Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-1- JBP 1~7
DISPOSABLE DIAPER WITH IMPROVED BODY
CONFORMITY AND LIQUID RETENTION
~5=~gL ~
The present invention relates to improve-
ments in disposable diapers which enable the dlaper to
closely conform to the torso of a baby. The diaperls
of the present invention accomplish this without causing
any discomfort to the baby~ while at the same time
providing improved gasketing around the thlghs resulting
in improved liquid containment.
In the recent past dlsposable diapers have
been introducecl into the marketplace which have a ~lrrow
but relatively thick strip of elastic at each side
thereof~ so as to gather the side margins of the diaper
in a manner similar to that of conventio~al moisture-
impermeable panties. Such diapers are made generally
in accordance with tAe teachings of U.S. Patent No.
3,860,003. In order for the elastic members to be
effective in such diapers, it is necessary that the
elastic members be spaced relatively far from the side
marginal edges of the absorbent panel of the diaper,
and for the elastic members to be associated with thin,
highly flexible facing and backing layers. As a result,
when such diapers are placed upon a baby, the narrow
but relatively thick elastic members cause a narrow
band of the facing layer to bear against the beby's
skin with substantially line contact. This results in
a high degree of stress concentration that may cause
pinchinr and irritation of the babyls skin.
2- JBP 127
The problems attributable to the unduly hiCh
compressive force caused by such narrow b~lt; relatively
thick elastic strips of the prior art cliapers mentioned
above are particularly acute when the baby has voided
and the diaper is we~. Because the backing and facing
layers are so highly flexible, when the diaper is wet
and conditions are present tending to cause hydration
of the baby's skin, the narrow elastic members sometimes
cause the facing layer to press against the skirl with
sufficient force to injure the skin. Also, the elastic
members in prior art diapers of the type described
above cause the diaper to gradually creep upwardly upon
the baby's thighs~ As a result~ the forces applLed to
the skin by the stressed elastic members increase the
longer the diaper is worn,
Summary_of the ~nvention
In additlon to those elements whlch are
present in currently commercially available products,
i.e.~ a moisture pervious facing adapted to engage the
baby's skin~ an absorbent batt or panel ad~acent to the
facing3 and an outer moisture~impervious backing over
the absorbent batt, the diapers of the present invention
include gathering means about the leg and/or waist
openings of the diaper which include at least two separate
and distinct effectively elastic elements. Each of said
elastic elements applies a gathering force to a zone of
the diaper, thereby aefining more than one line of
gasketing.
The elastic members may be positioned in
spaced parallel relationship with respect to one another
3G and may substantially be parallel the straight or con-
toured edge of the ~ aper absorbent panel or facing
layer. The elastic members may also be positioned in
non-parallel relationship; for instance, when the edge of
the absorbent panel is non-parallel with the edge of the
diaper, at least one of the elastic members may be
~7~;401~
~3~ JBP 127
positioned parallel to the edge of the absorbent panel~
and at least one elastic member may be posltioned
parallel to the edge of the diaper. It is also con-
templated that the separately positioned elastic members
which c~mprise the gathering means may be sub~ected to
different degrees of stretch or elongatlon when secured
to the diaper, providing even greater body conformity
and wearer comfort.
Diapers constructed in accordance with the
present invention have several unexpected advantages,
particularly as compared to the prior art diapers of
the type disclosed in U.S~ Patent No. 3,860,003. In
this regard, by utilizing spaced multlple elastlc
members as the gathering means~ the area of the f`acing
that is pressed against the baby's skin i~ relatlvely
large, distributing the force applied to the skin over
a relatlvely large area and thereby minimizin~ the
possibility of irritation. Because of the relatively
large area of facing engaging the baby's skin and the
multiple gathering zones or lines of gasketing~ improved
liquid containment around the thighs and waist may be
effected. In this regard, it is significant that
absorptive materials effect at least in part th- liquid
containment, in contradistinction to the relatively
non-absorbent facing in U.S. Patent No. 3,SoO,003 which
provides little, if any gasketing action. As will appear
in more detail from the following description, diapers
of the present invention provide improved fit 3 and an
improved liquid seal around the baby's legs and/or waist
without irritation to the baby's skin.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating
one embodiment of a disposable diaper of the present
invention with a portion broken aw.ay to show interior
detail;
~i7~401
~4~ JBP 127
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view
showing relative positioning of diaper elements during
manufacture of the diaper depicted in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the
S diaper of Figure 1 illustrating diaper con~iguration
when applied about a ba~y;
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing
another embodiment of the disposable diaper of this
invention;
Figure 5 is a plan view of yet another
embodiment of a disposable diaper of this invention
with a portion broken away to show interior detail;
Figure 6 is an enlarged partial cross-
section of Figure 5 taken along lines 6-6;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a still further
embodiment of a disposable diaper of this invention
with a portion broken away to show interior detail;
Figure 8 is a plan view of an additional
embodiment o~ a disposable dlaper of this invention
23 with a portion broken away to show interior detail;
Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional
view of the diaper of Figure 8 taken along lines 9-9;
Figure 10 is a plan view of another embodi-
ment of the disposable diaper of the present invention;
~7 Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view
of the elements of the diaper illustrated in Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a plan view of yet another
embodiment of the disposable diaper of the present
inver.tion; and
33 Figure 13 is a plan view of still another
e,..bodiment of the disposable diaper of the present
invention.
Descripti3n of the Preferred ~Ibodiments
For a disposable diaper of the present in-
~en~iorl the gathering means is a plurality of readily
__ stretch~ble, elastic, preferably thermoplastic members
~L176~0~
-5- JBP 127
each of which possesses a certain minimum elastic recovery,
and which co-operate to pro~uce the same effect as a
single width elastic member.
The term "elasticl', as used herein, refers to
sheets, films, ribbons and the like which have a recovery
of at least 90 percent, when elongated at least 10 percent
of their yield point and measured in accordance with the
following formula:
Percent retraction - Le Lt ~ 100
where ~O ~ original length of sample
Le ~ fully extended length
Lt ~ length of sample measured
three seconds after released
from extenled length.
The thickness of the elastic ~emberc is
generally 10 mils or less, and preferably about 0.5 to
ab~ut 5 mils. The elastic members have an extensibility
to rupture of at least about 300 percent, pre~erably
about 400 to about 1000 percent and a recovery at 50
percent elongation of at least about 75 percent, and
preferably at least about 80 percent. For ease of
stretchability, the modulus of elasticity Gf the el~stic
member at 50 percent elon~atiorl should ~. t exceed about
2000 pounds per square inch, and preferably is abou~ 100
to about 200 pounds per square inch.
Referring to Figure 1, disposable di~per 10
illustrating one embodiment ~f the present invention
is pro-~ided witn marOinal longitudinal gatherinO .~ans
in opposite side margins 11 and 12 adapted to provide
enhanced fit and gasketing about the baby's thigns.
Additionally, optional transverse gathering m-ans are
provided in end margins lj and 14 for enh_nc-d fi~ about
the baby's waist. The gathering means in eacn side
m~rgin include at least tWJ separate and distinct
l~ngitudinally extending effectively elastic elemen s
such as elastic elements 15 in side margin 11. Tile
optional transverse gatnering means in the -nd margins
~76~
-6- JBP 127
of diaper 10 can be similar elastic elements such as
elements 16 in end margin 14. Diaper 10 addition~lly
includes first outer layer or bac~ing 17 made of a
moisture-imparvious web, ~ generally rectangular
absorbent panel 18 positioned in superposed relation-
ship with respect to the backing, and second outer layer
or facing lg made of a moisture-pervious or permeable
web and positioned in superposed relationship with
respect to absorbent panel 18. For securement about a
baby, diaper 10 is provided with pressure-sensitive
adhesive tape tabs 20 and 21. The gathering means
are generally parallel to the longitudinal si~e mar~ins
of panel 18~ and when the gatherlng means are in a
relaxed state, diaper 10 assumes a boat-like confi~ura~
tion as shown in Figure 1~ with side mar~ins 11 and 12
having a reduced length.
