MXPA01005059A

MXPA01005059A - Absorbent article with expandable cover

Info

Publication number: MXPA01005059A
Application number: MXPA/A/2001/005059A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang; Gompel Paul Theodore Van; Gary Mack Reynolds; Larry Neal Johns; Ann Martin Jacqueline
Original assignee: Kimberlyclark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 1998-11-19
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2001-12-04

Abstract

An integral absorbent article has a longitudinal article length and a lateral article width. The article includes an absorbent composite having first and second longitudinally opposed end regions, laterally opposed side regions, a bodyside surface, an outward surface, and a first longitudinally terminal end edge. The absorbent composite further includes a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet layer;a liquid permeable topsheet layer;and a retention portion sandwiched between said backsheet and topsheet layers. An extensible outercover is joined to extend over a major portion of said outward surface of said absorbent composite. The extensible outercover is desirably capable of providing a selected elongation when subjected to a tensile force. The extensible outercover is also desirably capable of providing a selected, sustained deformation, when subjected to an applied tensile force and then allowed to relax after a removal of the applied force. In particular aspects, the outercover can provide an elongation of at least about 1 cm when subjected to a tensile force of 30 gmf per inch.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH EXPA DIBLE COVER Field of the Invention The present invention relates to garment articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, desirably to disposable absorbent articles, which have a distinctive and extending outer cover.

Background of the Invention Conventional garment items, such as disposable diapers and other disposable absorbent articles, have typically employed mechanical fasteners or fasteners which attach the waistband sections designated to the articles around a wearer. In addition, various configurations of the waist elastics, leg elastics, elasticated linings and elasticated outer covers have been employed on the garment articles to help produce and maintain the notch of the articles around the contours of the garment. body of the user.

Other conventional absorbent garments have included the folded folds in the outer cover. The folds are arranged to expand openly to absorb the garment liquids.

The external surfaces of such disposable absorbent products may include a fibrous or woven material or a matte finished film material. In some arrangements, pattern prints have been formed on the outer surface of the outer cover to provide a decorative pattern.

Still other disposable garments have incorporated an absorbent composite bonded to an outer cover composed of elastomeric materials, such as stretched-attached and elastomeric laminate materials. Such materials have included a layer of melt blown elastomeric fibers which has been stretched and sandwiched between the face layers composed of a non-woven fabric bonded with polypropylene yarn. The meltblown layer has typically been patterned to the face layers with thermal bonds, sonic bonds and / or adhesive bonds.

Conventional garment items, such as those described above, have not provided the desired level of notch, absorbency, strength, drainage, low cost and ease of manufacture. As a result of this, there is still a continuing need for garment to have improvements in such properties.

Brief Description of the Invention Stated generally, the present invention provides an integral absorbent article having a longitudinal article length and a lateral article width. The article includes an absorbent composite having the first second longitudinally opposite end regions, the laterally opposite side regions, a side-to-body surface, an outer surface, and a first longitudinally end edge. The absorbent composite further includes a backsheet layer essentially impermeable to liquid; a top sheet layer permeable to liquid; a retaining portion placed in sandwich form between said top sheet and back sheet layers. An extendable outer cover is attached to extend over a major portion of the outer surface of said absorbent composite. The outer cover is extendable and desirably capable of providing a selected elongation when subjected to an applied tension force. The extendable outer casing is also desirably capable of providing a sustained and selected deformation, when subjected to the applied tension force and then allowed to relax after the tension force has been removed.

In particular arrangements, the extendable outer cover may be essentially non-elastomeric. In other configurations, the absorbent article may include an expandable junction section joined along at least a portion of each side region of the absorbent composite in the first end region of the absorbent composite. Each expandable junction section can be expanded at least outwardly, and the expandable junction section is configured to secure the correspondingly attached side edge region of the absorbent composite to the exterior surface of the first body panel.

By incorporating its various aspects, the article of the present invention can provide an article having improved notch, improved absorbency and improved drainage resistance. The article can also be produced at a lower cost and with greater efficiency. In addition, the article of the invention can also provide improved breathability, greater softness, and more fabric type properties.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be more fully understood and the additional advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and of the drawings, in which: Figure 1 representatively shows a top plan view partially cut away from the interior surface of an example of an article of the invention.

Figure IA representatively shows a view in lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to line 1A-1A of Figure 1.

Figure IB representatively shows a view in lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to line IB-IB of Figure 1.

Figure 1C representatively shows a view of the lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to the line 1C-1C of Figure 1.

Figure ID representatively shows a longitudinal, expanded and schematic cross section taken with respect to the ID-ID line of Figure 1.

Figure 1E representatively shows a plan view of the outer surface of the garment illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 2 representatively shows a top plan view partially cut away from the inside surface of another example of an article of the invention which has a shortened absorbent back sheet.

Figure 2A representatively shows a view in lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to line 2A-2A of Figure 2.

Figure 2B representatively shows a view in lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to line 2B-2B of Figure 2.

Figure 2C representatively shows a view in lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to line 2C-2C of Figure 2.

Figure 2D representatively shows a vist in longitudinal, expanded and schematic cross section taken with respect to the 2D-2D line of Figure 2.

Figure 2E representatively shows a laterally expanded, schematic cross section of a configuration wherein the backsheet layer of the absorbent composite has longitudinally extending pleats which allow a significant extension in the transverse direction of the sheet layer backup.

Figure 3 representatively shows a top plane view partially cut away from the interior surface of an article of the invention having an absorbent composite bonded to the front and rear body panels, wherein the absorbent composite has a folded top sheet layer a layer of folded back sheet.

Figure 3A representatively shows a lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to line 3A-3A of Figure 3.

Figure 3B representatively shows a side view, expanded and schematic cross section taken with respect to line 3B-3B of Figure 3.

Figure 3C representatively shows a view in lateral cross section, expanded and schematic taken with respect to line 3C-3C of Figure 3.

Figure 3D representatively shows a vist in expanded longitudinal cross section and schematic taken with respect to the 3D-3D line of Figure 3.

Figure 4 representatively shows a top plan view of an exterior side of an article of the invention which includes a pattern bond essentially fixing a selected region of the outer cover extending to an underlying part of the article.

Figure 4A representatively shows a lateral, expanded and schematic cross section taken along line 4A-4A of Figure 4.

Figure 5 representatively shows a lateral, expanded, schematic cross section of an absorbent composite affixed to the exterior side of a body panel with expandable attachment sections provided by the folded lateral margins of the absorbent composite.

Figure 5A representatively shows a lateral, expanded and schematic cross-section of an absorbent composite affixed to the outer side of a body panel with the expandable joining sections provided by an expandable top sheet layer and the folded side margins of the layer of backup sheet.

Figure 5B representatively shows a lateral, expanded and schematic cross section of a fixed absorbent composite to the outer side of a body panel with the expandable joint sections provided by an expandable top sheet layer and another configuration of the folded side margins of the backup sheet layer.

Figure 6 representatively shows a lateral, expanded and schematic cross section of a fixed absorbent composite to the outer side of a body panel with the expandable joining sections provided by a separately provided expandable element.

Figure 7 representatively shows a lateral, expanded and schematic cross-section of an absorbent composite affixed to the outer side of a body panel with the expandable joining sections provided by the lateral margins of an upper expandable top sheet and a Expandable backing sheet layer.

Figure 7A representatively shows a expanded, schematic, lateral cross-section of an absorbent composite having an expandable non-folded back sheet sheet n wherein the absorbent composite is fixed to the exterior side of a body panel with the sections d expandable junctions provided by the lateral margins d a expandable top sheet layer.

Figure 7B representatively shows a lateral, expanded and schematic cross-section of an absorbent composite having a non-folded expandable upper sheet layer n wherein the absorbent composite is fixed to the outer side of a body panel with the sections d expandable unions provided by the lateral margins of a expandable top sheet layer.

Figure 8 shows a representative strain strain curve provided by a cloth fabric material bonded with tapered yarn.

Figure 9 representatively shows a lateral, expanded and schematic cross section of an expandable cover which is essentially unattached to an adjacent substrate.

Figure 9A representatively shows a expanded, schematic lateral cross section of an expandable cover which is attached to an elastomeric substrate.

Figure 9B representatively shows a expanded, schematic lateral cross section of an expandable cover which is attached to an essentially non-expandable and non-elastomeric substrat.

Figure 10 shows a representative stress-strain curve provided by an extendable outer cover layer which is essentially unattached to an adjacent substrate layer ^ according to Figure 9.

Figure 10A shows a representative stress strain curve provided by an outer expandable cover layer which is bonded to an elastomeric substrat layer according to Figure 9A.

Figure 10B shows a representative tensile stress curve provided by an extendable outer cover layer which is attached to a substantially non-expandable and non-elastomeric substrat according to Figure 9B.

Detailed description of the invention The various aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described in the context of a disposable absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper. However, it is readily apparent that the present invention can also be employed with other articles, such as caps, shoe covers, feminine care articles, children's underpants, incontinence garments and the like. Typically, disposable articles are intended for limited use and are not intended to be washed or otherwise cleaned to reuse.

A disposable diaper, for example, is discarded after it has been soiled by the wearer. Optionally, a disposable pad may include a single use absorbent insert and a limited use cover which may be reused several times.

It should also be noted that, when used in the present description, the terms "comprises" "comprising" and other derivatives of the term "comprises" these are intended to be open terms that specify the presence of any declared features, elements, integers, steps or components, but that preclude the presence or addition of one or more characteristic elements, integers, steps, components or groups thereof Therefore, such terms are intended to be synonymous with the words "have", "have "," taking "," includes "," including "any derivatives of these words.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4A, an article such as the integral absorbent article shown representatively provided by the example diaper 10 has a longitudinal article extension 26 along a longitudinal direction 27, and a width of article 24 as shown in FIG. length of a transverse and lateral direction 25. The article includes an absorbent composite 32 which has the first and second opposed longitudinal first and second regions 78 and 79, and has the laterally opposite side regions 80. The absorbent composite also includes an outer surface designated, a side surface to the opposite body, and the first and second end edges longitudinally terminal 82 Further, the absorbent composite 32 includes a back sheet layer essentially impermeable to liquid 30, a top sheet layer substantially permeable to liquid 28 , a retaining portion 48 which is sandwiched between the sheet layers of backrest and upper leaf. As illustrated, the backing sheet layer may be configured to provide the outer surface of absorbent composite, and the top sheet layer may be configured to provide the side surface to the absorbent composite body. An extendable outer cover 40 is attached to extend over a major portion of the outer surface of the absorbent composite 32. The extendable outer cover is desirably capable of providing a selected elongation when subjected to an applied tension force. The extendable outer cover is also desirably able to provide a sustained and selected deformation, when subjected to an applied tension force and then left to relax for a selected period of time after removing the applied tension force. The measurement of the selected time period begins immediately after the removal of the voltage. Desirably, the sustained deformation is essentially permanent. The selected elongation and sustained deformation can occur at least along the lateral transverse direction 25 of the article. Optionally, the selected elongation and sustained deformation may occur along the longitudinal direction 27 of the article, or both the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction of the article may occur along both.

In particular aspects, the extendable outer cover can provide an elongation of at least d about 1 centimeter when subjected to a tensile force of 30 grams force per inch (by 2.54 centimeters). The extendable cover can also provide an essentially permanent deformation of at least about 20 percent when subjected to a tensile force of 50 grams force per inch (by 2.54 centimeters) and then allowed to relax, after the removal of the tensile force, by a period of 1 minute.

As shown representatively, the article may have a first waistband part 12 placed in the back or rear part of the diaper, and a second waist part part of a front waistband 14 placed longitudinally opposite the first waistband part 12. A crotch part intermediate 16 interconnects the first second waistband parts 12 and 14, respectively. In the configurations shown, the intermediate part is operatively provided by the absorbent composite 32. A fastening system, such as a system including the fasteners 36, is configured to provide a back fastener to the front in which the web portion of the fastener is formed. Back waist 12 can be arranged in an overlapping relationship with the front waistband portion 14 so as to both surround the wearer's body and keep the diaper securely on the wearer during use. Optionally, the fastening system can employ the fastening appendages 36 which are configured to provide a front back fastener which arranges and joins the front waistband part 14 e an overlapping relationship with the rear waistband parts 1 to thereby surround the front waistband. Absorbent body during use.

