MXPA00002239A - Absorbent article fastening device - Google Patents

Abstract

A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has 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. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE CLAMPING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as • diapers, training pants and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles having improved fasteners for attaching the front of the article to the back of the article and / or to provide the waste. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION • Many different types of restraining fastening devices are known, including loops, fasteners, hook and loop systems, hook systems and eyelet, buttons, pins, internal locking forms, buckles, adhesive tapes, adherent surfaces, and closures and other sliding connectors. These fasteners have been used in a variety of products, both durable and disposable. Typical uses include wraps, garments, diapers, packages, footwear, construction closures, general fastening needs and feminine hygiene products. 20 Some of the fastening devices, such as the hook and curl or the adhesive tapes, require aligning a mating surface with a mooring surface. Although this may result in an effective closure, this often results in inappropriate placement and / or poor alignment of the connecting elements. In addition, hook and loop fasteners may become inefficient due to the understanding and contamination or may damage the surrounding materials. With an adhesive system, inappropriate attachment of the device can make the total product unusable. For example, in diaper applications, repositioning a tape tab that has been improperly fastened may result in tearing of the outer cover of the diaper. In addition, adhesive systems are prone to operational problems induced by pollution. In order to help avoid these problems, the use of these types of fasteners often requires inefficient designs and the use of extra material which adds to the cost of the products. Other systems such as buttons, snap fasteners, hooks and rings, and loops are limited in that they connect only discrete points. If only one fastening device is used for the particular closure, the connection allows the material around the fastener to rotate around the discrete points connected by the fastener. In addition, if a lock other than the individual point needs to be connected, these systems generally require more than one locking device per lock. Multiple connections can be difficult to handle and can result in separation between the discrete components of the clamping device, particularly if the connection is under tension. These systems also require the precise alignment of the components to create the desired connection. The clamping systems from some point to the other point require that the force be maintained in the system during the entire time that the fastener is connected. Other examples of mutual fastening closures can be found in United States Patent No. 198,097 issued to Fries on December 11, 1877, United States Patent No. 207,253, issued to Chipley on August 20, 1878, patent of the United States of America. United States No. 378,874 issued to Davis on March 6, 1888 United States Patent No. 771, 719 issued to Copeland on October 4, 1904 United States Patent No. 791, 654 issued to Searle on June 6 of 1905 U.S. Patent No. 2,837,096 issued to Leveille on June 3, 1958 U.S. Patent No. 3,482,289 issued to Stradella on December 9, 1969; U.S. Patent No. 3,620,180 issued to Waldes on November 16, 1971; U.S. Patent No. 3,834,824 issued to Jahn on September 10, 1974; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,001,924 issued to Bengtsson on January 11, 1977. All of these fasteners can join lengths or extensions, but each suffers from at least one major disadvantage, • especially for use with disposable products such as diapers. Some require the user to press on the connection to create the link. Others require manipulation of intricacy to attach, such as squeezing a tongue on one element that is then under another. Still others require at least one deformed element to create the coupling, which can limit the load-bearing capacity of the fastener. Most lack provisions to allow fasteners to conform to different shaped surfaces while in use and many of the systems do not have provisions that allow them to fit snugly. In addition, if they are used in disposable absorbent products such as diapers, these fasteners can cause the marking of the skin in discomfort for the user. In this way, it would be advantageous to provide an improved fastening device. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a restrainable clamping device which allows easy connection of lengths or extensions, rather than discrete points.

It would also be advantageous to provide a resilient fastening device that allows for adjustability and which is suitable for many uses, including disposable products, absorbent articles, and especially disposable absorbent articles. For this purpose, it would be desirable to provide a fastening device which easily conforms to different shapes when in use and / or which reduces the marked by the skin when used in a product that is going to be brought close to the skin. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to provide an absorbent article having a fastening device which can be easily coupled in many different configurations, such as when the user sits, lies down or stands up. Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide disposable products that include improved tongue and groove fastening devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved clamping device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles: The clamping device preferably includes a tongue member and a slot member. The slot member has an inner portion, an outer portion, and a slot which may include a slit or eyelet. The inner portion located laterally inward of the outer portion and the slot located between the inner portion and the outer portion. The tongue member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tongue portion is passed through the groove of the groove member to engage the clamping device. Once it has passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member overlaps the outer portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from slipping off the slot member. The present invention is also directed to articles that include the tongue and groove fastening device. Some article with which the fastening device is known to be useful, includes diapers, catamenial pads, bibs, wraps, packages and the like. However, the invention is limited to these uses, without however being directed to all other suitable uses of the tongue and groove fastening device. The fastening device of the present invention can provide a solution for some or all of the deficiencies identified with respect to other known fasteners. For example, the tongue and groove fastening device of the present invention is strong and simple to use, it can still be configured to conform to the determined surfaces and be otherwise benevolent with the skin. The tongue and groove clamping device can be adjusted and re-clamped without damaging the article or fastener. further, the tongue and groove fastening device can uniformly join lengths or extensions of material without the need for multiple fasteners. And, because the tongue and groove fastener has a designed fastening configuration, no extra material is needed to ensure proper fastening of the fastener as in hook and loop fasteners and tapes. Furthermore, especially important for disposable products, such as diapers, is the fact that the tongue and groove fastener can form a connection between the combs without the need to overlap the combs. This allows a reduction in the amount of the material in the disposable article, and in this way, reduces the overall cost of the article. Accordingly, the tongue and groove fastening device of the present invention can be provided with the benefits of the systems of conventional clamping without many of the disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims pointing out in a particular way and claiming differently the exposed matter that is considered as formant of the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which similar designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article in its flattened, non-contracted state, with the surface facing the body giving the observer; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of a part of the fastening device of the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of a part of the fastening device of the present invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of one embodiment of the fastening device of the present invention in its fastened configuration; Figure 7 is an end view of the embodiment of the fastening device shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan view of a part of the fastening device of the present invention; Figure 9 is a plan view of a part of the fastening device of the present invention; Figure 10 is a plan view of one embodiment of the fastening device of the present invention in its fastened configuration; Figure 11 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of absorbent article of the present invention in its flattened configuration, without contracting; Figure 12 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention in a flattened, non-collapsed configuration; Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in a clamped configuration; Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in a fastened configuration; Figure 15 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin embodiment including the fastening device of the present invention; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a modality of the towel • sanitary of the present invention shown in a fastened configuration; Figure 17 is a plan view of a bib embodiment that includes the fastening device of the present invention; Figure 18 is a plan view of a wrapping mode that includes the fastening device of the present invention; and Figure 19 is a plan view of one embodiment of the device • fastening of the present invention in a non-clamped configuration. Figure 20A is a top-to-bottom view, that is, a head-to-toe view of a body divided by the waist. Figure 20B is a side view of a baby in the "neutral" position of the hip joint in which the baby's back and legs are generally in a vertical orientation. Figure 20C is a side view of a baby in a stooped position of the hip joint in which the baby's legs are generally in a horizontal orientation. Figure 21 is a perspective view of an absorbent article embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22A is a plan view of a part of a fastening device of the present invention. Figure 22B is a side view of a part of the fastening device of the present invention.

Figure 22C is a side view of a fastening device of the present invention. Figure 22D is a plan view of a part of a fastening device of the present invention. Figure 23 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. Figure 24 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. Figure 25 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. Figure 26 is a side view of a pulley system. Figure 27 is a graph of strength versus percent elongation for two exemplary materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain exudates from the body, and, more specifically, refer to devices that are placed against or close to the user's body, to absorb and contain the different exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not intended to be washed or restored or reused in another way as an absorbent article (ie, they are intended to be discarded after a single use and , preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). A "unitary" absorbent article refers to an absorbent article that is formed of separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity such that separate manipulated parts such as a separate fastener and liner are not required. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons, which is worn around the wearer's lower torso. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as trusses • for incontinence, incontinence undergarments, diaper liners and fasteners, feminine hygiene garments, medical wraps, bibs, bandages, and the like. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20, shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 including the fastening device 41 of the present invention in its flattened state, without contracting (i.e., with the shrinkage induced by the elastic pulled outwardly) with parts of the structure that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The part of the diaper 20 that gives or is in contact with the user, the surface internal 50, is oriented towards the observer. As shown in Figure 1, diaper 20 preferably comprises a topsheet 22 permeable to liquid; a back sheet 24 impervious to the liquid joined with the top sheet 22; an absorbent core 26 positioned between the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24; side panels 28; leg bends 32; and a waist feature 30. (As used herein, the term "attached" • 20 covers configurations by which one element is directly insured to the other element by fixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations by which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by fixing the element to a member or intermediate members, which in turn they are attached to the other element.) The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have an external surface 52, an inner surface 50 opposite the outer surface 52, a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 opposite the first waist region 36, a crotch region 37 positioned between the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. The diaper 20 also has longitudinal edges 54 and end edges 56. The inner surface 50 of the diaper 20 generally comprises that part of the diaper 20 that is positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use (i.e. , the inner surface 50 is generally formed by at least a portion of the upper sheet 22 and other components attached to the upper sheet 22). The outer surface 52 generally comprises that part of the diaper 20 that is positioned away from the wearer's body (i.e., the outer surface 52 is generally formed by at least a portion of the back sheet 24 and other components attached to the back sheet 24). The diaper 20 also has a longitudinal centerline 100 and a lateral centerline 110. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 in which the topsheet 22 and backsheet 24 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the diaper 20. absorbent core 26. The topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 26 to thereby form the periphery of the diaper 20. Although the topsheet 22, the backsheet 24 and the absorbent core 26 may include many different materials and may be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred materials and diaper configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled "Shrinkable side portions for disposable diaper" issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; and U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The absorbent core 26 may be any absorbent means, which is generally capable of compressing, capable of forming, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain exudates from the body. The absorbent core 26 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, T-shaped, asymmc, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid absorbing materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent material include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams, absorbent sponges; super absorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials. The backsheet 24 is preferably impervious to liquids (eg, urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film or a nonwoven web, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are docile and that will readily conform to the contour and general shape of the human body. The backsheet 24 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained within the absorbent core 26 from wetting the articles that are in contact with the diaper 20, such as sheets and undergarments. The backsheet 24 can thus comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Some preferred materials for the backsheet include film X15306, film X10964 and film X10962 manufactured by Tredegar Industries, Inc. of Terre Haute, IN. The backsheet 24 is preferably finished in highlight and / or dull to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet 24 can allow vapors to escape from the absorbent core 26 (ie, breathable), while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 24. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a film weave in the form of structural elastic (SELF). SELF webs suitable for the present invention are more fully described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Screen materials exhibiting elastic-like behavior" issued to Chappell et al. On May 21, 1996, which is incorporated here by reference. The topsheet 22 is preferably docile, of soft feel and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 22 is preferably liquid permeable, allowing liquids (eg, urine) to easily pente through its thickness. A suitable top sheet can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams; cross-linked foams; plastic films with openings; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the upper sheet 22 is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the user's skin from the liquids contained within the absorbent core 26. There are a number of manufacturing techniques that can be used to manufacture the upper sheet 22. For example, the sheet upper 22 can be a non-woven web of spun fibers, glued, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or the like. A preferred top sheet is carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the art of fabrics. The top sheet may comprise a weft of cut length polypropylene fibers such as P-8 manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts. Another preferred top sheet includes the films shown as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246 issued to Mullane et al. on April 13, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,342,3145 issued to Radel et al. on August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045 issued to Ahr et al. on July 31, 1984; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394 issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The diaper 20 preferably further comprises leg cuffs 32 to improve containment of liquids and other exudates from the body. Each elasticized leg fold can include several different modalities to reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. (The leg fold may also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds or elastic folds.) U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper that provides a collapsible opening for the leg having a flap lateral and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg fold (packing fold). U.S. Patent No. 4,909,803 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Fins" issued to Aziz et al. On March 20, 1990, discloses a disposable diaper having "upright" elasticated fins (barrier folds) for better containment of leg regions. U.S. Patent No. 4,695,278 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Double Folds" issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper having double folds including a gusset fold 31 and a barrier fold 32. The diaper 20 also preferably includes a waist feature 30 that helps provide improved fit and containment. The waist feature 30 is that part or area of the diaper 20 which is intended to expand and contract elastically to dynamically adjust the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 30 generally extends longitudinally outwardly from at least one of the waist edges 39 of the absorbent core 26 and generally forms at least a portion of the end edge 56 of the diaper 20. Although disposable diapers they are generally constructed to have two elastic waist features, one placed in the first waist region 36 and another placed in the second waist region 38, the diapers can be constructed with an individual elastic waist feature 30. In addition, although the elastic waist feature 30 or any of its constituent elements may include a separate element attached to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 30 is preferably constructed as an extension of other diaper elements 20 such as the back sheet 24, the top sheet 22 or both the back sheet 24 and the top sheet 22. The examples of the characteristics Suitable waistlines include those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985 and the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1985. 1992; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 also preferably includes a fastening system 40, which joins at least a portion of the first waist region 36 of the diaper 20 with at least a portion of the second waist region 38, preferably to form the openings. of leg and waist. The fastening system 40 also functions with the features or features of waist 30 to maintain lateral tension in order to keep the diaper 20 in place around the wearer. As shown in Figure 1, the fastening system 40 may be the primary fastening system for joining the first and second waist regions 36 and 38. (As used herein, "primary fastening system" refers to a fastening system that is used to retain the diaper in its constructed configuration, in use, around the user. In this way, the primary clamping system should generally be firm enough to remain clamped during the normal time of use of the article when subjected to the dynamic forces created by the user's movements.) However, the system of fastener 40 can be used alone or in combination with other fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners, tape fasteners, snap fasteners, buttons and the like to provide different fastening characteristics. For example, the fastening system 40 can provide the diaper 20 with waste means for holding the diaper 20 in a convenient configuration for disposal.

In addition, the secondary fastening means can provide the diaper 20 with a means to fit snugly or to increase the strength of the • connection between the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. (As used herein, "secondary holding means" refers to the fastening means that are not intended to independently retain the diaper 20 at its configuration constructed around the user, without however to complement the primary fastening system providing additional benefits generally related to the adjustment, the adjustability, the availability of the like.) The fastening system 40 preferably includes the fastening device 41, which comprises a tongue member 42 and a slot member 44. (Without • However, embodiments are contemplated wherein the holding device 41 includes at least two slot members 44 which may be coupled together as shown in Figure 13. The alternate embodiments may include tab / slot members 43 combined, as shown in Figure 19.) The tab member 42 preferably includes a generally elongate member having an edge Next 60, a distal edge 62, a lip portion 48 and a length T. The slot member 44 includes an inner portion 64, an outer portion 66 and a slot 46 disposed between the inner portion 64 and the outer portion 66. The slot member 44 has a length L and the slot 46 has a length S, as shown in Figure 4. In a simple form, it is attached to the clamping device 41 by passing the tab member 42, completely through the slot 46 of the slot member 44. (In the embodiments that include two or more slot members 44 which engage one with the other, one of the slot members 44 will be passed through the other slot member 44 to clamp to the device 41, as shown in Figure 13.) Once the tongue member 42 has been passed through the slot member 44, as shown in Figure 7, the lip portion 48 of the tongue member 42 is rotated towards a plane generates parallel to the plane of the slot member 44, such that at least a portion of the lip portion 48 overlaps at least a portion of the outer portion 66 of the slot member 44. In this configuration, the The lip 48 of the tongue member 42 will prevent the tongue member 42 from sliding backward through the slot 46 and away from the holding device 41. A portion of the tongue member 42 or material of the article to which the tongue member is attached. tab 42, will extend into slot 46, as shown in Figure 7. The material in slot 46 will act to resist shear forces which tend to direct tab member 42 and slot member 44 apart.

The tongue member As shown in Figure 5, the tongue member 42 is preferably an elongate member having a length T, a proximal edge 60, a distant edge 62, and a lip portion 48 generally adjacent to at least a portion of the edge next 60. The tongue member preferably has longitudinal ends 47 and a central region 49. The lip portion 48 is that part of the tongue member 42 that is not attached directly to the underlying structure of the article to which the limb member is attached. tab 42. As noted above, the lip portion 48 must lift away from the underlying structure of the article in such a way that it can be placed in an overlapping configuration with at least a portion of the outer portion 66 of the slot member 44 when it is in use. Some preferred embodiments of the tongue member 42 may also include a grip portion 68 generally adjacent to and extending outwardly from the distal edge 62 of the tongue member 42. The grip portion 68 assists the user in holding the tongue member 42 when fastened or the clamping device 41 is detached and preferably extends from the distant edge 62 in the central region 49 of the tongue member 42. The tongue member 42 can be of any size and / or shape and can be made from any adequate material. Nevertheless, generally the tab member 42 must be sized to fit through the slot 46 of the slot member 44 with little or no bending or deformation of any component. The shape of the tongue member 42 will often be dependent on the end use of the fastening device 41, but in any case it must be aesthetically comfortable, easy to retain and maneuver, and capable of holding the device 41 in a fastened configuration throughout the period. of intended use when subjected to expected external forces and conditions. The tongue member 42 can be designed such that the member or a portion or portions of the tongue member 42 are located outside of a "compression" region of a user. A region of user understanding is a region in which the user's natural body movements will move toward the region. A region of "expansion" of a user, however, is a region in which the natural movement of the user's body will move away from the region.

There are several regions of compression and expansion in the body of a user, especially where there are twisting joints such as knees, elbows, shoulders, hips, ankles, wrists, etc. In order to determine whether a particular region of the body is a zone of compression or expansion of the scope of the present invention, the change in the surrounding anatomical structure of the region is examined as a junction that moves from a "neutral" position to a bent position. A neutral position is defined as the position when the joint is bent, that is, the position with the muscles generally relaxed and not trying to flex the joint. If the anatomical structure is surrounding, for example, tissues, bones, etc., would tend to compress or bend an object on the surface of the body as the joint moves from a neutral position to a flexed position, the region is defined as a region of compression. If the anatomical structure is surrounding it would tend to expand or stretch an object on the surface of the body, the region is defined as a region of expansion. Figure 20A, for example, shows a top-down view, that is, a head-to-toe view of a body divided by the waist. In this example, the regions shown are particularly applicable to the regions of interest for the application of a diaper. The posterior region, B, denotes a region through the user's back, which may include a part of the tissues and muscles associated with the legs; the lateral regions S1 and S2, denote the lateral regions of a user; and the frontal region, F, denotes the frontal or pubic region of the user. Figure 20B shows a side view of a baby in the "neutral" position for the hip joint, in which the baby's back and legs are generally in a vertical orientation. Figure 20C shows a side view of the baby in a stooped position in which the baby's legs have been raised to a generally horizontal position. Figures 20B and 20C are connected by dotted axes showing the relative location of the two points on the body surface in the lateral and posterior regions in the neutral and bent positions, respectively. The lateral regions S1 and S2, for example, are compressed due to the vertical distance between the two points on the surface of the skin in the region that becomes smaller as the user's legs are lifted or the user leans over. the waist. In the posterior region B, behind the user's legs, however, the vertical distance between the two points on the user's skin tends to increase completely, except in the movements of the leg backwards from ends. With respect to a diaper for baby application, movements such as sitting and leaning forward are more prevalent, and, thus, posterior region B is typically considered a region of expansion because these movements result in a vertical distance between the two points on the user's skin that increases. In the extreme movements of the backward leg such as when the leg moves substantially backward and the back is held vertical, the vertical distance between the two points on the user's skin may decrease. However, this is much less likely to occur than legs that are pulled forward or the user leans forward. For example, when the user runs, the leg is carried substantially backward, but the user also tends to lean forward and the vertical distance between the two points on the wearer's skin in the region may not be carried closely together. The principle of avoiding the compression regions and using the expansion regions can also be applied to the design of the tongue members for the different articles of the diapers such as, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, bibs and wraps placed in other parts of the user. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tongue member 42 or a portion of this tongue member 42, when held, can be located in a region of a user's expansion in such a manner, as the user moves, the longitudinal compressive forces of the body applied to the tongue member 42 will be minimized. In a waist fastening system 140 for a diaper 120 shown in Figure 21, for example, the tongue member 142 has a non-linear distant edge 162 compared to the distant edge 62 shown in Figure 5, which is generally linear with the exception of the grip portion 68 extending from the central region 49 of the tongue member 42 and the roundness of the longitudinal ends for aesthetic and comfort reasons. The "C-shaped" distant edge 162 of this embodiment allows the central region 149 of the tongue member 142 to be positioned forward toward the front of the user and the longitudinal ends 147 of the tongue member 142 to be located farther back. and away from the user's compression region. This allows the caregiver to more easily grasp the grasping portion 168 which preferably extends forward of the central region 149 of the tongue member 142 when the diaper is secured to the user, but also allows the longitudinal ends 147 to be slid toward back away from the compression region where the user's legs flex towards the torso. This reduces the opportunity for the user's skin to be pressed against the tongue member 142 and, therefore, reduces the opportunity for skin marking or irritation. Alternately, portions of the tongue member 142 such as, but not limited to, the distant edge 162, one or more of the longitudinal ends 147, the proximal edge 160 of the tongue member 142 or the bond line 172 between the member tab 142 and retention material 165 may include other linear or non-linear shapes including a "D-shape", a "U-shape", a "V-shape" or any other design in order to minimize the possibility of marking of the skin or irritation of the user's skin. For example, the shape of the tongue member 142 may allow a portion of the tongue member 142 to be removed from a compression region of the user or minimize the tongue member portion 142 in a compression region. In addition, it may be desirable to locate different portions of the tongue member 142 in different orientations to avoid the regions of compression. For example, only one of the longitudinal ends 47 of the tongue member may be slid backward or forward of the central region 49, or each of the longitudinal ends 47 may be oriented in opposite directions away from the central region 49 so as to such that the upper longitudinal end that is slid forward and the lower longitudinal end that is slid back or vice versa. • The materials forming the tongue member 42 should also be chosen depending on the end use of the holding device 41. For example, if the holding device 41 is to be used in a diaper, as shown in Figure 1, the tab member 42 can include any suitable material for such use, including but not limited to plastics, films, foams, nonwoven webs, woven webs, papers, laminates, steel, fiber reinforced plastics and the like, or • combinations of them. In embodiments where the holding device is used near or against the skin of a human or an animal, it is preferred that the materials forming the tongue member 42 be flexible. The flexibility allows the device of clamping 41 conform to the shape of the body and thus reduce the likelihood that the clamping device 42 will irritate or damage the user's skin. The tab member 42 may include one or more tab members 70. A tab member 42 with a single tab element 70 is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6. A tab member 42 with more than one tab element 70 is shown in Figures 3, 9 and 10. If the tongue member 42 includes more than one tongue element 70, the tongue elements are preferably operatively associated with one another. (As used herein, the term "operatively associated" refers to elements that are directly or indirectly linked together to function in a general manner as an individual element. "refers to the elements that are joined together without any of the intermediate elements joined together, except by the means joining the elements (ie, the adhesive.) The term" indirectly attached "refers to the elements attached one with another by means of an element or elements different from the joining means.) In this way, the tongue member 42, without considering the number of tongue elements 70, functions as an individual element of the holding device 41. This it is important to reduce the complexity of the fastening device 41 and to ensure that it can attach a simple clamping movement to the total tab member 42, if the tab member 42 includes one or more tab elements 70. The tab member 42 can be unitary with the article to which it is attached or can be a separate element attached thereto. The tab member 42 may be attached to the article in any location. In one embodiment of the disposable absorbent article, such as that shown in Figure 1, the tongue member 42 can be • an extension of the material forming the side panel 28. In such cases, it may be preferable to provide additional material or process the side panel material 28 to change some of its physical properties. For example, it may be desirable that the panel side 28 is extensible and the tongue member 42 is not extensible. In addition, it may be desirable to ensure proper fastening that the tongue member 42 is stronger and / or stiffer than the side panel 28. Alternatively, the tongue member 42 may be a separate element which is attached to the article. In these cases, the tongue member 42 can be made from the same or different material as the article at • which is fixed, making it easier to match the exact properties of the holding device 41 for the intended use. In addition, the material from which the tongue member 42 is made can be reinforced and / or weakened in certain locations to help provide the desired flexibility or stiffness to the fastening device 41. In one embodiment, the tongue member 42 can be reinforced and / or weakened in one or in Both of their longitudinal ends 47. In other embodiments, the grip tab 69 of the tongue member 42 may be reinforced and / or weakened. Methods of weakening the material include marking, cutting, thinning, bending, heat treatment, chemical treatment and the like. Reinforcement methods include thermal or chemical treatment of the material, add material, increase thickness and the like. The tongue member 42 may also include a secondary clamping member 78, which provides a different means for holding the components of the clamping device 41 together, the article with which the clamping device is being used and other articles. For example, the tongue member 42 may include the secondary holding member 78 located adjacent the distant edge 62 of the tongue member 42 or adjacent the grip portion 68, as shown in FIG.

Figure 5. (Alternate embodiments are contemplated where the secondary holding member 78 is located anywhere on the tongue member 42.) The member ^^ secondary clamping can be used to provide clamping device 41 with the ability to better resist shear stress or separation forces, greater adjustability or other properties. In addition, the secondary holding member 78 can provide the user with a means to hold the article in a waste configuration. The secondary holding member 78 can be any fastening means such as hooks, eyelets, adhesives, adherents, magnetic materials, static electricity, spring closures, and the like, or any combination of these or other known fastening means. 20 Member of slot The slot member 44 is that part of the clamping device 41 through which the tab member 42 is made in order to engage or hold the device.

The slot member 44 has an inner portion 64, an outer portion 66 and a slot 46 disposed between the inner portion 64 and the outer portion 66. The slot member 44 also preferably includes longitudinal ends 45 and a central region 61. The slot member 44 and the slot have lengths L and S, respectively. The length S of the slot 46 is smaller than the length L of the slot member 42. However, the length S of the slot 46 must be generally greater than or equal to the length T of the tab member 42 so that the tab member 42 is easily passed through slot 46 without undue bending or deformation of any of its components. The groove may alternatively include a groove, which is defined as a groove having essentially no space other than that left by a cutting process. The slot member 44 may also include a grip portion 69 similar to that of the tongue member 42. Preferably, the grip portion 69 extends laterally outwardly of the outer portion 66 of the slot member 44. The grip portion 69 helps the user to hold the slot member 44 when the clamping device 41 is released or detached and preferably extends from the outer portion 66 in the central region 61 of the slot member 44. The slot member 44 can be of any size and / or form and can be made from any suitable material. As with the tongue member 42, the shape of the slot member 44 and the materials forming the slot member 44 will be dependent on the end use of the fastening device 41. For example, in end uses such as diapers, the diaper member Slot 44 should be designed to be benign to the skin, that is, not harmful to the user's skin. Therefore, it may be desirable to round the edges of the fastening device 41 and size the groove or grooves 46 to minimize the likelihood that the skin will be caught in the device 41. One way to minimize the risk is to machine the edges of the device. slot 46 so that these are not pointed. Another way is to make the fastening device more benign to the skin including minimizing the thickness of the slot member 44 (preferably less than 0.05 inch) or designing the tongue member 42 or the slot member such that the slot 46 is filled when the fastening device 41 is closed. One way is to provide a soft or compressible material on at least the surface of the fastening device 41 that it gives to the user. Still another way to make the attachment device more benign to the skin, as • described above with reference to the tab member 42, is to design the shape of the slot member 44 such that the slot member to a portion or portions of the slot member 44, when fastened, can be located in a region of expansion of a user so that the user's body will not press against the slot member 44 as user a moves to reduce the portion of slot member 44 that is located in a compression region as described • formerly with respect to the tongue member 142. For example, see Figure 21 in which the slot member 144 is designed in a non-linear "C-shape" in order to allow the longitudinal ends 145 of the slot member 144 be dragged backwards to remove them from the compression region where the user's hip flexes forward. As shown in Figures 22A, 22B and 22C, the slot member 44 may comprise a grommet 244 below which the tongue member 242 can be fed and locked. Buttonhole 244, for example, can be a separate element connected to a part of the article such as the backsheet of a diaper in a waist region with the crotch region of the diaper in order to provide a means to attach to that region. Alternatively, grommet 244 may be integral with the article such as a slit in a part of the article, for example, a slit in the back sheet of a diaper. When the tongue member 242 is locked with the eyelet 242, the material of retainer 265 is affixed to the tab member on a bond line 272 as described above and runs under eyelet 244 and retains the proximal edge 260 in contact with eye 244. Preferably, the distance L of the bond line 272 of the retaining material 265 to the distant edge 262 of the tongue member 242 is greater than the distance, H, that the eye 242 extends above the material to which it is fixed, for example, the back sheet, such that the tension applied to the retaining material 265 does not pull the distant edge 262 of the tongue member 242 downwardly below the eyelet member 244. The distance H is also preferably large enough that the tongue member 242 can be easily inserted under the eyelet 244 In addition, there may be a support base 271 for the eye 244 to prevent the eye 244 from winding up and allowing the tongue member 244 to slip or deform under the load. The base 271 may be integral with the eye 244 or may comprise a separate element from the eye 244. If the base 271 is a separate element, the base may be directly secured to the eye 244 such as a base connected between the eye 244 and the sheet Subsequent 224 of the article as shown in Figure 22B. alternatively, the base can be indirectly secured to the eyelet such as a base connected between the backsheet and the absorbent core 226 below the eyelet 244. The slot member 44 can be made of the same or different materials of the tongue member 42 including plastics, films, foams, nonwoven webs, woven webs, papers, laminates, steel, fiber reinforced plastics and the like, or combinations thereof. As with the tongue member 42, it may be preferred that the materials forming the slot member 44 be flexible. However, the slot member 44 must be sufficiently rigid in the lateral direction to not deform and allow the tab member 42 to come off under normal clamping forces during use. The material from which the slot member 44 is made can be reinforced or weakened in certain locations to help provide the desired flexibility and stiffness to the fastening device 41. In one embodiment, the slot member 44 can be reinforced and / or weakened at one or both of its longitudinal ends 45. In other embodiments, the locking tab 69 of the slot member 44 may be reinforced or weakened. Methods for weakening the material include marking, cutting, thinning, bending, heat treatment, chemical treatment and the like. Methods to reinforce include heat or chemical treatment of the material, addition of material, the increase in thickness and the like. The slot member 44 may be unitary with the article to which it is attached or may be a separate element attached thereto. In addition, the slot member 44 can be attached to the article in any suitable location. In a disposable absorbent article embodiment, the slot member 44 can be an extension of the material forming the side panel 28 or any other part of the diaper 20. As shown in Figure 12, the slot member 44 is an extension of the side panel 28. In Figure 14, the slot member 44 includes the material forming the outer surface 52 of the diaper 20. (Also contemplated are embodiments in which the groove or grooves 46 of the slot member 44 are cut through. any number of layers of the article to which the fastening device 41 is attached, such as both of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26.) In addition, it may be preferable to provide additional material or process the material of the diaper 20 to reinforce the slot member 44 or to change other material properties adjacent to slot 46. Alternatively, slot member 44 may be a separate element which is attached to the article. (The slot member 44 may be attached to the article in a fixed position or may be adjustably attached to the underlying article.) In either case, the slot member 44 may be made of the same or different materials as the article to which it is attached. fixed. The slot member 44 may also include a secondary clamping member 78 which provides a different means for holding the components of the clamping device 41 together, the article with which the clamping device used and / or other articles are being used.

For example, the slot member 44 may include the adjacent secondary holding member 78 of the inner portion 64, the outer portion 66, the grip portion 68 or any other part of the slot member 44. As distinguished from the tab member 42, the secondary clamping member may be used to provide clamping device 41 with the ability to better resist shear or separation forces, greater adjustability, a characteristic for disposal and / or other characteristics . The secondary clamping member 78 can be any known fastening means such as those described here above and which can function together or independently of any secondary clamping member disposed on the tongue member 42.

^ Examples of Uses for the Clamping Device The fastening device 41 of the present invention can be used in any number of applications including fastening systems for disposable and durable absorbent articles, packaging, belts, bibs, bags, belts, boxes, etc. The device is especially well suited for applications where a low-cost, simple fastener will suffice, such as diapers, sanitary napkins, training pants, wraps and the like. However, modifications in the The shape, size, and strength of the tongue member 42 and / or the slot member 44 can make the fastening device 41 suitable for more intensive applications such as seat belts, straps, construction materials, etc. Accordingly, the following examples of use for the fastening device 41 should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tongue member 42 of the fastening device 41 is attached to a side panel 28 of the diaper 20 in the second waist region 38 and the slot member 44 is attached to the side panel 28 longitudinally opposite in the first waist region 36. (It should be noted that embodiments are contemplated wherein the article does not include side panels extending outwardly from the longitudinal edges 54. In these cases, the tongue member 42 and / or the slot member 44 can be attached to any part of the article in the first waist region 36, the second waist region 38 or in the crotch region 37.) The tongue member 42 is attached to the side panel 28. along a bond line 72 such that the lip portion 48 of the tongue member 42 extends laterally inwardly over at least a portion of the side panel 28. The tongue member 42 it can be attached to any part of the diaper 20 in any configuration. In this way, although the connecting line 72 can be generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100, it can also be at any angle thereof. Alternatively, the bond line 72 may be non-linear as described above with respect to the tongue member 42 and the slot member 44. For example, the bond line may be C-shaped, D-shaped. , in V form, etc. The angulation of the tongue member 42 can help provide the best fit of the article and the most convenient fastening of the fastening device 41, as well as other benefits. The slot member 44 is shown in Figure 1 as a separate element attached to the side panel 28, however, as noted above, the slot member 44 can be integral with any part of the diaper 20. In addition, the tongue member 42 can be adjustably attached to the diaper such that the position of the tab member 42 can be changed if desired. Each side panel 28 has a longitudinal dimension 74. The longitudinal dimension 74 is the dimension of the side panel 28 measured parallel to the longitudinal center line 100 adjacent to the bond line 72. (In cases where the side panel extends outwardly to a angle with respect to the lateral centerline 110, the longitudinal dimension 74 of the side panel 28 is preferably measured parallel to the bond line 72, and not parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100. Preferably, the length T of the tongue member 42 is greater than or equal to 25% of the longitudinal dimension 74 of the side panel 28 and more preferably greater than or equal to 50% of the longitudinal dimension 74 of the side panel 28. It is also preferred that the bond line 72 between the tongue member 42 and the side panel 28 be larger that or equal to 25% of the length T of the tongue member 42. In order to increase the stability of the tongue member 42 and distribute the forces acting on the holding device 41 when it is clamped, it is preferred that the line 72 is greater than or equal to about 50% of the length T of the tongue member 42. In the especially preferred embodiments, the bond line 72 may be at least about 7. 5% of the length T of the tongue member 42 or the total length (approximately 100%) of the length T of the tongue member 42. In any case, the bond line 72 can be continuous or intermittent as long as the forces are distributed which act on the fastener when it is clamped through at least 25% of the longitudinal dimension 74 of the side panel 28 to which the tongue member 42 is attached. (As used herein, the term "continuous" as that is refers to the bond line 72 generally means uninterrupted or unbroken. The term "intermittent" as this refers to the bond line 72 means broken or discontinuous.) Figures 3 and 10 show an alternate embodiment of the fastening device 41 of the present invention including a tongue member 42 having two elements of tab 70. The tongue elements 70 are separated longitudinally apart such that the tongue elements 70 can be joined separately through the slots 46 of the slot member 44. However, the tongue elements 70 are preferably associated with operative way to each other in such a way that the holding device 41 can be easily fastened and released.

