Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MECHANICAL FASTENER DEVICE
FIELD
The present invention relates to mechanical fasteners, such as hook and
loop type, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
means
for protecting the hook portion of a mechanical fastener when the mechanical
fastener is not in use.
BACKGROUND
Mechanical fasteners, such as hook and loop type mechanical fasteners,
are well known. Typically, the loop (or "female") portion of the mechanical
fastener
has a fabrio-like backing having a multiplicity of upstanding loops projecting
from its
surface. The hook (or "male") portion typically has a base material having
hooks or
male fastening elements having upstanding stems with individual hook fiber
engaging elements projecting from a top portion of the stems. These engaging
elements are capable of engaging individual or multiple fibers of the loop
fastening
material. The hook portion may take on a variety of shapes, including, e.g., J-
hook,
T-hook, or mushroom shape.
Examples of various known mechanical fasteners can be found in, e.g., U.S.
Patent 4r322,875 issued to Brown et al. on April 6, 1982, and U.S. Patent
4,701,179 issued to Kellenberger et al. on October 20, 1987, which disclose
mechanical fastening systems having identical complementary elements; and U.S.
Patent 5,699,593 issued to. Jackson on December 23, 1997, and U.S. Patent
5,537,722 which disclose mechanical fastening systems having distinct
complementary elements.
Mechanical fasteners have been used in a variety of disposable articles,
including sweat bands, bandages, body wraps, and disposable garments including
disposable diapers, and disposable absorbent pads including sanitary napkins
and
incontinence devices. For example mechanical fastener devices have been
employed as a waist fastening system in disposable diapers. In this example,
the
fastener device is used for fastening between the front and back ear panels
(or
side panels) of disposable diapers. Such fastener devices are disclosed, for
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example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al. on October
16,
1990 and U.S. Patent No. 5,019,065 issued to Scripps on May 28, 1991. Another
example of application of mechanical fastener devices is a fastening system
which
is used as a disposal securing means for disposable diapers after the diaper
has
been soiled. In this example, the mechanical fastener device or disposal
device is
provided on the outer surface of a backsheet and is used for securing soiled
disposable pull-on garments in a convenient disposal configuration. The
convenient disposal configuration is preferably achieved by mechanically
securing
a part of the backsheet to the other part of the garments, for example, ear
panels
(or side panels) through the mechanical fastener device or disposal device.
Examples of such fastener devices are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid-
open Patent Publication No. H10-99371 (Johto) published on April 21, 1998. Yet
another example of application of mechanical fastener devices is a mechanical
fastening system which is used for securing disposable absorbent pads to
wearers'
undergarments. In this example, the mechanical fastener device is provided on
the
outer surface of a backsheet and is used for mechanically securing the
absorbent
pad to the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment. Examples of such
mechanical fastener devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No.
5,300,058 issued to Goulait et al. on April 5, 1994.
Typically, the hook portion needs to be protected when not in use, as the
exposed hook portion may irritate the user's skin; attach itself to an
undesiredlunintended location; andlor collect stray fabric material within its
individual elements, thereby limiting its ability to securely join the loop
portion
during intended use. However, and particularly when such a mechanical fastener
is employed in a disposable article, there is a need to provide such
protection of
the hook portion at minimal additional cost.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a mechanical fastener wherein
the hook portion remains protected when not in use, yet adds little cost to
the
mechanical fastener.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a mechanical fastener device. The
mechanical fastener device comprises a base having a first surface and a
second
surface opposing the first surface. The first and second surfaces have a first
region and a second region. The mechanical fastener comprises a plurality of
engaging elements extending from the first surface of the base in the first
and
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second regions. The engaging elements are mechanically engageable with a loop
fastening material or other fibrous material. The base is folded such that the
first
region and the second region face one another. The engaging elements in the
first
region mechanically engage with the engaging elements in the second region to
maintain the mechanical fastener in a folded state until manually unfolded to
expose the engaging elements in the first and second regions. The second
surface of the first region is joined to an article.
The present invention is also directed to a disposable article having the
mechanical fastener device.