The individual components of disp~sable
diaper 10 are illustrated in Figure 2. Absorbent panel
18 is superposed over backing 17 and is secured thereto
2~ by a series of glue lines 23 deposited on backing 17.
Absorbent panel 18 is of smaller area than backing 17,
and, when substantiall~ centered on backing 17, is
spaced from longitudinal sides 24 and 25 as well as
transverse sides or ends 26 and 27 and thereby defines
the side and end marginal portions of diaper 10.
Absorbent panel 18 is flanked on all four sides thereof
by elastic elements 15, 16, 21 and 22 which, in an ex-
tended state, are secured to backing 17 by means ^f an
elastic or inelastic adhesive, heat sealing, sonic
sealing described below, or in any other convenient
manner. Moisture-pervious facing 19 is superposed over
absorbent panel 18, is larger in area than panel 13, and
is secured to backing 17, usually by means of the exposed
end portions of glue lines 23. However, other secure-
~ent means can be utilized, if desired. Facing 19 mayalso be secured to elastic elements 15, 16, 21 and 22
~L~7~
~7~ JBP 127
in a manner similar to the securement thereof to backlng
17.
As ~tated a~ove~ the elastic elements may
be conveniently secured ln place ultrason~cally, such as
by the use of apparatus of the type that is commercially
available ~rom Branson Instruments, Inc. o:E Stanford~
Connecticut. Such apparatus conventio.nally includes an
anvil and a horn that are positioned i:n juxtaposed re-
lationship to one another, and the parts to be ~oined are
inserted therebetween~ The hor~ is energized to transmit
vibrations in the ultrasonic frequency range ~nto the parts
to be joined. In the present instance, the elastic elements
are elongated between backing layer 17 and faclng layer
19, and the layers placed between a horn which co~cts with
an anvil which moves in registration with the prod~ t to
provide spaced rows of simulated stitching. In this
regard, the anvil of the ultrasonic sealing appar&tus
preferably i~ provided with ~ plurali~y of spaced land
a.reas so that the stretched elastlc elements are secured
in place by a plurality of spaced securement 7.ones.
Spaced securement zones are also provided when the method
of securement is heat sealing or inelastic adhesive. When
elastic adhesive is used, lines of attachment may be
continuous.
The configuration that disposable diaper 10
assumes when applied to a baby is illustrated in Figure 3.
partially-extended diaper side margins 11 and 12 provide
a comfortable yet positive seal about the baby's th~ghs
that readily accommodates leg movements of the baby,
while optional elastic elements in diaper end margins 13
and 14 assure good fit about the baby's waist.
Figure 4 shows disposable diaper 30 that is
similar to disposable diaper 10 but lacks the optional
gathering means in diaper end margin 33. In the embodiment
eY.emplified by Figure 4 the gathering means in diaper end
margin 34 is similar to gathering means 16 in Figure 1
31 ~7~
-8- JBP 127
and performs in the same manner. The construction of
diaper side margins 31 and 32 is substantially the same
as in diaper side margins 11 and 12.
In the embodiment illustrated by Figure 5
disposable diaper 60 is provided with absorbent p3nel 68
having curvilinear side cut-outs 71 and 72 and sandwiched
between facing 69 and backing 67. Glue lines 65 serve to
secure panel 68 and facing 69 to backing 67. ~1astic
elements 63 and 64 are situated in generally rectilinear
diaper side margins 62 and 61. Elastic elements 63 and
64 extend substantially the entire length of diaper side
margins 62 and 61, respectively, and are secured to
backing 67 by spaced outer glue lines 77 and 78. Glue
lines 77 are illustrated in cross-section ln Figure 6.
The separate and distinct elastic elements of the gathering
means provlde separate lines of ~athering or simulated
gathered stltching which in turr, create separate llnes of
gasketing of the puckered facing a~ainst the leg of the
wearer. Protrud~ng ears 73, 74, 75 and ~6 of absorbent
panel 68 overlap elastic elements 63 and 64 and provide
additional absorbent capacity which can be readily utilized
by building into absorbent panel 68 appropriake capillary
transport means. Adhesive tape tab means 66 and 70
provide means for securing diaper 60 about a baby.
