MXPA01006029A - Absorbent articles with refastenable side seams - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels. The transverse distance between the first and second fastening components on the back side panels is substantially equal to the transverse distance between the first and second mating fastening components on the front side panels.

Description

ABSORBING ITEMS WITH RESUSABLE SIDE SEAMS Background of the Invention The present invention relates to absorbent articles which are adapted to contain body exudates. More particularly, the invention relates to disposable absorbent articles of the underpants type having resurfable lateral seams.

The current disposable absorbent training underpants for children who go through toilet training have proven to be particularly desirable and useful products. Such training underpants generally include an absorbent frame including an impermeable outer cover, a liquid-permeable body side liner and an absorbent structure. Learning shorts also include the elastic side panels that are permanently attached to the opposite lateral edges of the absorbent frame. The frame and side panels thus form a unitary belt opening and two leg openings. The underpants can also be increased by folding means along the waist and leg openings.

The components of the traditional trainee briefs are permanently sewn together to provide a product of underpants. These products are particularly attractive to caregivers and are useful in the training process for the toilet because of what underpants have a clothing appearance. The p products identify children with babies, and more particularly they do not want to be identified with babies or as babies. Consequently, these children do not want to use diapers instead of preferring to wear underpants that look like the adults' underwear. Therefore changing the traditional diaper to a training underpants type of underwear or more type of garment can be an important in the toilet learning process.

A disadvantage with the current underpants of learning however, is that the way to apply them limited to being pulled on the body like a pant Applying the product as a pant is advantageous in many cases, and is particularly suitable for children who wear and that are active. Even for the same child, however, there may be times when it would be useful to apply the product as a diaper. For example, it may be more convenient to apply the product as a diaper when there is no desire to remove the child's shoes. Because it is difficult to know when necessary the particular way of applying the garment, it is beneficial to have a garment that is adaptable to be used either as a diaper or as a pant. It is preferable to keep both of your garments available. A product that can be applied with either a diaper or underpants allows the inside of the product to be more easily checked without having to pull the product down.

It would therefore be desirable to have a disposable absorbent article that provides the appearance of a garment type or underwear type of a traditional training underpants but that provides the option of being applied either as a diaper or as a type of pants.

Synthesis of the Invention In response to the above-mentioned unsatisfied need in the art, a new type disposable absorbent article of the short type has been discovered which has lateral resisonable costu. The absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unzipped and resumed. The restraint seams formed by the components of the fastening system are placed along the sides of the absorbent convenience article and a garment-type view similar to that of the conventional training underpants, and the elastomeric side panels can be placed over any Side of respectable seams for fit and comfort comparison to traditional learning underpants In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an absorbent article that includes an absorbent weapon defining a longitudinal axis, one axis transverse the front and rear waist edges parallel to the transverse, the opposite lateral edges extending between the front and rear waist edges, a frontal waist region contiguous with the front waist edge, back waist region contiguous with the posterior belt region, and a crotch region which extends into and interconnects the frontal and posterior waist regions. The front waist region defines a pair of transversely opposite front side panels and a front center panel positioned between and interconnecting the front side panels. Similarly, the rear waist region defines a pair of transversely opposite rear side panels and rear center panel positioned between and interconnecting the front panels. Rear side panels. At least one pair of side panels is elastomeric in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis. The absorbent frame includes side-to-body lining, an outer cover attached to the liner side to body, and an absorbent assembly positioned between the body side and the outer cover. The absorbent article also includes a fastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in a standard configuration of briefs. The fastening system includes the first and second fastening components placed on the rear side panels and adapted to releasably engage the fastening components that match first and then placed on the front side panels. In addition, transverse distance between the first and second clamping components is essentially equal to the transverse distance in the clamping components that match first and second The fastening components and the fastening components that match make the seams resustable p ensure the front and rear waist regions together. Reusable seams allow the product either to be pulled over like a brief or to be applied like a diaper. If the learning lime becomes dirty during use, the fastening components can be disengaged from the matching fastening components to easily remove the underpants learning from the wearer's waist with a reduced risk undesirably dirtying the user's clothes or legs. , the clamping components can also be easily unhooked from the clamping components that are made to inspect the training underpants for possible fouling. Therefore, the training underpants are configured to be raised or lowered over the user's hips such as conventional training underpants and can be easily applied or removed by unhooking the fastening components similar to conventional diapers. In addition, the first second fastening components can be repositioned if necessary after the training underpants have been pulled on the user's legs and hips.

The design of the absorbent frame and the fastening components provides the absorbent article with a fastening system which is resistant to the accidental release of the fastening components. The location of the seams on the sides of the user on the cader is particularly desirable because this is an area of absorbent article that is less subject to user movements, such as the leg articulation. The lateral resurfacing seams have distinct advantages over the fastening designs on the front, which are more subject to the separation forces caused by the bending of the belt and the movements of the user's legs. Furthermore, in the particular embodiments, elastic panels may be provided on each side of the restrainable seams to isolate the tension and stress-holding components caused by the movement of the body. In this way, elastic panels function in a manner similar to shock absorbers to reduce stress and strain on the fastening components. In addition, by locating the re-sealable seams on the user's sides, a pin-like appearance for the product is maintained and it is convenient to operate the fastening components. Additionally, the components of the restraint system can be incorporated into the absorbent article to interfere with the existing exterior cover graphics which have become a feature of training for the important interactive toilet in current training underpants.

The side panels of the absorbent article c one have a waist end edge parallel to the transverse and form part of one of the waist edges, like an opposite leg end edge. In particular embodiments, each side panel is elastomer in the direction parallel to the transverse axis from the waist end edge to the leg end edge p to provide an automatic notch to the product around the user.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an absorbent article that includes an absorbent weapon defining a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis the front and rear waist edges parallel to the transverse, the opposite lateral edges extending between the front waist edges and posterior, a frontal waist region contiguous to the front waist edge, posterior waist region contiguous with the posterior waist edge, and a crotch region which extends and interconnects the frontal and posterior waist regions. Absorbent frame includes a rectangu composite structure having the linear lateral edges parallel to the longitudinal and the opposite linear end edges parallel to the transverse axis. The composite structure includes a side-to-body lining, an outer cover attached to the body side liner, and an absorbent assembly positioned between the body liner and the outer cover. The absorbent article also includes the first and second front side panels joining the composite structure in the front waist region and first and second rear side panels attached to the composite structure in the rear waist region. fastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in a breech-type configuration includes first and second fastening components connected to respective first and second rear side panels is adapted to releasably engage the first and second matching fastening components connected to side panels fronts first and second respectively. The absorbent article also includes the elastomeric components positioned transversely between the fastening components and the absorbent assembly. In this embodiment, the transverse distance between the first and second clamping components is essentially equal to the transverse distance between clamping components that match first and second.

This embodiment of the invention provides absorbent article that is extremely compatible with high speed manufacturing processes. The composite structure can be formed as a generally rectangular shape and the elastomeric front and poster side panels attached to the composite structure with its waist end edges forming portions of the front and back belt edges of the absorbent article.

In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to an absorbent article that includes an absorbent weapon and a fastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in a caliper type configuration. The absorbent framework includes a rectangular composite structure, with the lateral panels elastomeric first seconds attached to the composite structure in a first waist region and the first and second elastomeric side panels attached to the composite structure in a second waist region. The support members are extended to and extend transversely outwardly from the first and second elastomeric side panels in the second waist region. The fastening system includes the first and second fastening components placed on the support members and adapted to releasably engage the first and second matching fastening components placed on the first and second elastomeric side panels respectively the first waist region. The later elastomeric panels in the first waist region are longitudinally spaced from the elastomeric side panels in the second waist region, and the width of elastomeric side panels in the first waist region is the same as the width of the elastomer side panels in the second waist region. This incorporation provided an absorbent article with a fastening system, lateral side panels of equal width in the opposite belt regions.

