MXPA99006678A - Brief with improved dual fastening system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is an absorbent article having a first end, a first waistband section contiguous with the first end, a second end, a second waistband section contiguous with the second end, an intermediate section which interconnects the first and second waistband sections, and longitudinal sides extending between the first and second ends. The absorbent article comprises:a backsheet layer;a liquid permeable topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer;an absorbent assembly interposed between the backsheet and topsheet layers;and, a fastening system for providing a side closure for the absorbent article. The fastening system, disposed on the absorbent article, comprises two independent securement members disposed adjacent each of the longitudinal edges in the first waistband section and having a separation distance of less than 2.5 inches.

Description

TRUSA WITH IMPROVED DUAL SUSPENSION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fastening systems for disposable incontinence garments and more particularly, to a dual fastening system for such disposable garments that provide better fit and improved drainage results.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disposable garments are generally well known in the art and have become an important and essentially indispensable sanitary protection article, more particularly, in the field of infant, child and adult care where disposable garments, such as garments, are disposable. diapers or other similar garments for incontinent people, provide absorption and containment of urine and other body exudates. Disposable garments currently commercially available are generally unitary, preformed and pre-folded, and. they comprise a porous front layer (permeable to liquid), a layer of liquid-impermeable backing sheet with an absorbent material placed between them. These currently available garments have filled a particular need and have become increasingly popular.

However, even when the disposable incontinence garments currently available are efficient and effective, such garments have several disadvantages that have been identified by both individuals who wear the garments, referred to as the users in this application, and the caregivers which help to place them. the garments on other individuals. Users and caregivers have voiced their desire to be able to obtain disposable incontinence garments that are statically attractive and attractive when worn. The aesthetically beautiful criterion has been identified as including a tight and thin notch, and a pretty waist, sides and legs that do not allow the runoff of urine or faeces. It has also been found undesirable that garments appear wrinkled, bulky, or disheveled when the garment is in use. The garments will preferably look more like a type of underpants or a type of underwear, thus providing sensations of normality and dignity to the users. In addition, users and caregivers have expressed a desire to either have a disposable garment that fits more sizes of individuals or have disposable garments provided in ranges of larger sizes.

Another disadvantage identified by users and caregivers has been the problem associated with irritation of the skin caused by urine, feces or moisture trapped near the skin. These have widely expressed their desire to obtain disposable garments that prevent or solve this problem.

Another major disadvantage is associated with the methods provided to secure the garment around the wearer. The most commonly used method in disposable garments currently commercially available is the plastic sealable tape. Initially, the fastening appendages introduced on the disposable or disposable diapers could not be resubmitted, which means that when an individual wishes to verify the garment with respect to the wet or to adjust the notch, the belts can not be reattached or joined. This, in turn, means that the garment, if it is not ready to be changed, will have to be discarded. Currently, disposable garments use ribbons that are made to be glued back together. Users and caregivers have indicated that they want disposable garments that have fasteners that can always be reattached or bonded and that are not easily released by contact with clothing, or during usual movement or use. It has been found that some of the fasteners that are currently being used in commercial products are subjected to the contamination of powders, oils and other substances which prevent the fasteners from re-attaching or binding., or in the worst case, they prevent the fasteners from joining in the initial use. The attempt to provide fastening tapes that are always resuable has led some manufacturers to use stronger adhesives on the fastening tapes. Unfortunately, however, stronger adhesives have a tendency to tear the outer covering, also referred to as the backing sheet layer, of the garment which can cause the garment to no longer work.

In addition, the fastening tapes used on the present disposable garments can also have a detrimental effect on the notch of the garment. Because the fastening tapes are typically made to be bondable or clamped over any backing sheet layer or outer covering of the garment, and since there is no indication to the users and caregivers of where the tapes should be attached or taped of fastening, said fastening tapes are often glued to the outer cover of the garment in the wrong position which has several detrimental effects. First, the garment does not mesh over the wearer properly, for example, if it is too loose, the garment falls or drips at the waist, or if it is too tight, it causes tension on the outer covering of the garment which can be uncomfortable for the user. Secondly, undue positioning of the fastening tapes can cause the leg openings to separate thereby causing runoff. Third, undue placement of the fastening tapes can cause the sides of the garment to separate thereby causing runoff.

Still other means of securing the garment around the individual include fasteners of the mechanical type. These include buttons, buttonholes, fasteners, buckles, snaps, hooks and curls, end extensions, appendages, and the like which are designed or adapted to enclose or snap some type of complementary device to the outer cover of the garment. In addition, elasticized fasteners can also be used to ensure a better fit of such garments. However, some of these fasteners can be difficult to attach or hold and some are not very discreet under clothing.

