KR20010034664A - Elastic member and disposable garment having improved strength against stress applied during use - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an elastomeric member comprising an elastomeric scrim material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first coverstock layer connected to the first surface of the elastomeric material. In one aspect of the invention, the elastomeric scrim material has an elongation at break (EB) of at least about 600%. In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric scrim material has a tear resistance (TR) of at least about 16 hours. The invention also includes a body portion having a front region, a rear region, and a crotch region between the front region and the rear region; At least one pair of side panels extending laterally outwardly from the body in the front or rear region; And one or more side panels comprising an elastomeric material extending laterally outwardly from the body portion. The body portion includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. In another aspect of the invention, the elastomeric scrim material has an elongation at break (EB) of at least about 600%. In another embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric scrim material has a tear resistance (TR) of at least about 16 hours.

Description

ELASTIC MEMBER AND DISPOSABLE GARMENT HAVING IMPROVED STRENGTH AGAINST STRESS APPLIED DURING USE}

Elastic members have conventionally been used in a variety of disposable products, including sweat bands, bandages, and disposable garments, including disposable diapers and incontinence products. The term "elastic member" herein refers to an elastically stretchable single layer material or two or more layered materials (sometimes referred to as "elastic laminates") and includes one or more elastically stretchable single layer materials. Say). In general, these products are expected to provide good conformity to the user's body and / or skin for the entire life of the product by using suitable elastic members. Examples of such elastic laminates that have been previously used are composites made from a core elastic layer, a breathable material and an adhesive layer, as well as a composite made from a gatherable material connected to an elastic material, and a composite made of mesh, tissue and microfibers. Included. Examples of such laminates are described in US Pat. No. 4,522,863 to Keck et al. And US Pat. No. 4,977,011 to Smith et al.

Infants and other individual incontinences, on the other hand, wear disposable garments such as diapers to contain and contain urine and other body secretions. One type of disposable garment, often referred to as a "tape type," has a fastener system that maintains the disposable garment in the waist region of the wearer. As a fastener system, an adhesive tape system or a mechanical fastener system is often used. Recently, preferably elastically stretchable side panels are used for this type of disposable garment, since they work in conjunction with the fastener system to provide better fit to the waist region of the wearer. to be. Another type of absorbent garment with a fixed side, often referred to as "panty type" or "pull-on", has been popularly used in children who are able to walk and train on bowel movements. The pull-on garment has a side panel whose edges are stitched together to form two leg openings and one waist opening. Such pull-on garments need to fit comfortably on the waist and legs of the wearer without sagging, sagging or slipping from their lower body in place to contain the body secretions. Examples of such pull-on garments are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,171,239 to Igaue et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,610,681 to Strohbeen et al., Published internationally on Sep. 16, 1993. Patent Publication WO 93/17648, US Patent No. 4,940,464 to Van Gompel et al., US Patent No. 5,246,433 to Hasse et al., And US Patent No. 5,569,234 to Buell et al. .

These disposable products often use elastic members that include an elastomeric material that provides a good match to a user's skin or body. In some of these products, "zero strain" stretch laminates are preferably used as elastic members. In a method of making such a “zero strain” stretch stack, the elastomeric material is operatively connected to one or more constituent materials that form part of the side panel in a substantially untensioned (zero strain) state. do. Subsequently, at least a portion of the resulting composite stretched laminate is mechanically stretched to be sufficient to permanently increase the inelastic component. The composite stretched laminate is then allowed to return to its substantially untensioned state. Thus, the elastic member is formed from a "zero strain" stretched laminate. A "zero strain" stretch stack herein refers to a stack of two or more layers of materials that are secured to each other along at least a portion of the same coextensive surface in a substantially untensioned ("zero strain") state, Wherein one of the plies includes an extensible and elastomeric material (ie, substantially returns to its untensioned dimension after the applied tension is removed), and the second ply is stretched at least somewhat permanently when they are stretched It can be stretched (but need not be elastomeric) and does not fully return to its original undeformed form when the applied tension is removed. Thus, the resulting stretch stack is elastically stretchable in the initial stretch direction to at least the initial stretch point. Apparatus and methods for making stretch laminates are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,167,897, issued to Weber et al. On December 1, 1992; US Patent No. 5,156,793, issued to Buell et al. On October 20, 1990; And US Pat. No. 5,143,679 to Weber et al. On September 1, 1992. Japanese applications corresponding to these US patents have been published in Japan as H6-505681, H6-505408 and H6-505446, respectively.

In the process for producing such "zero strain" stretch laminates, the elastomeric material is susceptible to mechanical damage. If the elastomeric material does not have sufficient strength and toughness, the elastomeric material can be easily torn or teared by the stress applied to the elastomeric material during mechanical stretching in the manufacturing process and during use of the disposable product. Thus, it is desired that the elastomeric material have sufficient strength or toughness so that it is not damaged by a mechanical stretching process and / or does not easily tear or tear at least during mechanical stretching in the manufacturing process and during the use of a disposable product. However, it has not been discussed what properties (characteristics) need to be taken into account to achieve this advantage for elastic members and disposable products. Thus, there is no prior art presenting all the advantages and advantages of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an elastic member comprising an elastomeric scrim material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first coverstock layer connected to the first surface of the elastomeric material. It is about.

In one aspect of the invention, the elastomeric scrim material has an Elongation at Breaking (EB) of at least about 600%.

In another embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric scrim material has a tearing resistance (TR) of at least about 16 hours.

The present invention also provides a body portion having a front region, a rear region, and a crotch region between the front region and the rear region; At least one pair of side panels extending laterally outwardly from the body in the front or rear region; And one or more side panels comprising an elastomeric material extending laterally outwardly from the body portion. The body portion includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

In another embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric scrim material has an elongation at break of at least about 600%.

In another aspect of the invention, the elastomeric scrim material has a tear resistance of at least about 16 hours.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

The present invention relates to an elastic member and a disposable garment. Examples of such disposable garments include disposable underwear, disposable diapers, including pull-on diapers and training pants, and menstrual disposable panties. More specifically, the present invention relates to elastic members and disposable garments having improved strength against stress applied during use of the article.

While this specification concludes with the claims that specifically point out and specifically claim the invention, the invention is directed to the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like indications are used to indicate substantially identical elements. It will be better understood from the following description.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic member 70 of one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the elastic member 70 shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a graph showing two cycles of the hysteresis curve of an elastomeric material in one preferred embodiment.

4 is a graph showing the change in retention at 50% elongation over time in one preferred embodiment.

5 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the disposable pull-on garment of the present invention in a typical use form.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in a flat and unshrinked state showing various panels or zones of the garment.

7 is a cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment taken along the partition line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

All cited documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Citation of any document does not allow for the premise of their utility as prior art to the claimed invention.

