Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADHESIVE TAPE FASTENING SYSTEM
The present invention relates to an adhesive tape fastening system and disposable
absorbent article incorporating same.
The use of adhesive tape fastening systems on disposable abso,L,ent articles which are
adapted to be worn about the body of a wearer such as diapers training pants adult
i"cor,li,lence products feminine care products and the like is well known. The adhesive
tape fastening systems are used to fasten the article about the body of a wearer. Typically
10 the convenlional adhesive tape fastening systems utilize pressure-sensitive adhesive tape
fasteners which can be rele~sed and r~raslened a plurality of times onto a specific fastening
zone of the outer cover of the article. For example refastenable adhesive tape fasteners
have been used on liispos~hle diapers to allow a refastening of the diaper about the wearer
as may be required after the diaper is inspected to see if it has been soiled. Generally it has
15 been desirable that the adhesive tape fastening systems have a high shear sl,~"yll, to
",ai"lain the article about the wearer for an extended period of time. Such adhesive tape
fastening systems have also had a high peel sl,enylll.
The materials used to provide the outer cover of the disposable absorbent articles are
20 typically thin and do not have sufficient sl,~nyll, to will,~land the peeling forces generated by
the removal of the adhesive tape fasteners. The maLerials can tear and residual ",alerial
may remain attached to the adhesive tape raslener~. As a result the adhesive tape
rasleners and the disposable absorbent article may be rendered unusable. In addition the
",ale,ials used to provide the outer cover of the ~iispos-~le absorbent articles typically do not
25 allow sufficient adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners to provide a reliable
fastening about the wearer. Some of the ",ale,ials used to provide the outer cover may also
be susceptible to contamination from foreign substances such as ointments powders oils
and the like which can adversely affect tape adhesion.
30 Several convenlional techni~ues have been used to n inro,.;e the outer cover in the
~ faslening zone of the article and provide for sufficient adhesive bonding with the adhesive
tape fasteners. One such techn--~ue includes the appli-~tion of a thin layer of an adhesive
coating to the outer cover in the fd:,leni"g zone to ~ nyll,en the outer cover. Another
conventional techni~ue includes the inco"~oralion of a r~;nfor~;e",ent layer or panel which
35 coll,plises a plastic film affixed to the inner or outer surface of the outer cover in the
faslen;"g zone. Typically, the rei"forcei"ent layer or panel has been a layer of a
polyethylene or polypropylene film.
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Convenliollal techniques of providing adhesive tape fastening of disposable abso,Lenl
articles about a wearer, such as those described above, have not been COll r'et?ly
salisraclory. For example, the conver,lional techniques which utilize a r~,i.,for~;e",enl layer
CfSIIlpliSill9 a plastic film have undesirably degraded the appearance of the outer cover of the
d;spesc '~le absorbent article. When the plastic film is affixed to the inner surface of the outer
cover, the bonding or adhesive pattern can undesirably show through the outer cover. When
the plastic film is affixed to the outer surface of the ",alerial, there can be an undesirable
cont,d~l between the plastic film ~inrfjrcel"ent layer and the rest of the absolbent article.
10 This appea,dnce problem is particularly acute when the outer cover is a fibrous ",aterial. In
addition, the plastic film ,_inforce",enl layer has been typically stiff and inelastic which has
undesirably affected the flexibility and fit of the article about the wearer. The plastic film
malelials used to provide the ~ei"ror~ement layer have also been particularly susceptible to
contamination from oils and the like which can adversely affect tape adhesion.
Further, some of the conver,lional techr,--~ues which utilize a plastic film ,~;nrorcemenL layer
have only been able to acl,ievc the required level of shear strength with the adhesive tape
fasteners while having an u"desi,dbly high peel sl,er,gll,. Such high peel strengths with the
adhesive tape fasteners can result in increased tearing and reduced consumer acceplance.
Thus, the convenlional lechni~lJes of providing adhesive tape fastening for dispcs-~le
absorbent articles have not provided the desired level of adhesion and rerasleoability while
maintaining the flexibility, fit and appearance of the articles.
The present invention intends to overcome these pr b!ems. The object is solved by the
adhesive tape fastening system according to independent claim 1 and further by the
f~;~posA~le absorbent article of independent claim 29.
Further advantages, features, AspectC and details of the invention are evident from the
30 dependent claims, the desc(i~.lion and the ac c o",pa"ying drawings. The claims are intended
to be underalood as a first non-limiting approa-,l, to defining the invention in general terms.
In response to the f~iscussed difficulties and pr.blems, a new adhesive tape fastening
system and ~li,posAi le absorbent article inco",ordling the same have been discovered.
In one aspect, the present invention contellls an adhesive tape fastening system which is
AdApled for use on a disposable absorbent article. The adhesive tape fastening system
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co,.,p,ises an adhesive tape ra:,lener a substrate layer and a fibrous taping panel. The
fibrous taping panel is bonded to the substrate layer and includes a fibrous outer surface
which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape faslener. The fibrous
taping panel provides a shear slleli~tll with the adhesive tape ~aslener of at least about 2.67
5 Newtons (about 0.60 pounds-force) upon a first fastening. In a particular aspect the fibrous
outer surface of the fibrous taping panel cGr"p,ises fibers which are capable of witl,sla,)ding
a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fastener thert:r,u,,, without u "acceplably
contaminating the adhesive tape fastener to allow a refastening of the adhesive tape
fastener to the fibrous outer surface.
In another particular aspect the fibrous taping panel provides a shear sl,~nyll, with the
adhesive tape fastener of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.60 pounds-force) aHer a
third fastening of the adhesive tape fastener to the fibrous taping panel. The shear sl,~ngll,
with the adhesive tape fastener after the third fastening is at least about 50 percent of the
15 shear sl,e"gll, after the first fastening of the adhesive tape fastener to the fibrous taping
panel.
In still another aspect the present invention conce",s a .liap~se :'e abso,Lenl article which
coi"plises an outer cover a bodyside liner an absorbent core ~isposed between the
bodyside liner and the outer cover and an adhesive tape fastening system. The adhesive
tape fastening system col"p,ises an adhesive tape fastener which is connecled to a
longitudinal side portion of said disposable absorbent article and a fibrous taping panel which
is bonded to the outer cover. The fibrous taping panel includes a fibrous outer surface which
is capable of providing adhesive bondi"9 with the adhesive tape faslener. The fibrous taping
panel provides a shear ~ nyll, with the adhesive tape fastener of at least about 2.67
Newtons (about 0.60 pounds-force) upon a first fastening.
The present invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become
appar~nl when ,~ference is made to the r~ wi..9 detailed des- ,iplion of the invention and
the accolnpanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not i"lended
~ to limit the scope of the claims.
~ Fig. 1 representatively shows a top plan view of an example of an adhesive tape fastening
system of the present invention;
Fig. 2 .~prese"ldli~/ely shows a cross-sectional view of the adhesive tape fastening system
of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2;
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Fig. 3 representatively shows a top plan view of a disp~s-~le diaper incG".ordling the
adhesive tape fastening system according to the presenL invention;
5 Fig. 4l~presenldli-/ely shows a cross-sectional view of the disposable diaper of Fig. 3 taken
along line 1 4;
Fig. 5 ,epresenldli~ely shows the appr~xi"~ale configuration of a disposable diaper when
placed on a wearer; and
Fig. 6 representatively shows a graph illustrating the shear slrenglh of the fibrous taping
panel of the present invention upon multiple fastenings.
The present invention relates to an adhesive tape fastening system which is adapted for use
15 on a dispcselrle abso,L,enl article and a disposable absorbent article incoi~or~ling the same.
The term "disposable abso,L,enl article" is intended to refer to any disposable article intended
to be wom and attached to a wearer to absorb discha,yed body fluids. E3~dll ~les of
d;spcs-~'e absorbent articles include diapers, adult inconli,)ence products, training pants,
feminine care products and the like. For ease of understanding much of the f~ ,;ng
desc,i~lion of the presenl invention will be made in terms of using the adhesive tape
fastening system of the present invention on d;SPOSAhIe diapers. Nonetheless, it is to be
u"deralood that the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention is equally suited
for use on any other-l;spos~hlc absorbent article.
