Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BRIEF WITh IMPROVED DUAL FASTENING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fastening systems for disposable incontinence
garments,
and more particularly) to a dual fastening system for such disposable garments
that
provide better fit and improved leakage results.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Disposable garments are generally well known in the art and have become an
important and an essentially indispensable sanitary protection item, most
particularly in
the field of infant, child, and adult care where disposable garments, such as
diapers or
other similar garments for incontinent persons, provide for the absorption and
containment of urine and other body exudates. Present commercially available
disposable garments are generally unitary, pre-shaped and pre-folded, and
comprised of
a porous (liquid permeable) facing layer, a liquid impervious backsheet layer
with an
absorbent material disposed therebetween. These presently available disposable
garments have met a particular need and have become ever increasingly popular.
However, even though the presently available disposable incontinence garments
are efficient and effective, the garments have several drawbacks that have
been
identified by both individuals wearing the garments) referred to as users in
this
application, and caregivers who assist in placing the garments on other
individuals. The
users and caregivers have strongly voiced their desire to be able to obtain
disposable
incontinence garments that are aesthetically neat and attractive when in use.
The
aesthetically neat criteria have been identified as including a trim, slim
fit, and a neat
fitting waist, sides, and legs that do not allow leakage of urine or feces. It
has also been
found undesirable for the garments to look rumpled, bulky) or messy when the
garment is
in use. The garments would also preferably appear more pant-like or underwear
like,
thereby providing feelings of normalcy and dignity for the users. In addition,
users and
caregivers have expressed a desire to either have a disposable garment that
fits more
sizes of individuals or to have disposable garments provided in a wider range
of sizes.
Another drawback identified by users and caregivers has been the problem
associated with skin irritation caused by urine, feces, or moisture trapped
next to the skin.
They have again been very vocal in their desire to obtain disposable garments
that avoid
or solve this problem.
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Another major drawback is associated with the methods provided to secure the
garment around the user. The method most utilized in present commercially
available
disposable garments is the plastic sealable tape. Initially, the fastening
tapes introduced
on disposable diapers were not resealable, which meant that when an individual
wished
to check the garment for wetness or to adjust the fit, the tapes could not be
resealed.
This, in tum, meant that the garment, if not ready to be changed, would have
to be
thrown away. Presently, disposable garments use tapes that are manufactured to
be
resealable. The users and caregivers have indicated that they want disposable
garments
that have fasteners that are always resealable and that are not easily
unfastened by
contact with clothing, or during usual movement or wear. It has been found
that some of
the fasteners currently being used on commercial products are subject to
contamination
by powders, oils, and other substances which prevent the fasteners from
resealing, or in
the worst case, prevent the fasteners from sealing upon initial use. The
attempt to
provide fastening tapes that are always resealable has caused some
manufacturers to
utilize stronger adhesives on the fastening tapes. Unfortunately, however, the
stronger
adhesives have a tendency to tear the outer cover, also referred to as the
backsheet
layer, of the garment which may also cause the garment to be unusable.
Furthermore, the fastening tapes used on present disposable garments can also
have a detrimental effect upon the fit of the garment. Because the fastening
tapes are
typically made to be sealable on any portion of the outer cover or backsheet
layer of the
garment, and there is no indication to users and caregivers where the
fastening tapes
should be sealed, the fastening tapes are very often sealed to the outer cover
of the
garment at the wrong position which has several detrimental effects. First,
the garment
does not fit on the user properly, for example) if too loose, the garment
falls down or
droops at the waist, or if too tight, causes strain in the outer cover of the
garment which
can make the user uncomfortable. Second, the improper positioning of the
fastening
tapes can cause the Leg openings to gap thus causing leakage. Third, the
improper
positioning of the fastening tapes can cause the sides of the garment to gap
thus
causing leakage.
Still, other means for securing the garment around the individual includes
mechanical type fasteners. These include buttons, button holes) snaps,
buckles, clasps,
hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs) and the like which are designed or
adapted to
interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover of
the
garment. In addition, elasticized fasteners are also used in assuring better
fit of such
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garments. However, some of these fasteners can be difficult to attach and some
are not
very discrete under clothing.