In additional aspects of the invention, the extendable outer cover 40 may be essentially elastomeric. Therefore, the extendable outer cover n has the characteristics of stretching and retraction of the natural hul. In other aspects, the absorbent article may include an expandable junction section 90 bonded along at least a portion of each lateral region 80 of the absorbent composite 32 in the first end region 78 and / or in the second region 79 of the absorbent compound. Each expandable junction section 90 may be expandable at least outwardly or at least along the transverse direction 2 of said article, and each expandable junction section is configured to secure its correspondingly attached side edge region of the absorbent composite. to the outer surface 56 of its corresponding body panel 5 or 53.

The article of the invention incorporates a separately provided and distinctive outer extendable cover 4 which includes an expandable fabric layer which is unidably or otherwise bonded to extend over a major part of the outer surface of the article. In particular, the extendable outer cover 40 may extend over a major portion of the outer surface of the absorbent composite 32. Desirably, the outer outer shell may extend over substantially a full area of the exterior surface of the absorbent composite. The selected spread of the outer cover may allow the outer cover to accommodate and cooperate with the properties of the other materials or components to which the outer cover extending into the article is attached. In regions where the outer cover is not fixed to the article (for example Figur 9), the outer cover may be free to expand advantageously with minimal forces and with a higher amount of permanent deformation.

The extendable regions on the outer cover 40 are provided in areas where the outer cover is not fixed directly to the article. In the article of the invention the extensible regions may desirably be located on the regions of the absorbent compound which are designated for expansion during the absorption of the liquids. For example, the absorbent composite may expand outward during use, and the outer cover may be extended to extend in correspondence with the expansion of the absorbent composite and / or other components of the article. In desired aspects, the outer cover 40 may extend along the transverse lateral direction 25. In additional aspects, the outer cover may be stretchable along the longitudinal direction 27, or along a combination of both longitudinal and longitudinal directions. lateral The elasticized regions on the outer cover 40 can be created wherein the extendable outer cover is attached to an elastomeric component. For example, an elastomeric region on the outer cover 40 may be created wherein the outer expandable cover is attached to an elastomerically stretchable body panel 52 (eg, Figure 9A). Non-extendable regions may be created on the outer cover e wherein said extendable outer cover 40 is fixed to a substantially non-stretchable component. For example, a substantially non-extendable region on the outer cover 40 can be created where the extendable outer cover 40 is fixed to an essentially non-stretchable component, such as an essentially non-stretchable substrate layer of the article.

In particular configurations, the essentially non-stretchable regions of the outer cover member 4 can be constructed by securing the spunbond nonwoven fabric of the outer cover to an essentially n-stretchable component, such as the backing sheet layer essentially n non-stretchable (for example). example Figure 9B). With reference to Figures 4 and 4A, for example, the resulting non-extendable region may provide a region of laying area 50 which is composed of an integral part of the non-woven fabric of the extendable outer cover. The backing sheet layer 30 of absorbent composite 32 may, for example, be comprised of a substantially non-stretchable polymer film, and the non-woven cap of the extendable outer cover 40 may be adhesively bonded or otherwise secured to the region of front edge of the backing sheet layer with an essentially non-stretchable and selected 100 bond. The bond 10 may be irregularly or randomly distributed, or it may be arranged in a predetermined pattern array, such as a swirl pattern shown representatively. The woven fabric n can thus provide a complementary component of an interengaging mechanical fastening system. For example, the fixed part of the outer cover in the positioning area 50 can provide a female loop component of a hook and loop fastening system. The fixation of the expandable cover material to the polymer film can prevent the stretched fabric from being excessively stretched and extends in the lateral direction during the ordinary operation of the fastening system.

In particular aspects, the extendable outer cover 40 may be capable of providing an elongation d of at least a minimum of about 1 centimeter when subjected to a tractive force of 30 grams per inch. (0.116 Newtons per centimeter) of transverse length ("width" of a test sample) Alternatively, the extendable outer cover can provide an elongation of at least about 3 centimeters, and optionally, it can provide an elongation of at least about 5 centimeters to provide improved performance.In other aspects, the outer stretchable cover 40 may be able to provide an elongation of no more than a maximum of about 3 centimeters when subjected to the tensile force of 30 grams force per inch (0.116 Newtons per centimeter) or of a transverse length ("width") of a test sample Alternatively, the extendable outer cover may provide an elongation of no more than about 2 centimeters, and optionally, may provide an elongation of no. more than about 10 centimeters to provide additional improved performance.

In additional aspects, the extendable outer cover may be capable of providing essentially permanent deformation of at least a minimum of about 20 percent when subjected to a tens force of 50 grams force per inch (0.193 Newtons po centimeter) of length in the transverse direction of the test sample, and then left to relax (after the removal of the applied tension force) for a period of one minute. AlternativelyThe extendable outer shell can provide essentially permanent deformation of at least about 20 percent, and optionally, can provide essentially permanent deformation of at least about 30 percent to provide the improved benefits. In yet other aspects, the extendable outer casing can provide an essentially permanent deformation of no more than a minimum of about 60 percent when subjected to the tensile force of 5 grams-force per inch (0.193 Newtons / centimeter) in length. in the transverse direction of the test sample, and then let s relax for a period of one minute after the removal of the applied tension force. Alternatively, the extendable outer casing can provide an essentially permanent deformation of no more than about 50 percent and optionally, can provide an essentially permanent deformation of no more than about 40 percent to provide additional improved benefits. It should be readily appreciated that the described removal of the applied force results in an applied tensile stress of zero and a applied tractive force of zero.

It should be noted that the properties of elongation, extension or permanent deformation of the outer shell are determined when the outer shell is dry. Additionally, the percentage of elongation, extension or permanent deformation can be determined according to the following formula: 100 * (L - L0) / (L0); where: L = longitude, L0 = initial length.

The extendable outer cover member may be composed of several materials. For example, the extendable outer cover may be composed of a creped fabric of a creped fabric, a micro-crepe fabric, polymer films or the like, as well as combinations thereof Fabrics may be woven or non-woven materials, such as the fabrics joined with yarn.

An example of a suitable extendable outer cover material is one of a material bonded with 60 percent tapered polypropylene yarn having a basis weight d about 1.2 ounces per square yard. The material bonded with constricted yarn has the physical properties shown representatively in the stress and deformation curve established in Figure 8. The properties of the yarn-bound material were determined with respect to a sample of 5.0 centimeters in width which is 7.62 centimeters from the sample length (2 inches wide that is 3 inches from the sample length) extending between an initial separation of 7.6 centimeters (3 inches) from the retention jaws of a conventional tension test equipment game.

Examples of suitable fabrication techniques and suitable non-woven web materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,965,122 entitled "REVERSIBLE ESTRECHAD MATERIAL AND PROCESS FOR MAKING IT", by MT Morman, which issued the 23 October 1990. The complete description of this document is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent herein.

For the purposes of the present description, the term "narrowed percent" or "narrowed down portion" refers to a proportion or percentage determined by measuring the difference between the pre-narrowed dimension and the narrowed dimension of a narrowable material, and then divide that difference by the pre-narrowed dimension of narrowable material. The percentage of narrowing (narrowing porcient) can be determined in accordance with the description in the aforementioned United States of America No. 4,965,122 entitled MT VERMINABLE REVERSIBLE MATERIAL AND PROCESSES FOR DOING IT, which was granted on October 23, 1990. .

The tapered non-woven fabric can be configured to be essentially non-stretchable in a selected region of the outer cover member 40. For example, the narrowed woven fabric n can be used to construct an improved fastener location area 50 which includes the layer d united fabric with narrow yarn. More particularly, the backsheet cap 30 of the absorbent composite 32 may be composed of an essentially n stretchable polymer film, and the bonded yarn bound fabric of the outer expandable cover 40 may be adhesively bonded to the front end region of the backup sheet layer. The joined fabric with narrow yarn can therefore provide the designated female terry component of a mechanical loop hook fastening system, wherein the adhesive bond to the non-stretchable polymer film can prevent the joined with tapered yarn from elongating laterally and extends during the ordinary operation of the fastening system.

The spunbonded fabric can also provide a very fabric-like feel to the outer cover 40. The narrowed fabric is desirably air permeable, and the breathable regions can be created where the outer cover material is attached. to lie on a component with breathing capacity which is placed on the side of the body of the outer cover. For example, the extendable cover 40 can be joined to lie on a front body panel 52 composed of SMS laminate (spunbond-blown-joined with spinning) permeable to air. Since the front body panel bonded with melt-spun yarn-bonded yarn and cloth joined with bound and bound yarn have both ability to breathe, the general compound of the materials joined together with spin-blown with melt-bonded yarn and Together with narrow yarn can continue to have ability to breathe.

As shown representatively, the front waistband section 14 of the diaper 10 has a opposite laterally opposite pair of side edge regions 88, and the rear waistband section 12 has a rear pair laterally opposite side edge regions 86. The middle section 1 interconnects the front and back waistband section provides a diaper crotch region which is typically placed between the user's legs. The article has a designated fastener positioning member 50 which is positioned on the exterior surface of the article. In the example shown representatively in Figure 1E, for example, the positioning member 50 may be disposed on the outer surface of the backing sheet layer 30. The liquid-permeable top sheet layer 28 is superimposed on a facing relationship with the backing sheet layer 30, and the retention portion 48 is functionally connected and is fixed between the backing sheet layer 30 and the top sheet layer 28. In the desired arrangements, the top sheet layer 28 and the retention portion 48 can be constructed to be essentially elastomeric and can be operatively attached to the backsheet member 30 to substantially restrict excessive stretching of the backing sheet member.

Figures 1, 1E, 2, 3 and 4 show typical plan views of the representative disposable diaper 10 in its non-contracted state and generally flat (for example with all elastic-induced shrinkage and contraction essentially removed), and show the surface from side to body of the diaper, which is intended to make contact with the user, facing the observer. The outer edges of the cloth define a periphery 18 with the lateral edge margins q extending longitudinally and laterally opposite 20; and the end edge margins extending laterally longitudinally opposite 22. The lateral edges define the leg openings for the diaper and optionally, or curvilinear and contoured. The end edges are shown as straight, but optionally, they can be curvilinear.

With regard to the designated article surfaces and components, the various interior surfaces are configured to face the body of the user when the article is placed around the user. The various exterior surfaces are configured to be away from the user's body when the article is placed around the user.

The diaper 10 typically includes a liquid and porous permeable topsheet 28; a backing sheet essentially impermeable to liquid 30; a retaining portion 48 positioned and connected between the upper sheet and the backing sheet; an emergence management part 46 operatively located to one side of the retention portion; and a system of elastomeric reclining members, such as a system that includes the leg elastics 34 and the optional belt elastics (not shown). The emergence management part 4 is placed in a liquid communication with the retention portion 48 of the absorbent structure, and the topsheet 28 the backing sheet 30, a retention portion 48, the emergence management part 46, the elastic leg members 34 the waist elastics can be assembled together in a variety of well-known diaper configurations. The cloth may additionally include a system of containment flaps (not shown), and / or a system of side members or panels provided separately which form the regions of the article 38. The containment fins and / or the side panels can be elastized or otherwise made elastomeric.

Examples of the articles which includes the elastically-shaped side panels and the selectively configured fastening appendages are described in the patent application of the United States of America series number 168,615 of T. Roessler et al., Entitled "DYNAMIC ENTALLE DIAPER", filed on December 16, 1993 (attorney's case No. 10,961). Various techniques for forming the desired fastening systems are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,399,219 to T. Roessler et al., Entitled METHOD FOR MAKING A DYNAMIC ENCLOSURE CLAMPING SYSTEM and granted on March 21, 1995 (lawyer case No. 11,186); in the United States patent application of America series number 286,086 of D. Fries, entitled A PROCESS FOR ASSEMBLING ELASTIZED EARS PORTIONS and filed on August 3, 1994 (attorney's case No. 11,169) which was granted as the U.S. Patent No. 5,540,796; and in the United States patent application of America series number 08 / 415,383 of D. Fries, entitled U ASSEMBLY PROCESS FOR A LAMINATED TAPE and filed on April 3, 1995 (attorney's issue No. 11,950) which is US Pat. No. 5,595,618. The descriptions of the documents described above are incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is herein consistent (not in conflict).

