Absorbent article with dynamic elastic waist feature having a predisposed resilient flexural hinge

• US 5,151,092 A
• Filed: 08/22/1991
• Issued: 09/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Buell, Kenneth B., Falcone, Danielia T., Clear, Sandra H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZUTTARELLI, ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US07/750,775
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 604/358, 604/385.1, 604/385.2
• US Class Current: 604/385.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15593 having elastic ribbons fixed thereto; Devices for applying the ribbons
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15707 Mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/45 characterised by the shape cup-shaped type tampons A61F13/2045
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49009 with elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49011 the elastic means is located at the waist region
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49012 the elastic means being elastic panels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4902 characterised by the elastic material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/491 specially adapted for gender distinct urine discharge pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51 characterised by the outer layers wicking or transfer layers A61F13/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/514 Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin A61F13/15211, A61F13/15252 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53 characterised by the absorbing medium A61F13/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53409 having a folded core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5638 adjustable open type diapers adjustable otherwise than by the fasteners A61F13/493
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5644 having more than one pair of fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/622 Fabric strip fastener elements, e.g. hook and loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49025 having multiple elastic strands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530036 being made in chemically-modified cellulosic material, e.g. Rayon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53016 having special shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530189 : with thermoplastic adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530364 : of bamboo
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530459 : being curled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530467 : being twisted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530474 : being cross-linked
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530547 : positioned in a separate layer or layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530583 : characterized by the form
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5307 : characterized by the quantity or ratio of superabsorbent material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530802 : characterized by the foam or sponge other than superabsorbent A61F2013/530649 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53791 : being resilient or elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53916 : with epicyclical pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 55/18 : by squeezing between surfaces, e.g. rollers

Abstract

Absorbent articles having a unique elastic waist feature improving dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone. The waistband flexural hinge zone is predisposed to allow the panel zones to flexurally bend about a defined axis or zone is resilient to provide a restoring force/moment that returns the panel zones to their preceding in-use configuration, especially when the elasticized waistband has been pretensioned by a closure system. The closure system dynamically creates/maintains lateral tension through the elasticized waistband thereby allowing the elasticized waistband to more dynamically expand and contract with the motions of the wearer. The absorbent article additionally preferably comprises a pair of elasticized side panels disposed in the second waist region. The elasticized side panels preferably comprise a "zero strain" stretch laminate and an extension panel. The present invention also relates to alternative waist features comprising "an expansive tummy panel" elasticized waistband.

Claims

1. A disposable absorbent article comprising:

a containment assembly comprising an absorbent core having side edges and waist edges;

an elastic waist feature at least extending longitudinally outwardly from one of said waist edges of said absorbent core, said elastic waist feature comprising

(a) an elasticized waistband comprising

(i) a shaping panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction,

(ii) a waistline panel zone resiliently flexurally joined with said shaping panel zone, said waistline panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, and

(iii) a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone for allowing relative flexural bending between said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone when forces are applied and for providing a restoring force/moment to resiliently return said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone to essentially their preceding in-use configuration when the forces are removed, said waistband flexural hinge zone having a bending flexure restoring force greater than about 20 grams_f ; and

(b) a second flexural hinge zone joining said elasticized waistband to said containment assembly; and

a closure system disposed on the absorbent article for creating/maintaining lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a structural discontinuity.

3. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein said elasticized waistband additionally comprises transverse regions of securement of a pattern of discrete, spaced securement zones, said waistband flexural hinge zone being formed by a discontinuity in the pattern of the spacing of said securement zones.

4. The absorbent article of claim 3 wherein the bending flexure recovery force of said waistband flexural hinge zone is greater than about 30 grams_f.

5. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a discontinuity in material properties.

6. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the edge compression stiffness of said shaping panel zone is greater than about 100 grams_f.

7. The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein the edge compression stiffness of said shaping panel zone is greater than or equal to the edge compression stiffness of said waistline panel zone.

8. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said closure system comprises a pair of attachment components laterally spaced from each other and longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband.

9. The absorbent article of claim 8 wherein said attachment components each comprise a mechanical closure element comprising a hook fastening material.

10. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said elastic waist feature additionally comprises a waistcap zone extending longitudinally inward from said waist edge of said absorbent core, said waistcap zone comprising a barrier member having a proximal edge joined to said containment assembly adjacent said waist edge and a distal edge capable of being spaced away from said absorbent core to provide a channel to contain body exudates.

