KR19990063655A - Absorbent product with asymmetrical leg elastic members - Google Patents

Abstract

The product has a longitudinal direction, a transversely opposite side edge, a longitudinally opposite end edge and an intermediate portion located between the distal edge in the longitudinal central region of the product. The product includes a back sheet and an inner elastic member 34 connected to crimp the side edges of at least one side of the back sheet. The substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member 38 is connected to substantially longitudinally crimp at least one side edge. The outer elastic member is positioned laterally of the inner elastic member to provide a series of first elastic members arranged in a first staggered overlapping relationship. The main portion of the longitudinally distal edge of the outer elastic member extends substantially together with the distal side edge of the at least one side edge at the middle of the product. Preferably, the outer elastic body may be arranged to substantially avoid bridging with the edge 84 bent inwardly of the back sheet.

Description

Absorbent product with asymmetrical leg elastic members

Absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, have included elasticized leg bands to provide elasticized pleats at the leg openings of the product. Each elasticized leg band may comprise various types of elastic members, such as a single elastomer strip, multiple elastomer strips, or individually arranged multiple elastomer strands or yarns. The elastic member may be assembled into a product having a linear or curved arrangement and the curved leg elastic member may further comprise a folded bend. Products with elasticized leg bands can provide improved fit and leak protection as compared to products that do not include elasticized leg bands.

However, conventional elasticization systems as described above continue to exhibit disadvantages. For example, conventional elasticization systems can increase bulk in the crotch portion of the product and allow for excessive sagging in the waist band portion of the product. Conventional systems also provided inadequate matching for the different, various forms that exist in front of and behind the wearer's body. As a result, there has been a continuing need for improved elastic systems for leg band portions of products such as disposable diapers.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention can provide a special product comprising a longitudinal, transverse, transversely opposite side edge, a longitudinally opposite end edge and an intermediate portion located between the distal edge in the longitudinal central region of the product. The product includes a back sheet and an inner elastic member connected to gather side edges of at least one side of the back sheet. Substantially, the longitudinally extending outer elastic member is connected to substantially longitudinally crimp at least one side edge. The outer elastic member is laterally positioned outside of the inner elastic member to provide a series of elastic members arranged in a staggered overlapping relationship. The main portion of the longitudinally distal edge of the outer elastic member extends substantially together with the distal side edge of the at least one side edge at the middle of the product.

A particular aspect of the present invention provides an absorbent article having a front waist band portion, a back waist band portion and an intermediate crotch portion, a transversely opposite side edge, a longitudinal and a transverse direction interconnecting the front and back waist band portions. The article includes a back sheet layer and a liquid permeable top sheet layer overlaid and connected to the back sheet. The absorbent structure is interposed between the back sheet and the top sheet layer. The first inner elastic member is connected to crimp the first side edge of the article, and the second inner elastic member is connected to crimp the second side edge. The first, substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member is connected to substantially crimp the first side edge, and the first outer elastic member is located transversely outward of the first inner elastic member so that the first Provide a series of elastic members arranged in a staggered overlapping relationship. The main portion of the longitudinally distal edge of the first outer elastic member extends substantially together with the distal edge of the first side edge at the middle of the product. The second, substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member is connected to substantially crimp the second side edge, and the second outer elastic member is positioned laterally outward of the second inner elastic member, thereby providing a second It provides a series of elastic members arranged in a staggered overlapping relationship of. Most of the longitudinal terminal edges of the second outer elastic member extend substantially together with the terminal edges of the second side edges in the intermediate portion of the product.

In many respects, the product of the present invention can be manufactured more efficiently in a high speed manufacturing line and it is easy to provide the desired comfort to different, natural body lines and shapes specifically present in the front and back areas of the wearer's body. Can be done. The product can also be less creased in its crotch region and provide a reduced volume in the crotch. When worn, the product also exhibits less sagging at the waist band and can provide improved body comfort and fit. As a result, the product is arranged to exhibit improved resistance to leakage and provide an improved appearance.

The present invention relates to elasticized absorbent articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to absorbent articles having elasticized leg openings.

With reference to the following detailed description and the annexed drawings, the present invention will be understood in more detail and further advantages will be apparent.

1 shows a front view of a product of the invention, partially cut away.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of the product taken in the plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

3 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the product of FIG. 1;

4 shows a front view of a fastening system used in the present invention.

5 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the fastening system of FIG. 4.

The structure of the present invention will be described with respect to each use in a disposable absorbent article and may absorb and contain various exudates that are discharged from the body by being placed opposite or in proximity to the wearer's body. This product is intended for disposal after a limited period of time and is not intended to be washed or restored for reuse. However, the use of the structure of the present invention is not limited to disposable absorbent articles. While the description of the present invention will be made in particular for diaper products, it should be understood that the present invention may also be applied to other disposable personal hygiene absorbent products, such as adult incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, infant defecation panties, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a product such as diaper 10 includes a longitudinal 26, a transverse transverse 24, a transversely opposite side edge 20, a longitudinally opposite distal edge 22, and a It has an intermediate portion 16 located between the distal edges 22 in the longitudinal center region. The product includes a back sheet layer 30 and an inner elastic member 34 operably connected to crimp the side edges of at least one side of the back sheet. The substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member 38 is also operatively connected to substantially longitudinally crimp at least one side edge. The outer elastic member is laterally positioned outside of the inner elastic member 34 to provide a series of first elastic members 33 arranged in a staggered overlapping relationship. One or more major portions of the longitudinal distal edge 82 of the outer elastic member 38 extend substantially together with the distal side edge 74 of the selected portion of at least one side edge. The structure on the same extension line is located in the middle portion 16 of the product.

Another aspect of the invention is a front waist band portion 12, a back waist band portion 14, and a middle crotch portion 16 interconnecting the front and back waist band portions, a transversely opposite side edge 20, a longitudinal direction 26 ) And an absorbent product such as diaper 10 having a transverse direction 24. The product includes a back sheet layer 30 and a liquid permeable top sheet layer 28 superimposed and connected to the back sheet. The absorbent structure 32 is interposed between the back sheet 30 and the top sheet layer 28. The first inner elastic member 34 is connected to crimp the first side edge 20 of the product and the second inner elastic member 34 is connected to crimp the second side edge 20. The first, substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member 38 is connected to substantially longitudinally crimp the first side edge 20, the first outer elastic member being arranged in a first staggered overlapping relationship. It is positioned inward in the transverse direction of the first inner elastic member to provide a series of first elastic members 33. One or more major portions of the longitudinal distal edge 82 of the first outer elastic member extend substantially together with the distal edge 74 of the first side edge 20 at the middle portion 16 of the product. The second, substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member 38 is connected to substantially longitudinally pleat the second side edge 20, the second outer elastic members arranged in a second staggered overlapping relationship. Inward in the transverse direction of the second inner elastic member to provide a series of second elastic members 37. One or more major portions of the longitudinal end edges of the second outer elastic member extend substantially together with the distal edge 74 of the second side edge 20 at the middle portion 16 of the product.

Examples of other products including dual, longitudinally-asymmetrical leg elastomers are described in US Pat. No. 259,288 filed June 13, 1994 to T. Roessler et al. ELASTICS; agent no. 11,397) and the manufacturing technology of the products having transversely asymmetrical leg elastomers are described in US Patent No. 08 / 554,110 filed November 6, 1995 by Rossler et al. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH ASYMMETRIC LEG ELASTICS; Agent No. 11,770. The entire specification of these documents is incorporated herein by reference in accordance with (not to conflict with) this specification.

1 is a representative plan view of the diaper 10 of the present invention in an unfolded, unshrinked state (ie, all elastomeric induced wrinkles and shrinkages are removed). A portion of the structure is partially cut to more clearly show the internal structure of the diaper 10, with the diaper surface in contact with the wearer facing the viewer. The outer edge of the diaper defines an outer surface in which the longitudinally extending side edge edge is indicated by 20 and the transversely extending side edge edge is indicated by 22. The side edges define the leg openings of the diaper and are optionally curved and contoured. The terminal edges are shown as straight lines, but can be arbitrarily curved.

The diaper 10 is typically a porous, liquid permeable top sheet 28, a substantially liquid impermeable back sheet 30, an absorbent structure 32 located between and connected to the top sheet and the back sheet, surge control 46 ) And elastic members such as leg elastics 34 and waist elastics 42. The surge control portion is positioned to interact with the absorbent structure and the liquid, and the absorbent structure includes a retainer 48. The top sheet 28, the back sheet 30, the absorbent structure 32, the surge control portion 46, and the elastic members 34 and 42 can be assembled into various known diaper structures. The diaper can also include a containment flap 62 system and can include side panel members 56. A mechanism including a fastening system, eg, fastener tab 36, can be used to secure the product to the wearer.

As representatively shown, the top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 may generally span the same space and generally have a greater length and width dimension than the corresponding dimension of the absorbent structure 32. . The top sheet 28 is coupled to the back sheet 30 and overlaps on the back sheet 30 to define the outer surface of the diaper. The waist band portion consists of an upper portion of the diaper 10 which, when worn, entirely or partially covers or surrounds the wearer's waist or mid-lower torso. The middle crotch region 16 lies between the waist band regions 12 and 14 and interconnects it, consisting of that portion of the diaper 10 which, when worn, is located between the wearer's legs and covers the wearer's lower torso. Thus, the crotch region 16 is the side where repeated fluid surges occur in diapers or other disposable absorbent articles.

The top sheet 28 exhibits a body facing surface that is elastic, soft and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the top sheet 28 may be less hydrophilic than the retaining portion 48 and is porous enough to be liquid permeable to allow liquid to penetrate through its thickness. Suitable topsheets 28 include porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, natural fibers (eg, wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg, polyester or polypropylene fibers), or natural and synthetic fibers. It can be made from a wide selection of web materials such as mixtures of. The top sheet 28 is typically used to help separate the wearer's skin from the liquid retained in the absorbent structure 32. Various fabrics and nonwovens may be used for the top sheet 28. For example, the top sheet may consist of a meltblown or spunbonded web of polyolefin fibers. The top sheet may be a bonded-carded-web composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers.

In the description of the present invention, the term "nonwoven web" means a web of material formed without using a textile weaving or knitting process. The term "fabric" is used to mean all of woven, knitted and nonwoven fibrous webs.

The top sheet fabric may be composed of a material that is substantially hydrophobic and substantially non-wetting, and the hydrophobic material may be optionally treated or processed with a surfactant to impart the desired degree of wetting and hydrophilicity. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the top sheet 28 is a nonwoven, spunbond polypropylene fabric composed of about 2.8 to 3.2 denier fibers formed into a web having a basis weight of about 22 gsm and a density of about 0.06 gm / cc. Can be. The fabric may have a surface treated with an optional amount of surfactant, for example about 0.28% Triton X-102 surfactant. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means, such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like.

Surfactant materials, such as conventional wetting agents, may be applied to the middle of the top sheet layer 28 to provide greater wetting of the middle portion relative to the rest of the top sheet layer 28. In a particular form, the transverse width of the intermediate portion may be substantially the same as or smaller than the transverse width of the surge adjuster 46. In another form, the intermediate width is substantially equal to or smaller than the transverse space between the pair of adhesive strips used to secure containment flap 62 on top sheet 28 and onto back sheet 30. A leakproof barrier seal can be formed.

The surfactant treated intermediate may be nearly centered with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the diaper and may extend along substantially the entire length of the top sheet layer. In addition, the surfactant treated intermediate portion may be structured to extend along only a defined portion of the top sheet length.

Various aspects of the present invention can include an elasticized containment flap 62. For example, the illustrated form includes two containment flaps 62 connected to the bodyside surface of the top sheet layer 28. Suitable structures and arrangements of containment flaps 62 are described in US Pat. No. 4,704,116, issued November 3, 1987 to K. Enloe, which is consistent with this specification. Cited for reference). Another form of containment flap 62 is U.S. Patent Application No. 206,816, filed March 4, 1994 by R. Everett et al., Entitled: ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING AN IMPROVED SURGE MANAGEMENT; 11,375, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in accordance with this specification.

Such containment flaps may be attached to top sheet layer 28 along a longitudinally extending fixed area, such as a fixed edge 64 of the flap. The movable edge 66 of each containment flap includes a flap elastic member 68, which may be comprised of one or more individual strands of elastomeric material. For example, the plurality of elastomer strands may be configured to be spatially separated in a generally parallel arrangement, for example a suitable elastomer strand may be composed of 470 decitex Lycra elastomers. The elastic member 68 is connected to the movable edge of the containment flap under conditions that are elastically retractable such that shrinkage of its elastomeric component corrugates and shortens the edge of the containment flap. As a result, the movable edge of each containment flap is directed to a position spaced away from the body side surface of the upper sheet 28, and / or the surge adjuster 46 is also generally perpendicular, especially at the crotch of the diaper. Head towards a nearly vertical structure. In the embodiment shown, the movable edge of the barrier flap, for example, is connected to the flap elastomer by partially pleating the flap material back in a limited amount sufficient to surround the flap elastomer 68.

At least one pair of containment or barrier flaps 62 is connected to the transverse opposing, longitudinally extending regions of the top sheet layer 28, the connected top sheet regions being generally in the middle of the top sheet layer 28. It is located adjacent to the opposing lateral opposing side edge regions. The connected top sheet region is located substantially transversely inside the leg elastics of the diaper article 10, but may optionally be located all the outside of the leg elastics or just outside of a portion of the leg elastics. For example, in one aspect of the present invention, the base of each containment flap is a transverse space provided by a longitudinally extending region located between a particular inner elastic member 34 and an outer elastic member 38 connected with the containment flap. Can be attached along the top sheet. The base attachment of the containment flap can be configured to be operably extended through the top sheet to provide an operable, longitudinally extending barrier or seal.

The containment flap may be composed of, for example, a fibrous material similar to the material making up the top sheet 28 or similar to the material making up the surge control portion 46. Other conventional materials such as polymer films can also be used. In another aspect of the invention, barrier flap 62 is comprised of a material that is only permeable to gases such as ambient air. Another form of the invention may include a barrier flap made of a material that is resistant to the passage of an aqueous liquid, such as urine. For example, barrier flap 62 may be comprised of a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) laminate material. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the barrier flap can be composed of SMS material having a basis weight of about 28 gsm (about 0.85 osy). The spunbond layer consists of polypropylene fibers and the meltblown layer consists of meltblown polypropylene fibers.

In various forms of the invention, such that the barrier flap 62 is configured to be permeable to gases while being resistant to aqueous liquids and limited in permeability, the liquid resistant material supports a hydrohead of at least about 45 cm of water without substantially leaking through it. It can have a structure that can. A suitable technique for determining the material's resistance to liquid penetration is the Federal Test Method Standard FTMS 191 Method 5514, dated December 31, 1968.

The back sheet 30 may be made of a liquid permeable material, but is preferably made of a material configured to be substantially liquid impermeable. For example, typical backsheets can be made from thin film plastics or other flexible liquid impermeable materials. Such "flexible" materials are elastic and will readily fit into the general shape and contour of the wearer's body. The back sheet 30 may help prevent exudates contained in the absorbent structure 32 from wetting the products, such as bed sheets and overgarments that contact the diaper 10.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the back sheet 30 is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (about 0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (about 2.0 mil). In the embodiment shown, for example, the back sheet is a film having a thickness of about 0.032 mm (about 1.25 mil). Another form of backsheet may consist of a woven or nonwoven fibrous web layer constructed or treated to impart the desired degree of liquid impermeability in whole or in part to selected areas of the backsheet adjacent or closest to the absorbent body. The back sheet 30 typically provides an outer cover of the product. However, the article may optionally include a separate outer cover member in addition to the back sheet.