In addition, the use of a fastening system wherein three pairs of fasteners,
also
referred to as securement members, secure the garment around the user can be
cumbersome for both users and caregivers. However, dual fastening systems)
systems
using two pairs of fasteners, can have a detrimental effect upon the fit of
the garment.
The sides of the garments using such a dual fastening system develop gaps
between the
two fasteners on each side, resulting in a rumpled appearance that may not be
hidden
under clothing as well as increased potential for leakage.
The attempts to solve the drawbacks associated with present disposable
garments have extended over several years and include several different
methods. One
method to improve fit involves geometrical folding of the rectangular diapers
for the
purpose of narrowing the apparent width in the crotch area. One example of
this method
includes a rectangular garment, a diaper, provided with parallel longitudinal
folded box
pleats and a loose overlying flap along each side. Another method discloses a
rectangular garment) a diaper, including triangular-shaped infolds in the
crotch area.
These two methods permit the garment to be more easily fitted to the user,
however) problem areas remain. First, the pre-folded rectangular garment
results in
increased bulk between the legs causing discomfort to the user. Second, the
non-
conforming bulk prevents the garment from closely conforming to the legs
leaving gaps
which permit teaks to occur. Third, the non-conforming sides tend to pull the
waist down
at the sides thereby causing the garment to gap at the front of the waist
where leaks can
also occur. Third, the gapping at the front waist contributes to making the
garment
appear bulky, sloppy, and messy.
To solve the resulting problems associated with the non-conforming bulk
between
the legs, different methods, including reducing the width of the absorbent pad
in the
crotch area, were tried. However, because the materials used in constructing
disposable
garments are relatively non-conformable, a close fit around the thighs is
difficult to
achieve and undesirable gaps still have a tendency to occur. In addition, the
reduced
width of the absorbent pad reduces the available absorbent capacity which also
further
increases the potential for leakage. In an attempt to reduce leakage, one
method
discloses a garment, a diaper wherein the edges of the garment include
elasticized,
flexible flaps between the elasticized line and the edge of the absorbent pad
in the
crotch.
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Again, an attempt to s~ive one problem results in the emergence of another
problem. Elasticized flaps provide a tight seal to the thighs because the
tensioned elastic
presses the easily deformable flaps into close contact with the legs. However,
the tight
seal at the thighs can have several causal effects. First) the tight seal can
cause urine to
collect near the edges of the garment which can permeate into the area between
the flap
and the skin where it can cause skin irritation. Second, because it is
necessary to reduce
the absorbent pad width in order to provide the required flap width) the
remaining
absorbent becomes excessively wet and leaks can still occur. Third, when the
reduced
width of the absorbent becomes excessively wet, it tends to separate and bunch
up at
the bottom of the crotch of the garment thus hindering fluid transfer to
unused portions of
the absorbent pad.
To solve the problems associated with elasticized flaps a new and improved
disposable garment has been disclosed in which the garment, a diaper, is
elasticized
only along the edges in a narrowed crotch area in a manner to give a more
conformable
leg fit as well as improved functional absorbent capacity. This is achieved by
attaching
the elastic immediately adjacent to the edges of the absorbent pad and also
bonding the
absorbent pad to contract when the elastic contracts thus producing gross
transverse
rugosities, inter alia, in the crotch area. These gross transverse rugosities
increase the
effective absorbent capacity of the absorbent pad by decreasing the tendency
of the
absorbent to separate and increasing the wicking characteristics of the
absorbent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In response to the failure of the art to recognize the above-referenced
problems
or suggest a completely satisfactory solution thereto, a new absorbent article
has been
developed. The absorbent article includes a garment with a dual fastening
system
wherein the fastening system securement members on each side of the garment
are
separated by a distance of less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm). The
garment is
preferably a disposable incontinence garment.
in one aspect) the invention relates to an absorbent article) such as a
disposable
incontinence garment, including a dual fastening system. The absorbent article
has a
first end, a first waistband section contiguous with the first end, a second
end, a second
waistband section contiguous with the second end, an intermediate section
which
interconnects waistband sections, and longitudinal sides extending between the
first and
second ends. The absorbent article comprises a backsheet layer; a liquid
permeable
topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer; an
absorbent
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assembly interposed between the backsheet and topsheet layers; and, a dual
fastening
system. The dual fastening system provides side closures for the absorbent
article.
