MXPA04001180A

MXPA04001180A - Mechanical fastening system having orthogonally oriented engagement members.

Info

Publication number: MXPA04001180A
Application number: MXPA04001180A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Casson Kenneth
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Co
Priority date: 2001-08-20
Filing date: 2002-08-20
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: JP2004538070A; EP1423026A1; CA2457450A1; BR0211755A; WO2003015560A1; CN1538817A

Abstract

A selectively releasable, interengaging fastening system that may be used for a variety of articles such as, for example, shoes, garments, disposable absorbent products such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence products and the like. The fastening system includes a first fastener component that can constitute at least a first portion of an article. The first fastener component includes an engagement section having a plurality of substantially non-isotropic engagement members such that the engagement section has an axis of substantially maximal engagement. The fastening system also includes a cooperating fastener component that may constitute at least a second portion of an article such that the first and second portions of the article are capable of being joined by movement of the respective components together generally along an attachment direction into an overlapping and interengaging configuration. The first fastener component is oriented so its axis of substantially maximal engagement is generally orthogonal to the attachment direction. This configuration causes the first fastener component to become more interengaged with the cooperating fastener component as the article is subjected to various forces such as, for example, the type of forces encountered by the fastening system when used on a disposable personal care product that is worn.

Description

Published; For two-lettering codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-, - with International search report" Notes on Codes and Abbreviations "appearing at the beginning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette. 1 SYSTEM. OF MECHANICAL CLAMPING WHICH HAS ORTOGONAL ORIENTALLY ORIENTED ENGAGEMENT MEMBERS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to fastening systems for garments and other articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to fastening systems of mechanical interlocking type which can be employed with disposable articles, such as suits, diapers, incontinence garments and the like.

Background Absorbent personal care articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads and the like can be secured around a wearer or an undergarment to keep the article in a proper position during use. These articles often employ appendages of adhesive, wings or fins, garment fastening adhesives and / or similar systems. If the article is secured to an undergarment, it may employ wings or fins that use adhesive to secure the end of the wing or the flap to the undergarment. 2 Even with the combination of wings / fins and fastening adhesives, users may find it difficult to keep the item in position. This problem is particularly evident when the wearer is physically active or when the heat, moisture and / or wetness weaken the adhesive used to secure the article.

Although different types of fastening systems such as belts, fasteners or the like are known, these systems increase the cost and complexity of the article as well as the difficulty for the wearer to fasten or apply the absorbent article.

Mechanical restraint systems appear on some commercially available personal care items. Typically, a conventional mechanical fastening system of a type of hooks and curls is used on the wings or fins of a product. However, these conventional systems can be disengaged when stresses are applied to the article over time. These tensions can be caused by a wide range of movements of the user, unusual movements, intense activity, such as exercise and / or bulging or twisting of the product for personal care. 3 Summary The present invention relates to the problems discussed above by providing an inter-engaging fastening system that can be selectively released and that can be used for a variety such as, for example, shoes, garments, disposable absorbent products such as disposable diapers, towels sanitary, incontinence products and the like.

The fastening system includes a first fastening component that can constitute at least a first part of an article. The first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic engaging members so that the latching section has an essentially maximum latching axis.

The fastening system also includes a cooperating fastener component that can constitute at least a second part of an article so that the first and second parts of the article are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along the length of the article. a clamping direction in an overlapping or interengaging configuration.

According to the present invention, the first fastening component is oriented so that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the fastening direction. Although the inventors do not wish to be bound by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that this configuration causes the first fastener component to become more interengaged with the cooperating fastener component when the article is subjected to various forces such as, for example, the type of forces encountered by the restraint system when used in a disposable personal care product that is used.

In one aspect of the invention, each essentially non-isotropic engaging member may have a shank portion with a distal end region and a securing element positioned in the distal end region of its corresponding shank portion.

Desirably, the latching section has a maximum latching axis and a generally perpendicular minimal latching axis.

In an embodiment of the invention, the cooperating fastener component can be essentially non-isotropic and includes an essentially maximum engagement axis. For example, the essentially maximum engagement axis of the essentially non-isotropic engagement section and the essentially maximum engagement axis of the essentially non-isotropic engaging fastening component can both be essentially parallel and each generally oriented orthogonal to the clamping direction.

According to the invention, at least one of the first part of the second part of the article on which the fastening system is placed or included can be a segment having a fixed end attached to an article body and a free end .

Generally speaking, the cooperating fastener component can be a curl material, such as, for example, a woven, knitted or nonwoven curl material. For example, the nonwoven web material may be a non-patterned material such as, for example, the material described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,858,515 and / or 5,763,041, the contents of which are incorporated herein. by reference.

In one aspect of the invention, the fastening system may also be used to secure an article in a convenient configuration for its arrangement.

In another aspect of the invention, the fastening system also provides ease of use of or benefits of the application. In particular, the wings can be 6 engaged on the side of the topsheet or the side to the body of the sanitary pad or of the incontinence article while the strip of peeling that protects the garment adhesive is removed. The article can then be placed in position on an undergarment and then the wings can be hooked.

The present invention also encompasses an article that includes the fastening system. The article may have a longitudinal direction in the direction of the length, a lateral cross direction and a longitudinal line extending longitudinally. The article may include a first part of the article; a second part of article, and at least one inter-engaging fastening system and that can be released selectively to secure the first article part to the second part of article as described herein.

The selectively released interengaging fastener system may include: (a) At least one first fastener component that can form at least one section of the first article part, the first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic latch members so that the section coupling has an essentially maximum coupling shaft; and (b) at least one cooperating fastener component that can form at least a section of the second article part so that the first and second article parts are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along a clamping direction in an overlapping and interengaging configuration. According to the present invention, the first fastening component is oriented to its essentially maximum engagement axis and is generally orthogonal to the clamping direction.

Desirably, the first fastener component can extend across the width and / or length dimension of the first article part. For example, if the first article part is a wing or fin, the first fastener component may extend through the wing of the fin generally along the longitudinal axis of the product. More desirably, the first fastener component can be a flexible component that extends through the wing or fin and is flexible enough to bend, or otherwise flex with, the fin or wing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of a first flexible fastener component to extend through at least the longitudinal direction or dimension of a relatively more flexible wing or fin helps to alleviate the twisting of the fins resulting in wear, wrinkling and fastener failure because the fastener holding system 8 is very weak or loose. In addition, extending a first flexible fastener component through at least the longitudinal direction or dimension of a relatively more flexible wing or fin avoids the problems associated with a discrete, small first fastener component centered on the fin. Such a small and discrete first fastener component tends to develop a centered moment on the fastener (which serves as an axis) when the forces orthogonal to the dimension or longitudinal direction are applied through normal use. This typically leads to twisting and wrinkling of the fins and tends to reduce the performance dependent on the fit of a personal care product incorporating such a fastening system.

The same orthogonal forces are present with the present invention utilizing a first flexible fastening component that extends through essentially the longitudinal direction or dimension of a relatively more flexible fin or wing. However, when the moment is formed with the first "essentially continuous" fastener component in place, the moment is diminished by a static force in the opposite direction. This reduces the twisting and wrinkling of the fins in the absorbent personal care products compared to the fins in the absorbent personal care products that have the same construction but in which the first "essentially continuous" fastener component 9 is replaced. for a discreet and small first fastener component.

The article may further include essentially non-isotropic engaging members having a shank portion with a distal end region and a securing element positioned in the distal end region of its corresponding shank portion. This engaging section of the first fastener component can have a maximum hitch axis and a generally perpendicular shaft of minimum hitch. The cooperating fastener component may also be essentially non-isotropic and have an axis of essentially maximum engagement.

At least one of the first article part and the second article part can be an appendage, an ear, a wing or a wing type element or segment having a free end and a fixed end attached to a body of Article .

In one embodiment, the first part of the article can provide a first waistband part. The second part of the article can provide a second waistband part. The article may also have an intermediate part which interconnects said first and second waistband parts. The article may also include a lower sheet layer; an upper sheet layer permeable to liquid 10 essentially; and an absorbent body positioned in the form of a sandwich between said lower sheet layer and said upper sheet layer. Generally speaking, this article may be in the form of a disposable diaper, incontinence pant, training underpants or other similar structure.

In yet another embodiment, the first article part and the second article part each can provide the respective first and second fin portions, each fin part having a first free end and a fixed end attached to an intermediate part which interconnects the first and second fin parts. The article may also include a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer essentially permeable to liquid; and an absorbent body positioned between said lower sheet layer and the upper sheet layer. Generally speaking, this article may be in the form of a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a similar structure.

Of course, the fastening system may also be adapted to secure the article in a convenient configuration for disposal.

The present invention also encompasses a selectively released inter-engaging fastening system for a disposable sanitary napkin. The fastening system includes a first fastener component that can form at least a first part of the sanitary napkin. The first fastener component may include a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic latch members such that the latching section has an essentially maximum latch shaft. The fastening system may also include a fastener and cooperating component that can form at least a second part of the sanitary napkin so that the first and second portions of the sanitary napkin are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along a joining direction in an overlapping and interengaging configuration. According to the invention, the first fastening component is oriented such that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the fastening direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first part and the second part of the sanitary napkin can each provide the first and second fin portions of the sanitary napkin. Each fin portion may have a free end and a fixed end attached to an intermediate portion interconnecting the first and second fin portions. The sanitary napkin may further include a lower sheet layer, an upper sheet layer essentially liquid permeable; and an absorbent body placed in the form of a sandwich between the lower sheet layer and the upper sheet layer.

The present invention also encompasses a sanitary napkin that includes the selectively releasable inter-engaging restraint system described herein.

In one embodiment, the interengangable fastening system that can be selectively released can include a first flange extending from the first longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin and a second flange extending from the second longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin. Each of the wings can have a fixed end and a free end.

On first fastener component can form at least a part of at least the first wing. The first fastener component may have a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic latch members so that the latching section has an essentially maximum latch shaft.

A fastener and cooperating component can form at least a portion of at least the second wing so that the first and second wings of the sanitary napkin are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along a clamping direction in an overlapping and interengaging configuration. According to the invention, the first fastening component is oriented such that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the fastening direction.

In one aspect of the invention, both the first wing and the second wing can include the first fastener component and the cooperating fastener component. In another aspect of the invention, at least one wing includes perforation lines adjacent its fixed end to provide rapid removal of the towel by breaking the wing along the perforation lines.

The present invention is also directed to an inter-engaging fastening system that can be selectively released for a disposable personal care product, in which the fastening system includes: a first fastening component comprising a latching section having a plurality of coupling members; and a cooperating fastener component; so that the fastening system is adapted to become more interengaged when the disposable personal care product is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present description 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 the drawings in which: Figure A is an illustration of an example article incorporating an exemplary fastening system of the invention; Figure IB is an illustration of an exemplary article incorporating an example fastening system of invention; Figure 1C is an illustration of an example article that incorporates an exemplary fastening system of the invention as it is used with an undergarment; Figure ID is an illustration of an exemplary article incorporating the exemplary fastening system of the invention - with the bottom sheet of the article facing up; Figure ID 'is an illustration of an exemplary article incorporating an exemplary fastening system of the invention - with the bottom sheet of the article facing up; Figure 1E is an illustration of a part an example article incorporating an example fastening system of the invention - with the bottom sheet of the article face up; fifteen Figure 2A is an illustration of an example article incorporating an exemplary fastening system of the invention.

Figure 2B is an illustration of an exemplary article incorporating an exemplary fastening system of the invention as it is fastened to form a diaper, training pant or large incontinence article.

Figure 3A is an illustration of an exemplary non-isotropic coupling member which can be employed with the present invention; Figure 3B is an illustration of an exemplary non-isotropic coupling member which may be employed with the present invention; Fig. 3B 'representatively shows a top view of the latch member of Fig. 3B; Figure 3C is an illustration of an exemplary non-isotropic coupling member which can be employed with the present invention; Figure 3C representatively shows a top view of the hook member of Figure 3C; Figure 3D is an illustration of an exemplary non-isotropic hitch member which may be employed with the present invention.

Figure 3E is an illustration of an exemplary non-isotropic coupling member which can be employed with the present invention.

Figure 4A-B are graphical representations of data from Table 1.

Figures 5A-B are graphic representations of the data of Table 1; Figures 6A-B are photomicrographs of an exemplary non-isotropic coupling member which may be employed with the present invention.

Figures 7 and 8 are photomicrographs of exemplary cooperating fastener members (e.g., curl materials) that can be used with the present invention.

Fig. 9 is an illustration of an aspect of an inter-engaging fastening system.

Figure 10 is an illustration of an aspect of the present invention.

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 or sanitary napkin. However, it will be readily apparent that the present invention can be employed with other items such as caps, suits, shoe covers, women's care items, 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 for reuse. A disposable diaper is discarded after it has been soiled by the wearer.

With reference to the figures, an article, such as a sanitary napkin 10 illustrated in Figures 2A-E (or a disposable diaper 10 'illustrated in Figures 2? -?) Has a longitudinal direction in the direction of the length 26., a lateral transverse direction 24 and a longitudinal line extending longitudinally 40. The article includes a first article part, a second article part and at least one fastener 36 for securing the first article part to the second part of the article. Article. Such assurance may, for example, be configured to support the article on a user. The fastener desirably includes at least a first fastener component 70 attached to a designated section of the first (or second) article part, and a cooperating fastener component 72 attached to the second (or the first) article part. The first fastening component 70 includes a latching section having a first plurality of latching members 56. Each latching member 56 has a shank portion 58 with a distal end region 44, and has at least one latching element 60. placed in its corresponding distant end region. The plurality of coupling members has a pattern of arrangement of its securing elements. It is contemplated that multiple pluralities of engaging members may be used, each with a different pattern of latching their securing elements.

Another aspect of the invention can provide an article in which the fastening component can include a latching section having a plurality of non-isotropic latching members. Each non-isotropic hitch member may have a shank portion 58 with a distal end portion 44, an assurance element that depends on the direction 60 which is not isotropically positioned in a far end region of its corresponding shank portion 19 58 to provide a non-isotropic engagement opening. The plurality of non-isotropic engaging members may have a pattern of alignment of their latching openings. It is contemplated that the multiple pluralities of the members. non-isotropic latches can be used and different alignment patterns of their latching openings are possible.

In particular configurations, a majority of the non-isotropic engagement members have their engagement apertures directed essentially orthogonal to a fastening direction. Generally speaking, the clamping direction in which the respective first and second parts of the article are put together in an overlapping and interengaging relationship. Therefore, in FIGS. 1 and 2 the clamping direction is generally an address having a vector component in the transverse direction along the lateral direction 24 and towards the midline 40 of the article. Therefore, the plurality of the non-isotropic engaging members would have their engagement openings directed essentially parallel with the midline 40 of the article.

In the various aspects of the invention, the individual hitch members are typically flexible and resilient, but will essentially retain their initial shape during ordinary use. When flexed or shaped during ordinary use, the engaging members will essentially avoid plastic deformation to sustain deformation instead of essentially returning "jumping back" to their original orientations and shape.

The various aspects (individual and combination) of the present invention can advantageously help to better maintain the desired notch around the user or user. For example, aspects of the invention may help reduce the sagging or sagging of the crotch region of the garment, and may help reduce the roll and fall in the waist region. The incorporation of the various aspects of the fastening system of the invention can provide an improved securement with a greater resistance to premature openings and can also help to provide an improved notch, greater comfort and reduced irritation of the wearer's skin.

The article of the invention can, for example, as a disposable diaper. In desired aspects of the invention, the first part of the article may provide a posterior waistband portion, and the second part of the article may provide a second front waistband portion. In addition, the article may have an intermediate or crotch part which interconnects between the first and second waistband portions, respectively. The diaper may further include a lower sheet layer, a liquid permeable upper sheet layer connected and assembled in a face relationship with the lower sheet layer and an absorbent structure, such as a structure which includes the absorbent body. The absorbent structure is placed in sandwich form between the lower sheet and upper sheet layers, and is operably held between them. A fastening system, such as the system including the fastener, is typically constructed and arranged to interconnect the first waistband portion with the second waistband portion to hold the article over a wearer. The fastening system can be operatively configured to attach the first rear waistband portion in an overlapping relationship with the second front waistband in a back-to-front arrangement to thereby encircle the wearer's body and keep the diaper secure on the wearer during the use. Optionally, the fastening system may employ fasteners that are configured to attach the front waistband portion in an overlapping relationship with the rear waistband portion in a front-to-back arrangement to secure the diaper. In such optional arrangements, the frontal waistband region may be identified as the first waistband portion and the waistband posterior region may be identified as the second waistband portion.

Figures 1A-E are illustrations of an exemplary sanitary napkin with fasteners 36 in the form of wings or fins. At least a first fastening component 70 is attached to the flange 36 and at least one engaging fastening component 72 is attached to the opposite flange 36. In some embodiments of the invention, the first fastening component 70 and the engaging fastening component 72 it can be attached to each wing so that the wings can be held without concern of wing overlap in any particular order. In still other embodiments, the wing can be partially or completely formed by the cooperating fastening component 72. Figure 1C is an illustration of the sanitary napkin with its wings 36 or fins secured around a panty or undergarment "P". Arrows marked "A" generally represent the attachment direction. Arrows marked "O" generally represent the direction that is orthogonal to the grip direction. It should be understood that this orthogonal direction is thought to be generally or essentially along or in the plane of the article even though in some specific cases, it includes a component in the minor Z-direction.

According to the invention, the first fastening component must be configured to have a maximum engagement axis. This can be achieved by using a plurality of engaging members 56 that are not isotropic (eg, anisotropic) or non-symmetric. When the maximum latch axis of the first fastener component is oriented to be generally orthogonal to the clamping direction (ie, the direction of each fastener component is generally put together to effect an overlap latch), it has been unexpectedly found that the of clamping is adapted to become more interenganchado when the product is used. For example, the peel force and cutting force as determined using standard testing procedures before use of the article are greater for fastening systems in which the maximum engagement axis of the first fastener component is oriented in the direction of and is lower for fastening systems in which the maximum engagement axis of the first fastener component is oriented orthogonal to the clamping direction.