In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article that includes an absorbent frame and a fastening system for releasably releasing a front waist region of the absorbent weapon to a back waist region of the absorbent weapon to define a restrainable brief. resusable underpants have a waist opening and a pair of leg openings and include a pair of elastomeric non-woven front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening; a pair of elastomeric non-woven back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening; a pair of restrainable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, each seam resusable and positioned between an elastomeric front side panel and an elastomeric back side pa; and a pair of elastomeric foot members which partially surround each leg opening.

This embodiment of the invention provides a disposable absorbent article that provides a comfort fit comparable to that of conventional apprentice briefs, but which provides the added benefits of resilience. The elastomeric side panels are generally placed on the user's hip parts and provide elasticity from the belt opening to each leg opening. The absorbent article closely surrounds the wearer's body due to combination of elastomeric front and poster side panels, and elastomeric leg members. respectable seams desirably extend from the waist opening to each leg opening to securely hold the absorbent article in place over the user Retainable seams are formed when first and second fastening components are engaged with the first and second matching fastening components. Resonable seams are desirably and relatively thin and flexible to allow them to look and feel like a piece of clothing. Therefore in the particulare incorporations the resustable seams have a wide length ratio of about 2 or greater, such as from about 2 to particularly about 5 or more, such as from about 5 to about 8. The respectable seams define dimension of length and a width dimension that perpendicular to the length dimension. For a child around 9 to about 15 kilograms, for example, length dimension is desirably from about 13 centimeters, such as about centimeters, and the width dimension is desirably from about 0.5 to about 3 centimeters, such as about 2 centimeters. Desirably, although necessarily, the length dimension may be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article and the width dimension may be generally aligned paral the transverse axis of the absorbent article. The term "generally parallel", as used herein, refers to an angle within about 35 ° or less of the referred axis and particularly within about 20 ° or less of the aforementioned. The fastening components can purchase any suitable restraining fasteners for the absorbent articles, even though they desirably comprise mechanical fastening elements rather than the fastening elements for improved performance. Suitable mechanical fastening elements may be provided with interlocking geometrical materials, such as hooks, curls, bulbs, mushrooms, arrow heads, spherical balls, male and female matching components, boteroles, or the like. In particular embodiments, fastening components and fastening components that have been set comprise hook and loop fastening elements. The skilled artisan will recognize that the polymer shape, density and composition of the hooks and loops can be selected to obtain the desired level of assurance between the fastening components and the fastening components that match. A more aggressive hook material may comprise a material with an average hook height may a higher percentage of directionally aligned hooks or more aggressive hooks form.

As described in the patent application the United States of America co-pay series no. 60 / 112,709, filed on December 18, 1998 by C. P. Ol et al. Entitled "Absorbent Articles That Have Resilient Differential Resistance Stitch ", the restrainable cost may include one or more main restraint restraining zones and one or more increased restraint restraint zones.The increased and main restraint restraint zones may be constructed to provide differential levels of assurance, and Increased levels of security particularly in places that are subject to higher levels of separation forces As described in the United States of America patent application serial No. 60 / 112,775, filed on December 18, 1998 by CP Ol and entitled " Absorbent Articles Having Hinged Clamps ", the restrainable seam can comprise individual fastening material with narrow spacings therebetween.The narrow spacings provide a desirable bisex to improve the notch and the securing of fastening components.

The absorbent articles described are adapted to be used on one side of the body of a user to absorb and contain various exudates discharged from the body. Absorbent articles are desirably presumed to provide a type of underpants product for the user. The product can then be raised as a conventional training underpants and can be subsequently checked out with the ease of a cloth type product. In addition, the product can be applied like a diaper rather like a pantie. The supplementary restraining fastening means such as the frangible knit links can be employed to hold the absorbent article in a pant configuration until the user intentionally releases the fasteners.

The clamping system allows an easy inspection of the inside of the panty type product. If necessary, the restraint system also allows the pants to be quickly and easily removed. This is particularly beneficial when the pants contain a stool. If you give the caregiver you can completely remove the panty type product and replace it with a new one without having to remove the child's shoes and clothes. The present fastening system can be used with a wide variety of absorbent products including underpants, diapers, incontinence garments, or other garments that are mechanical fasteners or adhesives.

A detailed description of the construction and design of a form of training underpants can be found in United States of America Patent No. 4,940,464 issued July 10, 1990 to Van Gompel and others to which it is incorporated herein by reference. The Gompel et al. Patent describes various materials from which the training underpants can be made, and the methods for constructing a training underpants.

Definitions Within the context of this description, the term or phrase below shall include the meaning or meanings as follows: "United" refers to the union, adhesion, connection, subjection or the like of two elements. The two elements are considered to be joined together when they are directly linked to each other or indirectly to each other, as when each is directly linked to intermediate elements.

"Understanding" is inclusive or extreme open and does not exclude additional non-recited elements or the pa of the method.

"Connected" refers to the union, adhesion, attachment, or the like of two elements. The elements will be considered as being connected together when they are directly connected to each other or indirectly to one another such as when each one is directly connected intermediate elements.

"Disposable" refers to items that are designed to be discarded after limited use rather than being washed or otherwise restored or reused.

"Discarded", "placed on" and variations thereof are intended to mean that an element may be integral with another element, or that an element may be a separate structure attached to or placed with or placed near another element.

"Elastic", "elasticized" and "elasticity" means the property of a material or a compound by virtue of the c it tends to recover its original size and shape after the removal of a force that causes a deformation.

"Elastomeric" refers to a composite material which can be lengthened by at least 25% of relaxed length and which will recover with the release of force applied to at least 10% of its elongation. it generally prefers that the elastomeric or composite material be capable of being elongated by at least 100%, more preferably at least 300%, of its relaxed length and recover, with release of the applied force, at least 50% elongation.

"Fabrics" are used to refer to all woven, knitted and non-woven fibrous fabrics.

"Flexible" refers to materials which are docile and which will conform easily to the gene form and the contours of the user's body.

"Force" includes a physical influence exerted by one body on another that produces the acceleration of the bodies that are free to move and the deformation of the bodies that are not free to move. The force is expressed in grams per unit area.

"Graphic" refers to any design, pattern or the like that is visible on an absorbent article.

"Hydrophilic" describes the fibers or surfaces of the fibers which are wetted by aqueous liquid in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can, in turn, be described terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of particular fiber materials or fiber material mixtures can be provided by a Cahn SFA-222 surface force analyzer system, or by an essentially equivalent system. When measured with this system, the fibers q have contact angles of less than 90 ° are designated "humidifying" or hydrophilic, while fibers with contact angles greater than 90 ° are designated "wettable" or hydrophobic.

"Integral" is used to refer to several parts of a single unit element rather than to separate structures attached to or placed with or placed near one another.

"Inward" and "outwardly" refer to positions relative to the center of an absorbent article, particularly transversely and / or longitudinally near or away from the longitudinal and transverse absorbent article center.

"Layer" when used in the singular may have dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

"Impervious to liquid" when used to describe a layer or multi-layered laminate means a liquid, such as urine, will not pass through the laminated layer, under ordinary conditions of use. In a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate at the point or liquid contact. The liquid, or the ori, can be sprayed or transported parallel to the plane of the liquid-impermeable ca or laminate; but this is not considered to be within the meaning of "impervious to liquid" when used here.

"Longitudinal" and "transverse" have customary meanings, as indicated by the longitudinal and transverse ej shown in Figures 2 and 3. longitudinal axis lies in the plane of the article and is generally parallel to a vertical plane that divides a person standing in the left and right body halves when article is used. The transverse axis lies in the article plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The article as illustrated is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.

"Member" when used in the singular may give you the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

"Nonwoven" and "non-woven fabric" refer to materials and fabrics of material which are formed without the aid of a textile or knitting process.

"Operably linked" with reference to fastening an elastic member to another element, means that elastic member, when attached to or connected to the element, is treated with heat or chemicals, by stretching, similar, gives the element elastic properties; and with reference to the fastening of a non-elastic member to another element means that the member and the element can be held in any suitable manner which allows or allows them to carry out the described function of the uniting member. The attached fastening, connection or the like can be either directly t as attaching any member to an element, or it can indirectly by means of another member placed between the first member and the first element.

