KR20000071072A - Disposable absorbent article with folded ear panels and method of making same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention folds the ear panels of disposable absorbent articles recyclably and consistently to simplify and speed up diaper opening operations for users, reduce the risk of potential injury to end users and wearers caused by cut ear panels, and To provide a means for forming a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement of disposable diaper bundles. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a disposable absorbent diaper with folded ear panels is provided.

Description

Disposable absorbent article and its manufacturing method {DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH FOLDED EAR PANELS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME}

Disposable absorbent articles, in particular disposable diapers, are known manufactured articles designed primarily for wear by infants and incontinence patients. Such diapers are worn around the wearer's lower body to absorb and store urine and other body waste, such as staining of articles (eg, clothing, bedding, other body parts, etc.) that may be in contact with the diaper in use, It is intended to prevent soaking or similar contamination.

To achieve a clean disposable diaper, the user mainly unfolds the diaper from its folded and packaged form in half folded form, places the ear panel with tape tab fasteners, and the user inserts the diaper around the wearer's waist The diaper is opened in an unfolded form that can be secured to form a side closure. In the folded form and the half folded form, the ear panel is typically disposed adjacent to the back waist area of the diaper so that the tape tab fasteners are not easily accessible to the user or the clipped nature of the ear panel. This places them in a position that poses a danger to the user and even to the wearer. Clipping tends to occur as a result of random placement of the ear panels on the chassis assembly during the manufacturing process.

The prior art does not disclose any particular relevant information regarding the cause of the folding of the ear panel of disposable absorbent articles such as diapers. For example, US Pat. No. 3,863,637 focuses on folding diapers. In particular, the diaper is folded longitudinally in a cross section similar to Greek sigma on one side of the longitudinal centerline of the diaper and inverse sigma on the opposite side of the diaper. The diaper has a rectangular outline and an adhesive strip is provided on opposite edges of one end of the diaper. Due to the rectangular shape of the diaper, the problem of ear folding is not solved simply. In contrast, US Pat. No. 4,050,462 refers to the folding of the ear panel. U. S. Patent No. 4,050, 462 discloses a method for making a diaper folded and packaged according to the teachings of the present invention. Because of the elasticity present, when the narrow crotch section is shortened, the diaper itself folds in half in the transverse direction, making it easy to fold inwardly the outwardly extending ear panel at the edge of the waistband section. European Patent Publication No. 0 452 951 B1 discloses folding the side sections of the training pant to facilitate packaging. In particular, the patent relates to a training pant having a front part, a back part, and a side section connecting the front part and the back part together. The lateral section extends from the waist opening to each leg opening and folds along the centerline of the longitudinal training pant to be positioned between the front and back portions of the panty. Currently, other disposable diaper products in the industry exhibit a random arrangement with respect to the folding of the ear panels, and cut ear panels are very common. This is most evident in disposable diaper bundles upon opening.

As a result of the foregoing prior art attempts, those skilled in the art can easily and quickly perform diaper opening operations, reduce the risk of potential injury to end users and wearers caused by cut ear panels, and for packaging 1 It has been recognized that it is desirable to provide a reproducible and consistent means of folding the ear panel of the disposable diaper to form a more apparently satisfactory arrangement in the disposable diaper bundle. The solution was found to be an ear panel that was folded several times to form a tape tab fastener of the ear panel that is exposed to the user when the diaper is opened in half folded form and the clipped ear is hidden.

Advantages of the present invention include products that have a good appearance and are improved in scope due to the neat, controlled and consistent folding of the ear panels from the easy one step opening action of the diaper and tape tab fasteners; Products that are extremely user friendly and do no harm to the user or wearer; Products that provide a high level of user satisfaction and trust; It has been found that when the user opens the disposable diaper bundle to take out the diaper, the structure is most interested in the first article. It is also directed to include folding processes on current production lines. Indeed, the folding process can result in increased reliability and simplification of the process, and can eliminate the use of electrostatic charge equipment that poses a safety risk to the operator.

