MXPA00011896A

MXPA00011896A - Disposable absorbent articles having passive side bonds and adjustable fastening systems

Info

Publication number: MXPA00011896A
Application number: MXPA/A/2000/011896A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Laura Linda Elsberg
Original assignee: Kimberlyclark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 1998-06-19
Filing date: 2000-11-30
Publication date: 2001-09-07

Abstract

A prefastened disposable absorbent article includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the opposed side edges in one the waist regions of the article. The primary fasteners overlap and releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to provide the prefastened absorbent article. The prefastened disposable absorbent article further includes a pair of passive side bonds which are located inward of the primary fasteners on the one waist region. The passive side bonds releasably connect the overlapped portion of the one waist region to the opposite waist region to assist in maintaining the prefastened absorbent article in a prefastened condition. The side bonds also prevent shifting of the waist regions of the article relative to each other during use. The article may also include at least one secondary fastener which is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article. The secondary fastener is configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to conform the waist regions of the article to a wearer's body after the article has been pulled on over the hips of the wearer.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBING ARTICLES THAT HAVE LATERAL PASSIVE UNIONS AND ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING SYSTEMS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles, which are adapted to contain body exudates. More particularly, the present invention relates to pre-attached disposable absorbent articles which have passive side links and adjustable fastening system for holding articles around the wearer's waist.

Background of the Invention It is desired that absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants or incontinence garments provide a comfortable and closed fit around the wearer and contain body exudates. Furthermore, it is desirable that such absorbent articles, after being soiled, can be removed from the user in a convenient and clean manner without undesirably dirtying the caretaker to the surrounding area, such as the user's clothes. In certain circumstances, it is also desirable that such absorbent articles be able to be raised or lowered over the user's hip to allow the user or caregiver to easily pull the article and remove it easily if it is not soiled. For example, such absorbent articles can aid in training for the children's toilet.

Conventional diapers are not provided in a presumed condition and have typically included a front waist portion and a rear waist portion, which are releasably connected around the user's hips during use by means of conventional fasteners such as tape fasteners. Adhesive or fasteners type d hooks and curls. For example, conventional fasteners have typically included a pair of fasteners, such as tape tabs, located on the outer corners of the diaper in the back waist region of the pad and a complementary fastener, such as a localized wrapping panel. on the outer surface of the outer cover of the diaper in the front waist portion of the diaper. In this configuration, the diaper has been placed between the user's legs and the adhesive tape appendages are releasably attached to the wrapping panel to secure the back waist portion to the front waist portion of the diaper to secure the diaper around the diaper. waist of the user. Tale conventional diapers are easy to fasten around the user and remove them after use without undesirably dirty the caregiver. However, such conventional diapers are not pre-fastened prior to use therefore they are not configured to be raised or lowered over the wearer's hips when the fasteners are attached.

Various attempts have been made to provide absorbent articles which effectively contain exudates from the body and are capable of being raised or lowered on the wearer's hips. For example, some conventional absorbent articles, such as conventional training underpants, have included integral side panels, which connect the front waist portion to the rear waist portion of the absorbent article. The side panels have been made stretchable so that the waist opening of the absorbent article can be expanded to allow absorbent article to be raised or lowered onto the user's hips if desired. Such side panels are also designed so that they can be torn to remove the user's training underpants after they have become soiled.

However, many such attempts have not been completely satisfactory. For example, absorbent articles such as underpants have not always been able to achieve a conformal and closed notch on the wearer while still being able to expand enough to rise or fall on the wearer's hip. FrequentlySuch training briefs fit into the wearer's waist loosely, which may undesirably result in run-off. As a result, many training underpants items have not contained the body exudates as effectively as conventional diaper-type articles, which can be adjusted to achieve a more conformal notch to the wearer. Also, the removal of soiled absorbent articles. Which have the integral side panels, such as the conventional training pants, have not always been completely satisfactory. For example, side panels have been difficult to tear when attempting to remove the article from the user's waist instead of pulling the article down on the user's hips.

Therefore, despite attempts to develop improved absorbent articles, there is still a need for absorbent articles which can provide the benefits of conventional training underpants and conventional diapers. That is, there is still a need for absorbent articles, which conform to the user to effectively contain the exudates of the body, which are able to be raised or lowered on the hips of the user's buttocks, and which are easily secured around the body. user and removed from it in a convenient and clean manner. In addition, there is a need for disposable absorbent articles, which include the waist sections which are releasably pre-fastened, so that the article can be reliably raised on the wearer's leg and hips.

Synthesis of the Invention In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, a new disposable and pre-fastened absorbent article has been discovered which has passive side seams and an adjustable joint system. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a pre-attached disposable absorbent article which defines an absorbent, a front belt region, a rear waist region, a crotch region which extends and connects the belt regions and a pair of opposite side edges. The absorbent article previously fastened includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the opposite lateral edges in one of the waist regions. The primary fasteners overlap and releasably engage the waist region opposite of the absorbent article to provide the absorbent article previously fastened. The article also includes a pair of passive side joints, which are located inside the primary fasteners. The passive side links releasably connect an overlapped portion of a waist region to the opposite waist region to help keep the absorbent article previously held in a presumed condition.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pre-attached disposable absorbent article which defines an absorbent, a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions and a pair of opposite ear regions on one of the belt regions that overlap the opposite waist region. The absorbent article includes a pair of primary fasteners, which are located over the ear region and which are releasably engaged to the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to provide the absorbent article previously fastened. The article further includes a belt segment which defines the opposite end portions and which is located in a waist region and a pair of secondary fasteners, which are located on the opposite end portions of the belt segment. The secondary fasteners are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region to conform the belt regions to the wearer's body after the previously fastened absorbent article is pulled on the wearer's hips. The article also includes a pair of passive side seams, which are located inward of the primary fasteners over the opposite ear regions. The passive attachments releasably connect an overlapped portion of the ear regions to the opposite waist region to help keep the absorbent article previously held in a presumed condition.

In some other aspect, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article previously secured which defines a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions. and a pair of opposite lateral edges. The absorbent article includes an outer cover and an absorbent frame. The absorbent frame includes a back sheet which is connected to the outer cover by a side-to-body lining which is connected to the back sheet in a superposed relation in an absorbent core placed between the bottom sheet and the side lining body. The absorbent article includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the outer cover on the laterally opposite side edges of the posterior belt region of the absorbent article. The primary fasteners are configured to releasably engage an outer surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region of the absorbent article. The article further includes a band segment which is located in the back belt region of the absorbent article and which defines a pair d opposite end portions and a pair of secondary fasteners, which are located on the opposite end portions of the belt segment. The secondary fasteners are configured to releasably engage the exterior surface of the front waist region to further shape the waist regions to the wearer's body after the previously fastened absorbent article is pulled on a user's hips. The article also includes a pair of passive lateral junctions which are located within the primary fasteners on the posterior belt region. The passive side links releasably connect an overlapped portion of the rear waist region to the front waist region to help keep the absorbent article previously held in a presumed condition.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pre-attached absorbent disposable absorbent article defining an absorbent, a front waist region, a posterior waist region, a crotch region which extends between the waist regions and connects and a pair of opposite lateral edges. The absorbent article includes a pa of primary fasteners, which are located on the opposite lateral edges in the waist regions. The primary fasteners are releasably engaged to the opposite waist region of the disposable absorbent article thus defining a waist circumference dimension. The absorbent article also includes a waist size adjustment means for reducing the waist circumference dimension of the absorbent article without releasing the primary fasteners to conform the waist regions to the body of the user after the previously held absorbent article has been pulled towards above. The article also includes a pair of passive sides which are located inwardly of the primary fasteners on a waist region and which releasably connect a part overlapping the waist region to the opposite waist region to help keep the absorbent article fastened previously a presumed condition.

The present invention advantageously provides a pre-attached disposable absorbent article including the combination of passive side links and an adjustable fastening system for improved notch and operation. The absorbent article of the present invention is capable of being reliably raised or lowered over the hips. of the user to help in the training for the user's toilet in a form similar to the underpants of learning. In addition, in a manner similar to conventional diapers, the absorbent article of the present invention can be advantageously applied to the user and removed from it after it has been soiled with relative ease and cleanliness.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be fully understood and the additional advantages will be more apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and to the accompanying drawings in which like numbers represent like elements. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Figure 1 representatively shows a side view of an example of a pre-attached disposable absorbent article according to the present invention; Fig. 2 representatively shows a side view of the disposable absorbent article of Fig. 1 e where the secondary fasteners have been stretched and hooked to conform the waist regions of the article to the wearer's belt after the article has been pulled over the hips of the user.

Fig. 3 representatively shows a plan view of the disposable absorbent article of Fig. 1 in a condition not held, stretched and placed flat with the surface to the item making contact with the caring user, - and Fig. 4 shows representatively a plan view of the disposable absorbent article of figure 1 a condition not held, stretched and placed flat with surface of the article that makes contact with the clothes of the wearer of the face to which he observes.

Detailed description of the invention The present invention relates to previously disposable absorbent articles which are configured to closely conform to the body of the wearer to effectively contain exudates from the body, while still being able to be raised or lowered onto the wearer's hips and buttocks. Disposable absorbent articles previously held can also be easily removed directly from the user's waist. As such, the absorbent articles of the present invention can function similarly to conventional training underpants in their previously held configuration or these can be fastened prior to or not fastened during use to function in a manner similar to conventional diapers.

The pre-attached disposable absorbent articles are adapted to be worn on one side of a wearer's body to absorb and contain several exudates discharged from the body. As used herein, the term "disposable" refers to articles, which are intended to be discarded after limited use and which are not intended to be washed or otherwise restored for re-use. previously of the present invention are described in terms of a pre-disposed disposable diaper article which is adapted for use by infants around the lower torso It is understood that the disposable absorbent articles of the present invention are equally adaptable for use as other types of articles. absorbent products such as adult incontinent products, training underpants, women's hygiene products, other personal care products or similar health care garments.

Figures 1 and 2 representatively show an example of a disposable diaper previously held as indicated generally with the number 20, according to the invention. Figures 3 and 4 representatively illustrate the diaper of figure 1 in an unclamped, stretched condition and placed flat As representatively illustrated in Figures 1-4, the pad 20 defines a front waist region 22, a back waist region 24, a crotch region 26, which extends between and connects the front waist portions and rear 22 and 2 and a pair of laterally opposed ear regions 28 integrated or connected to the rear waist region 24. The diaper 2 further defines a pair of laterally opposite side edges 30 a pair of longitudinally opposite waist edges 32, and an inner surface 34 which is configured to make contact with the user, an outer surface 36, opposite the inner surface 34, a longitudinal direction 38 and a lateral direction 40.

The front waist region 22 comprises the part of the diaper 20, which, when worn, is placed on the front of the user while the rear waist region 2 comprises the part of the diaper 20 which, when worn, is placed on the back of the user. The crotch region 26 of the diaper 20 comprises the part of the diaper 20 which, when worn, is placed between the user's legs and covers the lower torso of the wearer. The ear regions 28 comprise the diaper parts, which, when worn, are placed over the user's hip areas on the side. The laterally opposite edges of the diaper 20 generally define the leg openings, which may be curvilinear. The waist edges 32 of the diaper 20 are configured to surround the wearer's waist when worn and provide a waist opening when fastened defining a waist circumference dimension.

The illustrated diaper 20 includes an outer cover 42, an absorbent frame 44, and a multifunctional fastening system 60. The fastening system 60 may include a p of primary fasteners 62, a pair of secondary fasteners and a pair of passive side seams. laterally opposed 80 82. The absorbent frame 44 is configured to contain and absorb any exudates from the body discharged d user. While the outer cover 42 and the multi-functional fastening system 60 are configured to maintain diaper 20 around the wearer's waist, they hide absorbent frame 44 from the view, and provide a garment-like appearance. The diaper 20 can further include the leg elastics 52, the containment flaps 54, and the waist elastics 56 as is known to those skilled in the art. It should be recognized that the individual components of the diapers 20 may be optional depending on the intended use of the diaper 20. diaper 20 The outer cover 42 of the diaper 20 can suitably be composed of a material, which is either already impermeable to liquid or permeable to liquid. Since the absorbent frame 44 of the various aspects of the present invention is designed to contain the exudates discharged from the user, it is not generally necessary that the cover 4 be impermeable to liquid. For example, the outer cover 4 may include various woven or non-woven materials such as spunbonded material, meltblown material, or cotton material, a rayon material, or combinations thereof such as a laminated material bound together. with spunblowing c fusion-bonded with yarn (SMS).

The outer cover 42 can otherwise be at least partially impermeable to the liquid in order to prevent any runoff of the body exudates. For example, a typical outer cover 42 can be fabricated from a thin plastic film or other flexible liquid impermeable material. In a particular aspect, the outer cover 42 can be formed of a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 millimeters to about 0.051 millimeters. The outer cover 42 may also be formed of a woven or non-woven fibrous fabric layer, which is constructed or treated in whole or in part to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability to the selected regions. In addition, the outer cover 42 can optionally be comprised of a microporous "breathable" material, which allows the vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while still preventing liquid exudates from passing through the outer cover 42. In addition, the outer cover 42 can be an elasticized material such as stretched-term "STL" laminate material, a bonded bonded material (BL) or a stretched-attached laminate (SBL). The methods for making such materials are well known to those skilled in the art and are described in United States Patent No. 4,663,220 issued May 5, 1987 to Wisneski et al., The United States Patent. of North America No. 5,226,992 issued July 13, 1993 Morman, and European Patent Application No. EP 0 217 03 published April 8, 1987 in the name of Taylor et al., whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

If it is desired to present the outer cover 4 with a further fabric or cloth-like feel, the outer cover 42 may comprise a polyethylene film having a nonwoven web laminated to the outer surface thereof, such as a bonded fabric. with polyolefin fiber spinning. For example, a polyethylene film, having a thickness of about 0.015 millimeters can have a laminated fabric thermically laminated thereto with polyolefin fiber yarn, whose fibers have a thickness of about 1.5 to 2.5 denier per filament whose non-woven fabric It has a basis weight of around 24 grams per square meter. The outer cover 42 may otherwise be of a stretched and thermal laminate (STL) material including a layer of film placed between two layers joined together and having a basis weight of about 70-75 gram per meter. square. The film layer may be composed of meltblown polypropylene fibers and the yarn-bonded layers may be composed of polypropylene fibers. The outer cover 42 may also include bicomponent d fibers, such as polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fibers. Methods for forming such fabric type outer covers are known to those skilled in the art.

The absorbent frame 44 of the diaper 20 is suitably connected to the outer cover 42 to provide the disposable diaper 20. The absorbent frame 4 can be connected to the outer cover 42 in m fashion known to those skilled in the art. For example, the absorbent frame 44 may be attached to the outer cover 4 using adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding techniques known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the absorbent frame 44 can be connected to the outer cover 42 using conventional fasteners such as buttons, hook-and-loop type fasteners, adhesive tape type fasteners and the like. The other components of the diaper 2 can be connected appropriately together using similar means Desirably, the absorbent frame 44 is connected to the outer cover 42 only or around the waist edges 32 of the outer cover 42 by creating a front bonded portion, a rear bonded portion and a joined n portion, which extends between the joined parts and connects them. The unattached part of the absorbent frame 44 remains essentially unattached to the outer cover 42 and is generally configured to fit between the legs of the user and at least partially covers the lower torso. of user when it is in use. As a result of this, the attached part n is generally the part of the absorbent frame 44 which is configured to initially receive the body exudates of the user. Thus, the absorbent frame 44 is connected to the outer cover 42 in a manner such as to secure the frame 44 in place while not adversely restricting the movement of the outer cover 42 in use. Alternatively, the absorbent frame 44 may joining the outer cover 42 along the entire lengthwise extension of the absorbent frame 44 or any part thereof along only the outer periphery of the absorbent frame 44.