The dual fastening system includes two independent securement members
placed adjacent each of the longitudinal edges in the first waist section. The
securement
members on each side of the article are separated by a distance of less than
about 2.5
inches (about 6.3 cm). At least one of the securement members is adapted to
engage
the backsheet layer of the second waistband section. At least one of the
securement
members includes a tab member having a fixed portion joined to the backsheet
layer, a
tab portion extending outwardly from the adjacent longitudinal edge and joined
to the
fixed portion, and a first fastening component placed on the tab portion. The
securement
members are distinct members which do not depend on or from other securement
members and do not have a common fixed portion, tab member, tab portion, or
first
fastening component. Each securement member functions independently from the
other
securement members. In one embodiment, at least one of the first fastening
components include an adhesive attachment layer for adhesively securing the
tab portion
to the outer surface of the backsheet layer. In an alternative embodiment, the
first
fastening components may include a first mechanical closure element that is
adapted to
engage the outer surface of the backsheet layer.
In another aspect, the invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a
disposable incontinence garment, including a dual fastening system. The
absorbent
article has a first end, a first waistband section contiguous with the first
end, a second
end, a second waistband section contiguous with the second end, an
intermediate
section which interconnects the waistband sections, and longitudinal sides
extending
between the first and second ends. The absorbent article comprises a backsheet
layer;
a liquid permeable topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the
backsheet layer;
an absorbent assembly interposed between the backsheet layer and the topsheet
layers;
and, the dual fastening system. The dual fastening system provides a side
closure for
the absorbent article by maintaining the first waistband section and the
second waistband
section in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tension is
maintained around the
absorbent article for securing the absorbent article on a user.
The dual fastening system includes two independent securement members
placed adjacent each of the longitudinal edges in the first waist section. The
securement
members on each side of the article are separated by a distance of less than
about 2.5
inches (about 6.3 cm). The dual fastening system also includes at least one
landing
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member located in the secona waist region. The landing member serves as a
target
attachment zone for the securement members.
The securement members each include a tab member having a fixed portion
joined to the backsheet layer, a tab portion extending outwardly from the
longitudinal
edge and joined to the fixed portion, and a first fastening component located
on the tab
portion. At least one of the first fastening components include an adhesive
attachment
layer for adhesively securing the tab portion to the landing member or a first
mechanical
closure element that attaches to a second fastening component located on the
landing
member. In the later case, the second fastening component has a second
mechanical
closure element that mechanically engages the first mechanical closure
element.
While major differences in anatomy and body proportions exist between adults
and children (including infants) which typically render simply scaled down
versions of
adult disposable garments for child wear impossible, the present invention, a
dual
fastening system, can be applied to child and infant disposable garments, such
as
diapers.
Numerous features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the
following description. In the description, reference is made to the
accompanying
drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. Such
embodiments do
not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be
made to the
claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the absorbent article of the present invention)
in flat
fully extended form, as viewed from the body side, with certain portions
broken away to
better illustrate the various layers and component elements of the article.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1 but with reduced ears showing
placement of the securement members on the reduced ears.
FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the absorbent article of the present invention as
wom by
a user.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the securement member adjacent a longitudinal
side, shown bonded to a portion of the ear of a waistband section of the
article.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to F1G. 4, shown with a reduced ear.
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DEFINITIONS
Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below will
include the
following meaning or meanings:
(a) "bonded" refers to the joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, or the
like) of
two elements. Two elements will be considered to be bonded together when
they are bonded directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as
when each is directly bonded to intermediate elements.
(b) "disposable" includes being disposed of after use, and not intended to be
washed and reused.
(c) "disposed," "disposed on," "disposed with," "disposed at," "disposed
near,"
and variations thereof are intended to mean that one element can be integral
with another element, or that one element can be a separate structure bonded
to or placed with or placed near another element.
(d) "elastic," "elasticized," and "elasticity" mean that property of a
material by
virtue of which it tends to recover its original size and shape after removal
of a
force causing a deformation.
(e) "layer" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single
element or a plurality of elements.
(f) "liquid impermeable" when used to describe a layer or laminate means that
urine will not pass through the layer or laminate under ordinary use
conditions
in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate
at
the point of liquid contact.
(g) "member" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single
element or a plurality of elements.