The diaper 10 generally defines the longitudinally extending length dimension d 26 and the laterally extending width d dimension 24, as shown representatively in Figure 1. The diaper can have any desired shape, such as the rectangular, a d shape. I, a generally form of an hourglass, or a T-shape With the T-shape, the transverse bar of the "T" may comprise the front waistband portion of the diaper, or may alternatively comprise the rear waistband portion of the diaper. diaper The top sheet 28 and the back sheet 3 may be generally coextensive, and optionally, may be coextensive. Any or both of the topsheet 28 of the backsheet 30 can have width length dimensions which are generally larger than the corresponding dimensions of the retention portion 48 and extend beyond it to provide the edge regions margins. at end 78 and 79, and the side edge margins or region 80 of the absorbent composite 32. In particular aspects, the side edge margins of the absorbent composite can be configured to provide at least a portion of the side margins 20 of the article. The upper blade 28 is operatively associated with the backing sheet 30 and imposed on it, thereby defining the periphery of the diaper.

The waistband regions comprise those portions of the diaper, which when worn, partially cover or completely surround the waist or lower middle torso of the wearer. The intermediate crotch region 16 lies between and interconnects the waistband regions 14 and 12, and comprises that portion of the diaper l which, when worn, is positioned between the legs of the wearer and covers the lower torso of the wearer. Thus, the intermediate crotch region 16 is an area where repeated liquid surges typically occur in the diaper or other disposable absorbent article.

The backing sheet 30 may typically be located along a side-to-side surface of absorbent composite 32 and may be composed of a liquid-permeable material, but desirably comprises a material which is configured to be substantially impervious to liquids. . For example, a typical backing sheet can be made of a thin plastic film, or other material essentially liquid impermeable and flexible. As used in the present description, the term "flexible" refers to materials which are docile and which will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the user's body. The backing sheet 30 prevents the exudates contained in the absorbent compound 32 from moistening the articles, such as the bed sheets and the overbeds, which are in contact with the diaper 10. In the particular embodiments of the invention, the sheet Backing 30 can include a film, such as a polyethylene film, which has a thickness of from about 0.012 millimeters (0.000 millimeters) to about 0.051 millimeters (2.000 millimeters). For example, the backing sheet film may have a thickness of about 1.25 mils d.

The alternate constructions of the backsheet may comprise a woven or non-woven fibrous fabric layer which has been constructed or treated in whole or in part to impart the desired levels of liquid impermeability to selected regions that are on one side or close to absorbent composite. . For example, the backing sheet may include a layer of non-woven fabric permeable to the gas laminated with a layer of polymer film which may or may not be permeable to the gas. Other examples of fibrous web tip backing materials may comprise a thermally stretched or thinned and stretched laminate material composed of a cured polypropylene film of 0.6 mils (0.015 millimeters) thick and a material bonded with polypropylene yarn 0.7 oz. per square yard (23.8 grams per square meter) (2 denier fibers). A material of this type has been used to form the outer covering of a cloth HUGGIES ULTRATRIM, which has been commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation. The backing sheet 30 typically provides the outer cover of the article. Optionally, however, the article may include a separate outer cover component member which is additional to the backing sheet d.

The backing sheet 30 may include a microporous "breathable" material which allows gases, such as water vapor, to escape from the absorbent compost 32 while essentially preventing liquid exudates from passing through. the backup sheet. For example, the breathable backsheet may be composed of a microporous polymer film or a nonwoven fabric which has been coated or otherwise modified to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability. For example, a suitable microporous film can be a PMP-1 material, which is available from Mitsui Toats Chemicals, Inc., a company having offices in Tokyo, Japan or a polyolefin film XKO-8044 available from 3M Compan of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The backup sheet can also be? e engraved or otherwise provided with a pattern or finished mat to exhibit a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

In the various configurations of the invention, e wherein a component, such as the backing sheet 30 or the containment fins are configured to be permeable to ga while having a resistance and limited permeability to the aqueous liquid, the liquid-resistant component You can have a construction which is capable of holding a water head selected essentially without running through it. An appropriate technique for determining the resistance of a material to liquid penetration is the standard of Federal Test Method FTMS 19 method 5514, 1978, or an equivalent thereof.

The backing sheet member 30 is sufficiently impermeable to liquid and semiliquid materials to essentially prevent unwanted runoff of waste materials, such as urine and faeces. For example, the backing sheet member can desirably hold a hydro head of at least about 45 centimeters (cm) essentially without runoff. The backing sheet member 30 can alternatively hold a hydro head of at least about 55 centimeters. and optionally, it can hold a hydro head of at least about 60 centimeters, or more, to provide the improved benefits.

The size of the backsheet 30 is typically determined by the size of the absorbent composite 32 and selected particular diaper design. The backsheet 30 for example, may have a generally T-shape, a form generally of I, or a modified hourglass shape, may extend beyond the end edges of the absorbent composite 32 for a selected distance such as a distance within the range of about 1.3 centimeters to 2. centimeters (about 0.5 to 1.0 inches), to provide at least part of the lateral and end margins The topsheet 28 has a surface facing the body which is docile, soft in feel, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 2 may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent composite 32, and sufficiently porous to be permeable to the liquid, allowing the liquid to easily penetrate through its thickness to reach the absorbent compound. A suitable top sheet 28 can be made from a wide selection of fabric materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foam, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg, polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The upper leaf layer 28 is typically employed to help isolate the user's skin from liquids maintained in the absorbent composite 32.

Various woven and non-woven fabrics may be used for the topsheet 28. For example, the topsheet may be composed of a meltblown fabric or bonded together of the desired fibers, and may also be a bonded and bonded knit. The various fabrics can be composed of natural fibers, synthetic fibers or combinations thereof.

For the purposes of the present description, the term "non-woven fabric" means a fabric of fibrous material which has been formed without the aid of a weaving or textile mesh formation process. The term "fabrics" is used to refer to all woven, knitted and knitted fibrous tissues.

The top sheet fabrics may be composed of an essentially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may optionally be treated with a surfactant processed in another manner to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the topsheet 28 is a polypropylene fabric bonded with non-woven yarn composed of fibers of about 2.8-3.2 denier in a woven fabric having a basis weight of about 22 grams per square meter and a density of around 0.06 gm / cc. The fabric can be treated on the surface with an operative amount of surfactant, such as about 0.28 percent surfactant Triton X-102. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means, such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like.

The topsheet 28 and the backsheet 30 are connected or otherwise associated together in an operable manner. As used herein, the term "associated" encompasses configurations in which the topsheet 28 is attached directly to the backsheet 30 by securing the top sheet 28 directly to the backsheet 30, configurations wherein the top sheet 28 it is indirectly attached to the backing sheet 30 by fixing the upper sheet 28 to the intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the backing sheet 30. The upper sheet 28 and the backing sheet 30 can, for example, be joined to each other in at least a portion of the periphery of the diaper through fastening mechanism (not shown) such as adhesive bonds, sonic joints, thermal joints, pinning sewing or any other techniques of union known in art, as well as combinations thereof.

For example, a uniform continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, a sprayed adhesive pattern or an array of separate lines, swirls or construction dots can be used to secure the top sheet 28 to the backing sheet 30 It should be readily appreciated that the joining mechanisms described above may also be employed to properly interconnect, assemble and / or secure together the various other component parts of the articles which are described herein.

The absorbent body or composite 32 provides an absorbent structure which includes a retention portion 48 for holding and storing the absorbed liquids and other waste materials, such as the absorbent pad shown composed of selected hydrophilic fibers and the high absorbency particles. The absorbent composite is placed and sandwiched between the topsheet 28 and the backsheet 30 to form the diaper 10. The absorbent composite has a construction which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and is able to absorb and retain body exudates. It should be understood that, for purposes of this invention, the absorbent composite structure may comprise an integral and unique piece of material, or alternatively, may comprise a plurality of individual spaced pieces of material which are assembled together operably. Various types of hydrophilic wettable fibrous material they can be used to form the component parts of absorbent compound 32 particularly the retention portion 48 Examples of suitable fibers include organic occurring naturally occurring fibers composed of an intrinsically wettable material, such as cellulosic fibers synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives. cellulose such as rayon fibers; inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers; synthetic fibers made of inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as the particular polyamide polyester fibers; and synthetic fibers composed of a non-wettable thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene fibers, which have been hydrophilized through appropriate medium. The fibers can be hydrophilized for example by treatment with silica, treatment with a material which has a suitable hydrophilic moiety and is not easily removable from the fiber, or by sheathing the hydrophobic fiber non-wettable with a hydrophilic polymer during or after the formation of the fiber. For the purposes of the present invention, it is contemplated that mixtures selected from the various types of fibers mentioned above may also be employed.

As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" describes fibers or fiber surfaces which are moistened by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of humidification of the materials can, in turn, be described in terms of the angles. of contact and surface tension of liquids and materials involved Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of particular fiber materials or mixtures of fiber materials can be provided by the Cahn Surface Force Analyzer System. SFA-222, or through an essentially equivalent system.When s measured with such a system, fibers having contact angles of less than 90 degrees were designated "wettable", while fibers having contact angles greater than 90 degrees are designated "not humidifying".

The absorbent composite structure 32 may comprise an absorbent body having a hydrophilic fiber matrix, such as a cellulose fluff fabric, mixed with particles of high absorbency material. In particular arrangement, the retention portion 48 of the absorbent compound 32 may comprise a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles and synthetic-melt-blown fibers, or a mixture of superabsorbent particles with fibrous coform material comprising a natural fiber blend. and / or of synthetic polymer fibers. The superabsorbent particles can be mixed in an essentially homogeneous way with the hydrophilic fibers, or they can not mix uniformly. For example, the concentrations of the superabsorbent particles can be arranged in a gradient and non-stepwise direction through a substantial part of thickness (z-direction) of the absorbent structure, with the lower concentrations towards the body side of the absorbent composite and the relatively higher concentrations to the outside of the absorbent structure. The z-gradient configurations are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,699,823 issued October 13, 1987 to Kellenberger et al., The complete description of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent (not in conflict) with the present description Alternatively, the concentrations of the superabsorbent particles can be arranged in a non-stepped gradient through a substantial part of the thickness (z-direction) of the absorbent structure, with higher concentrations towards the body side of the composite. absorber and relatively lower concentrations towards the exterior side of the absorbent structure. The superabsorbent particles may also be arranged in a generally discrete layer within the hydrophilic fiber matrix. In addition, two or more different types of superabsorbent can be selectively placed in different places within or along the fiber matrix The high-absorbency material can comprise absorbent gelation materials, such as superabsorbents. The absorbent gelation materials can be polymers and natural, synthetic and modified natural materials. In addition, the absorbent gelation materials may be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers. The term "cross-linked" refers to any means for effectively making the materials normally soluble in water essentially insoluble or water-swellable. Such media may include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, complexes and ionic associations, hydrophilic associations, such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Walls forces.

Examples of the synthetic absorbent gelling material polymers include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamides), poly (vinyl ethers) copolymers of maleic anhydride with vinyl ether alpha olefins, poly (vinyl pylorridone), poly (vinyl morpholinone) poly (vinyl alcohol) and mixtures and copolymers thereof The additional polymers suitable for used in the absorbent composite include natural and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and natural gums. , such as alginates, xanthan gum, locust bean gum and the like. Mixtures of natural and fully partially synthetic absorbent polymers may also be useful in the present invention. Other absorbent gelation materials are discussed by Assarsson et al. In U.S. Patent No. 3,901,236 issued August 26, 1975. The processes for preparing the synthetic absorbent gelacide polymers are described in the United States patent of America number 4,076,663 granted on February 28, 1978 to Masuda and others and in the patent of the United States of America number 4,286,082 granted on August 25, 1981 to Tsubakimoto et al.

Synthetic absorbent gelation materials are typically xerogels which form hydrogels when they are moistened. The term "hydrogel", however, has also been commonly used to refer to both the wetted and unmoistened forms of the material.

As previously mentioned, the alt absorbency material used in the absorbent composite 32 is generally in the form of discrete particles. The particles can be of any desired shape, for example, spiral or semi-spiral d, cubic, rod-type, polyhedral, etc. The shapes having a larger dimension / smaller size ratio, such as needles, leaflets and fibers are also contemplated for use here. The conglomerates of the absorbent gelation material particles can also be used in the absorbent composite 32. They are desired to use the particles having an average size of from about 20 microns to about 1 millimeter. The "particle size" as used herein means the heavy average of the smallest dimension of the individual particles.

The hydrophilic fibers and the high absorbency particles can be configured to form an average compound weight which is within the range of about 400-900 grams per square meter. In certain aspects of the invention, the average composite basis weight is within the range of about 500-800 grams per square meter, alternatively it is within the range of about 550-75 grams per square meter to provide the desired performance.

