MXPA99011079A - Disposable pull-on garment having improved disposal handling after soil - Google Patents

Abstract

The disposable pull-on garment of the present invention comprises a chassis having a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable pull-on garment of the present invention further comprises front side panels extending laterally outwardly from each side of the chassis in the front region;back side panels extending laterally outwardly from each side of the chassis in the back region;seam panels (66) each extending laterally outwardly from each of the front and back side panels;seams each joining the corresponding seam panels in an overlap manner to make an overlapped seam structure (32), thereby forming two leg openings and a waist opening;and a disposable means (31) joined to the at least one of the front and back side panels for allowing the pull-on garment to be secured in a configuration that provides a convenient disposal (fig. 9, fig. 10).

Description

DISPOSABLE DRESS CLOTHING THAT IS TAKEN HAVING HANDLED IMPROVED DISPOSAL AFTER MESSAGE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable garments that are put on. Examples of such disposable garments that are worn include disposable undergarments, diapers that are worn, training pants, and disposable panties for menstrual use. The present invention relates more particularly to unitary, disposable, disposable absorbent garments such as diapers that are put on, training pants, incontinence briefs that are put on and the like, which provide improved waste handling after they get dirty.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Babies and other incontinent individuals use disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers, to receive and contain urine and other exudates from the body. Absorbent garments that have fixed sides (for example training pants or diapers that are put on), have become popular for use in children able to walk and, to those who are trained in the toilet. These training pants have side panels whose edges are sewn together to form two leg openings and a waist opening. These pants need to fit tightly around the user's waist and legs without falling, loosening or sliding down from their position on the torso to contain the exudates. I After the training shorts or panties that are put on are soiled by the urine or by exudates from the body, this is removed from the user's body by tearing to open the seams of the side panels. Training shorts or diaper that is put on Removed is then folded in such a way that the dirty part is wrapped inside inward to ! waste. To prevent the training pant or diaper that becomes soiled from unfolding and / or to keep the soiled portion inside, it is desired that such a brief I workout or diaper that is put on has a means for disposal that secures or keeps the diaper folded in the folded state. Examples of such training pants are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,575,784 to Ames-Ooten et al., November 19, 1996, and European Patent Publication Nos. EP623330 and EP0732094. However, the existence of these means for disposal sometimes tend to cause leakage of urine or body exudates contained from the sides of the folded diaper especially when the lateral edges of the diaper are not properly folded inwardly. In addition, this means for disposal also tends to be an obstacle to the movement of the user and / or decrease the good appearance of the diaper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I, _. The present invention is directed to a disposable garment that is put on. The disposable garment of the present invention comprises a bhasis having a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet associated with the top sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The disposable garment of the present invention further comprises front side panels extending longitudinally outward from each side of the chassis in the frontal region; rear side panels extending laterally outward from each side of the chassis in the rear region; sewing panels each extending laterally outwards from each of the front and back side panels; seams each joining the corresponding seam panels in an overlapping manner to make an overlapping seam structure, thereby forming two leg openings and a waist opening; and a means for disposal or removal attached to at least one of the front and rear side panels to allow the garment that is put on to be secured in a configuration that provides convenient disposal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims that point particularly and differently claim the matter that is considered to form the present invention, it is believed, that the invention will be better understood from the following description, which is taken in combination with the accompanying drawings and in which designations in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the disposable garment set forth herein invention in a typical use configuration; Figure 2 is a simplified plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in its unstressed, flat condition, showing the different panels or zones of the garment; Figure 3 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in its un-collapsed, planar condition, showing the external surface and having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the garment of clothing that is shown in Figure 3, taken along the line of section 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of the garment shown in Figure 1 in its unstretched, flat condition, showing the inner surface and having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure; Figure 6 is a plan view of a tear-open tab and the seaming panel of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7A is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the seam panels taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6, showing the forces generated during use; Figure 7B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the seam panels shown in Figure 7A when a diaper that is put on is torn open; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a diaper that is worn when folded after soiling; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment when the diaper shown in Figure 8 is secured in a configuration for removal; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment when the diaper shown in Figure 8 is secured in another configuration for removal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION All references cited are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The citations of any reference is not an admission with respect to any determination as to its viability as prior art for the claimed invention. As used herein, the term "clothing item to be worn" refers to articles of use that have a waist opening and a pair of defined leg openings, and which are pulled on the wearer's body, inserting the legs inside the leg openings and pulling the article upwards on the waist. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe garments that are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment, (i.e., are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed in an environmentally compatible manner). A garment that becomes "unitary" refers to garments that are put together that are formed of separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity, but the side panels are not separate elements attached to a separate chassis in which the side panels are formed by at least one layer that also forms the central panel or garment chassis (i.e., the garment does not require separate manipulated panels such as a separate chassis and separate side panels). The garment that is put is also preferably "absorbent" to absorb and contain the different exudates discharged from the body. A preferred embodiment of the garment of the present invention is the garment that becomes disposable absorbent., unitary, diaper that is put on shown in Figure 1. As used herein, the term "diaper that is worn" refers to garments that are generally worn by infants and other incontinent individuals to absorb urine and feces. . However, it should be understood that the present invention also applies to other garments that are worn such as training pants, incontinence briefs, garments or panties for feminine hygiene, and the like. As used herein, the term "panel" is used to distinguish an area or item of the garment that is put on. (Although a panel is typically a different area or element, a panel can match (functionally correspond) a bit with an adjacent panel.) As used herein, the term "joined" or "joining" encompasses configurations with which a element is directly secured to another element by fixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations by means of which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by fixing the element to a member or intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the other element. Referring to Figure 1, the diaper 20 is comprised of a chassis 41 having a front region 26, a back region 28 and a crotch region 30 between the front region 26 and the back region 28. The chassis 41 comprises a sheet Liquid-permeable upper 80, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 22 associated with the topsheet 80, and an absorbent core 84 (not shown in Figure 1) disposed between the topsheet 80 and the backsheet 22. The diaper that is put on 20 further comprises front side panels 46 extending each laterally outwardly from the corresponding side of the chassis 41 in the front region 26, and rear side panels 48 extending each laterally outwardly from the corresponding side of the chassis 41 in the rear region 28. The donning diaper 20 further comprises seam panels 66 each extending laterally outward from each of the front side panels and back 46 and 48; and tear opening tabs 31 each extending laterally outwardly from seam panels 66. Preferred examples of diaper 20 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,569,234 by Buell et al. on October 29 1996. The front and rear side panels 46 and 48 of the present invention can be any of the members extending laterally outward from the corresponding side edges of the chassis 41. In the preferred embodiments, each of the front and rear side panels 46 and 48 is a projecting member projecting laterally away from the chassis (more clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3). Preferably, the front side panels 46 and the rear side panels 48 are unitary elements of the diaper that is put on (ie, these are not separately handled elements secured to a diaper that is put on, but instead are formed of and are extensions of the diaper. one or more of several layers of the diaper being worn.) More preferably, each of the seam panels 66 is an extension of the front and back side panels 46 and 48, or at least one of the component elements used therein, or any other combination of the elements. Preferably, each of the tear-open tabs 31 is an extension of the corresponding seam panels 66 or at least one of its component elements used there, or any other combination of the elements. In the preferred embodiments, the front and rear side panels 46 and 48 are continuous members extending continuously from the chassis 41. More preferably, at least one, preferably both of the front and rear side panels 46 and 48, comprise a continuous sheet or film material 42, which is a part of the chassis 41 and extends continuously from the chassis 41. In alternate embodiments, the front and rear side panels 46 and 48 are discrete members (not shown in the figures) which are fixed to the lateral edges of the chassis 41. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear side panels 46 and 48 are elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction. As used herein, the term "elastically extensible" means a segment or portion that will elongate in at least one direction (preferably the lateral direction for the side panel) when torsional forces are applied (typically lateral tension forces). for the side panel), and will return to approximately its size and previous configuration when the torsional forces are removed. More preferably, the front and side side panels 46 and 48 are elastically extensible in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. The disposable diaper 20 further comprises stitching 32 each by joining the corresponding seaming panels 66 in an overlapping manner to form an overlapping seam structure, thereby forming the two leg openings 34 and a waist opening 36. Seaming of the seams 32 of the present invention can be accomplished by any suitable means known in the art, appropriate for the specific materials employed in the seam panels. In this way, sound sealing, heat sealing, pressure bonding, adhesive or adherent bonding, sewing, autogenous bonding, and the like, may be appropriate techniques. Preferably, the seam panels 66 are joined by a pattern of heat / pressure or ultrasonic welds. A continuous belt 38 is formed around the waist opening 33. The continuous belt 38 acts to dynamically create shaping or adjusting forces and to distribute the dynamically generated forces during use. The diaper 20 thus preferably comprises a chassis layer 40; a first layer of belt 42; a second belt layer 44. Preferably, an elastic waist feature 50 is provided in both of the front region 26 as the rear region 28. The diaper 20 is further comprised of elastic leg features 52. More preferably, they are provided very preferably openings or ventilation holes (not shown) in at least the side panels 46 and 48 of the diaper 20 to provide breathability and ventilation. Because the first belt layer 42 and the second belt layer 44 (the belt layers) are preferably non-woven webs that have a fabric appearance, and the chassis layer 40 is preferably a plastic film, the diaper 20 which It has a unique aesthetic characteristic in that it is perceived by the people who care and the users to have a comfort and feel similar to the garment in the waist regions, while they have a perceived benefit of containment in the crotch region. The continuous belt 38 is elastically extene on the side panels 46 and 48 to provide greater comfort and contour adjustment by initially comfortably adjusting the diaper that is worn to the wearer and holding this adjustment throughout the time of use even after when it has been loaded with exudates distributing the forces along both the waist and the legs, since the sides of the diaper that is put on expand and contract. The continuous belt 38 can be formed from a number of different materials and layers as defined below. Figure 2 shows a simplified plan view of the diaper 20 that is put of Figure 1 is its flat state, without contracting in spite of the different panels and their placements with respect to each other. The diaper 20 that is placed has a crotch region 30 comprising a main panel 56 and a pair of leg flap panels 58; a front region 26 comprising a central panel comprising a waistband panel 60 and a centrally located panel 62, front side panels 64, and seam panels 66; and a rear region 28 comprising a central panel comprising a waistband panel 60 'and a panel 62' located in the center, rear side panels 48, and seam panels 66 'and tear-open tabs 31. The absorbent core 84 (not shown in Figure 2) is generally placed within the main panel 56, since the exudates are typically discharged in this region, although the absorbent core 84 will typically extend toward the middle belt panels 62 and 62 '. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a leg flap panel 58 extends generally laterally outwardly from and along each lateral edge 68 of the main panel 56. Each leg flap panel 58 generally forms at least a part of the elastic leg feature 52 (shown in Figure 3). The continuous belt 38 (the front region 26 and the rear region 28) extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along each side edge 69 of the crotch region 30 (the main panel 56 and the leg flap panel 58). ). In the front region 26, the centrally located panel 62 extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along the side edge 69 of the crotch region 30. The waistband panel 60 generally extends longitudinally outwardly from already length of panel 62 located in the center. Side panels 46, each, generally extend laterally outward from and along the central panel (panels 60 and 62). The seam panels 66 each extend generally laterally outwardly from and along the respective side panel 46. In the rear region 28, the panel 62 'located in the center generally extends longitudinally outward from and along the other side edge 69 of the crotch region 30. The waistband panel 60 'extends generally longitudinally outwardly from and along the panel located at the center 62'. Side panels 48 each extend generally laterally outwardly from and along the central panel (panels 60 'and 62'). The sewing panels 66 'each extend generally laterally outward from and along the respective side panel 48. The tear-open tabs 31, each generally extend laterally outwardly from and along respective stitching panels 66 '. The means for disposal or removal 33 are provided on the respective tear opening tabs 31. The front region 26, in addition to its panels, also has an end edge 70, leg edges 71, and side edges 72. The rear region 28, in addition to its panels also has an end edge 70 ', leg edges 71' and 72 'side edges. The crotch region 30 also has leg edges 74. The waistband panel 60 is preferably elastically extensible, more preferably elastically shrinkable or gatherable, to better fit the diaper that is put 20 in the central part of the waist opening 36. The middle panel 62 is not shirred in order to maintain the integrity of the absorbent core 84 during use. Although the middle panels 62 and 62 'may be elastically extensible (but not shirred), they are preferably non-extensible. Figure 3 is a partially cut-away plan view of the diaper 20 that is put on from Figure 1 in its flat state, in its unstressed state (ie, with the contraction induced by the elastic, pulled outward, except that in the side panels 46 and 48 where they are left in their relaxed condition), with the back sheet 22 giving the viewer, before the front region 26 and the back region 28 are joined together by the seams 32. The back sheet 22 of the diaper 20 that is placed comprises that portion that is placed away from the user's body during use. In the embodiment shown, the backsheet 22 of the diaper 20 that is placed comprises the first belt layer 42 in the front region 26, the second belt layer 44 in the rear region 28, and the chassis layer 40 in the region of crotch 30. (The inner surface 24 of the diaper is opposite the backsheet 22, and comprises that portion of the diaper that is placed adjacent to the wearer's body during use). In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the chassis layer 40 preferably comprises a continuous sheet or web defining the front region 26, the back region 28, and the crotch region 30. In this manner, the chassis layer 40 It is the primary layer or layer of the diaper that is put on. (As used herein, the term "layer" does not necessarily limit a single layer of material in which a layer can actually comprise laminates or combinations of sheets or webs of the type of material required). The chassis layer 40 has an inner surface 76 (not shown in Figure 3) and an outer surface 77. The inner surface 76 and the outer surface 77 of the chassis layer 40 correspond in their orientation to the inner surface 24 and the rear sheet 22 of diaper 20 laying. Since the chassis layer 40 preferably defines the front region 26, the back region 28 and the crotch region 30, the chassis layer 40 also has corresponding regions and panels as defined above. (For simplicity, these regions and panels are denoted in the drawings by the same reference numerals as the corresponding diaper regions and panels as shown in Figure 2.) The first belt layer 42 is placed over the outer surface 77 of the chassis layer 40 in the front region 26, and continuously extends laterally across the front region 26 from one side edge 72 towards the other side edge 72, and longitudinally from the end edge 70 towards minus the leg edges 71. The first belt layer 42 is preferably attached to the chassis layer 40. The second belt layer 44 is placed on the outer surface 77 of the chassis layer 40 in the back region 28, and extends continuously laterally through the rear region 28, one end from a side edge 72 'to the other side edge 72' and from the end edge 70 'to at least the end edges 71'. The second belt layer 44 is preferably attached to the chassis layer 40. In this way, each belt layer in combination with the chassis layer 40 forms a continuous belt (as shown in Figure 1) around the wearer's waist. As will be detailed below, this belt has different elastic tension properties in different zones to increase the fit and containment of the diaper 20 that is put on. The elastically extensible stretch laminates are formed in the respective side panels 46 and 48 of both the front region 26 and the rear region 28. Each front side panel 46 at least comprises the portion of the first belt layer 42 on the side panel and an elastic panel member 78 attached thereto, and, in this particular embodiment, the portion of the chassis layer 40 forming the side panel. Preferably, the elastic panel member 78 is placed between the chassis layer 40 and the first belt layer 42, and more preferably extends longitudinally from an end edge 70, most preferably towards the leg edge 71. Each rear side panel 48 when less comprises the portion of the second belt layer 44 on each side panel and an elastic panel member 78 attached thereto, and, in this particular embodiment, the portion of the chassis layer 40 forming the side panel. Preferably, the elastic panel member 78 'is positioned between the chassis layer 40 and the second belt layer 44, and more preferably extends longitudinally from the end edge 70', mu and preferably towards the leg edge 71. In the diaper embodiment shown in Figure 3, each side panel further comprises a portion of the top sheet 80 (the barrier layer) in the side panel. Each side panel is stretched or pulled mechanically (designated by the stress lines) to allow the side panel to be stretchable elastically in at least the lateral direction. (The lateral direction (direction or width x) is defined as the direction parallel to the lateral center line of the diaper that is placed; the longitudinal direction (direction or length y) is defined as the direction parallel to the longitudinal center line; and an axial direction (direction or thickness z) is defined as the direction that extends through the thickness of the diaper that is placed). An elastic waist feature 50 is provided in the waistband panel 60 of the front region 26 or the waistband panel 60 'of the rear region 28 or preferably both in the front region 26 and in the rear region 28. The waist feature elastic 50 provides an elastically extensible member, preferably an elastically collapsible member, picked up, to dynamically adjust and conform to the user's waist in the central panels. In the embodiment shown, the elastic waist feature 50 preferably comprises a waist / waistband cover 82 operatively joined to the waistband panel in an elastically contractible condition, preferably to the primary layer of the top sheet 80. The waist / waistband cover 82 unit acts as a barrier to the drainage of the exudates out of the waist opening of the diaper 20 that is worn, as well as a collapsible waistband to provide adjustment of the diaper 20 that is worn around the wearer's waist. In highly preferred embodiments, the unitary waist / waistband cover is also breathable to allow venting of the water vapor out of the diaper that is placed adjacent to the waist opening. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the diaper 20 that is worn is also provided with elastic leg features 52 to improve fit to the legs in the crotch region 30. The diaper 20 that is placed additionally comprises a topsheet 80. and an absorbent core 84 (not shown) positioned between the topsheet 80 and the chassis layer 40, to provide an absorbent assembly that cooperates with the continuous belt to contain the discharged exudates. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the diaper 20 of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3, in the front region 26. The chassis layer 40 is shown as forming the primary layer or layer of the diaper 20 which is put on and has an inner surface 76 and an outer surface 77. The first belt layer 42 is placed on the external surface 77 of the chassis layer 40, to form the back sheet 22 of the diaper 20 that is placed in the front region 26. The elastic panel members 78 are preferably positioned between the first belt layer 42 and the chassis layer 40. The topsheet 80 is placed over and attached to the inner surface 76 of the chassis layer 40. The topsheet 80 preferably comprises a liquid-permeable primary layer 86 and two barrier layers 88. The barrier layers 88 extend generally outwardly from the primary layer 86 towards the side edges 72. Each barrier layer 88 comprises a fin portion 90 and an upstanding portion 92. The upstanding portion 92 is not attached to the primary layer 86, to allow the gathering forces of the elastic separation members 94 to cause the upstanding portions 92 to be lift away from the surface of the primary layer 86 to form a barrier fold 93 that is a barrier or wall during use. The fin portion 90 extends laterally outwardly from the upstanding portion 92 (the proximal edge) makes the lateral edge 72. The absorbent core 84 is preferably positioned between the primary layer 86 and the chassis layer 40. The construction of the rear region 28 is preferably identical to the construction of the front region 26. Figure 5 is a partially cut-away plan view of the diaper 20 shown in Figure 1 in its non-contracted state (i.e., with the induced contraction). by the elastic pulled outward, except on the side panels where the side panels are left in their relaxed condition), flat, with the inner surface 24 of the diaper 20 being placed facing the viewer, before the front region 26 and the back region 24 are joined together by the seams. In order to provide the absorbency necessary to contain the exudates of the body, the diaper 20 that is placed comprises a liquid-permeable upper sheet 80 and an absorbent core 84 positioned between the upper sheet 80 and the chassis layer 40. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the topsheet 80 preferably comprises 3 distinct layers joined together. A liquid permeable primary layer 86 is placed on the absorbent core 84 to rapidly absorb liquids within the product. The barrier layers 88 are bonded to the primary layer 86 and are capable of preferably stretching, more preferably hydrophobic, to allow the side panels to be mechanically stretched without tearing or tearing while providing barrier folds 93 along the sides of the barrier. diaper 20 that is put on. The barrier layers 88 have a fin portion 90 and an upstanding channel or portion 92 to provide the different components of the elastic leg features. 52. The elastic leg features 52 preferably comprise a gusset fold 91 and a barrier fold 93. The gusset fold 91 is preferably formed by one or more elastic leg members 96 operatively attached to the chassis layer 40, to the cape layer. barrier 88 or both, preferably between the chassis layer 40 and the flap portion 90 of the barrier layer 88 in the leg flap panel of the crotch region 30. The barrier cuff 93 is preferably formed by a flap ( the upstanding portion 92 of the barrier layer 88), closure means 98 for securing the longitudinal ends of the upstanding portions 92 to the primary layer 86, and a resilient separation member 94 operably linked to the upstanding portion 92. The capacity of Elastic extension of the side panels 45 and 48 can be provided by a number of different materials and configurations. The different components of the belt (for example, the belt layers or the chassis layer) may comprise conventional elastic materials, or the side panels of the belt may be constructed from a number of different elastic laminated structures. For example, the side panels of the belt may comprise an elastic material operably linked to one or more non-elastic components (the belt layer or the chassis layer or both) in an elastically contractible condition as described in the United States patent. United 3,860,003 entitled "Shrinkable side portions for a disposable diaper", issued to Buell on January 14, 1975. Alternatively, the side panels may comprise a film web in the form of a structural elastic, as described in WO 95 / 03765"Weft materials exhibiting behavior in the form of elastics", The Procter & Gambie Company, published on February 9, 1995. Although the side panels of the belt can be constructed from a number of different stretchable or elastic materials as is known in the art, one or more, and preferably each of the side panels of the belt are constructed of a stretch laminate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an elastic panel member 78 is operatively attached to the side panels 46 and 48, preferably between the chassis layer 40 and the belt layers 42 and 44, to allow the side panels 46 and 48 are elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction. The elastomeric materials that have been found to be especially suitable for use as the elastic panel members (especially for zero tension stretch laminates) are the elastic films based on styrene block copolymer preferably with a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.0564 mm. , as done by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio under the designation PA182870; or the Exxon 500 series elastic films from Exxon Chemical of Baytown, Texas. Other materials suitable for use as the elastic panel members include "live" or natural synthetic rubber other natural synthetic rubber foams, elastomeric films (including heat shrinkable elastomeric films) elastomeric woven or nonwoven webs, certain cotton or linen fabrics, mixed materials elastomeric or similar. Most preferably, the elastic panel member 78 is an elastomeric canvas material. This elastomeric canvas material is provided with a plurality of first yarns intersecting a plurality of second yarns, forming an open network-like structure having a plurality of apertures. Each opening is defined by at least two adjacent first yarns and at least two second adjacent yarns, such that the apertures are substantially rectangular in shape. A preferred elastomeric canvas is manufactured by the company Conwed Plastics under the designation TN2514. In a more preferred mode, the elastic panel members are operatively joined to the side panel by securing them to the chassis layer 40, the belt layers 42 and 44, or both, while they are in a substantially unstressed condition (zero tension). At least a portion of the resultant composite stretch laminate containing the elastic panel member is then subjected to sufficient mechanical stretching to permanently elongate non-elastic components, (the chassis layer, the barrier layer, and the barrier layer). belt) of the stretch laminate. The mixed stretch laminate is then allowed to return to its substantially unstressed condition. The side panel is thus formed in a "zero stress" stretch laminate (alternatively the elastic panel member can be operatively joined in a tensioned condition and then subjected to mechanical stretching; although this is not as preferred as a "zero voltage" stretch laminate. As used herein, the term "zero stress" stretch laminate refers to a laminate comprised of at least two sheets of material that secure one to another of at least a portion of its coextensive surfaces while they are in a substantially unstressed condition ("zero voltage"); one of the sheets comprising a material that is stretchable and elastomeric (i.e. will return substantially to its unstretched dimensions after an applied tension force has been released) and a second sheet that is elongate (but not necessarily elastomeric) in such a manner that when stretching the second sheet will be, at least to a permanently elongated degree, in such a way that when releasing the applied tension forces it will not return completely to its original configuration without deforming. The resulting stretch laminate is thus made elastically extensible, at least up to the initial stretch point, in the direction of initial stretch. Particularly preferred methods and apparatus used to make the stretch laminates use gear-type corrugating rollers to mechanically stretch the components. Particularly preferred apparatuses and methods are disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,167,897 issued to Weber et al. On December 1, 1992, U.S. Patent 5,156,793 issued to Buell et al., On October 20, 1990; and U.S. Patent 5,143,679, issued to Weber et al., on September 1, 1992. The continuous belt 38 acts to dynamically create forces of shaping or adjustment in the diaper that is worn, when placed on the wearer, to maintain the diaper that is put on the wearer even when it is loaded with body exudates thus keeping the absorbent core in close proximity to the wearer, and to distribute the dynamically generated forces during use around the waist, thereby providing additional support to the core Absorbent without binding or bulking the absorbent core in the panel located in the center of the diaper that is put on. The belt is designed to be elastically extensible in certain segments, and at least elastically extensible, preferably elastically contractible, in other segments around the waist opening, to make elastically extensible around a part of a leg opening, and to not pick up or bulking in the panel located in the center where the absorbent core is located. The elastic extension capacity of the belt also has a strength / extension "wall", beyond which it will not elastically extend to the belt for the purpose of allowing the diaper to be applied more easily, since the diaper will not stretch. excessively allowing in this way the product to slide more easily on the buttocks. This "wall strength / extension" is especially important for young children who apply the product and who would be unable to pull and completely place a fully stretchable product on their buttocks. The belt handles the stresses best used with the belt frames that surround the absorbent core. The resulting diaper is less bulky in its fit around the wearer's waist. The lack of recoil or contraction of the belt on the absorbent core, in combination with the continuity of the belt