The term "pull-on garment" herein refers to a product having one defined waist opening and a pair of leg openings, which are pulled onto the wearer's body by inserting the leg into the leg opening and pulling the product around the waist Say The term "disposable" herein refers to garments that are not intended to be washed, otherwise restored or reused as garments (ie, they are intended to be discarded after one use and are preferably recycled, composted, or otherwise Is handled in an environmentally friendly manner. "Integral" pull-on garments, when separate parts are joined together to form an integrated body, the side panels are not separate elements connected to separate body parts, but also form a central panel or body portion of the garment. Refers to a pull-on garment formed by one or more layers (ie, the garment does not require a separately manipulated panel, such as a separate body and a separate side panel). Pull-on garments also preferably absorb and contain various secretions secreted from the body. One preferred embodiment of the pull-on garment of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent pull-on garment, ie pull-on diaper 20, shown in FIG. The term "pull-on diaper" herein refers to a pull-on garment that is normally worn by infants and other individual incontinence to absorb and contain urine and feces. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention may be applied to other pull-on garments, such as training pants, incontinence briefs, feminine hygiene garments or panties and the like. "Panel" is used herein to refer to one zone or element of a pull-on garment. (Panels are typically separate zones or elements, but panels may occupy (functionally match) to some degree the same space as adjacent panels.) The term "connected" or "connecting" herein refers to a A form in which the element is directly fixed to the other element by directly attaching the element to another element, and indirectly fixing the element to the other element by attaching one element to the intermediate member (s) to which the other element is attached. Include form.

Referring to FIG. 1, an elastic member 70 of the present invention is shown that is elastically stretchable in one or more directions. The elastic member 70 has an elastomeric material 124 having a first surface 150 and a second surface 152 opposite the first surface 150, and a first surface of the elastomeric material 124. And a first coverstock 122 connected to 150. In one preferred embodiment, the first coverstock layer 122 is connected to the first surface 150 of the elastomeric material 124 by an adhesive 160 as illustratively shown in FIG. 2. More preferably, the elastic member 70 further includes a second coverstock layer 126, which is connected to the second surface 152 of the elastomeric material 124 by an adhesive 164.

The elastomeric material 124 of the present invention may be formed in a variety of sizes, shapes, and shapes. In one preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material 124 is in the form of a continuous planar layer. Preferred forms of continuous planar layers include scrims, perforated (or shaped pores) films, elastomeric fabrics or nonwovens, and the like. In one other aspect, the elastomeric material 124 is in the form of strands (or strings) that are not connected to each other to form a continuous planar layer. The continuous planar layer can take any shape that can be suitably provided for the side panels. Preferred shapes of the continuous planar layer include rectangles, ladders and other polygons, including rectangles and squares.

Elastomeric materials that have been found to be particularly suitable for elastomeric materials 124 are scrim materials based on synthetic block copolymers, perforated (or having pores), preferably from about 0.05 to about 1.0 mm (0.002 to 0.039 inches). Other elastomeric materials suitable for elastomeric material 124 include natural or synthetic "live" rubber, other synthetic or natural rubber foams, elastomeric films (heat shrinkable elastomeric films). ), Elastomeric woven or nonwoven webs, elastomeric composites, and the like.

The First Cycle Extension Force at 100% Extension (FCEF 100%), the First Cycle Extension Force at 200% Extension (FCEF 200%), and 50 Elongation properties of elastomeric materials, such as the Second Cycle Extension Force at 50% Recovery (SCRF50%), are an important consideration in the performance of disposable garments. Elastomeric material 124 of the present invention has elongation properties within a defined range. FCEF100% and FCEF200% are measurements of “extension” collectively detected during application / removal of disposable garments. These two properties also affect the applicator's ability to achieve an adequate degree of stretchability. Elastomeric material 124 having a relatively high FCEF100% and FCEF200% can give the wearer a difficulty in applying disposable garments (ie, ease of application problems). On the other hand, elastomeric material 124 having a relatively low FCEF100% and FCEF200% will not achieve a suitable level of body conformity / compliance. SCRF50% is also highly related to the body conformity / compliance of disposable garments to the wearer. Elastomeric material 124 having a relatively high SCRF50% is likely to make red marks on the wearer's skin and may be uncomfortable for the wearer during use. Elastomeric material 124 with a relatively low SCRF50% will not provide sufficient elastic force to hold the diaper in place with respect to the wearer, or will not provide good body registration.

The values of FCEF100%, FCEF200% and SCRF50% can be measured by using a tensile tester. The tensile tester includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw positioned below the upper jaw. The upper jaw is movable and is connected to the stretching force measuring means. The lower jaw is fixed to the desk (or floor). Prepare a test specimen (i.e., elastomeric material to be measured) that is about 2.54 cm (.10 inches) wide and about 12.75 cm (5 inches) long, and an effective specimen length (L) (i.e. gauge length) Clamp between the upper jaw and the lower jaw to be about 5.08 cm (2.0 inches). Stretching force is applied to the test specimen through the upper jaw. If no stretching force is applied to the test specimen at all, the test specimen is at its original length (ie 0% elongation). Tensile testers suitable for use herein are available from Instron Corporation, Canton-Royal Street 100, Massachusetts, under Code No. Instron 5564.

3 shows one preferred example of the stretching and restoring force curves for the hysteresis of two cycles of elastomeric material 124. Curve E1 represents the stretching force during the first cycle, and curve R1 represents the restoring force during the first cycle. Curve E2 (indicated by the dashed line) represents the stretching force during the second cycle, and curve R2 represents the restoring force during the second cycle. Elongation and recovery properties are measured as follows.

In the first cycle, the initial test force is applied to the test specimen at about 23 ° C. at a crosshead speed of 50.8 cm / min (20 inches / minute), stretched 200% and maintained for 30 seconds. The test specimen is then relaxed at the same rate as it was (ie 0% elongation). The test specimen is left unconstrained for one minute before applying the second stretching force at the same speed and condition.

In a preferred embodiment, the FCEF 100% of the elastomeric material 124 is at least about 100 g / inch. More preferably, FCEF 100% is about 120 to about 220 g / inch, most preferably about 150 to 190 g / inch, to best match the wearer. The FCEF 200% is preferably about 160 to about 320 g / inch, more preferably about 180 to about 260 g / inch, even more preferably about 200 to about 240 g / inch.

The SCRF50% of the elastomeric material 124 is preferably about 40 to about 130 g / inch, more preferably about 65 to about 105 g / inch, even more preferably about 75 to about 95 g / inch.

In addition, the relaxation of the elastomeric material 124 may greatly affect the relaxation performance of disposable products and / or garments. The term "releasing force" is used herein to mean a gradual decrease in elongation / restoration force that occurs when the material is pulled to a constant stretch force and maintained for a period of time. Under normal use, disposable diapers are worn for two hours, sometimes for about 8-12 hours. For elastomeric materials 124 used in disposable garments, it is important to maintain most of their stretch / resilience for the entire wear period. Retention force, defined as the second cycle stretch force maintained after 50% elongation and over a period of time, is a measure of the relaxation force of the elastomeric material. The Retention Force Held after 12 Hours at 50% Extension (RFH12H) is used herein for this measurement. RFH12H is defined as the stretch force (g / inch) of an elastomeric material after an extension force for 50% stretching is applied to the elastomeric material for 12 hours. Elastomeric materials with relatively low RFH12H (in other words, high resilience) may not provide lasting consistency for disposable products and / or garments during use. In particular, when disposable garments are loaded with body secretions and become heavy, the elastomeric material used herein having a relatively low RFH12H is likely to cause the garment to sag or slip from its position relative to the lower body of the wearer.