As representatively illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastening system of the
presenL invention co"",,ises an adhesive tape fastener 20 a s-,~sl,dle layer 22 and a
fibrous taping panel 24. The fibrous taping panel 24 includes an inner surface 26 which is
bonded to the substrate layer 22 and a fibrous outer surface 28 which is ~p~ of providing
adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fastener 20. The fibrous taping panel 24 and
substrate layer 22, in combination, provide a co,nposile ~ i ,ro,ced substrate 30 which is
car~hl~ of will,slanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fastener 20 therefrom
subslanlially without tearing.
The fibrous outer surface 28 of the fibrous taping panel 24 col"prises fibers which are also
capable of witl,slanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fastener 20 ther~r,ur,,
without contaminating the adhesive tape fastener 20. This allows multiple fastenings of the
adhesive tape fastener 20 to the fibrous outer surface 28. The fibrous taping panel 24iS
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~dart~d to provide sufficient shear strength with the adhesive tape fastener 20 without an
undesirably high peel strength.
~,
The co,nponenla and properties of the adhesive tape rd~lening system of the pr~senl
5 invention will be ~iscussed in more detail below with re~r~,-ce to the use of such a system in
a disposable abso,L.enl article such as the d;spcsa~'e diaper representatively illusl-aled in
Figs. 3-5. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the dispos~hle diaper 40 generally
con)prises an outer cover 42, an inner bodyside liner 44, and an absorbent core 46 located
between the outer cover 42 and the bodyside liner 44. Leg el~stics 48 are located generally
10 at the longitudinal edges of the diaper 40. The disposable diaper 40 may further comp,ise a
front waist elastic 50 and a rear waist elastic 52.
The outer cover 42 of the ~isposahle diaper 40, as representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5,
may suitably be cGl--posed of a "lale,ial which is either liquid permeable or liquid
15 imperrneable. It is generally p(~rer~ed that the outer cover 42 be formed from a "~alerial
which is sub~lanlially impemleable to liquids. It is also desirable that the outer cover 42 be
thin and flexible to improve consumer acceplance. For e~dl..ple, a typical outer 42 cover can
be manufactured from a thin plastic film or other flexible liquid-impe..n~~~!e ,llalerial. For
example, the outer cover 42 may be formed from a polyethylene film having a thickness of
from about 0.012 millimeter (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeter (2.0 mils). If it is desired to
pr~senl the outer cover 42 with a more clothlike feeling, the outer cover 42 may coll,~-ise a
polyethylene film having a nonwoven web laminated to the outer surface thereof, such as a
spunbond web of polyolefin fibers. For example, a polyethylene film having a thickness of
about 0.015 millimeter (0.6 mil) may have thermally laminated thereto a spunbond web of
polyolefin fibers, which fibers have a thickness of about 0.167 tex to 0.389 tex (about 1.5 to
3.5 denier (d)) per rilar.lenl, which nonwoven web has a basis weight of about 24 grams per
square meter (0.7 ounces per square yard). Methods of forming such clothlike outer covers
are known to those skilled in the art.
Further, the outer cover 42 may be formed of a woven or nonwoven fibrous web layer which
has been totally or partially constructed or treated to impart a desired level of liquid
illlpel.neability to selected regions that are acljacenl or p,u,~illlale the abso,L,e-ll core 46. Still
further, the outer cover 42 may optionally be composed of a micro-porous ur~alhable"
r.lalel~al which permits vapors to escape from the absorbent core 46 while still preventing
liquid ~yud~tes from passing through the outer cover 42. The outer cover 42 may also be
forrned from an elasloi"e,ic material such as elastomeric films, e.g., natural or synthetic
rubber; elastomeric foams, e.g., urethane foams; elas~me,ic nonwoven ..lale,ials, laminates
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or co"~po~i'~s of such elaslo",eric ",alenals with other elaslo",elic or non-elaslor"eric
",alerials, e.g., neck-bonded laminates or stretch-bonded laminates; and the like.
b
The outer cover 42 of the diaper 40 should be very thin and flexible to provide an improved
s fitting and aesll,elically pleasing diaper40. Thin, flexible ",ale,ials tend to have relatively low
tensile sllt:llylhs. As used herein, the term "tensile ~ nglll" refers to the tensile sl,er,yll,
value determined according to the Tensile Stl~nylll Test as set forth below in connection
with the examples. As a result, the outer cover 42 is c_p~b'e of supporting only a limited
tensile load and is generally unable to \hilhsland the peeling force generated when an
10 adhesive tape fastener is peelingly removed from the outer cover 42. When the outer cover
42 cGI"p~ises a film malerial, the tensile strength of the outer cover 42 is generally less than
about 44.5 Newtons (about 10.0 pounds-force), and typically is within the range of from
about 32.4 to about 43.5 Newtons (about 7.3 to about 9.8 pounds-force). In an altemative
embodiment wherein the outer cover 42 col"prises a fibrous nonwoven material or a
laminate COI"plisi"g a fibrous nonwoven ",alerial, the tensile ~Iren~~l1, of the outer cover 42 is
generally less than about 52.27 Newtons (about 11.75 pounds-force), and typically is within
the range of from about 27.80 to about 52.27 Newtons (about 6.25 to about 11.75 pounds-
force).
The bodyside liner 44 of the ~I;5POSA~I~ diaper 40, as representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5,
suitably presents a bodyfacing surface which is col"F' -nt, soft feeling and nonirritating to the
wearer's skin. Further, the bodyside liner 44 may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent core
46, to p,~senl a relatively dry surface to the wearer, and may be surricienlly porous to be
liquid permeable, pe""i~ling liquid to readily penetrate through its thickness. A sl~it-~le
bodyside liner44 may be manufactured from a wide s~l~r,tion of web m2le,ials, such as
porous foams, reticu'qted foams, apertured plastic films, natural fibers (for example, wood or
cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a
combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner 44 is suitably employed to
help isolate the weare~s skin from liquids held in the absorbent core 46.
Various woven and nonwoven fabrics can be used for the bodyside liner 44. For example,
the bodyside liner may be con,posed of a meltblown or spunbonded web of polyolefin fibers.
The bodyside liner may also be a bonded-carded web composed of natural and/or synthetic
fibers. The bodyside liner may be composed of a subslanlially hydr~phobic material, and the
hyd~ophobic ",alerial may, oplionally, be treated with a su,rd~lcinl or otherwise processed to
impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. In a particular e"~bo.li",enl of the
present invention, the bodyside liner 44 coi"plises a nonwoven, spunbond, polypropylene
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fabric cGmposed of about 0.311-0.356 tex (about 2.8-3.2 denier) fibers formed into a web
having a basis weight of about 22 grams per square meter and a density of about 0.06 gram
per cubic centimeter. The fabric is surFace treated with about 0.28 weight percent of a
s~"Fac,lanl commercially available from Rohm and Haas Co. under the trade designation
5 Triton X-102.
The abso,Lenl core 46 of the diaper 40, as representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5, may
suitably comp,ise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulosic fluff, mixed v~/ith
particles of a high-absorbency material co",r"only known as su~,erdbsG,bent material. In a
10 particular embodiment, the absorbent core 46 cGr"p,ises a mixture of superabsol6ent
hydrogel-forming particles and wood pulp fluff. The wood pulp fluff may be exchanged with
synthetic, polymeric, meltblown fibers or with a con tn.,alion of meltblown fibers and natural
fibers. The supe,dbsolL,ent particles may be sub:,lanlially homogeneously mixed with the
hydrophilic fibers or may be nonu"iru""ly mixed. Alternatively, the absorbent core 46 may
15 cor"pnse a laminate of fibrous webs and su~ erdbsolLent ",alerial or other suitable means of
maintaining a superabsorbent ")ale~ial in a lo~i~ed area.