through the absorbent core, also provides improved fit providing a normal continuous force based on the hip tensions generated by the belt, which tend to press the absorbent core against the body during use. In this way, the absorbent core is maintained in a narrower, more comfortable and less separation manner than those diapers that provide elastic shrinkage or recoil over the area of the absorbent core., or those that do not provide a belt to concentrate within the space and distribute the tensions of the hip around the area of the absorbent core through space. The seam panels 66 and 66 'are those portions designed to be sewn or joined together by the manufacturer to form the waist opening 36 and the leg openings 34 defined. As shown in Figure 2, the seam panels 66 and 66 'extend laterally outward from the respective side panels 46 and 48 towards the side edge 72 or 72' and generally longitudinally extend from the end edge 70 or 70 'towards the leg edge 71 or 71', respectively. The sewing panels are preferably an extension of the chassis layer and other elements, such as the belt layers and the topsheet, or any other combination of these elements. In a preferred embodiment, each seam panel is formed by the portions of the chassis layer, the belt layers, the elastic panel members and the barrier layers of the topsheet. (In the seam panel, the stretch laminate is preferably not activated by the mechanical stretch although it may be, if desired, provided with additional extension capacity in this region.) In a more preferred embodiment, the seam 32 has a predetermined sewing pattern such that the seam can be easily opened by tearing by the use of the tear-open tab 31. Preferably, the seam 32 comprises an intermittent pattern of an individual joint or joints grouped into clusters 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d as shown, for example, in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the stitching 32 comprises four clusters 4a-4d. Other suitable seams can have any number of groups such as two, three, five or more. Any form of joining and / or clusters can be used while the seam can be easily torn open by using the tear-open tab 31. Preferred joining shapes and / or clusters include a circle, an oval, a triangle and a rectangle The spacing between the adjacent clusters 4a-4d creates spaces or unattached portions 5a-5c in the seam 32. When the diaper 20 is put on, the seams 32 tend to buckle with the movement of the wearer. Bending of seams 32 in the gaps between adjacent clusters create channels that allow air to move in and out of the diaper during use to ventilate the diaper. Therefore, the disjointed portion of the seam 32, (i.e., the sum of all the individual separation distances), determines the breathability of the seams, and thus, the breathability of the diaper 20. As the disjoint portion of the 32 stitching increases so does the breathability of the diaper. However, as the disconnected portion of the seam 32 increases, the strength of the seam 32 decreases. Preferably, the disengaged portion of the seam 32 varies from about 20% to about 65% of the total seam length, as measured from the leg opening 34 to the waist opening 36 along the seam 32. Examples of suitable seams have a disjoint portion comprising about 30%, 35% or 40% of the total length of the seam. The disunited portions below about 20% are not generally desirable since they do not allow a sufficient amount of air to ventilate the diaper. The disunited portions above about 65% are generally not desirable, since they tend to allow sufficient amounts of air to enter the diaper, but are not strong enough to withstand the forces and high stress placed on the diaper during the diaper. use. Preferred sewing patterns may include different seam resistance patterns which provide variable bond strengths between seam panels 66 such that the seam can be easily torn open using the tear-open tongue 31. In the embodiments preferred, such control of the joining resistances can be produced by changing certain amounts of polymeric material contained in the seam panels 66. To increase the bond strength, for example, the amount of polymeric material contained in the elements forming the panels of Stitching 66 can be increased by using higher weight nonwoven materials, thicker plastic films, or by introducing layers of additional materials to the seam panels 66. For example, the plastic films or additional non-woven wefts can be joined at the sewing panels 66. Alternatively, the layers forming the diaper can be extended beyond the intended seam area and folded back into the seam panel to introduce additional layers into the seam panels. Examples of these types of seams are discussed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,236,430. In preferred embodiments, the tear opening tab 31 can be placed anywhere along the seaming panel 66. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the tear opening tab 31 is placed in an extended portion toward outside the separation 5a, which is approximately equally close to both of the clusters 4a and 4b. Preferably, the position of the tear opening tab 31 is offset between the leg opening 34 and the waist opening 36. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the tear opening tab is closer to the leg opening 34. that of the waist opening 36. In a more preferred embodiment, the position of the tear opening tab is closer to the waist opening than to the leg opening 34 as shown in Figure 6. The deviated position of the tear opening tab 31 indicates to the user from what portion he / she should begin to open by tearing the diaper by the fingers. Figure 7a shows the overlapped seam structure 32 formed by joining the seam panels 66. In this figure, one of the seam elements 32 is exaggeratedly polished in terms of its thickness and width for the sake of explanation. The arrows F1 and F2 show the forces that are generated when the diaper 20 is worn, thus applied to the seaming element 32 in the seam panels 66 and 66 'through the front and back side panels 46 and 48. The Overlapped seam structure provide a necessary seam strength which is required to maintain the diaper that is placed over the wearer's waist area. Figure 7B shows the forces F3 and F4 applied to the tear opening tab 31 and the front side panel 46, respectively, when the diaper that is put on is torn open during removal of the wearer's diaper. As the opposing forces F3 and F4 operate effectively to separate the seam panel 66 from the front side panel 46 of the seam panel 66 'from the rear side panel 48. The deviated position of the tear opening tab 31 causes a concentration of the tearing opening force F3 in the specific seaming element 32 which is placed closer to the leg opening 34 or to the waist opening 36. Therefore, the diaper that is put 20 can be tear-open from the leg opening 34 or the waist opening 36 by applying the smaller amount force coming from the user.