To improve the containment of the high absorbency material, the absorbent composite structure 32 may include an overwrap, such as the wrapping sheet 74, which is placed immediately on and around the absorbent composite 32 and may be attached to the absorbent structure. and to the various other components of the article. The wrapping sheet is preferably a layer of an absorbent material which covers the side-to-body and side-to-side surfaces of the absorbent compound, and preferably encloses essentially all of the peripheral edges of an absorbent composite to form an essentially complete envelope around the absorbent material. . Alternatively, the wrapping sheet can provide an absorbent wrap which covers the surfaces from side to body and side to the main outside of the absorbent composite, and essentially encloses only the side edges of the absorbent composite. Therefore both the linear and inwardly arched portions of the lateral edges of the wrapping sheet will be closed around the absorbent compound. In such an arrangement, however, the end edges of the wrapping sheet may not completely encircle the end edges of the absorbent composite in the waistband regions of the article.

For example, the entire wrapping sheet 74, at least the side-to-body layer of the wrapping sheet may comprise a meltblown fabric composed of meltblown fiber, such as meltblown polypropylene fibers. Another example of the absorbent wrapper 74 may comprise a low porosity cellulosic fabric, such as a tissue composed of a blend of approximately 50/50 d hardwood / softwood fibers.

The absorbent envelope 74 may comprise a multi-element wrapping sheet which includes a separate side-to-body wrapping cap and a separate outer-side wrapping layer, each of which extends beyond all or some of the wraps. of the peripheral edges of absorbent composite 32. Such a configuration of the wrap sheet d can, for example, facilitate the formation of an essentially complete seal and a seal around the peripheral edges of the absorbent composite 32. In the back diaper part of the diaper. illustrated, the absorbent wrap may also be configured to extend an increased distance outwardly from the periphery of the absorbent composite to aid in the opacity and strength of the back side sections of the diaper.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outside and side-to-body layers of the absorbent wrap 7 may extend at least about one-half inch beyond the peripheral edges of the absorbent composite to provide a flange-type attachment area. which protrudes outwardly on which the periphery of the side-by-side portion of the absorbent casing can be partially connected to the periphery of the side portion to the outside of the absorbent casing.

The side-to-body and side-to-side layers of the wrapping sheet 74 may be composed of essentially the same material, or may be composed of different materials. For example, the outer side layer of the wrapping sheet may be composed of a relatively lower base weight material having a relatively high porosity, such as a wet strength cellulose tissue composed of soft wood pulp. The end-to-end layer of the wrapping sheet may comprise one of the previously described wrapping sheet materials which has a relatively low porosity. The low porosity side-by-side layer can better prevent migration of the superabsorbent particles to the wearer's skin, and the lower porosity base-to-outer layer can help reduce costs.

The diaper 10 may also include an emergence management layer 46 which helps decelerate and diffuse liquid surges that may be introduced into the absorbent composition of the article. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the emergence layer 46 may be located on a side-to-body surface facing into the top sheet layer 28. Alternatively, the emergence layer 46 may be located on one side of a web. side surface to the outside of the top sheet 28. Thus, the emergence layer will then be interposed between the top sheet 28 and the absorbent composite 32. Examples of suitable emergence management layers 46 are described in the patent application. of the United States of America will be No. 206,986 of C. Ellis and D. Bishop, entitled CAPACITY OF FIBROUS NON-WOVEN FABRIC FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLES FOR PERSONAL CARE AND SIMILAR, filed on March 4, 1994 (attorney's issue No 11,256) which was granted as the patent of the United States of America number 5,486,166; and U.S. Patent Application No. 206,069 to C. Ellis and R. Everett, entitled FIBROUS NON-WOVEN FABRICS OF IMPROVED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLES FOR PERSONAL CARE AND THE LIKE, filed March 4, 1994 ( lawyer's case No. 11,387) which was granted as United States of America patent number 5,490,846; whose descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent herein.

The article may include at least one body panel d, such as the first body panel 52 representatively shown, and may also include the second body panel shown 53. Each body panel has a body side surface 54, a surface outer 56 and a length d panel 58 which is less than the length of article 26. Cad body panel also includes a first outer end edge 60, and a second end edge ends relatively interior 62. In the desired configurations, The first outer end edge 60 may be essentially coterminous with the first end edge terminating the article.

With respect to the first body panel 52, for example, an expandable joining section 90 is attached along at least a portion of each lateral region 80 of the absorbent composite 32 in the first end region 78 of the absorbent composite. Each expandable joint section 90 may expand or otherwise extend at least outwardly or at least along the width of article 24, and each expandable junction section is configured to secure its correspondingly attached side edge region of the absorbent compound to the exterior surface 56 of the first body panel 52. Cad expandable junction section 90 is interposed operatively between the outer surface 56 of its panel of correspondingly associated body 52 to allow an expansion movement of the absorbent composite outward and away from the outer surface of the associated body panel. Similarly with respect to the second body panel 53, a corresponding expandable joining section 90 may be joined between the second body panel along at least a portion of the side region 80 of the absorbent composite 32 in a second end region. 79 of the absorbent compound.

In particular aspects of the invention, at least one of the upper sheet and backsheet layers can provide a longitudinal component extension 84 l which is smaller than the length of article 26, and the backing and relief layer layers. Top sheet may have unequal longitudinal extensions. The backing sheet layer may be larger than the top sheet layer, or the top sheet layer may be larger than the backing sheet layer. In particular configurations, the backing sheet layer 3 may provide the length of the backing sheet. component 84 which is less than the length of article 26, and in other arrangements, upper blade 28 can provide the component length which is less than the length of article 26. In a desired configuration shown representatively in Figures 2 and 3, with one of the top sheet and backsheet layers having an associated individual component length which is less than the overall article length. Therefore, both of the upper sheet and back sheet layers can provide longitudinal component extensions which are less than the article length.

The first body panel 52 is desirably a separately provided member which is attached and extends across the side surface to the car body inward of the first end region 78 of the absorbent composite. The first body panel can be attached to absorbent compound and be arranged to provide the back side part 12 of the article. Alternatively, the first body panel 52 may be attached to the absorbent composite to be arranged to provide the front waistband portion 14 of the article. As shown representatively in Figure 3, the first body panel 52 can be attached to provide the rear waistband portion 12 of the article, and a second body panel 53 can be attached to the longitudinally opposite end of the absorbent composite 32 to provide the waistband fronta 14 of the article.

The second body panel 53 may be a separately provided member, which is joined to extend across the side surface to the body of the second end region 79 of the absorbent composite. The second body panel 53 has a longitudinal panel extension 59 which is less than the article length 26, and the second body panel is spaced longitudinally outward of the first body panel 52. In the desired configurations, the second panel The body 53 may have an end edge terminated longitudinally exteriorly 61 which is essentially coterminous with a second terminal end edge of the article. The absorbent composite 32 is joined to extend through lying on an exterior surface 56 of the second body panel 53, and as shown representatively, the absorbent composite can be operatively extended to interconnect and lie between the first and second body panels.

As shown representatively, a corresponding expandable junction section 90 may be attached along at least a portion of each associated lateral region 80 of absorbent composite 32 in the second end region 79 of absorbent composite. Each expandable junction section 90 can be expanded at least along the "lateral width" transverse direction of article 24, and each expandable junction section can be configured to secure its correspondingly attached bord region of the absorbent compound to the outer surface 56 of the second body panel 53.

Articles having an absorbent compound bonded with expandable attachment sections to an exterior surface of one or more body panels are described in the United States of America patent application also pending series number 09 / 250,470 entitled ONE DISPOSABLE PREND THAT HAS DRYING BARRIERS WITH EXPANDABLE UNION A ABSORBENT by T. VanGompel et al., And filed on February 12, 1999 (attorney's issue No. 13,612). The full description of this document is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent therewith.

Each body panel may have a desired shape, which may be generally rectangular or n rectangular. The laterally opposite end sections of body panel may extend transversely beyond the side edges of the absorbent composite 32 to provide the ear portions 38 extending from article. Thus, each body panel can extend through essentially the full width in the transverse direction of its corresponding waistband portion of the article. Each body panel can extend laterally beyond the side edges of the top sheet 28 and can laterally extend more beyond the side edges of the backing sheet layer 30. In particular arrangements, the body panel can be configured with side end sections which have a tapered fox to provide the tapered ear portions. Each of the tapered ear portions may have a relatively longer longitudinal extension on either side of the lateral margins of the absorbent composite, and a relatively shorter longitudinal extension at the laterally distal ends of the ear portion.

In desired arrangements, at least a medial portion 64 of the longitudinally extending and laterally extending edge 62 of the first body panel 52 may be substantially unattached to the body-side surface of absorbent composite 32. Similarly, the second The body panel 53 may have an end edge longitudinally inside end 63, and at least a middle portion 6 of the end edge 63 may be essentially unattached to the absorbent composite 32. Either or both of the inner edges may be essentially straight or curved, as desired In particular aspects, at least a portion of the inside edge of either or both of the body panels 52 and 5 can be arranged in a configuration which is concave inward as illustrated in Figure 3. As shown in FIG. shown representatively, the designated concave curvature may begin at each lateral margin of the absorbent composite, and may extend generally transverse to through the absorbent compound with a middle part of the curvature displaced to the longitudinal end of the article. The curvature can help to provide an improved conformation of the body panel with the contours of the user's body.

In other aspects of the invention, the first longitudinally end end bord 82 of essentially complete absorbent composite 32 can be spaced relatively inward from the end edge longitudinally outer ends of the first body panel 52. Po so, the body panel it may extend longitudinally there and project in a similar manner beyond its terminal, generally adjacent and corresponding terminal edge 82 of absorbent compound. Similarly, the second longitudinally end end edge 82 of essentially the complete absorbent composite 32 may be spaced relatively inward from the longitudinally extending end edge 61 of the second body panel 53. Therefore, the second body panel may extend longitudinally. further and projecting in a longitudinal direction beyond its corresponding generally adjacent terminal end edge 53 of the absorbent composite.

During conditions of ordinary use, the expandable junction sections 90 may advantageously permit and provide controlled expansion of the volume of the absorbent composite 32, especially after the absorbent composite has initiated the absorption of the liquids. In the various configurations of the invention, each expandable joint section 90 may be a member provided separately and which is assembled in the article, or may be integrally formed of designated portions of other existing components of the article. For example, the expandable joining section may be formed from designated portions of back sheet 30, upper sheet 28, or functional combinations thereof. In particular aspects of the invention, the various expandable junction sections may be essentially free of absorbent materials, such as hydrophilic fibr and superabsorbent polymers.

With reference to Figure 2E, for example, the expandable joining section 90 can include at least one fold portion folded at z 92, and the fold portion at z can be provided at each side region 80 of the absorbent composite 32. In arrays shown representatively, for example, the fold portion may provide a predetermined array of interleaved layers which may be flattened together to provide an initial low volume configuration for the absorbent composite 32. During use and essentially during liquid absorption. The inter-arranged layers can be operatively separated to provide an essentially continuous series of one or more configurations of increased volume for cooperation with an increasing volume of the absorbent compound, particularly the increasing volume of the retaining portion 48.

In particular aspects, the stretchable joint section 90 may include a separately provided component (not shown) which is designed to interconnect between the absorbent composite 32 and the outer surface 56 of the first body panel 52. The separately provided component may be folded in z.

Alternatively, the pliegu portion essentially folded at z 92 may be provided by the designated lateral marginal sections of the upper leaf layer 28 and / or the backing sheet layer 30 which extend laterally beyond the lateral edges. terminals of the retention portion 48. As shown representatively in Figures 3A and 3B, the folded portion of z may include the lateral marginal sections d both the upper sheet layer 28 and the backing sheet layer 30. In this example, the lateral margins of both the backing sheet essentially impermeable to liquid 30 and the upper sheet substantially permeable to liquid 28 may extend laterally beyond and project beyond the terminal side edges of retaining portion 48 and the backing edge. wrapping sheet 74. The combined side margins of the projecting back sheet and top sheet layers can then be bent into z to form the s desired expansion junction.

As shown representatively in Figur 2E, the folded portion of z may alternatively include the lateral marginal sections of only the backing sheet layer 30. In this example, the lateral margins of the back sheet essentially impermeable to liquid 3 they may extend laterally beyond and beyond the terminal lateral edges of the retaining portion 48 and the wrapping sheet 74. The extended lateral margins of the backing sheet layer 30 may then be bent into z to form the expandable joining section. desired. Optionally, the backing sheet layer 28 can also be configured to be laterally extendable.

In the various configurations of the invention each elastic leg member 34 may be attached to the outer surface of the backing sheet layer projecting laterally adjacent its side laterally end edge to extend longitudinally along the associated lateral side of the backing sheet. absorbent composite 32. Thus one of the z-folded folds 92 can be located on the side edge of the absorbent compound and can run along essentially the entire length of the absorbent compound.

The relatively outer edge of each z-folded fold 92 is operatively attached to its associated body panel 52 or 53 at a location which is positioned inwardly of its corresponding lateral edge extending longitudinally and relatively adjacent to the associated body panel. Thus, the expandable junction section provided by the fold 92 can provide a mechanism to allow the absorbent composite 32 to expand outwardly and away from the body and user body panels.

With regard to the pliegu members essentially folded at z 92, the folds folded into zs extend longitudinally along the length of article 26. Desirably, the immediately adjacent panels within the fold are essentially unattached to each other Optionally, a small The amount of an adhesive or other joint tip can be used to lightly join together two or more of the adjacent pleat panels. Each joint between the folding panels, however, must be configured with a strength and distribution which do not excessively inhibit the desired expansions of the joining sections 90. When the retaining part 48 absorbs the liquid and increases in volume, the resulting expansion of the retaining part exerts a tensile force and a tension force on the expandable joining sections 90. The subsequent expansion of the joining sections 90 operatively relieves the applied stresses and forces, and increases the volume of the retaining portion. 48 in a manner which allows the holding part to grow outwardly of the first body panel 52. As a result of this the first body panel 52 can maintain its desired notch closely around the body of a user, and can resist. better the formation of cracks or falls that could allow excessive unwanted runoff.

Other aspects of the invention may have expandable junction sections 90 in which a laterally extendable region 68 is configured to interconnect between absorbent composite 32 and outer surface 56 of designated body panel 52 or 53, as appropriate. The extendable region 68 may be formed of several suitable materials, such as woven and non-woven creped fabrics, creped films, perforated films, mall-formed fabrics and the like, as well as combinations thereof. In this configuration, each of the leg resilient members 3 may be attached to an inner or outer surface of the corresponding extendable region 68 on one side of an outer laterally, laterally extending edge of the extendable member extending longitudinally of the article.

In particular aspects, the expandable region 6 may include a component or member provided separately which is assembled and attached in the article (for example, Figure 6). Thus, the elastic leg members 34 may not be directly bonded to the absorbent compound 32 Alternatively, the expandable member 68 may be integrally formed with the existing component or another existing component, such as the top sheet layer 28 (e.g., Figs. 5A, 5B, 7 and 7A) or of the backing sheet 30 (Figures 7B). At least a portion of the extendable top sheet or d the backing sheet may extend laterally beyond projecting beyond the terminal side edges of the retention portion 48 and the wrapping sheet layers 74.

With reference to Figures 5A, 5B, 7, 7A and 7B for example, the extendable member may have a plurality of micropliegues 94 formed therein. As shown representatively, the microfilled component 94 may be provided separately and assembled in the article at a location which is interposed between the absorbent composite 3 and the outer surface 56 of the first body panel 52 Alternatively, the microfilled component 94 may be provided integrally by essentially unitary sections of the upper sheet layer 28 and / or the backing sheet layer 30. The unit sections may extend laterally beyond the terminal lateral edges of the retention portion 48, and have the desired micro-folds formed there. The microfilled materials may include woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, polymer films and the like, as well as combinations thereof which have been processed to generate the desired micro-fleeces. Such processing, for example, may include the conventional creping and microcrecre techniques.

In additional aspects, the expandable joining sections 90 may include an elastomeric material which is elastomerically stretchable at least along the width of article 24. The elastomeric material may be composed of films, threads, laminates or the like, as well as d combinations thereof. For the purposes of the present description, an elastomeric material is capable of being stretched an elongation of 67 percent and then retracted. After retraction, the retraction force at an elongation of 5 percent is at least a minimum of about 4 grams / force (gms) per inch in length across the material (about 16 grams-force). centimeter in length in transverse direction, about 0.1 Newtons per centimeter in length in transverse direction) Additionally, the retraction force at 20 percent d elongation is at least 10 grams-force per inch in length in transverse direction (about 4 grams-force per centimeter in length in the transverse direction, about 0.04 Newtons per centimeter in length in the transverse direction) The length in the transverse direction is measured perpendicular to the direction of the applied stretching force. For the first sample taken from the illustrated configurations, the length and transverse direction of the sample lies generally along the longitudinal direction of article 27.

In yet other configurations, the backing sheet layer 30 may include an elastomeric material which is elastomerically stretchable along the width of article 24 as shown representatively in Figures 1 and IB. The laterally opposite side region 80 of the absorbent composite 32 may include a corresponding laterally opposite side region of the backing sheet layer 30. Each lateral region of the backing sheet layer desirably extends laterally beyond its lateral edges. corresponding to the retention part 48.

In particular aspects of the invention, the expandable joining section 90 can provide a transverse elongation (along the lateral direction 25) of at least about 1 centimeter when subjected to an applied lateral tension force of 30 grams. force (gmf) per inch d length in the transverse direction of the expandable junction section (about 12 grams-force per centimeter in length and transverse direction, about 0.12 Newtons per centimeter d length in the transverse direction). Alternatively, the expandable junction section 90 can provide an elongation of at least about 2 centimeters, and optionally, or elongation of at least about 4 centimeters under the applied tension force to provide a desired operation. In other aspects, the expandable junction section 9 can provide an elongation of no more than about 1 centimeter under an applied tensile force of 50 grams force per inch in length-in the transverse direction of the expandable junction section (about 20 inches). grams-force per centimeter in length in the transverse direction, about 0.1 Newtons per centimeter in length in the transverse direction) Alternatively, the expandable joint section may provide an elongation of no more than about 1 centimeter, and optionally is not More than about centimeters to provide the improved benefits. For the purposes of this elongation parameter, the length and transverse direction of the expandable junction section is measured perpendicular to the applied tension force. For a sample taken from the illustrated configurations of the invention, the length in the transverse direction of the sample will generally lie along the longitudinal direction of the article 27.

A suitable technique for generating a curve d extension against representative load-tension, and to determine the parameters of force of retraction and / or elongation of a component or selected material can be used the Test Method standard ASTM D882 (Tension Method) For Tension Properties of Thin Plastic Sheets) dated December 1995, with the following features. The "width" of the test samples will be width in the transverse direction which can be conveniently obtained for the product being tested, and desirably about 2 inches (about 5.0 centimeters). The width of the test sample is perpendicular to the direction of the applied tensile force during the test. With respect to the configurations shown, for example, the "width" of the test sample generally corresponds to the dimension in the direction of the length of the expandable joining section 90 or of another component (for example of the outer covering layer). 40) along the longitudinal direction 27 of the article. The initial separation of the jaws of the tension tester is 3 inches (7.6 centimeters), and the movable jaw moves at a constant rate of 50 mm / min. The movable jaw is stopped at an extension of 50 mm for a period of 10 seconds, and then it is returned to its initial starting position at a rate of 50 millimeters / min. The force-extension curve for the voltage cycle and full retraction can be recorded on a conventional computer equipped with a commercially available program such as TestWorks for Windows, version 3.09, which is available from MTS System Corporation, a business having a location at 14000 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota The data obtained is standardized and reported in the appropriate units of force per unit length of "sample width (eg grams-force per inch, or Newtons per inch, or grams-force per centimeter, or Newtons per centimeter).

With reference to Figures 3 and 3B, each expandable junction section designated 90 may be attached or may be otherwise secured to its correspondingly associated region of the body panel with an operative lateral securing 42. Each lateral securing 42 may be essentially continuous discontinuous. , and may be distributed randomly or in a selected area pattern. In addition, the article of the invention may include a first laterally extending end fastener 44 which is distributed along at least a portion of the first end region 78 of the absorbent composite 32 to assist in securing the end of the absorber. Absorbent composite to body panel 52. End joint 44 can also be configured to provide a sealing liquid barrier bond which can help resist a liquid passage d between the absorbent compound and the outer surface 5 of the first body panel 52. Similarly, a second laterally extending end joint 44 may be distributed along at least a portion of the second end region 79 of the absorbent composite 32 to secure the second end of the absorbent composite to the second panel. d body, and to help resist a passage of liquid between the absorbent compound and the outer surface 56 of the second body panel 53.

The side seals 42 and end connections 44 can be provided by several suitable mechanisms. For example, each of the side seals 42 and the end seams 44 can include adhesive seams, thermal seals, ultrasonic seams, pins, staples, or similar as well as combinations thereof.

In the configuration shown representatively, each end joint 44 is provided by a plurality of ultrasonic or thermal joints, spaced individually arranged in a selected pattern. The pattern bond may be regular or irregular in the distribution, and is configured to provide the desired securing, expansion and / or runoff resistance in the article. Each end joint 44 may alternatively include a union extending laterally which is essentially continuous along a major part of the lateral width of the absorbent composite. Similarly, each lateral securing 4 may include a longitudinally extending joint that is essentially continuous along a major portion of the longitudinal extension of the article portion in which the expandable junction section is operably attached to its member. corresponding associated body part.

In particular aspects of the invention, either or both of the body panels 52 and 53 may be composed of a wide range of materials with various base weights and properties. For example, the body panel material may include fabrics made of mesh or other woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, polymer films, laminates, and the like as well as combinations thereof. You should easily appreciate that each of the individual body panels can be composed of different materials, or d essentially the same material.

In the various configurations of the invention, the basis weight of the body panel material may be at least a minimum of about 10 g / square meter. Alternatively, the basis weight may be at least about 20 g. / square meter, and optionally, it can be at least about 40 g / square meter to provide the improved benefits. In additional aspects, the basis weight of the body panel material may not be more than a maximum of about 100 g / square meter Alternatively, the basis weight may not be more than about 80 g / square meter, and optionally , it may not be more than about 60 g / square meter to provide improved performance.

In the different configurations of the invention, the body panel material can be essentially permeable to air or essentially impermeable to air. The body panel material can be essentially liquid permeable, it can be essentially impermeable to liquid. In particular arrangements, the body panel material can be essentially non-elastomeric. In other aspects, the body panels 52 and / or 53 may include an elastomeric material which is elastomerically stretchable at least along the width of the side article 24. Examples of such elastomeric materials may include a tapered laminate and unid ( NBL), a stretched and bonded laminate (SBL), a narrow laminate in thermal form, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Such laminates can provide an improved combination of cloth-like feel and elastomeric stretchability.

In the desired configurations, the elastomeric body panel material can provide an elastomeric stretch elongation which is at least about 3 percent, and desirably at least about 5 percent. Alternatively, the stretching elongation may be at least about 10 percent and optionally can be at least about 20 percent to provide improved performance. In other aspects, the elastomeric elongation and stretch may not be more than about 200 percent and desirably may not be more than about 100 percent. Alternatively, the elongation and stretching may not be more than about 50 percent. , and optionally, may not exceed about 30 percent to provide improved performance.

The percentage of elastomeric stretch or other elongation can be determined according to the following formula: 100 * (L - L0) / (L0), - where: stretched length, L0 = initial length.

In addition, the amount of elongation and stretching is determined under an applied tensile force of 250 grams force per inch width measured perpendicular to the direction of the applied tension.

With reference to Figure 3, the first body panel 52 and / or the second body panel 53 may have a longitudinal extension 58 and 59 which is not more than a maximum of about 80 percent of the article length Alternatively, either or both body panels may alternatively have a longitudinal extension which is not more than about 65 percent of the length of article 26, and optionally, is not more than about 50 per cent of the length of article to provide improved benefits. In desired arrangements, the longitudinal extension of body panel may not be more than about 40 percent. In additional arrangements, the longitudinal length of body panel may not be more than about 35 percent, and optionally it may not be more than about 3 percent of the length of the article to provide improved performance.

In other aspects of the invention, the first body portion 52 and / or the second body panel 53 may have a longitudinal extension which is at least a minimum of about 5 percent of the length of the article. Alternatively, at least one of the body panels (both) may have a longitudinal extension which is at least about 10 percent of the article length, and optionally, is at least about 1 percent of the length of the article to provide improved performance Desirably, at least one of the body panels, particularly the back body panel, may have a longitudinal extension which is at least about 2 centimeters. desirably, the selected body panel may have a longitudinal length which is at least about 4 centimeters, optionally, is at least about 6 centimeters to provide Improved skin tone and dryness.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, each of the leg elastic members 34 may include a plurality of elastomeric yarns 98. Optionally, each elastic leg member may have a composite including at least one carrier layer. (not shown), and elastomeric can be operatively linked to the carrier layer. Various mechanisms, such as thermal, adhesive, sonic joints, or the like as well as combinations thereof can be employed to provide the desired bonds between the elastomeric yarns. and the leg carrier layer. In the arrangement shown representatively, each elastic member d leg is a laminated composite of a plurality of elastomeric yarns placed in the form of a sandwich and held between a pair of carrier layers. The carrier layer is desirably composed of a woven or non-woven fabric having a basis weight within the range of about 10-50 g / square meter, per optionally it can be composed of a polymer film material. For example, the carrier layers shown can be composed of a non-woven fabric bonded with polypropylene yarn, and the pair of carrier layers can be adhesively bonded together with a suitable pattern of adhesive, such as a swirl pattern of adhesive sensitive to the adhesive. the pressure.

As shown representatively, each of the elastic leg members 34 may be operatively joined to an outer surface of at least a portion of the lateral side edge margins 20 of the article.

In the configuration shown, for example, the side edge margins 20 of the article are provided by the side edge portions of the absorbent composite 32 which extend laterally beyond the lateral and laterally opposite side edges of the retaining portion 48.

It should be readily appreciated that any of the conventional joining mechanisms described in the present description can be employed to secure the elastic members in the article. In the arrangement shown representatively, the union mechanism includes a distributed pattern of unions. In other aspects of the invention, each of the leg elastic members 34 may be operably linked to a side surface to the inner body of its corresponding side edge margin 20 of the article.

Each of the leg elastic members 3 may include at least one longitudinal end section 3 which diverges outwardly from the absorbent composite 32. In the representatively shown embodiments, each elastic leg member 34 has a pair of longitudinally extending end sections. opposite, each of which diverges out of the absorbent composite 32. The end sections d of the leg elastic members 34- may be attached to the outer surface 56 of its corresponding body panel 5 and 53.

The elastic members 34 may have any of a multitude of configurations. For example, the width of the individual elastic members 34 can be varied from about 0.25 millimeters (0.01 inches) to about 25 millimeters (1.0 inches) or more. The elastic members may comprise a single strand of elastic material, or may comprise several parallel or non-parallel strands of elastic material, or may be applied in a curvilinear rectilinear array. Where the threads are not parallel, two or more said threads may intersect the elastic member interconnected in another way within the elastic member. The elastic members can be fixed to the diaper in any of several forms which are known in the art. For example, the elastic members may be ultrasonically bonded, sealed with heat and pressure using a variety of bonding patterns or adhesively bonded to the diaper 10 with sprayed or swirling hot melt adhesive patterns. including the elastomeric yarns 98 which are optionally located are laminated between the upper sheet layer 28 and the backing sheet layer 30 of the absorbent composite 32. The elastic members may be fixed to the diaper in any of a variety of ways which are known in the art. art. For example, the elastic members can be ultrasonically bonded, heat-sealed and pressure sealed using a variety of bonding patterns, or they can be adhesively bonded to the diaper 10 with sprayed or swirl patterns of hot-melt adhesive.

In the particular embodiments of the invention, the elastic leg members 34 may include a carrier sheet to which a grouped set of elastics composed of a plurality of individual elastic threads is attached. The elastic threads can intersect or interconnect, or they can be completely separated from each other. The carrier sheet may, for example, comprise a 0.002 centimeter thick polymer film, such as a film of non-etched polypropylene material. Elastic yarns can, for example, be made of elastomer LYCRA available from DuPont, a business having offices in Wilmington, Delaware. Each elastic yarn is typically within the range of about 470-1500 decitex (dtx), and may be around 940-1050 decitex. In particular embodiments of the invention, for example, three or four threads may be used for each elasticized leg band.

In addition, the leg elastics 34 can be generally straight or optionally arched. For example, the arched elastics may be buckled inward towards the longitudinal centerline of the diaper. In particular arrangements, the curvature of the elastics may not be configured symmetrically in relation to the centerline of the diaper. The arched elastics can have a reflex type of curvature bent inwardly and bent outwardly, and center longitudinally of the elastics can optionally be offset by a selected distance to any front or back diaper waistband to provide the notch and appearance desired. In the particular embodiments of the invention, the innermost point (apex) of the set of arcuate elastics may be offset to the front or rear diaper waistband, and the reflected portion bent outwardly may be positioned to the front waistband of the diaper.

The diaper 10 may include a belt elastic positioned at the longitudinal margins of either or both of the front waistband 14 and the rear waistband 12. The waist elastics may be composed of any suitable elastic material, such as an elastomeric film elastic foam, multiple elastic threads, an elastomeric tel or similar. For example, suitable elasticized waist constructions are described in United States of America Patent No. 4,916,005 to Lippert others, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent herein.

With reference to the representative configurations shown in Figures 1 and 2, the article may include "ear" regions 38. In particular arrangements, the ear region 38 extends laterally at the opposite and lateral ends of at least a portion of the ear. waistband of the backing sheet 30, such as the back waist portion shown representatively 12, to provide the end side sections of the article. In addition, each ear region may extend essentially from the waistband edge 76 extending laterally to approximately the associated diaper leg opening section and corresponding diaper section. The diaper 10, for example, has a pair of laterally opposed leg openings d provided by the arcuate margins of the ear regions in combination with the corresponding corresponding middle sections of the pair shown d longitudinally extending side edge regions 2 (e.g. Figure 1). In the alternative configurations the ear regions may be provided by a system d ear members provided separately (not shown).

In the various configurations of the invention, the ear regions can be formed integrally with a selected diaper component. For example, the ear regions 38 can be formed integrally from the layer of material which provides the backing sheet layer 30, or can be formed integrally from the material used to provide the top sheet 28. In the alternate configurations, the sections of ear 38 may be provided by one or more separately provided members that are connected and assembled to the backsheet 30, to the top sheet 28, between the upper sheet and the backing sheet, or in various combinations fixedly attached to such sets.

In the particular configurations of the invention, each of the ear regions 38 can be formed from a separately provided piece of material which is then assembled and suitably attached to the selected front and / or back portion of the diaper article. For example, each ear region 38 can be attached to the back waist portion of the backsheet 30 along a ear region joining region, and any or both of the backing sheet components can be operably joined. yd top sheet of the article. The region of the inner junction region of each ear region may be overlapped and laminated with the corresponding lateral end edge region of the waistband section of the article. The ear regions extend laterally to form a pair of opposite waistband sections of the diaper, and are joined with suitable connecting means, such as adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, fasteners, staples, sewing or the like. Desirably, the ear regions extend laterally beyond the lateral end edges of the adhesive. the backing sheet layer and the top sheet layer in the corresponding bonded section of the article.

The ear regions 38 may be composed of an essentially non-elastomeric material, such as polymer films, woven fabrics, similar non-woven fabrics, as well as combinations thereof. In particular aspects of the invention, the ear regions 38 may be composed of an essentially elastomeric material, such as a stretched, bonded and laminated material (SBL), a bonded, bonded and laminated material (NBL), an elastomeric film, or elastomeric foam material, or the like, which is elastomically stretchable at least along the lateral direction 25. For example, meltblown elastomeric fibrous fabrics suitable for forming the ear regions 38 are described in the patent of United States of America number 4,663,220 granted on May 5, 198 to T. Wisneski and others, whose full description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of composite fabrics comprising at least one layer of a nonwoven textile secured to a fibrous elastic layer are described in European Patent Application EP 0 217 032 A published on April 8, 1987 and which has listings inventors to J. Taylor et al., whose full description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of laminated, tapered and bonded materials are described in US Pat. No. 5,226.99 issued July 13, 1993 to Mormon, the entire description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As mentioned previously, various suitable constructions may be employed to join the ear regions 38 to the waistband parts selected from the article. Particular examples of constructions suitable for securing a pair of elastically stretchable members to the side side portions of an article for extending laterally outwardly beyond the laterally opposite side regions of the outer cover and liner components of an article may be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753 issued July 3, 199 to P. VanGompel and others, whose complete description is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent therewith.

Each of the ear regions 38 extends laterally at one of the opposite side ends of at least one waistband section of the diaper 10. In the embodiment shown, for example, a first pair of ear regions extend laterally into the ears. opposite lateral ends of the back waist section of the backsheet 30, and the second pair of ear regions extends laterally at opposite lateral ends of the front waistband section d of the backsheet. The ear regions may have a tapered, arched or otherwise contoured shape in which the length of the base region is smaller or larger than the length of its relatively outer end region. The ear regions may, for example, have an essentially rectangular shape or an essentially trapezoidal shape The diaper 10 may also include a pair of elasticized containment flaps (not shown) which may extend generally longitudinally along the longitudinal direction 27 of the diaper. The containment flaps are typically positioned laterally inward of the leg elastics 34, and are positioned essentially symmetrically on each side of the longitudinal centerline, and sense the diaper length. In the illustrated arrangements, each containment fin has an essentially fixed edge portion and an essentially movable edge portion, and is operably elasticated with at least one elastomeric member to assist each containment fin to contact closely and conform to the contours. of the user body. Examples of suitable containment fin constructions are described in the United States of America patent number 4, 704,116 issued on November 3, 1987 to K. Enloe, whose full description is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent herein. The containment fins may be composed of a non-wettable, wettable material, as desired. In addition, the containment fin material may be essentially impermeable to the liquid, may be permeable to only the gas or may be permeable to both the gas and the liquid. Other suitable containment flap configurations are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 206,816 of R. Everett et al. Filed March 4, 1994 and entitled ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING IMPROVED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (advocacy matter). No. 11,375), which corresponds to the United States of America patent number 5,562,650 whose description is hereby incorporated by reference in a manner that is consistent herein.

To provide a desired resilient binding system, the diaper 10 can include one or more designated placement member regions, such as a first primary placement member 50 (eg, Figures IB and 1E) which can provide an operable target area. to receive releasable and resubstable assurance of the fastening appendages 36 thereon. In the particular embodiments of the invention, the positioning member patch can be placed on the front waistband portion 14 of the diaper can be located in an operative section of an exterior surface of the article, such as the outer surface of the outer cover 40. The joining system between the positioning member and the fastening appendages 36 may be cohesive, mechanical adhesive or combinations thereof. In the context of the present invention, a mechanical joining system is a system which includes cooperating components which mechanically engage to provide a desired securing.

A configuration which employs a releasable, interengaging mechanical joint system can, for example, locate a first element or component of the mechanical fastener on the fastening tab 36 and a second component or cooperating element of the mechanical fastener on the positioning member 50. For example, with a hook and loop fastener the hook material can be operably connected and attached to the fastening appendages 36 and the loop material can be operably connected and fixed to the positioning member 50. Alternatively, the loop material can be operably connected to the fastening appendages 36 and the hook material can be operably connected to the positioning member 50.

In the various embodiments of the invention, a separately provided tape fastener tab 36 can be placed in either or both of the side end regions 86 and 88 of either or both of the waistbands 14 and 12 The embodiment shown representatively, for example, has one of the fastening appendages 36 located on each of the distal side edges of the rear waistband 12. More particularly, each of the fasteners 36 is joined together to extend from a corresponding immediately adjacent ear region at one of the opposite side ends. of the posterior waistband section 12.

In the various configurations of the invention, the first and / or the second joining component may include an adhesive, cohesive element complementary to a mechanical interlocking system, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The mechanical fastener components can be provided by mechanical fasteners such as hooks, buckles, automatic closures, similar buttons, which include mechanically interenganing and complementary components. For example, the mechanical fastening system can be a type of hook and loop fastening system. Such fastening systems generally comprise a male "hook" or hook-type component and a female "curl" or co-helical type component which engages and interconnects releasably with the hook component. Desirably, the interconnection is selectively releasable and resubstantial. Conventional systems are, for example, available under the VELCRO brand. The hook element d may be provided by a single or multiple hook configuration, as provided by a type of mushroom head hook element. The curl element can be provided by a woven fabric, by a non-woven fabric, by a fabric made of mesh, by a perforated or perforated layer, similar, as well as combinations thereof. The many arrangements and variations of such fastener systems have been collectively referred to as hook and loop fasteners.

In the desired arrangements of the invention, the first fastening component may include a type of hook of the mechanical fastening element. So, the corresponding positioning member component may include a complementary curl element. It should be readily apparent that in the various configurations of the invention, the relative positions and / or materials of the fastening component and the corresponding positioning member component can be transposed. For example, in a hook-and-loop fastening system, the first fastening component can optionally be composed of the curl element and the component of the fastening member can be provided by the hook-type element.

Examples of the loop hook joint systems are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,019,073 issued May 28, 1991 to T Roessler et al., The complete description of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner which is hereby incorporated by reference. consistent. Other examples of hook-and-loop joining systems are described in the United States of America patent application number 366,080 entitled "HIGH-FELT APPENDIX BRIEFING" filed December 28, 1994 by G. Zehner and other (subject of lawyer No. 11,571) corresponding to the patent of the United States of America number 5,605,735; and the patent application of the United States of America series number 421.64 entitled MULTIPLE UNIONS CLAMPING SYSTEM, filed on April 13, 1995 by P. VanGompel et al .; whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent herein. Examples of the fastening appendages constructed with a carrier layer are described in the United States of America patent application number 08 / 603,477 of A. Long et al., Entitled MECHANICAL FIXING SYSTEM WITH GRIP APPENDIX and filed on 6. March 1996 (attorney's issue No. 12,563), which corresponds to United States of America patent number 5,624,429 whose full description of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent therewith.

In a typical configuration of a hook and loop fastening system, the hook material member is operably connected to the holding tab 36, and the loop material is employed to construct at least one cooperating engaging member 50. The member For example, an alternating configuration of a hook and loop fastening system may have the d rizos material secured to the appendix, for example, by being properly placed on the exposed outside surface of the outer cover 40. fastener 36 and may have hook material employed to form the positioning member 50.

In the various aspects and configurations of the invention, the hook element material can be of the aforementioned type as a micro-hook material. A micro-hook material is distributed under the designation CS200 and is available from 3M Company, a business having offices in Sa Paul, Minnesota. The micro-hook material may have a hook in the form of mushroom "tops", and may be configured with a hook density of about 1600 hooks per square inch; a height of hooks which is within the range d around 0.033-0.097 centimeters (about 0.013 to 0.03 inches); and a cover width which is within the range d around 0.025-0.033 centimeters (about 0.01 to 0.01 inches). The hooks are attached to the base film substrate having a thickness of about 0.0076-0.01 centimeter (about 0.003-0.004 inches) and a Gurley stiffness about 15 milligrams of force.

Another suitable micro-hook material is distributed under the designation VELCRO CFM-29 1058, and is available from VELCRO U.S.A. Inc., a business having offices in Manchester, New Hampshire. The micro-hook material can have hooks in the form of angled hook elements, it can be configured with a hook density of about 264 hooks per square centimeter (about 1700 hook per square inch); a height of hooks which is within the range of about 0.030-0.063 centimeters (around 0.012-0.025 inches); and a hook width which is within the range of about 0.007 to 0.022 centimeters (around 0.003 to 0.009 inches). The hook elements are coextruded with a base layer substrate having a thickness of about 0.0076-0.008 centimeters (about 0.003 0.0035 inches), and the hook material member has a Gurley stiffness of about 12 milligrams of force (around 12 Gurley units).

For the purposes of the present invention, the various stiffness values are determined with respect to a bending moment produced by a force which is directed perpendicular to the plane essentially defined by the length the width of the component being tested. A suitable technique for determining the stiffness values described herein is a Gurley stiffness test, a description of which is established in the TAPPI standard test T 543 om-94 (Paper Bending Resistance (Gurley type tester)). A suitable test apparatus is a Gurley Digital Stiffness Tester; model 4171-D manufactured by Teledyne Gurley, a business with offices in Troy, New York. For the purposes of the present description, the declared Gurley stiffness values are intended to correspond to the values that would be generated by a sample of "standard" size. Therefore, the scale readings of the Gurley stiffness tester are appropriately converted to stiffness of a standard size sample, and are traditionally reported in terms of milligrams of force (mgf). Currently, a standard "Gurley unit" is equal to a value of stiffness of 1 milligram of force, and can be equivalently used to report Gurley stiffness.

In various aspects of and configurations of the invention, the curl material may be provided by a non-woven, woven or mesh fabric. For example, a fabric of suitable curl material may be composed of a two-bar warp knit fabric of the type available from Guilford Mills Inc., of Greensborough, North Carolina under the trade designation # 34285, as well as other woven fabrics. Suitable curl materials are also available from 3 Company, which has distributed a SCOTCHMATE branded nylon knot under the brand. The 3M Company has distributed an unlined liner fabric with adhesive on the underside of the fabric and the 3M woven terry ribbon.

In particular aspects of the invention, the curl material does not need to be limited to a member patch or discrete placement. Instead of this the curl material can for example be provided by an essentially continuous outer fibrous layer which is integrated to extend over essentially the total exposed surface area of a stretchable outer covering of cloth type 40 employed with the article. The resulting extendable outer cover 30 can thus provide the curl material for a mechanical fastening system of "holding on either side" operative.

In various configurations of the invention, the engagement force between the particular fastening component and its designated positioning member component must be sufficiently large and durable enough to provide adequate securing of the article on the user during use. In the desired configurations, the latching force can provide a stripped force value of not less than about 57 grams-force (gmf) Alternatively, the peeling force is not less than about 100 grams-force, and optionally It is not less than about 400 grams-force. In particular aspects, the peel strength is not more than about 1200 grams-force. Alternatively, the peeling force is not more than about 800 grams-force, and optionally it is not more than about 600 grams-force. . The engaging force can additionally provide a cutting force value of not less than about 1,000 grams-force. Alternatively, the cutting force n is less than about 2,000 grams-force, and optionally it is not less than about 3,000 grams-force. In other aspects, the cutting force is not more than around 10.00 grams-force. Alternatively, the cutting force is not more than about 9,000 grams-force, and optionally it is not more than about 8,000 grams-force.

The peel strength can be determined according to the standard procedure ASTM D5170, approved on September 15, 1991 and published in November 1991. The value of the cutting force can be determined in accordance with the standard procedure ASTM D-5169 approved on 15 of September 1991 and published in November of 1991.

Each of the fastening components fastening elements in the various constructions of the invention can be operably linked to their supporting substrate by employing any one or more of the bonding mechanisms employed to construct and hold together the various other components of the invention. article of the invention. The clamping elements in the various clamping regions can be integrally formed, such as by molding, similar co-extrusion, together with the associated substrate layer. The substrate layer d and its associated mechanical fastening elements can be formed of essentially the same polymer material, and n requires a discrete step of attaching the fastening elements to an initially separate substrate layer. For example, the individual hook elements can be integrally formed simultaneously with a hook base layer by co-extruding the base layer and hook elements of essentially the same polymer material.

It should be readily appreciated that the strength of the joint or other interconnection between the substrate layer and the attached fastening component should be greater than the peak force required to remove the fastening tab 36 from its releasable securing to the designated positioning member of article. .

Examples The following examples are presented to provide a more detailed understanding of the invention. The examples are representative, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1 The extendable outer shell of this example was composed of a fabric bonded with polypropylene yarn d 0.5 oz per square yard (17 g / square meter) which was narrowed 70 percent. The fabric was composed of polypropylene PC-973 obtained from Montell, USA, Inc., a business having offices in Wilmington, Delaware 19850. Fibers joined with yarn were formed at the basis weight of 0.5 ounces po per square yard (17 g / square meter) and thermally bonded with a wire-fabric binding pattern to a 12-17 percent bond area.

With reference to the upper part of the curv shown in Figure 8, the extendable outer cover exhibits about 40 mm of extension under 60 grams of force for a sample of 2 inches in width, which corresponds to about 40 mm of the extension under 30 grams of force per inch of sample width. Figure 8 also shows that the extendable outer casing exhibits about 18 mm of permanent deformation, as indicated by the 18 mm extension restant on the lower part of the curve when the retraction force returns to zero. This corresponds to about 24. percent permanent deformation.

The substrate was composed of a green polypropylene film of 0.75 mils (0.019 mm) d thickness, which was corona treated on both sides, and was not elastomeric and essentially non-expandable. The film produced resin XEM code 244.0 and was obtained from Huntsma Packaging Corporation, a business having offices in Chippew Falls, Wisconsin 54719.

The stretched outer-stretched outer cover with yarn was combined with the polyethylene film substrate by spraying a Findeley H-2525 adhesive along the perimeter edge regions of the substrate using a PAM 600 SPRAYMATIC adhesive primer made by PAM Fastening Technology, Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina 28266. The outermost edges of the substrate measured inches (178 mm) by 19 inches (483 mm) in length. The extendable outer cover, bonded with yarn and narrowed 7 percent, 0.5 ounces per square yard (17 g / square meter) was placed over the top of the adhesive and arranged to be extendable along the 7-inch direction ( 17 millimeters) of the substrate A rubber roller was used to apply pressure to join the perimeter of the outer cover material to the substrate.

The 7-inch (178 mm) dimension of the resulting composite was cut from 7 inches (178 millimeters) to a length of 5 inches (127 millimeters) and the resultant composite was cut into a plurality of 5-inch (127 mm) strips. two inches (50.8 mm) for the tension test. In the middle region of each sample strip, a region of 4 inches (102 mm) of the bonded yarn was not attached to the polyethylene film substrate.

The stress-strain properties of the combination are shown representatively in Figure 10. When the extendable outer shell is not fastened to non-expandable substrate, the stress-strain curve of the composite is similar to the stress-strain curve produced by the substrate. alone. The behavior of the extendable outer cover is not essentially affected by the substrate and the properties of the outer cover remain similar to those illustrated in Figure 8.

Example 2 In this example, an extendable outer cover was assembled and operatively joined to a substrate composed of essentially elastomeric material. The extendable outer cover was composed of the fabric material bonded with narrowed hilad used for the extendable outer cover of example 1.

The substrate was composed of a standard metallocene tapered and bound composite (mNBL). The composite comprised two narrow non-woven faces composed of a fabric bonded with 0.5-ounce polypropylene yarn per square yard (17 g / square meter) tapered to 45 percent. A single 35 g / square meter film layer composed of metallocene DOW XU 58380 elastomer (obtained from the Dow Chemical Company, a business with offices in Midland, Michigan 48674) was extruded on one of the non-woven faces shortened 0.5 oz per yard square (17 g / square meter), and the second narrow woven n face of 0.5 ounces per square yard (17 g / square meter) was attached to the opposite side of the elastomer film to create the non-woven / film / non-woven laminate . The mNB had a stretchability and stretchability along the direction of gathering-narrowing of the compound.

To provide the assembly of Example 2, a Findley H-2525 adhesive was sprayed onto the entire surface of a mNBL substrate, which measured 7 inches (178 millimeters) by 19 inches (483 millimeters) using the PA 600 SPRAYMATIC adhesive applicator. The 7-inch dimension (178 millimeters) corresponded to the mNBL's stretchable direction, the joined side with 70 percent narrowed yarn, 0.5 ounces per square yard (17 g / square meter) was placed over the top part of the adhesive and fixed to be stretchable along the 7-inch (178 millimeter) dimension of the mNBL substrate. A rubber roller was used to apply pressure to attach the outer cover extending to the substrate.

The stress-strain mechanical properties of the assembly of this example are shown representatively in Figure 10A. From Figure 10A, it can be seen that the juncture of the expandable cover had minimal impact on the behavior of the elastomeric substrate. The assembly properties essentially corresponded to the properties of the elastomeric substrate itself. With reference to the Figur 10A, the force required to extend the composite assembly in Figure 10A was 1350 grams to an extension of 36 mm. With reference to Figure 8, the force needed to extend the expandable cover to 36 mm was only 55 grams. During the discharge cycle (bottom of the stress-strain curve in Figure 10A, the elastomeric substrate retracts the compound conjunct with a large refractive force which provides minimal permanent deformation. At 36 mm of elongation, the composite set of Example 2 shown in Figure 10 had a refractive force of 250 grams while the refractive force of the extendable outer casing alone had a force of only 20 grams (Figure 8) Similarly, the compound conjunct of example 2 exhibited less than 10 millimeters of the permanent deformation while the expandable cover alone exhibited 30 mm of permanent deformation (Figure 8).

Example 3 An extendable outer cover was assembled attached to a substrate essentially composed of a n elastomeric material and essentially non-stretchable. The extendable outer cover was comprised of the fabric material bonded with constricted yarn used to construct the extendable outer cover of Example 1, and the substrate was composed of the green 0.75 mil (0.01 millimeter) green polyethylene film, used to build the substrate of example 1 The composite set of Example 3 was constructed by spraying the Findeley H-2525 adhesive onto the complete polyethylene film substrate which measured 7 inches (17 millimeters) by 19 inches (483 millimeters) using the PAM 600 SPRAYMATIC adhesive applied. The extendable outer cover bonded with 70 percent narrowed yarn, 0.5 ounces per square yard (17 g / square meter) was placed on top of the adhesive with the outer cover arranged to extend along the 7-inch dimension ( 17 mm) of the substrate. A rubber roller was used to apply pressure to attach the outer stretchable cover to the substrate.

Comparing Figures 10A and 10B, it can be seen that the permanent deformation is larger for the example set 3 due to the essentially elastomeric substrate material. By comparing Figures 8 and 10B, it can be seen that for the same amount of extension, the force required to stretch the assembly is much greater than that required to stretch the outer cover extending only. As a result of this, the overall tension load extension properties of Example 3 are very similar to those of Example 1. In addition, the assembly of an extendable outer cover uniformly joined to the non-stretchable and non-elastomeric substrate already allows for the outer cover exhibiting its characteristic d extensibility, instead of this, the outer cover is forced and constricted and exhibits the properties of the attached substrate. Thus, it can be seen that the non-stretchable zones can be selectively created by attaching the designated portions of the extendable outer cover to several predetermined substrates creating pre-selected areas or zones along the outer cover which can be elastomeric on elastomeric and substantially elastomeric. not extendable It should be noted that in Figures 8 and 10 to 10B, the upper part of the curve shown represents the load behavior and an extension when the sample tested is under voltage. The lower part of the curve shown represents load-extension behavior when the sample tested is under loosening / retraction.

Example 4 A representative example of the invention provided a medium or "size 3" diaper for an infant weighing between 16-28 pounds (7.26-12.7 kilograms). The diaper had the configurations and shapes illustrated in Figures 3 4A.

The front body panel 53 measured 11 inches (279 millimeters) along the transverse direction and 4 inches (114 millimeters) along the longitudinal direction and was composed of a fabric bonded with 1.0 oz polypropylene yarn. square yard (34 g / square meter). The rear or rear body panel 52 measured 11 inches (27 millimeters) along the transverse direction and 5.7 inches (146 millimeters) along the longitudinal direction, and was composed of narrow, joined and laminated material which had a base weight of 77 g / square meter and fu laterally stretchable by 20-40 percent in the transverse direction. The desired curves were formed along the middle portions of the inner edges 64 and 65 of the front and rear panels 52 and 53, respectively. Four strips d 0.25 inches wide (6.35 millimeters) of a double-sided adhesive tape 3M-927 was applied to join the expandable sections 90 of the absorbent compound to the front and back panels of the four side securing sections 42.

The absorbent body composite 32 included the backing sheet layer essentially impermeable to liquid 3 which measured 8 inches (203 millimeters) in the transverse direction and 14 inches (356 millimeters) in the longitudinal direction, and was composed of a film of polyethylene 0.75 mils (0.019 millimeters). A cellulose tissue wrapping sheet 74 was placed on and wrapped around a holding portion 48 which was composed of a mixture of 63 percent cellulose pulp fluff and 37 percent superabsorbent polymer (FAVO 880 Stockhausen). The wrapped retention part was deflated to a thickness of 0.2 inches (5.08 millimeters), and s cut into an hourglass shape. The shaped retention part measured 12 inches (305 millimeters) in the longitudinal direction, and had a width in the transverse direction of 4. inches (102 millimeters) at both ends. The crotch region of the retention portion was tapered to a width of 3.5 inches (89 millimeters). A dipping material layer 46 was adhesively bonded to the front of the tissue wrap at a location spaced 2.0 inches (50.8 millimeters) from the front edge of the tissue edge. The emergence layer had a base weight of 2.5 ounces per square yard (85 g / square meter) and a density of 0.024 g / cubic centimeter. The emergence cap measured 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) in the transverse direction and 6 inches (152 millimeters) in the longitudinal direction. A light spray of adhesive was applied to the backing sheet cap to attach the backing sheet layer to the tissue-wrapped retention portion. The most frontal edge of the tissue wrapping sheet was placed at about 0.75 (19. millimeter) inward of the leading edge and front of the backing sheet layer, and a light spray of adhesive joined the face surface to the upper body of the emergence layer 46 to the outer surface of the liquid-permeable upper leaf layer 28. The top sheet was composed of a cloth bonded with polypropylene yarn of 0. oz per square yard (17 g / square meter) ) treated with 0, percent surfactant, and placed on top of the emergence layer 46, on the wrapping sheet 74 and the retention portion 48. The top sheet was adhesively bonded to the various absorbent components and to the perimeter of the layer backing sheet to create the absorbent body compound assembled.

The side edge regions 80 of the upper sheet and back sheet layers in the absorbent composite 3 were folded and folded to create the folded folds at 92. The upper face sheet side portion of the folded sheet at z 92 was then bonded to the car-out surfaces of the front and back panels with adhesive strips of 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters) located in the four side securing sections 42. Thus, the composite of absorbent body 32 was assembled and joined together to interconnect and bridging between the spaced-apart front body panel 53 and the rear body panel 52.

A very narrow spray adhesive width was selectively applied down the center of the backing sheet layer 30 of the absorbent composite 32. Also, the spray adhesive was applied to the non-body side, exposed exterior of the front body panels and subsequent 52 and 53 Care was taken not to spray the adhesive onto the folded z-fold of the absorbent composite. A narrow width of adhesive was sprayed through the side ends of absorbent compound thereby sealing the absorbent ends. A single piece of a fabric bonded with polypropylene yarn narrowed 60 percent to a basis weight of 1.2 g / square meter was placed over the outer side of the bonded and folded absorbent composite, and on the outer side of the exposed body panels to provide the outer cover layer 40. The fabric joined with spinning and narrowing was attached to the sprayed areas of adhesive, and a cutter Rotary was used to cut the material in excess to the shape of the garment Each leg elastic member 34 included elastomeric threads 98 of 940 dtx (decitex) elastomer compounds LYCRA XA SPANDEX. The elastomeric yarns were elongated at an elongation of 300 percent and adhesively laminated to a polypropylene face member of 0.4 ounce per square yard (13.6 g / square meter) with FINDLE H2525A adhesive. The elastic leg members were stretched to the stop and ultrasonically knit to the marginal marginal edges of the backsheet 30. In particular the elastic members were located on the surface d facing the exterior of the backing sheet layer and was placed within a bend region of the folded fold at z 92. The longitudinal end portions of each leg elastic member 34 were angled outwardly to extend laterally beyond the side edge regions 80 of absorbent composite, and They joined the front and back body panels. Therefore, the laterally opposite pair d of the elastic leg members 34 created a reclining element in each leg opening of the diaper.

The mechanical hook-type fastener appendages 36 were adhesively and ultrasonically bonded to the ear portions 38 of the rear body panel 52 of the diaper. Preferably, the longitudinally-terminal edges of the fastening appendages were essentially aligned with the end edge 60 of the panel. of rear body 52 in the lateral edge regions of waist band 86.

Having described the invention in more detail, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All those changes and modifications are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the attached clauses.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An integral absorbent article having a longitudinal article extension and a lateral article width, said article comprises: an absorbent compound having the first and second longitudinally opposite end regions d, laterally opposite side regions, a side-to-body surface, an outer surface and a longitudinally terminal end edge, said absorbent compound also includes a layer of backing sheet that is essentially impervious to liquid, a top sheet layer permeable to liquid, a retaining portion sandwiched between the backsheet and top sheet layers; and an outer stretchable outer cover extending over a main part of said outer surface of the absorbent composite, said outer cover extending and capable of providing a sustained deformation when subjected to a tension force and then allowed to relax after a removal of the tension force.

2. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said extendable outer cover provides an elongation of at least about one centimeter when subjected to a tension force of 30 grams-force per inch, and said outer cover Extendable provides a sustained formation of at least about 20 percent when subjected to a tensile force of 50 grams force per inch and then allowed to relax after a removal of said tensile force, for a period of 1 minute.

3. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said extendable outer cover is essentially non-elastomeric.

4. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 further characterized in that it comprises: a first body panel having a side-to-body surface, an outer surface, a length of part which is less than said article length, a first bord end terminal longitudinally outer, and end edge d end longitudinally and relatively internal; wherein said absorbent compound is joined said outer surface of said first body panel.

5. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 4 further characterized in that it comprises an expandable junction section attached along at least a portion of each lateral region of the absorbent compound to said first end region of the absorbent composite, and each expandable joining section is expandable at least along a transverse direction of said article, and the expandable joining section is configured to secure the correspondingly attached side edge region of the absorbent composite to said outer surface of the first body panel. .

6. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5 further characterized in that it comprises: a second body panel having a body-side surface, an exterior surface, a panel length which is less than said article length, a second edge of terminal end longitudinal longitudinally, and a relatively inner terminally longitudinal end edge; wherein said outer surface of the second body panel is attached to said absorbent compound.

7. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that it also comprises: an expandable junction section joined along at least a portion of each lateral region of the absorbent composite in said second end region of the absorbent composite, wherein each junction section expandable and expandable by at least one direction transverse of said article, and each expandable joining section is configured to secure its correspondingly joined edge region of said second end region of absorbent composite to said outer surface of the second body panel.

8. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 4 characterized by said prime end edge longitudinally of the absorbent component is essentially coterminous with a first terminal end edge d of said article.

9. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that at least a middle part of said end edge longitudinally inside ends of said first body panel is essentially joined to the absorbent compound.

10. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that said first end edge longitudinally of the absorbent component is spaced relatively internally d said first longitudinally outer end edge of the first body panel.

11. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that said expandable junction section includes at least one pliegu member essentially folded at z.

12. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that said expandable junction section includes at least one folded portion in z of said each lateral region of the absorbent composite.

13. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that said expandable junction section includes a plurality of microfolds.

14. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that said expandable junction section includes an elastomeric material.

15. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that said backsheet layer includes an elastomeric material, each laterally opposite side region of said absorbent composite includes a corresponding laterally opposite side region of said backing sheet layer. , and each expandable joining section includes a portion of its corresponding laterally opposite side region of said backing sheet layer.

16. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that said expandable junction section can provide a transverse elongation of at least about 1 centimeter under a tension force of 12 grams-force per centimeter of length in transverse direction of the expandable union section.

17. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that a first end seal is provided that extends laterally along the length of at least a portion of said first end of absorbent compound to resist a passage of liquid between absorbent compound. and said outer surface of said prime body panel.

18. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said first body panel has a longitudinal extension which is at least about 5 percent of said length of article.

19. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that said first body panel has a longitudinal extension which is n more than about 40 percent of the article length.

20. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that said second body panel is longitudinally spaced from the first body part.

21. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that said second body panel has a longitudinal extension which is at least about 15 percent of the article length and no more than about 40 percent of the article length. One hundred percent of the length of the article.

22. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that a region d said extendable outer cover is fixed to an essentially non-stretchable component to provide an essentially non-extendable region in said outer cover.

23. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that a region of the extendable outer cover is fixed to an elastomeric component to provide an elastomeric region in an outer shell. R E S U E N An integral absorbent article has a longitudinal article extension and a lateral article width. The article includes an absorbent composite having the first second longitudinally opposite end regions, laterally opposite side regions, a body facing surface, an outer surface, and a first longitudinally terminal end edge d. The absorbent composite further includes a layer of backing sheet that is essentially impervious to liquid; a liquid-permeable top sheet layer; and a retaining portion sandwiched between the backsheet and top sheet layers. A stretchable outer cover is joined to extend over a major portion of said outer surface of the absorbent composite. The extendable outer cover is desirably capable of providing a selected elongation when subjected to a tension force. The extendable cover is also desirably capable of providing a sustained and selected deformation, when subjected to an applied tension force and then allowed to relax after a removal of the applied force. In particular aspects, the outer cover can provide an elongation of at least about 1 centimeter when subjected to a tension force of 3 grams force per inch.