WO1997002797A1 - An absorbent article provided with a fastener system - Google Patents

An absorbent article provided with a fastener system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997002797A1
WO1997002797A1 PCT/SE1996/000848 SE9600848W WO9702797A1 WO 1997002797 A1 WO1997002797 A1 WO 1997002797A1 SE 9600848 W SE9600848 W SE 9600848W WO 9702797 A1 WO9702797 A1 WO 9702797A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fastener
faεtener
diaper
article
devices
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1996/000848
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Anders Gustafsson
Marie Johansson
Anna Karin JÖNBRINK
Original Assignee
SCA Mölnlycke AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SCA Mölnlycke AB filed Critical SCA Mölnlycke AB
Priority to AU63727/96A priority Critical patent/AU6372796A/en
Publication of WO1997002797A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997002797A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/551—Packaging before or after use
    • A61F13/55105—Packaging before or after use packaging of diapers
    • A61F13/5512—Packaging before or after use packaging of diapers after use
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/56—Supporting or fastening means
    • A61F13/5622—Supporting or fastening means specially adapted for diapers or the like
    • A61F13/5633—Supporting or fastening means specially adapted for diapers or the like open type diaper
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/56—Supporting or fastening means
    • A61F13/5622—Supporting or fastening means specially adapted for diapers or the like
    • A61F13/565—Supporting or fastening means specially adapted for diapers or the like pants type diaper
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/56—Supporting or fastening means
    • A61F13/62—Mechanical fastening means, ; Fabric strip fastener elements, e.g. hook and loop

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a diaper or an openable and re-closable pants-type diaper, comprising first and second sides which when the article is worn are intended to lie proximal to and distal from the wearer's body respectively, first and second end-parts which when the article is worn are intended to lie respectively against the front-part and the rear-part of the wearer, and a crotch part which is located between said two end-parts and which when the article is worn is intended to be located between the wearer's thighs, wherein the article further comprises a fastener system by means of which the end-parts of the article can be brought together to an assembled or closed pants-like configuration from a non-assembled or open configuration or which enables the end-parts to be loosened from an assembled or closed pants-like configuration to a non-assembled or open configuration, wherein the fastener system includes mutually coacting fastener devices, wherein the article includes two side-edges which in the non-assem ⁇
  • pants-type sanitary napkins for menstruating women and pants that are intended to support absorbent inserts and intended for one-time use only or for repeated use, primarily those intended for one-time use only. It is particularly preferred to apply the invention with absorbent articles that are intended for one-time use only.
  • Absorbent articles such as child and adult diapers have long been provided with fastener systems by means of which the user or the user's nurse, minder, can bring different parts of the diaper, for instance the front and rear parts of the diaper, into more or less close abutment with the user's body, so that the diaper will take a pants-like configuration around the wearer's body.
  • the fastener system can also be released, to enable the diaper to be removed after use.
  • Example ⁇ of such fastener systems include individual pants or a triangular sheet which supports an absorbent insert so that said insert will face towards the wearer's body in use.
  • fastener systems include article-mounted fastener devices by means of which the front and the rear parts of the article can be joined together.
  • fastener systems are adhesive coatings and mechanical fastener devices. These latter devices may, for instance, consist in press studs, buttons and button holes or so-called touch-and- close fasteners, ie loop and hook fasteners.
  • Both adhesive and mechanical fastener devices may be provided on fastener tabs mounted on the article, suitably in the vicinity of it ⁇ two corner parts.
  • the diaper according to SE 446 056 is also provided with one or more plastic strip ⁇ mounted on the end of the diaper oppo ⁇ ite the end on which the fastener tabs are arranged.
  • the plastic strip or pla ⁇ tic strips are used a ⁇ an anchorage surface for securing the fastener tabs.
  • the nature of the plastic strip is such as to enable the fastener tabs to be released therefrom without damaging the adhe ⁇ ive coating on the fa ⁇ tener tab ⁇ or the plastic strip. This enables the fastener tab ⁇ to be refastened to the pla ⁇ tic strip, for instance after having opened the diaper to see whether or not it needs to be changed.
  • This fastener system has the added advantage of enabling a removed, ⁇ oiled diaper to be rolled up, folded or packaged in ⁇ ome other way with the pla ⁇ tic backing ⁇ heet facing outwards and to be effec ⁇ tively secured and sealed with the aid of the fastener system, so that no urine or faeces are able to escape from the packaged diaper. Since a diaper in this state is not intended for further use, it is not necessary to ensure that the fastener tabs can be released undamaged more than once.
  • the adhesive fastener tabs can be fastened to any suitable part of the diaper backing sheet whatsoever, and thus also surfaces from which the fa ⁇ tener tabs cannot be loosened without causing damage to the backing sheet or to the adhesive coating on the fastener tabs.
  • the propo ⁇ ed ⁇ olution to this problem is to be provide the article with disposal means which enable the article to be closed and sealed in a "disposal state".
  • the disposal means can have different forms. According to one preferred embodiment, an extra fa ⁇ tener device i ⁇ mounted on the rear ⁇ ide of at least one of the fastener tab ⁇ , ⁇ o a ⁇ to enable the extra fastener device to be fastened to the front side of the other fastener tab, after bringing the article to a "disposal state".
  • the fa ⁇ tener component ⁇ mu ⁇ t have a very small extension over re ⁇ pective ⁇ ide surfaces of the diaper, and that the diaper backing sheet must be comprised of a plastic film against which the fastener components are unable to fa ⁇ ten.
  • the user will find that he or she has rolled these devices into the middle of the diaper roll, without any part of ⁇ aid device ⁇ projecting forwards on the expo ⁇ ed outer side of the roll.
  • a diaper according to EP 0235014 Bl can, of course, be closed and secured in a rolled-up state after use, but only when the diaper is rolled-up from the end in which the hook and loop fastener tabs are mounted.
  • the loop and hook receiving strip or strips will be acces ⁇ ible to the hook and loop device ⁇ .
  • the same diaper may, of course, also be closed after use, by fastening the hook and loop devices to the receiving strip in the same manner as that applied when the diaper is donned.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanical absorbent-article fastening system.
  • Another object of the present invention is to ⁇ olve the problem of clo ⁇ ing an ab ⁇ orbent article with the aid of a mechanical fa ⁇ tener ⁇ y ⁇ tem both during use and after use.
  • a further object of the pre ⁇ ent invention i ⁇ to provide an absorbent article having a mechanical fastener system which can be used to close the absorbent article during use and after use and which utilizes as few components as necessary or whose exten ⁇ ion is not greater than that required to function effectively in both case ⁇ .
  • an absorbent article of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is characterized in that at least one of the end-parts on one and the same first or second side of the article include ⁇ a fastener device in the first side end-part, ⁇ aid fa ⁇ tener device or fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ being able to coact with one or more fa ⁇ tener devices on the ⁇ econd side end-part of the same end-part, and in that respective side end-parts of one end-part include a fastener device that can coact with a fa ⁇ tener device on the ⁇ econd end-part of side end-parts on re ⁇ pective same side ⁇ of a contemplated line between the end-edge ⁇ .
  • the pre ⁇ ent invention provides an article which utilizes the same fastener devices for closing and securing the article both during and after use in a highly cost-effective manner, without needing to provide fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ that are particu ⁇ larly intended for thi ⁇ latter purpo ⁇ e or without needing to give the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ an unnece ⁇ sarily large surface area.
  • the pre ⁇ ent invention thus provides advantage ⁇ from an economical a ⁇ pect and al ⁇ o with regard to the u ⁇ e of re ⁇ ourc- es.
  • the present invention enables the article to be folded or rolled-up after use in ⁇ everal way ⁇ , although while alway ⁇ en ⁇ uring that two fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ will be available for fastening against one another and therewith close and secure the diaper in it ⁇ folded-up or rolled-up state. It is also very beneficial to the user not to need to keep track of more fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ than necessary, and the present invention therefore make ⁇ the article very easy to use.
  • the fastener sy ⁇ tem includes at least two types of fastener devices which are able to coact with fastener devices of a different type.
  • the first side end-part of the first end-part of the diaper is provided with at least one first type of fastener device
  • the second side end-part of said first end-part is provided with at least one second type of fastener device
  • the ⁇ econd end-part i ⁇ provided with fastener device ⁇ of the first and the second type in rever ⁇ ed relation ⁇ hip with the imaginary centre line in compari ⁇ on with the fa ⁇ tener devices on the ⁇ ide end-parts of the fir ⁇ t end-part.
  • the fastener system includes a first type of fastener device that can coact with a second type of fa ⁇ tener device, wherein this second fa ⁇ tener device can al ⁇ o coact with a third type of fa ⁇ tener device, wherein the first ⁇ ide end-part of the fir ⁇ t end-part includes at least one first type of fa ⁇ tener device and the second side end-part on the opposite side of said contemplated centre line includes at lea ⁇ t one ⁇ econd type of fa ⁇ tener device and the ⁇ econd end-part include ⁇ a ⁇ econd type of fastener device on a side end-part located on the same ⁇ ide of the contemplated centre line a ⁇ the fir ⁇ t side end-part, and wherein the second end-part includes a third type of fastener device on the ⁇ ide end-part located on the ⁇ econd ⁇ ide of the contemplated centre line relative to the fir ⁇ t
  • the fa ⁇ tener devices may all be mounted on the same fir ⁇ t or ⁇ econd side of the article on its first end-part, whereas the fa ⁇ tener devices on the second end-part are mounted on oppo ⁇ ite fir ⁇ t or ⁇ econd ⁇ ide ⁇ of the article in relation to the fastener devices on the first end-part.
  • the fastener devices are preferably comprised of mechanical devices, for instance touch-and-clo ⁇ e fasteners, pres ⁇ studs, preferably vacuum-formed pres ⁇ studs, buttons and button holes, or profiles of inverted S-shaped or S-shaped cross- section, or U-shaped profiled part ⁇ .
  • the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ may al ⁇ o comprise a fastener device of the kind with which said device can coact with a ⁇ imilar fa ⁇ tener device, for in ⁇ tance with an S- ⁇ haped profiled part or an inverted S- ⁇ haped profiled part.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the diaper shown in Figure 1 in its intended ⁇ tate of u ⁇ e, with the front and the side end-parts of the right-hand of the diaper joined together, but with the two end-part ⁇ of the left-hand ⁇ ide of the diaper being ⁇ hown ⁇ eparated from one another for the sake of illustration;
  • Figure 3 illustrates the diaper of Figures 1 and 2 in a rolled-up ⁇ tate, with the two fastener devices on the rear end-part of the diaper mutually connected;
  • Figure 4 illustrate ⁇ a ⁇ econd embodiment of an inventive diaper ⁇ chematically from above
  • Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above
  • Figure 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above
  • Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line A-A in Figure 6 and illustrates schematically one of the fastener device ⁇ on the diaper ⁇ hown in said Figure;
  • Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line B-B in Figure 6 and illustrates ⁇ chematically another of the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ on the diaper ⁇ hown in Figure 6;
  • Figure 9 illu ⁇ trate ⁇ schematically the coaction between the two fastener devices ⁇ hown in Figures 7 and 8 in the contem ⁇ plated use configuration of the diaper;
  • Figure 10 illustrates schematically the coaction of the fastener device of Figure 7 with said other fastener device on the same end-part when clo ⁇ ing the diaper to form a disposal package after use;
  • FIG 11 i ⁇ a cro ⁇ - ⁇ ectional view of a type of fastener device different to that shown in Figure 8, said view being taken on the line B-B in Figure 6, this fastener device being in accordance with a variant of the fourth embodiment;
  • Figures 12 and 13 illustrate respectively coaction of the fastener device shown in Figure 7 with a fastener device of the type ⁇ hown in Figure 11, when the diaper i ⁇ in use and after u ⁇ e, thi ⁇ coaction being similar to the coaction shown in Figures 9 and 10;
  • Figure 14 illu ⁇ trate ⁇ a fifth embodiment of an inventive diaper ⁇ chematically from above;
  • Figure 15 i ⁇ a cro ⁇ -sectional view of the fastener device ⁇ ⁇ hown in Figure 14 taken on the line C-C in said Figure;
  • Figure 16 is a cros ⁇ - ⁇ ectional view of the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ hown in Figure 15 with said device fastened to the fastener device located on the oppo ⁇ ite end-part on the ⁇ ame ⁇ ide of the article, in a manner corresponding to that shown in Figure 9;
  • Figure 17 illu ⁇ trates a sixth embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above.
