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

• US 5,221,274 A
• Filed: 07/16/1992
• Issued: 06/22/1993
• 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:
  US07/914,958
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 604/358, 604/385.1, 604/385.2, 604/393, 604/394, 604/396
• 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 13/49009 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 13/53 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 13/5633 open type diaper
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/62 Mechanical fastening means, A61F13/5611, A61F13/5616, A61F13/581, A61F13/66 take precedence; Fabric strip fastener elements, e.g. hook and loop
• 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 the 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 and is resilient to provide a restoring force/moment that returns the panel zones to their preceeding 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 having a lateral centerline, and a lateral direction parallel to the lateral centerline, the absorbent article comprising:

a containment assembly comprising an 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

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 to resiliently return said shaping panel zone and said waistline panel zone to essentially their preceding in-use configuration when the forces are removed.

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

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

4. A disposable absorbent article having a lateral centerline, and a lateral direction parallel to the lateral centerline, the absorbent article comprising:

a containment assembly comprising an 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 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 binding flexure restoring force 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 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.

5. The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a structural discontinuity.

6. The absorbent article of claim 5 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 said securement zones.

7. The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a discontinuity in material properties.

8. The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said shaping panel zone has an edge compression stiffness greater than about 100 grams_f.

9. The absorbent article of claim 8 wherein said waistline panel zone has an edge compression stiffness, and 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.

10. A disposable absorbent article having a lateral centerline, and a lateral direction parallel to the lateral centerline, the 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 binding flexure restoring force 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 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.

11. The absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said elasticized waistband comprises said topsheet, said backsheet, and an elastomeric member positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.

12. 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.

13. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein said backsheet is mechanically prestrained.

14. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises the a discontinuity formed by removing a segment of said backsheet in said waistline panel zone so as to provide a windowed elastic waist feature.

15. The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein said elastomeric member comprises a heat shrinkable elastic material and said resilient member comprises a nonwoven fibrous web.

16. The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises the a discontinuity formed by removing a segment of said backsheet in said waistline panel zone so as to provide a windowed elastic waist feature.

17. The absorbent article of claim 10 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.

18. The absorbent article of claim 10 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.

19. The absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises a structural discontinuity.

20. The absorbent article of claim 19 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 said securement zones.

21. The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein said waistband flexural hinge zone comprises the discontinuity formed by removing a segment of said backsheet in said waistline panel zone so as to provide a windowed elastic waist feature.