When the peel strength and the shear force were measured after use, the values increased for both orientations. However, the values of peel force and shear force measured for the clamping systems in which the maximum engagement axis of the first fastener component is oriented orthogonal to the clamping direction were greater than those measured for clamping systems in which the maximum engagement axis of the first fastener component is oriented in the clamping direction.

The data showed this result and they are in the attached table 1 and are shown graphically in figures 4A-B and 5A-B.

The following is a brief description of the direction of orientation with respect to the longitudinal direction 24 in the direction of the length 26 and the lateral transverse direction shown in Figures 1A, ID and ID '. In an exemplary sanitary towel, the orientation of the maximum engagement axis of the first fastening component in the clamping direction means orienting the first fastening component so that its maximum engagement axis is in the transverse direction to the machine or in the transverse direction side 24 shown in FIGS. 1A, ID AND ID '. Therefore, for that sanitary napkin, the orientation of the maximum hitch axis of the first fastener component generally orthogonal to the fastening direction meant orienting the first fastener component so that its maximum hitch axis was in the machine direction or in the direction of the Longitudinal direction in longitudinal direction 26 shown in Figures 1A, ID and ID '.

The figure ID shows an embodiment of the invention in which a first fastening component 70 is fixed to a wing or fin 36 - and a cooperating fastening component 72 is fixed or integrated to a corresponding wing or fin 36. Figure ID 'illustrates an embodiment in wherein a first fastener component is fixed to each fin or flange 36 and a cooperating fastener component is present on each fin or flange 36 as well. Figure 1E illustrates the embodiment in Figure ID 'so that the first fastener components 70 and the cooperating fastener components 72 on each wing or fin 36 are more visible. More particularlyFigure 1E shows a wing pair or wings 36 each having a first fastening component 70 fixed to the wing such as to face the separator or stripping strip of an article as well as a cooperating fastening component 72 fixed to or integrated with the wing so as to face the opposite side of the wing (for example the side of the wing facing away from the separator or the strip of skin).

Figure 2 is an illustration of an example diaper with fasteners 36 in the shape of the appendages or ears extending from a waistband section of the diaper. At least a first fastener component is attached to the ear 36 and at least one engaging fastener component 72 is attached to a corresponding portion of the diaper so that the diaper can be configured to be used as shown, as for example in the figure 2A. The arrows marked "A" generally represent the holding direction.

The diaper 10 can typically include a topsheet permeable to the porous liquid 28; a bottom sheet essentially impermeable to liquid 30; an absorbent body structure 32 positioned and connected between the upper sheet and the lower sheet; an emergence management part 46 located on one side of the absorbent structure; and a system of elastomeric gathering members, such as a system that includes the leg elastics 34 and the waist elastics 42. In the emergence management part 26 is placed in communication of the liquid with a designated holding or storage part. of the absorbent structure, and the topsheet 28, the bottomsheet 30, the absorbent structure 32, the emergence management portion 46 and the elastic members 34 and 42 can be assembled together in a variety of well-known diaper configurations. The diaper may additionally include a system of containment flaps 62, and a system of ear region or side panel members 38, which may be elastized or otherwise made elastomeric.

Various techniques for forming the desired fastening systems are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,399,217 to T. Roessler et al., Entitled METHOD FOR MAKING A CLAMPING SYSTEM FOR A DYNAMIC ENTALLE DIAPER, which was granted on 21 March 1995 (lawyer's case No. 11186); Patent Application Serial No. 286,086 of D. Fries, entitled A PROCESS FOR ASSEMBLING STAGED EARS PORTIONS and filed on August 3, 1994 (attorney's issue number 11,169) which corresponds to the patent of the United States of America number 5, 540,796; and in the patent application of the United States of America series number 08 / 415,383 of D. Fries, entitled A ASSEMBLY PROCESS FOR A LAMINATED TAPE and filed on April 3, 1995 (attorney's issue number 11,950), which corresponds to U.S. Patent No. 5,595,618. The descriptions of the 27 documents described above are incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent (not in conflict) with the same.

The diaper 10 generally defines the longitudinally extending length direction 26 and the laterally extending width direction 24, as representatively shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The diaper can have any desired shape such as the rectangular, the shape And, a generally hourglass shape; or a T-shape. With the T-shape, the cross-bar of the diaper may comprise the front waistband portion of the diaper, or alternatively may comprise the rear waistband portion of the diaper.

The topsheet 28 and the bottomsheet 30 may be generally coextensive, and may have length and width dimensions which are generally larger than and extend beyond the corresponding dimensions of the absorbent structure 32 to provide the corresponding side margins. 20 to the end margins 22. Optionally, the top sheet and bottom sheet layers may not be coextensive. The upper sheet 28 is operatively associated with the lower sheet 30 and over imposed on it, thereby defining the periphery of the diaper. The waistband regions comprise those portions of the diaper, which when worn, completely or partially cover or enclose the waist or mid-lower torso of the wearer. The intermediate crotch region 16 lies between and interconnects the 28 waistband regions 14 and 12 and comprises that portion of the diaper which, when worn, is placed between the wearer's legs and covers the lower torso of the wearer. Thus, the intermediate crotch region 16 is an area where repeated fluid surges typically occur in the diaper or other disposable absorbent article.

The lower sheet 30 can typically be located along a surface on the exterior side of the absorbent body 32 and may be composed of a liquid-permeable material, but desirably comprises a material which is configured to be essentially impermeable to liquids. For example, a typical bottom sheet can be made of a thin plastic film, or of another material essentially impermeable to flexible liquid. 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 lower sheet 30 prevents the exudates contained in the body 32 from wetting the articles, such as the bed sheets and the overbeds, which make contact with the diaper 10. In particular embodiments of the invention, the lower sheet 30 may include a film, such as a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 millimeters to about 0.051 millimeters. For example, the lower sheet film may have a thickness of about 1.25 mils. 29 The alternate constructions of the lower sheet may comprise a woven or nonwoven fibrous fabric layer which has been constructed or treated in whole or in part to impart the desired levels of liquid impermeability to the selected regions that are adjacent to or close to the absorbent body. For example, the lower sheet may include a layer of gas impermeable nonwoven fabric laminated to a layer of polymer film which may or may not be gas permeable. Other examples of the fibrous cloth type sheet materials may comprise a stretched or thinned and stretched thermal laminate material of a 0.015 millimeter thick polypropylene blown film and a polypropylene yarn bonded material of 23.8 grams per square meter (fibers of 2 denier). The material of this type forms the outer cover of a disposable HÜGGIES SUPREME diaper which is commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation. The lower 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 lower sheet.

The lower sheet 30 can alternatively include a "breathable" microporous material which allows gases, such as water vapor, to escape from the absorbent body 32 while essentially preventing liquid exudates from passing through the body. 30 bottom sheet. For example, the bottom breathable sheet may be composed of a microporous polymer film or a non-woven fabric which has been coated or otherwise modified to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability. For example, a suitable microporous film can be an MP-1 material which is available from Mitsui Toatsu Chemical, Inc., a company having offices in Tokyo, Japan; or from a polyolefin film XKO-8044 available from 3M Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The lower sheet can also be engraved or otherwise provided with a matte pattern or finish to exhibit a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. , < The various configurations of the invention 'wherein a component such as the lower sheet 30 or the containment fins 62 are configured to be gas permeable while having a limited resistance and permeability to the aqueous liquid, the liquid resistant material may have a construction which is capable of sustaining a hydro head of at least about 45 centimeters of water essentially without the runoff through it. A suitable technique to determine the resistance of the material to the penetration of the liquid the federal standard test method FTMS 191 Method 5514, 1978, or an equivalent thereof.

The upper sheet 28 presents a face surface to the body which is docile, of soft feeling and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 28 can be less hydrophilic than the absorbent body 32, and is sufficiently porous to be permeable to the liquid, allowing the liquid to easily penetrate through its thickness to reach the absorbent body. A suitable top sheet layer 28 can be manufactured from a wide selection of woven materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. of polyester or polypropylene) or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The top sheet layer 28 is typically employed to help isolate the user's skin from liquids maintained in the absorbent body 32.

Various woven and non-woven fabrics for the topsheet 28. For example, the topsheet may be composed of a meltblown or spunbond fabric of the desired fibers, and may also be a bonded and knitted fabric. 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 32 which is formed without the aid of textile knitting or knitting processes. The term "fabric" is used to refer to all woven, knitted and non-woven fibrous fabrics.

The top sheets may be composed of an essentially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wetting 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 formed into a fabric having a basis weight of about 22 grams per square meter and a density of about 0.06 grams per cubic centimeter. The fabric can be treated on the surface with an operative amount of surfactant, such as about 0.28% TRITON X-102 surfactant. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like.