  • Figure 1 shows a diaper from that side of the diaper which is intended to lie proximal to the wearer in use.
  • the diaper is shown in a flat and extended state, i.e. in a non-assem ⁇ bled or open configuration.
  • Figure 2 show ⁇ the diaper of Figure 1 in a partially a ⁇ embled or partial pant ⁇ -type configuration, as the diaper will be seen when donned by a u ⁇ er, and
  • Figure 3 shows the diaper when packaged after use, i.e. when folded together or rolled-up and secured by means of the fastener devices to form a dispo ⁇ able package.
  • the diaper includes a liquid-permeable casing ⁇ heet 1, an ab ⁇ orbent body 2 located inwardly of said casing sheet, and a liquid-impermeable ca ⁇ ing or backing ⁇ heet 3 on the other ⁇ ide of the ab ⁇ orbent body.
  • the casing sheets 1 and 3 and the absorbent body 2 form no real part of the present invention and will therefore only be de ⁇ cribed in brief below.
  • the liquid-permeable ca ⁇ ing ⁇ heet 1 may be compri ⁇ ed of any conventional material what ⁇ oever, provided that it will fulfil the requirements that are normally placed on absorbent article ⁇ heet material, for in ⁇ tance rapid penetration of di ⁇ charged fluid ⁇ , low rewetting tendencies, softne ⁇ s and other skin-friendly properties.
  • the casing sheet may be compri ⁇ ed of ⁇ pun-bonded or thermo-bonded nonwoven fabric, or perforated plastic film.
  • the casing ⁇ heet may also con ⁇ i ⁇ t in ⁇ everal layer ⁇ that may be bonded to one another over a more or le ⁇ s large surface area.
  • the liquid-impermeable casing sheet 3 may be comprised of plastic film, for instance polyethylene or polypropylene. This sheet may also consist in a multi-layer construction, for instance a laminate or an extrusion laminate.
  • the exten ⁇ ion ⁇ of the ab ⁇ orbent body 2 are ⁇ maller than the extensions of the two casing sheet ⁇ 1 and 3 in all direc ⁇ tions.
  • the casing sheets 1, 3 are glued or welded together along their peripheral edge regions formed around the absorbent body 2. Naturally, the size and the location of these joining areas may vary, depending on the size relation ⁇ ship between the casing sheet ⁇ and the absorbent body respectively.
  • the absorbent body 3 may include any appropri- ate absorbent material, such as cellulose fluff pulp for in ⁇ tance.
  • the absorbent material may be admixed with absor ⁇ bent gel-forming polymers, also referred to as super ⁇ absorbents or SAP. These polymers may have the form of cross ⁇ linked polyacrylates.
  • the ab ⁇ orbent body may be joined to either one or both of the ca ⁇ ing ⁇ heets over greater or smaller parts of its ⁇ urface.
  • the ab ⁇ orbent body may be joined to the liquid- impermeable sheet by means of a number of spar ⁇ ely ⁇ paced and mutually parallel glue ⁇ tring ⁇ applied to ⁇ aid layer.
  • the diaper illu ⁇ trated in Figure 1 also includes elastic thread ⁇ 4 and 5 provided along the ⁇ ide-edge ⁇ 6, 7 and the end-edges 8, 9 of the diaper.
  • Elastic devices may al ⁇ o be provided within other part ⁇ of the diaper than the region ⁇ ⁇ hown in Figure ⁇ 1-3.
  • the surface covered by the elastic devices may al ⁇ o be much larger than the relatively narrow edge-portion ⁇ ⁇ hown in the Figure ⁇ .
  • the number of elastic threads may, of course, al ⁇ o vary and may be more than two or only one.
  • Figure 1 ⁇ how ⁇ the diaper in a ⁇ tate in which the ela ⁇ tic devices 4, 5 are stretched from their elastic relaxed state, wherea ⁇ Figures 2 and 3 show the diaper in a state in which the elastic devices have contract ⁇ ed more or less.
  • the illustrated diaper includes a first end-part 10, a second end-part 11 and an intermediate crotch part 12.
  • end-part is meant in this document the respective parts of the diaper which when the diaper is worn will face towards the wearer's stomach and bottom respectively.
  • the first end-part 10 is intended to face towards the stomach of the wearer and the second end-part 11 i ⁇ intended to face toward ⁇ the wearer's bottom.
  • the crotch part 12 of the diaper is intended to be located between the wearer's thighs when the diaper is in use.
  • the crotch part 12 is comprised approximately of the diaper part within which the elastic devices 4 are arranged, i.e.
  • the reference numeral 13 in Figure 1 identifie ⁇ a contemplat ⁇ ed longitudinally extending line which extend ⁇ from one end- edge 8 to the other end-edge 9, centrally between the side- edges 6, 7.
  • the fictive line 13 divides the diaper into two longitudinally extending halves.
  • the fictive line 13 also divides the two end-parts 10, 11 into two side end-parts 14- 17, i.e. a first and a second side end-part 14, 15 in the first end-part 10, and a third and a fourth side end-part 16, 17 in the ⁇ econd end-part 11.
  • Fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 18, 21 are mounted on respective side end- parts 14-17.
  • the fastener devices 18-21 are of two types that have mutually complementary properties so as to be able to coact with one another to form a locking connection or fastening that can be opened and re-closed repeatedly. These fastener devices will be referred to in the following as first fastener devices 18, 21 and second fastener devices 19, 20.
  • a first fastener device 18 is mounted on the first side end-part 14
  • a second fastener device 19 is mounted on the second side end-part 15
  • a second fastener device 20 is mounted on the third side end-part 16 and a fir ⁇ t fa ⁇ tener device 21 is mounted on the fourth side end-part 17.
  • the respective fastener devices 18, 19 and 20, 21 mounted on the same end-part 10 and 11 respectively are located on the ⁇ ame re ⁇ pective ⁇ ide surface of the diaper, in other words the fastener devices 18, 19 on the first end-part 10 are located on the liquid-impermeable casing sheet 3 , wherea ⁇ the fastener devices 20, 21 are located on the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1.
  • the fastener devices on the same respective end-part are thus of different types.
  • the fastener devices on the same side of the contemplated or fictive centre line are also of different types. The advantage afforded by this arrangement will be apparent when considering the diaper shown in Figure 1 in its two different states of use, i.e.
  • the right-hand ⁇ ide end-parts 15, 17 can be fastened together in a corresponding manner, by bringing together the first and the second fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 19, 21 located on their respective right-hand side end-part ⁇ 15, 17, although thi ⁇ i ⁇ not ⁇ hown in Figure 2.
  • the diaper shown in Figures 1-2 does not differ functionally from a conventional diaper which includes similar pair ⁇ of fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ at re ⁇ pective end-parts.
  • the difference between the present invention and the known technique, and also the advantage afforded by the invention with the mutual position ⁇ of the two type ⁇ of fa ⁇ tener devices shown in Figure 1 will become apparent when al ⁇ o ⁇ tudying Figure 3.
  • Figure 3 shows the diaper in a rolled-up state, beginning from the end-edge 9 located in the first end-part 10, i.e. that end of the diaper which is intended to be located forwardly of the wearer.
  • the two fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 18, 19 in the first end-part 10 will be rolled into the innermost part of the diaper roll, wherea ⁇ the two fastener devices 20, 21 on the second end-part 11 will be accessible and can be used to fasten and secure the rolled-up diaper, by virtue of being two mutually different but complementary fastener devices.
  • Thi ⁇ would not have been possible if the fastener device ⁇ had been of mutually the ⁇ ame type on the same respective end-part.
  • the invention thus enable ⁇ the user to fold, roll-up or package the diaper in some other way while enclosing the urine and/or faeces in a closed package with the liquid- impermeable casing sheet turned outwards. Furthermore, the user need not worry about having to find fastener devices that are positioned particularly to thi ⁇ end, but i ⁇ able to u ⁇ e the normal fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ , i.e. the fastener device ⁇ that are u ⁇ ed to ⁇ ecure the diaper on the wearer. Further- more, the initial direction in which the diaper i ⁇ rolled-up to form a di ⁇ posable package i ⁇ totally irrelevant. The rolled-up diaper can also be clo ⁇ ed and sealed when rolling- up the diaper while starting from the second end-part 11.
  • connection or fastening being subjected e ⁇ entially to solely shear forces which act in the circumferential waist direction of the wearer.
  • the connection or fastening also re ⁇ ult ⁇ in ae ⁇ thetically connected side end-parts in the absence of outwardly projecting end-part flaps.
  • connection or fastening is ⁇ ufficiently ⁇ trong to prevent the diaper from opening out prior to being thrown into the wa ⁇ te bin or like refuse container.
  • the fastener devices 18-21 ⁇ hown in Figure ⁇ 1-3 are of the ⁇ o-called touch-and-close devices, by which is meant fa ⁇ tener devices that consist in two parts having fastener elements which can be fastened to one another but which will not fa ⁇ ten individually on them ⁇ elve ⁇ , at lea ⁇ t not to an extent a ⁇ to obtain any appreciably ⁇ trong and effective connection that is able to withstand the strains to which it is ⁇ ubject- ed, primarily not while the diaper is worn.
  • One fastener element may consist in a multiple of small hook-like or mushroom-like projections.
  • the complementary fastener element may con ⁇ i ⁇ t in a multiple of fibre loop ⁇ or the like, into which the hook-like projections are able to grip or tangle.
  • the loop-like elements may al ⁇ o be freely chosen from a multiple of loop material available commercially or known from the patent literature.
  • touch-and-clo ⁇ e fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ As an alternative to touch-and-clo ⁇ e fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ , other types of fastener devices that have two mutually complementa ⁇ ry fa ⁇ tener element ⁇ can be u ⁇ ed, for in ⁇ tance pre ⁇ ⁇ tud ⁇ , strap-type fastener ⁇ , button ⁇ and button hole ⁇ , or mechani ⁇ cally equivalent device ⁇ .
  • the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ have been mounted directly onto one of the diaper ca ⁇ ing sheets.
  • the fastener devices can be mounted on fa ⁇ tener tab ⁇ at least on one end-part, suitably on the second end-part 11, in the manner known from SE 446 056 or EP 0 235 014 Bl, for instance.
  • Such fastener tabs include a fixed end which is a permanent integrated part of one or both of the diaper casing ⁇ heet ⁇ , and a free end which the user can fasten to another region of the diaper.
  • the diaper side surface on which the fastener tab ⁇ are affixed i ⁇ immaterial.
  • Each of the fa ⁇ tener tabs can be affixed to a respective ⁇ ide ⁇ urface or to the same side surface or may be mounted between the two ca ⁇ ing ⁇ heet ⁇ . What i ⁇ important i ⁇ that the fastener devices arranged on respective fastener tabs are disposed so that in their position of use, they will be located on the ⁇ ame side surface of re ⁇ pective fastener tabs in relation to the plane of the diaper when said diaper i ⁇ in it ⁇ open and extended ⁇ tate as shown in Figure 1.
  • the fastener devices on the fastener tabs on one and the same end-part will therewith face in the same direction in the same manner a ⁇ the fasten ⁇ ing devices 20, 21 on the ⁇ econd end-part 11 in Figure 1 face in the same direction.
  • the mutual positioning of the fir ⁇ t and the ⁇ econd type ⁇ of fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ on re ⁇ pective end-parts may be the reverse to that ⁇ hown in Figure 1, provided that thi ⁇ ⁇ witch i ⁇ made on both end-parts at the same time, i.e. provided that the fastener devices are still of different types on the ⁇ ame re ⁇ pective end-part and on the same respective ⁇ ide of the contemplated centre line.