Summary of the Invention

In one embodiment of the present invention, the front waist region and the back waist region; A chassis assembly comprising a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet coupled to the topsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that includes a pair of ear panels in the back waist region. The ear panel includes a tape tab fastener that includes an attachment area and a functional area. Each ear panel is folded back at least by the width of the attachment area of the tape tab anchor and then at least once forward by the width of the attachment area of the tape tab anchor. After folding forward, the portion of the ear panel that does not include the attachment area of the tape tab anchor is disposed in a form that partially overlaps the attachment area of the tape tab anchor. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each ear panel is folded forward by twice the width of the attachment area of the tape tab anchor. The ear panel may be integrated with the back waist area of the diaper or coupled to the back waist area along a bond line.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a disposable diaper having the above-mentioned features is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a disposable diaper, folding each ear panel back at least by the width of the attachment area of the tape tab attachment, and each ear panel at least once by the width of the attachment area of the tape tab anchor. Folding forward, and folding each portion of the forward-folding ear panel that does not include the attachment area of the tape tab anchor in a form that partially overlaps the attachment area of the tape tab anchor. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ear panel is joined to the back waist region along the joining line prior to performing the forward folding step.

The invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an excellent method of folding an ear panel of a disposable absorbent article, and more particularly to a disposable diaper.

1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a disposable diaper of the present invention partially cut to show the underlying structure, showing the outer surface of the diaper facing the viewer;

2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 of an embodiment of a preferred disposable diaper;

FIG. 2B shows a state after folding the ear panel back from FIG. 2A;

2c shows a state after folding the ear panel at least once forward by the width of the attachment area of the fastening device from FIG. 2b, FIG.

FIG. 3A illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention from FIG. 2C, in which the ear panel is folded forward by twice the width of the attachment area of the tape tab fastener.

FIG. 3B shows the fully folded form of the ear panel from FIG. 3A.

As used herein, the term "disposable absorbent article" means an article that absorbs and stores body excretion, in particular close to or close to the body to absorb and store various excretion excreted from the body. Means an article that is intended to be disposed of and used after disposal (ie not intended to be dried or otherwise restored or reused), and preferably intended to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. do. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to a garment that is generally worn by infants or incontinent patients, and that is pulled up between the wearer's legs and fixed around the waist. The term "panel" is used herein to refer to a region or element of a waist feature or diaper. (Panels are typically separate areas or elements, but one panel may overlap to some extent with adjacent panels.) As used herein, the term “joined” refers to attaching one element directly to another. This includes a form in which one element is directly fixed to another element, and a form in which one element is indirectly fixed to another element by attaching one element to an intermediate element (s) attached to another element.

1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in an unconstricted state (ie, a state where the elastic induction shrinkage portion is pulled out), and a portion of the structure is cut to more clearly show the structure of the diaper 20. The portion of the diaper 20, ie the outer surface, facing away from the wearer is shown facing away from the wearer. As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 has a generally “T-shape”, a liquid permeable topsheet 24, a liquid impermeable backsheet 26 associated with the topsheet 24, and A chassis assembly (22) comprising an absorbent core (28) positioned between the topsheet (24) and the backsheet (26); Extensible leg cuffs (30) each comprising a leg flap panel (31) and one or more elastic members and elastic strands (54) actuated in conjunction with the leg flap panel (31); Extendable back waist comprising a pair of ear panels 36 each having a central waistband panel 34 and a tape tab anchor 37 and a placement member of a hip panel 38 and a tape tab anchor 37 Shape portion 32; A stretchable front waist shape 42 with a front waist panel 43.