The backsheet 30 may optionally include a microporous “breathable” material that allows gas to escape from the absorbent structure 32 while still preventing the effluent from passing through the backsheet. For example, the breathable backsheet may be composed of a microporous polymer film or nonwoven coated or treated to impart the desired degree of liquid impermeability. For example, a suitable microporous film is a PMP-1 material commercially available from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, or XKO- commercially available from 3M Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. 8044 polyolefin film. The back sheet may also be embossed or chlorinated to give it an aesthetically superior appearance.

The size of the backsheet 30 is typically determined by the size of the absorbent structure 32 and the exact diaper design chosen. For example, the back sheet 30 may generally have a T-shaped, I-shaped, or modified hourglass shape, and by a selected distance, such as a distance in the range of about 1.3 cm to 2.5 cm (about 0.5 to 1.0 inch). It may extend beyond the distal edge of the absorbent structure 32 to provide a side edge.

The upper sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 may be connected or combined in an operable manner. The term "combined" as used herein is in the form of directly connecting the top sheet 28 to the back sheet 30 by attaching the top sheet 28 directly to the back sheet 30, and the top sheet 28. ) Is attached to the intermediate member attached to the back sheet 30, and the upper sheet 28 is connected to the back sheet 30. The top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 are selected as in terms along the outer surface of the diaper by attachment means (not shown), such as adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding or any other attachment means known in the art. Can be attached directly to each other in the area. For example, a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, a sprayed pattern of adhesive, or an arrangement of individual lines, swirls, or dots of the constituent adhesive may adhere to the top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30. It can be used to It is to be understood that the attachment means may be used to interconnect and assemble various other parts of the products described herein.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the top sheet layer 28 is disposed and fixed in an opposing relationship with the back sheet layer 30 to hold the retaining portion 48 and the surge control portion between the back sheet layer and the top sheet layer. Maintain and retain (46) The edge side region of the top sheet layer 28 is operatively connected to the corresponding edge side region of the back sheet layer 30. Each of the attached edge side regions of the top sheet layer and the back sheet layer is located transversely outside of the corresponding, combined side edge region of the surge adjuster 46. In a particular form of the invention, the attached edge end region of the upper sheet 28 is located longitudinally outside of the distal edge region of the retention portion 48 and / or surge control portion 46. Similarly, the attached edge end region of the backsheet 30 may also be located longitudinally outside of the distal edge region of the retainer and / or surge control portion.

The elastic members 34 and 38 are disposed adjacent the outer surface of the diaper 10 along a pair of longitudinally extending side edges 20 opposed to each other, respectively. The leg elastic members 34 and 38 may be connected to either or both of the top sheet and the back sheet layer to provide an elastic side edge of the diaper product and may be arranged to stretch and hold the diaper 10 relative to the wearer's leg. Can be. The waist elastic member 42 may be disposed adjacent to either or both of the distal edges of the diaper 10 to provide an elastic waist band. Examples of suitable elastic waist bends are described in US Pat. No. 4,861,652, entitled DIAPER ARTICLE WITH ELASTICIZED WAIST PANEL, issued August 29, 1989 to M. Lippert et al. It is incorporated by reference in accordance with the present specification.

The elastic members 34, 38, and 42 are secured to the diaper 10 under elastically shrinking conditions such that the normal elastic member in the deformed form effectively contracts with respect to the diaper 10. The elastic member can be fixed in elastically shrinkable conditions in at least two ways. For example, the elastic member can be stretched and fixed while the diaper 10 is in a non-shrinkable condition. In addition, the diaper 10 may be retracted, for example, by pulsing the pleats and the elastic member is fixed and connected to the diaper 10 while in an unrelaxed or non-shrinked condition. Other means, such as heat-shrinkable elastic materials, can be used to corrugate the garment.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, the leg elastic members 34 and 38 extend primarily along the full length of the crotch region 16 of the diaper 10, which is the area of the product typically indicated for placement between the leg of the wearer. . In addition, the elastic member 34 may extend to the full length of the diaper 10, or any other suitable length providing an arrangement of elastically shrinkable lines required for a particular diaper design.

The elastic members 34, 38 and 42 can have any of a variety of forms. For example, the width of each elastic member can vary from 0.25 mm (0.01 inch) to 25 mm (1.0 inch) or more. The elastic member may be made of a single strand of elastic material or may be made of multiple parallel or non-parallel strands of elastic material. The elastic member can be used in a straight or curved arrangement. If multiple strands are used, the individual strands may be configured to provide substantially the same elasticity, or may be configured to provide other elasticity. For example, individual strands may have different diameters or sizes, or may be configured to have different elongations to provide a gradient or change in elastic tension. If the strands are non-parallel, the two or more strands may be crossed or interconnected within the elastic member. The elastic member may be attached to the diaper in any of several ways known in the art. For example, the elastic member may be ultrasonically bonded, heat and pressure sealed using various bonding patterns, or adhesively bonded to the diaper 10 in a hot melt or spray or vortex pattern of another type of adhesive.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, for example, the leg elastic members 34 and / or 38 may consist of a carrier sheet to which one classified set of elastomers is composed of a plurality of individual elastomer strands. . Elastomeric strands may be crossed or interconnected or may be entirely separated from one another. The carrier sheet shown may consist of, for example, a 0.002 cm thin film of unembossed polypropylene material. The elastomeric strands shown may be composed of, for example, LYCRA elastomers available from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Each elastomer strand is typically in the range of about 620-1050 decitex (dtx), preferably about 940 dtx, in embodiments of the invention where three strands are used in each elasticized leg band. In addition, the leg elastics 34 and / or 38 may be generally straight or optionally curved. For example, the curved elastomer can be inwardly bent toward the longitudinal centerline of the diaper. In a particular form, the curvature of the elastomer may not be shaped or positioned symmetrically with respect to the transverse centerline of the diaper. The curved elastomer can have an inwardly bent type of bend inward and bent outward, the longitudinal center of the elastic being separated by a selected distance towards either the front or rear waist band of the diaper to achieve the desired fit and appearance. Can provide.

In various configurations of the present invention, the elastic member system may form elasticized corrugations at designated leg openings of the product located along one or more portions of the lateral side edges 20. In the configuration shown, the resilient means comprises a first group of transversely opposed, longitudinally extending, inner leg elastic members 34 located at the product lateral edges at least in the intermediate portion 16 of the product. The inner leg elastic member 34 may be arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal length 27 of the product. In addition, the inner leg elastic members may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the product length and may optionally have an offset or bias selected toward the front waist band portion 12 of the article. The outer groups of the longitudinally extending leg elastic members 38, which are transversely opposed, may be configured separately from the inner groups of the leg elastic members 34, the product side edges 20 at at least the intermediate portions 16 of the products. Is located in. The outer leg member is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the product length 27. Preferably, the outer elastic member may have a bias or offset selected toward the back waist band portion 14 of the article. In a preferred arrangement, the one or more inner and outer leg elastic members may comprise a plurality of separate, generally longitudinally extending, elastomeric strands.

