Absorbent article with dynamic elastic waist feature having a predisposed resilient flexural hinge
First Claim
1. A unitary disposable absorbent article comprising:
- a containment assembly having end edges, longitudinal edges having leg edges, a longitudinal axis, a first waist region, and a second waist region, said containment assembly comprising;
a topsheet,a backsheet joined with said topsheet, andan absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; and
an elasticized side panel disposed on said containment assembly adjacent each longitudinal edge in said second waist region, each said elasticized side panel being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, each said elasticized side panel having differential extensibility, a non uniform degree of elastic extensional properties as measured in the direction of stretching at various points along an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of stretching, along the longitudinal axis when stretched in the lateral direction such that the lateral extensibility varies longitudinally from one portion of said elasticized side panel to an adjacent portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have a unique elastic waist feature that improves the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. 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.
446 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A unitary disposable absorbent article comprising:
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a containment assembly having end edges, longitudinal edges having leg edges, a longitudinal axis, a first waist region, and a second waist region, said containment assembly comprising; a topsheet, a backsheet joined with said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; and an elasticized side panel disposed on said containment assembly adjacent each longitudinal edge in said second waist region, each said elasticized side panel being elastically extensible in at least the lateral direction, each said elasticized side panel having differential extensibility, a non uniform degree of elastic extensional properties as measured in the direction of stretching at various points along an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of stretching, along the longitudinal axis when stretched in the lateral direction such that the lateral extensibility varies longitudinally from one portion of said elasticized side panel to an adjacent portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification