Elasticized sanitary napkin
First Claim
1. A unitary disposable catamenial pad for placement in a user'"'"'s undergarment, the catamenial pad comprising:
- a liquid pervious topsheet;
a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet;
an absorbent core having side edges and positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet;
a side flap extending outwardly from and along each side edge of said absorbent core, each said side flap having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a distal edge, each said side flap comprising a portion of said topsheet and said backsheet;
an elastic member operatively associated with each said side flap by being folded about said distal edge of said side flap such that a portion of said elastic member is secured to the outer surface of said side flap and another portion is secured to the inner surface of said side flap, said elastic member comprising an elastomeric laminate comprising an elastomeric layer and a coverstock layer, said elastomeric layer being positioned adjacent said side flap such that said coverstock layer forms a portion of the outer surface of the catamenial pad, said elastomeric member having a pair of longitudinal edges, the longitudinal edge positioned on said inner surface of said side flap being positioned laterally outwardly from said side edge of said absorbent core so that a hinge point is formed;
and means for providing a weakened area that enhances controlled bunching and provides a stiffened hinge for said elastic members to works against to allow said elastic members to flatten out adjacent the edges of a user'"'"'s undergarment, said means comprising a pair of embossed channels positioned in at least said absorbent core;
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A unitary disposable absorbent article such as a catamenial pad or incontinent pad is provided with an elasticized side flap by operatively associating an elastic member on both the upper surface and the lower surface of the side flap. The elastic member is preferably joined to the inner surface of the side flap as well as the outer surface of the side flap by folding it about the distal edge of the side flap. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic member comprises an elastomeric laminate of an elastomeric layer and a coverstock layer, with the coverstock layer being on the outside of the product, so that the sanitary napkin is provided with soft longitudinal edges which contact the wearer during use. In addition, the elastomeric laminate provides relatively low tension that while raising the side flaps of the product to be a barrier against lateral leakage, also maintain the product in a shape which does not encourage fluid run-off or leakage at the ends of the pad as well as providing a bunching benefit.
104 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A unitary disposable catamenial pad for placement in a user'"'"'s undergarment, the catamenial pad comprising:
-
a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet; an absorbent core having side edges and positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a side flap extending outwardly from and along each side edge of said absorbent core, each said side flap having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a distal edge, each said side flap comprising a portion of said topsheet and said backsheet; an elastic member operatively associated with each said side flap by being folded about said distal edge of said side flap such that a portion of said elastic member is secured to the outer surface of said side flap and another portion is secured to the inner surface of said side flap, said elastic member comprising an elastomeric laminate comprising an elastomeric layer and a coverstock layer, said elastomeric layer being positioned adjacent said side flap such that said coverstock layer forms a portion of the outer surface of the catamenial pad, said elastomeric member having a pair of longitudinal edges, the longitudinal edge positioned on said inner surface of said side flap being positioned laterally outwardly from said side edge of said absorbent core so that a hinge point is formed; and means for providing a weakened area that enhances controlled bunching and provides a stiffened hinge for said elastic members to works against to allow said elastic members to flatten out adjacent the edges of a user'"'"'s undergarment, said means comprising a pair of embossed channels positioned in at least said absorbent core; - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification