Extensible absorbent articles

• US 5,702,382 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Osborn, Thomas W. III, Hines, Letha M., Sugahara, Kazuko
• Primary Examiner(s): CLARKE, ROBERT A
• Application Number:
  US08/470,285
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 604/373, 604/385.1-387
• US Class Current: 604/385.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15211 soluble or disintegratable in liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/472 specially adapted for female use A61F13/474, A61F13/475, A61F13/476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47209 having only interlabial part, i.e. with no extralabial parts
• 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 13/474 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/476 characterised by encircling the crotch region of the undergarment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49 Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/491 specially adapted for gender distinct urine discharge pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51 characterised by the outer layers wicking or transfer layers A61F13/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/513 characterised by its function or properties, e.g. stretchability, breathability, rewet, visual effect; having areas of different permeability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/514 Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin A61F13/15211, A61F13/15252 take precedence
• 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 13/53 : characterised by the absorbing medium A61F13/20 takes precedence
• 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 13/535 : inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad, e.g. core absorbent layers being of different sizes A61F13/5323, A61F13/537 take precedence
• 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 2013/15365 : Dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15382 : Reduced thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/1539 : being expandable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15926 : for vacuum forming
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4512 : folded in special shape during use A61F13/534, A61F13/551, A61F13/56, A61F13/15747 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4562 : cup-shaped
• 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 2013/4708 : Panty-liner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49044 : being stretchable non-elastic panels, A61F13/4902 takes precedence
• 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 2013/51007 : characterized by the orientation of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51009 : characterized by the shape of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51011 : characterized by the count of the fibres, e.g. denier or tex
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51023 : being polymeric fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5103 : being hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51033 : being hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51066 : for rendering the surface hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51069 : by hydrophilisation with plasma or corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51092 : characterized by the dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51322 : being elastomeric or stretchable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51372 : with valve or valve-like upper layer; Tapered capillary structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51409 : being a film
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51411 : being impervious to fluids but not for air or vapours
• 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 2013/51472 : for reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530007 : being made from pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530131 : being made in fibre but being not pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530226 : with polymeric fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530328 : being mineral fibres, e.g. glass
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530335 : being in peat moss
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 : having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530547 : positioned in a separate layer or layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530583 : characterized by the form
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530802 : characterized by the foam or sponge other than superabsorbent A61F2013/530649 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530875 : having holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53445 : from several sheets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53726 : on the top layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53773 : with a deformable spacing structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53908 : with adhesive
• 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 2013/586 : on lateral flaps
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8408 : with odour control
• CPC Class Codes: D01D 5/253 : with a non-circular cross section; Spinnerette packs therefor D01D5/38 takes precedence

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 extensible, especially in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. An extensible absorbent article for wearing in the crotch region of an undergarment, said absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline, a liquid pervious side, a liquid impervious side, and an absorbent component positioned between said liquid pervious side and said liquid impervious side, wherein:

(a) a 1.0 inch wide strip having an initial length is cut from a longitudinal section of a first sample absorbent article that is centered about said longitudinal centerline is capable of extension of greater than or equal to about 110% of its initial length when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 500 grams; and

(b) a 1.0 inch wide strip having an initial length is cut from a transverse section that runs parallel to the transverse centerline of a second absorbent article of the same type as the first absorbent article is capable of extension of greater than or equal to about 110% of its initial length when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 400 grams.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal strip is capable of extension to an extended length of greater than or equal to about 110% of its initial length when subjected to a force between greater than or equal to about 50 grams and less than or equal to about 500 grams.

3. An extensible absorbent article for wearing in the crotch region of an undergarment, said absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline, a liquid pervious side, a liquid impervious side, and an absorbent component positioned between said liquid pervious side and said liquid impervious side, wherein:

(a) a first 1.0 inch wide strip having an initial length is cut from a longitudinal section of a first sample absorbent article that is centered about said longitudinal centerline is capable of extension of greater than or equal to about 110% of its initial length when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 500 grams; and

(b) a second 1.0 inch wide strip having an initial length is cut from a transverse section that runs parallel to the transverse centerline of a second absorbent article of the same type as the first absorbent article is capable of extension of greater than or equal to about 110% and less than or equal to about 140% of its initial length when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 400 grams.

4. The absorbent article of claim 3 wherein said first and second strips are capable of extension of greater than or equal to 110% and less than or equal to 150% when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 300 grams.

5. The absorbent article of claim 3 wherein said first and second strips are capable of extension of greater than or equal to 110% and less than or equal to 130% when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 250 grams.

6. The absorbent article of claim 3 wherein said longitudinal strip is capable of extension to an extended length of greater than or equal to about 110% of its initial length when subjected to a force between greater than or equal to about 50 grams and less than or equal to about 500 grams.

7. An extensible absorbent article for attaching to and wearing in the crotch region of an undergarment, said absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline, a liquid pervious side, a liquid impervious side, and an absorbent component positioned between said liquid pervious side and said liquid impervious side, wherein:

(a) a first 1.0 inch wide strip having an initial length is cut from a longitudinal section of a first sample absorbent article that is centered about said longitudinal centerline is capable of extension of greater than or equal to about 110% of its initial length when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 500 grams; and

(b) a second 1.0 inch wide strip having an initial length is cut from a transverse section that runs parallel to the transverse centerline of a second absorbent article of the same type as the first absorbent article is capable of extension of greater than or equal to about 110% and less than or equal to about 140% of its initial length when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 400 grams.

8. The absorbent article of claim 7 wherein said first and second strips are capable of such extension when subjected to a force of less than or equal to about 300 grams.

9. The absorbent article of claim 7 wherein said longitudinal strip is capable of extension to an extended length of greater than or equal to about 110% of its initial length when subjected to a force between greater than or equal to about 50 grams and less than or equal to about 500 grams.