The high-absorbency malelial can be sele~d from natural, synthetic and modified natural
polymers and malerials. The high-absorbency ",alelials can be i"organic ",aLerials, such as
20 silica gels, or organ-c compounds, such as crosslinked polymers. The term "crosslinked"
refers to any means for effectively ,~:ndering normally water-soluble ",alerials subslanlially
water insoluble but swe"-''e. Such means can indude, for e,~d,l,~'e, physical entanglement,
crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ionic com~'?-~es and ~sso~:~lions, hydrophilic
~ssod~lions such as hydrogen boncJing, and hydrophobic ~ssoci~'ions or Van der Waals
25 forces.
Exan,ples of synthetic, poiymeric, high-absorbency materials include the alkali metal and
a"""on.urn salts of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acryla",ides), poly(vinyl
ethers), maleic anhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins, poly(vinyl
3 o pyrolidone), poly(vinyl morpholinone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers
thereof. Further polymers suit~hle for use in the absorbent core include natural and modified
natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch,
~ methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cell ~'ose, and the natural gums,
such as alginates, xanthum gum, locust bean gum, and the like. Mixtures of natural and
35 wholly or partially synthetic abso,benl polymers can also be useful in the pr~senl invention.
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The high abso,l,ency ",alerial may be in any of a wide variety of geometric forms. As a
general rule, it is pr~rei,ed that the high abso,bency ",ale,ial be in the form of disc~ele
particles. However, the high absorbency ",alelial may also be in the form of fibers, flakes,
rods, spheres, needles, or the like. As a general nule, the high absorbency malenal is
present in the absorbent core in an amount of from about 5 to about 100 weight percent
based on total weight of the absorbent core 46.
Specific e~dr"Fles of ~I;sposAhlE diapers on which the adhesive tape fastening system of the
presenl invention may be utilized are ~I;sclosed in the r~ ing u.s. Patents and U.S. Patent
~ ions: U.S. 4,798,603 issued January 17, 1989, to Meyer et al.; U.S. 5,176,668
issued January 5, 1993, to Bernardin; U.S. 5,176,672 issued January 5, 1993, to Bnuemmer
et al.; U.S. 5,192,606 issued March 9, 1993, to Proxmire et al., and U.S. Patent Applir~lio
Serial No. 08/096,654 filed July 22, 1993, in the name of Hanson et al.
As representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5, the .lisposable diaper 40 also includes an
adhesive tape fastening system. The adhesive tape fastening system includes adhesive
tape rasleners 54 and 56 which are connected to the longitudinal side po, lions of the diaper
40. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 are well known to those skilled in the art and
can include any tape fasteners which provide the desired levels of adhesion and
refaslenability. Typically, the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 include a substrate layer to
which a layer of adhesive is bonded. The layer of adhesive is pr~cferdbly a layer of pressure
sensitive adhesive. S~~it~hle adhesive tape fasteners 54, 56 include those commercially
available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Allendo,r, Germany, under
the trade designalion BF33-4. Other suit~lQ adhesive tape fasteners include those
commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul,
Minnesota, under the trade desiyndlion KR3233.
Generally, it is desi~able that the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 have a high level of
adhesion such that the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention can
advantageously provide a more secure fastening of the ~ispos~hlc absoll,enl article about
the wearer. The high levels of adhesion provide adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 which
are less susceptible to an inadvertent or premature release caused by the move",enls of an
active wearer during use. The high levels of adhesion also provide adhesive tape rasleners
54 and 56 which are less susceplible to contamination by foreign ",alelials such as, for
example, powders and oils.
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However, the high levels of adhesion of the adhesive tape faslener~ 54 and 56 may readily
tear the outer cover 42 of the diaper 40 when the faslenera 54 and 56 are adhesively applied
to and peelingly removed from the outer cover 42. This is particularly true when the outer
cover 42 is a thin film material. Tearing of the outer cover 42 can adversely affect the ability
of the outer cover 42 to act as a barrier to the flow of liquids. In additio", any tom pieces
may contaminate the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 and undesi,ably reduce their
rerasler,ability.
When the outer cover 42 co",p(iâes a woven, knitted or nonwoven ",alelial, the high levels
lo of adhesion of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 may also tear individual fibers away
from the outer cover 42 when the fasteners 54 and 56 are adhesively applied to and
peelingly removed from the outer cover 42. The woven, knitted and nonwoven n,ale,ials
which can be used to provide the outer cover 42 typically are soft, compliant and flexible.
Such mdle,ials generally have individual fibers which are easily tom away which may result
in the contamination of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56.
To improve the adhesion and r~faslenability of the adhesive tape raslener~ 54 and 56, the
adhesive tape fastening system of the presenl invention includes a fibrous taping panel 58,
as ~pr~sentatively illustrated in Figs. ~5. The fibrous taping panel 58 includes an inner
surface 60 which is bonded to the outer cover 42 of the di,posAI le diaper 40. The fibrous
taping panel 58 also includes a fibrous outer surface 62 which is ~p~hlQ of providing
adhesive bon-ling with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. The cGn,~-.,alion of the outer
cover 42 and the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a .~inror~ed composite ,.,alelial to which
the adhesive tape ra~lenel:, 54 and 56 can be adhesively secured.
In a particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 may be provided directly by the outer
cover 42 of the dispc-~''e diaper 40 without requiring a sepa-dle panel. In such a
configuration, the outer cover 42 cGlllplises a ",ale,ial which includes a fibrous outer surface
62 which is c~r~hl~ of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and
30 56. The alelial used to provide such an outer cover 42 should also provide the desired
levels of strength, adhesion to the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56, resislance to
contamination, and appea-dnce. For ease of understanding, much of the following
- desc.iplioll of the present invention will be made in terms of using a separ~le fibrous taping
panel 58 which is bonded to the outer cover 42 of the dispos-'!e diaper 40 to provide
adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape rasten6,s 54 and 56. Nonetheless, it is to be
understood that the fibrous taping panel 58 may be provided by the outer cover 42 without
requiring the addiliGn of a separdle panel.
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The fibrous outer surface 62 of the fibrous taping panel 58 co",p,ises fibers which are
~p~hle of withstanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape raslener:, 54 and 56
ther~r,ur,, without contaminating the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. The adhesive tape
fasteners 54 and 56 can then be adhesively applied to peelingly removed from andreapp' ed to the fibrous outer surface 62 of the fibrous taping panel 58 a plurality of times.
The individual fibers of the fibrous taping panel 58 can dissipate the energy which exists
when the wearer exerts forces on the adhesive tape fastening system.
The inner surface 60 of the fibrous taping panel 58 may be joined to the outer cover 42 by
any means known to those skilled in the art. For example, the inner surface 60 of the fibrous
taping panel 58 and the outer cover 42 may be joined together using adhesive, thermal or
ulL.dsonic bonds. The bonding of the outer cover 42 and fibrous taping panel 58 must be of
sufficient strength such that the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 can be peelingly
removed without dela",;.,alion between the outer cover 42 and fibrous taping panel 58.
Such boncling techniques may also be used to join any of the other various col"ponents of
the ~lispos~hle diaper 40 together.
The fibrous taping panel 58 can include any fibrous material which provides the desired
levels of ,~ inrûr~;el"ent of the outer cover 42, ~dl,esion to the adhesive tape fasteners 54
and 56" ~sislance to contamination and appearance. Various woven, knitted and
nonwoven ",dle,ials can be used for the fibrous taping panel 58. For example, the fibrous
taping panel 58 may be col"posed of a woven or knitted ."alelial such as a woven nylon
material. The fibrous taping panel 58 may also be composed of a meltblown or spunbond
web of polyolefin fibers or a bonded-carded web cGn,posed of natural and/or synthetic fibers.
The fibrous taping panel 58 may also be an elastomeric material such as elaslumeric woven
knitted and nonwoven ",alerials and laminates or cor,-posi(as of elastomeric films e.g.,
natural or synthetic rubber; elaslol"e,ic foams e.g., urethane foams; elastomeric woven and
nonwoven ",alelials with other elaslor"eric or non-elastomeric ",alarials, e.g. neck-bonded
laminates or stretch-bonded lar"inales; and the like. Such elaslol"eric ",alerials are
particularly useful for the fibrous taping panel 58 when the outer cover 42 is also an
elastomeric or sl,atchable ",alelial.
When a woven material is used for the fibrous taping panel 58, the fibrous taping panel 58
generally cGIllpiises a fabric having from about 11.8 to about 23.6 wales per centimeter
(about 30 to about 60 wales per inch) and from about 7.8 to about 59.0 courses per
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~er,ti",eter (about 20 to about 150 courses per inch). The fabric generally cG",p~ises fibers
ciesi,dbly nylon fibers or a ~",b.ndlion of fibers such as a blend of nylon and Iycra fibers
which provides the desired levels of adhesion and r~sialance to conLan,i"dlion. Typically at
least 50 percenl of the fibers are ~r"posed of fibers having about 2.22 to about 6.67 tex (a
5 denier (d) of from about 20 to about 60 d). The fabric also may have a basis weight of from
about 39.1 to about 391 grams per square meter (about 1.0 to about 10.0 ounces per square
yard).
In a particular embodiment of the present invention the fibrous taping panel 58 is a woven
lo ",ale,ial cor"~lising 100 percent nylon fibers having about 4.44 tex (a denier of about 40 d),
and which has a basis weight of about 82.1 grams per square meter (about 2.1 ounces per
square yard). For example the fibrous taping panel 58 may cGl"p,ise a woven or knitted
nylon material which is commercially available from Guilford Mills Inc. a business having
offices located in Greensboro North Carolina under the trade designdlion Style #30433 or
#18203.
When a nonwoven n,alenal is used for the fibrous taping panel 58 the fibrous taping panel
58 generally co",p(ises fibeK having about 0.167 to about 0.556 tex (a denier of from about
1.5 to about 5.0 d) and desi,dbly from about 0.278 to about 0.333 tex (about 2.5 to about 3.0
20 d) for improved pe,rol",ance. The nonwoven "~al~,ial may also have a basis weight of from
about 51 to about 102 grams per square meter and a density of from about 0.15 to about
0.40 grams per cubic cenli",eler. The nonwoven material may include any types of fibers
which provide the desired levels of adl,esion and rt:sislance to contamination. The fibers
may include both single cor"ponent and t~ ."ponent fibers. Sl~it~h'E single component
25 fibers include natural and/or synthetic fibers such as polyolefin fibers or nylon fibers.
Suitable t-~c."ponent hbers may include co",posile sheath/core type kicor"ponenl fibers
such as polyethyiene/polypropylene or polyethylene/nylon sheath/core fibers.
The sheath/core type t.. ~n,ponenl fibers of the nonwoven malelial may also have a sheath
to core ratio of at least about 50:50 and desirably at least about 80:20 by weight to provide
improved adhesion between the fibrous taping panel 58 and adhesive tape fasteners 54 and
56. For example the fibrous taping panel 58 may include ti~mponenl fibers of thesheath/core type having a nylon core and polyethylene sheath and a sheath to core ratio of
at least 80:20 to provide improved adhesion. Such a nonwoven ",alelial is commercially
available from Kimberiy-Clark Corp. a business having offices located in Roswell Georgia
under the trade desig"alion Pravek #011394-1.
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12
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous taping panel 58 may be a
meltblown nonwoven material cû,,,p,i:,i,,g polyethylene/polypropylene kicD",ponenl fibers
having about 0.306 tex (a denier of about 2.75 d) a sheath to core ratio of at least about
80:20, and which has a basis weight of 78.2 grams per square centimeter (2.0 ounces per
square yard). For example, the fibrous taping panel 58 may comp,ise a meltblown
nonwoven ",ale,ial which is commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Corp. under the
trade designalion Pravek#010594-1.
Typically many of the fibers used to provide the materials for the fibrous taping panel have a
finish which is applied in the fo""alion process. The ",ale,ials used to provide the fibrous
taping panel 58 may addi~iona 'y be treated or coated after the materials have been formed
to provide the desired level of adhesion and resistance to contamination. However, the use
of such a coating on the fibrous outer surface 62 of the fibrous taping panel 58 may
undesirably affect the softness flexibility and appearance of the disp~s-~ e absorbent
article. Thus in a particular cost effective embodiment, the fibrous outer surface 62 of the
fibrous taping panel 58 is not treated or coated after being formed. Such an uncoated outer
surface 62 is generally softer more flexible and more aesthetically pleasing than a coated
outer surface 62.
The fibrous taping panel 58 can be of any desired size and shape to provide the desired
adhesive tape fastening system. As representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5 the fibrous
taping panel 58 may be located on the longitudinal side pollions of the front section of the
outer cover 42 of the ~I;spos~hle diaper 40. In such a configuration the adhesive tape
fasleners 54 and 56 are located in the back section of the diaper 40 such that the faslenera
54 and 56 may be adhesively secured to the fibrous taping panel 58 to posilion the diaper 40
about the wearer. Altematively, the fibrous taping panel 58 and the adhesive tape faslel1e~
54 and 56 may be located on the back section and front section of the outer cover 42 of the
diaper 40, respectively. When the fibrous taping panel 58 is composed of an elaslul,,e,ic
",alelial, the fibrous taping panel 58 can also be positioned to provide either a front or back
elastic waistband to provide a better fit of the diaper 40 about the wearer.
The fibrous taping panel 58 may include a single sheet of ",ale,ial or multiple sheets of
material which are independently posilioned to allow for the adhesive secu~",enl of each
adhesive tape raslener 54 and 56. In the illustrated el"bodi",enl, the fibrous taping panel 58
includes a single sheet of ",alelial which has a length 64 and a width 66. Desirably, the
length 64 and width 66 of the fibrous taping panel 58 are sufficient to provide a large zone of
fastenability for the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 to adjust for the size of the wearer.
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For exd",ple, when a single sheet of ",aleiial is used for the fibrous taping panel 58, the
fibrous taping panel 58 may have a length 64 of at least about 7.5 cenli",etera and desi,ably
from about 12.5 to about 25 cenli",etera and a width 66 of at least about 2.5 centimeters and
desirably from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.
s
Desi,dbly, the fibrous taping panel 58 is configured to ade~u~tPly ,~,i"ror~e the outer cover
42 such that the n i"ror~ed cGIllposile of the fibrous taping panel 58 and the outer cover 42
can withstand the peeling removal of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 therefrom
without tearing. For exa" Fle, in a particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 has a
tensile sllenylll of at least about 220 Newtons (about 50.0 pounds-force), and desirably
within the range of from about 220 to about 378 Newtons (about 50.0 to about 85 pounds-
force) to reduce tearing. In addi~ion, the reinrorced composite of the fibrous taping panel 58
and outer cover 42 may be configured to have a cGillposile tensile alll:nylh of at least about
267 Newtons (about 60 pounds-force), and desirably within the range of from about 267 to
about 467 Newtons (about 60 to about 105 pounds-force) to reduce tearing.
The fibrous taping panel 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention is
configured to provide sufficient bonding with the adhesive tape rasleners 54 and 56 to
provide a secure and reliable fastening of the diaper 40 about the wearer. To provide the
desired level of adhesive secu,~",enl and reliability, the fibrous taping panel 58 of the
adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention must provide sufficient shear
sl~nyll, with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. As used herein the term "shear
al,engll," refers to the shear sl,engll, value determined according to the Dynamic Shear Test
as set forth below in connel,lion with the examples. The direction of shear of the adhesive
tape fasteners 54 and 56 from the fibrous taping panel 58 is that direction in which leosion is
generally exerted on the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 when the diaper 40 is in use.
This di,~.,lion is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the diaper 40 and in
the same plane of the diaper 40.
In a particular el"bocli",ent, the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a shear strength upon a first
fastening with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about
0.6 pounds-force), desirably at least about 3.56 Newtons (about 0.8 pounds-force) and more
~ desirably from about 4.45 to about 17.8 Newtons (about 1.0 to about 4.0 pounds-force).
3s Typically, after the first fastening to the fibrous taping panel 58, the adhesive tape raslenera
54 and 56 may be peelingly removed from and ~raslened to the fibrous taping panel 58 one
or more times to adjust the fit of the diaper 40 about the wearer and check the diaper 40 for
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14
soiling. Desir~bly the fibrous taping panel 58 provides sufficient shear sll~nglll with the
adhesive tape rdslenera 54 and 56 for multiple refastenings. For example it is desirable that
the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a shear slr~ngll, with the adhesive tape fasl~l)era 54
and 56 of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.6 pounds-force) and desirably at least about
5 3.56 Newtons (about 0.8 pounds-force) upon a third fastening. In a particular e",bodi",enL
the shear sl,~nglh between the fibrous taping panel 58 and the adhesive tape fasteners 54
and 56 upon the third fastening is at least about 50 percent and desirably at least about 80
per~enl of the shear sl,~ngll, upon the first fastening.
10 Typically convenlional ",ale,;als used to reinforce the outer cover 42 have not been resistant
to contamination by foreign suL.slances such as oils and powders resulting in undesirable
adhesive tape fastening systems. The fibrous taping panel 58 of the present invention is
desirably resistant to such contamination by foreign substances to provide improved
l.! -"ility. For example in a particular embodiment the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a
shear sl,~ngll, with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of at least about 1.78 Newtons
(about 0.40 pounds-force) and desirably at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.60 pounds-
force) in the presence of mineral oil as tested acco,di"g to the Conla",indliGn Resislance
Test set forth in connection with the Examples below. In a particular embodiment the shear
sl,t:ngll, between the fibrous taping panel 58 and the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 in
the pr~sence of mineral oil a~or~l;ng to the Contamination Resisla,-ce Test is at least about
50 percent and desirably at least about 80 percent of the shear strength upon the first
fastening accord;ng to the Dynamic Shear Test and in the absence of mineral oil.
The fibrous taping panel 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention
also provides a peel al,~:nyll, with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. As used herein
the term "peel strength" refers to the peel ~ nyll, value determined according to the Peel
St,~"gll, Test as set forth below in connection with the examples. The peel strength is
generally the peak load required to peelingly remove an adhesive tape fastener from a
substrate such as a di,pos~hle absorbent article. The direction of removal (peel) of the
adhesive tape fastener from the substrate is that direction in which the adhesive tape
fastenér would generally be removed from a substrate when the product is in use. This
direction is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the product.
In a particular er"boclimenl the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a peel strength with the
adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of from about 0.89 to about 5.34 Newtons (about 0.20 to
about 1.20 pounds-force) and desirably from about 2.22 to about 4.45 Newtons (about 0.50
to about 1.00 pounds-force). It is desirable that the fibrous taping panel 58 provide a high
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shear al,~ngtl) and ~de~u~te peel sl,~"yll, with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 to
maintain the absorbent article about the waist of the wearer while allowing an ease of
fastening and refastening without tearing. Accordingly, in anotl,er particular e",bodil"enl,
the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a shear sl,engll, with the adhesive tape ra:.l~ne,a 54
and 56 of at least about 4.45 Newtons (about 1.0 pounds-force) and a peel sl,t:nylh with the
adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of no more than about 3.56 Newtons (about 0.80pounds-force). Desirably, the peel strength is no more than about 75 percent, and desirably
no more than about 50 percent, of the shear sllt:rlglll to provide improved pe,ru""ance and
customer acceplance.
lû
Thus, the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention provides the desired level
of adl,esiol~ and r~faslenability while Illa;lllailling the flexibility, fit and appea,c"~ce of the
articles. In adclilion, the fibrous taping panel of the fastening system can provide sufficient
adhesion with the adhesive tape fasteners even when contaminated with foreign sul,~lances
such as powders and oils.
The following examr'es are given to provide a more detailed understanding of the present
invention. The particular materials, amounts, propo, lions and parameters are exemplary and
are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Exall r'es
Tensile Strenqth Test
This test procedure determines the peak tensile load, measured in pounds-force, of a
male~ial when only a portion of the sample ",aLe,ial width is centrally gripped by the testing
equipment.
Equipment
1. Tensile tester caF?'~le of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an apprup,iale load
cell. A s~ ''e tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester, cG."",er~ially
available from MTS Sintech, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade
desiyllaliGn Instron Model 5213 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance
Depd,l",ent) Software.
2. QAD software commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade desiy"ation
QAD Software.
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16
3. 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm (1 inch x 3 inch) lower jaw facing commercially available from
InstronCo,~ordlion Canton Massachuseffs.
4. 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm (1 inch x 1 inch) upper jaw facing commercially available from
Instron CG"uor~lion Canton M~ssAcl).Jsetts.
Test Procedure
1. The load cell is calibrated and the QAD software loaded.
2. The jaws are installed on the tensile tester.
3. The test conlliliGn for the tensile tester are set as follows:
Crosshead speed: 300 millimeters/minute
Full-scale load: 50 kilograms
Threshold: 3 percent
Fail c, ilel ion: 40 per~, ll
Gagelength: 76.2 mm (3 inches)
4. The weight of the jaws is tared out.
5. The ",dle,ial is cut to provide a sample having a width of 101.6 mm (4.0 inches) and a
length of 152.4 mm (6.0 inches).
6. The mal~iial is sy"""el,ically inserted into the jaws with the length being parallel to the
direction of the load a~p' ~tion.
7. The ~,usshead is started in motion.
8. The peak load of failure is recorded.
DYnamic Shear Test
2 5 This test procedure dele" "i. ,es the i"slanlaneous strength in terms of peak al, enyll "
measured in Newtons(pounds-force) ach;eved between an adhesive tape fastener and a
substrate such as a di~rQs.~.e absorbent article. The direction of shear of the adhesive
tape fastener from the substrate is that direction in which tension is generally exerted on the
adhesive tape fastener when the product is in use. This direction is generally perpendicular
3 o to a longitudinal centerline of the product.
EquiPment
1. Tensile tester capable of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an appr~priale load
cell. A suitable tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester commerciallyavailable from MTS Sintech Research Triangle Park North Carolina under the tradedesiynalion Instron Model 4201 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance
Department) Software.
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2. QAD surt~ ,e commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade desiyl,alion
QAD Software.
3. 621 kPa (90 pound per square inch) grips colllll,e,~,ially available from Instron
CGI~JOral;Un, Canton, Massa~,husetts, under the trade designalion "Grips Instron 2712
(90 psi), Instron 2712-003."
4. 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) grip faces, serrated, commercially available from Instron Cor~,ordliGn, Canton, A~ssAr.husetts.
5. Aluminum wei~llLs having a width of 25.4 mm (1.0 inch), a length of 38.1 mm (1.5
inches) and a thickness of 3.175 mm (0.125 inches).
6. Steel plates having a width of 50.8 mm (2.0 inches), a length of 127 mm (5.0 inches)
and a thickness of 1.27 mm (0.05 inches).
7. Double sided ",aski"g tape.
8. Transfer tape, 50.4 mm (2.0 inch) width, commercially available from the 3M CGr"pany
under the trade desig"alion #2-0300.
SamPle PI~Pa,alion
1. Place two pieces of double sided masking tape on a steel plate with 44.45 mm (1.75
2 5 inches) separdling their inner edges.
2. Attach a polyethylene strip having a width of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches), a length of 127 mm
(5.0 inches) and a thickness of 0.0318 mm (1.25 mils) to the tape on the steel plate.
3. Attach a 50.4 mm x 127 mm (2.0 inch x 5.0 inch) strip of the substrate ~I~ale~ial to be
tested to the polyethylene strip using the 50.4 mm (2.0 inch) width l,dnsrer tape.
4. Adhere strips of the adhesive tape to release paper and cut to a width of 19.05 mm
(0.75 inches).
5. Remove the adhesive tape from the release paper and attach a leader strip to one end
of the adhesive tape.
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18
6. Cut the adhesive tape 12.7 mm (0.50 inches) from the edge of the leader strip.
7. Place the adhesive tape onto the substrate ."aleriai adhesive side down without
pressure.
8. Place aluminum vJei~ weighing 31.43 grams on top of the adhesive tape for 10 seconds and remove.
10 Test Procedure
1. The load cell is caliL,raled and the QAD software loaded.
2. The grips are installed on the tensile tester with the serrated grip face being inserted
into the upper jaw of the tensile tester.
3. The test condilion for the tensile tester are set as follows:
Crosshead speed: 100 millimeters/minute
Full-scale load: 5 kilograms
Thrt:sl ,a'd: 5 percent
Fail c.il~-ion: 95 percent
Gage length: 127 mm (5 inches)
4. The weight of the clamp is tared out.
5. The leader strip is i. ,se, led into the upper jaw.
6. The bottom of the steel plate is inserted into the lower jaw.
7. The crosshead is started in motion.
8. The peak load of failure is recorded. It is intended that the mode of failure is that the
adhesive tape delaminates from the substrate material.
Peel Strenath Test
This test procedure determines the peak load, measured in Newtons(pounds-force), required
to peelingly remove an adhesive tape fastener from a substrate such as a disposable
absorbent article. The direction of removal (peel) of the adhesive tape fastener from the
substrate is that direction in which the adhesive tape fastener would generally be peelingly
removed from a substrate when in use. This direction is generally perpendicular to a
longitudinal centerline of the article.
EquiPment
1. Tensile tester car~h'Q of obtaining a peak load and eq~ipped with an appr~piiale load
cell. A suitable tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester, co""l,er~ially
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available from MTS Sintech, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade
desiy"ation Instron Model 4201 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance
Depa, ll "enl) Software.
2. QAD software commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade designation
QAD Software.
3. 621 kPa (90 pound per square inch) grips commercially available from Instron
CGj~Or~tjOn, Canton, Massachusetts, under the trade desig"alion "Grips Instron 2712
(90 psi), Instron 2712-003."
4. 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) grip faces, se"ated, commercially available from Instron,
Corporation, Canton, Massacl ,usetts.
15 SamPle P,~Pa~lion
1. Provide a polyethylene strip having a width of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches), a length of 127
mm (5.0 inches) and a thickness of 0.0318 mm (1.25 mils).
2. Attach a 50.4 mm x 127 mm (2.0 inch x 5.0 inch) strip of the su6sl,dle ",alerial to be
tested to the polyethylene strip using 50.4 mm (2.0 inch) wide 1, dnsrer tape.
3. Place the adhesive tape onto the substrate material adhesive side down without
pressure.
4. Place aluminum Wei!;JIll5 weighing 31.43 grams on top of the adhesive tape for 10
seconds and remove.
Test Procedure
1. The load cell is calil~,dLed and the QAD software loaded.
2. The grips are installed on the tensile tester with the serrated grip face being inserted
into the upper jaw of the tensile tester.
3. The test condilion for the tensile tester are set as follows:
- Crosshead speed: 500 mill;.nelers/minute
Full-scale load: 5 kilograms
Threshold: 5 percent
Fail ~,ile,ion: 95 per~enl
Gage length: 127 mm (5 inches)
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4. The weight of the clamp is tared out.
5. The fi"ge,lab of the adhesive fastening tape is inserted into the upper jaw such that
the edge of the grip face is flush with the edge of the adhesive fastening tape.6. The substrate of the test sample is inserted into the lower jaw such that the adhesive
tape fastener is posilioned parallel to the edge of the lower jaw. The lower jaw is
closed.
7. The crosshead is started in motion.
8. The peak load of failure is recorded. It is intended that the mode of failure is that the
adhesive tape fastener delaminates from the substrate.
Contamination Resislance Test
This test procedure determines the sllenglll in terms of peak strength measured in Newtons
(pounds-force) achieved between an adhesive tape fastener and a substrate such as a
di;.posable absorbent article when the substrate has been partially coated with a foreign
sul,slance. The direction of shear of the adhesive tape fastener from the substrate is that
direction in which tension is generally exerted on the adhesive tape fastener when the
product is in use. This direction is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the
product.
SamPle Pl~Pa~ Gn
1. Place a drop of mineral oil on the substrate using a medicine dropper.
2. Place the adhesive tape fastener on the substrate such that one-half of the drop of
mineral oil is covered by the adhesive tape fastener.
3. Place aluminum v.~igl,ls weigl,ing 31.43 grams on top of the adhesive tape for 10
seconds and remove.
The samples are then s~ ~hjectPd to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above.
ExamPle 1
Ten sa",~'es of a specific adhesive tape raslener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive
tape fastening system according to the presenl invention were pr~pa,t:d. With r~:ference to
Figs. 1 and 2 the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was
35 commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co. a business having offices in AllendG,r
Germany under the trade designalion BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 cGi"p.ised a
woven material which co",pnsed 100 percent nylon fibers having 4.44 tex (a denier of 40 d).
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The woven male,ial was commercially available from Guilford Mills, Inc., a business having
offices located in Gr~ensborù North Carolina under the trade designalion Style #30433.
The woven ,nale,ial also had a basis weight of 82.1 grams per square meter (2.16 ounces
per square yard) and had 15.9 courses per centimeter (40.5 courses per inch) and 15.9
wales per centimeter (40.5 wales per inch). The woven ",ale,ial also had a tensile al,engll,
of 247 Newtons (55.6 pounds-force).
The samples of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener were then subjected to
the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fasteners were applied to
the techn-~-' face of the material used to provide the fibrous taping panel. As used herein,
the phrase "technical face" refers to the front or shiny side of the ",aterial as is well known to
those skilled in the art. As used herein the phrase "technical back" refers to the side of the
",ale~ial opposile the technical face. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel
had a mean shear allenylll of 6.4 Newtons (1.44 pounds-force). Three sa" ~'es were then
subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous
taping panel had a mean shear all~llylh of 3.9 Newtons (0.87 pounds-force), and 3.0
Newtons (0.67 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests respectively.
Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then s~jected to the Peel Sll~ngll, Test
as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from
the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul Minnesota under the trade
desig"alion KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners were again applied to the techn:~-' face
of the ",alelial used to provide the fibrous taping panel. The adhesive tape fastener and
fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 2.34 Newtons (0.53 pounds-force). The
results are t~h~ t~d in Tables 1 and 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig.
6.
ExamPle 2
Six sa",pl~s of a specific adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive
tape rasler,;.,y system according to the present invention were pr~pa,t:d. With ~erer~nce to
Figs. 1 and 2 the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was
commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co. a business having offices in AllendG,r
Germany under the trade desiyllalion BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 co",p,ised a
woven ",al~lial which comprised 92 percent nylon fibers having 2.22 tex (a denier of 20 d)
and 8 percent Iycra fibers having 7.778 tex (a denier of 70 d). The woven ",alelial was
cofi"~er~ially available from Guilford Millâ, Inc., a business having offices located in
Greensboru, North Carolina, under the trade desig"alion Style #56507. The woven r"alerial
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also had a basis weight of 127.1 grams per square meter (3.75 ounces per square yard) and
had 15.9 courses per cenli",eter (40.5 courses per inch) and 15.9 wales per centimeter (40.5
wales per inch). The woven ",alerial also had a tensile strength of 368 Newtons (82.6
pounds-force).
