MXPA95000278A

MXPA95000278A - Disposable absorbent article that appears to be dressed with exterior coverage pump

Info

Publication number: MXPA95000278A
Application number: MXPA/A/1995/000278A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jay Allen Patrick; Henderson Hasse Margaret
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 1994-01-03
Filing date: 1995-01-03
Publication date: 1997-08-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article that appears to be a garment to be worn around the lower torso of the wearer, comprising: a chassis having a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion, end edges, side edges longitudinal, a periphery adjacent to the end edges and longitudinal side edges, and a central area inside the periphery, the chassis comprising an inner layer comprising a liquid permeable material, an absorbent assembly comprising a rear sheet impervious to liquid attached to the inner layer, a liquid-permeable upper sheet bonded to the backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the upper sheet and the backsheet, seams joining the longitudinal side edges of said front portion to the longitudinal side edges of the rear portion to form two openings for the legs and an opening for the waist substantially surrounded by the end edges, and an outer layer having a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion, end edges, longitudinal side edges, a periphery adjacent to the end edges and longitudinal side edges, and a central area inside the periphery, at least a portion of the periphery of the outer layer being attached to at least a portion of the periphery of the inner layer such that the central area of the outer layer can be buckled from the central area of the inner layer in select portions, said outer layer further having a pattern printed thereon, such that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly bonded thereto is substantially imperceptible to an observer due to the pattern and central area of the layer. exteri

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE THAT APPEARS CLOTHING WITH EXTERIOR COVERAGE BOMBACHA INVENTORS: MARGARET HENDERSON HASSE and PATRICK JAY ALLEN, both citizens of the United States, residing respectively at 501 Reily Road, Cincinnati, Ohio; and 8667 Arcturus Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio, both in the United States.

CAUSAHIENT: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY, a partnership of the United States, residing in One Procter & Gamble Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, United States.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disposable absorbent article is provided to be worn around the wearer's lower torso. The disposable absorbent article comprises: a chassis; an absorbent assembly attached to the chassis; and seams that join the front portion of the chassis with the rear portion of the chassis to form two leg openings and an opening for the waist. The panty outer layer has a pattern printed thereon so that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly attached thereto is substantially imperceptible to an observer thereby providing an appearance much like a garment for the absorbent article. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers for infants, training underpants for children, garments for adults with incontinence and the like. The present invention relates more particularly to disposable absorbent articles having fixed sides, such as disposable training underpants, which are placed in their position in the user by inserting the legs of the user into the leg openings and sliding the absorbent article. disposable to its position around the user's lower torso.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Infants, children, and other incontinent individuals use disposable absorbent articles to receive and contain urine and other body exudates. It has become increasingly important for absorbent articles that look like garments. Absorbent articles that have fixed sides, such as disposable training underpants for use in training children to learn to go to the bathroom, have become popular for use in children of training age. It is particularly convenient that the training underpants look and feel like real clothes so that the child who is training to go to the bathroom will distinguish it from a diaper, do not want to dirty it and that fits more easily to the underwear. The absorbent articles generally comprise a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic backing sheet, a liquid-permeable top sheet, an absorbent structure for absorbing body exudates and elastic bands for the legs and for the waist to gather the article for adjustment and containment. The absorbent structure, the elastic bands for the legs, and the elastic bands for the waist are generally placed between the upper sheet and the backing sheet, and they are usually adhesively secured to them. This general structure is substantially impermeable to liquids, but its feel is plastic and looks like an absorbent article as a result of the absorbent core that is delineated from the absorbent core that becomes visible through the backing sheet.

