Absorbent article fastening device

An absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region opposed to the first waist region and a crotch region located between the first waist region and the second waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, the absorbent article comprising:

• a topsheet;
• a backsheet joined with the topsheet;
• an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core including a pair of side edges and a pair of waist edges;
• a side panel in the second waist region, the side panel having a fixed end joined to the absorbent article and a free end extending laterally outwardly therefrom;
• and
• a fastening system for joining at least a portion of the first waist region with at least a portion of the second waist region to provide lateral tension therebetween, the fastening system including:
• a slot member disposed on the absorbent article, the slot member having an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot, the inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion;
• and
• a tab member having a length, a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge located over the side panel laterally inward from the distal edge, the tab member joined to the side panel along a line of attachment extending at least about 25 percent of the length of the tab member, at least a portion of the proximal edge of the tab member not joined to the side panel such that the portion of the proximal edge of the tab member is free to lift away from the side panel so that when the fastening system is fastened the tab member distal edge and proximal edge are passed through the slot such that the portion of the proximal edge of the tab member overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member and the distal edge of the tab member overlaps the inboard portion of the slot member.

A absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region opposed to the first waist region and a crotch region located between the first waist region and the second waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, the absorbent article comprising:

• a topsheet;
• a backsheet joined with the topsheet;
• an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core including a pair of side edges and a pair of waist edges;
• a side panel in the second waist region, the side panel having a fixed end joined to the absorbent article and a free end extending laterally outwardly therefrom, the free end of the side panel having a longitudinal dimension;
• and
• a fastening system for joining at least a portion of the first waist region with at least a portion of the second waist region to provide lateral tension therebetween the fastening system including:
• a slot member having an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot, the inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion;
• and
• a tab member having a length greater than or equal to 25 percent of the longitudinal dimension of the side panel free end, a proximal edge and a distal edge, the tab member joined to the side panel along a line of attachment extending at least about 25 percent of the length of the tab member, the proximal edge located over the side panel laterally inward from the distal edge, at least a portion of the proximal edge of the tab member not joined to the side panel such that the portion of the proximal edge of the tab member is free to lift away from the side panel so that when the fastening system is fastened the tab member distal edge and proximal edge are passed through the slot such that the portion of the proximal edge of the tab member overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member and the distal edge of the tab member overlaps the inboard portion of the slot member.

A method for securing an absorbent article about a wearer, the method including the steps of:

• providing an absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region opposed to the first waist region and a crotch region located between the first waist region and the second waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, the absorbent article comprising:
• (a) a topsheet;
• (b) a backsheet joined with the topsheet;
• (c) an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core including a pair of side edges and a pair of waist edges;
• and (d) a fastening system for joining at least a portion of the first waist region with at least a portion of the second waist region to provide lateral tension therebetween, the fastening system including:
• (i) a slot member disposed on the absorbent article, the slot member having an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot, the inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion;
• and (ii) a tab member having a length, a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge located over the absorbent article laterally inward from the distal edge, the tab member joined to the absorbent article along a line of attachment extending at least about 25 percent of the length of the tab member, at least a portion of the proximal edge of the tab member not joined to the absorbent article;
• fitting the absorbent article about the wearer;
• and
• engaging the fastening system by passing the tab member distal edge and proximal edge through the slot of the slot member such that the proximal edge of the tab member overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member and the distal edge of the tab member overlaps the inboard portion of the slot member.