11. A disposable absorbent article comprising:

a containment assembly comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having side edges and waist edges; and

an elastic waist feature at least extending longitudinally outwardly from one of said waist edges of said absorbent core, said elastic waist feature comprising

(a) an interconnecting panel zone flexurally joined with said absorbent core;

(b) a first flexural hinge zone joining said interconnecting panel zone with said absorbent core;

(c) an elasticized waistband flexurally joined with said interconnecting panel zone, said elasticized waistband comprising

(i) a shaping panel zone flexurally joined with said interconnecting panel zone, said shaping panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction,

(ii) a waistline panel zone resiliently flexurally joined with said shaping panel zone, said waistline panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, and

(iii) a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone for allowing relative flexural bending between said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone when forces are applied and for providing a restoring force/moment to resiliently return said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone to essentially their preceding in-use configuration when the forces are removed, said waistband flexural hinge zone having a bending flexure restoring force greater than about 20 grams_f ; and

(d) a second flexural hinge zone joining said shaping panel zone with said interconnecting panel zone; and

a closure system disposed on the absorbent article for creating/maintaining lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband.

12. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said interconnecting panel zone is flexible.

13. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the edge compression stiffness of said interconnecting panel zone is less than about 25 grams_f.

14. The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein said interconnecting panel zone comprise a portion of said topsheet and a portion of said backsheet joined together.

15. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein the edge compression stiffness of said shaping panel zone is greater than about 100 grams_f.

16. The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein the edge compression stiffness of said interconnecting panel zone is less than the edge compression stiffness of said shaping panel zone.

17. The absorbent article of claim 16 wherein the edge compression stiffness of said shaping panel zone is greater than or equal to the edge compression stiffness of said waistline panel zone.

18. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises said topsheet, said backsheet, and an elastomeric member positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.

19. The absorbent article of claim 18 wherein said elastomeric member comprises an elastomeric foam.

20. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises a portion of said backsheet, a portion of said topsheet, an elastomeric member positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, and a resilient member positioned between said backsheet and said elastomeric member.

21. The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said backsheet is mechanically prestrained.

22. The absorbent article of claim 21 wherein said elastomeric member comprises a heat shrinkable elastic material.

23. The absorbent article of claim 22 wherein said resilient member comprises a nonwoven fibrous web.

24. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises a portion of said backsheet, a facing member, an elastomeric member positioned between said backsheet and said facing member, and a portion of said topsheet positioned between said backsheet and said elastomeric member.

25. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises a portion of said backsheet, a facing member, a resilient member positioned between said backsheet and said facing member, an elastomeric member positioned between said resilient member and said facing member, and a portion of said topsheet positioned between said backsheet and said resilient member.

26. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a structural discontinuity.

27. The absorbent article of claim 26 wherein said elasticized waistband additionally comprises transverse regions of securement of a pattern of discrete, spaced securement zones, said waistband flexural hinge zone being formed by a discontinuity in the pattern of the spacing of said securement zones.

28. The absorbent article of claim 27 wherein said transverse regions of securement comprise dynamic mechanical bonds.

29. The absorbent article of claim 26 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises the discontinuity formed by removed a segment of said backsheet in said waistline panel zone so as to provide a windowed elastic waist feature.

30. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a discontinuity in material properties.

31. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein said first flexural hinge zone, said second flexural hinge zone, or both are predisposed and resilient.

32. The absorbent article of claim 11, 18, 20, or 25 wherein said elasticized waistband has differential lateral extensibility along its longitudinal axis when stretched in the lateral direction.

33. The absorbent article of claim 11, 18, 20 or 25 wherein said closure system comprises a pair of attachment components laterally spaced from each other and longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband.

34. The absorbent article of claim 33 wherein said attachment components each comprise a mechanical closure element comprising a hook fastening material.

35. A unitary disposable absorbent article having longitudinal edges, end edges, a first waist region, a second waist region opposed to said first waist region, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the absorbent article comprising:

a containment assembly comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said top sheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having side edges and waist edges;

an elastic waist feature at least extending longitudinally outwardly from one of said waist edges of said absorbent core, said elastic waist feature comprising

(a) an interconnecting panel zone flexurally joined with said absorbent core;

(b) a first flexural hinge zone joining said interconnecting panel zone with said absorbent core;

(c) an elasticized waistband flexurally joined with said interconnecting panel zone, said elasticized waistband comprising

(i) a shaping panel zone flexurally joined with said interconnecting panel zone, said shaping panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, said shaping panel zone having a edge compression stiffness greater than about 100 grams_f,

(ii) a waistline panel zone resiliently flexurally joined with said shaping panel zone, said waistline panel zone being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction,