  • the diaper in Figure 1 may have a ⁇ hape different to that ⁇ hown.
  • the ⁇ ide-edge ⁇ of the ⁇ ide end-part ⁇ may be parallel in ⁇ tead of being non- parallel.
  • Figures 4-6 and 14 illustrate alternative embodiments which are identical with the diaper embodiment shown in Figure 1, with the exception of the fastener devices.
  • Other ⁇ tructural element ⁇ have therefore been identified with the same reference signs as tho ⁇ e used in Figures 1-3.
  • Figure 4 illu ⁇ trate ⁇ a second embodiment of an inventive diaper.
  • the diaper shown in Figure 4 differs from the diaper shown in Figure 1 by virtue of the fact that all fastener devices 22-25 are mounted on one and the same ⁇ ide of the diaper, namely on the liquid-permeable ca ⁇ ing sheet 1.
  • the side end- part ⁇ on the same respective ⁇ ide of the contemplated centre line 13 will form combined flap ⁇ which face outwardly of the wearer.
  • the diaper connection obtained with this embodiment is not only subjected e ⁇ entially to the shear forces that are more favourable from the aspect of load, but instead will mainly be ⁇ ubjected to the le ⁇ de ⁇ irable peeling force ⁇ .
  • thi ⁇ embodiment affords other advantages. For instance, it may be beneficial from the aspect of manufacture to mount all fastener devices on one and the same side of the diaper, particularly when the individual diaper ⁇ are produced by cutting the diaper ⁇ from an originally continuous product web.
  • This embodiment may al ⁇ o be beneficial when the article concerned i ⁇ a ⁇ o-called openable and re-clo ⁇ able pants-type diaper whose fastener devices are fastened together in conjunction with the manufacture of the pants-type diaper, for instance in the manner described in our Swedish Patent Application SE 94021227-5.
  • Figure 5 illustrate ⁇ an embodiment which differ ⁇ from the Figure 4 embodiment by virtue of the fact that the fastener device ⁇ 26-29 are four in number on each ⁇ ide end-part 14-17.
  • Those edge-parts of the diaper ⁇ ide end-parts along which the fastener devices 26-29 are mounted will herewith be les ⁇ rigid than when the fa ⁇ tener device extend ⁇ along a distance which correspond ⁇ to the di ⁇ tance covered by the four ⁇ maller devices 26-29.
  • Figure 6 illustrate ⁇ a variant of fastener device ⁇ 30-33 that are mounted on a diaper in the ⁇ ame po ⁇ itions as on the diaper shown in Figure 1, but which differ from the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 18-21 of the Figure 1 embodiment by virtue of the fact that this fastener device variant 30-33 is of a type that can be fastened to a similar fastener device.
  • the fastener device ⁇ also include part ⁇ which enable the same type of fastener device to be fastened in one specific way to a ⁇ imilar fa ⁇ tener device mounted on the same side surface of the article and on the same end-part, but in another specific way to a similar fa ⁇ tener device mounted on the ⁇ ame side of the contemplated centre line of the diaper but on the opposite end-part, as will be explained more clearly below with reference to Figure ⁇ 6-10.
  • the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 30-33 shown in Figures 6-10 have an S- shape cross-section or an inverse S- ⁇ hape cro ⁇ -section (depending on the direction in which the profile is viewed) which form a double-hook configuration.
  • the fa ⁇ ter device ⁇ may be compri ⁇ ed of elongated profile ⁇ made of thermoplastic material, for instance polyester, polypropylene or polyethyl ⁇ ene.
  • the fastener devices are pliant and resilient, ⁇ o that two fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ can be in ⁇ erted one into the other and firmly clamped in a manner described in more detail below with reference to Figures 9 and 10.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a double-hook fastener device 32 on the left-side end-part of the second end-part of Figure 6, i.e. the third side end-part 16, in a cross-sectional view taken on the line A-A.
  • the fastener device 32 include ⁇ a ba ⁇ e part 34 and a fa ⁇ tener part 35 in the form of an inverted S, which in turn include ⁇ two curved segments 36, 37.
  • the first segment 36 extend ⁇ from the ba ⁇ e-part edge 38 located proximal to the diaper ⁇ ide-edge 6 and extend ⁇ arcuately inwards from the diaper side-edge 6.
  • the second segment 37 extend ⁇ from the first segment in the opposite direction to said ⁇ egment while describing an inverted arc, i.e.
  • the base-part 34 of the fastener device is glued or welded to the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1 of the diaper or affixed thereto in ⁇ ome other way.
  • the base-part may in ⁇ tead be mounted on the liquid-permeable ca ⁇ ing ⁇ heet 3 or between the two ca ⁇ ing ⁇ heet ⁇ 1, 3.
  • the inverted S- ⁇ haped fa ⁇ tener part 35 ⁇ hall be mounted on that side of the diaper which is covered by the liquid-permeable ⁇ heet 1 in all ca ⁇ e ⁇ , i.e. on that side of the diaper which faces toward ⁇ the wearer in use.
  • Figure 8 is a cro ⁇ s-sectional view of a similar fastener device 30 on the first ⁇ ide end-part 14, said view being taken on the line B-B in Figure 6.
  • This fastener device 30, however, has the difference that it ⁇ S- ⁇ haped fa ⁇ tener part 35 extends out from that side surface of the diaper formed by the outer surface of the liquid-impermeable casing ⁇ heet 3.
  • the fastener device 30 thu ⁇ include ⁇ a ba ⁇ e part 41 and an S-shaped fastener part 42, which in turn includes two curved ⁇ egment ⁇ 43, 44.
  • the ba ⁇ e part 41 and the first segment 43 define therebetween a space 45, while a space 46 is defined between the first ⁇ egment 43 and the ⁇ econd segment 44.
  • Figure 9 illustrates the mutual engagement of two fastener device ⁇ 32, 30 in forming a locking connection when the diaper is in use.