The sa",,~'es of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener were then s~ ~jected to
the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener was applied to the
lechn:--' back of the ",ale~ial used to provide the fibrous taping panel. The adhesive tape
fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 2.8 Newtons (0.63 pounds-
force). Three sa",p ~s were then su~jected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The
adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 2.5 Newtons
(0.57 pounds-force) and 2.5 Newtons (0.56 pounds-force) upon the second and third
Dynamic Shear Tests respectively.
Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then subjected to the Peel Strength Test
as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from
the 3M Company a business having offices in St. Paul Minnesota under the trade
designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners were again applied to the lechnic-' back
of the ",ale,ial used to provide the fibrous taping panel. The adhesive tape fastener and
fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 0.98 Newtons (0.22 pounds-force). The
results are tabulated in Tables 1 and 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig.
6.
Example 3
Six samples of a specific adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive
tape ra~len;ng system accordi.,g to the present invention were prepared. With reference to
Figs. 1 and 2 the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was
commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co. a business having offices in Allendo,r
Germany under the trade designalion BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 col"pnsed a
tricot knit material which cor"plised 21 percent nylon fibers having 7.778 tex (a denier of 70
d) and 79 percent nylon fibers having 15 556 tex (a denier of 140 d). The knit l"alerial was
cor"",er~idlly available from Guilford Mills Inc. a business having offices located in
Greensboro North Carolina under the trade designalion Style #18203. The knit n,al~,ial
also had a basis weight of 270.9 grams per square meter (7.99 ounces per square yard) and
had 25.6 courses per centimeter (65 courses per inch) and 16.9 wales per cenli",eter (43
wales per inch). The knit material also had a tensile strength of 328 Newtons (73.7 pounds-
force).
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23
The samples of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape raslener were then subjected to
the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping
panel had a mean shear sl,enylh of 4.58 Newtons (1.03 pounds-force). Three samples were
then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and
fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 4.4 Newtons (0.99 pounds-force), and 4.2
Newtons (0.94 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests, respectively.
Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel 58 were then s~ jected to the Peel St,angll
Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was co""neroially available
from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade
desiynalion KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel
:,llt llglh of 3.0 Newtons (0.68 pounds-force). The results are t~h~ ted in Tables 1 and 2.
The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.
ExamPle 4
Six sam~les of a specific adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive
tape fastening system according to the present invention were prepared. With ~rerence to
Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was
co"""er.,ially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf,
Germany, under the trade desiyndlion BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 compiised a
meltblown nonwoven male,ial which cG",prised bicomponent fibers having 4.75 tex (a denier
of 2.75 d). The b ~D",ponent fibers comprised a polyethylene sheath and nylon core having
a sheath to core ratio of 90:10 by weight. The nonwoven ",alt:rial was commercially
available from Kimberly-Clark Corp., a business having offices located in Roswell, Georgia,
under the trade designation Pravek #011394-1. The nonwoven male,ial also had a basis
weight of 67.8 grams per square meter (2.0 ounces per square yard) and a density of 0.375
grams per cubic ce"li",eter. The meltblown nonwoven ",al~,ial also had a tensile sl,~r,glh of
89 Newtons (20 pounds-force).
The samples of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener 54, 56 were then
subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape faslener and
fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 5.9 Newtons (1.32 pounds-force). Three
sa" rles were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape
fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 5.6 Newtons (1.25 pounds-
force), and 3.5 Newtons (0.79 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear
Tests, respectively.
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24
Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then s~ ~hJec~d to the Peel Strength Test
as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commer~ially available from
the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade
designalion KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel
al,~ngll, of 4.4 Newtons (0.99 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Tables 1 and 2.
The shear sl,engll, results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.
ExamPle 5
Three sa",r'es of each of the adhesive tape fasteners 54, 56; 20 and the dirrer~nl fibrous
taping panels 24; 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system acco,.ling to Exd"lr'es 1, 2, 3
and 4 were prepared. Each fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener sample was
then subjected to the Contamination Resialance Test as described above. The adhesive
tape fastener and fibrous taping panel accord;,)g to Example 1 had a mean shear strength of
about 3.3 Newtons (0.74 pounds-force). The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping
panel accordi"g to Example 2 had a mean shear sl,enyli, of about 1.4 Newtons (0.31
pounds-force). The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel according to Example 3
had a mean shear sl,~"gll, of about 3.6 Newtons (0.82 pounds-force). The adhesive tape
fastener and fibrous taping panel according to Example 4 had a mean shear sl,enyll, of
about 4.4 Newtons (0.98 pounds-force). The results are also t~h~ ted in Table 3 along with
the percent of the original shear strength for each malerial when tested without the presence
of the mineral oil.
ExamPle 6
100 medium size diapers, similar to Huggies~) Ultratrim diapers which are commercially
available from Kimberly-Clark Co,~ordlion and suitable for an infant weighing about 5.9-10.4
kg (about 13-23 Ibs.), co",p,isi"g a 0.0318 mm (1.25 mil) thick outer cover col"posed of
polyethylene film, an absorbent core, and a bodyside liner composed of a sp~",bonded
",ale~ial were prepared. With reference to Figs. 3-6, the diaper 40 included the fibrous
taping panel 58 as described in Example 1. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were
those commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul,
Minnesota, under the trade desiy"alion KR3233. The adhesive tape fasleners 54 and 56
were adhesively attached to the longitudinal side po,lions of the diaper 40 in the back
section of the diaper. The fibrous taping panel 58 had a width 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches)
and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5 inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front
portion of the diaper 40 using a piece of double sided l,d"srer tape having the same
dimensions as the taping panel 58. The double sided transfer tape was that cor"r"er~,ially
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available from the 3M Company under the trade designdlion #2-0300. The outer cover 42
had a tensile slr~nyll, of 37.8 Newtons (8.50 pounds-force). The rei"rorced cGr"posile of the
fibrous taping panel 48 and outer cover 42 had a co",posile tensile ~llenyll, of 289 Newtons
(64.9 pounds-force).
The san,F'es of the diaper were then placed on 20 dirrer~nl infants to measure the ability of
the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours. 3.4
per~enl of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became delaminated from
the fibrous taping panel during use. In the Exan,rles, i"slances of delamination due to the
alldcl,r"ent of one adhesive tape fastener onto the other instead of being attached to the
fibrous taping panel were not included.
Example 7
100 medium size diapers similar to those described in Example 6 were prepa,~d. With
lS reference to Figs. 3-6, the diaper 40 included the fibrous taping panel 58 as described in
Example 2. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were those commercially available from
the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade
designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were adhesively attached to
the longitudinal side po,lions of the diaper 40 in the back section of the diaper. The fibrous
taping panel 58 had a ~,vidth 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches) and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5
inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front portion of the diaper 40 using a piece
of double sided transfer tape having the same dimensions as the taping panel 58. The
double sided transfer tape was that commercially available from the 3M Company under the
trade designalion #2-0300. The r~;nroroed cor"posile of the fibrous taping panel 48 and
outer cover 42 had a composile tensile sl,er,gll, of 423 Newtons (95.1 pounds-force).
The samples of the diaper were then placed on 20 different infants to measure the ability of
the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours.
45.76 percent of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became delaminated
30 from the fibrous taping panel during use.
ExamPle 8
100 medium size diapers similar to those described in Example 6 were prepared. With
rererence to Figs. 3-6, the diaper 40 included the fibrous taping panel 58 as described in
3s Example 3. The adhesive tape raslener:, 54 and 56 were those co",mer~ially available from
the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade
designalion KR3233. The adhesive tape ra~leners 54 and 56 were adhesively allached to
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the longitudinal side po,tiGns of the diaper 40 in the back section of the diaper. The fibrous
taping panel 58 had a width 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches) and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5
inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front portion of the diaper 40 using a piece
of double sided l,dnsrer tape having the same dimensions as the taping panel 58. The
double sided l,dnsrer tape was that commercially available from the 3M CGr"pany under the
trade desiy"alion #2-0300. The r~i ,ror~ed composite of the fibrous taping panel 48 and
outer cover 42 had a cG",posiLe tensile slrengll, of 359 Newtons (80.7 pounds-force).