By way of representative arrangement, substantially the entirety of the terminal edges of the outer elastic body extends substantially together with the terminal side edges of the back sheet 30. The major portion of the longitudinal terminal edges of the first and second outer elastic members 38 may or may not extend substantially together with the upper sheet layer 28 at the middle of the product. Preferably, the longitudinal terminal edges of the outer elastic member 38 are configured to co-extend substantially with the upper sheet layer.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the inner elastic member 34 may have a length to width aspect ratio of about 4: 1 or greater. In another aspect of the invention, the outer elastic member 38 has a length to width aspect ratio of at least about 4: 1. In another aspect of the invention, each of the first and second inner elastic members may have a length to width aspect ratio of about 4: 1 or greater. In addition, each of the first and second outer elastic members 38 may have a length to width aspect ratio of about 4: 1 or greater. In addition, the individual inner and / or outer elastic members may have an aspect ratio of about 6: 1 or greater, and optionally about 10: 1 or greater. To provide selected advantages, larger aspect ratios of 100: 1 or less may be used.

Each inner leg elastic member 34 may intersect its joined, joined outer elastic member 38. Optionally, the entirety of the inner elastic body may be laterally spaced by a minimum, transverse spacing distance selected from its corresponding joined outer leg elastic member. In a particular aspect of the invention, the minimum lateral separation distance may be at least about 0.5 cm. Also, the lateral spacing may be at least about 1 cm, and optionally at least about 5 cm. In another aspect of the invention, the lateral spacing distance between the corresponding inner and outer leg elastic members may be about 20 cm or less. In addition, the lateral spacing may be about 15 cm or less, and optionally about 10 cm or less to provide the desired performance.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the side edge 20 of at least one side of the article has a distal side edge 74 having a substantially C-shaped concave edge 84, the portion of which is concave outward. The concave edge is substantially entirely of the longitudinal distal edge 82 of the joined outer elastic member 38 extending substantially together with the concave edge 84 of the side edge 20 at the middle portion 16 of the product. The total length of the product extends to about 50% or less of the lateral length 27.

Preferably, both side edges of the product have similar C-shaped concave edges on which opposite side C-forms are substantially arranged substantially in each mirror image. Thus, the second side edge 20 of the article may also have a longitudinally extending, distal side edge 74 thereof with a portion having a second outwardly concave, substantially C-shaped concave edge 84. have. The second concave edge 84 extends longitudinally at the middle end portion of the second longitudinal elastic member 38 of the second outer elastic member 38 which is arranged to extend substantially together with the concave edge 84 of the second side edge 20. Substantially all of the 82 and extends along about 50% or less of the total length of the product.

Various arrangements of the invention may be arranged such that one or more concave edges 84 extend up to about 40% or less of the total length of the article. In addition, the concave edge may extend up to about 30% and optionally up to about 25% of the total product length. In addition, the concave edge 84 may have a longitudinal extension as small as 5% of the total product length.

In various arrangements of the present invention, the outer elastomer has bridging with an inwardly bent edge, in particular its distal side and / or distal edge, such as the C-shaped concave edge 84 of the back sheet at one or more of the side edges of the article. Are preferably arranged to substantially avoid Thus, another aspect of the present invention is an article having a first C-shaped concave edge 84 and a first distal side edge 74, wherein the first side edge 20 of the article is concave outwardly first. To provide. The longitudinal distal edge 82 of the first outer elastic member 38 extends substantially together with the concave edge 84 of the first side edge 20 at the middle portion 16 of the product, and the first outer elastic The member 38 is arranged to substantially avoid bridging beyond and / or across the concave edge 84.

Preferably, both outer elastomers are arranged to substantially avoid bridging of inwardly bent edges such as C-shaped concave edges 84 of the back sheet along both side edges of the article. Thus, the second side edge 20 of the article may have a second distal side edge 74 having a substantially C-shaped concave edge 84, the portion of which is concave outwardly. The longitudinal distal edge 82 of the second outer elastic member 38 extends substantially together with the concave edge 84 of the second side edge 20 at the middle portion 16 of the product and the second outer elastic The members 38 are arranged to substantially avoid bridging the concave edges 84.

Various arrangements of the invention may include a series of elastic members 33 or 37 that are longitudinally asymmetric with one end portion of the elastomer set having an arrangement different from that at the opposite end portion of the elastomer set. More particularly, the asymmetric elastomer set may comprise a larger portion of elastomeric material relative to its longitudinal end, preferably one of the ends of the elastomer set adjacent to the back waist band portion 14 of the article.

For example, in the arrangement shown, the inner elastic member 34 is longer than its joined, rear biased outer elastic member 38 and overlaps almost the entirety of the outer elastic member. Various aspects of the present invention may also be arranged to have a distal portion of each inner leg elastic member 34 arranged longitudinally overlapping with respect to a selected distal portion of the correspondingly joined and joined outer leg elastic member 38 thereof. Can be. Each inner leg elastic member may be arranged substantially parallel along an overlapping portion with respect to its overlapping outer leg elastic member 38. Further, each inner leg elastic member 34 may be arranged to be substantially non-parallel depending on the overlapping portion with respect to its overlapping outer leg elastic member 38. In a particular arrangement, the corresponding inner and outer leg elastics may partially overlap each other; The inner leg elastic member may partially overlap with its corresponding outer leg elastic member, and the outer leg elastic member may partially overlap with its corresponding inner leg elastic member.

An absorbent body, such as the absorbent structure 32, is positioned between the top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 to form the diaper 10. Absorbents are generally compressible to the wearer's skin, suitable and nonirritating, and have a structure capable of absorbing and retaining body exudates. It is to be understood that the absorbent structure in the present invention may be made of a material of a single integral piece or may be made of a plurality of individual pieces of material that are operably assembled together. If the absorbent structure consists of a single, substantially integral piece of material, the material may include the desired structural features molded into its selected spatial region. If the absorbent structure consists of multiple fragments, the fragments can be shaped as discrete layers or as other non-laminated forms and structures. In addition, the individual pieces may be in the same space or in the same space, depending on the requirements of the product. However, it is preferred that each fragment is arranged in operative intimate contact along at least a portion of its boundary with at least one other adjacent fragment of the absorbent structure. Preferably, each piece is connected to an adjacent portion of the absorbent structure by suitable bonding and / or fiber entanglement mechanisms, such as ultrasonic or adhesive bonding, or by mechanical or hydraulic needling.

In the embodiment representatively shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent structure 32 includes a liquid absorption target zone, in particular having a curved outer surface that is contoured along its lateral edge. The two transverse edges, generally mirrored and inwardly curved, provide a narrower middle part suitable for positioning in the crotch of the wearer. In the absorbent structure 32 shown, its front portion includes two transversely spaced ear regions and a central region. The target zone includes the face on which repeated liquid surges typically occur in the absorbent structure 32. When wearing a diaper, the ear region is generally configured to block off the wearer's waist and torso, and the central area is generally configured to block off the wearer's waist and torso.

The absorbent structure 32 may be made from various materials in various sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass, etc.). The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure 32 should be suitable for the liquid load imposed by the size of the wearer and the purpose of using the absorbent article. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure 32 can be varied to provide for wearers from infants to adults. In addition, it has been found by the present invention that the density and / or basis weight of each surge control 46 and retainer 48, and their relative ratios, may vary. In a particular aspect of the invention, the absorbent construct has a synthetic urine absorption capacity of at least about 300 gm. In addition, the absorbent structure can provide improved performance with a synthetic urine absorption capacity of at least about 400 gm.

Various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibrous materials can be used to form the constituent portions of the absorbent structure 32. Examples of suitable fibers include natural organic fibers composed of intrinsically wettable materials, such as cellulose fibers; Synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers; Inorganic fibers composed of intrinsically wettable materials such as glass fibers; Synthetic fibers made from intrinsically wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as certain polyester or polyamide fibers; And synthetic fibers composed of non-wetting thermoplastic polymers, such as polypropylene fibers, which have been hydrophilized by appropriate means. The fibers can be hydrophilized by treatment with silica, by treatment with a material having a suitable hydrophilic moiety and not easily removed from the fibers, or by coating the non-wetting hydrophobic fibers with a hydrophilic polymer during or after fiber formation. In the present invention, selected blends of the various types of fibers may be used.