In addition, the use of the restraint system where three pairs of fasteners also mentioned as assurance members, ensure the garment around the user can be cumbersome for both users and caregivers. However, dual clamping systems, systems using two pairs of fasteners, can have a detrimental effect on the notch of the garment. The sides of the garments using such a dual fastening system develop cracks or gaps between the two fasteners on each side, resulting in a wrinkled appearance that may not be hidden under clothing as well as resulting in an increased potential with respect to runoff.

Attempts to resolve the disadvantages associated with the present disposable garments have been extended for several years and include several different methods. One method to improve the notch involves the geometric bending of rectangular diapers for the purpose of narrowing the apparent width in the crotch area. An example of this method includes a rectangular garment, a diaper provided with longitudinal and parallel folded box folds and a loose overlapping flap along each side. Another method describes a rectangular garment, a diaper, including inward triangular folds in the crotch area.

These two methods allow the garment to be more easily fitted to the wearer, however, problem areas still exist. First, pre-bent rectangular garments result in an increased volume between the legs which causes discomfort to the user. Secondly, the nonconforming volume prevents the garment from conforming closely to the legs, leaving separations which allow runoff to occur. Third, nonconforming sides tend to pull the waist down on the sides thus causing the garment to separate at the front of the waist where runoff can occur.

Third, the separation at the front waistline contributes to making the garment appear bulky, messy, and disheveled.

To solve the resulting problems associated with the non-conformant volume between the legs, different methods were tested, including reducing the width of the absorbent pad in the crotch area. However, because the materials used to build the disposable garments are relatively non-conformable, it is difficult to achieve a narrow notch around the thighs and still have a tendency to exist undesirable separations. In addition, the reduced width of the absorbent pad reduces the available absorbent capacity which also increases the runoff potential. In an attempt to reduce runoff, one method describes a garment, a diaper, wherein the edges of the garment include the flexible elasticated fins between the elasticized line and the edge of the absorbent pad in the crotch.

Again, an attempt to solve a problem results in the emergence of another problem. The elastified fins provide a tight seal to the legs because the tensioned elastic presses the easily deformable fins into a closed contact with the legs. However, the tight seal on the legs can also have several causal effects. First, the tight seal can cause urine to collect near the edges of the garment which can permeate to the area between the fin and the skin where it can cause skin irritation. Second, because it is necessary to reduce the width of the absorbent pad in order to provide the required fin width, the remaining absorbent becomes excessively wet and run-off may occur. Third, when the reduced width of the absorbent becomes excessively wet, it tends to separate and bulge at the bottom of the crotch of the garment thereby impairing the transfer of fluid to the unused portions of the absorbent pad.

To solve the problems associated with the elasticized flaps, a new improved disposable garment has been described in which said garment, a diaper, is stretched only along the edges in a crotch area tapered in a manner to give a leg notch. more comfortable as well as an improved functional absorbent capacity. This is achieved by attaching the elastic immediately adjacent the edges of the absorbent pad and also attaching the absorbent pad to contract when the elastic contracts, thereby producing thick transverse roughness in the crotch area. These thick transverse roughnesses increase the effective absorbent capacity of the absorbent pad by decreasing the tendency of the absorbent to separate and increase the transmission characteristics of the absorbent.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION In response to the failure of the art to recognize the above-mentioned problems or to suggest a completely satisfactory solution to these, a new absorbent article has been developed. The absorbent article includes a garment with a dual fastening system wherein the fastening system securing members on each side of the garment are separated by a distance of less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm). The garment is preferably a disposable incontinence garment.

In one aspect, the invention relates to an absorbent article such as a disposable incontinence garment, including a dual fastening system. The absorbent article has a first end, a first waistband section contiguous with the first end, a second end, a second waistband section adjacent to the second end, an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections, and the longitudinal sides that extend between the first and second ends. The absorbent article comprises a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer permeable to the liquid superimposed in a front relation to the bottom sheet layer; an absorbent assembly positioned between the lower and upper sheet layers; and a dual clamping system. The dual clamping system provides the lateral closures for the absorbent article.