As representatively illustrated in Figure 3, the absorbent frame 44 according to the present invention may include a lower sheet 46, a side-to-body liner 4 which is connected to the lower sheet 46 in a superposed relation, and a core absorbent 50 which is located between the side-to-body liner 48 and the lower sheet 46. E alternate configurations wherein the outer cover 42 is at least partially resistant to the flow of liquids through it, the lower sheet 46 can optionally omitted from the absorbent frame 44.

The frame 44 is generally conformable and is capable of absorbing and retaining exudates from the body. Absorbent frame 44 may have any of a number of shapes and sizes. For example, as representatively illustrated in Figure 3, the absorbent frame 4 can be rectangular, I-shaped or T-deformed. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent frame 44 must be compatible with the size of the intended user and the fluid load imparted by the intended use of the diaper 20. It is typically desirable that the absorbent frame 44 has an absorbent capacity of at least about 300 grams of urine. It is generally preferred that the absorbent frame 44 be narrower in size. the crotch region 26 than in the waist regions 22 and 24. It has been found that the absorbent frame 4 of the present invention is particularly useful when the width dimension in the crotch region 26 is from about 2.5 to about 10.2 centimeters (1.0 to about 4.0 inches), desirably from no more than about 7. centimeters (3.0 inches) and more desirably from no more than about 5.1 centimeters tros (2.0 inches). The narrow crotch width dimension d of the absorbent frame 44 allows the absorbent frame 44 to better fit between the legs of the wearer.

The body side liner 48 of the absorbent frame 44, as representatively illustrated in Figure 3, suitably presents a surface facing the body which is intended to be worn on one side of the wearer's body and to be docile, feel Soft and non-irritating to the user's skin. In addition, the body side liner 48 may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent core 50 to present a relatively dry surface to the user, and may be sufficiently porous to be liquid permeable, allowing the liquid to easily penetrate through its thickness. U side lining to the appropriate body 48 can be made from a wide selection of fabric materials, such as porous foam, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (e.g., mader or cotton fibers) , of synthetic fibers (for example, of polyester or polypropylene fibers) or of a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The body side liner 48 is suitably employed to assist in isolating the wearer's skin from fluids maintained in the absorbent core 50 of the absorbent arm 44.

Various woven and non-woven fabrics may be used for the side-to-body lining 48. For example, the body-side liner may be composed of a co-melt blown fabric or bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn. The body side liner may also be a bonded-carded fabric composed of synthetic and / or natural fibers. The body side liner may be composed of an essentially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may, optionally, be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wetting and hydrophilicity. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the side-by-side liner 48 comprises a woven, non-woven, polypropylene fabric composed of fibers of about 2.8-3.2 denier formed into a fabric having a basis weight of about 2 grams. per square meter and a density of about 0.0 grams per cubic centimeter. The fabric can be treated on the surface with about 0.28 percent by weight of surfactant commercially available from Rohm and Haas Compan under the trade designation Triton X-102.

The lower sheet 46 of the absorbent frame 44 as illustrated representatively in Figure 3, may suitably be composed of a material which is already permeable to liquid or impervious to liquid. It is generally preferred that the bottom sheet 46 be formed of a material which is essentially fluid-impermeable. A typical lower leaf can be made of a thin plastic film or other material impervious to the flexible liquid. For example, the lower sheet 46 can be formed of a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.01 millimeter (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeter (mils). The lower sheet 46 may also comprise a film layer having a nonwoven fabric laminated to the outer surface d thereof, such as a fabric bonded with spinning polyolefin fibers. The lower sheet 46 can also be constructed of a material which is similar to the material described above, or is suitable for the outer cover 42. In addition, the bottom sheet 46 can be formed of a woven or non-woven fibrous fabric layer which can be constructed in whole or in part or can be treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability to selected regions that are adjacent to or close to the absorbent core 50. Still further, the lower sheet 4 may optionally be comprised of a microporous "breathable" material which allows the vapors to escape the absorbent core 50 while still preventing liquid exudates from passing through the lower sheet 46. For example, the lower sheet 46 may include a polyethylene film material capable of breathing commercially available from Exxon Chemical Patents, Incorporated, a business having offices located in Linden, New Jersey, under the to EXXAIRE trade designation. In this configuration, it is desirable that the outer cover 42 also comprises a material capable of breathing.

The lining side to body 48 and the lower leaf 46 are generally adhered to each other as to form a bag in which the absorbent core is located to provide the absorbent frame 44. The body side liner 48 and the lower sheet 46 can adhere directly to each other around the periphery exterior of the absorbent frame 44 by any means known to those skilled in the art such as by adhesive bonds, sonic bonds, or thermal bonds. For example, a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, a blow pattern with melting or spraying of adhesive or an arrangement of lines, swirls, or spots of adhesive can be used to fix the lining from side to body 48 to bottom sheet 46. It should be noted that both the side-to-body liner 48 and the lower blade 46 do not need to extend completely to the outer periphery of the absorbent frame 44. For example, the lower blade 46 may extend to the outer periphery of the absorbent shell. 44 while the side-to-body liner 48 can be attached to the lower sheet 46 inwardly of the outer periphery of the absorbent frame 44, or more toward the longitudinal centerline 38 of the diaper 20. In alternate configurations especially where the bottom sheet 46 is omitted, the forr side to the body 48 may suitably adhere to the absorbent core 50 or the outer cover 42.

The absorbent core 50, as representatively illustrated in Figure 3, is positioned between the side-to-body forr 48 and the lower sheet 46 to form the absorbent framework 44. The absorbent core 50 is desirably conformable and is capable of absorbing and absorbing. retain body exudates. The absorbent core 50 may have any of a number of shapes and sizes. For example, the absorbent core may be rectangular, I-shaped or T-shaped. S generally prefers that the absorbent core 50 be narrow m in the crotch region 26. The size of the absorbent core 50 must be compatible with the size of the intended user and the desired absorbent capacity of the absorber 44.The absorbent core 50 of the absorbent frame 4 may suitably comprise various types of hydrophilic and wettable fibrous materials. Examples of suitable materials include organic fibers that are naturally composed of an intrinsically wettable material, such as cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers, inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers, synthetic fibers made of inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as particular polyamide polyester fibers, and synthetic fibers composed of a non-wettable thermoplastic polymer, such as fibers d polypropylene, which have been hydrophilized through appropriate means known to those skilled in the art, The absorbent core 50 may also comprise mixtures selected from the various types of fibers mentioned above.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the absorbent core 50 may include a hydrophilic fiber matrix, such as a fabric of cellulosic fibers, mixed with particles of a high-absorbency material such as is commonly known as the superabsorbent material. As used herein, the term "high-absorbency material" refers to materials that are capable of absorbing at least ten times their own weight in liquid. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent core 50 comprises a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles and wood pulp fluff. The wood pulp fluff can be exchanged with synthetic, polymeric and meltblown fibers or with a combination of meltblown fibers and natural fibers. The high-absorbency material can be mixed in an essentially homogeneous form with the hydrophilic fibers or can be mixed uniformly The high-absorbency material may also be arranged in a generally discrete layer within the matrix of hydrophilic fibers. Alternatively, the absorbent core 50 may comprise a fibrous web laminate and high absorbency material or other suitable means for maintaining the high absorbency material in a localized area.

The high-absorbency material can be selected from natural, synthetic, modified natural materials and polymers. The high-absorbency material can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers. The term "cross-linked" refers to any means for effectively making the materials essentially water-soluble essentially insoluble but swellable in water. Such media may include, for example, physical enredad, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, complexes and ionic associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces.