(h) "permeable" and "permeability" refer to the ability of a fluid, such as,
for
example, a gas to pass through a particular porous material. Permeability
may be expressed in units of volume per unit time per unit area, for example,
cubic feet per minutelper square foot of material (e.g., ft3/minute/ft2).
(i) "releasably attached," "releasably bonded," °releasably engaged,"
and
variations thereof refer to two elements being connected or connectable such
that the elements tend to remain connected absent a separation force applied
to one or both of the elements, and the elements being capable of separation
without substantial permanent deformation or rupture. The required
separation force is typically beyond that encountered while wearing the
absorbent garment.
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(j) "operatively joined," "elastically associated," and "associated with" with
reference to the attachment of an elastic member to another element means
that the elastic member when attached to or placed with or formed from the
element gives that element elastic properties. With reference to the
attachment of a non-elastic member to another element, it means that the
member and element can be attached or placed together in any suitable
manner that allows or permits them to perform their intended or described
function, while not completely inhibiting the properties of the individual
elements. The attaching or placing can be either directly, such as attaching
or
placing either member directly with an element) or can be indirectly by means
of another member of element disposed between the first member and the
first element.
(k) "outward" and "inward" refer to the positions relative to the center of an
absorbent garment, and particularly transversely and/or longitudinally closer
to
or away from the longitudinal and transverse center of the absorbent garment.
These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portion
of
the specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Figs. 1 - 3, an absorbent article 20 according to the
present
invention, such as a disposable incontinence garment 22, is secured about the
body of a
user 24 with a dual fastening system 26. The garment 22 is shown for purposes
of
illustration as an adult disposable incontinence product. Other types of
garments, for
example diapers, health care garments, or the like, can also be used. The
garment 22
has opposite major surfaces designated inner surface 30 and outer surface 32
(Fig. 1 ).
The garment 22 includes a first end 34, an opposite second end 36, and
longitudinal
sides 38 extending between the first and second ends 34 and 36.
The inner surface 30 of the garment 22 comprises that portion of the garment
22
which is intended to be positioned adjacent to the user's body 24 during use.
The inner
surface 30 typically includes at least a portion of the topsheet layer 80 and
other
components attached to the topsheet layer 80. The outer surtace 32 of the
garment 22
comprises that portion of the garment 22 which is positioned away from the
user's body
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24 during use. The outer surface 32 typically includes at least a portion of
the backsheet
layer 78 and other components attached to the backsheet layer 78.
The garment 22 defines a first waistband section 40 contiguous with the first
end
34 and extending inwardly therefrom, and an opposite second waistband section
42
contiguous with the second end 36 and extending inwardly therefrom. An
intermediate
section 44 is located between and interconnects the first and second waistband
sections
40 and 42. When the garment 22 is placed about a user 24 as illustrated in
Fig. 3, the
intermediate section 44 is generally the portion of the garment 22 located in
the crotch
region of the user 24.
The first and second waistband sections 40 and 42 each comprise a central
region 46 and a pair of ears which typically comprise the outer lateral
portions of the first
and second waistband sections 40 and 42. The ears of the first waistband
section 40 are
designated as 48 and the ears of the second waistband section 42 are
designated as 50.
The ears 48 and 50 may be operatively joined or associated with an elastic
member 72.
The dual fastening system 26 comprises two independent securement members
28 disposed adjacent to each of the longitudinal sides 38 in the first
waistband section
40 and having a separation distance 68 of preferably less than about 2.5
inches (about
6.3 cm), more preferably less than about 2.0 inches (about 5.0 cm), and most
preferably
less than about 1.75 inches (about 4.4 cm). Each securement member 28 is
adapted to
engage the outer surface 32 of the backsheet layer 78 on the second waistband
section
42 of the garment 22 thereby providing a side closure for the garment 22.
Preferably) the
securement members 28 are adapted to repeatedly) releasably engage the outer
surtace
32. In some embodiments, the side closure of the garment 22 is accomplished by
maintaining the first waistband section 40 and the second waistband section 42
in an
overlapping configuration such that lateral tension is established and
maintained around
the garment 22, thereby securing the garment 22 on the user 24.