The dual clamping system includes two independent belay members positioned on either side of the longitudinal edges in the first waist section. The securing members on each side of the article are separated by a distance of less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm). At least one of the securing members is adapted to engage the lower sheet layer of the second waistband section. At least one of the securing members includes an appendage member having a fixed part attached to the lower leaf layer, an appendage portion extending outwardly from the adjacent longitudinal edge and attached to the fixed part., and a first fastening component placed on the appendage part. The assurance members are distinct members which do not depend on other assurance members and do not have a common fixed part, an appendage member, a projection part, or a first fastening component. Each insurance member operates independently of the other insurance members. In one embodiment, at least one of the first securing components includes an adhesive fastening layer for adhesively securing the appendage portion to the exterior surface of the backing sheet layer. In an alternate embodiment, the first connecting components may include a first mechanical closure element that is adapted to engage the outer surface of the lower sheet layer.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a disposable incontinence garment, including a dual fastening system. The absorbent article has a first end, a first waistband section adjoining the first end, a second end, a second waistband section adjacent to the second end, an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections, and the longitudinal sides that they extend between the first and second ends. The absorbent article comprises a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer permeable to the liquid superimposed in a front relation with the bottom sheet layer; an absorbent assembly interposed between the backing sheet layer and the top sheet layer; and, the dual clamping system. The dual clamping system provides a lateral closure for the absorbent article by keeping the first waistband section and the second waistband section in an overlapped configuration so that the lateral tension is maintained around the absorbent article to secure the absorbent article on an user.

The dual clamping system includes two independent belay members positioned on one side of each of the longitudinal edges in the first waist section.

The assurance members on each side of the article are separated by a distance of less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm). The dual restraint system also includes at least one rest or placement member located in the second waist region. The resting member serves as a target union area for the insurance members.

The securing members each include an appendage member having a fixed part attached to the lower sheet layer, an appendage portion extending outwardly from the longitudinal edge and attached to the fixed part and a first attachment component located on the part thereof. of appendix. At least one of the first fastening components includes an adhesive bonding layer for adhesively securing the appendage portion on the rest member or a first mechanical fastener element which attaches to a second fastening component located on the rest member. . In the latter case, the second clamping component has a second mechanical closing element that mechanically engages the first mechanical closing element.

Although there are major differences in the proportions of anatomy and body between adults and children (including infants) which typically make it impossible to use the simply reduced versions of adult disposable garments for a child, the present invention, a dual fastening system, can be applied to child and infant disposable garments, such as diapers.

The numerous features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims given herein to interpret the full scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of the absorbent article of the present invention, in a completely flat extended shape, as viewed from the side of the body, with certain cut portions to better illustrate the various layers and component elements of the article.

Figure 2 is a top plan view similar to that of Figure 1 but with the ears reduced showing the placement of the securing members over the reduced ears.

Figure 3 is a front view of the absorbent article of the present invention as used by a user.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the securing member adjacent a longitudinal side, shown attached to a portion of the ear of the waistband section of the article.

Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 4, shown with a reduced ear.

DEFINITIONS Within the context of this description, each term or phrase given below shall include the following meaning or meanings. (a) "joined" refers to the union, adhesion, connection, subjection, or the like of two elements. The two elements will be considered to be joined together when they are directly linked to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when they are directly attached to intermediate elements. 5 '(b) "disposable" includes being discarded after use, and not intended to be washed and reused. (c) "arranged", "arranged over", "arranged with", "arranged in", "arranged close to" and variations thereof are intended to mean that one element may be integrated with another element, or that an element can be a separate structure attached or placed with or placed near another element. (d) "elastic", "elasticized", and "elasticity" 20 means that property of a material by virtue of which it tends to recover its original size and shape after the removal of a force that causes a deformation. 25 (e) "layer" when used in the singular may have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements. (f) "liquid impermeable" when used to describe a layer or laminate means that the urine will not pass through the layer or laminate under ordinary conditions of use in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate in the point of contact with the liquid. (g) "member" when used in the singular may have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements. (h) "permeable" and "permeability" refers to the ability of a fluid, such as, for example, a gas to pass through a particular porous material. Permeability can be expressed in units of volume per unit time per unit area, eg, cubic feet per minute / per square foot of material (per example, foot3 / minute / foot2). (i) "releasably attached", "releasably attached", "releasably engaged" and variations thereof refer to two elements that are connected or that can be connected so that the elements tend to remain connected in the absence of a separation force applied to one or both of the elements, and the elements are capable of separation without a permanent substantial break or deformation. The required separation force is typically beyond that found while the absorbent garment is worn. 15 (j) "operably linked", "elastically associated", and "associated with" with reference to the attachment of an elastic member to another element means that the member Elastic when joined to or placed with or formed from the element gives that element the elastic properties. With reference to the union of a non-elastic member to another element, that means that the member and the The element can be joined or placed together in any suitable manner that allows or allows it to carry out its described or attempted function, while the properties of the individual elements are not completely inhibited. The union or placement may be either directly, such as joining or placing any member directly with an element, or may be indirectly by means of another member member placed between the first member and the first member. (k) "out" and "in" refers to the positions relative to the center of an absorbent garment, and particularly transversally and / or longitudinally closer or further away from the longitudinal and transverse center of the absorbent garment.