Each panel is integral with diaper 20 in that it is a separate member coupled to the entire diaper structure or includes extensions of other elements of the diaper, such as topsheet 24, backsheet 26 or both. May be In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the entire panel except for the ear panel 36 includes an extension of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. Ear panel 36 includes a separate member coupled to central waistband panel 34 and at least a portion of hip panel 38. In addition, any panel or the entire panel may be stretchable. The chassis panel 22 may be extensible by forming into a structural elastic-like film (SELF) as disclosed herein, but maintains the integrity of the absorbent core 28 during use. It is customary to not be extensible to do so. Preferably, the stretchable panel comprises a SELF web. Using SELF webs, the force / extension characteristics of each panel can be specially designed to maximize the wearing and containment of the diaper with a minimum amount of material (no need to use conventional elastic materials).

As is apparent from FIG. 1, the diaper 20 has a closure system including a tape tab fastener 37 and an attachment member 41 for wearing the diaper 20 on a wearer. The tape tab anchor 37 comprises an attachment region 39 and a functional region (not shown) and an attachment member, which is preferably a reinforcing strip 41, or alternatively a front waist region of the diaper 20 ( A portion of the backsheet 26 located at 45). The attachment area is an area on the tape tab fastener 37 coupled to the ear panel 36, the functional area being tape tabs with functional elements disposed thereon to allow engagement with the attachment member on the front waist area 45 of the diaper. It is an area on the fixing device 37. The functional element may take many forms such as an adhesive fixation element, a mechanical fixation element, a combination of an adhesive fixation element and a mechanical fixation element or any other means known to those skilled in the art.

The diaper 20 of FIG. 1 has an inner surface (not shown), an outer surface 44 opposite the inner surface, a front waist region 45, a back waist region 46 opposite the front waist region 45, a longitudinal It has an outer periphery defined by the outer edge of the diaper 20, which consists of a directional edge 47 and a distal edge 48. [The practitioner will appreciate that the diaper has been described primarily in terms of having a pair of waist regions and a crotch region between the waist regions, but for ease of understanding the terminology in this application, the diaper 20 has only a waist region. And each waist region includes a portion of the diaper which is typically indicated as part of the crotch region. The inner surface of the diaper 20 is positioned of the diaper 20 positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use. A portion (ie, the inner surface is generally formed by at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and other components coupled to the topsheet 24). The outer surface 44 includes a portion of the diaper 20 positioned away from the wearer's body (ie, the outer surface 44 is at least a portion of the backsheet 26 and other configurations coupled to the backsheet 26). Formed by an element]. The front waist region 45 and the back waist region 46 extend from the distal edge 48 of the outer circumference to the transverse centerline 49 of the diaper 20, respectively. [The transverse direction (x direction or width) is defined in the direction parallel to the transverse centerline 49 of the diaper 20; The longitudinal direction (y direction or length) is defined in a direction parallel to the longitudinal center line 50; The axial direction (z direction or thickness) is defined as the direction extending through the thickness of the diaper 20.]

1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a diaper 20 in which the length and width dimensions of the topsheet 24 and backsheet 26 are generally larger than the absorbent core 28. Topsheet 24 and backsheet 26 extend past the edges of absorbent core 28 to form a portion of the panel and a portion of the outer periphery of the diaper. The outer periphery defines the periphery of the outer periphery, or in other words the edge of the diaper 20. The outer circumference includes a longitudinal edge 47 and a distal edge 48.

The chassis assembly 22 (chassis panel) of the diaper 20 shown in FIG. 1 includes a body (chassis) of the diaper 20. The chassis assembly 22 comprises an outer covering layer comprising at least an absorbent core 28, preferably a topsheet 24 and a backsheet 26. Thus, chassis assembly 22 includes a main structure of a diaper having other features added to form a composite diaper structure. One example of a chassis assembly of the present invention is disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,860,003.

