US 5,234,423 AGranted

Absorbent article with elastic waist feature and enhanced absorbency

AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company

InventorsMiguel Alemany, Sandra H. Clear

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Abstract

Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have improved dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone. The waistband flexural hinge zone is predisposed to allow the panel zones to flexurally bend about a defined axis or zone and is resilient to provide a restoring force/moment that returns the panel zones to their preceeding in-use configuration, especially when the elasticized waistband has been pretensioned by a closure system. The closure system dynamically creates/maintains lateral tension through the elasticized waistband thereby allowing the elasticized waistband to more dynamically expand and contract with the motions of the wearer. The absorbent article additionally preferably comprises a pair of elasticized side panels disposed in the second waist region. The elasticized side panels preferably comprise a "zero strain" stretch laminate and an extension panel. The present invention also relates to alternative waist features comprising "an expansive tummy panel" elasticized waistband. The absorbent core comprises an acquisition/distribution core of chemically stiffened fibers and a storage core.

A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a lateral direction parallel to said lateral centerline, longitudinal edges, end edges, a first waist region, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the absorbent article comprising:

a liquid pervious topsheet;
a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet;
an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having side edges and waist edges, said absorbent core comprising:
(i) an acquisition/distribution core comprising chemically stiffened fibers;
and
(ii) a storage core positioned beneath said acquisition/distribution core relative to said topsheet;
and
an elastic waist feature extending longitudinally outwardly from one of said waist edges of said storage core, said elastic waist feature comprising an elasticized waistband being extensible in at least the lateral direction, said elasticized waistband comprising:
(i) a shaping panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction,
(ii) a waistline panel zone resiliently flexurally joined with said shaping panel zone, said waistline panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, and
(iii) a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone for allowing relative flexural bending between said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone when forces are applied and for providing a restoring force/moment to resiliently return said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone to essentially their preceding in-use configuration when the forces are removed, said waistband flexural hinge zone having a bending flexure restoring force greater than about 20 grams.sub.f ;
elasticized side panels disposed in said second waist region, each of said elasticized side panels being elastically extensible in the lateral direction;
and
a closure system disposed on the absorbent article for maintaining lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband.

11 more elements

Facts

Application

07/843,706Filed 28 Feb 1992 · continuation in part

Priority

13 Jun 1991

Granted

10 Aug 1993

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification51 codes

A61F 13/49009
Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers: with elastic means
A61F 13/15593
Of babies' napkins, e.g. diapers: having elastic ribbons fixed thereto; Devices for applying the ribbons
A61F 13/15707
Apparatus or processes for manufacturing: mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping
A61F 13/49012
The elastic means is located at the waist region: the elastic means being elastic panels

Abstract

Claims12