Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RECLOSABLE FASTENER TAPE SYSTEM
AND METHOD OF EMPLOYING SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a fastener tape system for use
in connecting segments of a garment together, and more
specifically, to a fastener tape system including an adhesive
tape fastener which can be employed to reconnect the segments
tOgether after they have initially been opened. The invention
also relates to a method of employing the system.
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BACKGROUND ART
; Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are very useful in
~ 10 providing a quick, easy and economical means of connecting
- segments of a garment together. These tapes are particularly
beneficial for connecting together segments of disposable
garments, such as bibs, diapers, hospital gowns, etc. It is
often desirable to reopen these garments to either inspect
them or adjusk their fit. Reopening the garments is
accomplished by separating a section of the tape from a
segment of the garment; an operation that often destroys the
tackiness of the tape, or either tears the tape or garment.
This makes refastening the tape difficult or impossible~
U.S. Patent No. 39 848,596, discloses a fastener tape
system which permits refastening of an adhesive tape after
it has initially been peeled from a diaper. The end portion
of the tape, which is adapted to be peeled from the diaper,
has a pressure sensitive adhesive surface which initailly is
covered by two, separate protective strips. Each protective
strip is adhered to a different area of the adhesive surface,
and only one of the strips is removed to permit the tape to
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be initially adhered to the diaper. m e other protective
strip is removed to expose a fresh adhesive area after the
end portion of the tape has been opened. m e tape
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can then be resealed through its -fresh adhesive area. This
particular system is somewhat complex in design, and also re~uires
the separate disposal of -the protec-tive strips a-fter they have
been removed from the tape. It has long been recognized that
these protective strips presen-t a safety hazard to infants.
Speci-fically, i-f a strip is not properiy disposed of an infant
may inges-t it, and possibly choke to dea-th. To eliminate this
safety hazard "linerless" tape fastener systems have been developed,
e.g., systems in which a release liner remains fixed to the
diaper (or any other garment) after a portion of the tape protectecd
by said llner has been opened for use. A linerless, reclosable
system is described in lJ.S. Patent No. 4,020,842. issued to
Richman et al. This system is somewhat complex; requiring three
distinct adhesive tape substrates laminated together. Thus, the
fastening art is in need of a simp,e and economical reclosable
tape fastener system tha-t preferably is linerless. It is to such
a system, and its method of use, -that the instant invention is
; directed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A reclosable fastener tape system for use in connecting
together segments of a garment includes an adhesive tape fastener
divided into two tape sections. One tape section is adapted to
be connected to a first segment of a garment, adjacent an edge
thereof, through a release surface-adhesive surface interface.
Z5 When this tape section is connected to the first segment, the
other tape section can be extended beyond the edge for permanent
attachment to a second segment of the garment. When it is desired
to reopen the first and second garment segments, after they have
been initially connected together, a user need only separate the
one tape section from the first garment segment at -the release
surface-adhesive surface interface. Because of this interface,
the adhesive surface will not be damaged, anci therefore the tape
fastener can be reclosed by adhesiveh~ rea-ttaching the one tape
section to the firs-t garment segment.
In the most preferred embodiment of this invention the
fastener tape system is linerless; with the two tape sections of
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the system, prior ~o use, being adhered to surfaces of the garment
through release surface-adhesive surface interfaces. Most prefer-
ably these release surfaces are provided by one side of a release
strip. The other side of the release strip includes an adhesive
layer to adhere the strip to the garment with the release surfaces
facing outwardly to receive the adhesive surfaces of the first and
second tape sections. rrhe release strip and adhesive tape fasten-
er are the only adhesive-containing substrates of the tape system
when it is attached to the garment.
10Thus, in accordance with one aspect of this invention
there is provided a fastener tape system for a disposable diaper,
said diaper having front and back surfaces facing toward and away
from a wearer, respectively, after said diaper has been placed
; on the wearer, said tape system including: (a) a release strip
15 having an adhesive layer on one side thereof and a release surface
on the opposite side thereof, said release strip being folded
about a side edge of the diaper with its adhesive layer facing
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inwardly to secure the release strip to the diaper, whereby the
` release surface of the strip faces outwardly from the front and
' 20 back surfaces of the diaper adjacent the side edge thereof; (b~
an adhesive tape fastener including an adhesive layer on one
surface thereof, said tape fastener ~eing folaed about the side
edge of the diaper to provide a first tape section overlying the
release surface that faces outwardly from the front surface of
25 the diaper, and a second tape section overlying the release
, surface that faces outwardly from the back surface of the diaper,
the adhesive layer on said first and second tape sections facing
inwardly and being attached to respective underlying release
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surfaces, ~c) said first and second tape sections e~ch
including adhesive-free yripping tabs to permit either of
said tape sections to be easily gripped for removal from
its attached release surface.
According to another aspect of this invention there
is provided a method of manipulating a disposable diaper,
said diaper having front and back suraces adapted to face
toward and away from a wearer, respectively, when said
diaper is placed on the wearer, said diaper including
- lO an adhesive tape fastener folded about a side edge
of one segment of the diaper to provide a first tape
section overIying the front surface of said one diaper
segment and a second tape section overlying the back
surface of said one diaper segment, said first tape
section including an adhesive layer adhered to the
front surface of said one diaper segment through a release
surface secured to said fron~ surface, said second tape
section including an adhesive layer adhered to the back
surface of said one diaper segment through a release surface
~; 20 secured to said back surface, said method including the
steps of: a. placing the diaper about the torso of a wearer
with the front surface facing the wearer and end regions en-
circling the waist region of said wearer to bring a second
segment of the diaper adjacent said one segment; b. sepa-
rating the first tape section from its release surface on
; the one diaper segment to expose the adhesive layer thereon
and adhering the first tape section, through its exposed
adhesive layer, to the back surface of the second diaper
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se~ment for initially retaining the diaper about the torso
of the wearer, and, when the diaper is to be opened; c.
separating the second tape section from the back of the one
diaper segment at an interface between the release surface
S and the adhesive layer that cooperate to attach the second
tape section to the back surface of said one diaper segment.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention
there is provided a fastener tape system adaptable for use
in connecting together segments of a garment, said system
including a release strip having an adhesive layer on one
of its surfaces directly attachable to the garment, an
adhesive tape fastener having first and second tape sections,
each being adhered to the surface of the release strip
opposite to said one surface thereof through an adhesive
15 surface-release surface interface, said release strip and
adhesive tape fastener being the only substrates of the
system that include adhesive when the system is attached
to the garment.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention
20 there is provided a method of manlpulating a garment having
two segments to be connected together, an adhesive tape
fastener having two tape sections at opposite ends thexeof,
one of said tape section$ being connected to the first
segment through an adhesive surface-release surface inter-
25 face and the other of said tape sections being position-
able beyond an edge of the first segment and including
~ an adhesive layer for attachment to the second segment,
: said method including the steps of: attaching the other
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tape section to the second segment to connect said first
and second segments together, and, when these segments are
to be unconnected; separating said one tape section from
the first segment at the adhesive surface-release surface
5 interface.
Other ob]ects and advantages of this invention
will become apparent upon referring to the detailed des-
cription which follows, taken in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIE:E DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a disposable diaper
: including a unique fastener tape system in accordance with this
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invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view along line 3-3 of
Fig. 4, showing the fastener tape system of Fig. 1 in position
for retaining the disposable diaper about the torso of a wearer;
Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the diaper showing the
general configuration it assumes when secured about the torso
of a wearer;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 4,
but showing the fastener tape system in a condition for permit-
ting removal or adjustment of the disposable diaper; and
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a
tape system in accordance with this invention showing a tape
section in position for initially securing a diaper about the torso
of a wearer.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYINÇ OUT THE~INVENTION
The fastener tape systems of this invention can be em-
ployed to secure together segments of various di~ferent garments.
These systems are believed to be most beneficially used with single
or limited use garments such as disposable diapers, bibs, hospital
gowns and the like. For purpose of description, the fastener
tape systems of this lnvention will be described in connection
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with their use with disposable diapers, the most pre-ferred use to
date .
In the embodiment shown for illustra-tion in Fig. 1, a dispos-
able diaper 10 includes an absorben-t core 12 disposed be-tween a
moisture-pervious facing shee-t 14 and a moisture-impervious
backing sheet 16, such as a thin polyole-fin sheet approximately
0.001 inches -thick. The moisture-pervious facing sheet can be of
any desired cons-truction which will permi-t urine to pass rapidly
through it. Carded webs of rayon fibers and polyes-ter fibers
have been employed satisfactorily as such facing sheets. A
common absorbent core 12 is a loosely compacted batt of wood pulp
fibers formed from pulp lap sheets by a fiberizing operation.
`; However, other absorbent structures, such as multiple plies of
crepe wadding, can be employed as -the absorbent core.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, fastener tape systems 18 and 20
are adhered to segments of the disposable diaper 10 adjacent
longitudinal side edges i'2 and 24, respectively. These systems 18
and 20 are identical in construction, and are adhered adjacent
rear corners 26 and 28 of the diaper 10 as is well known in the
art. In view of the fact that the fastener tape systems are of
an identical- construction, only the tape system 18 will be described
.:~, hereln.
,` ~ Referring to Fig. 2, the fastener tape system 18 includes a
~ ~ release strip 30 -folded about the longitudinal side edge 22 of
the diaper. An adhesive iayer 32 is included on one side of the
release strip for positively securing the release strip to both
the moisture-pervious facing sheet 14 and the opposed backin~
sheet 16. The surface of release strip 30 opposite adhesive
. layer 32 constitutes a release surface 34. Release strips of the
~;` 30 type identified at 30 are extremely well known in the prior art,
and are disclosed in many patents directed to disposable diapers.
For example, release strips employed in the disposable diaper
field are disclosed in the following U.S. patents: 3,630,201
` ~; (Endres); 3,776,234 (Hoey); 3,794,038 (Buell~; 3,797,495 (Schmid-t);
3,848,594 (Buell); 3,848,596 (Pennau); 3,893,460 (Karami); 3,920,016
~ (Mesek); 3,926,191 (Tritsch) and 3,931,666 ~Karami).
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Referring again to Fig. 2, the -fastener tape system 18 also
includes an adhesive tape -fastener 36. The tape fastener 36 is
in the form of a strip having a pressure-sensi-tive adhesive
layer 3~ on one side thereof. The tastener is folded about the
5 longitudinal side edge 22 o-f the diaper to provide a first tape
section 40 overlying the -facing sheet 14 and a second tape section 42
overlying the backing shee-t 16. The adhesive associated with the
-first and second tape sec-tions 40 and 42 face toward the diaper
and are adhered to -the release surface 34 of the release s-trip 30.
10 Preferably -the free ends of the first and second tape sections 40
and 42 are folded over to form adhesive--free gripping -tabs 44 and
46, respectively. These tabs remain separated from the release
surface 34, and provide a convenient gripping region by which a
person can peel tape sections 40 and 42 from their engagement
15 with the release surface 34.
The adhesive tape fastener 36 can be formed from any conven-
tional substrate normally employed in forming pressure-sensitive
adhesive tapes for use in the disposable diaper field. For
example, the adhesive tape fastener 36 can be formed from paper,
20 plastic, foil, and other suitable materials.
F~eferring to Figs. 3-5, the manner in which the fastener
tape system 18 is employed will now be described. I t should be
understood that the fastener tape systems 18 and 20 are employed
in an identical manner, and therefore, the description which
25 follows will be limited to the operation of the system 18.
Referring to Fig. 3, -the first tape section 40 is gripped by its
end tab 44 and peeled off of the release surface 34. This first
tape section is then adhered to the backing sheet 16, after the
diaper has been positioned about the torso of a wearer, to secure
30 the diaper on the wearer (Figs. 3 and 4). When -the first tape
section 40 is adhered to the backing sheet 16, as described
above, it becomes firmly affixed to said backing sheet to form a
: ~ permanently anchored end for the adhesive tape fastener 36. That
is, the first tape section 40 is no longer considered to be a
35 removable section for permitting the diaper 10 to be opened for
inspection and/or adjustment. However, as can be seen in Fig. 3,
the second tape section 42 is adhered to the release surface 34,
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and can be gripped by i-ts adhesive free tab 46 to be peeled
therefrom. In -this regard it iâ importan-t that the release
surface 34 of the release strip 30 have a limited affinity in
peel For the adhesive layer 38 of the second tape section 42. It
is also important that the adherence in shear between the release
sur~ace 3~ o-f strip 30 and the adhesive layer 3~3 o-f the second
tape section 42 be sufficient for retaining the second tape
section 42 on the release surface 34 during -the normal body
movements of a wearer. When it is desired to inspect the interior
of the diaper 10 and/or readjus-t the diaper about the torso of a
wearer, -the second tape sec-tion 42 is peeled o-ff o-F the release
surface 34, as shown in Fig. 5. Thereafter, -the diaper can
either be disposed of, in the event that the examination of the
interior indicates i-t is excessively soiled, or the diaper can be
refastened about the torso of a wearer by adhering the second
tape section 42, through its adhesive layer 38, either back on
the release surface 34, or on the backing sheet 16 adjacent said
release surface.
The particular release surface 34 and adhesive layer 38
; 20 which can be employed in the fastener tape system 10 can be
~ determined empirically based on the criteria stated in the preceding
;~ paragraph. Desirably, the peel strength between the release
surface 34 and the adhesive layer 38 should be maintained below 1
Ib/in. I:~esirably, the shear strength between these surfaces
should be maintained above 15 ibs/in2, and most preferably above
~`~ 29 Ibs/in2.
The peel strength is calculated by the Quick Stick test
described in PSTC-5, Revision 11/70, of the Pressure Sensitive
Tape Council. This test has been modified by replacing the
standard surface with the release surface employed in combination
with the adhesive layer in the fas-tener tape systems of this
-~ invention.
The shear strength is determined by the Following procedure:
-~ ~ first, the release liner 13 is adhered through its adhesive 35 layer to a stainless steel plate;
second, a test tape sample, 1 inch wide by 6 inches long, is
adhered through its adhesive surface to the release surface of
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the liner over a 1 square inch area, and wi-th a section of the
tape extending beyond the pla-te for gripping in a jaw of an
B~ Instron~tensile-tester;
-third, the sample is pressed agains-t -the release liner on
the stainless steel pla-te by a 4-1/2 pound rubber roiler, once in
the 6 inch direc-tion and once in the 1 inch direction of the
tape;
fourth, a portion of the plate is gripped by the top jaw of
-the Instron, the exposed section of the test sample is gripped by
thé bottom jaw, and the jaws are separated at a speed of 0.5
inches/minute; and
~` ~ fifth, the force réquired to separate the test sample from
the release liner is recorded in Ibs/in2.
I n a representative embodiment of this invention the
release strip 30 can be brand 3M(Y2621 ), sold by Minnesota Minir:g
and Manu~acturing Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota. A tape fastener 36
which has been found~ to be c~ompatible with the above release
strip 30 is Fasson JCS-1, a Tyvek-backed tape sold by the Industrial
Division of Fasson in Painesville, Ohio.
Di-fferent modifications can be employed within the scope of
this invention. For example the release surface engaging the
s~ adhesive layer of the first tape section 40 can be different from
the release surFace engaging the adhesive layer of the second
tape section 42 to provide different peel and/or shear character-
istics, as desired . It is also within the scope of this invention
:^ to provide the release surface 34 with a limited area, or areas,
that either are free of a release agent or include an adhesive
agent to insure that the tape fastener 36 does not become separa-ted
from the release strip 30 either prior to or during use of the
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fastener -tape system 10.
Referring to Fig. 6, a seconcl embodiment of a fastener tape
~- system is indicated at 18A. The tape system 18A includes a fixed
strip 30A and a movable tape fastener 36A. The fixed strip 30A
includes a release surface 34A overlying the facing sheet 14 and
facing outwardly thereof. The fixed strip 30A differs from the
release strip 30 in that it includes an adhesive layer 34B,
rather than a release surface, overlying and facing outwardly
from the backing sheet 16 Qf the diaper.
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The movable tape -fastener 36A includes an adhesive layer 38A
as part of a first -tape section 40A. The firs-t -tape section 4~A
is shown in i-ts posi-tion for ini-tially securing -the diaper about
the -torso of a wearer. However, in i-ts packaged condition -the
5 first tape section 40A is adhered to the release surface 34A in
overlying relationship with the facing sheet 14. The tape -Fastener
36A differs from the tape fas-tener 36 in that a second tape
section 42A thereof includes a release surface 38B, instead of an
adhesive layer. The tape fastener 36A includes adhesive free end
10 tabs 44A and 46A associated with the first and second tape sections
40A and 42A, respectively. These adhesive free encl tabs permit
easy gripping of the tape sections 40A and 42A -to permit them to
be peeled oFf of the cooperating surfaces of the fixed strip 30A.
The fastener tape system 18A is initially employed to fasten
15 a diaper about the torso of a wearer in the same manner as the
fastener tape system 18 described earlier. Specifically, the
first tape section 40A is gripped by its end tab 44A and peeled
off o-f the release surface 34A to the position shown in Fi~. 6.
This first tape section is then adhered to the backing sheet 16
2G to secure the diaper on the wearer in a manner similar to that
shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When the first tape section 40A is
adhered to the backing sheet 16, as described above, it becomes
firmly affixed to said backing sheet to form a permanently anchored
end for the tape fastener 3~A. However, the secGnd tape section
25 42A includes an inwardly directed release surface 38B adhered to
adhesive layer 34B of the fixed strip 30A. This permits the
second tape section 42A to be easily peeled from the adhesive
layer 34B to permit inspection of the interior of the diaper.
Thereafter, -the diaper can either be disposed o-f, in the event
~0 that the examination of the interior indicates the diaper is
excessively soiled, or the diaper can be refastened about the
torso of a wearer by adhering -the second tape section 42A back
into overlying relationship with the adhesive iayer 34B.
Preferably the second tape section 42A has a greater width and
35 length than the adhesive layer 34B to insure that the adhesive
layer always remains completely covered by the second tape section
42A. I f -the adhesive layer 34B is not completely covered by the
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tape section 42A it will be exposed -to adhere -to outer garments
of the wearer, and this may be undesirable.
The modifica-tions described earlier in connection with the
Fastener tape system 18 can also be employed in connection with
5 the fastener tape system 18A. In addition, the adhesive layer 38A
associated with the movable tape -fas-tener 36A can be designed to
overlap, and adhere ~o the adhesive layer 34B associated with the
fixed strip 30A. In this manner adhesive-to-adhesive engagement
is maintained between the movable tape fastener 36A and the fixed
10 strip 30A to positively retain the tape fastener on the fixed
strip. When the adhesive layers 38A and 34B are adhered to each
other it may not be required to establish a high shear strength
between the adhesive layer 34B of the fixed strip 30A and the
release surface 38B of the movable fastener 36A in order to
15 retain the second tape section 42A connectPd to the disposable
diaper to permit the tape fastener to perform i-ts in-tended fastening
function.
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