The absorbent core 28 may be any absorbent means capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other human excreta. The absorbent core 28 has a garment surface, a body surface, side edges 57 and a waist edge 56. Absorbent core 28 may be made in a variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, “T” shaped, asymmetrical, etc.), and finely divided wood pulp commonly referred to as airfelt. It may also be made of various liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as. Examples of other suitable absorbents include crepe cellulose fillers, meltblown polymers including coforms, tissues including crosslinked cellulose fibers, tissue wraps, and tissue laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbents Colloids or any same material or combination of materials. In addition, the shape and structure of the absorbent core 28 may vary (for example, the absorbent core 28 may obtain various caliper regions, hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or low average density and low average basis weight). May have an area; Or one or more layers or structures.]. However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should be compatible with the design load and the intended use of the diaper 20. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 may be varied to suit the wearer, from infant to adult. Absorbent structures useful as the absorbent core 28 of the present invention that have achieved wide acceptance and commercial success are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,610,678, 4,888,231, 5,147,345, and 4,834,735, which patents are described herein. Useful absorbent structures are disclosed. The absorbent core 28 is preferably the double layer absorbent structure disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,234,423.

The backsheet 26 is located adjacent to the garment surface of the absorbent core 28 and is preferably bonded to this garment surface by attachment means (not shown) as known in the art. For example, the backsheet 26 may be secured to the absorbent core 28 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of individual lines, spirals, or dots of adhesive. Adhesives that have proven satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company, St. Paul, Minn., And sold under the trade name HL-1258. The attachment means will preferably comprise an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,573,986. Exemplary means for attaching an open pattern network of filaments includes several lines of adhesive filaments spirally formed in a spiral pattern such as shown by the apparatus and method shown in US Pat. Nos. 3,911,173, 4,785,996 and 4,842,666. do. As an alternative, the attachment means may comprise a thermal bond, a pressure bond, a heat / pressure bond, an ultrasonic bond, a dynamic mechanical bond or any other suitable attachment means or combination of such attachment means as known in the art. . The backsheet 26 is liquid (eg, urine) impermeable, and may be made of a thin plastic film although other flexible liquid impermeable materials may be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" means a material that is compliant and will easily conform to the general shape and contour of the human body. The backsheet 26 prevents the excretions absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 28 from soaking articles in contact with the diaper 20, such as bedsheets and underwear. Thus, the backsheet 26 may comprise a composite material such as a woven or nonwoven material, a polymer film such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene or a film coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. The backsheet 26 includes about 0.025 mm polyethylene blend film such as Tread, Terade, Indiana, USA, and sold under the tradename P8863.

The topsheet 24 is preferably located adjacent the body surface of the absorbent core 28 and coupled to the backsheet 26 by attachment means (not shown) as 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 outer periphery of the diaper, and indirectly together by joining them directly to the absorbent core by means of attachment (not shown). Combined. The top sheet 24 is compliant, soft to the touch, and does not irritate the wearer's skin. The topsheet 24 also has a liquid permeability that allows liquid (eg, urine) to penetrate easily through its thickness. Suitable topsheets are porous foams, lattice foams, perforated plastic films, or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (eg wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg polyester or polypropylene fibers) or It may also be made from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of hydrophobic material to isolate the skin of the wearer from the liquid contained in the absorbent core 28 through the topsheet 24 (ie, to prevent rewetting). . If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, at least the top surface of the topsheet is hydrophilic to allow liquid to be transferred more easily through the topsheet 24. This will allow human excrement to flow out of the topsheet 24 rather than through the topsheet 24 and absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 can be made hydrophilic by treating with a surfactant. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying a surfactant onto the material and dipping the material into the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such treatment and hydrophilicity is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,988,344.