Various structures have been developed to eliminate, as much as possible, the plastic feel and appearance of an absorbent article. A structure uses a backing sheet comprising a film of a non-woven fabric covered with a film. This backing sheet comprises a thermoplastic film which is extruded onto a non-woven web. The heat of the film and the pressure applied during the process provide adhesion between the film and the non-woven layer. Although the film helps maintain the integrity of the non-woven layer, also results in a stiff and less convenient backing sheet. Another structure uses a backing sheet comprising a laminated thermoplastic film for a nonwoven layer. Lamination is provided by applying an adhesive to the film or nonwoven layer, and then bonding one to the other layer of the article. Thus, in this second design as in the first mentioned above, the thermoplastic film and the non-woven layer are completely joined together along their mutually facing surfaces and the absorbent core or delineation thereof is still visible through the backup sheet Another structure uses a backing sheet comprising an outer layer and an inner layer that are joined together intermittently or partially. Such a structure seems more like a garment in appearance as well as touch. However, the absorbent core is generally secured to the inner layer and is generally visible through the outer layer 18 of the chassis. This is particularly true if there is a pattern or design printed on the inner layer. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article having a backsheet comprising an inner layer partially or intermittently bonded to an outer layer that provides a garment-like appearance and feel and substantially masks or it hides the absorbent core or the delineation of the absorbent core for the observer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disposable absorbent article is provided for use around the wearer's lower torso. The disposable absorbent article comprises, a chassis; an absorbent assembly attached to the chassis; and joints for attaching the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis to form two leg openings and a waist opening. What the chassis comprises: The outer sheetrock layer has a pattern printed thereon so that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly attached thereto substantially can not be noticed by an observer, providing a very similar appearance to a garment for the absorbent article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the specification concludes with the claims that point particularly and distinguish what claims the subject of the subject that is considered to form the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken together with the drawings that accompany it, in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the disposable training pant modality of the present invention, in a typical configuration during use , as it could be applied to a user. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the training underpants embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the surface that will form the outer surface of the disposable absorbent article is removed from the view of the observer .

