US 5,242,436 AGranted

Absorbent article with fastening system providing dynamic elasticized waistband fit

AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company

InventorsDenis G. Weil, Kenneth B. Buell, Sandra H. Clear, Danielia T. Falcone

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Abstract

Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, and the like, that have elasticized waistbands with a dual tensioning fastening system that improves the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. The dual tension fastening system comprises a primary fastening system and a waist closure system. The waist closure system forms a waist closure that anchors a portion of the end edge of the absorbent article and that dynamically maintains/creates lateral tensions through the elasticized waistband so as to improve the fit and containment characteristics of the diaper by reducing gapping, sagging, and roll-over of the elasticized waistband. 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 also preferably having an extension panel adjacent the leg of the wearer.

Claims50

Dependent claims

An absorbent article to be placed on a wearer, the absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a longitudinal direction which is the direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a lateral direction which is the direction parallel to said lateral centerline, longitudinal edges, end edges, a first waist region, a second waist region longitudinally opposed to said first waist region, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the absorbent article comprising:

a containment assembly comprising an outer covering layer and an absorbent core having side edges and waist edges;
an elasticized waistband disposed longitudinally outwardly from and along a portion of said waist edge of said absorbent core in said first waist region, said elasticized waistband being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction;
and
a dual tension fastening system disposed on the absorbent article, said dual tension fastening system comprising:
(i) a primary fastening system for providing a side closure for the absorbent article by maintaining said first waist region and said second waist region in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tension is maintained around the absorbent article to maintain the absorbent article on the wearer, said primary fastening system comprising:
(a) a securement member disposed adjacent each of said longitudinal edges in said second waist region;
and
(b) at least one landing member disposed in said first waist region, said landing member being engageable with said securement members;
and
(ii) a waist closure system for providing a variable positioning, passively activated, waist closure for the absorbent article that dynamically maintains lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband, said waist closure system comprising:
(a) at least one first attachment component disposed in said first waist region, said first attachment component being positioned so as to be longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband, and
(b) at least one second attachment component disposed in said second waist region, said second attachment component being engageable with said first attachment component so that when the primary closure is formed, said second waist region overlaps said first waist region such that said second attachment component engages said first attachment component at at least two anchor zones longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband so as to dynamically maintain lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband.

9 more elements

a containment assembly comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having side edges and waist edges;
elasticized side panels disposed in said second waist region laterally outwardly from said side edges of said absorbent core, each of said elasticized side panels being elastically extensible in the lateral direction;
an elasticized waistband disposed longitudinally outwardly from said waist edge of said absorbent core in said first waist region, said elasticized waistband being elastically extensible in the lateral direction;
and
a dual tension fastening system disposed on the absorbent article, said dual tension fastening system comprising:
(i) a primary fastening system for providing a variable positioning side closure for the absorbent article by maintaining said first waist region and said second waist region in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tension is maintained around the absorbent article to maintain the absorbent article on the wearer, said primary fastening system comprising:
(a) a tape tab disposed adjacent each of said longitudinal edges in said second waist region, each of said tape tabs comprising a first fastening component;
and
(b) at least one landing member disposed in said first waist region, said landing member comprising a second fastening component engageable with said first fastening component of said tape tabs;
and
(ii) a waist closure system for providing a variable positioning, passively activated, waist closure for the absorbent article that dynamically maintains lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband, said waist closure system comprising:
(a) a pair of first attachment components disposed in said first waist region, said first attachment components being positioned so as to be longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband and laterally spaced from each other;
and
(b) at least one second attachment component disposed in said second waist region, said second attachment component being engageable with said first attachment components so that when the primary closure is formed, said second waist region overlaps said first waist region such that said second attachment component engages said first attachment components to dynamically maintain lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband.

11 more elements

A unitary disposable absorbent article to be placed on a wearer, the absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a longitudinal direction which is the direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a lateral direction which is the direction parallel to said lateral centerline, longitudinal edges, end edges, a first waist region, a second waist region longitudinally opposed to said first waist region, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the absorbent article comprising:

a liquid pervious topsheet;
a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet;
an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having side edges and waist edges;
elasticized side panels disposed in said second waist region, each of said elasticized side panels being elastically extensible in the lateral direction, each of said elasticized side panels comprising an ear flap extending outwardly from and along a portion of said side edge of said absorbent core in said second waist region, said ear flap comprising a portion of said topsheet and said backsheet extending outwardly beyond said side edge of said absorbent core, and an elastic side panel member operatively associated with and secured in said ear portion;
an elasticized waistband disposed longitudinally outwardly from and along a portion of said waist edge of said absorbent core in said first waist region, said elasticized waistband being elastically extensible in the lateral direction, said elasticized waistband comprising a portion of said topsheet and a portion of said backsheet extending beyond said waist edge of said absorbent core in said first waist region, and an elastic waistband member operatively associated with and joined to one of said topsheet, said backsheet, or both said topsheet and said backsheet;
and
a dual tension fastening system disposed on the absorbent article, said dual tension fastening system comprising:
(i) a primary fastening system for providing a variable positioning side closure for the absorbent article by maintaining said first waist region and said second waist region in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tension is maintained around the absorbent article to maintain the absorbent article on the wearer, said primary fastening system comprising:
(a) a tape tab disposed adjacent each of said longitudinal edges in said second waist region, each of said tape tabs comprising a fixed portion joined to said backsheet adjacent said longitudinal edge, a tab portion extending outwardly from said longitudinal edge and joined to said fixed portion, and a first fastening component disposed on said tab portion;
and
(b) at least one landing member disposed in said first waist region, said landing member comprising a second fastening component engageable with said first fastening component of said tape tabs;
and
(ii) a waist closure system for providing a variable positioning, passively activated waist closure for the absorbent article that dynamically maintains lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband, said waist closure system comprising:
(a) a pair of first attachment components joined to said backsheet in said first waist region, said first attachment components being positioned so as to be longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband, longitudinally offset from said tape tabs, and laterally spaced from each other by at least about 25 mm, said first attachment components each comprising a first mechanical closure element comprising a hook fastening material;
and
(b) at least one second attachment component disposed in said second waist region, said second attachment component comprising a second mechanical closure element comprising a loop fastening material mechanically engageable with said hook fastening material of said first mechanical closure element so that when the primary closure is formed, said second waist region overlaps said first waist region such that said second attachment component engages said first waist attachment component to dynamically maintain lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/020,093Filed 19 Feb 1993 · continuation
Priority: 13 Jun 1991
Granted: 7 Sep 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

A61F 13/493
Specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers or nappies: adjustable by adding or removing material, e.g. umbilical cord arrangements
A61F 13/49009
Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers: with elastic means
A61F 13/58
Supporting or fastening means: adhesive tab fastener elements
A61F 13/622
Mechanical fastening means ; Fabric strip fastener elements, e.g. hook and loop: fabric strip fastener elements, e.g. hook and loop