The diaper 20 preferably further includes an extensible leg cuff 30 to provide improved containment of the liquid or other body excretion. Each stretchable leg cuff 30 may include several different embodiments to reduce leakage of body excretion in the leg area. [Leg cuffs can often be leg bands, leg flaps, barrier cuffs or elastic cuffs and are referred to as such.] US Pat. No. 3,860,003 refers to elastic legs Disclosed is a retractable leg opening having a leg flap and one or more elastic members to provide a cuff (gasketting cuffs). U. S. Patent No. 4,909, 803 discloses disposable diapers with “upright” elastic flaps (barrier cuffs) to improve blockade of the legs. U. S. Patent No. 4,695, 278 discloses a disposable diaper having a double cuff with a gasketing cuff and a barrier cuff. U. S. Patent No. 4,704, 115 discloses disposable diapers or incontinence garments with side-edge-leakage-guard gutters constructed to contain any liquid in the garment. U. S. Patent No. 5,032, 120 discloses an absorbent article with leg cuffs having a relatively low ultimate contact force at relatively high elongation, for example achieved by different materials with small contact forces. US Pat. No. 5,087,255 discloses an absorbent article having a curved barrier cuff with a distal end positioned outside the proximal end in one waist region and in the proximal end in the other waist region to provide good wear around the hips / hip. It is starting. Each extensible leg cuff 30 may have a structure similar to any of the leg bands, leg flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs described above, as shown in FIG. 1, but each extensible leg cuff 30 ) Includes a leg flap panel 31 extending laterally inward from the chassis panel 22, the side edges 57 of the absorbent core 28, and one or more such as disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,860,003. An elastic member and an elastic strand 54 which is operated in engagement with the leg flap panel 31.

The diaper 20 further includes stretchable waist features that provide improved wear and containment. The stretchable waist feature extends longitudinally outward from at least each waist edge 56 of the chassis assembly, preferably the absorbent core 28, and generally defines at least a portion of the distal edge 48 of the diaper 20. Form. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable back waist feature 32 extends from the waist edge 56 of the absorbent core 28 in the back waist region 46 to the distal edge of the diaper 20. A portion of the diaper 20 extending up to 48. Disposable diaper 20 of the present invention consists of stretchable waist features (extensible back waist features 32 and stretchable front waist features 42) disposed in each waist region, but each stretchable waist shape. A diaper having a different structure with respect to the waist shape will be discussed. At a minimum, the diaper 20 preferably has at least one of the stretchable waist features, more preferably at least stretchable back waist features 32, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The waist feature may be configured as a separate element coupled to the chassis assembly 22 or as an extension (ie, integrally) of another element of the diaper (ie, urine). The waist shape includes a portion or panel extending from other elements of the diaper, such as backsheet 26, top sheet 24, or both, and the other portion or panel from another portion of the waist shape or from the panel or diaper. A preferred embodiment will be described that includes a separate element coupled to the panel.

The stretchable back waist feature 32 first wears the diaper appropriately for the wearer and wears well when the feces are contained in the diaper because the stretchable back waist feature 32 inflates and preferably shrinks the diaper. Keeping this wearing state for a time provides a more comfortable and fit fit. In addition, the extensible back waist feature 32 improves the elongation developed and maintained by the closure system to maintain the diaper on the wearer's body and develop a wear force (elongation force) that enhances the wearing of the diaper around the wearer's waist. And keep it. The stretchable back waist feature 32 allows the diaper to pull even further (asymmetrically) than one side (ear panel 36) of the back waist feature 32 while the diaper wearer is applying. Since it will be "adjusted" while wearing, it further provides a more efficient application of the diaper. As shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable back waist shape 32 includes a central waistband panel 34; A pair of ear panels 36; A hip panel 38. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hip panel 38 extends from the chassis assembly (chassis panel) in the central region of the back waist region 46, preferably from the waist edge 56 of the absorbent core 28. Disposed outward of the direction; The central waistband panel 34 is disposed longitudinally outward from the hip panel 38; Side panels 36 are disposed laterally outwardly from at least a portion of central waistband panel 34 and hip panel 38, respectively. As will be explained below, the special positioning of each panel of the back waist shape is important for the overall functioning of the back waist shape.