The present invention is also directed to a method for making the
mechanical fastener device.
The foregoing answers the need for a mechanical fastener wherein the
engaging elements (i.e., hook portion) remains protected when not in use, yet
adds
little cost to the mechanical fastener.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention
will become evident to those skilled in the art from reading of the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be
better
understood from the following description of preferred embodiments which is
taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and which tike designations are
used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the mechanical
fastener device of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the mechanical
fastener device of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded structure of the mechanical
fastener device shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the
mechanical fastener device;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of yet another preferred embodiment of the
mechanical fastener device;
Fig. 6 is a simplified plan view of a manufacturing process for the
mechanical fastener device of one embodiment of the present invention;
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Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first continuous member 750 taken
along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second continuous member 760 taken
along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second continuous members
750 and 760 taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6; and
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second continuous members
750 and 760 taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
All cited references are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Citation of any reference is not an admission regarding any determination as
to its
availability as prior art to the claimed invention.
Herein, "comprise" means that other elements) and steps) which do not
affect the end result can be added. These terms encompass the terms
"consisting
of and "consisting essentially of'.
Herein, "disposable garment" describes garments which are not intended to
be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., they are
intended
to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted
or
otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).
Herein, "joined" or "joining" encompasses configurations whereby an
element is directly secured to another by affixing the element directly to the
other
element, and configurations whereby the element is indirectly secured to the
other
element by affixing the element to intermediate members) which in turn are
affixed
to the other element.
Herein, "engaging elements" refer to the elements of a hook fastening
material which are intended to mechanically engage the fibrous elements of a
complementary surface, such as loop fastening materials. The engaging elements
may also be referred to as "male" elements.
Herein, "hook" should be non-limiting in the sense that the engaging
elements may comprise any shapes as are know in the art so long as they are
adapted to engage a complementary surface, such as a loop fastening material
or
other fibrous material. Examples of useful shapes include, but are not limited
to, T-
hooks, J-hooks, mushroom, and the like.
Herein, "loop fastening material" means a material having a plurality of fiber
elements that are capable of engaging the engaging elements. Such materials
are
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well known to one skilled in the art and include fibrous material, woven and
nonwoven. Suitable loop fastening material may be manufactured from a wide
range of materials to provide fiber elements, preferably loops. Such suitable
materials include nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or any combination of these
5 materials. Suitable examples include, e.g., the commercially available
material
designated "Scotchmate" brand nylon woven loop No. SJ3401 available from
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Pual, Minnesota, U.S.A.
A. Structure of Mechanical Fastener Device
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the mechanical fastener
device of the present invention. in this embodiment, the mechanical fastener
device 725 includes a base 730 having a first surface 728 and a second surface
729 opposing the first surface 728. The first surface 728 has a first region
701
which appears below the reference line 777 and a second region 702 which
appears above the reference line 777. A plurality of engaging elements 733
extend from the first surface 728 of the base 730 in the first region 701 and
the
second region 702, to form a securing means 731. The engaging elements 733
are mechanically engageable with a loop fastening material (not shown). The
base
730 is folded such that the first region 701 and the second region 702 face
one
another, and the engaging elements 733 in the first region 701 mechanically
engage with the engaging elements 733 in the second region 702 to maintain the
mechanical fastener device 725 in a folded state until manually unfolded to
expose
the engaging elements 733 in the first region 701 and the second region 702.
The
second surface 729 of the first region 701 is joined to a garment 100. Such a
garment 100 may be of the disposable or non-disposable variety which require
the
use of a mechanical fastener. . The mechanical fastener device 725 may be
joined
to a garment via any number of methods known to one skilled in the art,
including,
e.g., adhesives and heat bonding. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the
mechanical fastener device 725 is secured to the garment 100 by an adhesive
734
provided on the second surface 729 of the base 730.
Preferably, the mechanical fastener device 725 further has a third region
703 which extends from the second region 702 to form a tab portion 710. In
this
embodiment, the tab portion 710 contains no engaging elements. The tab portion
710 does not overlay the first region 701 when the base 730 is in the folded
state
as shown. In this embodiment, the engaging elements 733 have a T-hook shape,
although a variety of other hook shapes are envisioned by the present
invention.
