Stretchable absorbent articles

• US 6,287,288 B1
• Filed: 06/13/1997
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Mayer, Katherine L., Charrier, Jacqueline W., Chappell, Charles W., Lavash, Bruce W., Osborn, Thomas W. III, Hines, Letha M., Sugahara, Kazuko
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruhl, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US08/876,102
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 604/385.1, 604/385.2, 604/386, 604/387, 604/389, 604/390, 604/391
• US Class Current: 604/385.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47218 with a raised crotch region, e.g. hump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47227 for interlabial use
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47236 characterised by an unusual contour
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47263 with activating means, e.g. elastic, heat or chemical activatable means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47272 with a longitudinal raised end, e.g. cup-shaped gluteal groove for edge leakage prevention A61F13/494
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4753 the barrier being not integral with the topsheet or backsheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4758 the means preventing fluid flow in a longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/476 characterised by encircling the crotch region of the undergarment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49009 with elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/491 specially adapted for gender distinct urine discharge pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/494 characterised by edge leakage prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49413 the edge leakage prevention means being an upstanding barrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51 characterised by the outer layers wicking or transfer layers A61F13/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/511 Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/512 characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5126 characterised by the planar distribution of the apertures, e.g. in a predefined pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51405 treated or coated, e.g. with moisture repellent agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51464 being stretchable or elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51466 providing stretchability without the use of elastic material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51478 being a laminate, e.g. multi-layered or with several layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5148 : having an impervious inner layer and a cloth-like outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51484 : being inhomogeneous in the plane of the sheet, i.e. having zones of different properties or structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/515 : characterised by the interconnection of the topsheet and the backsheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/531 : having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/532 : inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/533 : having discontinuous areas of compression
• 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 13/5605 : specially adapted for sanitary napkins or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/58 : Adhesive tab fastener elements A61F13/5611, A61F13/5616, A61F13/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/64 : Straps, belts, ties or endless bands A61F13/5605, A61F13/5622, A61F13/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/72 : with endless waist encircling band, e.g. panty type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15292 : Resistance, i.e. modulus or strength
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15325 : Stress relaxation or compression recovery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15365 : Dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15373 : Calliper, i.e. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15382 : Reduced thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/1539 : being expandable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15406 : Basis weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15414 : Bulk thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15447 : Fibre dimension, e.g. denier or tex
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4568 : three-dimensional; with split absorbent core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4575 : connected by elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49023 : being textured, e.g. corrugated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49031 : being elastic in longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49033 : being elastic in transversal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49042 : with only stretchable part, i.e. part being not elastic but only extensible with not a full recovery of its original length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49044 : being stretchable non-elastic panels, A61F13/4902 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49046 : at the crotch
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49063 : the diaper having decoupled components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49065 : being joined by a transverse line
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49066 : being joined by an area of low stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49069 : being rectangular, i.e. parallelepiped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49074 : hourglass; dog bone-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5055 : Possibility of doubling or putting in new pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51061 : for rendering the surface hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51066 : for rendering the surface hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51092 : characterized by the dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51139 : being woven or knitted fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51147 : being polymeric films
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51322 : being elastomeric or stretchable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51429 : being elastomeric or stretchable sheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51433 : being biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51441 : being a fibrous material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5147 : the outer layer being adhesive itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51472 : for reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51488 : for napkins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530007 : being made from pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530051 : being made in cross-linked cellulosic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530058 : with specific method of producing wood pulp fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530094 : with mechanical pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530102 : with thermomechanical pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530109 : with chemithermomechanical pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530131 : being made in fibre but being not pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530145 : being short
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530153 : being long
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53016 : having special shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530167 : being crimped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530255 : being hydrophobic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530299 : being hydrophilic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53035 : of cotton
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530357 : of wool
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530372 : of ramie or jute or linen
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 : having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530496 : being fixed to fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530547 : positioned in a separate layer or layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530554 : and being fixed to a web
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530569 : characterized by the particle size
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530583 : characterized by the form
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530613 : in fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530802 : characterized by the foam or sponge other than superabsorbent A61F2013/530649 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530934 : having a density gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53721 : with capillary means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53739 : with compressed points
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53795 : being a surge management layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5386 : by the fibre orientation in the z plane or vertical direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53916 : with epicyclical pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53925 : with intermittent pattern, e.g. spots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5395 : with thermoplastic agent, i.e. softened by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53966 : by needling, sewing, blow-needling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53975 : by Hydraulic entanglement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53983 : with hook and loop-type fastener or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/583 : with strips on several places
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8476 : with various devices or method

Abstract

The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins worn by women. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as thin sanitary napkins, that are stretchable, especially in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A sanitary napkin having a longitudinal centerline extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse centerline extending in a transverse direction, said sanitary napkin comprising:

a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, and a pair of end edges, said main body portion comprising a first end region, a second end region, a central region disposed between said first and second end regions, a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent component positioned between said liquid pervious topsheet and said liquid impervious backsheet;

a pair of stretchable attachment elements joined to said main body portion and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion, wherein said stretchable attachment elements each comprise a pleated web of inextensible material, said pleated web of material having fold lines oriented generally in the transverse direction to form folded portions that overlap and form a pleat adjacent the central region of said main body portion, said stretchable attachment elements comprising fasteners for attaching said stretchable attachment elements to an undergarment.

2. A sanitary napkin having a longitudinal centerline extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse centerline extending in a transverse direction, said sanitary napkin comprising:

a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, and a pair of end edges, said main body portion comprising a first end region, a second end region, a central region disposed between said first and second end regions, a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent component positioned between said liquid pervious topsheet and said liquid impervious backsheet;

a pair of stretchable attachment elements joined to said main body portion and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion, wherein said stretchable attachment elements have a pair of end edges, and said stretchable attachment elements extend from proximal edges adjacent said main body portion to distal edges, and said distal edges taper outwardly from the central region of said main body portion toward the end edges of said main body portion so that the span of said stretchable attachment elements is wider adjacent to the end regions of the main body portion than it is the central region of said main body portion, and said stretchable attachment elements each comprise a pleated web of inextensible material, said pleated web of material having fold lines oriented generally in the transverse direction to form folded portions that overlap and form a pleat adjacent the central region of said main body portion, said stretchable attachment elements comprising fasteners for attaching said stretchable attachment elements to an undergarment.

3. The sanitary napkin of claim 2 wherein said stretchable attachment elements have a garment-facing side with at least one fastener thereon wherein said at least one fastener comprises portions that lie near the end edges of the stretchable attachment elements which are disposed further laterally outward in the transverse direction than portions of the distal edges of the stretchable attachment devices that lie along the central region of the main body portion.

4. The sanitary napkin of claim 2 wherein the distal edges of said stretchable attachment elements comprise linear segments.

5. A sanitary napkin having a longitudinal centerline extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse centerline extending in a transverse direction, said sanitary napkin comprising:

a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, and a pair of end edges, said main body portion comprising a first end region, a second end region, a central region disposed between said first and second end regions, a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent component positioned between said liquid pervious topsheet and said liquid impervious backsheet;

a pair of stretchable attachment elements joined to said main body portion and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion, said stretchable attachment elements each comprise a pleated web of inextensible material, said pleated web of material having fold lines oriented generally in the transverse direction to form folded portions that overlap and form a pleat adjacent the central region of said main body portion, said stretchable attachment elements comprising stretch elements joined to said stretchable attachment elements that bridge the folded portions of the stretchable attachment elements, and fasteners for attaching said stretchable attachment elements to an undergarment.