Ear panel 36 is a portion of stretchable back waist feature 32 extending laterally outward from at least a portion of central waistband panel 34 and hip panel 38. The ear panel 36 is a stretchable member that performs a primary function, each providing a more comfortable and conforming fit, which wears the diaper 20 comfortably to the wearer upon application. And keep this wearing state during the wear time when the diaper 20 is well-filled when the feces are filled, by expanding around the diaper 20 at the side, and the back waist area 46 is held at the front waist of the diaper 20. Adheres to the area 45 to complete the closure of the diaper 20, and distributes the force along both the waist and leg to transmit this force so that the skin is not irritated by excessive force on the leg or waist By making it fit. Ear panel 36 not only provides elongation, but in preferred embodiments also provides retraction after extension and application. Thus, the ear panel 36 provides more comfortable and fit body contours by allowing the diaper to inflate and deflate both sides of the diaper. The ear panel 36 develops and maintains the wearing force (height) developed and maintained by the tape tab fastener 37 and the attachment member to improve elongation to keep the diaper 20 on the wearer's body and improve wearing . Ear panel 36 holds the major stretch lines formed by the main fixture; Allowing comfortable wearing of the diaper over the wearer's hips when there is dynamic movement; And when the diaper 20 is applied to the wearer, the diaper 20 typically stretches the ear panel 36 and thus the tape tab fastener 37 and the attachment member from the ear panel 36 when the ear panel 36 shrinks. The elongation is transferred through the 41 to the stretchable front waist feature 42 to help pre-extend the stretchable front waist feature on the diaper 20. This ear panel 36 is more effective in the diaper 20 because the diaper 20 "adjusts itself" while wearing, even if the user pulls farther than the other while applying one ear panel 36. Provides further application.

Ear panel 36 may have many different sizes and shapes. For example, the ear panel 36 may have an arch shape such that the force transmitted through the ear panel 36 will follow a line or area disposed at an angle with respect to the wearer's body to curve the back of the diaper or the like. And stretch force directed downward toward the wearer's abdominal folds providing a continuous major stretch line. Examples of such side panels are described in US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 072,300; US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 155,048. Ear panel 36 has a rectangular shape in FIG. 1. In the case of a typical “large” (8 kg to 14 kg) infant diaper, the size of the ear panel 36 is, for example, about 63 mm in the transverse direction and about 57 mm in the longitudinal direction.

Ear panel 36 may be made of a variety of structures and a number of different materials. Examples of diapers having elastic side panels are described in US Pat. No. 4,857,067; No. 4,381,781; 4,938,753 and 5,151,091. Thus, the ear panel 36 may include conventional elastic materials or mechanical stretch laminates, such as zero deformation stretch laminates or SELF webs. Ear panel 36 may include separate elements attached to back waist feature 32 at center waistband panel 34 and hip panel 38, or may be backsheet 26 or topsheet 24. ), Preferably as an extension of other elements of the back waist feature 32 of the diaper 20, such as both the backsheet 26 and the topsheet 24. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the ear panel 36 has a separate SELF web coupled to the back waist feature 32 (center waistband panel 34 and hip panel 38). It includes each. The SELF web of the ear panel 36 preferably comprises a laminate of two or more layers, preferably two, and is a polyethylene such as sold by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. Most preferably it comprises a layer of mixed film and a laminate of nonwoven webs such as a P-8 material.

2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1, which is an embodiment of a preferred disposable diaper. More specifically, FIG. 2A shows only a portion of the topsheet 24, a portion of the backsheet 26, and only the ear panel 36 and the tape tab anchor 37. The attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37 is also shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the ear panel 36 is coupled to and extends laterally outwardly from the back waist region 46. In FIG. 2A, the ear panel 36 is coupled to the backsheet 26 but may likewise be coupled to the topsheet 24. Ear panel 36 may also be a single portion of disposable diaper 20. FIG. 2B is a continuous view of FIG. 2A. The ear panel 36 is folded back at least by the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. The edge 40 of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37 may be suitable as a reference line useful for folding. During the process, the knife weld (not shown) holds the folded ear panel 36 in place until the disposable diaper 20 is packed. In FIG. 2C, the ear panel 36 is then folded forward at least once by the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37.