The term "hydrophilic" as used herein refers to the fiber or surface of the fiber that is wetted by the aqueous liquid in contact with the fiber. The degree of wetting of the materials can be described in terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Apparatus and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of particular fiber materials or blends of fiber materials used in the surge control unit 46 may be Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System or substantially equivalent. May be provided by the system. When measured with this system, fibers having a contact angle of less than 90 ° are called "wettable" or hydrophilic, and fibers having a contact angle of greater than 90 ° are called "non-wettable" or hydrophobic.

Retention portion 48 may consist of a hydrophilic fiber matrix, such as a web of cellulose fluff, mixed with particles of superabsorbent material. In a special case, the retention portion 48 may be a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles and synthetic polymer meltblown fibers, or a mixture of fibrous coform material and superabsorbent particles consisting of a blend of natural and / or synthetic polymer fibers. Can be done. The superabsorbent particles can be mixed substantially homogeneously with the hydrophilic fibers or can be mixed non-uniformly. For example, the concentration of superabsorbent particles may be in a stepwise gradient through a substantial portion of the thickness (z-direction) of the absorbent structure, having a low concentration towards the body side of the absorbent structure and a relatively high concentration toward the outside of the absorbent structure. Can be arranged. Suitable z-gradient forms are described in US Pat. No. 4,699,823, issued October 13, 1987 to Kellenberger et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in accordance with the present description. The superabsorbent particles can be arranged in a generally discontinuous layer in the hydrophilic fiber matrix or can be configured as discrete, discrete pocket regions of the superabsorbent material. In addition, two or more different types of superabsorbents may optionally be located at other locations within or along the fiber matrix.

The superabsorbent material may consist of an absorbent gelling material such as a superabsorbent. Absorbent gelling materials can be natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, the absorbent gelling material may be an inorganic material such as silica gel, or an organic compound such as a crosslinked polymer. The term "crosslinking" means any means for effectively making a normally water-soluble material to be substantially water-insoluble but swellable. Such means include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ionic complexes and associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic associations or van der Waals forces.

Examples of synthetic absorbent gelling material polymers include maleic anhydride copolymers with alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamide), poly (vinyl ether), vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins. , Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), poly (vinylmorpholinone), poly (vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Other polymers suitable for use in absorbent structures include natural and modified natural polymers such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, And natural gums such as alginate, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, and the like. Mixtures of natural and wholly or partially synthetic absorbent polymers may also be useful in the present invention. Other suitable absorbent gelling materials are described in US Pat. No. 3,901,236, issued to Asarsson et al. On August 26, 1975. Methods for preparing synthetic absorbent gelling polymers are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,076,663 to Masuda et al. On February 28, 1978 and U.S. Patent No. to Tsubakimoto on August 25, 1981. 4,286,082.

Synthetic absorbent gelling materials are typically zerogels that, when wet, form hydrogels. However, the term "hydrogel" has typically been used with reference to both wet and non-wet forms of the material.

As noted above, the superabsorbent material used for the retention portion 48 is generally in the form of discrete particles. The particles may be in the desired form, for example vortices or half-vortices, cubes, rods, polyhedra, and the like. Forms with the largest dimension / smallest dimension ratio, such as needles, flakes, and fibers, may be used in the present invention. Aggregation of absorbent gelling material particles may be used in the retention portion 48.

Preferred for use are particles having an average size of about 20 μm to about 1 mm. As used herein, "particle size" means the weight average of the smallest dimension of an individual particle.

Suitable superabsorbent materials may have special properties of absorbent capacity (also referred to as "AC"), deformation under load (also referred to as "DUL"), and wicking index (also referred to as "WI"). Such parameters are described in detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 757,787 filed September 11, 1991 by S. Byerly et al. (Inventive name: ABSORBENT COMPOSITES AND ABSORBENT ARTICLES CONTAINING SAME; Agent No. 10,174). This specification is incorporated by reference in accordance with the present specification.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the absorbent retainer 48 consists of a matrix of substantially hydrophilic fibers in which a large amount of superabsorbent material is distributed. Selected superabsorbent polymers with improved absorbency may be important for keeping the absorbent product as thin as desired while maximizing its performance. To provide improved performance, the particles of superabsorbent material may be selected to provide an absorbency (AUL) value under load that falls within the range of about 25-40 and an absorption capacity (AC) of about 32-48. The liquid absorptivity of the superabsorbent material is about 3 to 15 g / g (liquid g per g of superabsorbent) at 30 seconds, the absorbency under load is 6.5 to 21 g / g at 5 minutes, and the absorbency under load is From 60 minutes to about 25 to 40 g / g.

Suitable methods for measuring AUL include U.S. Patent Application No. 184,302 filed by S. Kellenberger (Absorbent Products Containing HYDROGELS WITH ABILITY TO SWELL AGAINST PRESSURE; Agent No. 8786); European Patent Application No. 0 339 461 A1, published November 2, 1989, which is hereby incorporated by reference in accordance with the present specification.

An example of a superabsorbent polymer suitable for use in the present invention is a SANWET IM 3900 polymer available from Hoechst Celanese of Pottsmouth, Virginia. Another suitable superabsorbent is W45926 polymer obtained from Stockhausen, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.

The matrix of hydrophilic fibers that make up the retention portion 48 may be a cellulose wood pulp fluff layer, and the superabsorbent polymer particles may be distributed in the matrix of hydrophilic fibers. Hydrophilic fibers and superabsorbent particles may be provided in a fiber to particle ratio of about 75:25 or less, and also about 70:30 or less, optionally about 55:45 (by weight). In another aspect of the invention, the fiber to particle ratio is at least about 25:75, preferably at least about 30:70, more preferably at least about 45:55 (by weight). Such fiber to particle ratios may be particularly desirable in the target zone of the absorbent structure. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the fiber to particle weight ratio should be about 65:35 or less and about 50:50 or more to provide the desired performance.

Hydrophilic fibers and superabsorbent particles can form an average composite basis weight of about 400 to 900 gsm. In addition, such basis weights are particularly preferred in the target zone of the absorbent structure. In some aspects of the invention, the average composite basis weight should be about 500-800 gsm, preferably about 550-750 gsm to provide the desired performance.

In order to provide certain thin dimensions for the various types of absorbent articles of the present invention, the retention portion 48 can be configured to have a bulk thickness of about 0.6 cm or less. Preferably, the bulk thickness is about 0.53 cm or less, more preferably about 0.5 cm or less to provide improved benefits. Bulk thickness is measured under a limit pressure of 0.2 psi (1.38 kPa).

The density of the retaining portion 48 and other components of the absorbent article can be calculated from its basis weight and thickness. For diapers, for example, the weight and thickness are measured under a limit pressure of 0.2 psi (1.38 kPa) in a freshly unwrapped, unfolded and dry diaper. Conventional thickness measurement devices can be used to determine the thickness needed to calculate the density.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent retention portion 48 is 4 to 22 g wood pulp fluff, preferably about 8 to 14 g fluff, more preferably about 10 to 12 g fluff. Provide the desired benefits, including. Wood pulp fluff generally provides the shape and contour for the diaper 10 and carries and positions the particles of the superabsorbent polymer or other superabsorbent material. Retention portion 48 may contain about 7-12 g of superabsorbent polymer, and in the illustrated embodiment, contains about 8.5 g of superabsorbent polymer. Sufficient superabsorbent polymer is included in retention 48 to provide adequate total absorption capacity of at least about 300 gm of urine. For example, an infant medium diaper weighing about 5.9-10.5 kg (13-23 lb) may typically have a total retention capacity of about 500 g of urine.