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s
The tab portion 710 facilitates disengagement by the user of the engaging
elements 733 between the first region 701 and the second region 702, when the
user wishes to expose the engaging elements 733 for subsequent engagement
with, e.g., a loop fastening material.
Prior to such disengagement, this folded state prevents the engaging
elements 733 from producing a variety of undesirable results. For example, in
this
folded state, the engaging elements 733 are prevented from scraping against
exposed skin and thereby causing skin irritation. Additionally, this folded
state
prevents the engaging elements 733 from engaging an undesirablelunintended
material and/or an undesirable/unintended location. Furthermore, this folded
state
prevents the engaging elements 733 from collecting, e.g., stray fabric, thread
or
lint, which would reduce the engagement strength of the engaging elements 733
when subsequently intentionally used.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of~a mechanical
fastener device 720 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the
mechanical
fastener device 720 includes a base 730 which has a first surface 728 and a
second surface 729 opposing the first surface 728; a securing means 731 which
includes a plurality of engaging elements 733 extending from the first surface
728
of the base 730; an adhesive 734 provided on the second surface 729 of the
base
730 and an outer member 73fi provided on a part of the adhesive 734. The base
730 is folded such that the engaging elements 733 in the first region 701
(referenced in Fig. 3) mechanically engage the engaging elements 733 in the
second region 702 (referenced in Fig. 3) to maintain the mechanical fastener
device 720 in a folded state until manually unfolded to expose the engaging
elements 733. Preferably, th_ a mechanical fastener device 720 further has a
tab
portion 710 which is formed by an extended portion of the outer member 736 as
shown in Fig. 2.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the mechanical fastener device 720 is
used in a disposable article 100, for example, a disposable absorbent article
(Fig. 2
shows only a part of such disposable article 100 as well as the other Figs.).
The
mechanical fastener device 720 is joined to a part of the disposable article
100
through the adhesive 734.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded structure of the mechanical
fastener device 720 shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 3, the base 730 has the
first
surface 728 and the second surface 729 opposing the first surface 728. The
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securing means 731 is provided on the first surtace 728 of the base 730. The
adhesive 734 is provided on the second surface 729 of the base 730. The
securing means 731 includes the plurality of engaging elements 733 which are
mechanically engageable with a loop fastening material (not shown in Figs.).
The base 730 has a first region 701 and a second region 702. Each of the
first and second regions 701 and 702 has the engaging elements 733 extended
from the first surtace 728 of the base 730. The base 730 can be folded along a
predetermined folding line (not shown in Figs.) such that the first and second
regions 701 and 702 face one another as shown in Fig. 2. The engaging elements
733 in the first region 701 mechanically engage with the engaging elements 733
in
the second region 701 to maintain the mechanical fastener device 720 in a
folded
state until manually unfolded to expose the engaging elements 733 of the first
and
second regions 701 and 702.
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second regions 701 and 702 are
adjacent each other as shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively, the first and second
regions
701 and 702 can be spaced apart from each other by inserting an additional
region
which does not contribute to the engagement of the engaging elements 733
between the first and second regions 701 and 702.
The engaging elements 733 may take any configuration as are known by
one skilled in the art so long as they are able to engage each other and a
loop
fastening material. In a preferred embodiment, engagement of the engaging
elements 733 with one another is less secure (i.e., less resistance to being
pulled
apart) than engagement of engaging elements 733 with a loop fastening
material.
Alternatively, the engagement of the engaging elements 733 with one another
may
be more secure (i.e., more resistance to being pulled apart} than the
engagement
of engaging elements 733 with a loop fastening material. Each of the engaging
elements 733 preferably includes a stem 742 supported at one end on the first
surtace 728 of the base 730 and a head 744 positioned at the other end of the
stem 742. The head 744 can take any shape as are known in the art. In a
preferred embodiment, the head 744 has an enlarged shape as shown in Fig. 3.