RFH12H is measured using the same tensile tester as for FCEF100%, FCEF200%, and SCRF50% measurements, except in a constant temperature chamber. Thermostatic chambers suitable for use herein are available under Code Type 3119-004 from Instron Corporation, Kamton Royal Street 100, 02021, Massachusetts, USA. The measurement is performed at 37 ° C. with a 2.54 cm (1.0 inch) wide specimen. An effective specimen length (gauge length) is 5.08 cm (2.0 inches). During the measurement, the initial stretch is applied to the test specimen at a crosshead speed of 50.8 cm / minute (20 inches / minute), and after reaching 200% elongation, it is maintained for 30 seconds at 200% elongation. The test specimen is then relaxed at the same rate as it was (0% elongation). After leaving the test specimen unrestricted for 1 minute, a second stretching force is applied to 50% elongation at the same crosshead speed and maintained at 50% elongation for 12 hours.

In one preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material 124 has an RFH12H of at least about 40 g / inch, preferably at least about 50 g / inch, more preferably at least about 60 g / inch.

One preferred example of change in retention of elastomeric material is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents the retention force and the horizontal axis represents the length of time (0 to 12 hours) maintained at 50% elongation.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material 124 is provided in a "zero deformation" stretch laminate, such as the side panel 46 shown in FIG. 7, which is not damaged by a mechanical stretching process. It is desirable to have sufficient strength or toughness so as not to. If the elastomeric material 124 is partially damaged, the elastomeric material 124 tends to tear and tear easily due to the stress applied continuously to the side panels during use of the disposable garment. Elongation at break (EB) and tear resistance (TR) are two mechanical properties to indicate the strength or toughness of elastomeric material 124 for mechanical stretching processes. Elastomeric materials with relatively low EB or relatively low TR tend to easily tear or tear during the mechanical stretching process or during the use of disposable garments.

In one aspect of the invention, the elastomeric material 124 has an EB of at least about 600%, preferably at least about 800%.

To measure EB, a continuously increasing force is applied to the sample elastomeric material at a rate of 50.8 cm / minute (20 inches / minute) at about 23 ° C. and the applied force and elongation length (EL) are recorded. The specimen is about 2.54 cm (1.0 inches) wide and the gauge length is about 5.08 cm (2.0 inches). EB (%) is defined by the following equation:

Where

EL is the elongation length when the specimen is torn by the application of excessive force,

OL is the original length of the specimen (ie gage length) before applying force.

Tensile testers suitable for measuring EB herein are available from Instron Corporation, Canton-Royal Street 100, Massachusetts, under the trade name “Instron 5564”.

In another embodiment of the present invention, elastomeric material 124 has a TR of at least about 16 hours, more preferably at least about 24 hours. To measure TR, 100% elongation force is continuously applied to the elastomeric material sample (ie, the specimen). Thus, the specimen is pulled to 100% elongation and kept in a constant temperature water bath at 37 ° C. Constant temperature baths suitable for use herein are available under code name BK 43 from Yamato Co., Tokyo, Japan. The dimensions of the specimen are about 3.60 cm (1.43 inches) wide and about 3.81 cm (1.50 inches) long. TR (time) is defined as the period between the time the force is first applied to the sample and the time when at least 30% of the sample width is torn off.

In addition, the rate of water vapor delivery (breathability) of the elastomeric material 124 is very important to reduce the occurrence of thermal oscillations and other skin problems related to high heat and high humidity conditions during use of the disposable product. Elastomeric material 124 is likely to directly affect the rate of vapor delivery (ie, breathability) of the disposable product. Elastomeric material 124 has a relatively high opening (or pore) ratio to impart a high water vapor delivery rate or high breathability to the disposable product.

In one preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material 124 is in the form of a perforated (or in the form of pores) film having an aperture (or pore) ratio of about 8%, preferably at least about 15%. The aperture ratio OR (%) is defined as follows:

Where

OA is the total area of the openings (or pores) in the perforated film,

TA is the total area of the perforated film.

In another preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material 124 is in the form of a scrim having an aperture ratio of at least about 30%, preferably at least about 40%, more preferably at least about 50%.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the elastomeric scrim 124 has a plurality of first strands 125 and a plurality of second strands 127. The plurality of first strands 125 form a reticulated open structure having a plurality of pores 132 across the plurality of second strands 127 at node 130 at a predetermined angle α. Each pore 132 is defined by at least two adjacent first strands and at least two adjacent second strands so that the pores 132 have a substantially rectangular shape. Other forms of pores 132 may also be provided, such as parallelograms, squares or arc segments. Preferably, the first strand 125 and the second strand 127 are substantially straight and are substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, first strand 125 crosses second strand 127 such that angle α at node 130 is about 90 degrees. The first strand 125 and the second strand 127 are preferably connected or coupled at the node 90.

One preferred elastomeric scrim 124 is made under the trademark XO2514 by the Conwed Plastics Company. This material has about 12 elastic strands per inch (ie, first strand 125) in the structural direction (B) and about 7 elastic strands per inch (ie, second strand) in the structural direction (D). 127)). This elastomeric scrim 124 has an OR of about 50 to about 60%. This elastomeric scrim 124 also has an RFH12H of about 50 to about 65 g / inch, an FCEF100% of about 175 g / inch, an FCEF200% of about 240 g / inch, an SCRF50% of about 85 g / inch, an EB of about 800% or more, And a TR of 24 hours or more.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the elastic member 7 comprises a first coverstock layer 122 and a second coverstock layer 126, and a first coverstock layer 122 and a second coverstock layer 126. And an elastomeric material 124 disposed therein. The first coverstock layer 122 has an inner surface 142 and an outer surface 144. The inner surface 142 of the first coverstock layer 122 is a surface located towards the elastomeric material 124. The second coverstock layer 126 also has an inner surface 146 and an outer surface 148. The inner surface 146 of the second coverstock layer 126 is a surface located towards the elastomeric material 124. Elastomeric material 124 also has two flat sides, namely first surface 150 and second surface 152, each of which has a first coverstock layer 122 and a second coverstock layer 126. Is substantially parallel to the plane. The first surface 150 is a flat surface of the elastomeric material 124 closest to the inner surface 142 of the first coverstock layer 122. The second surface 152 is a flat surface of the elastomeric material 124 closest to the inner surface 146 of the second coverstock layer 126.

Since the elastic member 70 will be mechanically stretched before and during use, the first coverstock layer 122 and the second coverstock layer 126 preferably have a relatively high elongation at break, more preferably Not excessively, it can preferably be stretched or stretched without tearing or tearing, and even more preferably drawable (but need not be elastomeric). In addition, the first coverstock layer 122 and the second coverstock layer 126 are preferably soft and soft to the touch, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and give the product a softness and comfort in the cloth garment. . Suitable materials for the first coverstock layer 122 and the second coverstock layer 126 include various materials, such as plastic films, perforated plastic films, woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (such as wood or cotton fibers), synthetic Fibers (eg, polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethylenes or polypropylene fibers), or mixtures of natural and / or synthetic fibers, or coated woven or nonwoven webs.

Preferably, each of the first coverstock layer 122 and the second coverstock layer 126 is each the same reinforced nonwoven material. One example of a preferred nonwoven material is manufactured by FiberWeb Company under the trademark Sofspan200. This material has a basis weight of 25 g / m ² before strengthening and a basis weight of about 63 g / m ² after strengthening. The term "base weight" herein is the weight of one square meter of planar web material. Alternatively, highly deformable nonwoven materials can be used. Alternatively, the first coverstock layer 122 and the second coverstock layer 126 need not be the same material as long as desired performance requirements are met, such as elastic performance, softness, flexibility, breathability, and durability. By "reinforced nonwoven material" is meant herein a nonwoven material that is gathered or necked when mechanically tensioned in the structural direction (D) so that the material can be stretched in the structural direction (D) with little force.

2 is a partially enlarged side view seen in the structural direction B of the laminate 120 (ie, the elastic member 70). When the stack 120 is joined or otherwise secured such that side fixation zones A occur, this stack 120 is very elastic and substantially free of delamination and creep. It has been found that it provides very good performance in all performance categories without any trade-off between any desired performance. Side fixation is preferably performed as part of the lamination process by glueing the sides with adhesive beads to secure the elastomeric material 124 between the coverstock layers 122 and 126. Alternatively, side fixation can be performed by sewing, heat sealing, ultrasonic bonding, needle punching, other glue bonding processes, or by any other method known to those skilled in the art. Another method is to laterally fix the layers of the laminate structure after lamination of the elastomeric component and the coverstock component is performed.

Desirably, the laminate 120 can provide a very good soft feel, especially to the wearer and the consumer. This is important because consumers value softness. In conventional laminates, attempts to remove creep often resulted in an excessive reduction in softness, which in turn accompanied by an excessive reduction in activation capacity. This is because these previous attempts (which were insufficient in creep removal) focused on applying additional melt blown adhesives often in the entire coating pattern when strengthening the bonds. This generally made the laminate undesirably stiff overall. However, the laminate of the preferred embodiment removes creep without losing the soft feel desired by the consumer and without compromising the ability to activate.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first adhesive 170 is applied to the inner surface 146 of the second coverstock layer 126 at locations corresponding to each of the outer edges 180 of the laminate structure 120. The first adhesive 170 may alternatively or additionally be applied to the inner surface 142 of the first coverstock layer 122. For ease of illustration, the description and drawings are for the case where only the second coverstock layer 126 is applied.

This pattern creates side fixation zones A, which substantially eliminates the piling and creep associated with already known stacks, and allows the stack 120 to deform more without creep or piling. Restricting the first adhesive 170 to the edge region 180 of the laminate structure 120 prevents impairing the extensibility of the laminate 120 and also prevents tearing in the coverstock layers 122 and 126. prevent. Preferably, the first adhesive 170 is applied as a plurality of beads 168 as shown in FIG. Preferably, the first adhesive 170 is a flexible adhesive having an amorphous component and a crystalline component. This patterned adhesive is manufactured under the trademark H9224 by Findley Adhesive Company.

More preferably, the stack 120 includes a second adhesive 164. The second adhesive 164 is preferably applied to the second surface 152 of the elastomeric material 124, but may alternatively be applied to the first surface 150 of the elastomeric material 24. The second adhesive 164 is preferably applied in a spiral spray pattern 166 to form a more separated bond point 167b compared to the bond point formed by linear spray application. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that most of the sprayed second adhesive 164 is aligned in the structural direction (D). As such, it was found that spiral spraying had very good activation properties. As used herein, "activation" refers to drawing ability.

Direct spraying of the second adhesive layer 164 onto the second surface 152 of the elastomeric material 124 applies the second adhesive 164 to the opposite (ie, second) coverstock layer 126. It has been found to be more preferred compared to that. This is because the second adhesive 164 is likely to penetrate through any residual processing agent or processing oil that may remain on the surface of the elastomeric material 124. This residual material, if left on the elastomeric material 124, can weaken the bonding of the adhesive and thus weaken the laminate structure 120 over time. For example, if these residual materials remain intact, the bond used to form the stack 120 may be weakened during the time prior to the consumer purchasing the product.

The peel value of the laminate 120 in the spiral adhesive zone is usually when the spiral 166 is applied directly to the elastomeric material 124 when applied to the opposite (ie, second) coverstock layer 126. Greater than The term " peel value " herein refers to the amount of force required to separate two layers 122 and 126 of coverstock material from each other. Higher peel values typically correspond to a reduced chance of occurrence of delamination during use.

The third adhesive 160 may also be preferably applied to the inner surface 142 of the first coverstock layer 122. Preferably, the third adhesive 160 is an elastomeric adhesive. In a manner similar to that described for the second spiral adhesive application 166, the first adhesive 160 is preferably applied in a spiral spray pattern 162, which is more than the bond point that can be formed by linear spray application. Forms a well separated bond point 167a. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that most of the sprayed first adhesive 160 is aligned in the structural direction D.

Preferably, second adhesive 160 and third adhesive 164 are the same elastomeric adhesive. Preferred adhesives for use in the second and third adhesive spiral sprays 162 and 166 are manufactured under the trademark H2120 by Findley Advanced Company. Preferably, the add-on level for each of the second and third spiral sprays 162 and 166 is about 4 to about 12 mg / in ² , more preferably about 8 mg / in ² .

The elastic material 124 of the present invention may be applied to a variety of disposable products, including sweat bands, bandages, and disposable diapers and incontinence products. While the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below only for disposable garments, including disposable pull-on diapers, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is limited to these embodiments and does not apply.

Referring to FIG. 5, the disposable garment 20 of the present invention includes a front region 26, a rear region 28 and a crotch region 30 located between the front region 26 and the rear region 28. Body portion 41; And at least one pair of side panels 46 or 48 extending laterally outward from the body portion 41 in the front region 26 or the rear region 28. At least one side panel 46 or 48 includes an elastomeric material 124 (not shown in FIG. 5) extending laterally outward from body portion 41. The body portion 41 includes a liquid permeable top sheet 24, a liquid impermeable back sheet 22 connected to the top sheet 24, and an absorbent core 25 positioned between the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 22. ) (Not shown in FIG. 5). In another aspect of the invention, the elastomeric material 124 has at least about 600% EB and may further have other desirable stretching properties of the elastomeric material 124 described above. In another embodiment of the present invention, elastomeric material 124 has a TR of at least about 16 hours.

The one or more pair of side panels may have a pair of front side panels 46 or a pair of rear side panels 48. In one preferred embodiment where the disposable garment 20 is a pull-on type disposable diaper, the one or more pairs of side panels are provided in the pair of front side panels 46 and the rear region 28 provided in the front region 26. Two pairs of leg openings 34, including a pair of rear side panels 48, and disposable garment 20, including sutures 32 connecting the corresponding edges of side panels 46 and 48, respectively. ) And one waist opening 36. In another preferred embodiment where the disposable garment 20 is a tape-type disposable diaper, the one or more pair of side panels is the rear side panel 48.