The top sheet 28 and the bottom sheet 30 are connected or otherwise associated together in an operable manner. As used herein, the term "associated" encompasses configurations in which upper sheet 28 is directly attached to lower sheet 30 by attaching upper sheet 28 directly to lower sheet 30 and configurations in which upper sheet 28 is attached indirectly to the lower sheet 30 by fixing the upper sheet 28 to the intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the lower sheet 30. The upper sheet 28 and the lower sheet 30, can, for example be joined to each other in at least a portion of the periphery of the diaper by suitable fastening mechanisms (not shown) such as adhesive joints, sonic joints, thermal joints, perforation, firing or any other fastening technique known in the art as well as combinations thereof. For example a continuous and uniform layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, an adhesive spray pattern or an array of lines, swirls or separate points of adhesive construction can be used to secure the top sheet 28 to the bottom sheet 30. It should be readily appreciated that the fastening means described above can also be used to properly interconnect, assemble and / or secure together the various other component parts of the articles which are described herein.

The absorbent body 32 provides an absorbent structure which includes a retaining portion, such as an absorbent pad representatively shown of the selected hydrophilic fibers and high absorbency particles for holding and storing the absorbed liquids and other waste materials. The absorbent body is placed and sandwiched between the upper sheet 28 and the lower sheet 30 to form the diaper 10. The absorbent body has a construction which is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the user's skin is able to absorb and retain exudates from the body. It should be understood that for the purposes of this invention, the absorbent body structure may comprise a piece of integral and single material or alternatively, may comprise a plurality of separate and individual pieces of material which are operatively assembled together.

Various types of hydrophilic and wettable fibrous material can be used to form the component parts of the absorbent body 32. Examples of suitable fibers include naturally occurring organic fibers composed of an intrinsically wettable material, such as cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers; inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers; synthetic fibers made of thermoplastic polymers inherently moistening, such as particular polyester or polyamide fibers; and synthetic fibers composed of a non-wettable thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene fibers which have been hydrophilized by appropriate means. 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 placing the hydrophobic non-wettable fiber in a pod. 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 be employed.

As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" describes fibers or surfaces of the fibers which are wetted by the aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can, in turn, be described in terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for mediating the wettability of particular fiber materials or mixtures of fiber materials can be provided by the Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or an essentially equivalent system. When measured with such a system, fibers having contact angles of less than 90 ° are designated "wettable" while fibers having contact angles greater than 90 ° are designated "non-wetting".

The absorbent body structure 32 may comprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a cellulose fluff fabric, mixed with particles of a high absorbency material. In particular arrangements, the absorbent body 32 may comprise a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel forming particles and blown fibers with synthetic polymer melt or a mixture of superabsorbent particles with a fibrous coform material comprising a mixture of natural fibers and / or fibers of synthetic polymer. The superabsorbent particles can be mixed in an essentially homogeneous way with the hydrophilic fibers, or they can be mixed in an uneven manner. For example, the concentrations in the superabsorbent particles may be arranged in a gradient in a non-stepped direction through a substantial part of the thickness (z-direction) of the absorbent structure, with the lowest concentrations towards the body side of the absorbent body. and relatively higher concentrations towards the outer side of the absorbent structure. Suitable z-gradient configurations are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,699,823 issued October 13, 1987 to Ellenberger et al., The complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent (not conflicting). ) with the present description. Alternatively, the concentrations of superabsorbent particles may be arranged in a gradient in a non-stepwise direction, through a substance-thickness part (z-direction) of the absorbent structure, with higher concentrations towards the body side of the absorbent body and the concentrations relatively lower towards the outer side of the absorbent structure 37. The superabsorbent particles may be arranged in a discrete layer generally within the matrix of hydrophilic fibers. In addition, two or more different types of superabsorbent can be selectively placed in different ones within or along the fiber matrix.

The high-absorbency material may comprise absorbent gelation materials, such as superabsorbents. The absorbent gelation materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural materials and polymers. In addition, the absorbent gelation materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers. The term "crosslinked" refers to any means for effectively making materials normally soluble in water essentially insoluble but swellable in water. Such media may include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, complexes of ionic associations, hydrophilic associations, such as hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic associations or Van der aals forces.

Examples of the absorbent gelling material polymers include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamides), poly (vinyl ethers), maleic anhydride 38 copolymers with vinyl ethers and alpha olefins, poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), poly (vinyl morpholinone), poly (vinyl alcohol) and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Additional polymers suitable for use in the absorbent body 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 fully or partially synthetic absorbent polymers may also be useful in the present invention. Other suitable absorbent gelation materials are described by Assarsson et al. In U.S. Patent Nos. 3,901,236 issued Aug. 26, 1975. Processes for preparing absorbent gelation polymers are described in the U.S. Pat. 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 wetted. The term "hydrogel", however, has been commonly used to refer also to both wet and unmoistened forms of the material.

With reference to the representative configurations shown in Figures 1 and 2, the article may include a system of fin regions, wings, regions of "ears" or ear members. In particular arrangements, each flap, wing or ear region or member may extend laterally at the opposite lateral ends of the article, such as a diaper, an incontinence pad or a sanitary napkin.

In the various configurations of the invention, the ear, appendage, fin or wing regions can be formed integrally with the selected article component. For example, the ear, appendage, wing or fin regions can be formed integrally integrated from the layer of material which provides the bottom sheet layer and / or can be formed integrally from the material used to provide the top sheet. In alternate configurations, the ear, appendage, fin or wing regions may be provided by one or more separately provided members that are connected and assembled to the bottom sheet, the top sheet, and between the sheet and the top sheet or in various combinations of fixed fastening of such assemblies.

In the particular configurations of the invention, each of the ear, appendage, fin or wing regions can be formed from a separately provided piece of material 40 which is then assembled and suitably fastened to a selected part of the article.

The ear, appendage, fin or wing regions may be composed of an essentially non-elastomeric material, such as polymer films, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics or the like as well as combinations thereof. In particular aspects of the invention, the ear, appendage, fin or wing regions may be composed of an essentially elastomeric material, such as the stretched-bonded-laminate (SBL) material, the bonded-bonded-laminate material ( NBL), an elastomeric film, an elastomeric foam material or the like which is stretchable elastomerically at least along the lateral direction 24. For example, elastomeric fibrous fabrics blown with suitable melt to form the ear regions, appendage, fin or wing are described in US Pat. No. 4,663,220 issued May 5, 1987 to Wisneski et al., the entire description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of composite fabrics comprising at least one layer of a non-woven textile fabric secured to a fibrous elastic layer are described in European patent application EP 0 217 032 A2 published on April 8, 1987 which has the inventors listings of J. Taylor et al., the complete description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of the NBL materials are described in the United States of America Patent Number 5,226,992 issued July 13, 1993 to Mormon, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in a manner that is consistent therewith.

As previously mentioned, several suitable connections can be employed to secure the ear, appendage, wing or fin regions to the selected parts of the article. Particular examples of constructions suitable for securing a pair of elastically stretchable members to the side-side portions of an article to extend laterally outwardly beyond the laterally opposite side regions of the shell and outer shell components of an article. can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753 issued July 3, 1990 to P. VanGompel et al., the entire description of which is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent therewith.

The illustrated regions of ear, appendage, fin or wing have a tapered, arched or otherwise contoured shape in which the longitudinal extent of the relatively inner base region is larger or smaller than the longitudinal extent of its region. relatively outer end. Alternatively, the ear regions may have an essentially rectangular shape and optionally may have an essentially trapezoidal shape. 42 In various aspects and configurations of the invention, the clamping mechanism between the first selected fastener component and the second cooperating clamping component selected may be adhesive, cohesive, or mechanical or combinations thereof. In the context of the present invention, a mechanical fastening system is a system which includes a first fastener component and a cooperating fastener component which interengages mechanically to provide a desired fastener.

Desirably, the first fastener component and the cooperating fastener components include complementary elements of a cooperatively interengaging mechanical fastening system. The mechanical fastener components can be provided by mechanical fasteners, such as hooks, buckles, clasps, buttons and the like, which include cooperative and complementary mechanical interlock components.

As shown in the illustrated arrangements, for example, the mechanical fastening system can be a hook-and-loop type fastening system. Such fastening systems typically include the hook members which have the shape of a male "hook" or hook type component and include a female "loop" or "loop" type cooperating component which engages and interconnects in the form releasable with the hook component. Desirably, the interconnection is selectively released and resumed. Conventional systems are, for example, available under the VELCRO brand. The hook element can be provided by a single barbed hook configuration, by a multiple barbed hook configuration or by a generally continuous expanded head configuration, such as provided by a type of mushroom head hook element. The curl element may be provided by a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a perforated or perforated layer, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. The many arrangements and variations of such fastener systems have been collectively referred to as hook and loop fasteners.

A configuration which employs an interlocking mechanical fastening system can, for example, locate the first fastening component on at least the designated assurance or matching surface of said appendage, to the flap 36, and can locate the cooperating fastening component. on the designated attachment surface of the appendage, of the designated wing or flap 36. For example, with the fastener of hooks and curls shown representatively, the fastening component which is attached to the designated assurance or matching surface of a The fastening tab 36 may include a type of hooks of a mechanical latching element and the complementary fastening component, 44 which is operatively attached and fastened to the designated surface of the fastening tab 36 may include a type of fastening element crimps.