"External cover graphic" refers to a graphic that is directly visible with the inspection of an outer surface of a garment, and for a subject element is in reference to the inspection of the outer surface of the garment when the fastening system is engaged as be during use.

"Permanently bonded" refers to the joining, bonding, fastening, or the like of two elements of an absorbent garment so that the elements tend to be held together during the normal conditions of use of the absorbent garment.

"Resubstanable" refers to the property of d elements that are capable of releasable fastening, separating the subsequent releasable resumption without a substantial permanent break or deformation.

"Released fastener", "releasably engages" and the variations thereof refer to elements that are connected or that are connectable so that the elements tend to remain connected in the absence of a separation force applied to one or both of the elements and the elements are capable of separation without essentially permanent deformation or rupture. The required separation force is typically beyond that found while using the absorbent garment.

"Rupture" means the breaking or tearing of material; In the stress test, the term refers to total separation of a material in two parts either all at once or in phases, or the development of an orifice in some materials.

"United and stretched" refers to an elastic member that is being attached to another member while an elastic member is extended at least around its relaxed length. Desirably, the term "stretched together" refers to the situation in which the elastic member extends at least about 100%, and more desirably at least about 300% of its relaxed length when it is joined to another material.

"Coated and stretched laminate" refers to composite material having at least two layers in which one layer is a foldable layer and the other layer is an elastic layer. The layers are joined together when the elastic layer is in an extended condition such that with the relax of the layers, the collapsible layer is collected.

"Surface" includes any layer, woven, non-woven, laminated, composite, or the like, whether permeable or impermeable to air, gas, and / or liquids.

"Tension" includes an uniaxial force that tends to cause the extension of a body or the strength of a balance within the body that resists extension.

"Thermoplastic" describes a material that softens when exposed to heat and which returns essentially to a non-softened condition when cooled to ambient temperature.

These terms can be defined with additional language in the remaining parts of the description.

Brief Description of the Drawings The aforementioned and other features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein similar features in the different figures are shown in FIG. they have given the same reference numbers, Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a disposable absorbent article incorporating the principles of the present invention, wherein the fastener system shown engaged on one side of the absorbent article disengaged on the other side of the absorbent article.

Figure 2 illustrates a flat view disposable absorbent article shown in Figure 1 in unclamped, stretched and laid flat condition, and that mounts the surface of the item that is facing outwardly user.

Figure 3 illustrates a plan view similar to that of Figure 2, but showing the surface of the article facing the user when the article is used, and portions cut out to show the underlying characteristics.

Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of an alternate disposable absorbent article shown in an unclamped, stretched and laid flat condition, and showing the surface of the item facing away from the wearer.

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a part of a side panel of the absorbent article shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 illustrates an amplifi plane view of a side panel of the type shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 illustrates an amplifi plane view of a part of an alternate side panel.

Figure 8 illustrates a plan view of additional alternate disposable absorbent article shown in unclamped, stretched and laid condition; and showing surface of the item that is facing outward user.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The principles of the present invention can be incorporated into any suitable disposable absorbent article. Examples of such suitable articles include diapers, training briefs, women's hygiene products, incontinence products, ot personal care products or health care garments or the like. To facilitate the explanation, description from now on will be made in terms of underwear for children.

With reference to Figure 1, a disposable absorbent article, such as a training underpants, is illustrated in a partially fastened condition. training underpants 20 comprises an absorbent frame and a restraint system 80. The absorbent frame 32 defines front waist region 22, a back waist region a crotch region 26 interconnecting the front and rear waist regions, an interior surface 28 which is configured to make contact with the user and outer surface 30 opposite the inner surface the c is configured to make contact with the clothes of the user With additional reference to Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent weapon 32 also defines a pair of edges transversely opposing side 36 and a pair of longitudinally opposite rib edges, which are designated the front waist edge 38 and the rear waist edge 39. front waist region 22 is contiguous with the waist rear edge 39. The waist region front 22 and contiguous with the front waist edge 38 and the rear waist region 24 is contiguous with the edge of the front back belt 39.

The illustrated absorbent frame 32 comprises a rectangular composite structure 33, a pair of transversely opposed front side panels 34 and a pair of transversely opposed rear side panels 134. composite structure 33 and side panels 34 and 134 can be integrally formed or comprise two or more separate elements, as shown in Figure 1. Illustrated composite structure 33 comprises an outer cover 40, side-to-body liner 42 (Figures 1 and 3) which is connected to the outer cover in a superimposed relation, a binder 44 (Figure 3) which is located between the outer cover and the side-to-body liner, and a pair of containment fins 46 (Figure 3) . The rectangular compu structure 33 has the opposite linear end edges forming the portions of the rear fronter waist edges 38 and 39, and the opposite linear side edges forming the side edge portions 36 of the absorbent arm 32 (Figures 2 and 3). 3) . By reference, arrows 4 49 show the orientation of the longitudinal and transverse axis, respectively, of the training underpants are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

With the training underpants 20 in the clamped position as partially illustrated in the Figure, the front and rear waist regions 22 and 24 are joined together to define a three-dimensional pant configuration having a waist opening 50 and a pair of leg openings. The front waist region 22 comprises the leg of the training underpants 20 which, when worn and placed on the wearer's front while the back waist region 24 comprises the part of the underpants which, when used, is placed on the back pair of the user. The crotch region 26 d training underpants 20 comprises the portion of the training pants which, when worn, is placed between the user's legs and covers the user's lower torso. The front and rear side panels 34 and 134 comprise the parts of the training underpants 20 which, when worn, are placed on the wearer's hips.

The front waist region 22 of the absorbent frame 32 includes the transversely opposite front side panels 34 and the front center panel (Figures 2 and 3) placed between the side panels interconnecting them. The rear waist region 24 d absorbent frame 32 includes the transversely opposite rear side panels 134 and a rear center panel 1 (Figures 2 and 3) placed between and interconnecting the side panels. The waist edges 38 and 39 of the frame 32 are configured to surround the wearer's waist when they are used and provide the waist opening 150 which defines a waist circumference dimension. The transversely opposite lateral edge portions 36 in the crotch region 26 generally define the leg openings.

The absorbent frame 32 is configured to contain and / or absorb any exudates from the user's body. For example, the absorbent frame 32 desirable even though it does not necessarily comprise the pair of containment flaps 46 which are configured to provide barrier to the transverse flow of body exudates. Elastic flap member 53 (Figure 3) is operatively connected to each containment flap 46 in any suitable manner as is well known in the art. The elasticized containment fins 46 define an unclamped edge which assumes a vertical configuration generally perpendicular in at least the crotch region 26 of the training underpants to form a seal against the wearer's body. containment flaps 46 may be located along the transversely opposite side edges of the absorbent weapon 32, and may extend longitudinally to that of the full length of the absorbent frame or may extend partially along the length of the absorbent weapon. Suitable constructions and arrangements for containment fins 46 are generally well known to those skilled in the art and are described in United States of America Patent No. 4,704,116 issued November 3, 1987 to Enloe, which is incorporated herein by reference.

To further increase the containment absorption of the body exudates, the training underpants 20 desirably include a front waist elastic member 54, a rear waist elastic member 5 and the leg elastic members 58, as is known to those skilled in the art ( Figure 3). The waist elastic members 54 and 56 can be operatively attached to the outer cover 40 and / or the side facing to the body 42 along the opposite waist edges 38 and 39, and can extend over either side or all of the edges. of waist. The elastic leg members 58 are desirably operably attached to the outer cover 40 and / or the side liner to the body 42 along the opposite lateral edges 36 and placed in the crotch region 26 of the underpants 20. leg 58 are desirably longitudinally aligned along each side edge 47 of composite structure 33. Each leg elastic member has a front endpoint 63 and a terminal endpoint 65., whose points present the longitudinal ends of elastic recoil caused by the leg elastic members. The front end points 63 are desirably located on one side of the most longitudinally intern portions of the front side panels 34 and the rear end points 65 are desirably located adjacent the longitudinally innermost portions of the rear side panels 134.

The elastic fin members 53, the elastic waist members 54 and 56, and the elastic members of pi 58 can be formed from any suitable elastic material. As is well known to those skilled in the art, suitable elastic materials include clothing, hil ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. The elastic materials can be stretched and adhered to a substrate, adhered to a pleated fold or adhered to the substrate and then elastized shrunk, for example with the application of heat; such was constrictive elastic are imparted to the substrate. In particular embodiment, for example, leg elastic members 58 comprise a plurality of coalesced and spun-spanded multi-filament spandex elastomeric yarns sold under the tradename LYCRA® and available from E. Dupont de Nemours and Company, of Wilmington, Delaware. .

The outer cover 40 desirably comprises material which is essentially impermeable to liquid, and which is elastic, stretchable or non-stretchable. The outer cover may be a single layer of liquid impervious material, desirably comprising a multi-layer laminated structure in which at least one of the layers is impervious to liquid. For example, the outer cover 40 may include a liquid permeable outer layer and an inter impermeable layer to the liquid that are suitably joined together a laminated adhesive (not shown). Suitable sheet adhesives, which can be applied intermittently continuously as beads, such as a spray, such as parallel swirls or the like, can be obtained from Findley Adhesiv Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, United States of America or National Strach and Chemical Company, of Bridgewater. , New Jers United States of America. The liquid-permeable outer layer can be any suitable material and desirably one provides a generally cloth-like texture. One example of such material is a spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven fabric of 20 grams per square meter. The outer layer can also be made from those materials of which the liquid-permeable body-side liner 42 is made. Even though it is not necessary for the outer layer to be permeable to the liquid, it desires that it provide a p-type texture relatively to the user.

The inner layer of the outer cover 40 may be both liquid and vapor impermeable or liquid impervious and vapor permeable. The inner layer desirably made of a thin plastic film, when other flexible liquid impervious materials can also be used. The inner layer, or the outer cover impermeable to liquid 40 when a single layer, prevents waste material from wetting articles such as bed sheets and clothes, as well as to the user and to care. A suitable film impervious to liquid for use as an inner layer impervious to liquid, or an outer cover impermeable to the single layer liquid 40, is a 1.0 mil polyethylene film commercially available from Edison Plastics Company of South Plainfield, New Jer United States of America. If the outer cover 40 is a single layer of material, it can be engraved and / or finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. it was mentioned above, the impermeable material can allow the vapors to escape from the interior of the disposable absorbent article, while still preventing the liquids from passing through the outer cover 40. A suitable "breathable" material is composed of a microporous polymer film or a non-woven fabric that has been coated or otherwise treated to impart a level of liquid impermeability. A microporous film adec is a commercially available PMP-1 film material Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., of Tokyo, Japan; or a polyolefin film XKO-8044 commercially available from 3M Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, training underpants 20 in particular outer cover 40 desirably comprise one or more components related appearance. Examples of components related to appearance include but are not limited to graphics, highlighting emphasizing the leg and waist openings in order to make the product shape more evident or visible to the user by highlighting or emphasizing product areas for sim functional components such such as elastic leg bands elastic waistbands, "fly" simulated for children, curls girls, - highlighting areas of the product to change the appearance of the product size; record indicators of temperature indicators and the like in the product; match a back label or a front label with the product; and match written instructions on a desired product l.

The illustrated underwear 20, which is designed for use by young girls, includes a 60 outdoor married cover graphic. In this design, married graphic 60 includes a primary pictorial image simulated waistlines, 62 and simulated leg shawls. Primary pictorial image 61 includes a rainbow, clouds, animal characters, a car and balloons. Which suitable design can be used for the underwear learning intended for use by small girls, to be aesthetically and / or functionally pleasing to these caregiver. The components relating to appearance are desirably placed on the training underpants of 2 selected sites, which can be brought ac using the methods described in US Pat. No. 5,766,389 issued June 16, 199 Brandon et al. which is incorporated herein by reference. Primary pictorial image 61 is desirably positioned in front waist region 22 along the longitudinal centimeter line of the training underpants 20.

The liquid-permeable body side liner is illustrated as lying on the outer cover 40 and absorbent assembly 44, and may not require having the same dimensions as the outer cover 40. The body side liner 42 is desirably docile, of feeling soft and irritating to the child's skin. In addition, the side liner to the cue 42 may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent assembly to present a relatively dry surface to the user allowing the liquid to easily penetrate through its thickness.

The body side liner 42 may be a fabric of a wide selection of fabric materials, such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers) natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), fiber combination natural and synthetic, pores foams cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, similar Several woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the side-to-body lining 42. For example, the side-to-body lining may be composed of a meltblown fabric or bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn The side-to-body lining can also be a carded fabric and a composite of natural and / or synthetic fibers.The body lining can be composed of an essential hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material it can be optionally treated with a surfactant or processed in another way to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. For example, the material can be treated supe about 0.28% by weight of a commercial surfactant available from Rohm and Haas Company under the trade designation Triton X-102. The surfactant can be applied any conventional means, such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like. The surfactant may be applied to the side liner to the full length 42 or may be selectively applied to the particular sections of the liner from side to body, such as the mid section along the longitudinal center line.

A suitable liquid-permeable body side liner 42 is a non-woven bicomponent fabric having a basis weight of about 27 grams per square meter. Two-component non-woven fabric may be a two-component woven fabric with spinning, or a two-component woven fabric bonded and bonded. Suitable bicomponent basic fibers include a polyethylene / propylene bicomponent fiber available from CHI Corporation, Osaka, Japan. In this particular bicomponent fiber, the polypropylene forms the core and the polyethylene forms the fiber sheath. Other orientations of possible fibers, such as that of multiple lobes, side by end-to-end or similar. Although the outer shell 40 and the side facing body 42 may comprise elastomeric materials, it may be desirable in some embodiments for the composite structure to be generally inelastic when the outer shell, the body side shell and the absorbent assembly comprise materials that generally not elastomeric The absorbent assembly 44 (Figure 3) is placed between the outer cover 40 and the body side liner, the components of which can be joined together by any suitable means such as adhesives as is well known in the art. Absorbent assembly 44 can be any structure which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the child's skin, and is capable of absorbing and retaining the liquids in certain body wastes. The absorbent assembly can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and form and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in the art. For example, the absorbent conjugate 44 may suitably comprise a hydrophilic fibrous matrix, such as a cellulosic fluff, mixed with particles of a common high absorbency material known as superabsorbent material. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent assembly 44 comprises a cellulose wipe matrix, such as wood pulp fluff, and superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles. The wood pulp fluff can be exchanged with polymeric and synthetic meltblown fibers or with a combination of blown fibers with melt and natural fibers. The superabsorben particles may be homogeneously mixed essentially with the hydrophilic fib or may not be mixed uniformly. The bo and the superabsorbent particles can also be selectively placed in desired areas of the absorbent assembly 44 p to better contain and better absorb exudates from the body. The concentration of the superabsorbent particles may also vary through the thickness of the absorbent assembly. Alternatively, the absorbent assembly 44 may comprise laminate of fibrous fabrics and superabsorbent material other suitable means for maintaining a superabsorbent material in a localized area.

Suitable superabsorbent materials can be selected from polymers and modified natural, synthetic and natural materials. The superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, organic compounds, such as cross linked polymers. Suitable superabsorbent materials are available from various commercial vendors such as Chemical Company located in Midland, Michigan, United States of America, and Stockhausen GmbH & KG Co., D-47805 Krefe Federal Republic of Germany. Typically a superabsorbent material is able to absorb at least about d times its weight in water and is desirably capable of absorbing more than 25 times its weight in water.

In one embodiment, the absorbent assembly 4 is generally rectangular in shape and comprises a mixture of b of wood pulp and superabsorbent material. A preferred type of lint is identified with the trade designation CR 16 available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, of Neenah, Wiscon, United States of America, and is a bleached highly absorbent wood pulp containing primarily softwood fi. As a general rule, the superabsorbent mat is present in the absorbent assembly 44 in amount of from about 5 to about 90% per p based on the total weight of the absorbent assembly. The absorbent conjugate 44 suitably has a density within the ra of about 0.10 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter. The absorbent assembly 44 may or may not be enclosed by a suitable tissue wrap that maintains integrity and / or the shape of the absorbent assembly.