Each securement member 28 comprises a tab member 52, a tab portion 54, and
a first fastening component 56. Examples of fastening systems and securement
members are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,423,789 to'Kuen; 5,405,342 to
Roessler et
al.; 5,403,302 to Roessler et al.; 5,399,219 to Roessler et al.; 5,386,595 to
Kuen et al.;
5,374,262 to Keuhn, Jr. et al.; 5,318,555 to Siebers et al.; 5,304,162 to
Kuen;
5,288,546 to Roessler et al.; 5,176,671 to Roessler et al.; 5,176,671 to
Roessler et al.;
and) 5,019,073 to Roessler et al., ail of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
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The securement mem~er 28 comprises a tab member 52 having a fixed portion
58 joined to the outer surtace 32 of the backsheet layer 78 of the first
waistband section
40 and a tab portion 54 extending laterally outwardly from the longitudinal
side 38 of the
first waistband section 40 and joined to the fixed portion 58 and a first
fastening
component 56. In some embodiments, at least one of the first fastening
components 56
comprises an adhesive attachment layer 74 that is adapted to engage, thereby
adhesively securing, the tab portion 54 to the outer surface 32 of the
backsheet layer 78
on the second waistband section 42. Preferably, at least one of the first
fastening
components 56 is adapted to refastenably attach or engage with the outer
surface 32)
meaning that the outer surface 32, the first fastening component 56 , or both
are adapted
to repeatedly, reieasably engage one another. The tab portion 54 of the
securement
member 28 may further comprise an elastic member 72 disposed between the fixed
portion 58 and the first fastening component 56. The elastic member 72 can be
made of
material which includes elastic strands or ribbons or other stretchable
fabrics.
In other embodiments, at least one first fastening component 56 comprises a
first
mechanical closure element 60 adapted to mechanically engage with the outer
surface
32 of the backsheet layer 78 on the second waistband section 42. (See Fig. 2)
The first
mechanical closure elements 60 (also referred to as interlocking closure
elements)
typically comprise of a plurality of engaging elements that project from the
tab portion 54.
The engaging elements of at least one of the first mechanical closure elements
60 are
adapted to repeatedly and releasably engage and disengage the outer surface 32
of the
backsheet layer 78 on the second waistband section 42 of the garment 22.
Suitable
engaging elements for such mechanical closure elements include self-engaging
geometric shaped materials, such as hooks, loops, snaps, buckles, bulbs,
mushrooms,
arrowheads, balls on stems, male and female mating components, or the like.
The tab
portion 54 of the tab member 52 may further comprise an elastic member 72
disposed
between the fixed portion 58 and the first fastening component 56.
A representative securement member 28 is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4) and 5. There
are two opposing pairs of securernent members 28 attached to the first
waistband
section 40 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In alternative embodiments, the
location of the
securement members 28 can be varied, in that a pair of securement members 28
can be
positioned adjacent a longitudinal side 38 on the first waistband section 40
near the first
end 34, alternatively, near the intermediate section 44 or any position in
between the first
end 34 and the intermediate section 44 adjacent the longitudinal side 38. In
other
t.
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embodiments, the securement members 28 are disposed on the second waistband
section 42 in the various positions described in relation to the first
waistband section 40
as discussed in the embodiments above.
In other embodiments, the dual fastening system 26 comprises two independent
securement members 28 disposed adjacent to each of the longitudinal sides 38
in the
first waistband section 40 and having a separation distance 68 of preferably
less than
about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm), more preferably less than 2.0 inches (about
5.0 cm),
and most preferably less than about 1.75 inches (about 4.4 cm), and at least
one landing
member 62. At least one landing member 62 is disposed on the outer surface 32
of the
backsheet layer 78 of the second waistband section 42 and is adapted to engage
the
securement members 28. At least one of the securement members 28 is adapted to
engage the outer surface 32 of the garment 22 or at least one landing member
62
thereby providing a side closure for the garment 22. Preferably, the
securement
members 28, at least one landing member 62, or both are adapted to repeatedly,
releasably engage the outer surface 32 or each other. In some embodiments, the
side
closure of the garment 22 is accomplished by maintaining the first waistband
section 40
and the second waistband section 42 in an overlapping configuration such that
lateral
tension is established and maintained around the garment 22, thereby securing
the
garment 22 on the user 24.
Each securement member 28 comprises a tab member 52, a tab portion 54, and
a first fastening component 56. The securement member 28 comprises a tab
member 52
having 1a fixed portion 58 joined to the outer surface 32 of the backsheet
layer 78 of the
first waistband section 40 and a tab portion 54 extending laterally outwardly
from the
longitudinal side 38 of the first waistband section 40 and joined to the fixed
portion 58
and to the first fastening component 56. In some embodiments, at least one of
the first
fastening component 56 comprises an adhesive attachment layer (not shown) that
is
adapted to engage, adhesively securing, the tab portion 54 to the landing
member 62 on
the outer surface 32 of the backsheet layer 78 on the second waistband section
42.
Preferably, at least one of the first fastening components 56 is adapted to
refastenably
attach or engage with the landing member 62, meaning that the landing member
62, the
first fastening component 56, or both are adapted to repeatedly, releasably
engage one
another. The tab portion 54 may further comprise an elastic member 72 disposed
between the fixed portion 58 and the first fastening component 56.
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In some embodiments) at least one first fastening component 56 comprises a
first
mechanical closure element 60 adapted to mechanically engage with the outer
surface
32 of the backsheet layer 78 of the second waistband section 42 or with the
landing
member 62 on the second waistband section 42. Other embodiments include at
least
one landing member 62 having a second fastening component 64 comprising a
second
mechanical closure element 66 adapted to mechanically engage with the first
mechanical
closure element 60. The first and second mechanical closure elements 60 and
66, also
commonly referred to as interlocking components or closure elements, typically
comprise
of a plurality of engaging elements (not shown) that project from the tab
portion 54. The
engaging elements of at least one first mechanical closure elements 60 are
adapted to
repeatedly engage and disengage at least one second mechanical closure element
66 of
the landing member 62 disposed on the outer surface 32 of the backsheet layer
78 of the
garment 22. Suitable engaging elements for the first and second mechanical
closure
elements 60 and 66 include self-engaging geometric shaped materials, such as
hooks,
loops, snaps, buckles, bulbs, mushrooms, arrowheads, balls on stems, male and
female
mating components, or the like.
In some instances, the first mechanical closure element 60 comprises a hook
fastening material (Fig. 2) and the second mechanical closure element 66
comprises a
loop fastening material (not shown}. In other instances, the first mechanical
closure
element 60 comprises a loop fastening material and the second mechanical
closure
element 66 comprises a hook fastening material (Fig. 2). The term loop
fastening
material is intended to mean any fabric having a base or backing structure and
a plurality
of loop members extending upwardly from at least one surface of the backing
material.
The term hook fastening material is intended to mean any fabric having a base
or
backing structure and a plurality of hook members extending upwardly from at
least one
surface of the backing material.
The engagement of the engaging elements, as discussed above, is accomplished
mechanically rather than adhesively, and the engaging elements are adapted to
resist
disengagement in a shear mode yet release relatively easy from one another in
a peel
mode. The shear mode of a fastener system release refers to forces tending to
separate
the first and second mechanical closure elements 60 and 66 (such as hook and
loop
material) when the elements are subjected to opposing forces in the plane of
attachment
of the elements, and the peel mode of a fastener release refers to forces
tending to
separate the mechanical closure elements when one element is subjected to a
force
perpendicular to the plane of attachment of the elements. As used herein, the
term force
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includes a physical influence exerted by one body on another which produces
acceleration of bodies that are free to move and deformation of bodies that
are not free
to move.
A representative securement member 28 is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5. There
are two opposing pairs of securement members 28 attached to the first
waistband
section 40 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In alternative embodiments, the
location of the
securement members 28 can vary, such as at either or both of the longitudinal
sides 38
of either or both of the first or second waistband sections 40 and 42, as long
as the
separation distance 68 of less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3 cm) between
the
securement members 28 positioned adjacent each longitudinal side 38 of the
first
waistband section 40 or the second waistband section 42 is maintained. The
separation
distance 68 is the distance between the fixed portions 54 of the securement
members 28
adjacent to each longitudinal sides 38, parallel to the longitudinal axis 70
of the garment
22. The measurement is taken when the garment is in a flat fully extended
configuration.
The preferred separation distance 68 is less than about 2.5 inches (about 6.3
cm). In
other embodiments, it is preferable to use separation distances 68 of less
than about 2.0
inches (about 5.0 cm) and less than about 1.75 inches (about 4.4 cm).