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the chassis shown in Figure 2 taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in where the absorbent assembly is an insert attached to the inner layer of the chassis. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the earmuffs of the absorbent article have elastic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that Figure 1 is a perspective view of a disposable absorbent article in its configuration during typical use. A disposable absorbent article is one that is intended to be discarded after it is used (ie, it is not intended to be laundered or restored or reused in another way). The disposable absorbent article is provided, with an absorbent assembly that is placed in close proximity to the wearer's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. A preferred embodiment of the disposable absorbent article of the present invention, the disposable training pants 20, is shown in Figure 1. The training pants 20 of Figure 1, basically comprise a chassis 14 comprising an inner layer 16 and a layer exterior 18; an absorbent assembly 22 comprising at least one absorbent core 28, attached to the inner layer 16 of the chassis 14; and a pair of side seams 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the chassis 14 comprises an inner layer 16 and an outer layer 18 that joins the inner layer 16 so that the outer layer 16 will be bumpy. The outer layer 18 has a badge pattern 15 printed thereon. The printed pattern or badge 15 of the outer cover 18 tends to divert the attention of the observers away from the underlying inner cover 16 and therefore masks or hides the absorbent core (or the delineation of the absorbent core) which is directly or indirectly attached with the inner layer 16. As used herein, the term "panty" shall be understood with reference to the portions of a first layer of the material that are detached and loosely placed in a second layer of material., that is, portions of the first layer of the material that hang or are made to hang loosely and completely from the second layer of the material to which this first layer of material is attached. As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations in which one element is directly secured to another element by fixing the element directly with the other element, and configurations in which the element is indirectly secured with the other element by fixing the element with a member or intermediate members which in turn are fixed with the other element. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the chassis 14 also comprises members of elastic bands for waist 76 and elastic strips 105 secured to at least the inner layer 16. Figure 2 is a partially cut away perspective view of the disposable absorbent article 20 of the figure 1, before the front portion 56 and the rear portion 58 of the chassis 14 have been secured together by the side links 10. Figure 2 shows the chassis 14 in its totally flat state, without contracting, ie, with all the contraction elastically pulled elastic waist members 76 and elastic straps 105 of elastic leg bands 34. Chassis 14 of the present invention preferably has a modified form of an hourglass and is symmetrical about the line longitudinal central 1. The chassis 14 having at least a front portion 56, a rear portion 58, and a crotch portion CHASSIS The inner layer 16 of the chassis 14 is elastic, soft to the touch and does not irritate the user's skin. A suitable inner layer 16 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as plastic films; or woven or nonwoven fabrics of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, or composite materials such as a non-woven material covered with a movie. Preferably, for the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the inner layer of the chassis is a polymeric film having a thickness of about 0.012 millimeters (0.01 mil) to about 0.051 millimeters (2.0 mils). In an alternative embodiment, the inner layer 16 may comprise an elastomeric laminate comprising an outer sheet, an inner sheet and an elastomeric sheet bonded between the inner and outer sheets. The inner and outer sheets are joined to the elastomeric sheet while the elastomeric sheet is in a laterally stretched condition so that the contractive forces of the frame are oriented in the cross direction with respect to the machine or longitudinal with respect to the centerline 1 of the chassis. As a chassis laminated in this manner and the methods for forming a laminated chassis are described in the pending United States patent application, joint assignment, number (case P &G No. 5126), entitled "Elastomeric Disposable Absorbent Article and Method for Making Same" which is presented together with the present in the name of Patrick J. Alien, et al., And which is incorporated herein by reference. The outer layer 18 is that portion of the chassis 14 that will form the exterior of the chassis 14, that is, the face that moves away from the user. The outer layer 18 is elastic, soft to the touch and does not irritate the wearer's skin. A suitable outer layer 18 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as plastic films; or woven or nonwoven fabrics of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, or composite materials such as a non-woven material covered with a film. The outer layer 18 of the chassis 14 may also comprise a composite material having two or more layers, wherein one or all of the layers are padded from the inner layer 16. Thus, the outer layer 18 may include two more layers of a layer. non-woven material, or it may comprise two or more layers of film or may comprise both non-woven and film layers. Preferably, the outer layer 18 is a non-woven fabric carded from polypropylene fibers. A suitable outer layer is SPN 290, available from Fiberweb