component stretchable side panel each having a distal edge spaced laterally outward from the edge, wherein the stretchable side panel includes: i) a waist panel member having a first extensible direction having at least zero laterally outwardly oriented vector components and a second vector component oriented toward the lateral centerline and preferably at least zero, adjacent to the longitudinal rim of the receiving assembly; A waist panel proximal edge, a waist panel distal edge that is laterally opposed to the waist panel proximal edge, between the waist panel proximal edge and the waist panel distal edge and forming a portion of the distal edge positioned in the first waist region; A waist panel comprising a waist panel first lateral edge and a waist panel second lateral edge opposite the waist panel first lateral edge in a longitudinal direction; And ii) having a second extensible direction that is not parallel to the first extensible direction (having a vector component oriented outwardly that is 0 or greater and a second vector component oriented away from the lateral centerline and preferably greater than 0) A femoral panel member, a femoral panel proximal edge adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the receiving assembly, a femoral panel distal edge laterally opposite the femoral panel proximal edge, the femoral panel proximal edge and the femoral panel distal edge between the femoral panel distal edge A first side rim, and a thigh panel second side rim longitudinally opposite the thigh panel first side rim, forming a portion of a diaper surrounding the wearer's leg, wherein the thigh panel member is positioned at the waist. Femur coupled to the waist panel, an element separate from the panel member Contains a null, and, at least a portion of each of the distal edge of the side panel is the first, characterized in that the coupling in the second waist region permanently in at least a portion of the absorbent article Absorbent products. The method of claim 4, wherein At least a portion of the waist panel distal rim is coupled to at least a portion of the thigh panel distal rim. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Further comprising a proximal hardening member coupled to at least a portion of each of said extensible side panels adjacent said longitudinal edge of said receiving assembly, preferably at least a portion of said distal edge of each said extensible side panel An absorbent article comprising a bonded distal hardening member. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An absorbent article, each said stretchable side panel comprising a structurally elastic film web. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, And the waist panel member and the thigh panel member comprise different materials having different stretch properties. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Further comprising an ear flap extending laterally outwardly from said longitudinal edge of said second waist region, wherein at least a portion of said distal edge of each said side panel is one of said ear panels. Absorbent product permanently bonded to at least part of the panel. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, An absorbent article, wherein said side panels comprise breathable material or are at least partially ventilated.