  • the first and second ⁇ egment ⁇ 43, 44 of the fastener device 30 on the first side end-part are inserted into the space 39 on the fa ⁇ tener device 32 of the third ⁇ ide end-part, i.e. between the ba ⁇ e part 34 of the fa ⁇ tener device 32 and the first fastener segment 36.
  • the first and the second segments 36, 37 of the fastener device 32 on the third side end-part are al ⁇ o inserted into the ⁇ pace 45 in the fastener device 30 on the first side end- part, i.e. between the base part 41 of the fastener device 30 and the fir ⁇ t fa ⁇ tener ⁇ egment 43.
  • the re ⁇ pective inserted segments 43, 44 of the two fastener devices 30, 32 are held firmly clamped in the respective spaces 39 and 45 of the second fastener device by virtue of the ⁇ upplene ⁇ s and resiliency of the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ .
  • the fa ⁇ tener seg ent ⁇ will deform temporarily when entering the space ⁇ and when located therein will spring back and clamp firmly against the inner walls of the space.
  • the fa ⁇ tening connection can be ea ⁇ ily relea ⁇ ed, however, by ⁇ ubjecting the fastener segments temporarily to a segment deforming force, ⁇ o a ⁇ to enable ⁇ aid ⁇ egments to be withdrawn through the openings of re ⁇ pective recesse ⁇ .
  • the ⁇ egments must al ⁇ o be moved ⁇ ufficiently rearward ⁇ of one another to enable the ⁇ egments to be moved to side of and beyond one another, so a ⁇ to fully relea ⁇ e the fa ⁇ tener system.
  • the fa ⁇ tener ⁇ y ⁇ tem i ⁇ constructed so that the force required to release the fastener will be sufficiently large to prevent the fastener being released unintentionally by the forces that act normally on the diaper when in use.
  • the force required to release the fastener may also be made ⁇ o large as to require the strength of an adult to release the fa ⁇ tener.
  • the fastener locking force may be adapted to a magnitude which enables the wearer him ⁇ elf/her ⁇ elf to release the fastener, even when the wearer is a child.
  • Figure 10 illustrate ⁇ the fastener device 32 (shown in Figure 7) on the third ⁇ ide end-part 16 in engagement with the fa ⁇ tener device 33 on the fourth ⁇ ide end-part 17, i.e. illustrates the manner in which two fastener devices on the same end-part are intended to coact with one another.
  • the two fastener device ⁇ 32 and 33 on the ⁇ econd end-part 11 will be the only fa ⁇ tener devices that are acces ⁇ ible for u ⁇ e in clo ⁇ ing the folded or rolled-up diaper.
  • This insertion is shown in Figure 10.
  • the second fastener segment 47 of the right-hand fastener device 33 has no function in thi ⁇ situation. Neither ha ⁇ the space 39 defined between the base part 34 and the first fastener segment 36 of the left-hand fastener device 32.
  • the two fastener devices 32, 33 shown in Figure 10 may alternatively be fastened together in the reverse manner, i.e. the left-hand fa ⁇ tener device 32 with it ⁇ base part 34 and its first fastener segment 36 may have been in ⁇ erted into the space 48 defined between the first and the second fastener segments 46, 47 of the right-hand fastener segment 33.
  • the respective fastener devices 30 and 31 on the first end-part 10 are able to grip with one another when the diaper i ⁇ in ⁇ tead rolled or folded ⁇ o that the ⁇ e two fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 30, 31 will be the only fastener devices that are accessible upon completion of the procedure.
  • FIG 11 is a cro ⁇ - ⁇ ectional view of a ⁇ ingle hook 49 taken on the ⁇ ame location in Figure 6 a ⁇ the fa ⁇ tener device 30, i.e. on the line B-B.
  • the ⁇ ingle hook 49 include ⁇ a ba ⁇ e part 50 mounted on the liquid-impermeable ca ⁇ ing ⁇ heet 3, and a curved fastener segment 51 in the same way a ⁇ corre ⁇ ponding part ⁇ of the S- ⁇ haped double hook 30-33.
  • the single hook 49 differs from the double hook ⁇ 30-33 by virtue of not having a curved second fastener segment. Thus, only one space 52 into which another hook can be engaged is defined between the base part 50 and the fastener segment 51.
  • FIGS 12-13 illustrate how the S-shaped double hooks 32 coact in two different ways with single hooks 49, 53 mounted at two different positions on the diaper shown in Figure 6.
  • Figure 12 is a view corresponding to the diaper fastening situation shown in Figure 9, i.e. illustrates the insertion of the fastener device, the double hook 32, together with its first and second fastener segments 36, 37 on the third side end-part 16 into the space 52 between the base part 50 of the single hook 49 of the fastener device on the first side end- part 14 and the fastener segment 51.
  • Figure 13 is a view which corresponds to the diaper fastening procedure shown in Figure 10, i.e. illustrates how the fastener device 32 on the third side end-part 16 is fastened to the fastener device 53 on the fourth side end-part 17, i.e. shows how two fastener devices on the ⁇ ame end-part are intended to mutually coact when the diaper i ⁇ folded or rolled-up into a disposal package.
  • the fastener device 53 on the fourth ⁇ ide end-part 17 ha ⁇ the form of a single hook whose base part 55 and curved fa ⁇ tener segment 56 are inserted into the space 40 defined in the S-shaped double hook 32 between the fir ⁇ t and the ⁇ econd fa ⁇ tener ⁇ egments 36, 37 thereof.
  • the right-hand ⁇ ide end-parts 15, 17 of the diaper shown in Figure 6, i.e. the two side end-parts to the right of the contemplated centre line 13, are connect ⁇ ed by means of two ⁇ ingle hook ⁇ 53, 54, which provide ⁇ an effective fastening as these single hook ⁇ are mounted on different side surface ⁇ of the diaper.
  • the diaper according to this embodiment can be closed and sealed in it ⁇ folded or rolled-up ⁇ tate without undue difficulty, by means of the two single hook ⁇ 49, 54 on the fir ⁇ t end-part 10, due to the fact that the single hooks in this configuration will be located on the same side and having their respective fastener segments directed away from each other.