The engaging elements 733 may be manufactured from a wide range of
materials. Suitable materials include nylon, polyester, polyethylene,
polypropylene,
or any combination of these materials. Preferred materials which include the
engaging elements 733 are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent 4,894,060
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entitled "Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook Fastener Portion" issued to
Nestegard on January 16, 1990.
The base 730 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials.
Suitable materials include nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, or
any
combination of these materials. Preferably, the base 730 is in the form of a
thin
plastic film of one of these materials. A preferred combined material for the
base
730 and the engaging elements 733 is available from The Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., under Code No. CS-200.
In a preferred embodiment wherein this mechanical fastener device 720 is
used in a disposable article, the base 730 is joined to a part of the
disposable
article 100 through the adhesive 734. The adhesive 734 may be any adhesive
known to those skilled in the art which provide an adequate bond with the
disposable absorbent article. Preferably, the adhesive 734 is a pressure-
sensitive
adhesive well-known to those of ordinary skill in the adhesive art.
The outer member 736 may be manufactured from a wide range of
materials. Suitable materials include nylon, polyester, polyethylene,
polypropylene,
or any combination of these materials. Preferred material for the outer member
736 is in the form of a thin film or a nonwoven of these materials. A suitable
combined material for the outer member ?36 is available from The Minnesota
Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., under Code No. KJ-5173L.
In a preferred embodiment, the outer member 736 is extended from the
second region 702 to the third region 703 thereby forming a tab portion 710.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the
mechanical fastener device. In this embodiment, the mechanical fastener device
722 is used in a disposable article 100 (e.g., a disposable absorbent
article). The
mechanical fastener device 722 is joined to a part of the disposable article
100
through the adhesive 734. The disposable article includes a loop fastening
material 101 on a part of the article 100. The mechanical fastener device 722
has
the base 730 joined to the loop fastening material 101 of the disposable
absorbent
article 100 through the adhesive 734. The mechanical fastener device 722
includes a base 730; a securing means 731 which includes a plurality of
engaging
elements 733; and an adhesive 734. The engaging elements 733 extend from the
base 730. The base 730 is folded such that the engaging elements 733 in the
first
and second regions 701 and 702 (not referenced in Fig. 4) mechanically engage
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one another to maintain the mechanical fastener device 722 in a folded state
until
manually unfolded to expose the engaging elements 733.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the base 730 further has the third region
703 which extends from the second region 702 (not shown in Fig. 702). In the
third
region 703, at least a part of the engaging elements 733 provided therein
engages
with the loop fastening material 101 of the disposable article 100 until the
mechanical fastener device 722 is manually unfolded to expose the engaging
elements 733 in the first and second regions 701 and 702 for use. In a
preferred
embodiment, the third region 703 has a portion which does not have engaging
elements 733 thereby forming the tab portion 710 as shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of yet another preferred embodiment of a
mechanical fastener device 724. In this embodiment, the mechanical fastener
device 724 is used in a disposable article 100 {e.g., a disposable absorbent
article).
The mechanical fastener device 724 is joined to a part of the disposable
article 100
through the adhesive 786. The mechanical fastener device 724 includes a base
730 having a first surface 728 and a second surface 729 opposing the first
surface
728, and a securing means 731 having engaging elements 733 extended from the
first surface 728 of the base 730. The mechanical fastener device 724 further
includes an outer cover member 782 having a first surface 781 and a second
surface 783 opposing the first surface 781, and an adhesive 784 provided on
the
first surface 781 of the outer cover member 782. The second surface 729 of the
base 730 is joined to the outer cover member 782 by the adhesive 784.
The outer cover member 782 may be manufactured from a wide range of
materials. Suitable materials include nylon, polyester, polyethylene,
polypropylene,
or any combination of ,these materials. Preferred material for the outer cover
means 782 is a strip of a thin film or a nonwoven. In a preferred embodiment,
the
outer cover means 782 is a plastic film strip. In another preferred
embodiment, the
outer cover means 582 is a nonwoven strip.
Preferably, the adhesive 784 is a layer of adhesive for joining at least a
part
of, more preferably, all of the second surface 729 of the base 730 to the
outer
cover member 782. Thus, the adhesive 784 is any of those adhesives which
provide an adequate bond with the base 730 and the outer cover member 782, and
preferably is any of pressure-sensitive adhesive well-known to those of
ordinary
skill in the adhesive art.
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In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the outer cover member 782 is extended
over the base 730 and adhesively joined to the disposable article 100 through
the
adhesive 784 until the mechanical fastener device 724 is manually unfolded to
expose the engaging elements 733 for use. The extended portion of the outer
5 cover member 782 forms the tab portion 710 in this embodiment.
_B Method for Makin4 Mechanical Fastener Device
Fig. 6 is a simplified plan view of a manufacturing process for the
mechanical fastener device 720 shown in Fig. 2. Each of Figs. 7 to 10 is a
cross-
sectional view of the first continuous member 750 andlor the second continuous
10 member 760 taken along the respective lines 7-7 to 10-10 of Fig. 6. The
mechanical fastener device 720 according to the present invention can be
manufactured by the following steps.
In Step 711 of Fig. 6, a first continuous member 750 which has a first side
edge portion 751 and a second side edge portion 752 opposing the first side
edge
portion 751 is provided. Referring to Fig. 7, the first continuous member 750
includes (a) a base layer 1730 having a first surface 1728 and a second
surface
1729 opposing the first surface 1728, (b) a securing means layer 1731 provided
on
the first surface 1728 of the base layer 1730, and (c) an adhesive layer 1734
provided on the second surface 1729 of the base layer 1730. In a preferred
embodiment, the first continuous member 750 is formed by a uniform member
which includes the base layer 1730, the securing means layer 1731 provided on
the first surface 1728 of the base layer 1730, and the adhesive layer 1734
provided
on the second surface 1729 of the base layer 1730. Herein, "uniform member"
means a member being formed by, at any location through the member, a
substantially same structure employing substantially identical component
materials.
A second continuous member 760 which has a first side edge portion 761
and a second side edge portion 762 opposing the first side edge portion 761 is
also
provided in Step 711. Referring to Fig. 8, the second continuous member 760
includes an outer member layer 1736 having a first surface 1737 and a second
surface 1738 opposing the first surface 1737. In a preferred embodiment, the
second continuous member 760 is formed by a uniform member which is formed by
a single layer of the outer member layer 1736.
In Step 712, the first and second continuous members 750 and 760 are
juxtaposed and joined together through the adhesive layer 1734 such that the
side
edge portion 761 of the second continuous member 760 is projected compared
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with the side edge portion 751 of the first continuaus member 750, while the
side
edge portion 752 of the first continuous member 750 is projected compared with
the side edge portion 762 of the first continuous member 760, as shown in Fig.
9.
In Step 713, the first and second continuous members 750 and 760 are
folded along a predetermined folding line (not shown in Figs.) such that the
engaging elements 1733 in the first region mechanically engage with the
engaging
elements 1733 in the second region to maintain the first and second continuous
members 750 and 760 in a folded state as shown in Fig. 10.
In Step 714, the resulting continuous member which is comprised of the first
and second continuous members 750 and 760 is cut at a predetermined length by
a cutting means (not shown in Figs.) which is well known in the art, thereby
producing an individual mechanical fastener device 720.
In a preferred embodiment wherein the mechanical fastener device 720 is
used for a disposable garment, the mechanical fastener device 720 is joined to
a
part of the disposable garment (e.g., the outer-facing surface of a backsheet)
through the adhesive layer 1734 after Step 714 (not shown in Figs.).
C Application of Mechanical fastener device to Disaosable Article
The mechanical fastener device of the present invention can be applied to a
variety of garments (disposable or re-useable) in need of a mechanical
fastener.
Preferred disposable articles include sweat bands, bandages, body wraps,
disposable diapers (adult and baby), and disposable absorbent pads including
sanitary napkins. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable article is a
disposable
garment which includes a liquid impervious backsheet, and the mechanical
fastener device is joined to a part of the backsheet.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical fastener device 720 (shown in
Fig. 2, for example) is used in a disposable pull-on garment (e.g., a pull-on
diaper)
as a disposal device. After a disposable pull-on garment is soiled by excreta,
it is
folded to contain the contents within the soiled pull-on garment. The folded
garment is secured by the mechanical fastener device to prevent the contents
in
the soiled pull-on garment from leaking out from the soiled pull-on garment.
The disposable pull-on garment has a front region, a back region and a
crotch region between the front region and the back region. The disposable
pull-on
garment includes a chassis provided in the front, back and crotch regions. The
chassis includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet
associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the
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topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable pull-on garment further includes at
least one pair of ear panels extending laterally outwardly from the chassis in
the
front or back region. The ear panels are joined to the chassis to form two leg
openings and a waist opening. The disposable pull-on garment further includes
the
mechanical fastener device of the present invention joined to the backsheet.
The
mechanical fastener device can be joined to any place in the backsheet as long
as
the disposable pull-on garment can be secured by the mechanical fastener
device
in a configuration that provides a convenient disposal after the disposable
pull-on
garment has been soiled. Preferably, the mechanical fastener device is joined
to
the backsheet in the crotch region. Examples of suitable locations for joining
the
mechanical fastener device of the present invention are disclosed, for
example, in
WO 98/18421 (Schmitz et al.) published on May 7, 1998 and Japanese Laid-open
Patent Publication No. H8-117278 (Tabata) published on May 14, 1996, wherein
one would substitute the fastener disclosed therein with the mechanical
fastener
device of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the mechanical fastener device 720 (shown in Fig. 2,
for example) is used for a waist fastening system in a disposable garment
{e.g., a
tape type diaper). In this embodiment, the mechanical fastener device is used
for
the fastening between a front and back ear panels (or side panels) of the
disposable garment.
The disposable garment has a front region, a back region and a crotch
region between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment
includes a chassis provided in the front, back and crotch regions. The chassis
includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet associated
with
the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the
backsheet. The disposable garment further includes at least one pair of ear
panels
extending laterally outwardly from the chassis in the front or back region.
The ear
panels are joined to the chassis. The disposable garment further includes the
mechanical fastener devices of the present invention each joined to the
respective
ear panel. The mechanical fastener device can be joined to any place in the
ear
panel as long as the disposable garment can be secured by the mechanical
fastener device around the waist of the wearer. Preferably, the mechanical
fastener device is provided adjacent to the longitudinal edge portion of the
ear
panel. Examples of suitable locations for joining the mechanical fastener
device of
the present invention are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140
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13
issued to Robertson et al. on October 16, 1990 and U.S. Patent No. 5,019,065
issued to Scripps on May 28, 1991, wherein one would substitute the fastener
disclosed therein with the mechanical fastening device of the present
invention.
In an alternative embodiment, the mechanical fastener device can be
provided on the backsheet in the front region as a part of a fastener system.
In this
embodiment, the disposable garment can be secured around the waist of the
wearer by joining the ear panel to the backsheet through the mechanical
fastener
device. Preferably, the mechanical fastener device is provided adjacent to the
waist edge of the chassis.
In yet another embodiment, the mechanical fastener device 720 (shown in
Fig. 2, for example) is used as a fastener for securing a disposable absorbent
pad
(e.g., a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner and an incontinent pad) to the crotch
of a
wearer's undergarment. In this embodiment, the mechanical fastener device is
provided on the outer surface of a backsheet.
The disposable absorbent pad includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid
impervious backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core
disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The mechanical fastener
device can be joined to any place in the absorbent pad as tong as the
disposable
absorbent pad can be secured by the mechanical fastener device to the crotch
of a
wearers undergarment. Examples of suitable locations for joining the
mechanical
fastener device of the present invention are disclosed, for example, in U.S.
Patent
No. 5,300,058 issued to Goulait et al. on April 5, 1994, wherein one would
substitute the fastener disclosed therein with the mechanical fastening device
of
the present invention.
It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are
for illustrative purpose only and that various modifications or changes will
be
suggested to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
present
invention.