The fluff and superabsorbent particles may optionally be placed in the desired zone of the retainer 48. For example, the fluff basis weight may vary throughout the width dimension of the retention portion 48. In addition, a relatively large amount of fluff may be located towards the front waist band end of the retention portion. See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,585,448, issued April 29, 1986 to K. Enloe. In the illustrated embodiment, most of the superabsorbent material may be distributed below the middle region of the retention portion 48 extending along the length dimension of the retention portion and exhibit a width of about 8.9-11.4 cm (about 3.5-4.5 inch). . In addition, the superabsorbent material may be located in a zone selected to reduce the amount of superabsorbent material located closest to the side and terminal edges of the retention portion. The reduced amount of superabsorbent material at the retention edges can improve the inclusion of superabsorbent particles in the fibrous fluff matrix of the retention portion 48. Pulsed, discrete batches of superabsorbent materials are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,028,224, issued July 2, 1991 to C. Pieper et al. A SUBSTRATE (agent No. 8771), which is incorporated herein by reference in accordance with this specification.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the absorbent structure 32 will be T-shaped for improved performance, in particular for boys, with transversely extending crossbars of "T" which generally correspond to the front waist band of the absorbent article. Can be. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the retention portion across the ear of the front waist band region of the product has a transverse width of about 22.9 cm (about 9.0 inch), and the narrowest portion of the crotch portion is about 8.9 cm (about 3.5 inch) ) And the back waist band area is about 11.4 cm (about 4.5 inches) wide.

The entire absorbent structure 32, or individual portions thereof, such as retention portions, may be overlaid with a hydrophilic, high wet strength envelope web, such as a high wet strength tissue or a synthetic fibrous web. Such enveloped webs may increase the binding upon use of the absorbent structure. This web may be suitably glued to the absorbent structure 32 and other product components.

Due to the high concentration of superabsorbent particles, or other superabsorbent material, in the retainer 48, it may be difficult to contain the superabsorbent particles in the retainer and limit the movement or movement of the superabsorbent on the body side of the diaper. . In order to improve containment of the superabsorbent material, the absorbent structure 32 may include improved overpacking, such as the wrap sheet 70 placed immediately around and around the retaining portion 48. The wrap sheet is preferably a layer of absorbent material that covers most of the body side and outer surface of the retainer, and preferably surrounds substantially all of the outer edges of the retainer to form a substantially complete envelope around them. In addition, the wrap sheet can provide an absorbent wrap that covers most of the body side and outer surface of the retainer and substantially surrounds only the transverse side edges of the retainer. Thus, both the straight and inner bent portions of the lateral side edges of the wrap sheet are sealed around the retaining portion. However, in such a form, the distal edge of the wrap sheet cannot be completely sealed around the distal edge of the retention portion in the waist band region of the product.

The absorbent wrap 70 may consist of a multi-element wrap sheet that includes a separate bodyside wrap layer and a separate outer wrap layer, each extending at all or a portion of the outer edge of the retaining portion 48, as shown in FIG. have. Such a configuration of the wrap sheet may facilitate the formation of substantially complete closures and closures, for example around the outer edges of the retention portion 48. In the back waist band portion of the illustrated diaper, the absorbent wrap may be configured to extend by an increased distance away from the outer surface of the retention portion to add opacity and strength to the back ear of the diaper. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the body side and outer layers of the absorbent wrap 70 extend beyond the outer edge of the retention portion by at least about 1.27 cm (about 0.5 inch) so that the outer surface of the body side portion of the absorbent wrap is outside of the absorbent wrap. An outwardly protruding flanged engagement surface that can be fully or partially connected to the outer surface of the portion.

The bodyside and outer layers of the wrap sheet 70 may consist of substantially the same ash, or may consist of other materials. For example, the outer layer of the wrap sheet may consist of a relatively small basis weight material having a relatively high porosity, such as wet strength cellulose tissue composed of soft pulp. The bodyside layer of the wrap sheet may be made of one of the wrap sheet materials having a relatively low porosity. The low porosity bodyside layer can better prevent the migration of superabsorbent particles onto the wearer's skin, while the outer layer with a high porosity and low basis weight can help reduce costs.

To achieve a bond between the body side and the outer portion of the absorbent wrap 70, an adhesive, such as a National Starch 72-3723 adhesive, may be used, for example, with a gravure type system to designate the engaging surface 74 of the absorbent wrap. Can be printed on. In other forms with absorbent wraps composed of nonwoven meltblown fibrous webs, the outer closure of the body side and outer wrap layers can be made by hot calendering to provide a closed strip area around the retainer outer surface.

Due to the thin state of the retainer 48 and the high concentration of superabsorbent in the retainer, the liquid absorption of the retainer itself is too low, or cannot be adequately maintained for three times of liquid discharge into the absorbent structure. However, the addition of a porous liquid permeable layer of surge control material can advantageously improve the total absorption of the composite absorbent structure. Surge adjuster 46 is typically less hydrophilic than retainer 48, and rapidly collects and temporarily retains liquid surges, transports liquid from its initial inlet point and transfers the liquid to other portions of absorbent structure 32, In particular, it has an operable degree of density and basis weight for substantially complete release to the retention portion 48. This configuration can prevent the liquid from pooling and gathering into the portion of the absorbent garment located facing the wearer's skin, thereby reducing the wet feel by the wearer.

Various fabrics and nonwovens can be used to construct the surge control 46. For example, the surge control may be a layer composed of meltblown or spunbonded webs of polyolefin fibers. The surge control layer may be a bonded carded web or an impregnated web made of natural and synthetic fibers. The bonded carded web can be, for example, a powder bonded carded web, an infrared coupled carded web or a vent coupled carded web. Infrared and aeration bonded carded webs may optionally include other fiber mixtures, and the fiber length in the selected fabric web may be about 2.54 to 7.62 cm (about 1.0 to 3.0 inch). The surge control portion may consist essentially of hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may be optionally treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart the desired degree of wetting and hydrophilicity.

Exemplary diaper 10 may include a surge adjuster 46 arranged to be in direct contact with a liquid in communication with an adjacent absorbent retainer 48. As representatively shown, surge adjuster 46 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to an outwardly facing outer surface of upper sheet 28. Optionally, the surge adjuster may be located adjacent to the inwardly facing bodyside surface of the upper sheet 28. The configuration of the surge control portion is operably connected to the top sheet layer in a conventional adhesive pattern, such as a vortex adhesive pattern. In addition, the surge control can be operatively connected to the bodyside layer of the wrap sheet 70 in a conventional adhesive pattern. The amount of adhesive impregnation should be sufficient to achieve the desired degree of bonding, but low enough to avoid excessively restricting the movement of the liquid from the top sheet layer through the surge control and wrap sheet layers.

Retention portion 48 is positioned to receive the liquid discharged from surge control portion 46 and to interact with the surge control portion and the liquid to hold and store the liquid. In the embodiment shown, surge control 46 forms a bilayer arrangement by including other layers located over other separate layers that make up the reservoir. The surge control quickly collects and temporarily retains the discharged liquid, transports such liquid from the initial point of contact and deploys the liquid to other portions of the surge control, and then transfers the liquid to the layer (s) that make up the reservoir 48. Help to release substantially completely.

The representatively shown configuration of the surge control part is substantially free of absorbent gelling material. However, surge control section 46 contains a very small amount of particulate gelling material to aid in initial liquid surge capture, but the amount should not be excessive. However, if excess particulate absorbent gelling material is maintained in the target zone, the particles can cause a situation of holding and retaining an inappropriate amount of liquid. In addition, the transport of liquid from the target zone of the absorbent structure 32, in particular the retaining portion 48, to other portions may undesirably cause defects. As noted above, the surge layer may be a separately formed layer placed adjacent to the outer opposing surface of the upper sheet 28 between the retainer and the upper sheet 28. Thus, the surge adjuster 46 need not constitute the entire thickness of the absorbent structure 32. The retention portion can optionally include a concave surface that entirely or partially surrounds the surge adjustment portion 46, or the retention portion can be positioned entirely below the surge adjustment portion. An arrangement comprising a concave surface in the retaining portion 48 can advantageously increase the area of contact and liquid flow between the retaining portion and the surge control portion 46. However, it should be understood that the surge control 46 is structured to extend through the entire thickness of the absorbent structure 32 such that the capillary flow of the liquid into the retainer 48 generally occurs primarily in the lateral (X-Y) direction.

