Reversibly extensible film

#The present invention relates to flexible sheet or roll stock film having elastic characteristics and to products formed of such film. Film-forming polymers are used to hot form the film with elastic and nonelastic or inelastic discrete polymer portions connected at a joint therebetween.

#The films are useful in tapes, closure devices, labels and other constructions requiring a stretchable or elastic film element. The shear resistance and elastic property of the film in combination with the non-creep nature of the inelastic portions provide unique and valuable performance useful in a wide range of applications. The films may be used as a construction film for forming an element of a more comprehensive tape or closure system including industrial or craft applications requiring pieces to be secured together with tension during a dry cycle or medical applications such as medical tapes, suture tapes, nasal dilators, bandages and the like.

#The films are particularly useful as substrates for closure systems such as mechanical and/or self-adhesive diaper fastening tapes or tabs. In such applications, the elastic characteristic of the film enhances fit, comfort, absorbency, containment and/or security of closure. The films may also be used as attachments to the waist or leg areas of a device or article of clothing for enhancing fit, comfort, and/or sealing characteristics. The film is especially useful in connection with disposable diaper tape fastening systems, and it is specifically described with respect to the same hereinafter.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable diaper having a tab fastener, waist band and leg cuff in accordance with the invention, with parts broken away;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 2—2 in FIG. 1 showing that tab fastener in a deployed position;

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 3—3 in FIG. 1 showing the tab fastener in a storage position;

#Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a disposable diaper 10 in accordance with the invention. The diaper 10 comprises a laminate or layered assembly 12 having an inside surface 14 and an outside surface 16. The diaper 10 has an hourglass configuration including a first end 18 and a second end 20 connected by longitudinally extending edges 22 and 24.

#The layered assembly 12 includes a liquid absorbent pad or batt core 26 enclosed within a liquid permeable inner shell or top sheet 28 and a liquid impermeable outer shell or back sheet 30. The core 26 may be of slightly smaller dimensions than the shells 28 and 30 so as to cause the latter to form a perimeter or border about the core 26.

#Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the diaper 10 includes tab or tape fastener assemblies 32 secured to the first end 18 of the diaper adjacent associated longitudinal edges 22 and 24. The tabs 32 are arranged to provide side closure of the diaper 10 about an infant or user upon engagement with landing member or zone 34. The landing member 34 may comprise separate reinforcing tape members 34a and 34b as shown in solid outline or a single tape piece as shown by the combined solid and dotted outline in FIG. 1. As described in further detail below, the tabs 32 and landing member 34 may provide adhesive and/or mechanical closure of the diaper 10.