North America of Simpsonville, South Carolina. Preferably, the outer layer 18 has a basis weight of about 20 grams per square meter to about 40 grams per square meter. More preferably, the outer layer 18 will have a basis weight of about 25 grams per square meter to about 35 grams per square meter in a preferred embodiment, the outer layer will have a basis weight of about 30 grams per square meter. The ply of the outer layer 18 can be achieved by providing a larger outer layer 18 and attaching at least a portion of the periphery of the larger outer layer 18 along at least a portion of the periphery of the inner layer 16. As used herein, the term "outermost layer of larger size" refers to an outer layer that is larger (longitudinally) and / or wider (laterally) than the inner layer 16. If the absorbent article of the present invention is being produced in an automated diaper converter that converts material fabrics into individual diapers, the outer ply layer 18 can be formed by feeding the fabric of the outer layer material into the converter at a speed greater than the speed at which the fabric of the inner layer material is fed into the converter, i.e., supercharged the fabric of the outer layer material. The outer layer 18 will also have a decorative pattern or badge 15 printed on the surface thereof. Preferably, the pattern or badge 15 will be printed on the outer surface. The decorative badge 15 will tend to divert the attention of the observer from the delineation of the inner layer 16 and will similarly mask or hide the absorbent core 28 which is attached to the inner layer 16 as described herein. The decorative badge of preference will be a repetitive pattern. Examples of suitable decorative badges may comprise a repetitive pattern of boats, anchors, vehicles, bows, dinosaurs, bears, animals, flowers or the like. The outer layer 18 of the chassis 14 is positioned adjacent to the inner layer 16 and is intermittently or partially joined thereto by joining elements 40 such as those well known in the art. For example, the outer layer 18 can be secured to the inner layer 16 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a layer with an adhesive pattern or an array of separate lines, spirals or spots of adhesive. The adhesives that have been found satisfactory are manufactured by Findley Adhesives of Elm Grove, Wisc. and sold as Fíndley 2031. Alternatively, the bonding elements may comprise heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other suitable bonding element or combinations of these bonding means that are known in the art. . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer and the outer layer are bonded directly along and mutually facing the surfaces of their peripheral areas 39. As used herein, the "periphery" or the "peripheral area" of an element, it can refer to the region, area, or zone adjacent to the boundary edges of that element. The outer layer 18 may be intermittently or partially joined to the inner layer 16 so that at least portions of the common core areas 17 of the inner layer 16 and the upper layer 18 are left unattached together and move freely in relation to each other. the other. As used herein, the term "central area" will refer to the area of a material within the periphery, or the peripheral area, of that material. The location of the predetermined joining areas 39 depends on the particular size and shape of the absorbent article. Figure 3 shows joining elements, gluing lines 40, which intermittently join the peripheral areas of the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18. As well as the mutually located surfaces of the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18 which lies laterally inward of the connecting lines 40 (ie, the central area 17), is substantially free to move in relation to one another. It is not necessary for the peripheral area of the outer layer to be completely attached to the peripheral area of the inner layer. It is only necessary that the outer layer be sufficiently bonded to the inner layer so that the outer layer remains secure on the absorbent article. It is also not necessary that the entire central area 17 of the outer layer is separated from the inner layer, that is, it may have an outer covering 18 intermittently joined to the inner layer 16 in the central areas 17 providing portions of the central areas 17 that are disengaged and pantyhose. Intermittent bonding can be achieved by spot bonding using ultrasound, heat seal, or the like, or intermittently gluing using an adhesive pattern of dots or something similar. The surface area bonded or bonded between the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18 is preferably between about 10 percent to about 50 percent of the surface area facing each other between the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18. More preferably, the surface area bonded or bonded between the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18 is preferably between about 20 percent to about 30 percent of the surface area facing each other between the inner layer 16 and the inner layer 16. outer layer 18. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the surface area bonded or bonded between inner layer 16 and outer layer 18 is preferably about 25 percent of the surface area facing each other between inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18. The combination make the outer layer so that it hangs loose from the inner layer, and the printing of the outer layer so as to divert the attention of the observers from the inner layer, it results that the absorbent core (or the absorbent core delineation) is substantially masked or hidden from the observer and results in a disposable absorbent article more like a garment than wear. The chassis 14 of the disposable training pants 20 preferably further comprises folds for the legs with elastic 32 to provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Each fold of the leg with elastic 32 can comprise many different modalities to reduce the leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. (The fold for the leg can be and sometimes it is also called leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds, or elastic folds). U.S. Patent 3,860,003 entitled "Contractable Side Portions For a Disposable Diaper" issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, discloses a disposable diaper that provides an opening for the contractile leg having a side flap and one or more elastic members. to provide a fold for elastic leg (fold packing). U.S. Patent 4,909,803 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Flaps" issued to Aziz and Blaney on March 20, 1990, describes a disposable diaper having "raised" elastic flaps (barrier folds) to improve the containment of the regions of the legs. U.S. Patent 4,695,278 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Dual Cuffs" issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper having double folds comprising a packing fold and a barrier fold. U.S. Patent 4,704,115 entitled "Disposable aist Containment Garment" issued to Buell on November 3, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper or incontinence garment having channels for stopping the leakage of the side edges configured to contain free liquids within of the absorbent article. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Although each elastic leg fold 32 can be configured to be similar to any of the leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds, or elastic folds described above, it is preferred that each fold for the elastic leg 32 comprise at least one side flap 104 with one or more elastic bands 105. Referring to figure 2, the leg elastics 105 are preferably placed between the upper sheet 24 and the inner layer 16 of the frame 14. Alternatively the leg elastics 105 can be placed between the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18 of the frame 14. chassis 14 of the disposable training pants 20 preferably further comprises a band for the elastic waist 34 disposed adjacent the end edge 64 of the disposable training pants 20 at least the rear portion 58, and more preferably has a waist band elastic 34 disposed on both the front portion 56 and the back portion 58. The waistband of the disposable training pants 20 is that portion intended to be placed adjacent the wearer's waist. The elastic waist band 34 provides a member that maintains a defined area of coverage, is in contact with the wearer's waist, and is elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, so that it adjusts dynamically against the wearer's waist and It dynamically conforms to the user's waist so that it provides an improved fit. Thus, the waist band is generally that portion of the disposable training pants 20 extending from the end edge 64 of the disposable training pants 20 to at least the edge of the waist 83 of the absorbent core 28. Although the band for the elastic waist 34 may comprise a separate element attached to the chassis 14 of the disposable training pants 20, the waist band preferably being an extension of the other elements of the disposable training pants 20, so that the upper sheet 24, the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18, or any combination of these elements and an elastomeric material are attached thereto. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 of the absorbent assembly 22 can extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 28 and have an elastomeric material bonded thereto to form a band for the elastic waist. Disposable training pants are often constructed so that they have two elastic waistbands; one placed on the front portion 56 and one positioned on the rear portion 58. The disposable training pants 20 at least has a band for the elastic waist 34 disposed at least the middle region 68 of the back portion 58. Preferably, as shown in Figure 2, another band is provided for the elastic waist at the front portion 56. The elastic waistband 34 can be constructed in numerous different configurations. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, the elastic waist band 34 comprises a band member of the elastic waist 76 interposed between the topsheet 24 and the inner layer 16 of the chassis 14 and functionally associated with the same for picking up the front portion 56 and the rear portion 58 of the disposable training pants 20. An example of an elastic waistband of this type for use herein is the elastic waistband described in the patent. No. 4,515,595 entitled "Disposable Diapers With Elastically Contractible Waistbands", which was issued to Kievit and Osterhage on May 7, 1985, and whose patent is incorporated herein by reference. Any suitable elastomeric material known in the art can be used as the band member of the elastic waist 76 of the present invention. Examples of the elastomeric materials include elastomeric films, elastomeric foams such as polyurethane foams or cross-linked natural rubber foams; formed elastic blanket; elastomeric films such as elastic materials that can be stretched with heat; laminates of elastomeric film such as a laminate of a heat stretchable elastomeric film and a resilient member; laminates that stretch elastomerically such as laminates that stretch "zero stress" (as described in U.S. Patent 5,246,433 which was issued to MH Hasse, SW Miller and RP Bridges on September 21, 1993, which incorporated herein by reference) or mechanically stretched or pretensioned laminates; and elastic bands made of rubber, LYCRA, or other materials. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic waist band member 76 comprises a heat shrinkable elastomeric film.