(iii) a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone for allowing relative flexural bending between said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone when forces are applied and for providing a restoring force/moment to resiliently return said shaping a panel zone and said waistline panel zone to essentially their preceding in-use configuration when the forces are removed, said waistband flexural hinge zone having a bending flexure restoring force greater than about 20 grams_f ; and

(d) a second flexural hinge zone joining said shaping panel zone with said interconnecting panel zone; and

a dual tension fastening system comprising;

(a) a primary fastening system for providing a side closure for the absorbent article by maintaining said first waist region and said second waist region in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tension is maintained around the circumference of the absorbent article to maintain the absorbent article on the wearer, said primary fastening system comprising;

(i) a securement member disposed adjacent each of said longitudinal edges in said second waist region; and

(ii) at least one landing member disposed in said first waist region, said landing member being engageable with said securement members; and

(b) a waist closure system for providing a variable positioning, passively activated, waist closure for the absorbent article that dynamically maintains/creates lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband, said waist closure system comprising;

(i) at least one first attachment component disposed in said first waist region, said first attachment component being positioned so as to be longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband, and

(ii) at least one second attachment component disposed in said second waist region, said second attachment component being engageable with said first attachment component so that when the primary closure is formed said second attachment component engages said first attachment component at at least two anchor zones longitudinally aligned with said elasticized waistband so as to dynamically maintain/create lateral tension through at least a portion of said elasticized waistband.

36. The absorbent article of claim 35 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises a portion of said backsheet, a portion of said topsheet, an elastomeric member positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, and a resilient member positioned between said backsheet and said elastomeric member.

37. The absorbent article of claim 36 wherein the portion of said backsheet forming said elasticized waistband is mechanically prestrained.

38. The absorbent article of claim 37 wherein said interconnecting panel zone comprises a portion of said topsheet and a portion of said backsheet joined together.

39. The absorbent article of claim 38 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a structural discontinuity.

40. The absorbent article of claim 39 wherein said elasticized waistband additionally comprises transverse regions of securement of a pattern of discrete, spaced securement zones, said waistband flexural hinge zone being formed by a discontinuity in the pattern of the spacing of said securement zones.

41. The absorbent article of claim 40 wherein said elastomeric member comprises a heat shrinkable elastic material, said resilient member comprises a nonwoven fibrous web and said securement zones comprises dynamic mechanical bonds.

42. The absorbent article of claim 41 wherein said closure member comprise a tape tab, said first attachment comprising comprises a pair of attachment components laterally spaced from each other and each comprising a mechanical closure element comprising a hook fastening material and said second attachment component comprises a mechanical closure element comprising a loop fastening material.

43. The absorbent article of claim 42 additionally comprising elasticized side panels disposed in said second waist region, each of said elasticized side panels being elastically extensible in the lateral direction.

44. The absorbent article of claim 43 wherein said tape tabs comprise an adhesive attachment layer.

45. The absorbent article of claim 42 or 43 wherein said elasticized waistband has differential extensibility along its longitudinal axis when stretched in the lateral direction.

46. The absorbent article of claim 39 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone is formed by removing a segment of said backsheet in said waistline panel zone so as to provide a windowed elastic waist feature.

47. The absorbent article of claim 35 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises a portion of said backsheet, a facing member, a resilient member positioned between said backsheet and said facing member, an elastomeric member positioned between said resilient member and said facing member, and a portion of said topsheet positioned between said backsheet and said resilient member.

48. The absorbent article of claim 47 wherein said portion of said backsheet forming said elasticized waistband is mechanically prestrained, said elastomeric member comprises a heat shrinkable elastomeric material, said resilient member comprising a nonwoven fibrous web, and said facing member comprises a nonwoven fibrous web.

49. The absorbent article of claim 35 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises a portion of said backsheet, a portion of said topsheet, and an elastomeric member positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.

50. The absorbent article of claim 49 wherein said elastomeric member comprises an elastomeric foam.

51. The absorbent article of claim 35, 36, 47, or 49 wherein said elasticized waistband has differential extensibility along its longitudinal axis when stretched in the lateral direction.

52. The absorbent article of claim 35, 36, 47, or 49 additionally comprising elasticized side panels disposed in said second waist region, each of said elasticized side panels being elastically extensible in the lateral direction.

53. The absorbent article of claim 35, 36, 47, or 49 wherein said closure member comprise a tape tab, said first attachment component comprises a pair of attachment components laterally spaced from each other and comprising a mechanical closure element comprising a hook fastening material and said second attachment component comprises a mechanical closure element comprising a loop fastening material.