Absorbent article with a laminated tape

• US 5,549,592 A
• Filed: 04/03/1995
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Inventors: Long, Andrew M., Fries, Donald M., Huntoon, Andrew E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US08/415,382
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 604/389, 604/390-391, 604/386-7, 428/40-42, 24/306, 24/DIG. 11
• US Class Current: 604/389
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/58 Adhesive tab fastener elements A61F13/5611, A61F13/5616, A61F13/66 take precedence

Abstract

An article has a fastening system connected thereto, and the fastening system includes a panel member which is composed of a panel material. The panel member has first and second, opposed major facing surfaces, an appointed inboard region, and an appointed outboard region which includes a terminal outboard edge thereof. A reinforcement strip is composed of a reinforcement material, and is laminated to the first surface of the side panel at the outboard region of the side panel. The reinforcement strip has a terminal outboard edge thereof which is coterminous with the outboard edge of the panel member. A fastener tab is laminated to the second surface of the side panel, and has a user-bond region thereof which extends from the panel member. The fastener tab includes first and second, opposed major surfaces, and includes a securing means located on at least one of the major surfaces of the fastener tab.

Claims

1. An article having a front waistband portion, a rear waistband portion and an intermediate portion which interconnects said front and rear waistband portions, said article comprising:

a backsheet layer;

a topsheet layer connected in facing relation to said backsheet layer;

an absorbent body sandwiched between said backsheet and topsheet layers; and

a fastening system affixed to at least one of said waistband portions of said article for holding said article on a wearer, said fastening system including

a panel member which includes a panel material, said panel member having first and second, opposed major facing surfaces, an appointed inboard region, and an appointed outboard region having a terminal outboard edge thereof, said inboard region of said panel member affixed to said at least one waistband portion of said article;

a reinforcement strip which includes a reinforcement material and has an attachment surface affixed and laminated to said first surface of said panel member at said outboard region of said panel member, said reinforcement strip having a terminal outboard edge thereof which is coterminous with said outboard edge of said panel member; and

a fastener tab laminated to said second surface of said panel member and having a user-bond region thereof which extends from said panel member, said fastener tab including first and second, opposed major surfaces, and including a securing means located on at least one of said major surfaces of said fastener tab.

2. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein said panel member is elastically stretchable at least along a cross-direction of said article.

3. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein said securing means includes a fastening adhesive.

4. An article as recited in claim 3, wherein said reinforcement strip includes a release material which is configured to operably detach from said fastening adhesive.

5. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein said securing means includes a component of a hook-and-loop fastener.

6. An article as recited in claim 5, wherein said securing means includes a hook component of said hook-and-loop fastener.

7. An article as recited in claim 5, wherein said securing means includes a loop component of said hook-and-loop fastener.

8. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein said panel member includes a panel material, said reinforcement strip includes a reinforcement material, and said fastener tab includes a finger tab, said finger tab including a layer of said panel material and a layer of said reinforcement material.

9. An article as recited in claim 8, wherein said panel material is laminated between said reinforcement layer and said fastener tab.

10. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein said panel member is affixed to extend away from a corresponding terminal edge of said backsheet layer.

11. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein said fastening system includes an opposed pair of panel members located at laterally opposite sides of said at least one waistband portion, each panel member including said reinforcement strip and said fastener tab.

12. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein said reinforcement strip has a length dimension which extends along substantially an entire length of said outboard region of said panel member.

13. An article as recited in claim 12, wherein said reinforcement strip has a length which is greater than a length dimension of said securing means located on said fastener tab.

14. An article as recited in claim 13, wherein said reinforcement strip has a width which is greater than a width dimension of said securing means located on said fastener tab.

15. An article having a front waistband portion, a rear waistband portion and an intermediate portion which interconnects said front and rear waistband portions, said article comprising:

a backsheet layer;

a topsheet layer connected in facing relation to said backsheet layer,

an absorbent body sandwiched between said backsheet and topsheet layers; and

a fastening system affixed to at least one of said waistband portions of said article for holding said article on a wearer, said fastening system including

a panel member which includes a panel material, said panel member having first and second, opposed major facing surfaces, an appointed inboard region, and an appointed outboard region having a terminal outboard edge thereof;

a reinforcement strip which includes a reinforcement material and has an attachment surface affixed and laminated to said first surface of said panel member at said outboard region of said panel member, said reinforcement strip having a terminal outboard edge thereof which is coterminous with said outboard edge of said panel member; and

a fastener tab laminated to said second surface of said panel member and having a user-bond region thereof which extends from said panel member, said fastener tab including first and second, opposed major surfaces, a securing means located on at least one of said major surfaces of said fastener tab, and including a finger tab, said finger tab comprising a layer of panel material and a layer of reinforcement material.

16. An article as recited in claim 15, wherein said finger tab is configured with said panel material sandwiched between said reinforcement material and said fastener tab.