These terms can be defined with additional language in the remaining part of the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figures 1-3, an absorbent article 20 according to the present invention, such as a disposable incontinence garment 22, is secured around the body of a wearer 24 with a dual fastening system 26. The garment 22 is shown for illustration purposes as an adult disposable incontinent garment. Other types of garments can also be used, for example diapers, health care garments, or the like. The garment 22 has the opposite major surfaces designated the inner surface 30 and the outer surface 32 (figure 1). The garment 22 includes a first end 34, a second opposite end 36, and the longitudinal sides 38 extending between the first and second ends 34 and 36.

The inner surface 30 of the garment 22 comprises that part of the garment 22 which is intended to be placed on one side of the wearer's body 24 during use. The inner surface 30 typically includes at least a portion of the upper sheet layer 80 and other components attached to the upper sheet layer 80. The outer surface 32 of the garment 22 comprises that part of the garment 22 which is set apart of the body of the user 24 during use. The outer surface 32 typically includes at least a portion of the lower sheet layer 78 and other components attached to the lower sheet layer 78.

The garment 22 defines a first waistband section 40 contiguous with the first end 34 and extending inwardly therefrom, and a second section of opposite waistband 42 contiguous with the second end 36 and extending inwardly therefrom. An intermediate section 44 is located between and interconnects the first and second belt band sections 40 and 42. When the garment 22 is positioned around a user 24 as illustrated in Figure 3, the middle section 44 is generally the part of the garment 22 located in the crotch region of the user 24.

The first and second belt band sections 40 and 42 each comprise a central region 46 and a pair of ears which typically comprise the outer side portions of the first and second belt band sections 40 and 42. The ears of the The first waist band section 40 is designated with the number 48, and the ears of the second waist band section 42 are designated with the number 50. The ears 48 and 50 can be operatively joined or associated with the elastic member 72.

The dual clamping system 26 comprises two independent belay members 28 positioned on one side of each of the longitudinal sides 38 in the first waistband section 40 and having a spacing distance 68 of preferably less than about 2.5 inches (about of 6.3 cm), more preferably less than about 2.0 inches (about 5.0 cm), and more preferably less than about 1.75 inches (about 4.4 cm). Each securing member 28 is adapted to engage the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 on the second waistband section 42 of the garment 22 thereby providing a side closure for the garment 22. Preferably, the fastening members 28 are adapted to repeatedly releasably engage the outer surface 32. In some embodiments, the lateral closure of the garment 22 is achieved by maintaining the first waistband section 40 and the second waistband section 42 in an overlapping configuration so that the tension Lateral is established and maintained around the garment 22, thereby securing the garment 22 over the wearer 24.

Each securing member 28 comprises an appendage member 52, an appendage portion 54, and a first fastening component 56. Examples of fastening systems and securing members are described in the patents of the United States of America - Nos. 5,423,789 granted to Kuen; 5,405,342 issued to Roessler et al., 5,403,302 granted to Roessler and others; 5,399,219 issued to Roessler and others; 5,386,595 issued to Kuen et al .; 5,374,262 issued to Kuehn, Jr. and others; 5,318,555 issued to Siebers and others; 5,304,162 granted to Kuen; 5,288,546 issued to Roessler and others; 5,176,671 granted to Roessler and others; 5,176,671 granted to Roessler and others; and 5,019,073 issued to Roessler and others, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The securing member 28 comprises an appendage member 52 having a fixed part 58 attached to the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 of the first waistband section 40 of an appendage portion 54 that extends laterally outward from the side longitudinal 38 of the first waistband section 40 and attached to the fixed part 58 and a first fastening component 56. In some embodiments, at least one of the first fastening components 56 comprises an adhesive fastening layer 74 which is adapted to engaging, and thus securing adhesively, the appendage portion 54 to the outer surface 32 of the backing sheet layer 78 on the second waistband section 42. Preferably at least one of the first fastening components 56 is adapted to join or engaging releasably with the outer surface 32, meaning that the outer surface 32, the first clamping component 56, or both are adapted to releasably engage one another repeatedly. The appendage portion 54 of the securing member 28 may further comprise an elastic member 72 positioned between the fixed part 58 and the first fastening component 56. The elastic member 72 may be made of a material which includes elastic or other strands or ribbons. stretchable fabrics.