It should be readily apparent that, in the various configurations of the invention, the relative positions and / or materials of the first fastening component and its complementary and cooperating fastening components can be transposed.

Examples of hook and loop fastening systems and components are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,019,073 issued May 28, 1991 to T. Roessler et al., The complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. in a way that is consistent with it. Other examples of the hook and loop fastening systems are described in the patent application of the United States of America series number 366,080 entitled HIGH-FELLOW APPENDIX BRAZIER, filed on December 28, 1994 by G. Zehner et al. (Subject of lawyer number 11,571) which corresponds to the patent of the United States of America number 5,605,735; US Patent Application Serial Number 421,640, entitled MULTIPLE UNION CLAMPING SYSTEM, filed on April 13, 1995 by P. VanGompel et al .; full descriptions of these are incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent with the present description. Examples of fastening appendages constructed with a carrier layer are described in United States of America patent application number 08 / 603,477 of A. Long et al. Entitled "MECHANICAL FIXING SYSTEM WITH GRIP APPENDIX" and which was filed. on March 6, 1996 (Attorney's issue number 12,563) which corresponds to the United States of America patent number 5,624,429 which was granted on April 29, 1997, whose full description is hereby incorporated by reference in a manner which is consist of the present.

With reference to Figs. 3 AE, the first fastener component designated 70 may include a material having latching members (for example the hook members shown) which project outwardly from a substrate or base layer 110. Each latching member it includes a generally vertical shank portion 58 and an assurance element 60. The shank portion 58 has a fixed end region 43 and a distal end region 44 which, desirably, is contiguously attached to the fixed end region. The fixed end region of the shank portion is operably linked to the substrate layer 110, and the distal end region is operably linked to its corresponding associated assurance member 60. The shank portion 58 is sufficiently rigid to hold the position designated erect and the designated directional alignment of the securing element 60 during the ordinary operation of the first fastener component 46 in the fastener system. More particularly, the stem portion is strong enough to bend and twist to operably maintain the desired erect placement and directional alignment of the securing element. The substrate layer 110 has a substrate thickness 112, an engagement member surface 114, and an opposing substrate mounting surface 116. The selected engagement members are attached to the substrate layer 110 and project outwardly from the substrate. hook member surface 114.

As shown representatively in FIGS. 3 AE, particular aspects of the invention may incorporate the non-isotropic engaging members wherein said non-isotropic engaging members are configured to provide a directional or direction-dependent engagement with the cooperating fastener component. 72. In particular, the engaging members may exhibit at least one pressure direction together with which a selected holding property, such as a peel force, a cutting force or the like, has a relatively different value. For example, the holding property may have at least one direction of pressure together with the holding property, such as the peel force, the cutting force or the like, has a relatively maximum value. Similarly, the engaging members may exhibit at least one direction of pressure along which the selected holding property has a relatively low value. The direction of the maximum value may or may not be essentially opposite to the direction of a relatively minimal value.

Therefore, the non-isotropic engagement member can provide a higher (or smaller) shear force value or a peel force value that depends on the direction along which the shear force value or shear force is determined. peeling strength. The non-isotropic characteristic can be generated by several suitable mechanisms, such as a difference in shape, size dimension, contour, projection length, projection angle, type of material, type of coating or other treatment, surface texture, surface topography, coefficient of friction, cohesion or the like as well as combinations thereof. The non-isotropic engaging member may have a limited degree of symmetry, such as a bilateral symmetry. Suitable non-isotropic hitch members may, for example, be provided by the inverted J-shape or generally T-shaped hitch members. In contrast, essentially isotropic engagement members can be provided by the mushroom-shaped engaging members wherein the fungus head is essentially symmetrically distributed around its erect stem portion and wherein the latching opening is similarly essentially distributed. symmetrically around its part of erect stem. 48 An example of a suitable micro-hook material is distributed under the designations VELCRO HTH 829 and VELCRO HTH 851 and is available from VELCRO U.S. A., Inc., a business that has offices in Manchester, New Hampshire. The micro-hook material can have hooks in the form of angled hook elements, and can be configured with a hook density of about 264 hooks per square centimeter; a height of hooks which is within the range of about 0.030-0.063 centimeters; and a hook width which is within the range of about 0.007 to 0.022 centimeters (about 0.003 to 0.009 inches). The hook elements are molded onto a base layer substrate having a thickness of about 0.0076-0.008 centimeters, and the hook material member has a Gurley stiffness of about 12 mgf (about 12 Gurley units). Other suitable hook materials may include hook materials VELCRO HTH 858, VELCRO HTH 851 and VELCRO HTH 863.

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 and 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 folding resistance (Gurley-type tester)). A suitable test apparatus is a Gurley digital stiffness tester; Model 4171-D manufactured by Teledyne Gurley, a business that has 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 can be generated by a sample of "standard" size. Therefore, the scale readings of the Gurley stiffness tester are appropriately converted to the rigidity 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 stiffness value of 1 mgf, and can be used equivalent to report Gurley stiffness.

In the various aspects and configurations of the invention, the curl material may be provided by a non-woven, knitted or knitted fabric. For example, a suitable fabric of curl material may be composed of a warp knitted fabric of 2 bar of the type available from Gullford Mills, Inc. of Greensboro, North Carolina under the trade designation # 34285, as well as other types of fabric. Stockinet. Suitable curl materials are also available from 3M which has distributed a non-woven nylon curl under its SCOTCHMATE brand. The 3M Company has also distributed an unlined curl fabric with adhesive on the back side of the fabric, and the 3M woven curl ribbon. fifty The loop material may also include a non-woven fabric having continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas. The fibers or filaments within the discrete unattached areas of the fabric are dimensionally stabilized by the bonded areas surrounding or surrounding each unbonded area, so that a backing or backing layer of film or adhesive is not required. The unattached areas are specifically designed to provide spaces between the fibers or filaments within the unattached area that remains sufficiently open or large to receive and engage the hook elements of the complementary hook material. In particular, a non-woven fabric or non-woven fabric may include a non-woven fabric bonded with spun-formed yarn or yarns with single-component or multi-component melting. At least one surface of the non-woven fabric may include a plurality of discrete unattached areas surrounded or surrounded by continuous joined areas. The continuous bonded areas dimensionally stabilize the fibers or filaments that form the non-woven fabric by joining or fusing together the portions of the fibers or filaments that extend outward from the unbonded areas within the bonded areas, while leaving the fibers or filaments within unbonded areas essentially free of binding or fusion. The degree of bonding or fusion within the bonding areas is desirably sufficient to make the non-fibrous non-woven fabric within the joined areas 51, leaving the fibers or filaments within the unbonded areas to act as "curls" to receive. the elements of hooks that hook. Examples of suitable knit unbonded fabrics are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 754,419 entitled WOVEN NON-WOVEN FABRIC WITH PATTERN AND PROCESS TO MAKE IT SAME by T. Stokes et al; and filed on December 17, 1996 (attorney's matter number 12,232); whose full description is incorporated herein by reference in a manner that is consistent with the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term "spunbonded fabric" refers to a fabric formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of thin, usually circular, capillary vessels with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced for example by pulling fluid or other well known spinning mechanisms. The production of spunbond non-woven fabrics is illustrated in the patents such as that of Appel et al., Of U.S. Patent No. 4,340,563.

In various other configurations of the invention, the curl material does not need to be limited to a discrete or asylated patch on the outer surface of the article. Instead, the loop material can be provided by an essentially continuous outer fibrous layer which is assembled, integrated or otherwise attached to extend over a predetermined surface area of the desired article. For example, the outer fibrous layer may be arranged to extend over essentially the total exposed surface area of a cloth-like outer covering employed with the article.

In various configurations of the invention, the engaging force between the first selected fastener component and its designated and cooperating fastener component must be sufficiently large and durable to provide adequate securing of the article to the user during use. In particular arrangements, especially where there are sufficient high levels of latching cutting force provided by the latching system, the clamping latch can provide a peel strength value of not less than a minimum of about 40 grams-force (gmf ) per inch of the "width" of the hitch between the first and cooperating fastener components. In additional arrangements, the fastening hitch can provide a peel force value of not less than about 100 grams force / inch to provide the improved benefits. In the desired configurations, the clamping hitch can provide a peel force value of not less than about 200 grams per inch of the "width" of the hitch between the first and cooperating fastener components. Alternatively, the peeling strength is not less than about 300 grams per inch and optionally is not less than about 400 grams per inch to provide enhanced benefits as well. In other aspects, the peeling strength is not more than about 1200 grams per inch. Alternatively, the peel strength is not more than about 800 grams per inch, and optionally it is no more than about 600 grams per inch to provide improved performance.

The engaging force between the first fastener component and its designated and cooperating fastener component can additionally provide a cut-off value of not less than about 400 grams force per square inch of the engagement area between the first and cooperating fastener components. Alternatively, the shear force is not less than about 1000 grams force per square inch and optionally is not less than about 1,700 grams per square inch force. In additional aspects, the cutting force can be up to 4,400 grams per square inch, or more. Alternatively, the cutting force is not more than about 3,900 grams per square inch and optionally no more than about 3,500 grams per square inch to provide improved performance.