The surge control can be of any desired shape that matches the absorption requirements of the absorbent structure 32. Suitable forms include, for example, round, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, oblong, dog bone, hourglass or oval. A preferred form of surge control is to increase the liquid flow surface area in contact between surge control 46 and retainer 48 so that the relative differences in capillary phenomena between the parts can be fully exploited. In certain embodiments, for example, the surge control can be generally rectangular.

In various aspects of the present invention, surge adjuster 46 may extend over the full length of retainer 48 or may only extend over a portion of the retainer length. If the surge control only partially extends along the retention length, the surge control can be selectively positioned anywhere along the absorbent structure 32. For example, surge control 46 may function more effectively when it is detached toward the front waist band of the garment and centered transversely within the front of absorbent structure 32. Thus, the surge adjuster 46 gathers about the center around the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent structure 32 and is primarily located in the central region of the front portion of the absorbent structure 32.

In another aspect of the invention, the distal edge of the surge control portion may be located inward in the longitudinal direction from the distal edge of the retention portion 48. In a particular form of the present invention, the corresponding relatively adjacent front end edges of the surge adjuster 46 may be located at a constant distance from the front waist band end edges of the retainer 48.

It is known that an effective fabric constituting the surge control section can be clearly characterized by certain parameters. Examples of such parameters include basis weight, permeability, porosity, surface area per porosity (SA / VV), compression resilience and saturation capacity. Other parameters may include a binding matrix that will stabilize the pore size structure, and hydrophilicity. The binding matrix and blend of fiber deniers can advantageously provide and substantially maintain the desired pore size structure.

Further details regarding surge materials and suitable techniques for determining such parameters are described, for example, in US Patent Application No. 206,986, filed March 4, 1994 by C. Ellis and D. Bishop. (Name of invention: FIBROUS NONWOVEN WEB SURGE LAYER FOR PERSONAL CARE ABSORBENT ARTICLES AND THE LIKE; Agent No. 11,256); And US Patent Application No. 206,069, filed March 4, 1994, by C. Ellis and R. Everett, entitled IMPROVED SURGE MANAGEMENT FIBROUS NONWOVEN WEB FOR PERSONAL CARE ABSORBENT ARTICLES AND THE LIKE; Agent No. 11,387), which is incorporated herein by reference in accordance with this specification.

In a particular form of the invention, the surge material may include bicomponent fibers. For example, polypropylene / polyethylene bicomponent fibers can be used to form the bicomponent fiber portion of any of the above fabrics. In addition, the bicomponent fibers can be crimped flat or spirally crimped.

Representative products have a fastening system 40 connected thereto. The fastening system consists of a panel member 56 comprising panel material. The panel member 56 has a designated outer region 58 including first and second opposing major surfaces 50 and 52, a designated inner region 54 and a distal outer edge 60 thereof. . The reinforcement strip 88 comprises a reinforcement material and is laminated to the first surface 50 of the side panel member 56 in the outer region 58 of the side panel. The reinforcing strip has a distal outer edge 90 in the same space as the outer edge 60 of the panel member 56. The fastener tab 36 is laminated to the second surface 52 of the panel member 56 and has its user engagement region 41 extending from the panel member. The fastener tab includes first and second opposing major surfaces 76 and 78 and includes fastening means 44 located on at least one of the major surfaces of the fastener tab.

The fastening system 40 is connected to the product at either or both of the transversely opposed distal regions 72 of at least one of the front and rear waist band portions. The side panel member 56 of each fastening system may be structured to be at least elastically stretchable along the lateral extension transverse direction 24 of the product.

Examples of products comprising elastic side panels and optionally structured fastener tabs are described in US Patent Application No. 168,615, filed December 16, 1993, by T. Roessler et al., Entitled DYNAMIC FITTING DIAPER. Agent number: 10,961); And US Patent Application No. 415,382, entitled AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING A LAMINATED TAPE; Agent No. 11,990, filed December 16, 1993 by D. Fries. Various techniques for forming the desired fastening system are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,399,219, issued March 21, 1995 to T. Roessler et al. (Name of the invention: METHOD FOR MAKING A FASTENING SYSTEM FOR A DYNAMIC FITTING DIAPER) Agent number: 11,186); US Patent Application No. 286,086 filed on August 3, 1994, filed by D. Fries (A PROCESS FOR ASSEMBLING ELASTICIZED EAR PORTIONS; Agent No. 11,169) and D. Fries US Patent Application No. 415,383, filed April 3, 1995, entitled AN ASSEMBLY PROCESS FOR A LAMINATED TAPE; Agent No. 11,950. The specification of these documents is incorporated herein by reference in accordance with (not to conflict with) this specification.

In the form shown, the side panel member 56 is a separate provided member operably connected and attached to a transversely opposed end face of the back waist band portion of the back sheet 30. In particular, each side panel is pasted so as to extend away from the corresponding terminal edge of the back sheet layer. The side panels may consist substantially of non-elastomeric materials such as polymer films, fabrics, nonwovens, and the like, and mixtures thereof. In a particular aspect of the invention, the side panels are constructed of elasticized materials, such as stretch bonded laminate (SBL) materials, neck bonded laminate (NBL) materials, elastomeric films, elastomeric foam materials, and the like. Can be. For example, suitable meltblown elastomeric fibrous webs are described in US Pat. No. 4,663,220, issued May 5, 1987 to T. Wisneski et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. Cited. Examples of composite fabrics consisting of one or more layers of nonwoven textile fabrics secured to a fibrous elastic layer are described in European Patent Application No. 0 110 010, published April 8, 1987, which includes J. Taylor et al. Which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of NBL materials are described in US Pat. No. 5,226,992, issued July 13, 1993 to Mormon, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The reinforcement strip 88 consists of a separately provided reinforcement material and may be laminated directly or indirectly to the first surface of the side panel member 56 in the outer region 58 of the side panel. The illustrated reinforcing strip extends along substantially the entire length of the outer distal portion of panel member 56. The reinforcing strip also has a length greater than the length dimension of the fastening means 44 on the user engaging portion 41 of the fastener tab 36. The reinforcing strip 88 may be composed of, for example, a release tape, which may include a substrate composed of a polymer film such as a polypropylene film. Suitable release tape materials are commercially available from Avery Corp., Painesville, Ohio.

The release tape structure of the reinforcing strip 88 may have a release surface 98 and an attachment surface 100 positioned oppositely. Suitable release materials with limited low adhesion to conventional pressure sensitive adhesives are located and distributed on the release surface 98, and suitable adhesion mechanisms, such as constituent adhesive layers, are distributed on the attachment surface 100. do. The constituent adhesive is used to attach the reinforcing strip 88 on the designated side of the final product. In particular, the strip of release tape can be operatively coupled and laminated to the outer region 58 of the panel member 56 along the first surface 50 of the panel member. The strip of release tape is configured to have its distal outer edge 90 positioned substantially in the same space and extending substantially together with the outer edge 60 of the panel member 56. In addition, the width of the release tape along the transverse direction 24 is equal to or greater than the width of the fastening means 44 provided on the user engagement area 41 of the fastener tab 36.

The fastening system includes a fastener tab 36 that provides the wearer with a mechanism for holding the product. Fastener tabs include tab substrates that may be composed of a variety of substrate materials. For example, the embodiment of the tab substrate shown may consist of a polymer film, such as a polypropylene film. Suitable film materials are commercially available from Avery Corp., Painesville, Ohio. The substrate may also be composed of a woven or nonwoven fabric, such as a spunbonded nonwoven fabric.