ABSORBENT ASSEMBLY The training pants 20 will also contain an absorbent assembly 22 comprising at least one absorbent core 28 attached to its inner layer 16. The absorbent assembly 22 of the disposable training pants 20, as shown in Figure 3, may comprise a sheet liquid permeable upper 24 attached to the inner layer 16 and an absorbent core 28 positioned between the upper sheet 24 and the inner layer 16. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figure 4, the absorbent assembly 22 may be an insert comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable backing sheet bonded with the top sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core 28 of the absorbent assembly 22 can be any absorbent element that is generally compressible, conformable, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other body exudates. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, such as hourglass, "T", asymmetric, etc.) and from a wide variety of commonly used liquid absorbent materials. in disposable diapers and in other absorbent articles such as shredded wood pulp which is generally referred to as felt by spraying. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials comprise creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers comprising those which are formed together, cross-linked cellulose fibers, woven comprising woven wrappers, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any equivalent material or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also be varied (for example, the absorbent core can have zones of different caliber, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or a low average density and a low average weight basis in different areas of acquisition, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 must, however, be compatible with the designated load and intended use of the disposable absorbent article 20. In addition, the size and absorbency of the absorbent core 28 may be varied to suit users They vary from infants to adults. A preferred embodiment of the absorbent assembly 22 has an absorbent core in the form of a modified hourglass, which is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center line 2. Although a preferred embodiment of the absorbent assembly 22 has an absorbent core in the form of a modified hourglass 28 , it should be understood that the size, shape, configuration and total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 can be varied to suit users ranging from infants to adults. Accordingly, the dimensions, shape and configuration of the absorbent core can be varied (eg, the absorbent core may have a varying gauge, or a hydrophilic gradient, or it may or may not have absorbent gelling materials). An example of an absorbent structure for use as the absorbent core 28 of the present invention, which has been widely accepted and commercially successful, is described in U.S. Patent 4,610,678 entitled "High-Density Absorbent Structures" issued to Weisman and Goldman. on September 9, 1986. U.S. Patent 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores" issued to Weisman, Houghton, and Gellert on June 16, 1987; and U.S. Patent 4,888,231, entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer" issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989.; it also describes absorbent structures that are useful in the present invention. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference. The absorbent core 28 is preferably a sheet of cotton or felt by spraying and particles of absorbent gelling material, approximately 13 centimeters wide (side dimension), approximately 37 centimeters long (longitudinal dimension) and approximately 8 centimeters across the narrowest part of the crotch portion 57. Preferably, the portion of the absorbent core will generally be located at the front portion 56 and the portion of the crotch 57 will have a higher basis weight than the portion of the absorbent core that will generally be located at the back portion 58. More preferably, the portion of the absorbent core that will generally be located at the front portion 56 and the crotch portion 57 will have a basis weight three times the base weight of the portion of the absorbent core that will generally be located at the rear portion 58. In a preferred embodiment of the absorbent core 28, approximately 25 centimeters of the length of the absorbent core will generally be located at the front portion 56 and the crotch portion 57 and will have a basis weight of approximately 0.96 grams per square inch, and 11 centimeters of the length of the absorbent core will generally be located in the back portion 58 and will have a basis weight of approximately 0.28 grams per square inch. Referring to Figure 3, the absorbent assembly 22, preferably also comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 24 which is bonded to an inner layer 16 of the frame such that the absorbent core 28 is placed between the topsheet 24 and the top sheet 24. inner layer 16. The absorbent core 28 has a clothing surface 100, a body surface 101, side edges 82 and end edges 83. The inner layer 16 of the chassis 14 is positioned adjacent the dressing surface 100 of the absorbent core 28 and is linked thereto by linking elements (not shown) such as those well known in the art. For example, the lower layer 16 of the chassis 14 can be secured to the absorbent core 28 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a layer with an adhesive pattern or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured at Century Adhesives, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, and are sold as Century 5227; and at H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota and sold as HL-1258. The attachment element will preferably comprise an open-pattern network of filaments of adhesive as described in U.S. Patent 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment", which was issued to Minetola and Tucker on March 4, 1986 , and which is incorporated herein by reference. An example of an attachment element of an open filament pattern network comprises several filament lines of swirling adhesive to form a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in US Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued for Sprague, Jr., on October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker et al. on November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the bonding element may contain heat adhesives, pressure glues, ultrasonic glues, dynamic mechanical glues, or any other suitable bonding element or combinations of these bonding elements as are known in the art. Preferably, the inner layer 16 is impermeable to liquids and is made from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials can also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are docile and readily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body. The inner layer impermeable to liquids 16 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 28 from wetting articles such as bed sheets and garments, which are in contact with the disposable training pants 20. The sheet upper 24 of the absorbent article 20 is positioned adjacent the body surface 101 of the absorbent core 28 and is preferably attached thereto and to the inner layer 16 by joining elements (not shown) as are known in the art. Suitable joining elements are described herein with respect to the attachment of the inner layer 16 to the absorbent core 28. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the inner layer 16 are directly bonded to one with the another in the areas extending beyond the absorbent core 28 and which are indirectly joined together by attachment to them of the absorbent core 28 by the joining elements (not shown). The upper sheet 24 is that portion of the chassis 14 that will be formed inside the disposable training pants 20 and which will be in contact at least with the wearer's waist and legs. The upper sheet 24 of the absorbent article 20 is docile, soft to the touch, and does not irritate the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 24 is permeable to liquids, allowing liquids (eg, urine) to easily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; cross-linked foams; open plastic films; or woven or non-woven fabrics of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of hydrophilic material comprising approximately 20 percent to 30 percent rayon for moisture to be felt and to tell the child who is training to go to the bathroom to discharge urine. There are numerous manufacturing techniques that can be used to manufacture the top sheet 24. For example, the sheet 24 can be made of a non-woven fabric of fibers. When the top sheet is composed of a nonwoven fabric, the fabric can be bonded by spinning, carding, spread by humidification, blown melt, hydroentangle, combinations of the above, or the like. A preferred top sheet is carded and thermally bonded with means well known to those skilled in the textile arts. A suitable topsheet is manufactured in Fiberweb North America of Simpsonville, South Carolina and is available as FPN 286. In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 4, the absorbent assembly 22 can be an insert, ie, a separately formed element. of the chassis and inserted in it. The absorbent insert comprises an upper sheet 24, a backing sheet impermeable to liquids 26 unidei. to the inner layer 16, and an absorbent core 28 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. Referring to Figure 4, the absorbent core 28 and the liquid impervious top sheet 24 may be substantially the same as those described above. The backing sheet may be impervious to liquids and is preferably made from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. The liquid-impermeable backing sheet 26 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 28 from wetting the articles, such as the bed sheets and clothing, which are in contact with the disposable training pants 20. The liquid-impermeable backing sheet 26 in this manner may comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composites such as non-woven materials coated with a film. Preferably, the backing sheet is a film having a thickness from about 0.012 millimeters (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeters (2.0 mils). The size of the backsheet 26 is determined by the size of the absorbent core 28 and the exact design of the selected disposable garment. In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet 26 is wrapped around at least the absorbent core and possibly over the edge portions of the top sheet 24 at least the crotch portion 57, so that the elasticized folds for 32 legs are free of any material from the backing sheet, and, thus, are not inhibited by the material of the backing sheet. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 can cover the core and the edge portions of the backsheet 26 in at least the crotch portion 57, or the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 can be "with side notches" in the crotch portion 57 so that the elasticized folds for the legs 32 are not inhibited by the material of the backing sheet. The backsheet 26 will be joined to the inner layer 16 of the chassis 14 by any element known in the art. Suitable elements for attaching the backsheet of the absorbent insert to the inner layer 16 are described herein with respect to the attachment of the absorbent core 28 to the inner layer 16.