Examples of the alt absorbency, polymeric and synthetic materials include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamides), poly (vinyl ethers), maleic anhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and alf olefins, poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), poly (vinyl morpholinone), poly (vinyl alcohol) and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Additional polymers suitable for use in the absorbent core include the natural and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and natural gums such as alginates, xanthan gum, locust bean gum and the like. Mixtures of natural and fully or partially synthetic absorbent polymers may also be useful in the present invention.

The high-absorbency material may be in any of a wide variety of geometric shapes. With a general rule, it is preferred that the material of the absorbency be in the form of discrete particles. However, the high-absorbency material can also be in the form of fibers, flakes, rods, spheres, needles or the like. Conglomerates of high-absorbency materi particles can also be used. An example of superabsorbent polymer suitable for use in the present invention is a superabsorbent polymer designated IM5000 which is commercially available from Hoechst-Celanese, a business having offices in Portsmouth, Virginia. Other suitable high-absorbency materials may include superabsorbent polymer which are commercially available from Dow Chemical Corporation, a business having offices in Midland, Michigan.

As a general rule, the alt absorbency material is present in the absorbent core 50 of the present invention in an amount of from about 5 about 95 percent and desirably from about 10 d to about 60 percent by weight based on the total weight of the absorbent core 50. The distribution of the high absorbency material within the different parts of the absorbent core 50 may vary depending on the intended end use of the absorbent core 50.

As representatively illustrated in Figure 3, the absorbent frame 44 of the disposable diaper 20 may include a pair of containment fins 54 which are configured to provide a barrier to the lateral flow of exudate from the body. The containment fins 54 may be located along the laterally opposite side edges of absorbent frame 44. Each containment fin 54 typically defines an unattached edge which is configured to maintain a perpendicular and straight configuration in at least the regimen of crotch 26 of diaper 20 to form a seal against the wearer's body. The containment fins 54 may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the absorbent frame 44 or may extend only partially along the length of the absorbent frame 44. When the containment fins 54 are shorter in length than the absorbent frame. 44, the containment fins 54 can be selectively positioned on either side along the side edges of the absorbent frame 44. In a particular aspect of the invention, the containment fins 54 extend along the entire length of the absorbent frame 44 to better contain body exudates.

Such containment fins 54 are generally well known to those skilled in the art. For example, suitable constructions and arrangements for containment fins 54 are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,704,116 issued November 3, 1987 K. Enloe, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. .

The disposable diaper 20 of the various aspects of the present invention can further include elastics at the waist edges 32 and at the side edges 30 of diaper 2 to further prevent runoff of body exudates to hold the absorbent frame 44. For example, As representatively illustrated in Figure 3, the diaper 20 of the present invention can include a pair of elastic leg members 5 which are connected to the laterally opposite side edges 30 in the crotch region 26 of the diaper 20 and a side of the diaper 20. of elastic waist members 56 which are connected to the longitudinally opposite waist edges 32 of the cloth 20. The leg elastics 52 and the waist elastics 5 are generally adapted to fit around the legs and the waist of ur. user in use to maintain a positive contact relationship with the user to effectively reduce or eliminate the runoff of the body exudate from the diaper 20.

Suitable materials for use as leg elastics 52 and waist elastics 56 are known to those skilled in the art. Examples of such materials are sheets or threads or tapes of an elastomeric, polymeric material, which are adhered to the edges 30 and 32 of the diaper 20 in a stretched position or which are attached to the edges 30 and 32 while the edges they are folded, so that the elastic constriction forces are imparted to the edges 30 and 32. The leg elastics can also include such materials as polyurethane, the synthetic and natural rubber. In a particular aspect of the invention, the elastics can be composed of individual strands of LYCRA of 620 decitex which are commercially available from E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co. When the individual strands of elastic are used, the leg and waist elastics can include any suitable number of elastic threads to provide containment of body exudate. For example, the leg elastics 52 may include from about 1 to about 10 elastic yarns. The elastics 52 and 56 can be lengthened before joining the diaper 20. For example, the elastics 52 and 56 can stretch at least about 150 percent desirably from about 200 to about 500 percent before joining in a manner that the elastics fold the edges 30 and 32 of the diaper 20 when it relaxes. The elastics 5 and 56 can be attached to the diaper 20 by any means known to those skilled in the art. For example, adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding techniques or a combination thereof may be used to bond the elastics to the diaper rims 20. A suitable adhesive includes the Findley H-2096 hot melt adhesive which is commercially available. of Findley Adhesives, Inc.

The absorbent article of the various aspects of the present invention further includes a multifunctional fastening system 60 for securing the absorbent article around the wearer's waist. The multifunctional fastening system includes the fasteners located on one of the waist regions 20 and 22 of the diaper 20 which are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20 around the wearer's waist. of the fasteners which are releasably engageable can allow the ease of securing and removal of the diaper 20 from the wearer's waist.

A suitable multifunctional fastening system is disclosed in United States Patent Application No. North America series No. 08 / 907,585 entitled MULTIFUNCTIONAL SUBJECT FOR DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES filed August 8, 1997 in the name of J.D. Suprise, whose description is incorporated here by reference. As described in the aforementioned application, and as representatively illustrated in Figures 1-4, the multifunctional fastening system 60 of the present invention may include a pair of primary fasteners 62 which are located on the lateral edges 30 of the diaper 20 in the posterior waist region 24 of the diaper 20. In such a configuration, the primary fasteners 62 are configured to surround the user's hips and engage the outer surface 36 of the front waist region 22 of the diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20 on the diaper 20. user. Alternatively, the primary fasteners 6 can be located on the front waist region 22 and can be configured to releasably engage the exterior surface 36 of the rear waist region 24 of the diaper 20.

Desirably, the primary fasteners 62 are directly releasably engageable with the outer surface of the outer cover 42 of the diaper 20 to provide an improved fastening facility. Alternatively, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4, the disposable diaper 20 of the present invention It may further include a junction panel 66 located on the outer cover 42 in one of the waist regions 22 and 24 of the cloth 20. In such a configuration, the primary fasteners 62 are releasably engageable with the attachment panel 66 for maintaining the diaper 20 around the user's waist. When the primary fasteners 62 are releasably engaged, the side edges 30 of the diaper 20 define the leg openings which are configured to encircle the legs of the wearer and the waist edges 32 define a waist opening which is configured to encircle the waist. of the user. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the attachment panel 66 may include separate panels located along the opposite side edges in one of the waist regions 22 and 24 of the diaper 20. Alternatively, the attachment panel 66 may include a single piece of material which essentially extends through the respective waist region of the diaper 20.

In various aspects of the present invention, the primary fasteners 62 are releasably engaged with the outer surface of the opposite waist region 22 and 24 of the diaper 20 before the diaper 20 is placed over the wearer to provide a presumed diaper. In such a configuration, the presumed diaper 20 can be raised or lowered over the user's legs and hips. If the diaper 20 becomes soiled during use, the primary fasteners 62 can be disengaged to easily remove the diaper 20 from the wearer's waist without reducing the risk of undesirably soiling the wearer's legs or clothing. Thus, in such a configuration, the diaper 20 of the different aspects of the present invention can be configured to be raised or lowered over the user's hips such as conventional training pants and can be easily removed by unhooking the similar fasteners from the articles of conventional diaper.

The multi-functional fastening system 60 on the disposable diaper 20 of the present invention may further include at least one secondary fastener for providing improved securing of the diaper 20 around the user's waist when the primary fasteners 62 are releasably engaged. The secondary fastener of the present invention is configured to further conform the waist regions 2 and 24 of the diaper 20 to the wearer's waist. Alternatively, in the embodiments wherein the secondary fasteners are omitted, the primary fasteners 62 are capable of being re-engaged after the diaper is raised to further conform the waist regions of the diaper to the wearer's waist.

The diaper 20 in the illustrated embodiments includes a pair of secondary fasteners 64 which are located on the side edges 30 in one of the waist regions 22 and 24 of the diaper 20. The secondary fasteners 6 are configured to encircle the user's hips. the outer surface 36 in the opposite belt regions 22 and 24 of the diaper 20. The secondary fasteners 6 can be located on the side edges 30 of the cloth 20 in the rear waist region 24 of the diaper 20. In the configuration, the secondary fasteners 64 are also configured to surround the wearer's hips and engage the outer surface 36 of the front waist region 22 of diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20 on the wearer. In an alternate form, the secondary clips 64 may be located on the front waist region 22 and may be configured to releasably engage the outer surface 36 of the rear waist region 24 of the diaper 20.

Desirably the secondary fasteners 64 are directly releasably engageable with the other surface of the outer cover 42 of the diaper 20 to provide a holding facility.

Alternatively, as described above com is representatively illustrated in Figures 1-4, the diaper 20 d of the present invention may further include a bonding panel 6 located on the cover 42 in one of the belt regions 22 and 24 of the diaper 20 In such a configuration, the secondary fasteners 64 can also be releasably engageable with the attachment panel 66 to hold the diaper 20 around the wearer's waist.

The use of such a secondary fastener has been found to be particularly desirable when the primary fasteners 62 are releasably engaged with the respective waist region of the diaper 20 to provide a presumed diaper which can be pulled on the wearer's legs and hips. In such a configuration, the waist opening of the diaper 20 when the primary fasteners 62 are engaged should be sufficient to allow the previously fastened diaper to be raised over the wearer's hips. However, the circumference of the user's waist is typically less than the circumference around the user's hip. Therefore, the waist opening of the pre-fastened cloth may not conform to the user's waist which may undesirably result in run-off. In such a configuration, the secondary fastener 64 of the diaper 20 of the present invention is configured to conform the waist regions of the diaper 20 to the user by reducing the size of the waist circumference of the diaper 20 after the presumed diaper is raised over the wearer. Therefore, the caregiver is not required to reposition the primary fasteners 62 to conform the waist regions 22 and 24 to the wearer's waist. As a result of this, when the cloth 20 is to be removed from the wearer, the caregiver can simply unhook the secondary fastener 64 if necessary and pull the diaper presujetado down on the user's hips and legs without having to reposition the primary fasteners 62. Alternatively, care can disengage both secondary and primary fasteners 64 and 62 to remove the diaper in a manner similar to conventional diapers.

In such configurations, the secondary fasteners 64 are intended to hold the diaper 20 in a conformal and closed notch around the wearer's waist to reduce runoff of body exudates when in use. The primary fasteners 62 are intended to maintain the front and back waist regions 22 and 24 of the diaper connected in such a manner that the diaper 20 can be raised or lowered over the wearer's hips after the secondary fasteners 64 have been released. The fasteners Seconds can be selectively disengaged to facilitate inspection of the diaper 20 to determine if the diaper has become soiled. The primary fasteners 62 can also provide a "child-proof function" by keeping the diaper 20 at least parallel to the user's waist if the user disengages the secondary fasteners 64.

The secondary fasteners 64 can also provide an improved notch when the diaper 20 is applied in a non-fastened configuration similar to that of conventional diapers. For example, with the initial fastening around the user, the primary fasteners 62 may be difficult to locate correctly due to the user's activity. Thus, in such situations, the secondary fasteners can be used to provide a better conformation notch after the primary fasteners 62 have been engaged.

Suitable fasteners are well known to those skilled in the art and may include adhesive tape fasteners, cohesive fasteners, magnetic hook and loop fasteners, mushroom fasteners, pins, belts and the like, and combinations thereof. For example , as representatively illustrated in Figure 3 the primary fasteners 62 and the secondary fasteners 6 can be hook-type fasteners and the outer cover 42 or the attachment panel 66 can be configured to function as a complementary curl-type fastener Desirably , the fasteners 62 and 64 are hook-type fasteners which are releasably engageable directly with the outer cover 42. Such arrangement provides the ability to vary the size of the waist opening in very small increments over a wide range of notching. at the user's waist The fasteners may have any shape and size that provide the desired hold of the diaper 20 around the wearer's waist. It is also desirable that the outer surface of the secondary fasteners 64 provide a visual key to the care as regards its location. For example, in one embodiment, the secondary fasteners 64 are of a different color from the outer surface of the diaper 20 to allow the caregiver to easily determine the location of the secondary fasteners 64.

In the illustrated embodiments, the primary fasteners 62 are attached directly to the side edges 30 of the diaper 20 in one of the waist regions 22 and 24. The primary fasteners 62 may adhere to the side edges 30 by any means known to those skilled in the art. art such as adhesive joints, sonic joints, or thermal joints.

The secondary fasteners 64 can be suitably secured to the diaper 20 in any manner that provides the desired securement and improved conformation of the waist regions 22 and 24 of the diaper 2 around the wearer's waist after the diaper 20 s has pulled. on the hips of the user. For example, as representatively illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the diaper 20 d of the different aspects of the present invention may further include belt segments 68 located in one of the waist regions 22 and 24 of the diaper 20. The segment d illustrated belt 68 defines a pair of laterally opposite end portions 70 and a joined portion 72 which is secured to the respective waist region 22 and 24 of the diaper 20. Secondary fasteners 64 are connected to the end portions 70 of the segment of belt 68. In such configuration, the end portions 70 of the belt segment 68 are configured to surround the wearer's hips so that the secondary fasteners 64 can releasably engage the opposite waist region to provide the improved notch of the diaper on the wearer after the diaper 20 It has been raised on the user's legs and hips. To provide the improved notch around the wearer's waist without adversely affecting the appearance of the outer cover 42 of the diaper 20, the majority of the length of the belt segment 68 is desirably positioned along the interior surface 34 of the diaper 20 at the respective belt region 22 and 24. In such a configuration as is representatively illustrated in Figure 3, the diaper 20 further includes a pair of slots 74 through which the end portion 70 of the belt segment 68 slides. Thus, the end portions 70 of the belt segment 68 and the secondary clips 64 are located on the outer surface 36 of the diaper and the remaining portion of the belt segment 68 extends through and along the inner surface 34 of the diaper. 20 between the diaper and the user. As illustrated, the secondary fasteners 64 are desirably configured to engage releasably on the outer surface 36 of the diaper 20 on one side of the slots 68 for improved control and ease of fastening.

The slots 74 may be provided by any means known to those skilled in the art. For example, slots 74 can be provided by cutting the diaper 20 after it has been assembled together. Alternatively, the slots 74 can be provided by adding a segment of material to the side edges 30 of the diaper 20 which extends laterally outward from the side edges 30 while only the segment of material is held to the side edges at its ends In such a configuration, the segment of the material provides a groove between the lateral edge of the diaper and the segment of material for improved manufacture.

In such a configuration, a portion of the belt segment 68 between the slots 74 is secured to the inner surface 34 of the diaper 20 to provide a bonded portion 72. The bonded portion 72 of the belt segments 68 can be secured to the inner surface of the diaper using the methods known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive, sonic or thermal bonding. Desirably, the bonded portion 7 defines a joined length 76 as illustrated in Figure 3 which is less than about 75 percent and more desirably less than about 50 percent of the total length of belt segment 68. Such The attached length provides sufficient securing of the belt segment to the diaper 20 if it adversely affects the ability of the belt segment to conform to the wearer's waist to provide the improved entall.

In the alternate configurations, the belt segment 68 does not require to fully extend through the diaper 20 to the inner surface 34. For example, the majority of the belt segment 68 can extend between the outer cover 42 and the absorbent frame 44 or between any of the components of the absorbent frame to additionally hide the belt segment 68.