In the embodiment of Figure 7, disposable
diaper 80 is provided with substantlally rectangular
absorbent panel 88 having generally rectilinear sides,
sandwiched between backing 87 and facing 89, and together
with backing 87 and facing 89 defining diaper side margins
81 and 82. Curvilinear cut-outs 97 and 98 are provided
n the respective central portions of margins 81 and 82
for further fit enhancement. Prestretched elastic elements
83a & 83b and 84a & 84b are positioned in respective
margins 82 and 81 and are secured to backing 87 and facing
89 along the longitudinal sides of absorbent panel 88.
In this particular embodiment, the inner elastic elements
83b and 84a are prestretched to a greater or larger degree
~76~
~9~ JBP 127
of elongation than the outer elastic elements 83a and
84b; thus, though the inner and outer elastic elements
may be of the same material and of the sa~e width, the
inner elastic elements will exhibit a different and
greater degree of elasticlty. Though in other instances
it may be desirable to subject the out;er elastic elements
to a greater degree of elongation to achieve a greater
degree of elasticity, in this embodiment, wherein the
inner elastic elements lie close to or even underly the
edge of the absorbent panel, a better fit is achieved
when the inner elastic elements have a greater degree of
elasticity so as to be able to contract the side edges
of the absorbent panel~ In this partlcular e~nbodiment,
the elast~c elements have been prestre~ched to 80 E)ercent
elongation while the outer elastlc elements have b~en
pres~retched to only 70 percent elongation~ ho~ever the
degr~e of elongation and the difference in de~ree of
elongation be~ween the inner and outer elas~ic elements
will vary with the specification of the materials used
in their configuration within the final diaper pro~uct.
Glue lines 85 secure facinæ 89 and absorbent panel 88 to
backing 87, and adhesive tape tabs 85 and 90 provide
diaper securement means.
Yet another embodiment of a disposable diaper
according to the present invention is sho~n in Figures 8
and 9 where disposable diaper 100 is provided with shaped
absorbent panel 108 having curvilinear cut-outs 111 and
112 and cen~rally ~uxtaposed between backing 107 and facing
109. Both panel 108 and facing 109 are secureà to backing
107 by a plurality of longitudinally extendins glue lines
105. Curvilinear cut-outs 117 and 118, similar in con-
figuration but of smaller size than cut-outs 111 and 112,
are provided in the side portions of facins 109 and backing
107 that form diaper side marginal portions 101 and 102,
respectively, so that margin cut-out 117 subtends panel
cut-out 111 and margin cut-out 118 subtends panel cut-out
112. Elastic elements 103 are positioned in diaper side
~176~0~L
-10- JBP 127
~narginal portions 102 between protruding ears 113 and 11
of absorbent panel 108 and are secured to faclng 109 and
backing 107 by spaced lines of attachrnent 119. In a slmi-
lar manner, elastic elements 104 are positloned in diaper
side m~rginal portion 101 between protruding ears 115 and
116 ofabsorbent panel 108 and are secured to facing 109
and backing 107. Facing 109 and bac~Lng 107 are not
secured to aach other in the side marginal portion between
the gathering means and the longitudinal side edge of the
diaper, creating a soft, ruffly side edge of the diaper.
~iaper securement means are provided by adhesive tape
tabs 106 and 110.
The separate and distinct multiple el~stic
elements create plural lines of se~ling or gasket~rlg
about the leg of the wearer, aided by the puckerin~s or
gathering o~ the f`acing layer ad~acent each el~stlc:
element, thereby providing improved llquid containment
at the leg opening.
Referring now to Flgures 10 and 11, a stlll
further embodiment of the invention i~ il'ustrated in its
entirety at 120, and includes a first outer layer 121 in
the form of a moisture-pervious facing, a second outer
layer 122 in the form of a moisture-impervious backing,
a third layer 123 in the form of an absorbent panel sand-
wiched therebetween, and adhesive tape tabs 140. Outer
layers 121 and 122 have the same outer dimensions and are
coterminous with one another. Panel 123 has an extern31
com iguration similar to layers 121 and 122, and is smaller
th3n and centered relative to layers 121 and 122. Parallel
gl:- ~-nes 124 on b3cking 122 secure the p3nel to the
b~cking, and the outermost glue lines (and the ends of the
intermedi~te glue lines) secure the portions of layers
121 and 122 that extend beyond panel 123 to one another.