SIDE SEWINGS The side seams 10 of the chassis 14 can be formed by any element known in the art. For example, seams can be sewn, attached adhesively, joined ultrasonically, sealed by heat, or the like. Suitable methods for forming the side seams of disposable absorbent articles, such as training pants, are described in U.S. Patent 4,205,679 issued to Repke et al .; U.S. Patent 4,335,425 issued to Jones et al .; U.S. Patent 4,610,680 issued to LaFleur et al; U.S. Patent 4,619,649 issued to Roberts; U.S. Patent 4,747,846 issued to Boland et al; U.S. Patent 4,641,381 which was issued to Heran et al; U.S. Patent 4,610,681 issued to Strohbeen et al; U.S. Patent 4,909,804 issued to Douglas, Sr .; and U.S. Patent 5,236,430 issued to Russell P. Bridges; whose patents are incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side seams are formed by bending the chassis at the crotch portion 57 so that the longitudinal side regions 88 of the front portion 56 substantially overlap the longitudinal side regions 88 of the rear portion. 88 forming two sewing areas. As used herein, the term "superimposed" will mean placing or fixing, on or over something like the substantially similar parts. The seam 10 is then formed by any of the means well known in the art. Preferably, the seam is formed by applying pressure and / or heat to the seam area to effect a bond between the longitudinal side regions of the front portion 56 and the longitudinal side regions 88 of the back portion 58. Methods for using pressure and / or heat to form a bond between two or more elements is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent 4,854,984, which was issued to Ball et al. on August 8, 1989 which is incorporated herein by reference. reference. Although the seams of the disposable article of the present invention have been shown and have been described herein as "fixed seams," ie, non-reusable seams, the disposable absorbent article of the present invention can provide seams that allow the article to be opened. and close again. Seams that allow disposable absorbent articles to be opened and reclosed are well known in the disposable diaper art. These types of seams generally comprise tabs of tapes that are attached thereto at the front portion or the back portion of the article. These tabs of tapes are provided with an adhesive or a mechanical securing element capable of securing the back portion with the front portion in an overlapping configuration around the user's lower torso, and allowing the article to be opened and reclosed. These security systems are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594 issued November 19, 1974 to Buell; U.S. Patent No. 4,699,622 issued October 13, 1987 to Toussant et al .; and U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815 issued July 11, 1989 to Scripps; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in cross section in Figure 5. This embodiment comprises elasticized earmuffs 30 that are unitary with the chassis 14. The elasticized earmuffs 30 are formed by securing an elastomeric earplug member 90 to each of the earmuffs 72 of chassis 14 to form an elastomeric laminate. The elastomeric earmuff member 90 joins at least the inner layer 16 of the chassis 14. Preferably, as shown in Figure 5, the elastomeric laminate is formed by securing the elastomeric earplug member 90 between the inner layer and a portion of the upper sheet 24 of the absorbent assembly 22. Each of the earplugs is then mechanically stretched so that the ear flap is permanently elongated and the laminate is elastically extensible in the direction of the initial stretch, once the initial stretch forces are removed from the laminate. The methods for forming the unitized elasticated earmuffs are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,246,433, "Elasticized Disposable Training Pant and Method of Making The Same", which was issued for MH Hasse, RP Bridges, and SW Miller. on September 21, 1993; and U.S. Patent No. 5,236,430, "Disposable Training Pant Having Fusion Slit Side Seams," which was issued to R. P. Bridges on August 17, 1993; whose patents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the absorbent assembly 22 of the absorbent article of Figure 5 comprises an absorbent core 28 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the inner layer 16, the absorbent assembly 22 may contain an "absorbent insert" such as that described hereinbefore and is shown in Figure 4. Other suitable training pants structures (no bloomers and without the printed outer layer of the present invention) are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,205,679 to Repke et al; 4,610,680 for LaFleur; 4,610,681 to Strohbeen et al; 4,641,381 to Heran et al; 4,909,804 for Douglas, Sr .; and 4,960,414 to Meyer; All of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended to cover all those changes and modifications within the scope of this invention in the appended claims.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A disposable absorbent article that looks like an article of clothing to be worn around the wearer's lower torso, comprising: a chassis having a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion, end edges, longitudinal side edges, a periphery adjacent to the end edges and longitudinal side edges, a central area within that periphery and containing an inner layer; an absorbent assembly comprising at least one absorbent core attached to the inner layer of the chassis; seams joining the longitudinal side edges of the front portion with the longitudinal side edges of the rear portion to form two leg openings and a waist opening substantially surrounded by the end edges; and an outer layer having a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion, end edges, longitudinal side edges, a periphery adjacent the end edges and longitudinal side edges, and a central area within the periphery, when less a portion of the periphery of the outer layer is attached to at least a portion of the periphery of the inner layer so that the central area of the outer layer may be bumpy from the central area of the inner layer in select portions, the outer layer additionally has a pattern printed thereon, so that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly attached thereto is substantially imperceptible to an observer due to the pattern and the central area of the outer layer.