The belt segment 68 can define any length and width that provide the desired improved fastening notch around the wearer. For example, the belt segment 68 can define an extension which is from about 7 to about 35 centimeters and a width which is from about 1 to about 10 centimeters Desirably, the belt segment 68 defines an extension. which is slightly smaller than the width of the diaper 20 in the respective waist region so that the belt segment 6 is slightly elongated to pre-tension the waist region.

The materials suitable for use as the belt segment 68 of the various aspects of the present invention are similar to those materials described above, being suitable for the outer cover 42. Desirably, the belt segment 68 is made of an elastic material which it is capable of elongating at least about 50 percent and more desirably at least about 100 percent to provide the improved notch around the wearer's waist. For example, belt segment 68 may comprise a bonded and bonded laminate which includes a KRATON film material commercially available from Dow Chemical Company, a business having offices located in Midland, Michigan. Alternatively, the belt segment 68 may include parts which include the elastic material and parts which include an inelastic material. The belt segment 68 can otherwise be made of a latent elastic material which can be elastically activated after the diaper 20 is constructed and before use. In a particular embodiment, the belt segment 68 is made of a latent elastic material as described in the patent application of the United States of America number 08 / 854.93 filed on May 13, 1997 and entitled "ELASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIAL IMPROVED AND PROCESS TO PRODUCE THE SAME ", whose description is incorporated here by reference.

The presumed absorbent article of the various aspects of the present invention further includes a pair of passive side seams for improved reliability to keep the article in the presumed condition particularly when it is pulled up or down from the user's hips. For example, as representatively illustrated in Figures 1-4, the diaper 20 includes a pair of passive side links 80 and 82 which releasably connects an overlapped portion 84 of the posterior belt region 24 or of the opposed ear regions 28. to the waist region 22 of the diaper 20. In such a configuration, the passive side links 80 and 82 assist the fastening system 60 in maintaining the diaper 20 in a presumed condition as the diaper 20 is raised or lowered onto the wearer's hips. In addition, the passive side links 80 and 82 prevent the movement and change of the waist regions 22 and 24 and of the ear regions 28 in relation to each other for an improved working notch. The passive side links 80 and 8 also provide an improved hip overlap and prevent the wrapping or bending of the side edges 30 and the waist edges 32 of the presumed diaper 20 as it is raised on the wearer's hips. Such a situation of avoiding coiling and bending can reduce the level of contact between the fasteners and the user's skin which can desirably result in a reduction in the redness and irritation of the skin.

As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the passive side links 80 and 82 are located within the primary fasteners 62 on the rear waist region 24 of the diaper 20. As used herein, the term "inward" refers to a distance in the lateral direction 40 towards the longitudinal center line 38 of the diaper 20 from the respective element. In such a configuration, the passive side links 80 and 82 connect and stabilize the superimposed portion 84 of the rear waist region 24 inward of the primary fasteners 62 in the front waist region 22. Desirably, the passive side links 80 and 82 connect the superimposed portion 84 of the posterior belt region 24 to the lateral edge 30 of the front waist region 22. For example, the passive side links 80 and 82 can join a waist edge 32 and the side edge 30 of the waist region rear 24 to the side edge 30 of the front belt region 22. In such a configuration, the passive links 80 and 8 help to prevent the side edges 30 and the edges of the waist 32 from being rolled over the diaper 20 when it is raised.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the abutment portion 84 of the rear waist region 24 defines an overlying distance 84 which is the distance between the respective lateral edges 30 of the rear front waist regions 22 and 24 when the diaper is worn. presujetado. The superimposed distance 88 is important to ensure that a good seal is provided around the legs and the user's waist. In addition, the greater the distance covered 88, the farther inside the passive junctions 80 and 82 may be located, which may provide a improved reduction in relative movement between the frontal and posterior waist regions 22 24 and improve hip coverage during use. The greater overlap distance 88 is also desirable in the diaper processing since the overlapped portion 84 is typically folded attached to the opposite waist region after the side links 80 and 82 have been formed. To provide such improved notch and function , it is desirable that the lap distance 88 be at least about 2 centimeters and more desirably at least about 4.0 centimeters. As illustrated in Figure 4, the passive junctions 80 and 82 can also be located on the opposite waist region by a distance 94 inward from the side edge 30 from about 0.2 to about 2.5 centimeter for improved binding and operation.

In a particular embodiment, the superposed portions 84 of the rear waist region 24 are connected by the passive links 80 and 82 to the front belt region 22 along their edges 30 and 32 but remain if connected by the passive links 80. and 82 to the front belt region 22 between the edges 30 and 32. In such an embodiment, the passive links 80 and 82 are not continuous along the length in the longitudinal direction 38. For example, as representatively illustrated in FIG. Figure 4, the passive joints 80 and 82 on each side of the rear waist region 2 can further define an unbonded distance 90 in the longitudinal direction 38 between the respective attachment points of at least about 1.0 centimeters and desirably of at least around 2.0 centimeters. Such an arrangement is particularly useful when the fastening system 60 of the diaper 20 includes the belt segment 68 described above so that the belt segment 68 is allowed to slide freely in the sleeve 92 created between the passive links 80 and 82.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the passive side links 80 and 82 are located on the rear waist region 24 inward of the primary fastener 62 by a distance 86 to prevent relative movement or change between the front and rear waist regions. and 24 one with respect to another. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the joints of each of the passive side links 80 and 82 is located on the rear waist region 2 by a distance 86 inwards of at least about 1.0 centimeters and desirably from at least about 2.0 centimeters. When the distance 86 is less than the values set above, the rear front waist regions 22 and 24 may undesirably change with each other during the application or use of the diaper 20. Such a change of the respective waist regions 22 and 24 of the diaper 20 can adversely affect the notch of the diaper 20 on the user which may undesirably lead to increased drainage.

In certain aspects of the invention, the location of the passive junctions 80 and 82 and the respective distance 86 and the lap distance 88 can be selectively varied to make the notch of the diaper 20 for different sizes of users. For example, the location of the joints 80 and 82 can be varied during the manufacturing process so that the same process can produce presumed diapers for use in the conventional sizes of Step 3 or Step 4.

The passive side links 80 and 82 can be connected to the respective front and back waist regions 22 and 24 in a facing relationship. For example, the passive side links 80 and 82 can be connected to the inner surface 34 of the diaper 20 in the posterior belt region 24 to the outer surface 36 of the diaper in the front waist region 22. Alternatively, the passive side links 80 and 82 can connecting to the inner surface 34 of diaper 20 in the rear waist region 24 to the inner surface 34 of the diaper 20 in the front waist region 22. The configuration can lead to improved manufacture. In this configuration, the side edges 30 of the front belt region 22 can be bent when the primary fasteners 6 are engaged.

The passive side links 80 and 82 can be provided by any type of attachment such as thermal, adhesive, ultrasonic, cohesive bonding and similar combinations thereof as is known to those skilled in the art. The passive side links 80 and 82 may otherwise be provided by suitable fasteners as known to those skilled in the art and described above as being suitable for use as the primary fasteners 62. The passive side links 80 and 82 may be gaskets. discrete points, dotted lines, solid lines, discontinuous line and similar or combinations thereof. In addition, the side links 80 and 82 can have any shape such as circular, square, triangular and the like. In a particular embodiment, the passive side links 80 and 8 are ultrasonic point connections for improved manufacturing efficiency.