As shown in Figure 8, the disposable diaper 20 has the waste means 33 attached to the tear opening tab 31 to allow the donning diaper 20 to be secured in a configuration that provides convenient disposal. In the preferred embodiments, the tear opening tab 31 has an inner surface 35 and an outer surface 37 (shown in Figure 9). The means for disposal or removal 33 are attached to the inner surface 36 of the tear opening tab 31 such that the waste means 33 is placed between the tear-open tab 31 and the front side panels 46, and concealed therebetween as shown in Figure 1. The means for disposal 33 can be any material that can allow the diaper to be secured in a configuration that provides convenient disposal. In the preferred embodiments, the means for disposal is a material that can be coupled with or attached to at least a portion of the backsheet 22 or to one of the rear side panels 46 and 48 for disposal. In a preferred embodiment, the waste means 33 comprises a mechanical fastening element constituting a mechanical fastening system with the backsheet 22 for disposal. In a preferred alternative embodiment, the waste means 33 comprises a mechanical fastening element that constitutes a mechanical fastening system with one of the front and rear side panels 46b and 48b for disposal. The mechanical fastening element may comprise any known means for achieving a closure such as buttons, clamps, hook fastening materials, or terry fastening materials. The mechanical fastening system can comprise any of the mechanical fasteners known in the art. Exemplary fastening systems comprising mechanical fastening components are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,058,247 entitled "Mechanical Clamping Pile" issued to Thomas on October 22, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 4,869,724 entitled "Mechanical Fastening Systems with Adhesive Tape Removal Means for the Removal of Absorbent Articles" issued to Scripps on September 26, 1989; and U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having an Enhanced Fastening Device" issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical fastening system comprises hook-and-loop fasteners. As used herein, the term "hook-and-loop type fasteners" refers to the fastening means comprising a "hook" fastening material and a complementary loop fastening material. The term hook is used to designate a material that has coupling elements. Therefore, the hook fastening material can also be referred to as a male fastener. It should be understood that the use of the term "hook" should not be limiting in the sense that the coupling elements may comprise any of the forms as are known in the art as long as they are adapted to couple a complementary tie component. In this way, the hook fastening material can be manufactured from a wide range of materials. In addition, the coupling elements can have any shape such as hooks, "T", "mushroom", or any other shape as is well known in the art. Suitable materials include nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or any combination of these materials. An example of the preferred hook fastening material is available from Sumitomo 3M, under the trade designation XPH-5089. Still another preferred hook fastening material is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,058,247 entitled "Mechanical Clamping Pipe" issued to Thomas on October 22, 1991. In another preferred embodiment, the waste means comprises a hook fastening material while the back sheet 22 or one of the front and rear side panels 46 and 48 comprises a curl fastening material in at least one expected tie down portion. More preferably, the hook fastening material comprises a base and a plurality of coupling elements extending from the base. The hook fastening material is intended to be coupled with fibrous elements of a terry fastening material, which is formed in or on the backsheet 22 or one of the front and rear side panels 46 and 48. The base can be attached to the tear opening tongue 31 by any suitable means. In preferred embodiments, these are directly bonded to the inner surface of the tear-open tab 31. In other preferred embodiments, the backsheet 22 or the front and rear side panels 46 and 48 comprise a mooring component (not shown) at least in the expected mooring portion of the means for disposal 33 for disposal. The mooring component can be coupled with or attached to the means for disposal 33. The mooring component can be manufactured from a wide range of materials and configurations capable of securely coupling the coupling component. For example, the mooring component may comprise identical complementary elements or different complementary elements. As used herein, the term "identical complementary elements" is used to define mechanical fastening systems wherein the coupling elements of the coupling component and the clamping component comprise the same configuration or structure. The term "distinct complementary elements" is used herein to designate a system in which the coupling component is different from the mooring component but is capable of coupling therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the mooring component comprises a plurality of fiber elements, such as a curl fastening material, which engage with the coupling elements of the waste medium 33. The curl fastening material can be manufactured to from a wide range of materials to provide fiber elements, preferably curls. Suitable materials include woven materials, non-woven materials, nylon, polyesters, polypropylenes or any other known terry fastening materials or combinations of these materials. A preferred terry fastening material comprises a number of formed coupling elements projecting from a woven backing. A cheap curl fastening material and a method of making the same is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,032,122 entitled "Curl Fastening Material for Fastening Device and Method for Making Same" issued to Noel and others, on July 16, 1991. Other suitable mooring component material is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,326,612 entitled "Non Woven Female Component for Restrainable Securing Device and Method for Making Same" issued to David JK Goulait on July 5, 1994. In another preferred embodiment, the mooring component has a base and a plurality of coupling elements extending from the base. The base is attached to the backsheet 22 or to the front and back panels 46 and 48 in the expected mooring portion. The clamping component may be attached to the backsheet 22 or the front and back panels 46 and 48 by any means known in the art, including but not limited to adhesives, adherents, heat, pressure, ultrasound, or any combination thereof. . Alternatively, the mooring component can be formed in a part of the backsheet 22 and in the front and back panels 46 and 48. In the preferred embodiments, the backsheet 22 comprises a plastic film and a nonwoven web bonded to the surface facing outwardly of the plastic film such that the nonwoven web covers at least a part, preferably more than 70%, more preferably substantially all of the surface that faces towards the outside of the plastic film. The nonwoven web has at least one portion that forms the mooring component. Preferably the plastic film is permeable to moisture. The non-woven web may be attached to the plastic film by any means of attachment known in the art. For example, the non-woven web can be secured to the plastic film by a uniform, continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate lines, coils or dots of adhesives. The suitable nonwoven web includes a non-woven spunbonded polypropylene web that is obtained from Fiberweb Co., Ltd., SC, USA, as 13561 DAPP. Another suitable spunbonded non-woven web of polypropylene is obtained from Veratec Co., Ltd., MA, USA, as L4819. In an alternate embodiment, the means for disposal comprise an adhesive attachment means that can be glued to or adhered to the backsheet 22 or the front and back panels 46 and 48 for disposal. In a more preferred embodiment, the adhesive attachment means comprises an adhesive placed on the inner surface of the tear-open tab 31, and a release liner positioned on the adhesive such that the adhesive will not be exposed until after it has been removed. have messed up the disposable diaper that is put on. The adhesive fixing means may comprise any adhesive or glue used in the art. Preferably, pressure sensitive adhesives are used. The release liner serves to prevent the adhesive fixing means from drying and sticking to foreign surfaces before use. Any release liner commonly used for these purposes can be used. After the disposable diaper 20 has been worn or soiled, the dirty diaper 20 is torn open along the seams 32, holding the tear opening tab 31 and the front side panel 46 to remove the diaper 20 dirty of the user. The removed diaper 20 is then folded or rolled into a waste configuration to contain the contents within the soiled diaper as shown, for example, in Figure 8. To secure the cloth! 