The tongue elements 70 can be operatively associated by joining them together directly or indirectly. For example, the tongue elements 70 can be attached to a reinforcing member 76 which extends between the tongue elements 70. The reinforcing member 76 can be any material or combinations of materials and can be integral with or attached to the member tab 42. In a modality, the member • reinforcement 76 includes one or more materials such as foam, film, fibers and the like, which are attached to the part of the diaper 20 or to the article to which the tongue member 42 is attached. The slot member 44 shown in FIG. Figure 8 is suitable for to be used with the multi-element tab member 42 described above. The slot member 44 of Figure 8 is shown to have two slots, which are • separated longitudinally apart to correspond to the longitudinal separation of the tongue elements 70 shown in Figure 9. The slots 46 are also shown to have the length S1 and S2 which are configured in such a way that the corresponding tongue element 70 will be able to pass through without undue deformation of any member. Of course, any of the tab members 70 can have different lengths as the slots 46 of the slot member 44 can. In addition, a slot member 44 suitable for use with the multi-element tab member 42 can have a single slot 46 which is dimensioned to accommodate both tongue elements 70 or may include more grooves 46 than tab members 70. Also, two or more individual slot members 44, such additional slot members 44 or additional slots 46 may be provided in the Slot member 44 can provide longitudinal adjustment of clamping device 41. As shown in Figure 11, the article with which clamping device 41 can be used, for example diaper 20, can have any number of members of tab 42 capable of engaging with slot members 44. Diaper 20 is shown to have side panels 28 that include tab members 42 laterally spaced apart from one another. These configurations are useful for providing the article with lateral adjustment capability, such as the ability to fit around the waist of a diaper. In other embodiments, the diaper 20 may include multiple slot members 44 or multiple slots 46, as shown in Figure 14. Again, this may provide the article with a means for laterally adjusting. In yet another embodiment, the fastening device 341 may provide an adjustable fastening system in which one or more strips 315 are fed through at least one slot member 344. The strip 315 and the slot member 344 may be designed in such a way that the friction of the strip 315 in the groove member 344 prevents the strip 35 from moving. Preferably, the friction of the strip 315 in the groove member 344 prevents the strip 315 from moving in at least the longitudinal direction. The strip 315 and the slot member 344 can also be designed such that the strip 315 can freely move in a lateral direction within the slot member 344, or the lateral movement of the strip 315 within the member can be restricted or eliminated. 344. The lateral movement of the strip, for example, can be restricted or eliminated by friction or by placing a restriction element such as a lip portion 48 of the tongue member 42 in the slot member 344. The preferred embodiment , the fastening device 341 can include fold groove members 344, as shown in Figure 23, in which the strip 315 is fed through both slots 346 of the double slot member 344 and held in place. Alternately, two more members of individual slots 344 or a single slot member 344 having three or more individual slots 346 can be used. Alternately, as shown in Figure 24, an adjustable clamping device 341 can include a strip 315 having a fastening element 316 at the distal end 362 of the strip 315. In one embodiment, the strip or a part of the article may also include a tie-down area to which the distal end 362 of the strip can be attached. In this embodiment, the strip 315 can be fed through at least one slot member 344 and be bent backwards and attached to the strip 315 or the article via the fastener element 316. The distal end 362 of the strip can to be attached to itself or to another part of the article such as to the mooring area described above, or to a back sheet, or to another part of the strip 315 or to the article. For example, in Figure 24, the strip 315 is folded back on itself and the distal end 362 of the strip 315 includes a fastener that attaches to a portion of the strip 315 and maintains the first region of the strip 315. waist in contact with the second waist region. The fastening element 316 may include, for example, an adhesive, a cohesive, a mechanical fastener, a button, a • clasp, a magnet or any of the other fasteners known in the art, or another tongue and groove fastener. Alternatively, the distal end 362 of the strip 315 can be attached to another strip by attaching the two distant ends 362 together, or the The distal end of the strip can be attached to itself by attaching the distal end 362 of the strip 315 to the proximal end 360 of the strip 315. An adjustable fastening device 441 including a strip 415 such as the above strip can also be designed to limit the forces applied to the fastener 416 using a "pulley" effect, in which the forces that would be applied to the • 20 fastener can be distributed between the slot member and the fastener. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 25, the strip 415 is affixed to the backsheet of the diaper in the front waist region and is fed through the slit members 444a and 444b and affixed back to itself. In this embodiment, the force that is applied to the clamping element 416 at the distal end 462 of the strip 415 is a fraction of the The force applied to the proximal end 460 of the strip 415, which can be generally expressed by the following formula: Fd = (Vw »Fp) / Vf = Fp / n. The "pulley system" includes at least one pulley and at least two line segments, ie, n is greater than or equal to 2. An exemplary pulley system that includes four string segments, ie, n = 4, is shown in Figure 26 in order to illustrate the terms of the formula. The term Fp refers to the force applied to the fastener at the proximal end 460 of the strip 415; Fd refers to the force transferred to the far end of strip 415; Vp and • You refer to the respective speeds of Fp and Fd, respectively; and n refers to the number of 415 segments of strings or strings that are involved in the "pulley system". In one embodiment of an absorbent article such as a diaper, for example, the pulley may comprise a groove, a slit, a loop, and the like through which the rope "or string" can extend. The "rope or string" in this embodiment may include, for example, a strip member such as one or more strips, cords, strings, bands Elastic or elastic threads and the like. Alternatively, in various embodiments such as those shown in Figure 25 in which the strip segments 415 diverge at various angles, the formulas listed above may not fully describe the precise compartment of the cargo, but still applies the general principle of the cargo compartment. The formulas for various other pulley arrangements can be determined as is known in the art from the standard mechanical engineering reference book such as Baumeister & Marks, "The Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers," seventh edition, McGraw Hill Book Col. (1967). The decrease in • Force applied to fastener 416 allows the use of fasteners that do not have the strength required to independently retain a given use. Therefore, a softer bra that can be more comfortable and less likely to mark, irritate, or damage the user's skin, may be used. In addition, "pulley-type" systems that include more than two slot members can be used to further reduce forces applied to the fastening element 416.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the strip 415 may be elastic, elastomeric, extensible, etc. such that as a force is applied to the proximal end 460 of the strip 415, the strip is capable of stretching. Alternatively, or in addition, the retention material 465 attached to the slot member 444 may be elastic, elastomeric, extensible, etc. so that it can stretch in response to a • change in dimension in order to keep the diaper securely around the wearer. In these examples, the increase in force applied to the fastening element 416 due to the stretching of the strip 415 or the retaining material 465 can be reduced by a pulley effect of a pulley-type fastening system. The length Additional 10 of the elastic material involved in the pulley-type system may result in less relative stress being applied to the strip 415 or the retention material 465. • example, Figure 27 shows a strength characteristic versus percent elongation for two exemplary materials in which the force curve required to increase the elongation of the material is relatively low for an initial period and then increases substantially after a threshold at the level of percent elongation such as Th1 and Th2. The action of the pulley effect of a pulley system can decrease the required relative elongation needed enough to maintain the elongation less than the threshold level for that material. This results in an even smaller force that would otherwise be considered by only the effect of • 20 pulley system. This can substantially decrease the force applied to the fastener 416. In addition, the pulley effect may allow the use of materials which, without the effect, would not be suitable for a particular product and / or application. For example, in a system without a pulley, a given strip 415 or retention material 465 may need to provide 50% to 200% of the stretch limit, while the same material may only require approximately 25% to 100% of the stretch limit in order to fit the same dimension range in a pulley effect system having two sections of rope or strip. This can, for example, allow the use of a material having a minimum level of percent elongation of Th1 instead of a material having a minimum level of Th2. In some applications, it may also be desirable to have a superior elastic modulus in the strip 415 or in the retaining material 465 attached to the slot member. The module of strip 415 and retention material 465 can be controlled as is known in the art by varying the size, e.g., the width or thickness, of the strip or retention material, or by using different materials that have several. elastic modules for different components. For example, this may allow the design of a clamping device 441 in which the relative positions of the various groove members are controlled to vary the amount of force applied to one area of the article on the other. In a diaper, for example, it may be desirable to direct the majority of the force to the back of the diaper and minimize the forces of shaping on the upper part of the leg where the marking or irritation of the skin may occur. Figures 12 and 13 show alternative configurations of the embodiments of the absorbent article of the present invention. In Figure 12, the fastening device 41 is shown to include a tongue member 42 and a slot member 44 located on opposite sides of the diaper 20 in the same waist region. This configuration provides a means for using the tongue member 42 and the slot member 44 to hold the diaper 20 in a configuration for disposal. In these modalities, any region of the waist can be bent inward and rolled toward the other waist region. The side panels 28 can then be wrapped around the folded and rolled portion of the diaper 20. The tongue member 42 and the slot member 44 located in the same waist region can then be hooked to retain the diaper in a configuration for the same. scrap An alternate embodiment of the diaper 20 with the fastening device 41 engaged in the configuration for disposal is shown in Figure 13. The diaper 20 of Figure 13 includes a fastening device 41 having two slot members 44 which are capable to dock (Other embodiments may include one or more tab members 42 having slots 46 to allow alternating bonding and scrapping.) If the slot member 44 includes a grip tab 69, the locking grooves can be further secured by passing the grip tab 69 through the slot 46 of the opposite slot member 44. Of course, the diaper 20 of the present invention can have a fastening device for disposal in addition to the system 40. For example, the diaper 20 may include a tape tab fastener, hook and loop fasteners, tongue and groove fasteners or other mechanical fasteners specifically positioned to be useful for disposal. Alternatively, the absorbent articles may include primary fastening means such as tapes, hook and loop fasteners or any of the known fasteners and use the tongue and groove fastening device 41 of the present invention as the means for disposal. Figures 15 and 16 show a sanitary napkin incorporating the holding device 41 of the present invention. The fastening device 41 is used to hold the fins 225 of a sanitary napkin 220 around the wearer's panties 230. Securing the wings 225 of the sanitary napkin around the wearer's undergarment helps ensure that the towel sanitary 220 will remain in place while being worn and provides a means to reduce the likelihood that the 220 pant will be soiled if the towel core 220 leaks. Although the fastening device 41 is shown in the Figures as the primary fastening device, the fastening device 41 of the present invention can be used in combination with other means for securing the sanitary napkin 220 to the panties 230 or around the panties 220 such as adhesives, mechanical fasteners, buttons, clips, by friction, static and / or any other means known in the art. The fastening device 41 can also be used to secure the sanitary napkin 220 to other devices such as belts, other sanitary guards or the wearer's undergarments, or it can be used as a means for wrapping the sanitary napkin in a configuration for the sanitary napkin. scrap Examples of sanitary napkins with which the fastening system 40 of the present invention can be used are described in detail in US Pat. 5,267,992 entitled "Towel sanitary formed with wings" which was issued to Van Tilburg on December 7, 1993 and in U.S. Patent No. 5,389,094 entitled "Absorbing article having fins and zones of differential extension capacity" which it was issued to Lavash et al. on February 14, 1995. Both of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the tongue member 42 of the holding device 41 is attached to one of the wings 225 of the sanitary napkin 220 and the slot member 44 is attached to the other wing . The tongue member 42 is attached to the wing 225 along a line of attachment 72 such that the lip portion 48 of the tongue member 42 extends laterally inwardly over at least a portion of the wing 225. slot member 44 is shown as an integral part of wing 225, however, the slot member may be a separate element attached to wing 225. The wing 225 of sanitary napkin 220 has a longitudinal dimension 235. Preferably, the length T of the tongue member 42 is greater than or equal to 50% of the longitudinal dimension 235 of the wing 225. It is also preferred that the bond line 72 between the tongue member 42 and the wing 225 be greater than or equal to 25% of the length T of the tongue member 42. In order to increase the stability of the tongue member 42 and to distribute the forces acting on the holding device 41 when it is clamped, it is preferred that the connecting line 72 be greater than or equal to 50% of the length T of the tongue member 42. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the line of union 72 is at least 75% of the length T of the tongue member 42. In any case, the line of union can be continuous or intermittent while the forces acting on the fastener when fastened are distributed through at least 25% of the longitudinal dimension 235 of the wing 225. Figure 17 is an example of a modality of the bib 80 which includes the • clamping device 41 of the present invention. The tongue member 42 and the slot member 44 are arranged such that they can hold the bib 80 around the neck of the user. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the fastening device 41 includes multiple tongue members 42 and / or limb members. multiple slot 44 to provide the adjustment capability. The clamping device 41 can also provide a means for disposal. The tab member 42, the ^ f slot member 44 or both may be integral with bib 80 or separate elements attached thereto. In addition, the tongue and groove fastening device 41 may be the primary fastening system or may be a secondary fastening system.

Figure 18 is an example of a wrapping modality 82 including the holding device 41 of the present invention. The tab member 41 and the slot member 44 are arranged such that they can attach at least a portion of the casing adjacent one end of the casing 82 to another part of the casing 82. Alternate embodiments are contemplated wherein the clamping device 41 includes tab members 42 and / or multiple slot members 44 to provide adjustability. The clamping device 41 can also provide a means for disposal. The tongue member 42, the slot member 44 or both may be integral with the shell 82 or separate elements permanently or temporarily attached thereto. In addition, the tongue and groove clamping device 41 may be the primary clamping system or may be a secondary clamping system for the casing 82.

Although the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the use of a fastener of the present invention may include a fastener for a belt-type absorbent article in which the belt wraps around the wearer and connects a waist region to itself, a fastener that connects a waist region to another waist region, a holding device for the waste or any combination thereof. A belt-type fastener may include a separate belt that can be attached to the article through a fastener of the present invention, slits, cords, slots, buckles, loops, or any fastener known in the art. Alternatively, a belt may be attached to a part of the article such as the front or back waist region and may connect that part of the article to the user and / or to another part of the article through a fastener of the present invention, slits , ropes, slots, buckles, loops, or any fastener known in the art. The fastener of the present invention may include any of a primary fastener, a secondary fastener, or both in a fastening system such as that disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,699,622 entitled "Disposable diaper having an improved side closure" issued to W. Toussant and others on October 13, 1987, which is incorporated by reference herein. In addition, a fastener of the present invention can also be used in an absorbent article having components capable of separating in order to retain or fix the component or components separable to some part of the assembly. The separable component or components may be, for example, an absorbent core and a liner, or a set of suspenders or other garments from which the absorbent article is held. It should also be clear that the fasteners of the present invention can be easily adapted to any of the product forms described above. Therefore, the present invention is intended to protect in the appended claims all these changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (21)

1. An article to be attached to a user comprising: a first free end; and a second free end; characterized by: a fastening system including: a slot member disposed in the article, the slot member having a first portion, a second portion and an opening, the opening located between the first portion and the second portion; and a tongue member having a length, a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge located on the article laterally inward of the distal edge, the tongue member attached to the article along a bond line extending through at least about 25% of the length of the tongue member, alternatively at least about 50% of the length of the tongue member, alternately at least about 75% of the length of the tongue member, or alternatively at about the total length of the tongue member, at least a portion of the proximal edge of the tongue member not attached to the article such that the proximal portion of tongue member is free to lift away from the absorbent article such that when the fastening system is fastened to the proximal portion of the tongue member overlapping the second portion of the slot member.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein the article is selected from the group of: a bib, a diaper, a training pant, an incontinence pad, a sanitary napkin, a body wrap, and a disposable article.