5 is one preferred embodiment of the disposable garment of the present invention (ie, pull-on diaper 20). The pull-on diaper 20 includes a body portion 41 having a front region 26, a rear region 28, and a crotch region 30 between the front region 26 and the rear region 28. The body portion 41 includes a liquid permeable top sheet 24, a liquid impermeable back sheet 22 connected to the top sheet 24, and an absorbent core 25 between the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 22 ( Not shown in FIG. 5 but shown in FIG. 6). The pull-on diaper 20 has a front side panel 46 each extending laterally outward from a corresponding side of the body portion 41 in the front region 26, and the body portion 41 in the rear region 28. Further comprising rear side panels 48 each extending laterally outward from the corresponding side of the < RTI ID = 0.0 > Preferably, the at least one front side panel 46 and the rear side panel 48 are elastically stretchable at least laterally. The pull-on diaper 20 includes a suture panel 66 extending laterally outwardly from each of the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48; And tear opening tabs 31 each extending laterally outward from the closure panel 66. Other preferred examples of pull-on diapers 20 are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,569,234, issued to Buell et al. On October 29, 1996.

Preferably, at least one, more preferably both, of the paired front side panel 46 and rear side panel 48 is elastically stretchable. As used herein, the term "extensible" refers to a material that can extend to one or more directions to some extent without undue rupture. The terms "elastic" and "elastically stretchable" refer to stretchable materials that have the ability to remove forces applied to the stretched material and then return to approximately original dimensions. Any material or element described herein as "extensible" may also be elastically stretchable unless otherwise provided. The stretchable side panels 46 and / or 48 provide a more comfortable and conformable fit by allowing the diaper to initially fit comfortably to the wearer and maintain this consistency throughout the period of wear when the diaper is loaded with feces. This is because the side panels 46 and / or 48 can extend or shorten the sides of the diaper.

In a preferred embodiment, the front side panel 46 and the rear side panel 48 are only laterally elastically stretchable. In another aspect, the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48 are elastically stretchable in both the lateral and longitudinal directions.

The continuous belt 38 is formed by the front side panel 46 and the rear side panel 48 and a portion of the body portion 41 around the waist opening 36. Preferably, the elasticized waist band 50 is provided in both the front region 26 and the rear region 28. The pull-on diaper 20 further includes an elastic leg member 52.

The continuous belt 38 serves to dynamically create a mating force on the pull-on diaper 20 when the pull-on diaper 20 is positioned at the wearer, so that even when body secretions are loaded, 20) on the wearer to keep the absorbent core 25 very close to the wearer, and to distribute the force dynamically generated during wear around the waist, without engaging or binding the absorbent core 25 Provide additional support for 25).

The front side panel 46 and the rear side panel 48 may be formed by integral elements of the pull-on diaper 20 (ie, they are not separate operating elements fixed to the pull-on diaper 20). And from one or more of the various layers of pull-on diapers, and extensions of such layers). In one preferred embodiment, each of the front side panel 46 and the rear side panel 48 is a protruding member from the body portion 41 (more clearly shown in FIG. 6). Preferably, the front side panel 46 and the rear side panel 48 form one part of the body portion 41 and one or more integrally extending continuously to the front side panel 46 and the rear side panel 48. Element or continuous sheet material (eg, backsheet nonwoven 23 shown in FIG. 7).

In a preferred embodiment, each closure panel 66 is an extension of the corresponding front side panel 46 and rear side panel 48, one or more components used therein, or any combination of elements. Preferably, each tear opening tab 31 is also an extension of the corresponding suture panel 66 or one or more components used therein, or a combination of any other elements.

Alternatively, the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48 may be separate members (not shown in the figure) that do not have any integral elements that form part of the body portion 41. The front and rear side panels are formed by connecting separate members to the side edges of the body portion 41.

The pull-on diaper 20 is sutures that are connected to corresponding edges of the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48, respectively, to form two leg openings 34 and one waist opening 36. 32) further. Preferably, the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48 are sealed and more preferably closed in an overlapping manner via the sealing panel 66 to form a polymerized closure structure. Alternatively, the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48 may be closed in a butt closure (not shown). The engagement of suture 32 may be performed by any suitable method known in the art, suitable for the particular materials used in front side panel 46 and rear side panel 48. For example, ultrasonic sealing, heat sealing, pressure bonding, adhesive or cohesive bonding, sewing, self heating bonding, and the like may be appropriate techniques. Preferably, suture panel 66 is connected by a predetermined pattern of heating / pressing or ultrasonic welding, which withstands the forcings and stresses generated on diaper 20 during wear.

6 shows that the topsheet 24 faces the wearer in a flat, unshrinked state (ie, remains relaxed) before the side panels 46 and 48 are joined together by sutures 32. 5 is a partially cut plan view of the pull-on diaper 20 of FIG. 5 in a state where the elastically induced shrinkage is pulled except in the side panels 46 and 48. The pull-on diaper 20 has a front region 26, a rear region 28 opposite the front region 26, a crotch region 30 located between the front region 26 and the rear region 28, and A perimeter defining the outer periphery or edge of the pull-on diaper 20, where the side edges are denoted by 150 and the end edges or waist edges are denoted by 152. The topsheet 24 is the body facing surface of the pull-on diaper 20 positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use. The backsheet 26 has an outer facing surface of the pull-on diaper 20 positioned away from the wearer's body. The pull-on diaper 20 includes a liquid permeable topsheet 24, a liquid impermeable backsheet 26 connected to the topsheet 24, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. And a body portion 41 including 25. The diaper 20 includes a front side panel 46 and a rear side panel 48 extending laterally outward from the body portion 41; Elasticized leg cuff 52; And an elasticized waistband 50. The top sheet 24 and back sheet 26 generally have large length and width dimensions compared to the length and width dimensions of the absorbent core 25. The top sheet 24 and back sheet 26 extend beyond the edge of the absorbent core 25 to form the perimeter of the diaper 20. The liquid impermeable backsheet 26 preferably comprises a liquid impermeable plastic film 68 connected to the backsheet nonwoven 23.

The topsheet 24, backsheet 26 and absorbent core 25 may be assembled in a number of known forms, an example of the body shape being a "disposable one" issued to Kennets Bibuel on January 14, 1975. US Patent No. 3,860,003, entitled "Contractible Side Portions for Disposable Diaper"; And "Absorbent Article With Dynamic Elastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge," issued to Kenneth Bibuel et al. On September 29, 1992. Described in US Pat. No. 5,151,092.

The pull-on diaper 20 also has two centerlines, a longitudinal centerline 100 and a transverse centerline 110. The term “longitudinal” herein refers to a pull-on diaper that is approximately aligned (eg, approximately parallel to it) in a vertical plane that divides the upright wearer into the left and right bodies when the pull-on diaper 20 is worn. The line, axis, or direction on the plane of (20) is said. As used herein, the terms "lateral" and "lateral" refer to lines, axes, or directions that are interchangeable and that lie in a plane of the diaper that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (which divides the wearer into front and rear halves). . The pull-on diaper 20 and its constituent materials also have a body facing surface facing the wearer's skin in use and an outer facing surface opposite the body facing surface.

7 is a cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment taken along the partition line 7-7 of FIG. 6. The pull-on diaper 20 is a liquid permeable topsheet 24, an absorbent core 25 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the liquid impermeable backsheet 26, the absorbent core 25 located between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. It includes a body portion 41 including). The diaper further includes a front side panel 46 and elasticized leg cuffs 52 each extending laterally outward from the body portion 41. Although only the structure of the front side panel 46 is shown in FIG. 7, the rear side panel 48 preferably has a similar structure. Preferably, body portion 41 further includes a capture / distribution layer 82 and / or a capture / distribution core 84 between the topsheet 24 and the absorbent core 25. Each front side panel 46 is formed by the stacking of the extended portion 72 of the blocking flap 56, the elastic member 70 and the backsheet nonwoven 74.