In other embodiments, at least a first fastening component 56 comprises a first mechanical closure element 60 adapted to engage mechanically with the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 on the second waist band section 42. (See figure 2). The first mechanical seal elements 60 (also referred to as the interlock fasteners) typically comprise a plurality of latching elements projecting from the appendage portion 54. The latching elements of at least one of the first fastener elements of the fastener element 54 are provided. Mechanical closure 60 are adapted to releasably and repeatably engage and disengage the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 on the second waistband section 42 of the garment 22. Suitable attachment elements for such mechanical closure elements include the materials of self-engaging geometric shape, such as hooks, curls, brooches, bulbs, mushrooms, arrow heads, balls on rod, female and male matching components or the like. The appendage portion 54 of the appendage member 52 may further comprise an elastic member 72 positioned between the fixed part 58 and the first fastening component 56.

A representative securing member 28 is shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5. There are two opposing pairs of securing members 28 attached to the first section of the waistband 40 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In alternate embodiments , the location of the securing members 28 can be varied, in use a pair of securing members 28 can be placed on one side of the longitudinal side 38 on the first waistband section 40 near the first end 34, alternatively, close to the section intermediate 44 or any position between the first end 34 and the intermediate section 44 adjacent the longitudinal side 38. In other embodiments, the securing members 28 are placed on the second waistband section 42 in the various positions described in relation to the first section waistband 40 as discussed in the modalities mentioned above.

In other embodiments, the dual fastening system 26 comprises two independent securing members 28 positioned one beside each of the longitudinal sides 38 in the first waistband section 40 and having a distance 68 of preferably less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm), more preferably less than 2.0 inches (about 5.0 cm) and more preferably less than about 1.75 inches (about 4.4 cm), and at least one member 62 rest. less a rest member 62 is positioned on the outer surface 32 of the lower leaf portion 78 of the second waistband section 42 and is adapted to engage the securing members 28. At least one of the securing members 28 is adapted to engage the outer surface 32 of the garment 22 or at least one rest member 62 thereby providing a lateral closure for the garment 22. Preferably, the securing members 28, at least one rest member 62, or both are adapted to releasably and repeatedly engage the outer surface 32 or one another. In some embodiments, the lateral closure of the garment 22 is achieved by maintaining the first waistband section 40 and the second waistband section 42 in an overlapping configuration so that the lateral tension around the garment 22 is established and maintained. , thus ensuring the garment 22 on the user 24.

Each securing member 28 comprises an appendage member 52, an appendage portion 54, and a first fastening component 56. The securing member 28 comprises an appendage member 52 having a fixed portion 58 attached to the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 of the first waistband section 40 and an appendage portion 54 extending laterally outward from the longitudinal side 38 of the first waistband section 40 and attached to the fixed part 58 and the first fastening component 56. In some embodiments, at least one of the first fastening component 56 comprises an adhesive bonding layer (not shown) that is adapted to engage, adhesively secure, the appendage portion 54 to the rest member 62 on the outer surface 32 of the layer bottom sheet 78 on the second waistband section 42. Preferably, at least one of the first fastening components 56 is adapted to be attached or engaged resubrustibly with the rest member 62, meaning that the rest member 62, the first securing component 56, or both are adapted to releasably and repeatedly engage one another. The appendage portion 54 may further comprise an elastic member 72 positioned between the fixed part 58 and the first fastening component 56.

In some embodiments, at least a first fastening component 56 comprises a first mechanical closure element 60 adapted to mechanically engage with the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 of the second waistband section 42 or with the rest member. 62 on the second waistband section 42. Other embodiments include at least one rest member 62 having a second fastening component 64 comprising a second mechanical closure element 66 adapted to mechanically engage with the first mechanical closure element 60. The elements First and second mechanical seal members 60 and 66, also commonly referred to as interlocking components or closure elements, typically comprise a plurality of engaging elements (not shown) projecting from the appendage portion 54. The engaging elements of at least one first of the mechanical seal elements 60 are adapted for eng repeatedly unloading and releasing at least a second mechanical closure element 66 from the first rest member 62 positioned on the outer surface 32 of the backing sheet layer 78 of the garment 22. The appropriate attachment elements for the closure elements first and second 60 and 66 mechanics include self-engaging geometric shaped materials, such as hooks, curls, clasps, buckles, bulbs, mushrooms, arrowheads, balls on rods, female and male components that match, or similar.