  • Figures 14-16 illustrate another embodiment in which four fastener devices 57-60 are mounted on the four ⁇ ide end-part ⁇ 14-17 of the diaper.
  • the illu ⁇ trated fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 57-60 are compri ⁇ ed of up ⁇ tanding elongated projections of U- ⁇ haped cross- ⁇ ection, of which the fa ⁇ tener device 59 on the third ⁇ ide end-part 16 i ⁇ ⁇ hown in cro ⁇ -section in Figure 15, taken on the line C-C in Figure 14.
  • the fastener device 59 has a base part 61, which is affixed to the liquid-permeable casing ⁇ heet 1 and extend ⁇ in the same plane thereas, two wall ⁇ 62, 63 which are up ⁇ tanding from the base part 61, and a roof 64 which extends between the two walls 62, 63.
  • the two walls 62, 63 slope slightly toward ⁇ one another from the roof or web 64 to the ba ⁇ e part 61.
  • the two ca ⁇ ing sheets 1, 3 present an opening 65 between the two walls 62, 63, the width of thi ⁇ opening being approxi ⁇ mately equal to the di ⁇ tance between the two walls 62, 63.
  • the opening also extends e ⁇ sentially along the full length of the fastener device 59.
  • An inner groove or channel i ⁇ formed within the opening 65, between the wall ⁇ 62, 63 and the roof 64.
  • the wall ⁇ 62, 63 and the roof 64 al ⁇ o form at the ⁇ ame time an outer channel in the form of a projection 66 upstanding from the base part 61.
  • the three remaining fastener device ⁇ 56, 58 and 60 are in principle con ⁇ tructed in the ⁇ ame way and are all mounted on the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1 of the diaper with an opening through the two ca ⁇ ing ⁇ heet ⁇ 1, 3 located generally opposite to and extending along the internal channel of respective fastener devices.
  • the fastener devices 57-60 may be comprised of thermoplastic material or some other resilient material. They need not be comprised of one single elongated U-like profile, but may be comprised of several discrete profiles dispo ⁇ ed in a selected pattern within respective side end-parts, although conve ⁇ niently in patterns which match each other on mutually adjacent side end-part ⁇ of the ⁇ ame end-part or on the same respective side of the contemplated centre line 13. Neither need the profile have a U-like ⁇ hape, since any configuration i ⁇ conceivable that will allow one fa ⁇ tener device to fit into another.
  • the fa ⁇ tener devices 57-60 of the Figure 14 embodiment have three mutually different size ⁇ with regard to channel width and channel height, i.e. the di ⁇ tance between the wall ⁇ and the distance from the roof to the base part.
  • the fastener device 57 on the first side end-part 14 is larger than the fastener devices 58, 59 on respective second and third side end-parts 15, 16 which are mutually of the same size, said fastener devices 58, 59 being, in turn, larger than the fastener device 60 on the fourth side end- part 17, thi ⁇ latter fastener device thus being the smallest of the four devices.
  • the size difference between the fastener devices 57-60 i ⁇ such as to enable a fastener device of given ⁇ ize to fit into and be coupled together with a fa ⁇ tener device of the next largest size.
  • the fastener devices 58, 60 on the right of the contemplated centre line can be coupled together to form a pants-like configuration in use.
  • the diaper can be rolled-up and clo ⁇ ed in the manner ⁇ hown in Figure 3, by fa ⁇ tening the ⁇ maller of the two fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 58 or 60 on one of the end-parts 10 or 11, to the larger fastener device 57 or 59 on the same end-part 10 or 11 respectively.
  • the position ⁇ of the three mutually connectable fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 57-60 of mutually different ⁇ ize are not restricted to the position shown in Figure 14, for instance ⁇ uch that the ⁇ malle ⁇ t fastener device 60 mu ⁇ t be mounted on the ⁇ econd and rear end-part 11.
  • a ⁇ elected number of all fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ can be moved through one-quarter of a turn in a clockwi ⁇ e or anti-clockwi ⁇ e direction, ⁇ o that the re ⁇ pective fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ 57-60 will be located on a ⁇ ide end-part other than that ⁇ hown in Figure 14, provided that the mutual po ⁇ itioning between the fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ i ⁇ maintained.
  • the fastener devices will be deformed slightly when one fa ⁇ tener device i ⁇ in ⁇ erted into the other, and will then spring back and tightly abut respective wall ⁇ and roofs so as to provide a mechanical locking action.
  • a ⁇ in the ca ⁇ e of the aforede ⁇ - cribed S- ⁇ haped fastener devices the force required to release the fastener will be greater than the force to which the diaper is normally subjected to in use. It will be understood that a number of variant ⁇ are po ⁇ ible within the ⁇ cope of the invention, and that the invention i ⁇ re ⁇ tricted solely by the scope of the following Claims.
  • each ⁇ ide end-part 14-17 may include two mutually different and mutually coacting type ⁇ of fa ⁇ tener devices, for instance both a hook element and a loop element of a touch-and-close fastener.
  • Figure 17 ⁇ how ⁇ one ⁇ uch example in which a hook-type fastener-element 68 and a loop- type fastener-element 69 of a touch-and-close fastener have been positioned alternately in a row in respective side end- parts 14-17.
  • a loop fastener-element 69 is mounted nearest the end-edge 9 of the first side end-part 14, followed by a hook fastener-element 68, which in turn is followed by a further loop fastener-element 69, which is followed by a further hook fastener-element 68.
  • the sequence on the second end-part 15 begin ⁇ with a hook fa ⁇ tener-element 68 nearest the end-edge 9 and terminates with a loop fastener-element 69.
  • a hook fastener-element 68 is mounted neare ⁇ t the end-edge 8, thi ⁇ fastener element being followed by a loop fastener- element 69, a further hook fastener-element 68 and finally a further loop fastener-element 69.
  • the sequence of fastener elements on the fourth ⁇ ide end-part ⁇ tarting from the end-edge 8 i ⁇ the same as that on the first ⁇ ide end-part 14, counting from it ⁇ nearest end-edge 9.
  • the embodiment illustrated in Figure 17 functions in the same way as the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, although each side end-part includes two mutually different fastener devices instead of only one.