The absorbent frame 32 may incorporate ot materials that are primarily designed to temporarily store and / or transport the liquid along the surface mutually facing the absorbent assembly thereby maximizing the absorbent capacity of the absorbent assembly. A suitable material is referred to as the emergence layer (not shown) and comprises a material having a basis weight of about 50 grams per square meter, and comprises a carded fabric attached through air of a homogeneous blend of 60% of a fiber Two-component bicomponent comprises a polyethylene sheath / polystyrene core commercially available from BASF Corporation, and 40% from a 6-denier polyester fiber, commercially available from Hoec Celanese Coporation, Portsmouth, Virgina, United States of America.

As previously noted, the illustrated training underpants 20 have the rear front side panels 34 and 134 positioned on each side of the absorbent weapon 32. These transversely opposite side front panels 34 and the transversely opposite rear side panels 134 can be permanently attached to the structure. composite 33 of the absorbent assembly 32 in respective front and rear waist regions 22 and 2 are releasably attached to each other by the fastening system 80. More particularly, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the front side panels 34 may be permanently attached and extending transversely over the linear side edges 47 of the compue structure 33 in the front waist region 22 along the clamping lines 66, and the rear side panels 134 may be permanently attached to and extend more transversely than the linear side edges. of the structure compuest the region d and rear waist 24 along the fastening line 66. The side panels 34 and 134 can be fastened using the fastening means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive, thermal bonding, or ultrasonic. Side panels 34 and 134 they can be formed as a p of a component of the composite structure 33 such as the outer cover or the lining from side to body.

The illustrated side panels 34 and 134 each define a distal edge 68 that is spaced apart from the fastening line 66, a leg end edge 70 positioned at the longitudinal center of the training pant 20, and waist end edge 72 positioned toward the exterior. longitudinal of the training underpants. The end leg leg 70 and the waist end edge 72 extend from the side edges 47 of the composite structure 33 to the distant edges 68. The leg ext edges 70 of the side panels 34 and 134 form part of the lateral edges. 36 of the absorbent frame 32. In the rear waistband 24, the leg end edges 70 desirably even if not necessarily positioned in angle to the transverse axis 49 to provide greater coverage toward the back of the underpants as compared to underpants The cin end edges 72 are desirably parallel to the transverse axis 49. Waist end edges 72 of the front end panels 34 form part of the front waist edge 38 absorbent frame 32, and the waist end edges 7 the panels rear sides 134 form part of the rear waist orifice 39 of the absorbent frame.

In the particular embodiments for improved appearance and notch, the side panels 34 and desirably have an average length dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis 48 that is about 2 greater, and particularly about 25% or greater, d length dimension overall of the absorbent article, size measured parallel to the longitudinal axis 48. For example, in training underpants having a overall length dimension of about 54 centimeters, the side panels and 134 desirably have an average length dimension of about 10 centimeters or greater, such as around 6 centimeters. While each of the panels side and 134 extend from the waist opening 50 to one of leg openings 52, the rear side panels have a continuous decreasing length dimension moving from the clamping line 66 to the distant edge as shown in FIG. shows better in Figures 2 and 3.

Each of the side panels 34 and 134 p include one or more distinct and individual mating parts. In particular embodiments, for example, each side p 34 and 134 may include the first and second side panel parts that are joined in a seam. , with at least one of the parts comprising an elastomer material (see Figure 7). Still alternatively, each individual lat panel 34 and 134 may include a single piece of material which is folded over itself along a line of intermediate do (not shown).

The side panels 324 and 134 desirably comprise an elastic material capable of stretching in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis 49 of the training underpants 20. In the particular embodiments, the front and rear side panels 34 and may each comprise an interior part 78 placed in the middle. the distant edge 68 and the front central panel or respective post 35 or 135. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner pa 78 are placed between the far edges the side edges 47 of the rectangular composite structure 33. The elastic material of the side panels 34 it can be placed on the inner parts 78 to make the elastomeric side panes in a generally parallel transverse axis direction 49. More desirably, each elastomeric side panel 3 from the waist end edge 78 to the leg end orb 70. More specifically, the individual samples of the side panel material taken at the end edge of the e waist 72 and the end edge of pi 70 parallel to the transverse axis 49 having a length d the clamping line 66 to the distal edge 68 and a width cm, all are elastomeric.

Suitable elastic materials, as well as a process described for incorporating the elastic side panels into a training underpants, are described in the following United States of America patents No. 4,940,464 issued July 10, 1990 to Van Gompel and ot 5,224,405 granted on April 6, 1990. from July 1993 to Pohjola; 5,104 granted on April 14, 1992 to Pohjola; and 5,046,272 issued on September 10, 1991 to Vogt et al .; all of which are incorporated here by reference. In particular embodiments, the elastic material comprises a thermal-stretched lami (STL), a narrow-bonded laminate (NBL), reversibly tapered laminate, or a narrow-bonded sheet (SBL) material. The methods for making such materi are well known to those skilled in the art and described in US Pat. Nos. 4,663,220 issued May 5, 1987 to Wisnes others, 5,226,992 issued July 13, 1993 to Morman; European Patent Application No. EP 0 217 032 published April 1987 in the name of Taylor et al .; all of which are incorporated here by reference. Alternatively, the side panel mat may comprise other woven woven materials, such as those described above as being suitable for the outer cover 40 or the side-to-body liner 4 for stretchable but inelastic materials.

The training underpants 20 according to the present invention also include a fastening system 8 'to secure the training underpants around the user's waist (Figures 2 and 3). The illustrated fastening system includes the first and second fastening components 82 and 83 are adapted to be responsibly connected to the first and second matching fastening components 84 and 85. In embodiment, a surface of each of the first and second fastening components second 82 and 83 comprise a plurality of engaging elements projecting from that surface. engaging elements of these fastening components 82 and adapted to repeatedly engage and disengage fastening elements from the fastening components that have been set 84 and 85.

In a particular embodiment, the first and second fastening components 82 and 83 each comprise hook-type fasteners and the fastening components match first and second 84 and 85 each comprising complementary loop-type fasteners. In particular or incorporation, the first second clamping components 82 and 83 each comprise the crimping tip fasteners and fastening components that prime prime second 84 and 85 each comprising the complementary hook tip fasteners. Even when the illustrated embodiments show the rear waist region 24 after the front waist region 22, which is convenient, training underpants 20 can also be configured so that the front waist region overlaps the rear waist region. Typical curl type fasteners comprise a fabric or material having a base or backing structure and a plurality of curl members extending upwardly from at least one surface of the backing structure. The curl material can be formed into any suitable material, such as acrylic, nylon polyester and can be formed by methods such as warp knitting, stitch bonding or needle piercing. Suitable curl materials are available from Guilford Mi Inc., of Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America, under the trade designation No. 36549.

Typical hook type fasteners comprise a fabric or material having a backing structure base and a plurality of hook members extending upwardly from at least one backing structure surface. In contrast to the terrycloth fasteners which desirably comprise a flexible hook material strip advantageously comprises an elastomer material to minimize the unintentional disengagement of the fastener components as a result of the material of hooks that deform and grip onto clothing or other items. The term "elastic" as used herein refers to an interlocking material having a predetermined shape and the interlocking material property to reassume the predetermined f after having engaged and disengaging a complementary interlocking material which matches. Suitable hook material can be molded or extruded nylon, polypropylene or other suitable material. The single-sided hook materials suitable for the clamping components 82 and 83 or the matching clamping components 84 are available from Velero Industries BV, from Amster Holland or affiliates thereof, and are identified as Ve HTH-829 with a pattern of unidirectional hooks and having a thickness of about 0.089 millimeters and HTH-851 with a unidirectional hook pa and having a thickness of about 0.051 millimeters.

With a particular reference to Figure 3, first and second fastening components 82 and 83 are desirably placed on the inner surface 28 training pants 20 in the post waist region 24. The first and second fastening components 82 and 83 e desirably placed along the distant edges 6 the rear side panels 134 and are abutting adjacent the waist end edge 72. In embodiments, for example, the clamping components pri and second 82 and 83 are located within about centimeters, and more particularly within about d cm, of the distant edges 68, of the edges of the waist end 72 and of the edges of the leg end With particular reference to Figure 2, matching first and second matching components match first and second 84 and 85 are positioned on outer surface 30 of the training underpants 20 and front waist region 22. The undercarriage components match first and second 84 and 85 are dimensioned receiving the first and second clamping components 82 and 8 are desirably positioned along the distal edges 68 of the front side panels 34, and to a stop or a side the waist end edge 72. In certain incorporated for example, the clamping components that match pri and second 84 and 85 are located within about d centimeters and more particularly within about d centimeter, of the distant edges 68, of the waist end edges 72 and of the leg end edges Where the holding components 82 and 83 comprise curl type fasteners placed on the inner surface r 28 and the matching fastening components 84 comprise the hook-type fasteners positioned on the outer surface 30, the fastening components can be sized larger than the fastening components to match to ensure the coverage of the hooks faces outwards and rigid.

For the resealable seams 88 for being located on the sides of the user, it is particularly desirable that the transverse distance between the first and second clamping components 82 and 83 be essentially equal to the transverse distance between the clamping components that make j first and second 84 and 85. The transverse distance between sets of fasteners is the distance measured parallel to the transverse 49 between the longitudinal centerlines of fasteners, measured with the side panels 34 and 134 in undrawn condition.

The clamping components and the clamping components 82-85 may be adhered to the side panels 34 and 134 by any means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive joints, unios, or thermal joints. In an alternative embodiment, the training underpants 20 include a unique matching matching component placed in the front waist region 22 for responsibly connecting the holding components 82 and 83 (not shown). In a further alte embodiment, the fastening components and the fastening components that match may comprise the integral parts of the side panels. For example, the elastomeric front side panels 34 can function as a matching fastening component in the sense that they can comprise a material that is releasably engageable with fastening components 82 and 83. The fastening components match first and second 84 and 85 are desirably rectangular, when they may alternatively be square, round, oval, arched or otherwise shaped not rectangularly.

When the matching fastening components and fastening components 82-85 are releasably engaged, the lateral edges 36 of the absorbent arm in the crotch region 26 define the foot openings 52, and the waist edges 38 and 39 of the absorbent frame. including the waist end edges 72 of the side panels, define the waist opening 50. For an improved formation of the leg openings 52, it is desirable in some embodiments that the front side panels 34 are spaced apart from the rear side panels. 134 (see Figures 2 and 3). For example, the front side panels 34 may be longitudinally spaced from the rear side panels 134 by an equal distance of about 20% or greater, particularly from about 29 to about 60% by weight and more particularly from about 35 to about 50%, of the overall long dimension of the absorbent article.

When connected, the clamping components of the matching clamping components 82-85 form a resilient seam 88 (Figure 1). In the individual embodiments, each of the clamping components and clamping components 82-85 define dimension of length aligned generally parallel with the longitudinal 48 of the training underpants 20 and with width dimension aligned generally parallel with the transverse 49 of the underpants. For a child about 9 to about 15 kilograms, for example, length dimension of the fastening components and fastening components that match is desirably from about 5 to about 13 centimeters, such as about 10 centimeters. , and the width dimension desirably from about 0.5 to about d centimeters, such as about 1 centimeter. fastening components and fastening components that play desirably have a ratio of length to width about 2 or greater, such as from about 2 to about 25, and particularly about 5 or greater, such as about 5 to around 8 Resealable seams 88 desirably extend to the full distance between the waist opening 50 and the leg openings 52 when the fastening components 82-85 are engaged. More specifically, the resealable seams 88 can cover about 80 to 100%, particularly about 90 to about 90%, of distance between the waist opening 50 and each leg opening 52, whose distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis 48. To construct the seams 88 to extend essentially the full distance between the leg and waist openings 50 and 52, the fastening components 82-85 can be formed to cover about 80 to 100%, and m particularly about 90 to about 80 to 100%. 98%, distance between the waist end edge 70 and the leg end edge 72 of the side panels 34 and 134.

The absorbent frame 32 and the fastening system 80 together define a resilient underpants having waist opening 50 and a pair of leg openings 5 When the fastening system is engaged, it can be appreciated that the resorbable underpants include a pair of side panels elastomeric fronts 34 extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric rear side panels 134 extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of resilient seams 88 extending from the waist opening at each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and rear side panels, an elastomeric frontlet waistband 54 positioned in the front waist region positioned between the pair of elastomeric front side panels, an elastomeric waistband 56 affixed to the rear waist region and placed between the pair of elastomeric rear side panels, and a pair of my elastomeric legs 58 which partially enclose leg opening. Each elastomeric leg member 58 extends from the elastomeric front side panel and adjoins 34 in the front waist region 22 to the adjacent elastomeric poster side panel 134 in the posterior waist region An alternative training brief 300 and illustrated in a stretched condition and placed flat in FIG. 4. The training underpants 300 includes the panel members 302 and 304 which are respectively positioned in front and rear waist regions 22 and 24. The panel member 302 in the front waist region 22 forms the first and second side panels 310 and 312 that are attached to the front and rear waist regions. extend transversely outwardly from the composite structure 33 and absorbent assembly 44 (Figure 3). Similarly, the panel member 304 in the rear waist region 24 forms the first and second side panels 314 and 316 that extend transversely outward from the composite structure 3 of the absorbent assembly 44.

The training underpants 300 also include the first and second securing components 82 and 83 attached to the interior surface 28 of the rear attachment panels 316, and the first second matching components 84 and 85 attached to the exterior surface 30 of the front fastening panels 310 and 312. In a particulate embodiment the fastening components 82 and 83 comprise the curl type fasteners and the matching fastening components 8 85 comprise the fasteners of the hook type which is directed outward, away of the body to minimize chance of skin irritation.

The panel members 302 and 304 each comprise an integral part of a component of the composite structure 33, such as the side-to-body liner 42 or a c of the outer cover 40; or comprise a separating element attached to the composite structure; or comprise a plurality of layers, either integral parts, separate elements or combination thereof. Alternatively, the panel members 302 and 304 may represent parts of a single unitary member, such as a component of the composite structure 33, eg, an elastic or stretchable outer cover shown). The panel members 302 and 304 and thus side panels 310, 312, 314 and 316 can purchase any elastic or inelastic materials. Further reference to Figure 5, the panel members 30 304 in the illustrated embodiment comprise a plurality of elastomeric segments 320 positioned between the outer facing layer 322 and the inner facing layer 324.

The elastomeric segments 320 can be positioned and arranged so that the side panels 3 312, 314 and 316 have elastic properties in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis 49 of the training underpants 300. The elastomeric segments 320 can comprise the elastomeric films, the fabrics, the fibers or the like, and may comprise elastic materials similar to those described in relation to ot elastic components of the training underpants 20 300. The front layers 322 and 324 may comprise materials of the type described in relation to the body side liner 42, side panels 34 or the like.

An amplified plane view of a latch panel 34 of the type shown in Fig. 1 is illustrated in Fig. 6. Only the side panel 34 is shown in Fig. 6, it being understood that other side panels may employ similar construction. The side panel 34 may be attached to extend transversely beyond the side edge lin 47 of the composite structure 33 along the clamping line 66. The side panel 34 defines a distant edge that is spaced from the clamping line 66, a end leg leg 70 placed towards the longitudinal center of the training underpants 20, and a belt end edge 72 placed towards a longitudinal end of the training underpants.

In particular embodiments, the fastening component 85 is spaced inward from the distal edge and the end edges 70 and 72 in order to protect the user from irritation that may be caused by contact with fastening component. Specifically, the clamping component 85 may be spaced transversely to the side of the distant edge 68 in the region of the reference number 100. Also, the clamping component 85 may be longitudinally inward from the foot end edge 70 in the region of the reference number 102, and longitudinally inwardly spaced from the waist end edge 62 in the region of the reference number 104.

The degree of spacing balances the fact that a smaller distance is more difficult to remove for children and parents but provides a more garment appearance, while a greater distance is easier to remove for children and parents but provides an appearance loose that is not the type of garment. Therefore, clamping component 85 is desirably transversely inwardly spaced from the distal edge 68 about 1 to about 15 millimeters, particularly about 1 to about 5 millimeters, such as about 2 millimeters. The fastening component 85 is desirably spaced longitudinally inwardly from the leg end edge 70 and from the belt end edge 72 by about 2 millimeters or more, particularly around 5 millimeters or more, such as from about 5 around 15 mm.

. A single side panel 34 of an alternate disposable absorbent article is shown in Figure 7. Side panel 34 is attached to a composite structure 33 in a clamping line 66. The side panel 34 includes a distant edge 68 spaced transversely from the clamping line 66 and a leg end edge 70 and a waist end edge 72 extending from the composite structure to the distal edge. The side panel 34 illustrated in the Figure includes a first separate member 90, a second member 92, a third member 94 which are arranged in series from the clamping line 66 to the distal edge 68. The clamping component 83 is positioned on the third member. member 94 to one side distant bank 68.

The first member 90 is attached to the second member 92 in a seam 96, and the second member is attached to the third member 94 in a seam 98. The illustrated seams 96 and 98 extend from the leg end edge 70 end edge 72 side panel waist 34. Seams can be permanent seams or seams that can be torn manually. Suitable permanent seams can be formed by adhesives, sonic or thermal bonds, or some combination thereof, and are designed to resist tearing. Seams that can be manually torn can be formed using means such as the ultrasonic joints to allow the side panel 34 to be easily torn or along the seam by the caregiver. Such seams properly formed as lap seams or flap seams. In the particular embodiments, the pri and second members 90 and 92 comprise the elastomeric materials and third member 94 comprises a non-elastomeric material. Alternatively, the side panel may comprise two members one or both of which may be elastomeric, which is joined together at any other tearable seam or a permanent cost (not shown).

An additional alternative training briefs 400 is illustrated in a stretched and flat condition in Fig. 8. The training pant 400 includes an absorbent gun defining a longitudinal axis 48, a transverse shaft 49, the front and rear waist edges 38 and 39 parallel to the transverse axis, and the opposite lateral edges 36 extending between the front and rear waist edges. training underpants 400 has a front waist region 22 contiguous with the front waist edge 38, a rear waist register 24 contiguous with the waist edge poster 39 and a crotch region 26 which extends between interconnects the waist regions front and back. illustrated absorbent frame includes a composite rectangular structure 33, with a pair of elastomeric front side panels 34 attached to the composite structure in the front waist region 22 and a pair of elastomeric rear panels 134 attached to the composite structure in the rear waist region 24. Desirably, the side panels in the front waist region 22 are longitudinally spaced from the side panels 134 in the rear waist region 24.

The illustrated training brief 4 also includes a pair of support members 402 that are attached to and extending transversely outwardly from the rear side panels 134. The support members 4 desirably even though they do not necessarily comprise inelastic material that are attached to the side panels 134 on seams 402 using adhesives, sonic or thermal bonds, similar. Alternatively, the training underpants 4 may include the support members 402 that are attached to and extend transversely outwardly from both the front and rear side panels 34 and 134, or from the front side panels alone (not shown).

The clamping system for the training underpants 400 includes the first second clamping components 82 and 83 placed on the support members 402. clamping components 82 and 83 are adapted to releasably engage the clamping components making first and second 84 and 85 that are connected to the respective front side panels 34. The fastener components 82 and 83 may comprise the separate structures attached to support members 402 or may comprise integral portions of surfaces or regions of the support members. For example the support members 402 may comprise the rizo materials that function as the fastening components 82 and 83 for the improved manufacturing operation, the width of the elastomeric side panels 34 in the front belt region 22 is equal to the width of the panels. elastomeric latera 134 in the rear waist region 24. The an of the side panels 34 and 134 is represented in FIG. 8 by the arrow W and excludes the width of the pad members 402.

The training underpants 20, 300 and may include the releasable side seams (not shown for improved reliability of keeping the underpants in a presumed condition particularly when worn over or under the wearer's hips.) Such releasable side seams are desirably configured to be easily broken so that the caregiver can easily remove the training underpants 20 after it has been soiled.The desirable releasable side seams comprise the ultrasonic point seams The absorbent articles including such releasable side seals are further described in FIG. patent application of the United States of America series number 09 / 100,574 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Articles that Have Passive Side Unions Adjustable Clamping Systems" presented on June 19, 1998 by Elsberg which is incorporated herein by reference.

As described herein, the various components of the training underpants 20, 300 and 400 can be integrally assembled together using various types of suitable holding means, such as adhesive, sonic thermal or combinations thereof.

It will be appreciated that the details of prior incorporations, given for purposes of illustration, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible without departing materially from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Therefore, all those modifications are intended to be included within the scope of invention, which is defined in the following claims and in all equivalents thereof. Furthermore, it is recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not have all the advantages of some embodiments, particularly the preferred embodiments, but that the absence of particular advantage should not be considered as necessarily signifying that such incorporation is outside the scope of the present invention.

Claims (29)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S
1. An absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent frame defining a longitudinal, a transverse axis, the front and rear waist edges parallel to the transverse axis, the opposite side edges extending between the rear waistband edges, a front waist region contiguous with the waist edge frontal, a posterior waist region contiguous to the posterior waist edge, and a crotch region extending between and interconnecting the frontal and posterior belt regions, the frontal waist region defines a transversely opposite frontal side panels and front center panel positioned between and interconnecting the front side panels, the back waist region defines a pair of transversely opposite rear side panels and a rear center panel positioned between interconnecting the rear side panels, thus a pair of said side panels being elastomeric in a direction generally parallel to the transverse direction, Absorbent frame comprises a side-to-body liner, or outer cover attached to the liner from side to body, and an absorbent assembly positioned between the side-to-body liner and outer cover; and a fastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in a standard configuration of briefs, the fastening system comprises the first and second fastening components placed on the rear side panels and adapted to releasably engage the fastening components that match first and then placed on the front side panels; wherein the transverse distance between first and second fastening components is essentially equal to the transverse distance between the fastening components matching first and second.
2. 2. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that each side panel has a waist end edge parallel to the transverse and forms part of one of the waist edges and end edge of the opposite leg and each elastomeric side panel from the end edge of the waist to the extreme edge of the leg.
3. 3. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that each of panels comprises an elastomeric material and is elastomeric in direction generally parallel to the transverse axis.
4. 4. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the absorbent article comprises elastomeric components positioned transversally between the fastening components and the absorbent assembly.
5. 5. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that they further comprise the elastic leg members aligned longitudinally along each side edge in the crotch region, the leg elastic members having the front end points located on one side of the longitudinally most internal parts of the front side panels and the rear end points are located longitudinally on one side of the innermost parts of the rear side panels.
6. 6. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the absorbent article has an overall length dimension and the side panels have an average length dimension that is about 20% or greater than the overall length dimension.
7. 7. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the absorbent framework defines an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, and the first and second fastening components comprise the terry-type fasteners placed on the inner surface and the components of First and second grip that comprise the ri type fasteners placed on the outer surface.
8. 8. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the curl-type fasteners are larger in size than the matching hook-type fasteners.
9. 9. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the pant configuration defines a waist opening and leg openings and the engagement of the fastening components and the fastening components that match define resonable costuries covering around 90 to about 98% distance between the waist opening and the leg openings
10. 10. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the first and second fastening components are placed in the waist region rearwardly abutting the rear waist edge and the first and second matching fastening components are placed on the rear side. Front waist region butt with front waist edge.
11. 11. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that each of the first and second fastening components define a length dimension that is generally aligned parallel to the longitudinal, a width dimension, and a length-to-width ratio of about 2 or more
12. 12. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that each of the first and second matching fastening components define a length dimension that is generally aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis as a dimension of width and proportion of length to width of around 2 or greater.
13. 13. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that each of the first and second fastening components and each of fastening components that match first and second have a length to width ratio of about 5 or greater.
14. 14. An absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent frame defining a longitudinal, a transverse axis, the front and rear waist edges parallel to the transverse axis, the opposite side edges extending between the rear waistband edges, a front waist region contiguous with the waist edge frontal, a posterior waist region contiguous to the posterior waist edge, and a crotch region extending between and interconnecting the frontal and posterior belt regions, the absorbent frame comprises: a rectangular composite structure having opposite linear side edges parallel to the longitudinal axis and the opposite linear end edges parallel to the transverse, the composite structure comprises a liner to the body, an outer cover attached to the body side liner, and an absorbent assembly placed between the lining of the body and the outer cover; the front side panels first and second attached to the composite structure in the front waist region the first second rear side panels attached to the composite structure in the posterior belt region; a fastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in the panty configuration, the fastening system comprises the first and second fastening components connected to the first and second rear side panels and adapted to releasably engage said fastening components that make the fastening components first and second connected to the respective first and second front side panels; Y the elastomeric components fit transversely between the clamping components and the absorbent cu; wherein the transverse distance between first and second fastening components is essentially i at the transverse distance between the fastening components matching first and second.
15. 15. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the first and second fastening components are positioned and the waist region abutting against the rear flange edge and the matching fastening components pri and second are placed in the fastening region. frontal waist region a with the front waist edge.
16. 16. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that each side p has a waist end edge parallel to the transverse and forms part of one of the waist edges and end edge of the opposite leg, and each elastomeric side panel from the edge of the waist end to the end leg.
17. 17. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the front side panels are longitudinally spaced from the rear side panels.
18. 18. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the absorbent article has an overall length dimension and the side panels have an average length dimension that is about 20% or greater than the overall length dimension.
19. 19. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the absorbent framework defines an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, and the first and second fastening components comprise the terry-type fasteners placed on the inner surface and the components of The first and second threads comprise the ganc-type fasteners placed on the outer surface, the terry-type fasteners being of larger size than the matching hook-and-loop fasteners.
20. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the configuration of the pants defines a waist opening and leg openings and the engagement of the fastening components and of the matching fastening components defines respectable seams, the seams Resubotables cover about 90 to about 98% of the distance between the waist opening and the leg openings.
21. 21. An absorbent article, comprising: s an absorbent frame defining a longitudinal, a transverse axis, the first and second waist edges parallel to the transverse axis, the opposite side edges extending between the first second waist edges, a first region of waist contiguous with the first waist edge, a second waist region contiguous with second waist edge, and a crotch region which extends between and interconnects the first second waist regions, the absorbent frame comprises: a rectangular composite structure having opposite linear side edges parallel to the longitudinal axis and the opposite linear end edges parallel to the transverse, the composite structure comprises a liner to the body, an outer cover attached to the body side liner, and an absorbent assembly placed between the lining of the body and the outer cover; the first second elastomeric side panels attached to the composite structure in the first waist region; the first second elastomeric side panels attached to the composite structure in the second waist region; the support members attached to and extending transversely outward from the first and second elastomeric side panels in the second belt region Y a fastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in the panting configuration, the fastening system comprises the first and second fastening components placed on the support members and adapted to releasably engage the first and second matching fastening components placed on the first and second elastomeric side panels respective the first joining region; wherein the elastomeric side panels in the first waist region are elastically spaced the elastomeric side panels in the second waist region, and the width of the elastomeric side panels in the first waist region is the same as the width of the elastomeric side panels in the waist region. second waist region.
22. 22. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 21, further characterized by porq comprises support members attached to and extending transversely outwardly from the first and second elastomeric side panels in the first belt region where the fastening components that match first second. they are placed on the support members in the first waist region.
23. 23. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the first and second fastening components comprise the integral parts of the support members.
24. 24. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the support members comprise a terry material.
25. 25. A disposable absorbent article, comprising an absorbent frame and a fastening system for releasably fastening a front waist region of the absorbent frame to a rear waist region of the absorbent weapon to define a resilient trouser having a waist opening and a pair of openings of leg, the resubstable lime comprises: a pair of elastomeric non-woven front side panels extending from the belt opening to each leg opening; a pair of elastomeric non-woven back side panels extending from the belt opening to each leg opening; a pair of restrainable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, the resilient seam is positioned between an elastomeric front side panel and an elastomeric back side panel; Y a pair of elastomeric leg members which partially surround each leg opening.
26. 26. The disposable absorbent article such and c is claimed in clause 25, characterized in that the resusable lime further comprises: an elastomeric front waistband placed in the front waist region and placed between the pair of elastomeric front side panels; Y an elastomeric posterior waistband placed in the posterior waist region and placed between the elastomeric rear side panel pair.
27. 27. The disposable absorbent article such and co is claimed in clause 25, characterized in that the elastomeric leg member extends to one side of an elastomeric front side pan in the front waist region on the side of the elastomeric side panel in the posterior waist region. .
28. 28. The disposable absorbent article such and co is claimed in clause 25, characterized in that the absorbent article has an overall length dimension, the front side panels are longitudinally spaced from the rear side panels, and the rear front side panels have a length dimension average that is around 20% or greater of the overall length dimension.
29. 29. A training underpants to be used in a child's toilet training, which includes an absorbent frame defining a longitudinal ej, a transverse axis, a dimension of overall length parallel to the longitudinal axis, the front and rear belt edges parallel to the transverse axis, the opposite lateral edges extending between the front and rear belt edges , a contiguous frontal waist region c the front waist edge, a waist region posteriori contiguous with the rear waist edge, and a crotch region which extends between and interconnects the front and back waist regions, the absorbent frame comprising a rectangular composite structure having the opposite linear lateral edges parallel to the longitudinal axis and the opposite linear end edges parallel to the transverse e, the composite structure comprising: (a) a liquid permeable body side liner; (b) an outer liquid-impervious cover attached to the liner side to body, the outer cover comprises an inner layer impermeable to the liquid and a woven outer layer; (c) a graphic exterior cover affixed to the outer cover; (d) an absorbent assembly comprising hydrophilic fibers placed between the liner on the body and the outer shell; Y (e) the elastic leg members align longitudinally along the lateral edges of the composite structure; the front panels first and second joined the composite structure in the front waist region, c front side panel has a distant edge, an inner pa between the distant edge and the composite structure, waist end edge parallel to the transverse axis and forms part of the front waist edge, and an end leg leg that forms part of the side edge, front side panels have an average length dimension that is about 20% or greater than the overall length dimension of the absorbent article; the first second rear side panels attached to the composite structure in the rear waist region and longitudinally spaced from the first and second front side panels, each rear side panel ti a distant shore, an interior part between the far side and a composite structure, a waist end edge parallel to the transverse axis and forming part of the rear waist edge, and a leg end edge that forms part of the side edge, the rear side panels have an average length dimension that is around 20 % or greater than the overall length dimension of the absorbent article, and an elastomeric material placed between the non-woven front caps in at least the inner portions for making the elastomeric side panels in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis; Y a fastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in a type configuration of pants having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, the fastening system comprises the first and second fastening components adapted to releasably engage the fastening components that As a first and second set, the first second fastening components are connected to the respective first and second rear side panels on one side of the distant edges of the fastening components that match first and as connected to the respective first second front side panels. on one side of the distant edges, the fastening components and the fastening components that each play together comprise mechanical fasteners having a length-to-width ratio of about 5 or greater, and engaging the fastening components and fasteners. Matching fastening components define respectable seams That cubes about 80 to 100% of the distance between the waist openings and the leg openings. E U M E N A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent frame and a fastening system that together define restractable underpants. The resilient underpants include a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric rear side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a p of resastenable seams that they extend from the waist opening to each leg opening and placed between the elastomeric front and rear side panels. The transverse distance between the first and second fastening components on the rear side panels is essentially equal to the transverse distance between the fastening components q matching first and second on the front side panels.