20 folded or rolled with the means for disposal 33, any configuration can be chosen. For example, the tear opening tabs 31 are attached to the backsheet 22 through the waste means 33 (not shown) to ensure the disposal configuration as shown in Figure 9. Alternately, one of the tear-opening tabs 31 on one side is attached to the rear side panel 48 on the other side through the waste means 33 to ensure the disposal configuration shown in Figure 10. In these examples (shown in Figures 9) and 10), the means for disposal 33 may be either a mechanical fastening element or an adhesive provided on the tear-open tongue 31 and which is designed to be attached with or attached to the back sheet 22 or to the rear side panel 48. Therefore, these bent dispositions of elimination effectively prevent leakage of urine or body exudates contained from the sides of the folded diaper 20. The absorbent core 84 is preferably positioned adjacent the inner surface 76 of the chassis layer 40, and is preferably bonded thereto by joining means (not shown), such as those well known in the art. For example, the chassis layer can be secured to the absorbent core by a continuous uniform adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate lines, coils or dots of adhesives. The attachment means preferably comprises a network of adhesive pattern filaments as disclosed in the United States patent. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Garment for Containment of Waste" which was issued to Minetola and Tucker on March 4, 1986. An exemplary joining means of an open-pattern filament network comprises several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Patent 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Fr. On October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker, and others on November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Alternately the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, dynamic-mechanical joints or any other suitable joining means or combination of these joining means as are known in the art. The absorbent core 84 may be any absorbent means 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 certain exudates from the body. The absorbent core can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, asymmetric "T" shape, etc.), and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in diapers disposable and other absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp which is generally referred to as an air filter. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include accreted cellulose wadding, melt-blown polymers, including coform, cross-linked cellulosic fibers, paper including paper wraps, absorbent foams, absorbent super absorbent polymer sponges, gelling absorbent materials or any equivalent materials or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also be varied (for example, the absorbent core can have variable gauge zones and hydrophilic gradients, super absorbent gradients, or base weight acquisition zones by lower means and lower average density, or can comprise one or more layers or structures). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core, however, must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper that is put on. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core can be varied to encompass users ranging from babies to adults.

A preferred embodiment of the absorbent core has a modified, asymmetric hourglass shape, and has a body surface towards the user's body (inner surface) and a garment surface opposite the body surface. An exemplary absorbent structure for use as the absorbent core of the present invention which has achieved wide acceptance and commercial success is described in U.S. Patent 5,360,420 entitled "Absorbent structures containing hardened fibers and super absorbent material" issued to Cook, Lash. , Moore, and Young on November 1, 1994. Preferably, the absorbent core will comprise an acquisition / distribution layer of chemically hardened cellulosic fibers and a storage layer positioned below the acquisition / distribution layer comprising a fiber blend of wood pulp and super absorbent material, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,610,478 entitled "High density absorbent structures", issued to Weisman and Goldman on September 9, 1986. The topsheet 80 is positioned adjacent to the body surface of the absorbent core 84. and is preferably attached to the absorbent core 84 and the chassis layer 40 by attachment means (not shown), such as those well known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the topsheet and the chassis layer are indirectly joined together by attaching them directly to the absorbent core or to the elastic panel members or other elements of the diaper that is put on. The topsheet 80 preferably comprises a three-member structure as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,795,454 entitled "Absorbent article having dual leak-resistant folds" issued to Dragoo on January 3, 1989. As shown in Figure 5, the topsheet 80 comprises a primary layer 86 and barrier layer 88 joined to and extending laterally outwardly from the primary layer 86. The primary layer 86 is a liquid-permeable material that allows liquids to rapidly penetrate through the primary layer 86. of its thickness and are absorbed by the absorbent core. The two barrier layers 88 are preferably hydrophobic to prevent runoff away from the sides of the diaper, and are preferably stretchable to strengthen the stretch laminates. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes will be suggested by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A disposable garment comprising: a chassis having a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region, the chassis comprising a liquid permeable top sheet, a waterproof back sheet the liquid associated with the top sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; front side panels extending laterally outwardly from each side of the chassis in the frontal region; rear side panels extending laterally outward from each side of the chassis in the rear region; sewing panels each extending laterally outwards from each of the front and back side panels; each of the seams joining the corresponding seam panels in an overlapping manner to form an overlapping seam structure, thereby forming two leg openings and a waist opening; and a means for disposal or removal attached to at least one of the front and rear side panels to allow the garment that is put on to be secured in a configuration that provides convenient disposal.

2. The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, further comprising a tear opening tab extending laterally outwardly from the seam panel, and the waste means attached to the opening tab by tear

3. The disposable garment according to claim 2, wherein the tear-open tab has an outer surface and an inner surface, and the means for disposal are attached to the inner surface of the tongue. opening by tearing.

4. The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, wherein the seams comprise an intermittent seam by intermittently joining the seam panels. The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, wherein the means for disposal comprises a mechanical fastening element that constitutes a mechanical fastening system with the backsheet for disposal. The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, wherein the means for disposal comprise a mechanical fastening element, which constitutes a mechanical fastening system with one of the front and rear side panels for removal . The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, wherein the means for disposal comprises an adhesive attachment means which can adhere to the backsheet for removal. The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, wherein the position of the tear-open tab is offset between the leg opening and the waist opening. The disposable garment according to claim 8, wherein the position of the tear opening tab is closer to the waist opening than to the leg opening, or closer to the opening of the leg opening. leg than from the waist opening. The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, wherein the front and back side panels are elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction. The disposable garment according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the front and rear side panels comprises a continuous sheet material extending continuously from the chassis. The garment that becomes disposable according to claim 1, wherein the seam has a predetermined seam pattern such that the seam can be easily opened by tearing using the tear-open tab.