In some cases, the first mechanical closure element 60 comprises a hook fastening material (Figure 2) and the second mechanical closure member 66 comprises a curl fastening material (not shown). In other cases, the first mechanical closure element 60 comprises a loop fastening material and the second mechanical closure element 66 comprises a hook fastening material (FIG. 2). The term curl fastening material is intended to mean any fabric having a base or backing structure and a plurality of curl members extending upwardly from at least one surface of the backing material. The term "hook fastening material" is intended to mean any material having a base of the backing structure and a plurality of hook members extending upwardly from at least one surface of the backing material.

The engagement of the engaging elements as discussed above is accomplished mechanically rather than adhesively, and the engaging elements are adapted to resist disengagement in a cutting mode and yet are released relatively easily from one another in a peeling mode. The cutting mode of a fastener system release refers to the forces tending to separate the first and second mechanical closure elements 60 and 66 (such as a hook and loop material) when the elements are subjected to the forces of opposition in the plane of the union of the elements, and the mode of peeling a fastener release refers to the forces tending to separate the mechanical closure elements when an element is subjected to a force perpendicular to the plane of attachment of the elements. As used herein, the term force includes a physical influence exerted by one body on another which produces the acceleration of bodies that are free to move and the deformation of bodies that are not free to move.

A representative securing member 28 is shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5. There are two opposing pairs of securing members 28 attached to the first waistband section 40 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In the alternate modes , the location of the securing members 28 may vary, such as on either or both of the longitudinal sides 38 of either or both of the first or second waistband sections 40 and 42, as long as the separation distance 68 is maintained from minus about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm) between the securing members 28 positioned on one side of each longitudinal side 38 of the first waistband section 40 or the second waistband section 42. The distance 68 is the distance between the fixed portions 54 of the securing members 28 adjacent to each of the longitudinal sides 38, parallel to the longitudinal axis 70 of the garment 22. The measurement is taken when the garment is in place. a completely extended and flat configuration. The preferred separation distance 68 is less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm). In other embodiments, it is preferable to use separation distances 68 of less than about 2.0 inches (about 5.0 cm) and less than about 1.75 inches (about 4.4 cm).

The decrease in the separation distance 68 between the securing members 28 adjacent the longitudinal sides 38 on each of the ears 48 on the second waist band without decreasing the size of the ears 48 and 50 may result in another notch problem or adjustment. Garments using a three-pair fastening system may have some problems with the fabric (materials) on both sides in the first and second belt band sections 40 and 42 on one side of the longitudinal edges 38 both above the member upper securing 28 and below the bottom securing member 28 by bending back on the user 24 so that the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 is brought into contact with the wearer's skin. Such contact can cause skin irritation.

The dual clamping system 26 of the present invention, due to the smaller spacing distance 68, results in additional fabric on both sides of the first and second waistband sections 40 and 42 on one side of the longitudinal edges 38 on top of the upper securement member 28 as below the bottom securing member 28. The user 24 and the caregiver require more care to avoid back folding of the fabric so that the outer surface 32 of the sheet layer Backrest 78 does not come in contact with the user's skin. However, this problem is avoided by reducing the size of the ears 48 and 50 in the first and second waistband sections 40 and 42. The ears 48 and 50 can be reduced so that the fabric of the first and second waistband sections 40 and 42 does not extend above the upper securing member 28 or below the lower securing member 28, but rather that the fabric will be angled down from the securing members 28 to the intermediate section 44 and angled upwards to the first and second ends 34 and 36 on one side of the central sections 46 of the first and second waistband sections 40 and 42 of the garment 22, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5.

In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to have a small amount of fabric extending above the upper securing member 28 and below the bottom securing member 28, and again, by angling the fabric downwardly of the securing members 28. up to the middle section 44 and up to the first and second ends 34 and 36 on one side of the central sections 46 of the first and second waist band sections 40 and 42 of the garment 22. It would be preferable to have around% inch (about 1.3 cm), more preferably around. inch (about 0.6 cm) of cloth extending above upper belaying member 28 and below bottom belaying member 28, and again angling the fabric downwardly from belaying members 28 to intermediate section 44 and upwards to the first and second ends 34 and 36 on one side of the central sections 46.