The value of peeling strength can be determined according to a standard procedure ASTM D-5170, approved on September 15, 1991 and published on November 54, 1991; with the following particular aspects. The test specimen is the fastening appendage of the item being evaluated. The length of the test specimen is the dimension aligned along the direction in which an outward peel force is typically applied to disengage and remove the fastener during ordinary use of the article with which the fastener is employed. The specimen "width" lies within the general plane of the fastener and is perpendicular to the length of the specimen. The roller device weighs 4.5 pounds and includes a rubber coating around the circumference of the roller. A suitable roll is part number HR-100 available from Chemsultants International, a business that has a location in Mentor, Ohio. During the engagement of the fastening components, the roller is wound onto the test specimen through a cycle in the direction of the "width" in the transverse direction of the sample. In addition, the initial peeling by hand to "raise the curls" is omitted. During the test, the fastener material held by the stationary staple may be larger in the area, compared to the fastener material held in the moving staple. The initial separation distance between the staples of the tension tester is 4 inches, and the extension speed of the tension testing machine is 20 inches per minute. The value deported from a peel test result is an "average 3 peaks" value used by an MTS TESTWORKS software with a peak criterion of 2%. Additionally, the peel force value is normalized to be declared in terms of force per unit length of the "width" dimension of the fastener component on the test specimen, such as grams per inch. The MTS TESTWORKS software is available from MTS Systems Corporation, a business that has offices in Eden Prairie, MN.

The cutting force value can be determined in accordance with the standard procedure ASTM D-5169, approved on September 15, 1991 and published in 1991 in November with the following particular aspects. The test specimen is composed of the fastening appendage of the article that is being evaluated. The length of the test specimen and the width typically correspond to the length and width used to carry out the test for the peel force value. Ordinarily, the length of the test specimen is the dimension aligned along the direction in which a cutting force is typically applied to the fastener during ordinary use of the article with which the fastener is employed. The "width" of the specimen lies within the general plane of the fastener and is perpendicular to the length of the specimen. The roller device weighs 4.5 pounds and includes a rubber coating around the roller. A suitable roll is part number HR-100 available from Chemsultants International, a business that has a location in Mentor, Ohio. During the engagement of the fastening components, the roller is rolled over the test specimen through 5 cycles in the direction of the "width" in the transverse direction of the sample. In addition, the initial hand peeling "to raise the curls" is omitted. During the test, the fastening material (for example the curl material) held by the stationary staple may be larger in the area than in comparison to the fastening material (for example the hook material) held in the movable handle. The initial separation distance between the lugs of the tension tester is 4 inches and the extension speed of the tension tester is 10 inches per minute. The value of shear force is normalized to be declared in terms of force per unit area of the test specimen, such as grams per square inch.

The particulars of the standard test procedures are intended to generate clamping conditions that may be more representative of the conditions of consumer use. When the test specimen materials (for example the hook and loop materials) are prepared to determine the cooperative peel and / or shear force values for the representatively shown configurations of the invention, it should be noted that the width dimension of the selected specimen material will correspond to the dimension of the fastener material which, in the present article, is found to be aligned along the longitudinal direction 26 of the article. Similarly, the length dimension of the selected specimen material will correspond to the dimension of the fastener material which, in the present article 57, is found to be aligned along the lateral direction 24 of the article.

Desirably, the securing catch between the first fastener component and the cooperating fastener components must be sufficient to prevent a disengagement of the components when they are subjected to tensile force of at least about 1,000 grams when the tension force is applied to out along the lateral direction, aligned generally parallel with the plane of the lower sheet layer of the article.

Each of the fastener components and fasteners in the various constructions of the invention can be operatively fastened to their support substrate by employing any one or more of the fastening mechanisms employed to build and hold together the various other components of the article of the invention. The fastening elements in the various fastening regions can be integrally formed, such as by molding, co-extrusion or the like, together with their associated substrate layer. The substrate layer and its associated mechanical fastening elements can be formed of essentially the same polymer material, and there is no need for a discrete step of clamping the joining elements to an initially separate substrate layer. For example, the individual hook elements can be integrally formed simultaneously with a base layer of hooks by co-extruding the base layer and the hook elements from essentially the same polymer material.

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

Generally speaking, the use of wings or fins of a personal care product as part of a selectively released intergrander restraint system can present issues when the fins or wings are made of a fairly flexible material. The high levels of flexibility allow ease of application and clamping in some cases and ease of manufacture. However, too much docility, flexibility and / or softness in the wing or fin when used as part of a fastening system can lead to situations where the fastening system wears, wrinkles unduly, bulges and / or fails .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of a first flexible fastener component at an extent through at least the longitudinal direction or the dimension of a relatively more flexible wing or fin helps to alleviate the twisting of the fin. 59 results in wear, wrinkling and failure of the fastener because the fastening system of the fastener is too flexible, loose and / or soft. Generally speaking, the first fastener component should be slightly stiffer (for example slightly less flexible) than the flexible material constituting the wing or fin. An advantage of such a configuration is that the wing or flap incorporating the first fastener component is less feasible to agitate or flap as it moves through the high speed manufacturing and / or packaging processes.

The relative flexibilities of the first fastener component and the flexible material constituting the wing or fin can be determined using a conventional tire rigidity test. Such tests are well known and can be carried out easily by people of ordinary skill. As an example, the relative flexibilities can be evaluated by determining the cover stiffness of a sample of standard size (for example 10 cm x 10, 15 cm x 15 cm or of a similar size) of the material used to form the wing or flap and then determining the stiffness of that drop of that sample with the first fastener component essentially continuously linked through at least the longitudinally oriented direction of the sample (as if it were oriented when fastened to a product) . While it is generally understood that a conventional drop rigidity test evaluates flexural strength due to forces normal to the plane of the material, it is generally thought that for the purposes of the present invention, the relative performance of the material in a test of Conventional broth stiffness serves as a good approximation for assessing its ability to withstand torsional forces of the type found by the fins or wings of a personal care product, such as, for example, a sanitary napkin during typical use.

As used herein, the term "relatively more flexible" is applied to the relative flexibilities of the first fastener component and of the fastener part and of the flexible part of the article (for example, the part of the article that constitutes the fin or wing). ) refers to a difference in a conventional drop stiffness test between the flexible part (or material) in the flexible part (or material) with the first fastening component attached to at least about 10%. Desirably, the difference will be at least about 25%. More desirably, the difference will be greater than 50%. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the difference may be greater than 100%. In still other incorporations, it is contemplated that the difference may be greater than 250% and even greater than 500%.

Further, by extending a first flexible fastener component through at least the longitudinal dimension or longitudinal direction of a fin or relatively more flexible wing 61, the problems associated with the first small discrete fastener component centered on the fin are avoided. Referring now to Figure 9, a first small discrete fastener component 100 centered on the wing or wing 36 tends to develop a moment 110 centered on the fastener 100 (which serves as an axis) when the forces 120 orthogonal to the dimension or longitudinal direction are applied through normal use. This typically leads to twisting and wrinkling of the fins and tends to reduce the performance that depends on the fit of the personal care product incorporating such a fastening system. Twisting and bulging occurs because there is little or no rigidity in the wing to dampen the moment centered on the discrete and small fastener component 100.

Referring now to Figure 10, the same orthogonal forces 120 are present with the present invention utilizing a first flexible fastening component 70 that extends essentially through at least the longitudinal dimension or direction (shown as "L") of a relatively more flexible wing or flap 36. However, when the moment 110 is formed with the first essentially continuous fastener component 70 in place, the moment is damped by the static force 130 in the opposite direction. This reduces the twisting and wrinkling of the fins in the absorbent personal care products when compared to the fins or wings 36 in the absorbent personal care products that have the same construction but with a first fastener component "essentially continuous. "70 being replaced by a first discrete and small fastener component 100.

The term "essentially continuous" when used in relation to the first fastening component 70 is to be understood, which means a first fastening component that extends generally through at least one dimension or longitudinal direction "L" of a wing or fin 36. as shown in Figure 10. Of course, it is contemplated that the first fastener may be configured to extend generally laterally (eg in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "L") through the wing or fin 36 It is also contemplated that the first fastener component may extend both generally laterally and generally longitudinally through the fin or wing. For example, such a configuration can form a solid square patch, a hollow square patch, an "X" shape or other types of patterns or shapes. The term "essentially continuous" encompasses the first fastening components extending from shore to shore on the wing or fin 36 as well as the first fastening components that stop at some distance from the edge of the wing or wing 36. Desirably, such first fastener components generally extend through at least about 50% of the length in the longitudinal direction of the wing.

Alternatively and / or additionally, the first fastening component can generally extend through at least about 50% of the length in the lateral direction of the wing or fin. More desirably, such first fastener components generally extend through at least about 75% of the length in the longitudinal and / or lateral direction of the wing. Even more desirably, such first fastener components generally extend through at least about 90% of the length in the longitudinal and / or lateral direction of the wing. The first fastener components can be formed of individual segments of the first fastener components that extend generally through from around the edge to the edge of the fin or wing and still be essentially continuous. Although FIG. 10 illustrates two wings 36 and only a first "essentially continuous" single fastener component 70 it should be understood that the first fastener components may be present on both wings as shown in FIG., for example, Figure 1A. It is also contemplated that a single wing or large flap of material may be used which is attached by the fastening system to a flexible part of an absorbent personal care product.