The methods for incorporating the passive junctions 6 and 62 and for making the diaper presumed 20 of the different aspects of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art. For example, in addition to making the diaper by hand, one such method is described in the United States patent application entitled "METHOD FOR MAKING PRESERVED DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ITEMS" filed on the same date and on behalf of Elsberg and others and having as attorney subject number 13,780, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The passive side links 80 and 82 are configured to assist the primary fasteners 62 to maintain the diaper 20 in a presumed configuration when the diaper 20 is raised and lowered over the wearer's hips during use. Therefore, it is desirable that the passive side links 80 and 82 provide adequate shear strength to assist the primary fasteners 62. In a particular embodiment, the passive side links 80 and 8 define a shear strength of at least about 50 grams and desirably at least about 10 grams. For example, the passive side links 80 and 8 can define a shear strength of from about 10 to about 4,000 grams and desirably from about d 500 to about 2,000 grams. As used herein, the term "shear strength" refers to the value obtained when the lateral bonds are subjected to the Cort Resistance test described herein. Lower shear strength values than those described above may not prevent separation of the front and rear waist regions 22 and 24 from one another during the application and use of the diaper 20.

The passive side links 80 and 82 are also configured to be easily tear-off so that the caregiver can easily peel back the user diaper 20 after it has been soiled. Therefore, it is desirable that the passive side links 80 and 82 define a relatively low peak peel strength so that the caretaker can easily disengage the clips 62 and 64, break the passive side links 80 and 82 and separate the waist regions. front and back 22 and 24 to remove the diaper 20 from the user's waist in a similar way to conventional diapers which are not presumed. For example, in a particular embodiment, the passive side links 80 82 define a peel strength of no more than about 1,500 grams, desirably no more than about 1.0 grams and more desirably no more than about 800 grams. used here, the term "peel strength" refers to the value obtained when the side joints are subjected to the peel strength test described herein. Higher peel strength values than those described above may not easily tear and may undesirably result in the tearing of other parts of the diaper 20. Desirably, the peel strength of side joints 80 and 82 is less than about 50 percent. of the peel strength of the primary fasteners 62 and more desirably of less than about 20 percent of the peel strength of the primary fasteners 62.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a package of the presumed disposable diapers described above. The package includes a container such as, for example, a plastic bag, and a plurality of disposable diapers presumed. As described above, the presumed diaper 2 includes a pair of primary fasteners 62 and a pair of passive side unions 80 and 82 located inward of the primary fasteners. Such a package provides diapers which can easily be climbed on the user's legs which can easily be removed from the wearer's waist after they have become soiled.

The different aspects of the present invention can advantageously provide a presujetado disposable absorbent article which includes the combination of passive side unions and an adjustable fastening system. The fastening system is presumed to releasably engage the front and rear waist portions to allow the absorbent article to be raised or lowered over the user's hips as are conventional training pants. furtherThe fastening system can be used to releasably engage the front and back waist portions of the absorbent article to hold the absorbent article around the wearer's waist after the article has been raised in a manner similar to conventional diapers. The passive side links help the fastening system to maintain the article in a presumed condition when the article is raised or lowered on the user's hips. In addition, the passive side links prevent movement and change of the waist portions one in relation to another for improved notch and operation. The passive side links also prevent the wrapping or bending of the waist and side edges of the presumed absorbent article as it is raised on the hips of the users.

As a result of this, the absorbent articles of the present invention are designed to conform to the wearer's body to effectively contain body exudates while still being able to be reliably raised or lowered over the wearer's hips to aid in learning for The user's toilet In addition, similarly to conventional diapers, the absorbent articles of the present invention can be advantageously applied and removed from the user with a relative cleaning facility.

Peel Resistance Test This test method is designed to quantify, in grams, the peak strength of the ultrasonic point junctions that support the front waist region of absorbent article in the posterior waist region. The direction of removal (peeling), in this application, is the direction in which the fastener material will generally remove from a substrate when the product is in use. This direction is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the product.

Equipment 1. A voltage tester capable of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an appropriate load cell. A suitable voltage testing system is a Sintech Tension Tester, commercially available from MTS Sintech, Researc Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade designation Instron Model 4201 Voltage Tester with a Computer Program from Sintech QAD (Department of Quality assurance). 2. Computer program commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade designation Sintec TestworksMarca. 3. Pneumatic action handles available from Instron Corporation, of Canton, Massachusetts, under the trade designation "Instron Model 2712-004". 4. 1 by 4 inch, commercially available meshed handle faces from Instron Corporation, of Canton, Massachusetts.

. Test installation having a temperature of 23 ± 1 ° C, and a relative humidity of 50 ± 2 percent.

Test Procedure 1. A sample that is to be tested is conditioned at the test facility at least four hours before the test. 2. The load cell was calibrated and loaded and programmed. 3. The handles were installed on the tension tester with the jaws closed. 4. The test condition for the voltage tester is established as follows: Crosshead speed: 500 millimeters / minute Full scale load: 5 kilograms Threshold: 5 percent Fault criterion: 95 percent Measuring length: 50 millimeters . The tare was subtracted from the weight of the handle. 6. The primary fastener appendage of the fastener element on the rear waist region of the article s inserted into the upper jaw so that the edge of the fastener car is even with the inside edge of the hook material. 7. The front waist region of the article s inserted into the lower jaw so that the inner surface of the rear waist region and the outer surface of the front waist region form an angle d 180 °. The lower jaw is closed. 8. The crosshead was set in motion. 9. The peak fault load is recorded. S tries to have the failure mode registered. The failure mode is intended to be that of the diaper back waist region separating from the front waist region of the diaper. The results are rejected if the location of the fault is in any location other than the ultrasonic point junctions.

Cutting Resistance Test This test method is designed to quantify, in grams, the peak dynamic cutting resistance of the ultrasonic point junctions by holding the front waist region of the absorbent article to the posterior waist region. The direction of force in this application is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the product.

Test Procedure 1. A sample that is to be tested is conditioned in the test facility at least four hours before the test. 2. The load cell was calibrated and loaded and programmed. 3. The handles were installed on the tension tester with the jaws closed. 4. The test condition for the voltage tester is established as follows: Crosshead speed: 500 millimeters / minute Full scale load: 5 kilograms Threshold: 5 percent Fault criterion: 95 percent Measuring length: 50 millimeters The tare weight was subtracted from the weight of the handle 6. The primary fastener appendage of the fastening element on the rear waist region of the article s inserted into the upper jaw so that the edge of the handle car is even with the edge inside of the hook material. 7. The front waist region of the article s inserted into the lower jaw so that the inner surface of the rear waist region and the inner surface of the front waist region face each other in the same direction and are parallel to one another. The lower quijad is closed. 8. The crosshead was set in motion. 9. The peak fault load is recorded. The failure mode is intended to be one in which the back waist region of the article is separated from the front waist region of the article. The results are rejected if the location of the fault is anywhere other than that of the ultrasonic point junctions.

Even though the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon achieving an understanding of the foregoing, that they can readily conceive alterations, variations and equivalents of these aspects. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be established as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A disposable absorbent article prescribes which defines an absorbent, a front waist region, or posterior waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects said waist regions and a pair of opposite lateral edges wherein said article absorbs presujeted comprises : a) a pair of primary fasteners which are located on said opposite u-side edges of the waist regions and which overlap and releasably engage said opposite waist region of said absorbent article to provide the presumed absorbent article and b) a pair of passive side seams which are located inwardly of said primary fasteners on a waist region and which releasably connect an overlapped portion of that one waist region to the opposite waist region to help maintain the absorbent article; previously held in a presumed condition.

2. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said primary fasteners are hook-and-loop type fasteners

3. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises at least one joint panel which is located on the opposite waist region where said primary fasteners are configured to releasably engage the joint panel.

4. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, further characterized by comprising a pair of secondary fasteners which are located on that one waist region and which are configured to releasably engage said opposite waist region to conform said regions of waist to body of the wearer after the absorbed presujetado article is raised on the user's hips.

5. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said primary fasteners are located on the opposite lateral edges in said rear waist region of the absorbent article and releasably engage said front waist region to provide said presumed absorbent article. .

6. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said passive side links releasably connect said part to overlap from that one waist region to the side edges of the opposite waist region to help maintain said absorbent article presumed in said Presumed condition.

7. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that said passive lateral junctions releasably connect a waist edge said side edge of said waist region to the opposite waist region but do not join said overlapped part of that region. of waist between said waist edge and said lateral edge to said opposite waist region.

8. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the passive side joints are located on that one waist region inward of the primary fastener by a distance of at least about 1.0 centimeters.

9. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the overlapped portion of that one waist region defines a lapped distance of at least about 2.0 centimeters.

10. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the passive side links include at least one point joint.

11. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that said point junction is an ultrasonic point joint.

12. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said passive side unions define a peel strength of no more than about 1500 grams.

13. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said passive side links connect an inner surface of said absorbent article in a waist region to the outer surface of said absorbent article in the opposite waist region.

14. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said passive side links connect an interior surface of said absorbent article in said waist region to an interior surface of said absorbent article in the opposite waist region.

15. A presepable disposable absorbent article which defines an absorbent, a front waist region, a posterior waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects said waist regions and a pair of opposing ear regions on one of the legs. regions of belt which overlaps said opposite waist region where the absorbent article comprises: a) a pair of primary fasteners which are located on said opposing ear regions on said waist region and which are releasably engaged to the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to provide said presumed absorbent article; b) a belt segment which defines the opposite end portions and which is located in said waist region; c) a pair of secondary fasteners which are located on the opposite end portions of the belt segment and which are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region to conform said waist regions to a user's body after the Presujetado absorbent article joins on the hips of the user; and d) a pair of passive side links which are located inward of the primary fasteners on the opposite ear regions in that one belt region and which releasably connect an overlapped portion of the ear regions to the opposite waist region for help maintain the absorbent article presumed in a presumed condition.

16. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said primary fasteners are located on the ear regions in the rear waist region of the absorbent article and releasably engage said front waist region to provide the presumed absorbent article.

17. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the passive side links releasably connect said overlapping part of the ear regions to a pair of opposite side edges of the absorbent article in said opposite waist region.

18. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the passive lateral junctions are not continuous along a longitudinal extension of said ear regions.

19. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that said passive unions define a non-attached longitudinal extension of at least about 1.0 centimeters to create a sleeve through which the belt segment can be slidably moved.

20. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the passive side links are located on said ear regions inward of the primary fastener by a distance of at least about 1.0 centimeters.

21. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said superimposed portion of said ear regions define a lapped distance of at least about 2.0 centimeters.

22. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the passive side links include the ultrasonic point joints.

23. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said passive side links define a peel strength of no more than about 1500 grams.

24. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said passive lateral junctions connect an inner surface of the absorbent article in that one waist region to an outer surface of the absorbent article in said opposite waist region

25. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said passive side unions connect an inner surface of the absorbent article in said waist region to an inner surface of the absorbent article in said opposite belt region.

26. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, further characterized in that it comprises at least one junction panel which is located on an opposite waist region and wherein said secondary and primary fasteners are configured to releasably engage said fascia panel. Union.

27. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the absorbent article further includes an outer cover which comprises a non-woven material.

28. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that said primary and secondary fasteners are hook type fasteners which are configured to releasably engage in said outer cover.

29. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said belt segment comprises an elastic material which is capable of elongating at least about 100 percent.

30. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said belt segment is attached to an inner surface of the absorbent article in said waist region.

31. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that said opposite end portions of said belt segment extend through the grooves in a waist region on an outer surface of the absorbent article in said waist region. .

32. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said secondary fasteners and said opposite end portions of said belt segment are configured to extend over the primary fasteners to releasably engage said opposite waist region of said absorbent article. to conform said waist regions to the wearer's body after the presumed absorbent article is raised on the wearer's hips.

33. A disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region which extends between said waist regions and connects them and a pair of opposite side edges, said absorbent article comprises: a) an outer cover; b) an absorbent frame which includes a lower sheet which is connected to the outer cover, a side-to-body liner which is connected to said lower sheet in an overlying relationship and an absorbent core placed between said lower sheet and said lining side to the body; c) a pair of primary fasteners which are located on said outer cover over said laterally opposite side edges of said rear waist region of said absorbent article and which are configured to releasably engage an outer surface of said absorbent article in said region of front belt of said absorbent article; d) a band segment which is located in said back waist region of said absorbent article and which defines a pair of opposite end portions; e) a pair of secondary fasteners which are located on the opposite end portions of said belt segment and which are configured to releasably engage said outer surface of the front waist region to further conform said waist regions to the body of the user after the presumed absorbent article is raised on the wearer's hips; Y f5 a pair of passive side links which are located inwardly of the primary fasteners on said rear waist region and which releasably connect an overlapped portion of said waist region posterior to said front waist region to assist in holding said absorbent article Primed in a presumed condition.

34. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that the passive side links connect said overlapped part of the back waist region to said side edges of the front waist region to help maintain the absorbent article presumed in said condition presutadoda.

35. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said passive side unions join a waist edge and a lateral edge d said waist region posterior to said front waist region and do not join said overlapped part of said waist region. back waist between the waist edge and said side edge to the front waist region

36. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that said passive side unions define a non-attached longitudinal extension of at least about 1.0 centimeters to create a sleeve through which the belt segment can be slidably moved. .

37. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said passive side links are located on a rear waist region inward of the primary fastener by a distance of at least about 1.0 centimeters.

38. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said overlapped part of the posterior waist region defines a distance of overlap of at least about 2.0 centimeters.

39. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said passive side unions define a peel strength of no more than about 1500 grams.

40. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said passive side links connect an inner surface of the absorbent article in said posterior waist region to an outer surface of the absorbent article in said front waist region.

41. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said passive side links connect an inner surface of the absorbent article in the posterior waist region to an inner surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region.

42. A presumed disposable absorbent article which defines an absorbent, a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects said waist regions and a pair of opposite side edges where the absorbent article includes: a) a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the opposite lateral edges in a said waist regions and which are releasably engaged to said opposite waist region of said disposable absorbent article thereby defining a waist circumference dimension; b) belt size adjusting means for reducing the waist circumference dimension of the absorbent article without releasing said primary fasteners to conform waist regions to a user's body after the presumed absorbent article has been raised; Y c) a pair of passive side seams which are located inward of the primary fasteners on a waist region and which releasably connect an overlapped portion of a waist region to the opposite waist region to help maintain said absorbed article presumed in a presumed condition.

43. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that the means of adjusting waist size include: a) a belt segment which is located in one of the waist regions where a belt segment defines opposite end portions; Y b) a pair of secondary fasteners which are located on the opposite end portions of the belt segment and which are configured to releasably engage said opposite waist region so as to conform said waist regions to the wearer's body.

44. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that said passive lateral junctions are located on a belt region inward of the primary fastener at a distance of at least about 1.0 centimeters.

45. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that said overlapped portion of a waist region defines an overlap distance of at least about 2.0 centimeters.

46. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that said passive side unions define a peel strength of no more than about 1500 grams.

47. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that the passive side fittings connect an inner surface of the absorbent article in said waist region to an outer surface of the absorbent article in said opposite belt region.

48. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that said passive side links connect an inner surface of the absorbent article in said waist region to an inner surface of the absorbent article in said opposite waist region. SUMMARY A presepable disposable absorbent article includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on opposite side edges in one of the waist regions of the article. The primary fasteners overlap and releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to provide the absorbed article presujetado. The presepable disposable absorbent article further includes a pair of passive side seams which are located inward of the primary fasteners over a waist region. The passive side links releasably connect the overlapped portion of that one region of the waist to the opposite waist region to help keep the absorbent article presumed in a presumed condition. The side links also prevent the change of the waist regions of the article one in relation to the other during use. The article may also include at least one secondary fastener which is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article. The secondary fastener is configured to releasably engage the opposite belt region of the absorbent article to conform the waist regions of the article to a body of the wearer after the article is pulled on the wearer's hips.