Again, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent garment 22 includes a layer of liquid-impermeable backsheet 78, an upper sheet layer substantially permeable to liquid 80, and an absorbent assembly 82 placed in the form of a sandwich between the backing sheet layer 78 and top sheet layer 80. The backing sheet layer 78 and the top sheet layer 80 are preferably longer and wider than the absorbent assembly 82, so that the peripheries of the backing layer backing sheet 78 and top sheet layer 80 form margins that will be joined together using ultrasonic joints, thermal bonds, adhesives, and other suitable means. The absorbent assembly 82 may be attached to the lower sheet layer 78 and / or to the upper sheet layer 80 using ultrasonic bonds, adhesives, or other suitable means. The garment 22 may also include additional components to aid in the acquisition, distribution and storage of the waste material. For example, garment 22 may include a transport layer as described in United States Patent No. 4,798,603 to Meyer et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 22 is hourglass-shaped with a length in the range of from about 40 to about 110 centimeters and a width in the range of from about 15 to about 90 centimeters. Of course, the garment 22 may optionally be rectangular, T-shaped, I-shaped, or irregularly shaped.

The garment 22 may optionally include the elastic yarns 84 (also commonly referred to as ribbons) oriented longitudinally along each side 38 of the garment and / or along each end 34 and 36 of the garment and attached in a stretched condition to the lower sheet layer 78, the upper sheet layer 80, or both. The side elastic yarns 84 are located in the intermediate section 44 and extend into or in the first and second belt band sections 40 and 42. The elastic yarns 84 along the ends 34 and 36 can be joined as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,500,316 issued to Damico, which is incorporated herein by reference. The elastic yarns 84 can help retain the garment 22 against the wearer's body and / or form joins with the body. Suitable elastic materials include a dry spun coalesced multifilament elastomer yarn sold under the name LYCRA and available from I.E. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, a thin strip of natural or synthetic rubber, a thermofused elastomeric adhesive, or the like.

The lower sheet layer 78 desirably comprises a material that is formed or treated to be impermeable to the liquid. Alternatively, the lower sheet layer 78 may comprise a liquid permeable material and other suitable means, such as a liquid impervious layer associated with the absorbent assembly 82, may be provided to prevent movement of the liquid out of the absorbent assembly 82. The backing sheet layer 78 may comprise a single layer of material or a laminate fingers or more separate layers of material. The lower sheet layer 78 may also be permeable to gas, so that gases encountered during the use of the absorbent garment may pass through the material under ordinary conditions of use, over all or part of its surface area. Suitable bottom sheet materials include films; tissues; nonwovens; laminates of films, fabrics, and / or nonwovens; or similar. The materials of the lower sheet layer 78 may also include stretchable materials. In a particular embodiment, the lower sheet layer 78 comprises a polyethylene film impermeable to the liquid.

In particular embodiments, the lower sheet layer 78 may also include at least one rest member 62 on the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 in the second waistband section 42. The rest member 62 provides an area of objective attachment to receive the first fastening component 56 of the securing members 28. A suitable rest member is described in United States of America Patent No. 4, 753,649 granted to Pazdernik, which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, a portion or region of the outer surface 32 of the lower sheet layer 78 may act as a rest member 62 in the sense that the securing members 28 are adapted to engage with the outer surface 32 of the layer of lower leaf 78.

The absorbent assembly 82 comprises the materials adapted to absorb and retain the liquid waste. The absorbent assembly 82 may be hourglass-shaped as illustrated, or rectangular, T-shaped, I-shaped, or irregularly formed, and be narrower and desirably also shorter than the sheet layer lower 78.

The absorbent assembly 82 may comprise various absorbent materials, such as a block formed by air of cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp fluff) or a coform material composed of a mixture of cellulosic fibers and synthetic polymer fibers. The absorbent assembly 82 may also include compounds to increase its absorbency, such as 0-95 percent by weight of organic or inorganic high-absorbency materials, which are typically capable of absorbing at least about 15 and desirably more than 25 times its weight in water. Suitable high-absorbency materials are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,699,823 to Kellenberger et al. And 5,147,343 to Kellenberger, which are incorporated herein by reference. High-absorbency materials are available from various commercial vendors, such as Dow Chemical Company, Hoechst Celanese Corporation, and Allied Colloids, Inc. Absorbent assembly 82 may also include tissue layers or acquisition or distribution layers to help maintain integrity of fibrous absorbers or to transport liquids.

The top sheet layer 80 is formed of a liquid permeable material to allow liquid waste to pass, and possibly also the semi-solid waste through the top sheet layer 80 and to be absorbed by the absorbent assembly 82. The layer of top sheet 80 may comprise, for example, a sheet or non-woven fabric of a moisture-resistant tissue paper, a perforated film, a spunbond, meltblown or carded-bonded fabric composed of filaments or fibers of synthetic polymer, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or a fabric of natural polymer filaments or fibers such as rayon or cotton. In addition, the top sheet layer 80 can be treated with a surfactant to aid in the transfer of the liquid.