The tab substrate 86 comprises a fixing surface 76 and a user surface 78, wherein the selected fixing means is located on the fixing surface of the tab substrate. The fastening means can be provided by adhesives, cohesive materials, cooperative components of interlocking, mechanical fasteners, snaps, pins or buckles and the like and mixtures thereof. For example, the fastening means may comprise hook components or loop components of hook and loop fasteners. In the form shown, the fastening means is provided by a main layer of adhesive 44 distributed on the fastening surface, the fastening system providing an adhesive fastener tab. The fastener tabs may be configured to releasably attach to designated landing zone patches 92 attached to the front waist band portion of the diaper to provide a refastenable adhesive fastening system.

By means of the adhesive fastening shown, the main adhesive layer manipulates the designated factory engagement area 39 of the fastener tab 36 in the outer area 58 of the panel member 56 along the second surface 52 of the panel member. Possibly used for laminating and pasting. In addition, other types of connection means, such as thermal bonds, sonic bonds, mechanical stitching, staples, and the like, and mixtures thereof, can be used to permanently attach the fastener tabs to the panel member. For example, ultrasonic coupling can be used to provide complementary coupling.

The factory engaging portion 39 of the fastener tab 36 overlaps the outer edge of the panel member 56, and the fastener tab extends beyond the panel member to provide a user engaging region 41 of the tab. The terminal edges 60 and 90 of the panel member and the reinforcing strip are each advantageously mixed and cooperated to provide a relatively sudden change or discontinuity in the fastening system thickness. The distal edge provides a composite edge that can limit the potential stress concentration region within the fastener tab when the free edge of the end of the fastener tab is folded inward to the storage location. Discontinuous stress concentration along the edges 60 and 90 of the same extension line can more reliably limit the desired folding line, and the folding line can be more easily formed without using conventional weakening procedures such as line engraving. . As a result, the structure of the fastening system can be provided for a more effective and consistent folding operation while maintaining the strength and reliability of the individual fastening tabs 36.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the fastener tabs may have a relatively wide user engagement portion with a relatively narrow middle portion. The middle portion is located between the user engagement and factory engagement portion of the fastener tab. In another aspect of the invention, fastener tab 36 may include finger tab region 80. The finger tab is not substantially secured and provides a surface that can be gripped by the user without contaminating or disturbing the securing means. The finger tab may comprise a layer of panel material and a layer of reinforcing material. For example, in a particular embodiment, the finger tab is configured with a layer of panel material sandwiched between the reinforcing material layer and the finger tab to provide a laminated finger tab that is easier to position and grip.

By fully describing the present invention to some extent, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are anticipated to fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (20)

Longitudinal, transverse, transversely opposite side edges, longitudinally opposite distal edges and intermediate portions located between distal edges in the longitudinal central region of the article, Back sheet; An inner elastic member connected to crimp the side edges of at least one side of the back sheet; And Substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic members connected to substantially crimp the at least one edge in a transverse direction of the inner elastic member to provide a series of elastic members arranged in a staggered overlapping relationship. An outer side, wherein a majority of the longitudinal end edges of the outer elastic member extend substantially together with the distal side edges of the at least one side edge at the middle of the article). The article of claim 1, wherein the outer elastic member is arranged to substantially avoid bridging the bent edges inwardly of the back sheet. The terminal side edge of claim 1, wherein the at least one side edge has an outwardly concave, substantially C-shaped concave edge, the portion of which is a concave edge extending along about 50% or less of the total length of the article. And wherein substantially the entirety of the longitudinal terminal edges of the outer elastic member extend substantially together with the concave edges of the side edges at the middle of the article. The article of claim 1, wherein the outer elastic member has a length to width aspect ratio of at least about 4: 1. The article of claim 1, wherein a majority of the longitudinal terminal edges of the outer elastic member extend substantially together with the upper sheet layer at the middle of the article. The article of claim 1, wherein said inner elastic member is comprised of an elastomeric strip. The article of claim 1, wherein said outer elastic member is comprised of an elastomeric strip. The article of claim 1, wherein the inner elastic member comprises a plurality of elastomeric strands connected to a carrier strip. The article of claim 8, wherein the inner elastic member comprises a plurality of elastomeric strands that are substantially parallel to each other. The article of claim 1, wherein the outer elastic member comprises a plurality of elastomeric strands connected to a carrier strip. The article of claim 10, wherein the outer elastic member comprises a plurality of elastomeric strands that are substantially parallel to each other. Having a front and rear waist band portion, a middle portion interconnecting the front and rear waist band portions, transversely opposite side edges, longitudinal and transverse directions, Back sheet; A liquid permeable upper sheet layer superimposed and connected towards said back sheet; An absorbent structure interposed between the back sheet and the top sheet layer; A first inner elastic member connected to crimp the first side edges of the article and a second inner elastic member connected to crimp the second side edges; A first, substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member connected to substantially longitudinally crimp the first lateral edge (the first outer elastic member being positioned transversely outward of the first inner elastic member and having a first Providing a series of first elastic members arranged in a staggered overlapping relationship, wherein a majority of the longitudinal end edges of the first outer elastic member extend substantially together with the terminal edges of the first side edge at the middle of the product); And A second, substantially longitudinally extending outer elastic member connected to substantially longitudinally crimp the second lateral edge (the second outer elastic member is positioned transversely outward of the second inner elastic member Providing a series of second elastic members arranged in a staggered overlapping relationship, the majority of the longitudinal terminal edges of the second outer elastic member extending substantially together with the terminal edges of the second side edges in the middle of the product). Absorbing products. 13. The article of claim 12, wherein each of said first and second outer elastic members are arranged to substantially avoid bridging with an inwardly curved edge of said back sheet. The method of claim 12, The first side edge of the article has a first terminal side edge having a first outwardly concave, substantially C-shaped concave edge, the portion of which is a concave edge extending along about 50% or less of the total length of the product Substantially the entirety of the longitudinal terminal edge of the first outer elastic member extends substantially together with the concave edge of the first side edge at the middle of the article; The second side edge of the article has a second distal side edge having a second outwardly concave, substantially C-shaped concave edge, the portion of which is a concave edge extending along about 50% or less of the total length of the product And substantially the entirety of the longitudinal terminal edge of the second outer elastic member extends substantially together with the concave edge of the second side edge at the middle of the article. The method of claim 12, The first side edge of the article has a first distal side edge having a substantially C-shaped concave edge, the portion of which is concave outwardly first, the longitudinal end edge of the first outer elastic member being at the middle of the article. Extending substantially together with the concave edges of the first lateral edges, the first outer elastic member being arranged to substantially avoid concave edges and bridging; The second side edge of the article has a second distal side edge having a substantially C-shaped concave edge, the portion of which is concave outwardly second, the longitudinal end edge of the second outer elastic member being at the middle of the article. The article extends substantially together with the concave edge of the second side edge and the second outer elastic member is arranged to substantially avoid bridging of the concave edge. 13. The article of claim 12, wherein the first and second outer elastic members have a length-to-width aspect ratio of about 4: 1 or greater. The article of claim 12, wherein a majority of the longitudinal end edges of the first outer elastic member and a majority of the longitudinal end edges of the second outer elastic member extend substantially together with the top sheet layer at the middle of the article. . 13. The article of claim 12, wherein the inner and outer elastic members are composed of elastomeric strips. 13. The article of claim 12, wherein the inner and outer elastic members comprise a plurality of elastomeric strands, one or more of which are connected to a carrier strip. 20. The article of claim 19, wherein the inner elastic member comprises a plurality of elastomeric strands that are substantially parallel to each other.