Decreasing the separation distance 68 between the securement members 28
adjacent to the longitudinal sides 38 on each of the ears 48 on the second
waistband
without decreasing the size of the ears 48 and 50 may result in another fit
problem.
Garments using a three pair fastening system may have some problems with the
fabric
(materials) at both sides in the first and second waistband sections 40 and 42
adjacent to
the longitudinal edges 38 both above the top securement member 28 and below
the
bottom securement member 28 folding back onto the user 24 such that the outer
surtace
32 of the backsheet layer 78 comes into contact with the user's skin. Such
contact may
cause skin irritation.
The dual fastening system 26 of the present invention, due to the smaller
separation distance 68, results in additional fabric at both sides of the
first and second
waistband sections 40 and 42 adjacent to the longitudinal edges 38 both above
the top
securement member 28 and below the bottom securement member 28. The user 24
and
the care provider needs to exercise more care in preventing the folding back
of fabric so
that the outer surface 32 of the backsheet layer 78 does not come into contact
with the
user's skin. However) reducing the size of the ears 48 and 50 in the first and
second
waistband sections 40 and 42, this problem is avoided. The ears 48 and 50 can
be
13
CA 02277964 1999-07-21
WO 98/35642 PCT/US98/00622
reduced such that the fabric of the first and second waistband sections 40 and
42 does
not extend above the top securement member 28 or below the bottom securement
member 28, but rather the fabric would angle down from the securement members
28 to
the intermediate section 44 and angle up to the first and second ends 34 and
36
adjacent to the central sections 46 of the first and second waistband sections
40 and 42
of the garment 22, as represented in Figs. 2, 3, and 5.
In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to leave a small amount of fabric
extending above the top securement member 28 and below the bottom securement
member 28, and again, angling the fabric down from the securement members 28
to the
intermediate section 44 and up to the first and second ends 34 and 36 adjacent
to the
central sections 46 of the first and second waistband sections 40 and 42 of
the gamlent
22. It would be preferable to have about'/z inch (about 1.3 cm), more
preferably about'/4
inch (about 0.6 cm), of fabric extending above the top securement member 28
and below
the bottom securement member 28, and again, angling the fabric down from the
securement members 28 to the intermediate section 44 and up to the first and
second
ends 34 and 36 adjacent to the central sections 46.
Again with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the absorbent garment 22 includes a
substantially liquid impermeable backsheet layer 78, a substantially liquid
permeable
topsheet layer 80, and an absorbent assembly 82 sandwiched between the
backsheet
layer 78 and the topsheet layer 80. The backsheet layer 78 and topsheet layer
80 are
preferably longer and wider than the absorbent assembly 82) so that the
peripheries of
the backsheet layer 78 and topsheet layer 80 form margins which may be sealed
together using ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, adhesives, or other suitable
means. The
absorbent assembly 82 may be attached to the backsheet layer 78 and/or the
tapsheet
layer 80 using ultrasonic bonds, adhesives, or other suitable means. The
garment 22
may also include additional components to assist in the acquisition,
distribution and
storage of waste material. For example, the garment 22 may include a transport
layer)
such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,603 to Meyer et al., which is
incorporated
herein by reference.
In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 22 is hourglass-shaped with a
length in
the range of from bout 40 to about 110 centimeters, and a width in the range
of from
about 15 to about 90 centimeters. Of course, the garment 22 may optionally be
rectangular, T-shaped, I-shaped, or irregularly-shaped.
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WO 98/35642 PCT/US98/00622
The garment 22 may optionally include elastic strands 84 (also commonly
referred
to as ribbons) longitudinally, orientated along each side 38 of the garment
and/or along
each end 34 and 36 of the garment and attached in a stretched condition to the
backsheet layer 78, the topsheet layer 80, or both. The side elastic strands
84 are
located in the intermediate section 44 and extend toward or into the first and
second
waistband sections 40 and 42. The elastic strands 84 along the ends 34 and 36
may be
attached as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,316 to Damico, which is
incorporated herein
by reference. The elastic strands 84 may assist in holding the garment 22
against the
body of the user and/or forming seals or gaskets with the body. Suitable
elastic materials
include a dry-spun coalesced multifilament elastomeric thread sold under the
tradename
LYCRA and available from I.E. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, a thin ribbon of
natural or synthetic rubber, a hot melt elastomeric adhesive, or the like.
The backsheet layer 78 desirably comprises a material that is formed or
treated to
be liquid impermeable. Alternatively, the backsheet layer 78 may comprise a
liquid
permeable material and other suitable means, such as a liquid impermeable
layer
associated with the absorbent assembly 82, can be provided to impede liquid
movement
away from the absorbent assembly 82. The backsheet layer 78 may comprise a
single
layer of material or a laminate of two or more separate layers of material.
The backsheet
layer 78 may also be gas permeable, such that gases encountered during use of
the
absorbent garment are able to pass through the material under ordinary use
conditions,
over either all or part of its surface area. Suitable backsheet layer
materials include films;
woven's; nonwovens; laminates of films, wovens, and/or nonwovens; or the like.
The
backsheet layer 78 materials may also include stretchable materials. In one
particular
embodiment, the backsheet layer 78 comprises a liquid impermeable,
polyethylene film.
In particular embodiments, the backsheet layer 78 might also include at (east
one
landing member 62 on the outer surface 32 of the backsheet layer 78 in the
second
waistband section 42. The landing member 62 provides a target attachment zone
for
receiving the first fastening component 56 of the securement members 28. One
suitable
landing member is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,649 to Pazdernik, which is
incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, a portion or region of
the outer
surface 32 of the backsheet layer 78 may act as a landing member 62 in that
the
securement members 28 are adapted to engage with the outer surface 32 of the
backsheet layer 78.
The absorbent assembly 82 comprises materials adapted to absorb and retain
liquid waste. The absorbent assembly 82 may be hourglass-shaped as
illustrated) or
CA 02277964 1999-07-21
WO 98/35642 PCT/US98I00622
rectangular, T-shaped, I-shaped, or irregularly-shaped, and is narrower and
desirably
also shorter than the backsheet layer 78.
The absorbent assembly 82 may comprise various absorbent materials, such as
an air-formed batt of cellulosic fibers (i.e., wood pulp fluff) or a coform
material composed
of a mixture of cellulosic fibers and synthetic polymer fibers. The absorbent
assembly 82
may also include compounds to increase its absorbency, such as 0 - 95 weight
percent of
organic or inorganic high-absorbency materials, which are typically capable of
absorbing
at least about 15 and desirably more than 25 times their weight in water.
Suitable high-
absorbency materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,699,823 to Kellenberger
et al.
and 5,147,343 to Kellenberger, which are incorporated herein by reference.
High-
absorbency materials are available from various commercial vendors, such as
Dow
Chemical Company, Hoechst Celanese Corporation, and Allied Colloids, Inc. The
absorbent assembly 82 may also include tissue layers or acquisition or
distribution layers
to help maintain the integrity of fibrous absorbents or transport liquids.
The topsheet layer 80 is formed of a liquid permeable material to allow liquid
waste) and possibly semi-solid waste as well, to pass through the topsheet
layer 80 and
be absorbed by the absorbent assembly 82. The topsheet layer 80 may comprise,
for
example, a nonwoven web or sheet of wet strength tissue paper, an apertured
film, a
spunbonded) meltblown or bonded-carded web composed of synthetic polymer
filaments
or fibers, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or a
web of natural
polymer filaments or fibers such as rayon or cotton. In addition, the topsheet
layer 80
may be treated with a surfactant to aid in liquid transfer.
For the purposes of the present description, the term "nonwoven web" means a
web of material which is formed without the aid of a textile weaving or
knitting process.
The garment 22 may also include elasticized ears 48 and 50, such as those
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,646 to Enloe, the disclosure of which is
herein
incorporated by reference. The ears 48 and 50 may be composed of a wettable or
non-
wettable material, as desired. The ear material may be permeable to gas, or
permeable
to both vapor and liquid.
The foregoing detailed description has been for the purpose of illustration.
Thus)
a number of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the
spirit
and scope of the present invention. For instance, alternative or optional
features
described as part of one embodiment can be used to yield another embodiment.
Therefore, the invention should not be limited by the specific embodiments
described, but
only by the claims.
16