For the purposes of the present description, the term "non-woven fabric" means a fabric of material which is formed without the aid of a textile weaving or weaving process.

The garment 22 may also include the elastified ears 48 and 50, such as those described in United States Patent No. 4,753,646 issued to Enloe, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The ears 48 and 50 may be composed of a wettable or non-wettable material, as desired. The ear material may be permeable to gas or permeable to both the vapor and the liquid.

The above detailed description has been given for the purpose of illustration. Therefore, a number of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, alternative or optional features described as part of an embodiment may be used to give yet another embodiment. Therefore, the invention should not be limited by the specific embodiments described, but only by the claims.

Claims (14)

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

1. An absorbent article having a first end, a first waistband section contiguous with the first end, a second end, a second waistband section contiguous with the second end, an intermediate section which interconnects said first and second waistband sections, and longitudinal sides extending between the first and second ends, said absorbent article comprises: a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer permeable to the liquid superimposed in a front relation to said bottom sheet layer; an absorbent assembly interposed between the layers of lower sheet and upper sheet; Y a fastening system for providing a lateral closure to said absorbent article, placed on said article, said fastening system comprises two independent securing members placed adjacent to each of the longitudinal edges in said first waistband section and having a distance of separation less than 2.5 inches.

2. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that at least one securing member is adapted to engage said lower sheet layer of said second waistband section.

3. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that at least one securing member comprises an appendage member having a fixed part attached to said lower sheet layer, an appendage part extending outward from said longitudinal edge and attached to the fixed part, and a first fastening component placed on said appendage part.

4. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that at least one of said first fastening component comprises an adhesive bonding layer adapted to engage said backing sheet layer of the second waistband section.

5. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that at least one of said first fastening component comprises a first mechanical closure element adapted to mechanically engage said lower sheet layer of said second waistband section.

6. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that at least one of said first mechanical closure element comprises a hook fastening material adapted to mechanically engage said lower sheet layer of said second waistband section.

7. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that at least one part of the appendix further comprises an elastic member placed between said fixed part and said first fastening component.

8. An absorbent article having a first end, a first waistband section adjoining the first end, a second end, a second waistband section contiguous with said second end, an intermediate section which interconnects said first and second waistband sections, and longitudinal sides extending between the first and second ends, said absorbent article comprises: a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer permeable to the liquid superimposed in a front relation to said bottom sheet layer; an absorbent assembly interposed between said layers of lower sheet and upper sheet; Y a fastening system for providing a lateral closure to said absorbent article by maintaining said first waistband section and said second waistband section in an overlapping configuration so that lateral tension is maintained around the absorbent article to secure said article on a user, placed on said absorbent article, said fastening system comprises: (i) two independent belay members positioned adjacent each of the longitudinal edges in said first waistband section and having a separation distance of less than 2.5 inches; Y, (ii) at least one rest member positioned on a second waistband section, said rest member being adapted to engage at least one lock member.

9. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that at least one securing member is adapted to engage said rest member.

10. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 8, wherein at least one securing member comprises a tab member having a fixed portion joined to said bottom layer sheet a tab portion extending outwardly from said longitudinal edge and attached to said fixed part, and a first fastening component placed on said appendage part.

11. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that at least one of said first fastening component comprises an adhesive bonding layer adapted to engage said rest member.

12. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that at least one first fastening component comprises a first mechanical closing element and said rest member comprises a second fastening component comprising a second mechanical closing element. adapted to mechanically engage at least one first mechanical closing element.

13. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that at least a first mechanical closure element and at least one second mechanical closure element comprise hook and loop fastening elements.

14. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that said appendage part further comprises an elastic member positioned between the fixed part and said first fastening component. E S U M E N The invention is an absorbent article having a first end, a first section waistband adjacent the first end, a second end, a second section waistband adjacent the second end, an intermediate section which interconnects the sections of the first and second waistband, and the longitudinal sides extending between the first and second ends. The article comprises: a lower sheet layer; a top sheet layer permeable to the liquid superimposed in a front relation to the bottom sheet layer; an absorbent assembly interposed between the layers of lower sheet and upper sheet; and, a fastening system for providing a lateral closure to the absorbent article. The fastening system, placed on the absorbent article, comprises two independent securing members positioned adjacent each of the longitudinal edges in the first waistband section and having a separation distance of less than 2.5 inches.