The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 1, wherein approximately 10 percent to 50 percent of the outer layer is bonded with the inner layer.

3. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 1, wherein approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of the outer layer is bonded with the inner layer.

4. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 1, wherein approximately 25 percent of the outer layer is bonded with the inner layer.

5. The absorbent absorbent article, according to claim 2, wherein the central area of the outer layer is intermittently joined to the central area of the inner layer in select portions.

The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 5, wherein the central area of the outer layer is stitched with ultrasound to the central area of the inner layer in select portions.

The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 5, wherein the central area of the outer layer is adhesively bonded to the central area of the inner layer in select portions.

The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer comprises a liquid impervious material and the absorbent assembly additionally comprises a liquid pervious top sheet bonded to the inner layer of the undercarriage. so that the absorbent core is placed between the upper sheet and the inner layer.

9. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 8, wherein the inner layer comprises a polymeric film.

10. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 8, wherein the inner layer comprises an elastomeric laminate.

The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 8, wherein the topsheet comprises from about 20 percent to about 30 percent rayon fibers.

12. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 8, wherein the inner layer comprises a liquid-permeable material and the absorbent assembly comprises a liquid-impermeable backing sheet bonded to the inner layer, a liquid-permeable upper sheet attached to the backing sheet, and the absorbent core is placed between the top sheet and the backing sheet.

13. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 12, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer each comprise a non-woven material permeable to liquids.

The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 12, wherein the topsheet comprises from about 20 percent to about 30 percent rayon fibers.

A disposable elastic garment similar to a garment comprising: (a) a chassis having: (i) a front portion having an end edge, longitudinal side edges, leg edges, a central region, ear flaps, each ear flap extends laterally outward from the central region to the longitudinal side edges and longitudinally along the central region from the extreme edge to each edge of the leg; (ii) a rear portion opposite the front portion, the rear portion has an end edge, longitudinal side edges, leg edges, a central region, ear flaps, each ear flap extends laterally outward from the central region to the forearms. lateral edges longitudinally and longitudinally along the central region from the extreme edge to the edge of the leg; and (iii) a crotch portion between the front portion and the rear portion: the chassis comprises: an inner layer having a front portion, a rear portion, a crotch portion and edges, longitudinal side edges, an adjacent periphery to the extreme edges and longitudinal side edges, and a central area within the periphery; and an elastic earplug member attached to each earplug and extending longitudinally from the end edge of each earplug to each leg edge of each earplug to form an elastomeric laminate, each elastomeric laminate being mechanically stretched to form an elasticized earplug at each end. chassis ear flap, each elastic ear flap is unitary with the chassis because the elastic ear flap contains a portion of at least the inner layer; (b) an absorbent assembly comprising at least one liquid pervious top sheet bonded to the inner layer and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the inner layer; and (c) an outer layer having a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion and end edges, longitudinal side edges, a periphery adjacent to the end edges and longitudinal side edges, and a central area within the periphery, at least a portion of the periphery of the outer layer that joins at least a portion of the periphery of the inner layer so that the central area of the outer layer can be bumpy from the central area of the layer interior in select portions, the outer layer additionally has a pattern printed thereon, so that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly attached thereto is substantially imperceptible to an observer due to the pattern and the central area of the outer layer; and (d) seams joining the central portion with the rear portion adjacent the longitudinal side edges to form two leg openings and a waist opening substantially surrounded by the end edges.

16. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 15, wherein about 10 percent to about 50 percent of the outer layer is bonded to the inner layer.

17. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 15, wherein approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of the outer layer is bonded with the inner layer.

18. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 15, wherein approximately 25 percent of the outer layer is bonded to the inner layer.

19. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 16, wherein the central area of the outer layer is intermittently stuck to the central area of the inner layer in select portions.

20. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 15, wherein the topsheet contains about 20 percent to about 30 percent rayon fibers.

21. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 15, wherein the inner layer contains a liquid impervious material.

22. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 15, wherein the absorbent assembly additionally contains a liquid-impermeable backsheet attached to the inner layer, the upper sheet is attached to the backsheet, and The absorbent core is placed between the upper sheet and the backing sheet.

23. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 22, wherein the inner layer contains a liquid-permeable material.

24. The disposable absorbent article, according to claim 22, wherein the topsheet contains about 20 percent to about 30 percent rayon fibers. IN WITNESS WHEREOVER, I sign the above in Mexico City, D.F., on the 3rd day of the month of January 1995. Liliana Hernández Suárez