3. The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the article is an absorbent article having a first waist region, a second waist region opposite the first waist region, a crotch region located between the first waist region, waist region and second waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, the absorbent article further including a top sheet, a back sheet joined with the top sheet, and an absorbent core placed between the top sheet and the backsheet, including the absorbent core, a pair of side edges and a pair of waist edges.

The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening system is for joining the article to the user, for joining at least a part of the first waist region with at least a part of the second region of waist, to allow the absorbent article to be secured in a convenient configuration for the disposal of the absorbent article, to attach an insert to the article, or for a secondary primary fastener; or further comprising a clamping device for disposal to allow the absorbent article to be secured in a convenient configuration for disposal.

The article according to claim 4 wherein the clamping device for disposal includes one or more of the selected groups of: a tape tab, a hook and loop fastener, a tongue member and a slot member which are dockable, and at least two slot members which are capable of coupling.

6. The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bond line is located between the proximal edge and the distal edge of the tongue member, or adjacent the distal edge of the tongue member.

The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the joining line, the distal edge of the tongue member, the groove of the groove member, and / or the outer edge of the groove member It is not linear.

8. The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue member includes two or more tongue elements., the tongue member includes two or more tongue elements that are spaced longitudinally or laterally apart from one another, the groove member includes two or more grooves, and / or the groove member includes two or more grooves that are longitudinally or spaced apart. laterally apart from each other.

The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue member includes a first longitudinal tongue end, a second longitudinal tongue end and a tongue central region, at least one of the first longitudinal tongue end or the second longitudinal tab end being displaced laterally from the central tongue region; and / or the slot member includes a first end of longitudinal slot, a second end of longitudinal slot and / or a central region of slot, at least one of the first end of longitudinal slot or the second end of longitudinal slot being offset laterally of the central slot region.

The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue member includes a grasping portion extending laterally outwardly of the distal edge of the tongue member, and / or a primary or secondary clamping member disposed thereon. tongue member; and / or the slot member includes a gripping portion extending laterally outwardly of the second portion and / or a primary or secondary gripping member disposed on the slot member.

The article according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a side panel located in the second waist region, the side panel having a fixed end attached to the absorbent article and a free end extending laterally outwardly thereof, the tongue member attached to the side panel such that the proximal edge of the tongue member is located on the side panel laterally inward of the distal edge of the tongue member, at least a portion of the proximal edge of the tongue member not being attached to the side panel such that the proximal portion of the tongue member is free to lift away from the side panel; and / or a second side panel extending laterally outwardly of the first waist region, the second side panel including the slot member.

The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the free end of the side panel includes a longitudinal dimension, the tongue member having a length greater than or equal to the absorbent article 25 percent of the longitudinal dimension of the free end. of the side panel or alternatively greater than or equal to 50 percent of the longitudinal dimension of the free end of the side panel.

The article according to any of the preceding claims, which includes two or more slot members, and / or two more tab members.

The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue member includes a second opening that is laterally outside the joint line, and at the joint line or laterally inside the joint line through which the slot member is passed to fasten to the fastening system; and / or the slot member includes a lip portion extending laterally from the first portion, at least a portion of the lip portion of the slot member is not attached to the article such that the lip portion of the slot member it is free to lift away from the first free end in such a way that when the fastening system is held the lip portion of the slot member overlaps a part of the tongue member.

15. The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening system includes a belt that is attached to the absorbent article and has at least one free end extending outwardly from at least one edge of the article, or is capable of removably coupling with the article.

16. The article according to claim 15, wherein the tongue member is attached to the belt along a line of attachment extending at least about 25 percent of the length of the tongue member, so alternating at least about 50 percent of the length of the tongue member, alternately at least about 75 percent of the length of the tongue member, or alternately at about the total length of the tongue member; and / or the slot member is attached to the belt and adapted to engage with the tongue member to encircle at least a portion of the user's body.

A method for securing the article according to any of the preceding claims around a user or in a configuration for disposal, the method including the steps of: providing the article according to any of the preceding claims having a first waist region, a second waist region opposite 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 article comprising : (a) a top sheet; (b) a • back sheet attached to the top sheet; (c) an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent core including a pair of side edges and a pair of waist edges; (d) a fastening system for joining at least a part of the first waist region with at least a part of the second waist region or for 10 allow the absorbent article to be secured in a configuration that provides convenient disposal of the absorbent article, the • fastening including: (i) a slot member disposed in the absorbent article, the slot member having a first portion, a second portion and an opening, the opening located between the first 15 portion and the second portion; and (ii) a tongue member having a length, a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge located on the article laterally inward of the distal edge, the tongue member attached to the absorbent article along a line of union that extends to at least about 25 percent of the 20 length of the tongue member, alternately at least about 50 percent of the length of the tongue member, alternately at least about 75 percent of the length of the tongue member, or alternatively at about total length of the tongue member, at least a part of the edge The proximal portion of the tab member is not attached to the absorbent article such that when the fastening device for the scrap is held the proximal portion of the tab member overlaps the second portion of the tab member; adjust the item around the user or set up the item for disposal; and engaging the tongue member and the groove member of the fastening system by passing the tongue member through the opening of the groove member.

18. An absorbent article comprising: a top sheet; a back sheet attached to the top sheet; and 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; characterized by: a fastening system includes: a slot member disposed in the absorbent article, the slot member having a first portion, a second portion and an opening located between the first portion and the second portion; and a strip member having a length, a width, a proximal end and a distal end, the strip member extending through the opening of the slot member when the fastener is in a fastened configuration.,

19. The absorbent article. according to claim 18, wherein the distal end of the strip member includes a fastening element for securing the distal end to another part of the strip member or a part of the absorbent article.

20. The absorbent article according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the proximal end of the strip member is attached to the article, or the strip member is a separate element that is capable of removably attaching to the article. The absorbent article according to claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the fastening element includes a tongue member having a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge, the proximal edge located on the absorbent article in a manner that laterally inward of the distal edge, the tab member attached to the strip member along a bond line extending at least about 25 percent of the length of the tongue member, alternating at least about 50 times one hundred of the length of the tongue member, alternately at least about 75 percent of the length of the tongue member, or alternatively to about the total length of the tongue member, at least a portion of the proximal edge of the member The tongue portion is not attached to the strip member such that the proximal portion of the tongue member is free to lift away from the strip member. in such a way that when the fastening system is fastened the proximal portion of the tongue member overlaps a part of the groove member.