3A is a continuous view of FIG. 2C as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this preferred embodiment, the ear panel 36 is folded forward by twice the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. FIG. 3B is a continuous view of FIG. 3A showing the fully folded form of the ear panel 36 as desired by the present invention. In particular, the portion P of the forward-folding ear panel 36, which does not include the attachment area 39 of the tape tab fastener 37, partially overlaps the attachment area 39 of the tape tab fastener 37. It is arranged in the form. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each ear panel 36 is coupled to the back waist region 46 along a joining line. This can be clearly seen from FIG. 1.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing the disposable diaper 20 is disclosed. 1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b are related to this method. The method provides (a) a diaper 20 comprising a front waist region 45 and a back waist region 46 and a chassis assembly 22, the chassis assembly comprising a liquid permeable topsheet 24 and the A pair of liquid impermeable backsheet 26 coupled to topsheet 24, an absorbent core 28 positioned between topsheet 24 and backsheet 26, and back waist region 46. An ear panel (36), the ear panel (36) having a tape tab fastener (37) including an attachment area (39) and a functional area (not shown) for providing a diaper (20) Steps; (b) folding each ear panel 36 back at least by the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37; (c) each portion of the forward-folding ear panel 36 not including the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37 partially overlaps with the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. Folding in form. In a preferred embodiment of the method, step (c) comprises folding each ear panel 36 forward by twice the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ear panel 36 includes webs coupled to the back waist feature 32, respectively, wherein step (b) comprises the ear panel 36 at the joining line 58. It is performed after engagement with the back waist region 46 of the diaper 20. As used herein, the term "juncture" refers to the area in which the panel extends from or is bonded to the chassis assembly 22. This region may be any of a variety of curved or straight lines, but is not limited to lines. Thus, such regions may include flanges, strips, intermittent lines, and the like.

Claims (9)

A front back region 45 and a back waist region 46, a liquid permeable top sheet 24 and a liquid impermeable back sheet 26 associated with the top sheet 24, and the top sheet 24. A chassis assembly (22) comprising an absorbent core (28) positioned between the backsheet (26) and the backsheet (26); Disposable absorbent article 20, comprising a pair of ear panels 36 positioned in the back waist region 46 and having a tape tab anchor 37 comprising an attachment region 39 and a functional region. In Each ear panel 36 is folded back at least by the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37; Then folds forward at least once by the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. Disposable absorbent article. The method of claim 1, Each ear panel 36 folds forward by twice the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. Disposable absorbent article. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The portion P of the ear panel 36 after forward folding, which does not include the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37, is partly attached to the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. Placed in overlapping form Disposable absorbent article. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The functional area of the tape tab fastener 37 comprises an adhesive fastening element. Disposable absorbent article. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The functional area of the tape tab fastener 37 comprises a mechanical fastening element. Disposable absorbent article. The method of claim 1, Each ear panel 36 is coupled to the back waist region 46 along the engagement line 58. Disposable absorbent article. In the manufacturing method of the disposable diaper 20, (a) the front waist region 45 and the back waist region 46; A liquid permeable topsheet 24 and a liquid impermeable backsheet 26 coupled to the topsheet 24 and an absorbent core 28 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. A chassis assembly 22; Providing disposable diaper 20, comprising a pair of ear panels 36 located at the back waist region 46 and having a tape tab anchor 37 comprising an attachment region 39 and a functional region. Steps; (b) folding each ear panel 36 back at least by the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37; (c) folding each ear panel 36 forward at least once by the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37; (d) Attaching portions 39 of the tape tab fasteners 37 to the respective portions P of the ear panel 36 after forward folding which do not include the attaching areas 39 of the tape tab fasteners 37. Folding in a form partially overlapping Manufacturing method of disposable diaper. The method of claim 7, wherein Step (c) includes folding each ear panel 36 forward by twice the width of the attachment area 39 of the tape tab anchor 37. Manufacturing method of disposable diaper. The method of claim 8, The step (b) is performed before engaging the ear panel 36 to the back waist region 46 at the bond line 58. Manufacturing method of disposable diaper.