Disposable diaper

• US 6,238,380 B1
• Filed: 04/20/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
• Inventors: Sasaki, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHANOSKI, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US09/295,152
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 604/358, 604/385.01, 604/385.24, 604/385.101
• US Class Current: 604/385.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49017 the elastic means being located at the crotch region
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4942 the barrier not being integral with the top- or back-sheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/515 characterised by the interconnection of the topsheet and the backsheet

Abstract

In a disposable diaper, a topsheet covering a top surface of a liquid-absorbent core is folded along side edges of the core so as to cover a bottom surface of the core. On the bottom surface of the core, the topsheet is bonded to a backsheet along zones respectively spaced from side edges of the core towards a center line of the diaper. Elastic members provided in association with leg-openings are secured to the backsheet in vicinity of the respective side edges of the core.

Claims

1. A disposable diaper comprising:

liquid-pervious topsheet;

a liquid-impervious backsheet; and

a liquid-absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet,

said liquid-pervious topsheet, liquid-impervious backsheet and liquid-absorbent core defining a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending between said front waist region and said rear waist region,

said disposable diaper further comprising elastic members longitudinally extending along transversely opposite side edges of said diaper from said crotch region into said front and rear waist regions,

said liquid-absorbent core extending across said crotch region into said front and rear waist regions and having a top surface for facing a wearer, a bottom surface opposed to said top surface, longitudinally opposite ends and transversely opposite side edges,

said liquid-pervious topsheet covering said top surface of said liquid-absorbent core and being folded along said opposed side edges of said liquid-absorbent core and extending onto said bottom surface of said liquid-absorbent core so as to cover said bottom surface at least partially,

said liquid-impervious backsheet underlying portions of said liquid-pervious topsheet which are folded onto said bottom surface of said liquid-absorbent core and extending outwards beyond said opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent core,

said portions of said liquid-pervious topsheet which are folded onto said bottom surface of said liquid-absorbent core being bonded to said liquid-impervious backsheet along zones which extend inside said opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent core, parallel to a center line which divides a width of the diaper in two halves, and

said elastic members being bonded to said liquid-impervious backsheet in proximity to said opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent core.

2. A disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein said elastic members are positioned in said crotch region of the diaper within a range defined between a point measured 10 mm inwardly from said opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent core and another point measured 30 mm outwardly from said opposite side edges.

3. A disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein said liquid-impervious backsheet is formed on an inner surface thereof with a pair of barrier cuffs, each of said barrier cuffs having:

a deformable distal edge which extends longitudinally of said diaper inside each of said opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent core;

a proximal edge fixed to said inner surface of said liquid-impervious backsheet outside said opposite side edge of said liquid-absorbent core and extending in parallel to said distal edge and

an elastic member secured to said distal edge along an apex thereof under tension so that said barrier cuffs are normally biased by said tension to rise on said inner surface of said liquid-impervious backsheet.

4. A disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein said liquid-impervious backsheet is formed on an inner surface thereof with a pair of barrier cuffs, each of said barrier cuffs having:

a deformable distal edge which extends longitudinally of said diaper inside each of said opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent core;

a proximal edge fixed to said inner surface of said liquid-impervious backsheet inside said opposite side edge of said liquid-absorbent core and extending in parallel to said distal edge and

an elastic member secured to said distal edge along an apex thereof under tension so that said barrier cuffs are normally biased by said tension to rise on said inner surface of said liquid-impervious backsheet.