The end portions 125 and 126 of p~nel 123 are
generally equal in width and are wider than the p3nel mid-
portion 127. For improved fit, the narrowest part 128
of the panel mid-portion is offset toward panel end portion
~1'76~
~ JBP 127
126, the portion that is adapted to be placed in ~ront
of the infant. Panel portion 12~ I!S of relatively short
length and ls formed between parallel side edges 12~
and 128b. Panel slde edges 129~ 130~ ~ 132 flare
outwardly from the ends of edges 1~7a and 1~8a and
terminate ln end portion 129a parallel with end portion
131a and end porti~n 130a parallel with end portion 132a.
In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, edges
1?9 and 131 are disp~sed at an angle of 25 and edges
130 and 132 are disposed at an angle of 35~, so that the
included angle between edges 129 and 130 and edges 131
an~ 132 is 120'.
As with the previously described e~bodi~ents,
di~per 120 includes ~atharing means 134 and 135 at opposite
sides of the diaper, and optional gathering msans 136 and
137 at opposite ends of the diaper. The illustrat~sd
gathering means are in the form o~` elon~ated elastic ele-
ments that are secured in a stretched condition to la~erA
121 and/or 122.
Illustrated in Figure 12 is a disposable
diaper 140, with facing layer 141, and contoure~ absorbent
p~nel 142 attached by glue lines 144 to backing layer 1~3.
The gathering means in the side margin of the diaper in-
cludes two spaced elastic elements 145 and 1460 The
elastic elements are non-parallel. Elastic element 146
substantially parallels the contoured edge of the absor-
bent panel, while elastic element 145 is substantially
perpendicular to end edge 147 of the diaperO The diaper
is provided with adhesive tape tab fasteners 148.
3~ Figure 13 illustrates a disposable diaper 150
wherein the elastic elements 153 and 154 of the gathering
means in the side margin are parallel throughout only a
portion of their length. Absorbent panel 152 is essen-
tially hourglass in shape, and has a more sharply defined
~5 contour in the crotch portion as opposed to the gently
cur~ing contour of absorbent panel 142 of Figure 12. The
elastic elemènts 153 and 154 are substantially parallel
~ ~764~
-12- JBP 127
at the end portions of the diaper. Through the crotch
portion of the diaper, elastic elem~ent 154 parallels the
edge of the hourglass shaped absorbent panel, whlle
elastic element 153 continues in a su~st3ntlally st~aight
lin~, substantially perpendicular to the end edge 155 of
the diaper. The diaper is also provicled with Eacing layer
lS1, backing layer 158, adhesive tape tabs 157, and
optionally, gathering means 156 in at least one end margin.
Elastic film elements suitable as gathering
means for the diapers contemplated herein can be extruded
to the desired thickness utili7ing unvulcanized, thermo-
plastic compostions which are made up of an elast~.eric
component and an optional compatib'e modifier which is a
thermoplastic polymer of a relatively low molecular
weight but 901id at amblent ternperature.
Illustratlve of the elastomeric components
suitable for present purpo9es are block copolymers which
comprise termlnal thermopla~tic polymer blocks and at
least one non-terminal or lntermediate elastomerlc polymer
block. Block copolymers of thls general type may be pre-
pared using a step-wise polymerizatlon initiator, e.g.,
an organolithium compound. Such block polymerization
techniques are well known in the art.
The elastomeric component can be llnear or
radial Al-B-A2 block copolymers or mixtures thereof with
simple Al-B block copolymers where Al and A2 can be alike
or different and represent a thermoplastic polymer block,
such as poly(vinyl arene) block, and B represen~s an
elastomeric polymer block such as a conjugated diene or a
lower (i.e., Cl-C4) alkene, The modifier component is a
lcw molecular weight thermoplastic polymer having an aver-
age molecular weight of about 500 to about 7500 and is
present in the composition in an amount of about 0 to
about 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the
elastomeric component.
A preferred thermoplastic film composition
for the elastic film elements compris~s an elastomeric
~'764~)~
-13- JBP 127
component which contains, as a ma~or constituent thereof,
an unvulcanized linear block copolymer of the general
configuration Al - B _A2 wherein Al, A2 and B have the
same meaning as hereinabove. In these block copolymers
the A-blocks are derived from styrene or styrene homologuesg
and the B-blocks are derived from con~ugated dienes or
lower alkenes. The thermoplastic polymer modifler is
co~patible wlth the elastomeric component and associates
principally with the thermoplastic te~minal blocks of the
aforesaid unvulcanized block copolymer. The thermoplastic
polymer modifier preferably has an average molecular
weight of about 1000 to 30003 and is present in the film
composition in an amount of about 80 to about 200 par~s by
weight per 100 parts by weight of the elastomeric c~ponent.
The preferred Al-B-A2 block copolymers have A-
blocks derived, i.e.~ polymertzed or copolymerlzed, from
styrene or styrene ho~ologues; and B-blocks derived from
conjugated diene~, such as isoprene or butadtene, or fr~m
lower alkenes, su~h as ethylene and butylene. Small pro-
2~ portions of other monomers also m~y enter into the block
copolymers themselves. The individual A-blocks can have an
average molecular weight of at least about 6000~ preferably
in the range of about 8000-30,000, and the A-blocks con-
stitute about 5-50 percent, preferably about 10-30 percent,
by weight of the block copolymer. The average molecular
weight of the B-blocks for linear Al-B-A2 block copolymers
preferably is in the range of about 45,000-180,000 and
that of the linear copolymer itself, preferably is in the
range of about 75,000-200,000. The average molecular
weight of the radial Al-B-A2 block copolymers preferably
is in the range of about 125,000-400,000. The term
"linear block copolymer" (or copolymers) includes branched
Al-B-A2 copolymers as well as unbranched A -B-A2 copolymers.
The radial Al-B-A2 copolymers useful for
manufacture of elastic elements for diapers of this in-
vention are of the type described in United States Letters
patent No. 3,281,383 to Zelinski et al and conform to the
~:1764~
-14- JBP 127
following general formula: (A-B-)nX, wherein A is a
thermoplastic block polymerized from styrene or styrene
homologues, B is an elastcmeric block derived from con-
jugated dienes or lower alkenes, as indicated above, X
is an organic or inorganic connectine molecule, with a
functionality of about 2 to 4 as described in Patent No.
3,281~383, or possibly with a higher functior~lity as
described i.3 the article entitled ~New Rubber is Backed
by Stars" appearlng on Page 35 of the June 11, 1975 iss
of Chemical Week. As used hereinabove, "n" has a value
correspcn~ing to the functionality of X.
The preferred elastic film elements are highly
ther.moplastic and, though elastomeric, are unlike rubber
in that the film exhibits a relatively sharp melting point
and is capable of being heat shaped. Also, the ~lastic
elements can form permanent heat seals to substrates such
as non-woven fabrics, or the llke~ at rel~tivoly low he~-t
sealing peak temperatures, generally not above about 350F~
Tne elements are highl~ ;lastic and has a relatively low
2~ rubber modulus, i.e., they exhlbit in at least one direction
an elastic recovery from 50 percent stretch to ~t least 75
percent, preferably at least abo~t 80 percent, and a 50
percer+ rubber modulus of not above about 2000 pounds per
square inch, preferably not above 1000 pounds per square
2, in^h at 50 percent elongation, The film elements also are
very flexlble, extensible and SOL~ and normally exhibits
a Gurley stiffness of about one or less at a film thickness
of one mil, and an elongation to break of at least about
300 percent, preferably at least about 400 percent, in
3G at least or.e direction at ambient temperatures.
Several different types of facing m~terials
may be used for diaper facing. For example, th~ facing
may be a non-woven web made up of a mixture of fibers con-
sisting predomirantly of inexpensive short cel ~losic fibers
,5 slch as wood pulp fibers or cotton linters, in amounts of
about 75 percent to about 98 percent, the balance being
textile length fibers such as rayon as described in U.S.
~ 1 7 ~ 4C 1
-15- JBP 127
Patent No. 33633,348 to Liloia et al.
Non-woven facing materials suitable for use
in disposable diapers of this invention can have fabric
weights in the range of about .5 to 5 oz./yd.2 and den-
slties of less than 0.15 g./cc~, generally in the rangeof about 0.05 to about 0.1 g./cc. The clry stren~th of
the facing sheet for a fabric h~ving a weight of about
1.5 o~./yd.2 is at least 0.15 lbs./in. of width in the
m~chine direction and at least 0.1 lbs./in. of width in
the cross dlrection. Such fabrics have unusually good
elongation, loft, softness, and drape characteristics.
Facings m~y also be m~de of an aperture~ non-
woven fabric which is formed, ~or example, in accordance
with the teachlngs of co~monly assigned U.S. Patent ~los.
2,8S2,251; 3,081,514 and 3,081~515~ Brie~ly~ such fabrics
are foraminous structures wherein groups or groupings of
fibers have been rearranged fro~ a fibrous non-woven
starting web ~nto posltions surroundin6 less dense ~abrlc
portions by passage of a fluid through the st~rting
2~ m~terial. The fibers within the groupings are mechanically
interlo^ke~, and m3y be arranged into various patterns, as
is well known by those skilled in the art, A suitable
binder may be utilized to help retain the fibers in their
rearranged locations, as is also well known by those
skilled in the art. The fabric can be m~de of n~turally
o~curring fibers, synthetic fibers, or blends thereof.
Typical facing sheets made of a fibrous polyester type
material can have a weight of about 0.75 oz./~d. .
In addition, facings can be forled OL a non-
3~ apertured material, such as a non-woven isotropic web,
or of an apertured polyol-fin or polyester fil~. h~ving
the desired moisture permeability. In all of the afore-
mentioned facings the material should be relatively
hYdrOPhObiC SO 3S to retard wicking within the facing.
The moisture-absorbent batt or panel of a
desired shape but smaller than the facing and ~he ba-king,
can be formed in accordance with the teachings of U.S.
, . .
1~7640~
-16- JBP 127
Patent No. 3,612,055 to ~esek et al,
A suitable backing m~terial for t~e diapers
embodying the present invention can be an opaque polyole-
fin~ e.g.~ polyethylene~ web about 0.001 lnch thick.
Another suitable m~terial for this p~rpose is a poly-
eth~lene terephthalate web h~ving a thickness of about
0.0005 inch.
In use~ the disposable diaper is applie~ to
the baby by laying out the diaper on ~ suit~ble flat
surface and placing the baby thereon so that the ~1~isl-
underlyin~ end of the diaper is that having the fasienQr
means. The other en~ of the diaper then e,-~enls do-:n-
w3rdly between the infant's legs. Ne~t, the downwardly
extending enl of the diaper is brought up between the
baby's legs to ~ position co~erin~ the perineu~. ~nd CC~
tiguous with the front portion of the baby's w~ist. Tne
diaper is thereafter secured to the baby by pl~ci~_ t~
corners of the w~ist portion of the abdomen-coverlng en;;
as ~ar aroun~ the baby's w~ist as they will go and by
bringing the corners of the underlying en~ of the dl~per
into an overlapping relationship with the afore~entioned
corners so th~t the diaper snugly encircles the baby's
waist and provides a custo~ fit. Tne adhesi~re tab
fasteners are then prepared for use anl the diape~ is
securel in the desired position by si~ply urging the
pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the t~pe tab ir ^-n-
tact with the adjacent o~lter surface o~ the op~osite
corner of the diaper. Tne appliel diaper ass~lmes a con-
figuration such as sho~n in rig~re 3.
3 The foregoing description an~ the drawings
are illustrative anl are not to be t3'~en ~S limitinOo
Still other variations an~ modifications are possibl-
without departing fro~ the spirit anl sco~e of ~e
present invention.