According to one aspect of the invention, these features can be used to provide a selectively released inter-engaging fastening system for an article having a longitudinal direction in the direction of the length, a lateral transverse direction and a longitudinal line extending longitudinally. , a first part of article and a second part of article, the fastening system includes: a first fastener component that includes at least a first flexible part of an article, the first fastener component extends essentially continuously through the first flexible part of the article; Y a cooperating fastener component that includes at least a second flexible part of an article and extends essentially continuously through the second flexible part of the article so that the first and second parts of the article are capable of being joined together interengance and overlapping configuration.

It has been found that when such a configuration is used and at least one of the first fastening component and the cooperating fastening component has a stiffness that is greater than that of its respective flexible part of the article, the disengagement of the first fastening component and of the fastening component. Cooperating fastener due to the deformation of at least one of the flexible parts of the article is reduced. Desirably, the first fastener component and the cooperating fastener component extend essentially continuously in the longitudinal direction of their respective flexible parts of the article.

Generally speaking, it is desirable that at least one of the first part and the second part of the article (to which two fastener components are attached) have a segment having a fixed end attached to an article body and an end free. More desirably, each of the first part and the second part of the article including the segment having a fixed end attached to an article body and a free end will form a first respective (or wing) fin portion and a second portion. of fin (or wing). It is also contemplated that the single wing configuration can be used.

In one aspect of the reduced release feature of the present invention, the first fastener component extends essentially continuously through the first respective fin portion and the cooperating fastener component extends essentially continuously through a second fastener component. respective fin part. Desirably, each fastener component extends through at least about 50% of the longitudinal and / or lateral dimension or direction of its respective fin portion. More desirably, each fastener component generally extends through at least about 75% through the longitudinal and / or lateral dimension or the direction of its respective fin portion. More desirably, each fastener component generally extends through at least about 90% of the direction and / or longitudinal and / or lateral dimension of its respective fin portion. Alternatively, the first fastener component and the cooperating fastener component may be present on and extend essentially continuously through each respective fin portion and each may extend through at least about 50% of the longitudinal dimension and / or lateral or the direction of its respective fin portion. Desirably, these components will extend through at least about 75% of the length and / or side dimensions of the fin portions and more desirably, will extend through at least about 90% of the length of the fin parts. the longitudinal and / or lateral dimensions of the fin parts.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first fastening component can be relatively stiffer than its respective flexible part of the article so that the disengagement of the first fastening component and the cooperating fastening component due to the deformation of at least one of the parts Flexible of the article is reduced. The relative flexibility of the first fastener component and the flexible part of the article was discussed above.

At least one of the first and second fin portions may be partially formed completely from, or may include parts of the cooperating fastener component.

The first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of latching members. The latching section can be isotropic or essentially non-isotropic as described above. The cooperating fastening component may be a nonwoven terry material as described above.

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

The peel test was carried out generally in accordance with ASTMD-5170-91 and the cutting test was generally carried out in accordance with AST standard D-5169-91. Each test used 10 square millimeters of HTH-851 material available from VELCRO hand-assembled on a PRESO PUB curl material of 2.0 oz per square yard (see application of the United States of America series number 754.419). The hook material was oriented in either the machine direction or in the transverse direction 68 for the hook direction. The pads were used by a mechanical walking model for 30 minutes at 72 steps per minute.

Equipment .

• Voltage tester - Constant rate of extension tester with TestWorks MTS software. • Walker model (size 5 torso). · Underwear for women brand Fruit of the Loom (size 5).

Sample preparation • For the standard peel and cut test: The wings were removed from the product by cutting along the adhesive joint line. The wings are then hooked using a mechanical roller to hook the wings consistently. The mechanical roller available from Cheminstruments with a weight of 2 kilograms. The sample is then ready for the peel cutting test.

For a test after the use of peeling and cutting: 69 The underwear is placed on the walking model. The pad is placed in the underwear. The edge of the frontal lobe always 1 centimeter in front of the crotch seam. - The wings are then hooked and the underwear is pulled on the model. The model starts walking at 72 steps per minute for 30 minutes. - The underwear is cut from the model and carefully removed so as not to hit the hooks.

The wings are then removed from the product and underpants by cutting along the adhesive joint. The sample is ready for the peeling and cutting test after use.

Peeling test • The finger appendage (area at the end of the wing beyond the hook is placed on the upper jaw, the cut edge of the other wing is placed on the lower jaw.

Care must be taken not to leave too loose or pull the hook of the curl hitch. • The test is run to the following parameters: Crosshead speed-20 inches per minute. Measuring length - 3 inches. 70 Loading units - grams. - Start measurement - 0.4 inches - End measurement - 0.9 inches Sensitive to breakage - 110% - Compensation of loosening - 50 grams • The answer is averaged grams of force on. the length of the peeling test.

Cutting Test • The cutting edge of a wing is placed in the upper jaw on the cutting edge of the opposite wing is placed in the lower jaw. Care should be taken not to leave too much slack or to pull the hook of the curl hook. • The test is run to the following parameters: - Crosshead speed - 20 inches per minute - Measuring length - 3 inches - Load units - grams Start measurement - 0.4 inches Final measurement - 0.9 inches Break sensitive - 110% - Compensation for loosening - 50 grams.

The answer is the gram of force averaged over the length of the peel test.

The results of the test are reported in table 1.

Table 1 The data is summarized in Table 2. For both cut and peel values, the orientation that has the lowest weakest initial MD and CD shear strength values (eg, illogical orientation) strongly bind during use. . In contrast, the orientation that has the values of strength of peeling and cutting MD and CD initial larger or stronger (for example the logical orientation) or that reinforces something during wear or failure in resistance. Also, for both, the value 72 for cutting and peeling, the absolute value after the wear values is higher for illogical orientation than for logic.

Table 2 Before After Proportion, before to Wear SD wear SD after Peeling (MD) Illogical 6.4 4.8 64 43 10.0 Peeling (CD) Logic 118.8 7.8 25 9 2.1 Cutting (MD) Illogical 330 109 693 242 2.1 Cutting (CD) Logic 556 143 491 99 0.9 These examples illustrate an embodiment of the mechanical fastening system of the present invention. More particularly, these examples show an embodiment in which an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, has a fastening system that includes a pair of wings that include selectively released and interengaging fasteners so that the wings are adapted to hold the towel. sanitary in an undergarment. The wings are adapted to increase the coupling during use.

Having described the invention in considerable detail, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

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

1. An interenganche and selectively released fastening system comprising: a first fastener component comprising at least a first part of an article, the first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic engaging members so that the latching section has an axis of a latch essentially maximum; and a cooperating fastener component comprising at least a second part of an article so that the first and second parts of the article are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along a clamping direction inside of an overlapping and interenganting configuration; wherein the first fastener component is oriented, such that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the fastening direction.

2. The fastening system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the essentially non-isotropic engaging member has a shank part with a distal end region and a securing element positioned in the far end region of its part. of corresponding stem.

3. The fastening system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the latching section has a maximum latching axis and a generally perpendicular minimal latching axis.

4. The fastening system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the fastening component is essentially non-isotropic and includes an essentially maximum coupling shaft.

5. The fastening system as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that the essentially maximum engaging axis of the engaging section is essentially not. isotropic and the axis of the essentially maximum engagement of the essentially non-isotropic cooperating fastener component are both essentially parallel and each is oriented generally orthogonal to the clamping direction.

6. The fastening system as claimed in clause 1, characterized. or at least one of the first part and the second part of the article comprises a segment having a fixed end attached to an article body and a free end.

7. The fastening system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the cooperating fastening component is a nonwoven terry material.

8. The fastening system as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the nonwoven terry material is a non-patterned material.

9. The fastening system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the fastening system can be used to secure the article in a convenient configuration for the arrangement.

10. An article, having a longitudinal direction in the direction of the length, a lateral transverse direction and a longitudinal line extending longitudinally, said article comprises: a first part of article; a second part of article; and at least one selectively released interengaging fastener system for securing the first article part to the second article part; The inter-engaging fastener system is selectively released and includes: 77 At least a first fastener component comprising at least a section of the first article part, the first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic engaging members so that the latching section has a essentially maximum coupling shaft; at least one cooperating fastening component comprising at least a section of the second article part so that the first and second article parts are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components generally together along a clamping direction in an overlapping and interengaging configuration; wherein the first fastener component is oriented so that its maximum mating axis is generally orthogonal to the clamping direction.

11. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that each essentially non-isotropic engaging member has a shank portion with a distal end region and a securing element positioned in the distal end region of its corresponding shank portion. .

12. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the latching section has a maximum latching axis and a generally perpendicular minimal latching axis.

13. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the cooperating fastening component is essentially non-isotropic and includes an essentially maximum engaging axis.

14. The article as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the essentially maximum engagement axis of the essentially non-isotropic engagement section and the essentially maximum engagement axis of the essentially non-isotropic cooperating sub-component are both essentially parallel and each it is oriented generally orthogonal to the clamping direction.

15. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that at least one of the first article part and the second article part comprises a segment having a free end and a fixed end attached to an article body.

16. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the fastening component is a non-woven ringlets material. 79

17. The article as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that the non-woven ringlets material is a non-patterned material.

18. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the first article part provides a first waistband part; said second part of article provides a second waistband part; the article has an intermediate part which interconnects said first and second waistband parts; and where article also comprises: a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer essentially permeable to liquid; Y an absorbent body placed in the form of a sandwich between the lower sheet layer and the upper sheet layer.

19. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the first article part and the second article part each provide the first and second fin parts, each fin part having a free end and a fixed end attached to an intermediate part 80 which interconnects the first and second fin parts; wherein the article further comprises: a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer essentially permeable to liquid; Y an absorbent body placed in the form of a sandwich between said lower sheet layer and said upper sheet layer.

20. The article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the fastening system can be used to secure the article in a convenient configuration for the arrangement.

21. An interlocking fastening system is selectively released for a disposable sanitary napkin, the fastening system comprises: a first fastener component comprising at least a first part of the sanitary napkin, the first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic engaging members so that the latching section has an essentially maximum latching axis; and a cooperating fastener component comprising at least a second portion of the sanitary napkin so that the first and second portions of the sanitary napkin are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along a direction of clamping inside of an overlapping and interenganchante configuration; wherein the first fastener component is oriented, so that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the fastening direction.

22. The fastening system as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that each essentially non-isotropic engaging member has a shank part with a distal end region and a securing element positioned in the far end region of its part of the shank. corresponding stem.

23. The fastening system as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the latching section has a maximum latching axis and a generally perpendicular minimal latching axis.

24. The clamping system as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the clamping component is essentially non-isotropic and includes an essentially maximum clamping axis.

25. The fastening system as such and "as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the first part and the second part of the sanitary napkin each provide the first and second fin parts, each fin part having a free end and one end fixed attached to an intermediate part which interconnects the first and second fin parts, and wherein the sanitary towel further comprises: a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer essentially permeable to liquid; an absorbent body placed in the form of a sandwich between the lower sheet layer and the upper sheet layer.

26. The fastening system as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that at least one of the first and second fin parts comprises the cooperating fastening component. 83

27. The fastening system as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that the cooperating fastening component is a nonwoven crimped material.

28. The fastening system as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the nonwoven curl material is a non-patterned material.

29. The fastening system as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the fastening system can be used to secure the sanitary napkin in a convenient configuration for the arrangement.

30. A sanitary napkin having a pair of end edges, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge located between the end edges, the sanitary napkin, a selectively released inter-engaging restraint system comprising: a first fastener component comprising at least a first portion of the sanitary napkin adjacent to the first longitudinal edge, the first fastening component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic engaging members so that the section of hitch has an essentially maximum hitch shaft; Y a cooperating fastener component comprising at least a second portion of the sanitary napkin adjacent to the second longitudinal edge so that the first and second portions of the sanitary napkin are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components generally together to along a clamping direction in an overlapping and interengaging configuration; wherein the first fastener component is oriented so that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the fastening direction.

31. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the first part of the sanitary napkin is a first wing extending from the first longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin, the first wing has a fixed end and a free end .

32. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that the first wing comprises the first fastening component and the cooperating fastening component.

33. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the cooperating fastening component is a nonwoven looped material.

3 . The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that the nonwoven curl material is a non-patterned material.

35. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the second part of the sanitary napkin is a second wing extending from the second longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin, the second wing has a fixed end and a free end .

36. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that the second wing comprises the first fastening component and the second cooperating fastening component.

37. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 36, characterized in that the cooperating fastening component is a nonwoven looped material.

38. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the nonwoven looped material is a non-patterned material. 86

39. A sanitary napkin having a pair of end edges, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge located between the end edges, the sanitary napkin includes a selectively released inter-engaging restraint system comprising: a first wing extending from the first longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin and a second wing extending from the second longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin, each wing having a fixed end and a free end; a first fastener component comprising at least a portion of at least the first flange, the first fastening component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic engaging members so that the latching section has an axis of engagement. essentially maximum hitching; Y a cooperating fastening component comprising at least a portion of at least the second wing so that the first and second wings of the sanitary napkin are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along the clamping direction in an overlapping and interengaging configuration; 87 wherein the first fastener component is oriented so that its essentially maximum hitch axis is generally orthogonal to the gripping direction.

40. A sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the first wing and the second wing include the first fastening component and the second fastening component.

41. A sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the cooperating fastening component is a nonwoven looped material.

42. A sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 41, characterized in that the nonwoven looped material is a non-patterned material.

43. A sanitary napkin having a pair of end edges, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge located between the end edges, the sanitary napkin includes a selectively released inter-engaging restraint system comprising: a first wing extending from the first longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin and a second wing extending from the second longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin, each wing having a fixed end and a free end; A first fastener component comprising at least a portion of the first wing and the second wing, the first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of members of. essentially non-isotropic engagement so that the engagement section has an essentially maximum engagement axis; Y a cooperating fastener component comprising at least a portion of the first wing and the second wing so that the first and second wings of the sanitary napkin are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along the the clamping direction inside an overlapping and interengaging configuration; wherein the first fastener component is oriented so that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the fastening direction.

44. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that each essentially non-isotropic latch member has a shank portion with a distal end region and an assurance element positioned in the far end region of its portion thereof. corresponding stem.

45. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that the second fastening component is a nonwoven looped material.

46. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 45, characterized in that the nonwoven looped material is a non-patterned material.

47. The sanitary napkin as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that at least one includes perforation lines adjacent to its fixed end and provide a quick removal of the towel by tearing the wing along the lines of drilling.

48. An interengaging and selectively released clamping system for a disposable personal care product, the clamping system comprises: a first fastener component comprising a latching section having a plurality of latching members; Y a cooperative fastening component; 90 wherein the fastening system is adapted to become more interengaged when the disposable personal care product is used.

49. An interlocked and selectively released fastening system for an article, having a longitudinal direction in the direction of the length, a lateral transverse direction and a longitudinal line extending longitudinally, a first article part and a second part of the article. article, the fastening system comprises: a first fastener component comprising at least a first flexible part of an article, the first fastener component extending essentially continuously through the first flexible part of the article; a cooperating fastener component comprising at least a second flexible part of an article and extending substantially continuously through the second flexible part of the article so that the first and second parts of the article are capable of being united in an overlapping and interenganging configuration; wherein at least one of the first fastener component and the cooperating fastening component has a stiffness that is greater than that of its respective flexible part of the article so that the disengagement of the first fastener component and the fastener component of cooperation due to the deformation of at least one of the flexible parts of the article is reduced.

50. The fastening system as claimed in clause 49, characterized in that at least one of the first part and the second part of the article comprises a segment having a fixed end attached to an article body and a free end.

51. The fastening system as claimed in clause 50, characterized in that each of the first part and the second part of the article comprises a segment having a fixed end attached to an article body and a free end forming a first part of respective fin and a second part of fin.

52. The fastening system as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that the first fastening component extends essentially continuously through the longitudinal direction of a respective first fin part and the fastening component of cooperation extends essentially in shape. continuous through the longitudinal direction of a second respective fin part.

53. The fastening system as claimed in clause 52, characterized in that each fastening component extends at least about 50% through its respective fin portion.

54. The fastening system as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that the first fastening component and the engaging fastening component are present on and extend essentially continuously through the longitudinal direction of each respective fin portion.

55. The fastening system as claimed in clause 54, characterized in that each fastener component extends at least about 50% through each respective fin portion.

56. The fastening system as claimed in clause 49, characterized in that the first fastening component has a stiffness that is greater than its flexible part. of the article so that the disengagement of the first fastening component and of the cooperating fastening component due to the deformation of at least one of the flexible parts of the article is reduced.

57. The fastening system as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that at least one of the first and second fin parts comprise the cooperating fastener component.

58. The fastening system as claimed in clause 49, characterized in that the first fastening component includes a latching section having a plurality of latching members.

59. A disposable personal care absorbent article that includes at least one interlocked and selectively released fastener system as claimed in clause 49.

60. A sanitary napkin that includes at least one selectively released inter-engaging fastener system as claimed in clause 49. 94 R E S UM E N An interlocked and selectively released hold system that can be used for a variety of items, such as, for example, shoes, garments, disposable absorbent products such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence products and the like. The fastening system includes a first fastener component that can constitute at least a first part of an article. The first fastener component includes a latching section having a plurality of essentially non-isotropic engaging members so that the latching section has an essentially maximum latching axis. The fastening system also includes a cooperating fastener component that can constitute at least a second part of an article so that the first and second parts of the article are capable of being joined by the movement of the respective components together generally along the length of the article. of a clamping direction in an overlapping and interengaging configuration. The first fastening component is oriented so that its essentially maximum engagement axis is generally orthogonal to the clamping direction. This configuration causes the first fastener component to become more interengaged with the fastener component of cooperation when the article is subjected to various forces such as, for example, the type of forces encountered by the fastener system.