Disposal diaper with center gathers
AssigneeMcNeil-PPC, Inc.
InventorsGloria Huffman, Heinz A. Pieniak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An absorbent article embodied as a disposable diaper construction has been particularly configured for improved fit and comfort by the provision of a center gathering arrangement. In the illustrated embodiments, the diaper includes an absorbent panel structure which is positioned between associated facing and backing layers, and further includes an arrangement of one or more elastic elements which extend longitudinally of the diaper. By this arrangement, a longitudinal gathering force is created on the absorbent panel of the diaper, whereby the diaper is shortened to improve its fit, thus enhancing comfort for the wearer as well as inhibiting leakage from the diaper.
Claims18
A disposable diaper having improved fit and comfort for the wearer, comprising:
- an absorbent panel, said absorbent panel including a front portion, a rear portion, and a central portion extending therebetween, said absorbent panel comprising a pair of laterally adjacent, discrete panel sections;
- a fluid-pervious facing layer positioned adjacent to and overlying one side of said absorbent panel, said facing layer being adapted for positioning in contact with the wearer of the diaper;
- a backing layer positioned on the other side of said absorbent panel;
- leg-gathering means positioned generally at the laterally opposite margins of said disposable diaper to conform the diaper to the legs of the wearer;
- and
- center gathering means operatively associated with said absorbent panel of said disposable diaper for providing a longitudinal gathering force on said absorbent panel so that the diaper conforms to the wearer for improved fit and comfort,
- said gathering means comprising elastic means positioned generally rearwardly of said front portion of said absorbent panel and extending generally longitudinally of said disposable diaper along said central and rear portions of said absorbent panel for providing said gathering force on said absorbent panel.
An absorbent article having improved fit and comfort for the wearer, comprising:
- an absorbent panel including a front panel, a rear portion, and a central portion extending therebetween, said absorbent panel comprising a plurality of laterally adjacent, discrete panel sections, including a discrete center panel section, and a pair of laterally adjacent, discrete side panel sections on respective opposite lateral sides of said center panel section;
- a fluid-pervious facing layer positioned adjacent to and overlying one side of said absorbent panel, said facing layer being adapted for positioning adjacent to the wearer of the absorbent article;
- a backing layer positioned on the other side of said absorbent panel;
- and
- center gathering means for providing a longitudinal gathering force in said absorbent panel at least along said rear portion thereof so that the article conforms to the wearer for improved fit and comfort.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.