The sa" ~les of the diaper were then placed on 20 different infants to measure the ability of
the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours.
16.01 per~ent of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became dela",i"aled
from the fibrous taping panel during use.
Example 9
100 medium size diapers similar to those described in Example 6 were prepared. With
reference to Figs. 3-6 the diaper 40 included the fibrous taping panel 58 as described in
Example 4. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were those commercially available from
the 3M Company a business having offices in St. Paul Minnesota under the trade
designalion KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were adhesively attached to
the longitudinal side pol lions of the diaper 40 in the back section of the diaper. The fibrous
taping panel 58 had a width 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches) and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5
inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front portion of the diaper 40 using a piece
of double sided l,ansrer tape having the same dimensions as the taping panel 58. The
double sided l,dnsrer tape was that commercially available from the 3M Company under the
trade designation #2-0300.
.The sa",~'es of the diaper were then placed on 20 different infants to measure the ability of
the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours.
7.14 percent of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became delaminated
30 from the fibrous taping panel during use.
Col"Pa~ali~/e ExamPle 1
The shear strength and peel sl,enyll, of the adhesive tape fasteners with a dirrt r~l material
was then determined for co",pa,dlive purposes. With rererence to Figs. 1 and 2 the
35 adhesive tape raslener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available
from Koester GmbH & Co. a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany under the trade
designalion BF334.
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The ",aleiial cor"p,ised the outer cover material which was being used on Huggies~
Supreme diapers which were commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Ca",uordlion. The
",alefial was a fibrous nonwoven ",alerial which had polypropylene fibers having 0.333 tex
(a denier of 3.0 d). The fibrous nonwoven ,nalerial had a basis weight of 23.7 grams per
square meter and a density of 0.240 grams per cubic centimeter. The fibrous nonwoven
male, ial also had a tensile sl~ngll) of 52.27 Newtons (11.75 pounds-force).
Three sa",ples of the fibrous nonwoven material and adhesive tape fastener 54 56; 20 were
then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape rastener
and fibrous nonwoven material had a mean shear strength of 3.9 Newtons (0.88 pounds-
force). The same samples were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times.
The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous nonwoven ",ale~ial had a mean shear strength of 2.8
Newtons (0.62 pounds-force) and 2.5 Newtons (0.56 pounds-force) upon the second and
thirdDynamicShearTests respectively.
Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel 58; 24 were then subjected to the Peel
Stlellylll Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially
available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, h1innesola, under the
trade desiynalion KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a
mean peel sl,~nyll, of 3.2 Newtons (0.72 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Table
2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.
Coml~ardlive ExamPle 2
The shear sl,e,,ylll and peel sl,~:nyll, of adhesive tape fasteners 54 56; 20 with anoll,er
",ale,ial was then determined for comparative purposes. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2
the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially
available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in All~l IdOl r, Germany, under
the trade designalion BF33-4.
The ",alelial col"p,ised the outer cover material which was being used on Hug~,;es~
Ultratrim diapers which were commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Co,~ordlion. The
~ ",alerial was a polyethylene film r"alerial which had a thickness of 0.0318 mm (1.25 mils).
The film ",alerial was col""~er~ially available from Consali~terl Thel."opl~sli~s Inc. a
business having offices in Dallas, Texas, under the trade desiy,)aliol1 XEM432.0-65. The
film material also had a basis weight of 30.2 grams per square meter and a density of 0.95
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28
grams per cubic centimeter. The film material also had a tensile strength of 37.8 Newtons
(8.50 pounds-force).
Three samples of the film material and adhesive tape fastener 54 56; 20 were then
subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape raslener and
film ",ale~ial had a mean shear strength of 7.0 Newtons (1.58 pounds-force). The same
adhesive tape fastener and male,ial were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more
times. The adhesive tape fastener and film material had a mean shear sl,engtl, of 4.8
Newtons (1.08 pounds-force) and 4.1 Newtons (0.92 pounds-force) upon the second and
third Dynamic Shear Tests respectively.
Five samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then subjected to the Peel St,e"gll, Test
as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from
the 3M Company a business having offices in St. Paul Minnesota under the trade
desig"alion KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel
slr~nyll. of 11.4 Newtons (2.57 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Table 2. The
shear sl,engll, results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.
CGr",~ardli~e ExamPle 3
Three sar.,r es of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 56; 20 and ",alelial according to
Co",pa~dli~/e Example 1 were pr~pa"~d. Each sample was then subjected to the
Contamination Resislance Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous
nonwoven ",ale,ial according to Comparative Example 1 had a mean shear strength of 2.1
Newtons (0.47 pounds-force) under the Contamination Resislance Test. The results are
t,ihl-l ted in Table 3.
CGrllPaldli~/e ExamPle 4
Three samples of the adhesive tape fasteners and material according to Col"pa~ali~e
Example 2 were prepared. Each sample was then su~j~cted to the Conla" "i"alion
Resislance Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and polyethylene film
~"ale~ial accGrd,;.,g to Comparative Example 2 had a mean shear strength of 1.4 Newtons
(0.32 pounds-force) under the Contamination Resislance Test. The results are t-~hul-ted in
Table 3.
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.Table 1
Mean Shear Strerlyll, Mean Peel St~enylh
(N (pounds-force)) (N (pounds-force))
Ex.1 6.4 (1.44) 2.4 (0.53)
Ex. 2 2.8 (0.63) 1.0 (0.22)
Ex. 3 4.6 (1.03) 3.0 (0.68)
Ex. 4 5.9 (1.32) 4.4 (0.99)
Comp. Ex.1 3.9 (0.88) 3.2 (0.72)
Comp. Ex. 2 7.0 (1.58) 11.4 (2.57)
Table 2
Mean Shear Strength (N (pounds-force))
1st fastening 2nd fastening 3rd fastening
Ex. 1 6.4 (1.44) 3.9 (0.87) 3.0 (0.67)
Ex. 2 2.8 (0.63) 2.5 (0.57) 2.5 (0.56)
Ex. 3 4.6 (1.03) 4.4 (0.99) 4.2 (0.94)
Ex. 4 5.9 (1.32) 5.6 (1-25) 3.5 (0.79)
Comp. Ex. 1 3.9 (0.88) 2.8 (0.62) 2.4 (0.54)
Comp. Ex. 2 7.0 (1.58) 4.8 (1-08) 4.1 (0.92)
Table 3
CGnlami"dlion Resislance
Shear St, engtl,
30(N (pounds-force)) % of Original Shear
Ex. 1 3.3 (0.74) 51%
Ex. 2 1.4 (0.31) 49%
Ex. 3 3.6 (0.82) 80%
Ex. 4 4.5 (0.98) 74%
Comp. Ex. 3 2.1 (0.47) 53%
Comp. Ex. 4 1.4 (0.32) 20%
The exar"~ es representatively illustrate the fibrous taping panel 24; 58 of the adhesive tape
40 fastening system accor~Jing to the pr~senl invention can advantageously provide sufficient
shear strength with an adhesive tape fastener to reliably maintain an absorbent article about
the waist of a wearer without concurrently having an undesirably high peel strength.
Moreover the fibrous taping panel of the present invention reinforces the outer cover of the
absorbent article such that it can withstand the peeling removal of an adhesive tape fastener
without adversely affecting the flexibility or appearance of the article.
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The eAd" Fles further illustrate that the fibrous taping panel 24; 58 of the pr~senl invention
also provides sufficient shear strength even when it has been contaminated by a foreign
suLslance. The percenlage re~uction in shear strength in the presence of the foreign
s~ la"ce is much less when using the fibrous taping panel of the present invention as
5 co",pa,~d to convenlional polymeric film rbinror~ement maleiials.
While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific aspects thereof, it
will be apprecialed that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the
ror~go.ng, may readily conceive of alLercllions to, varialions of, and equivalents to these
lo ~spe~c Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be a-ssessed as that of the
appended claims and any equivalents thereto.