The absorbent core 25 may be any absorbent member that is typically non-irritating, compressible and compliant to the wearer's skin and may absorb and retain liquids such as urine and other specific body secretions. The absorbent core 25 is of various sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, "T" -shaped, asymmetrical, etc.) and various liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as ground wood pulp (which is It is referred to as air felt). Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; Melt blown polymers, including coform; Chemically strengthened, modified or crosslinked cellulose fibers; Tissue and tissue laminates, including tissue wraps; Absorbent foams; Absorbent sponges; Superabsorbent polymers; Absorbent gelling materials; Or any equivalent material or mixture of these materials.

The shape and structure of the absorbent core 25 may vary (eg, the absorbent core 25 may have various caliper bands, hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients or lower average density and lower average basis weight capture zones). Or one or more layers or structures). In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 25 may also vary to accommodate the wearer, from infant to adult. However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 25 should match the intended load of the diaper 20 and the intended use.

A preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 has an asymmetric modified hourglass absorbent core 25 having ear members in the front waist region 26 and the back waist region 28. Examples of other absorbent structures for use as absorbent cores 25, which are widely recognized and commercially successful, are described in US Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled "High-Density Absorbent Structures" to Weisman et al. number; US Patent No. 4,673,402, entitled "Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores," issued to Weissman et al. On June 16, 1987; US Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer" to Angstadt, dated Dec. 19, 1989; And "High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones" to Alemany et al. On May 30, 1989. Described in US Pat. No. 4,834,735.

Body portion 41 may further include a capture / distribution core 84 of chemically strengthened fibers located on absorbent core 25 to form a dual core system. Preferred dual core systems are US Pat. No. 5,234,423, entitled "Absorbent Article With Elastic Waist Feature and Enhanced Absorbency," issued to Alemey et al. On August 10, 1993. ; And US Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled "High Efficiency Absorbent Articles For Incontinence Management," issued to Young, LaVon and Taylor on September 15, 1992. It is disclosed in the call. In a preferred embodiment, the capture / distribution core 84 comprises a chemically treated reinforced cellulose fiber material available under the trade name CMC from Weyerhaeuse Co., USA.

More preferably, as shown in FIG. 7, the body portion 22 further includes a capture / distribution layer 82 between the topsheet 24 and the capture / distribution core 84. The capture / distribution layer 82 is provided to help reduce the tendency of the surface of the topsheet 24 to get wet. Preferably, the capture / distribution layer 82 is available, for example, as code number FT-6860 from Polymer Group, Inc., North America, Polymer Group, Landisville, NJ, Carded and resin bonded high-loft nonwoven materials, which are made of 6 dtex polyethylene terephthalate and have a basis weight of about 43 g / m ² .

The topsheet 24 is docile, soft and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 24 is liquid permeable, allowing liquid (eg, urine) to pass through it easily. Suitable topsheets 24 include woven and nonwoven materials; Polymeric materials such as perforated molded thermoplastic films, perforated plastic films and hydroformed thermoplastic films; Porous foams; Network foam; Networked thermoplastic films; And thermoplastic scrims and the like. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may consist of natural fibers (such as wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene fibers) or mixtures of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, which is preferably passed through the topsheet 24 to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquid contained in the absorbent core 25 (ie, to prevent rewetting). . If the top sheet 24 is made of hydrophobic material, at least the top surface of the top sheet is treated hydrophilic to allow the liquid to be delivered through the top sheet more quickly. This reduces the tendency for body secretions to flow down through the topsheet 24 and to overflow the topsheet rather than being absorbed by the absorbent core 25. The topsheet 24 can be treated with a surfactant to become hydrophilic. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying a surfactant onto the topsheet 24 material, and immersing the topsheet 24 material in the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of this treatment and hydrophilicity is described in US Pat. No. 4,988,344, entitled "Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers," issued to Reising et al. On January 29, 1991. And US Pat. No. 4,988,345, entitled "Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores," issued to Rising on January 29, 1991.

In a preferred embodiment, the topsheet 24 is a nonwoven web that can reduce the tendency of the surface to wet and consequently help to separate the urine absorbed from the core 25 away from the user's skin after wetting. One preferred topsheet material is a thermally bonded carded web available under code number P-8 from Fiberweb North America Inc., Simpsonville, South Carolina. Another preferred topsheet material is available from Havix Co., Japan, as code number S-2355. This material is a two-layer composite material and is made of two kinds of synthetic surfactant treated bicomponent fibers by carding and blowing techniques. Another preferred topsheet material is a thermally bonded carded web available as Code Number Profleece Style 040018007 from Amoco Fabrics, Inc., Groner, Germany.

Another preferred topsheet 24 comprises a perforated molded film. Perforated molded films are preferred for the topsheet 24 because they are permeable to body secretions but are non-absorbent and have a low tendency to reflow the liquid to rewet the wearer's skin. Thus, the surface of the molded film in contact with the body is kept dry, reducing body soiling and making the wearer feel more comfortable. Suitable molded films are described in US Pat. No. 3,929,135, entitled "Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries," issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent 4,324,246, entitled Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet, issued to Mullan et al. On April 13, 1982; US Patent No. 4,342,314, entitled "Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties," issued to Radel et al. On August 3, 1982; Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Ahr et al., Dated July 31, 1984 to Ahr et al. Cloth-Like Tactile Impression; US Pat. No. 4,463,045; And US Pat. No. 5,006,394, entitled “Multilayer Polymeric Film,” issued to Baird on April 9, 1991.

In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet 22 comprises a liquid impermeable film 68, for example as shown in FIG. The liquid impermeable film 68 has a body facing surface and an outer facing surface. The liquid impermeable film 68 is preferably impermeable to liquids such as urine, and may preferably be made from thin plastic films. More preferably, however, the plastic film allows steam to escape from the diaper 20. In one preferred embodiment, a microporous polyethylene film is used for the plastic film 68. Suitable microporous polyethylene films are manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., Nagoya, Japan, and are marketed under the trade name Espooir No.

In one preferred embodiment, the liquid permeable film 68 (ie, plastic film 68 in FIG. 6) extends in the front region 26, the back region 28 and the crotch region 30. Preferably, the plastic film 68 has a non-uniform width such that at least a portion of the crotch region 30 has a first portion 94 and at least a portion of the front or rear region 26 or 28 has a second width. Form part 96. The second portion 96 has a smaller width dimension than the width dimension of the first portion 94 such that the plastic film 68 does not extend to the front side panel 46 or the back side panel 48. In one preferred embodiment, the lateral width LW of the plastic film 68 gradually decreases toward the waist edge 152 as shown in FIG. 6.

Suitable materials for plastic film 68 are thermoplastic films having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil), preferably comprising polyethylene or polypropylene. Preferably, the plastic film has a basis weight of about 5 to about 35 g / m ² . However, it should be noted that other flexible liquid impermeable materials may be used. The term "flexible" herein refers to a material that is compliant and easily adapts to the general shape and appearance of the wearer.

Preferably, the backsheet 22 further includes a nonwoven web 23 that is connected to the outer facing surface of the plastic film 68 to form a laminate (ie, backsheet 22). The nonwoven web (or backsheet nonwoven) 23 is located at the outermost portion of the diaper 20 and occupies at least a portion of the outermost portion of the diaper 20. In one preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web 23 occupies almost all of the area of the outermost portion of the diaper 20. Nonwoven web 23 may be connected to plastic film 68 by any suitable attachment means known in the art. For example, the nonwoven web 23 may be secured to the plastic film 68 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or a series of discrete lines, spirals or dots in the form of adhesive. Suitable adhesives are Nitta Findley Corporation, Osaka, Japan, hot melt adhesives obtainable as H-2128 from Nitta Findley Co., Ltd., and H. B., Osaka, Japan. Fuller Japan Corporation, a hot melt adhesive obtainable as JM-6064 from H.B. Fuller Japan Co., Ltd.

In one preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web 23 is a carded nonwoven web, such as a carded web obtainable as E-2341 from Harviks Corporation Limited, Gifu, Japan. The nonwoven web 23 is made of bicomponent fibers of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The ratio PE / PET is about 40/60. PE / PET bicomponent fibers have dimensions of 2d × 51 mm. Another preferred carded nonwoven web can be obtained from Chisso Corp., Osaka, Japan. The nonwoven outer cover 23 can also be made of bicomponent fibers of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PE / PET is about 30/70.

In another preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web is a spunbonded nonwoven web, for example a web obtainable from Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. This nonwoven web is made of bicomponent fibers of polyethylene (PP) and polypropylene (PP). The ratio of PE / PP is about 80/20. PE / PP bicomponent fibers have a thickness of about 2.3 d.

The backsheet 22 is preferably located adjacent to the outer opposing surface of the absorbent core 25 and is preferably connected thereto by any suitable attachment means known in the art. For example, the backsheet 22 may be secured to the absorbent core 25 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or a series of individual wires, spirals or dots. The adhesive found satisfactory is H. B., St. Paul, Minnesota. Manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company and marketed as HL-1358J. An example of a suitable means of attachment as long as it includes an adhesive filament in an open patterned network is entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment" to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986. US Patent No. 4,573,986. Another suitable means of attachment comprising several strands of adhesive filament wound in a spiral pattern is 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975; US Patent No. 4,785,996, issued to Ziecker et al. On November 22, 1978; And the apparatus and method shown in US Pat. No. 4,842,666 to Werenicz, dated June 27, 1989. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other suitable attachment means as known in the art, or a combination of these attachment means.

In one other aspect, the absorbent core 25 is not connected to the backsheet 22 and / or the topsheet 24 in the front region 26 and the back region 28 to provide greater stretchability.

The pull-on diaper 20 preferably further includes an elasticized leg cuff 52 to enhance the containment of liquids and other body secretions. The elasticized leg cuff 52 may include several different aspects to reduce leakage of body secretions in the leg area. (Leg cuffs are sometimes referred to as leg bands, side flaps, blocking cuffs or elastic cuffs.) US Pat. No. 3,860,003 provides a retractable leg opening with one side flap and one or more elastic members to provide elasticized leg cuffs. A disposable diaper which imparts (gasketing cuff) is described. U.S. Patent No. 4,909,803 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Flaps," issued to Aziz et al. On March 20, 1990, enhances the containment of the leg area. To describe a disposable diaper having an elasticized flap (blocking cuff) of "upright" type. US Pat. No. 4,695,278, entitled "Absorbent Article Having Dual Cuffs," issued to Lawson, September 22, 1987; And US Pat. No. 4,795,454, entitled “Absorbent Article Having Leakage-Resistant Dual Cuffs,” issued to Dragoo on January 3, 1989. Disclosed is a disposable diaper with a double cuff comprising a cuff. U.S. Patent No. 4,704,115 entitled "Disposable Waist Containment Garment" issued to Buell on November 3, 1987, is a side-edge-leak-formed to contain free liquid in the garment. Disclosed are disposable diapers or incontinence garments with protective gutters.

Each elasticized leg cuff 52 can be shaped to resemble any of the leg bands, side flaps, blocking cuffs or elastic cuffs described above, while each elasticized leg cuff 52 is each described above. It is preferred to include an internal blocking cuff 54 comprising a blocking flap 56 and a spacer 58 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) as described in US Pat. No. 4,909,803. In one preferred embodiment, the elasticized cuff 52 is one or more elastic strands 64 (shown in FIG. 6) located outside of the blocking cuff 54 as described in US Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454. And an elastic gasket cuff 62, as shown.

The pull-on diaper 20 preferably further includes an elasticized waistband 50 that provides enhanced cohesion and containment. The elasticized waistband 50 is the portion or zone of the pull-on diaper 20 intended to elastically expand and contract to dynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elasticized waistband 50 preferably extends longitudinally outward from one or more waist edges of the absorbent core 25 and typically forms at least a portion of the end edge of the pull-on diaper 20. Preferably, the pull-on diaper 20 has two elasticized waistbands 50, one located in the rear region 28 and the other located in the front region 26, but only one Other pull-on diapers with elasticized waistbands can be made. The elasticized waistband 50 is called Disposable Diapers with Elastically Contractible Waistbands, issued to Kivit et al. On May 7, 1985. And US Pat. No. 4,515,595 to Buell, as described above in US Pat. No. 5,151,092.

Waistband 50 may comprise a material that has been "premodified" or "mechanically premodified" (ie, a mechanical stretch of some local pattern is applied to permanently stretch the material). This material may be premodified using deep embossing techniques as known in the art. Alternatively, this material is a U.S. patent entitled "Absorbent Article With Elastic Feature Having A Portion Mechanically Prestrained," issued to Buell et al. On July 19, 1994. It is deformed in advance by directing the material through an incremental mechanical stretching system as described in US Pat. No. 5,330,458. The material is then returned to a substantially unstretched state to form a zero strain stretched material that is stretchable to at least the initial stretch point. Examples of zero modifying materials are described in US Pat. No. 2,075,189 to Galligan, dated Mar. 30, 1937; US Patent No. 3,025,199 to Harwood on March 13, 1962; US Pat. Nos. 4,107,364 and 4,209,563, issued to Sisson on August 15, 1978 and June 24, 1980, respectively; US Patent No. 4,834,741 to Sabee on May 30, 1989; And US Pat. No. 5,151,092 to Buel et al. On September 29, 1992.

Referring to FIG. 7, at least one of the front side panel and the rear side panel (ie, the front side panel 46 in this aspect) includes the elastic member 70 of the present invention. The elastic member 70 preferably extends laterally outward from the body portion 41 to produce an elastomeric material 124 that provides good cohesion by generating optimal retention (or retention) in the waist region of the wearer. Include. Preferably, the elastomeric material 124 is stretchable in one or more directions, preferably in a direction with one vector component in the lateral direction, so that the pull-on diaper (without leaving a red mark on the wearer's skin) is removed. 20) generates an optimal holding force (or holding force) to prevent sagging, sagging or slipping from position in the lower body. In a preferred embodiment, both the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48 comprise an elastomeric material 124.

An elastic member 70 comprising an elastomeric material 124 (not shown in FIG. 7) is operative for one or more nonwoven webs 72 and 74 in the front side panel 46 and the back side panel 48. Connected so that the elastic member 70 is elastically stretchable at least laterally. In one preferred embodiment, the elastic member 70 is operatively connected to the nonwoven webs 72 and 74 by securing them to one or more, preferably both, of the nonwoven webs 72 and 74, but is substantially untensioned. (Zero deformation) state.

Elastic member 70 may be operatively connected to nonwoven webs 72 and 74 using an intermittent engagement form or a substantially continuous engagement form. By "intermittently" bonded laminate web herein is meant a laminate web in which the plies are initially joined at separate spaced points or a laminate web in which the plies are not substantially bonded to each other in separate spaced areas. . In other words, a laminate web that is "substantially continuously" bonded means a laminate web in which plies are initially joined substantially continuously with each other over the entire area of the interface. The stretch laminates are bonded over all or a substantial portion of the stretch laminate such that the inelastic webs (ie, nonwoven webs 72 and 74) stretch or draw without breaking, and the layer of stretch laminate is preferably enhanced mechanical stretching. Since it is preferable to join in a form that keeps all layers of the stretched stack relatively tightly bonded to each other after the operation, the elastic panel member and the other plies of the stretched stack are joined together substantially continuously using an adhesive. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the selected adhesive is applied in a spiral pattern (eg, shown in US Pat. No. 3,911,173 to Sprague Jr. and US Pat. No. 4,842,666 to Werennicks) at a basis weight of about 0.00116 g / cm ² . The spirals are about 1.9 cm (0.75 in) wide and are positioned adjacent to each other or slightly overlapping (less than 2 mm). The adhesive is preferably an adhesive such as one available under the trademark H2120 from Findley Advanceds. Alternatively, the elastic panel member and any other components of the stretched laminate are joined to each other intermittently or continuously using heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding or any other method as known in the art. Can be.

Elastic member 70 is operatively connected to one or more nonwoven webs 72 and 74, wherein at least a portion of the resulting composite stretched laminates may be used to permanently stretch inelastic components such as, for example, nonwoven webs 72 and 74. Receive sufficient mechanical stretching. The composite stretched laminate is then allowed to return to its substantially untensioned state. At least one pair of front side panel 46 and rear side panel 48, preferably both are formed of a "zero deformation" stretch stack. Preferred methods and apparatus used to make stretch laminates use interlocking corrugated rolls that mechanically stretch the components. Particularly preferred apparatus and methods are described in US Pat. No. 5,167,897 to Weber et al., Dated Dec. 1, 1992; US Patent No. 5,156,793, issued to Buell et al. On October 20, 1990; And US Pat. No. 5,143,679 to Weber et al. On September 1, 1992. It should be noted that Japanese applications corresponding to these US patents have been published as H6-505681, H6-505408 and H6-505446, respectively.

Preferably, the elastic member 70, as shown in FIG. 7, applies the adhesive 76 directly to each edge 78 of the liquid impermeable film (ie, the plastic film 68), more preferably directly. Connected through. Preferably, adhesive 76 is applied as a bead. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive 76 is a flexible adhesive having an amorphous component and a crystalline component. Such a preferred adhesive is prepared by the Findley Advanced Company under the trademark H9224. Alternatively, the elastic member 70 may be formed of the plastic film 68 by any other bonding means known in the art, including heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding or a combination of these attachment means. It may be connected to each edge 78.

In one preferred embodiment, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the elastic member 70 is connected to a second portion 96 having a width dimension that is narrower than the width dimension of the first portion 94. Preferably, the elastic member 70 is connected to each edge 78 of the plastic film 68 on the outer facing surface 77 as shown in FIG. In another aspect, the elastic member 70 may be connected to each edge 78 of the plastic film 68 at the body facing surface 79 (not shown in the figure).

It is to be understood that the examples and aspects described herein are merely illustrative and that various changes and modifications are presented to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

An elastomeric scrim material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and having an Elongation at Breaking (EB) of at least about 600%; And A first coverstock layer connected to the first surface of the elastomeric scrim material, An elastic member elastically stretchable in one or more directions. An elastomeric scrim material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and having a tearing resistance (TR) of at least about 16 hours; And A first coverstock layer connected to the first surface of the elastomeric scrim material, An elastic member elastically stretchable in one or more directions. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And a second coverstock layer connected to the second surface of the elastomeric scrim material. The method according to claim 1 or 2, An elastic member that is a nonwoven web with a reinforced coverstock layer. The method according to claim 1 or 2, An elastic member formed from a "zero strain" stretch stack. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Wherein the elastomeric scrim material has a Second Cycle Recovery Force at 50% Extension (SCRF50%) of about 40 to about 130 g / inch. The method according to claim 1 or 2, At least 100 g / inch of elastomeric scrim material at First Cycle Extension Force at 100% Extension (FCEF100%) and from 160 to about 320 g / inch of 200% elongation. Elastic member with First Cycle Extension Force at 200% Extension (FCEF 200%). A body having a front region, a rear region, and a crotch region between the front region and the rear region, the body including a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet part; At least one pair of side panels extending laterally outwardly from the body in the front or rear region; And At least one side panel comprising an elastomeric material extending laterally outwardly from the body portion, wherein Elastomeric material has an elongation at break (EB) of at least about 600% Disposable garments. A body having a front region, a rear region, and a crotch region between the front region and the rear region, the body including a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet part; At least one pair of side panels extending laterally outwardly from the body in the front or rear region; And At least one side panel comprising an elastomeric material extending laterally outwardly from the body portion, wherein The elastomeric scrim material has a tear resistance (TR) of about 24 hours or more. Disposable garments. The method according to claim 8 or 9, A disposable garment, wherein the one or more side panels are a pair of front side panels provided in the front region or a pair of rear side panels provided in the rear region. The method according to claim 8 or 9, An elastic member wherein at least one side panel is formed from a "zero strain" stretch stack. The method according to claim 8 or 9, At least one pair of side panels comprises a pair of front side panels provided in the front region and a pair of rear side panels provided in the rear region; A disposable garment, wherein the disposable garment further comprises a suture connecting each corresponding edge of the side panel to form two leg openings and one waist opening. The method according to claim 8 or 9, Disposable garment with an elastomeric material having a second cycle recovery force (SCRF50%) at 50% elongation, from about 40 to about 130 g / inch. The method according to claim 8 or 9, Disposable disposable elastomeric material having at least about 100 g / inch of first cycle stretch at 100% elongation (FCEF100%) and about 160 to about 320 g / inch of first cycle elongation at 200% elongation (FCEF200%) Garments. The method according to claim 8 or 9, Disposable garment wherein the elastomeric material is an elastomeric scrim. The method according to claim 8 or 9, Disposable garments wherein the elastomeric material is a perforated film. The method according to claim 8 or 9, A disposable garment wherein at least one of the front side panel and the back side panel comprises a continuous sheet material extending continuously from the body portion. The method of claim 17, A disposable garment wherein the continuous sheet material is a backsheet nonwoven material. The method according to claim 8 or 9, Disposable garment where the elastomeric material is connected to the edge of the body part. The method of claim 12, A disposable garment wherein the corresponding front side panel and the rear side panel are sewn in an overlapping manner to form an overlapped closure structure.