  • the four ⁇ ide end-parts of the described embodiment ⁇ have been identified with ordinal number ⁇ and different types of fastener devices have been described as being placed on specific side end-parts.
  • the "third" side end-part may ju ⁇ t a ⁇ well be the "fir ⁇ t" side end-part within the scope of the wording of the Claims, and that a fastener device which has been said to be mounted on a given side end-part in one embodiment can equally as well be mounted on one of the other three end- parts. It is ⁇ olely the mutual relative po ⁇ ition ⁇ of the different fa ⁇ tener device ⁇ that is significant to the invention.

Abstract

The present invention relates to absorbent article such as a diaper or an openable and re-closable pants-type diaper, comprising a fastener system by means of which the end-parts (10, 11) of the article can be closed from a non-assembled or open configuration to form a pants-type configuration, and by means of which the end-parts (10, 11) can be loosened from an assembled or closed pants-type configuration to a non-assembled or open configuration, wherein the fastener system includes mutually coacting fastener devices (18-21; 22-25; 26-29; 30-33; 49, 32, 53, 54; 57-60; 68, 69). The invention is characterized in that at least one of the end-parts (10, 11) on one and the same first or second side of the article includes fastener devices (18, 20; 22, 24; 26, 28; 30, 32; 49, 32; 57, 59; 68, 69) on the first side end-part (14, 16), which fastener device or which fastener devices (18, 20; 22, 24; 26, 28; 30, 32; 49, 32; 57, 59; 68, 69) can coact with one or more fastener devices (19, 21, 23, 25; 27, 29; 31, 33; 54, 53; 58, 60; 68, 69) on the second side end-part (15, 17) on the same end-part (10, 11); and in that respective side end-parts (14, 15) on the one end-part (10, 11) include fastener devices (18, 19, 22, 23; 26, 27; 30, 31; 49, 54; 57, 58; 68, 69) that can coact with fastener devices (20, 21; 24, 25; 28, 29; 32, 33; 32, 53; 59, 60; 68, 69) on the second end-part (11) on side end-parts (16, 17) on respective same sides of the comtemplated line (13) between the end-edges (8, 9). The fastener system can be used to close the absorbent article both during and after use.

Description

AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE PROVIDED WITH A FASTENER SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a diaper or an openable and re-closable pants-type diaper, comprising first and second sides which when the article is worn are intended to lie proximal to and distal from the wearer's body respectively, first and second end-parts which when the article is worn are intended to lie respectively against the front-part and the rear-part of the wearer, and a crotch part which is located between said two end-parts and which when the article is worn is intended to be located between the wearer's thighs, wherein the article further comprises a fastener system by means of which the end-parts of the article can be brought together to an assembled or closed pants-like configuration from a non-assembled or open configuration or which enables the end-parts to be loosened from an assembled or closed pants-like configuration to a non-assembled or open configuration, wherein the fastener system includes mutually coacting fastener devices, wherein the article includes two side-edges which in the non-assem¬ bled state of the article delimit its transverse extension, wherein in the non-assembled state of the article each end- part includes an end-edge which delimits the longitudinal extension of said article, and wherein the article includes a contemplated longitudinally extending line which passes from one end-edge to the other end-edge centrally between the side-edges such as to divide each respective end-part into a first and a second side end-part.
Among other conceivable products with which the invention can be suitably applied are pants-type sanitary napkins for menstruating women and pants that are intended to support absorbent inserts and intended for one-time use only or for repeated use, primarily those intended for one-time use only. It is particularly preferred to apply the invention with absorbent articles that are intended for one-time use only.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Absorbent articles such as child and adult diapers have long been provided with fastener systems by means of which the user or the user's nurse, minder, can bring different parts of the diaper, for instance the front and rear parts of the diaper, into more or less close abutment with the user's body, so that the diaper will take a pants-like configuration around the wearer's body. The fastener system can also be released, to enable the diaper to be removed after use.
Exampleε of such fastener systems include individual pants or a triangular sheet which supports an absorbent insert so that said insert will face towards the wearer's body in use.
Other fastener systems include article-mounted fastener devices by means of which the front and the rear parts of the article can be joined together. Examples of such fastener systems are adhesive coatings and mechanical fastener devices. These latter devices may, for instance, consist in press studs, buttons and button holes or so-called touch-and- close fasteners, ie loop and hook fasteners. Both adhesive and mechanical fastener devices may be provided on fastener tabs mounted on the article, suitably in the vicinity of itε two corner parts.
Examples of diapers provided with such adhesive fastener tabs are described in Swedish Patent Specification SE 446056. The diaper according to SE 446 056 is also provided with one or more plastic stripε mounted on the end of the diaper oppoεite the end on which the fastener tabs are arranged. When using the diaper, the plastic strip or plaεtic strips are used aε an anchorage surface for securing the fastener tabs. The nature of the plastic strip is such as to enable the fastener tabs to be released therefrom without damaging the adheεive coating on the faεtener tabε or the plastic strip. This enables the fastener tabε to be refastened to the plaεtic strip, for instance after having opened the diaper to see whether or not it needs to be changed. This fastener system has the added advantage of enabling a removed, εoiled diaper to be rolled up, folded or packaged in εome other way with the plaεtic backing εheet facing outwards and to be effec¬ tively secured and sealed with the aid of the fastener system, so that no urine or faeces are able to escape from the packaged diaper. Since a diaper in this state is not intended for further use, it is not necessary to ensure that the fastener tabs can be released undamaged more than once. Consequently, when closing and sealing the aforesaid "pack¬ age", the adhesive fastener tabs can be fastened to any suitable part of the diaper backing sheet whatsoever, and thus also surfaces from which the faεtener tabs cannot be loosened without causing damage to the backing sheet or to the adhesive coating on the fastener tabs.
It is known to use mechanical fastener devices as an alterna- tive to adhesive diaper fastener means. European Patent Specification EP 0 235 014 Bl is an example of the patent literature relating to diapers provided with mechanical fastener tabs. The fastener system described in this publica¬ tion iε largely similar to the faεtener system disclosed in SE 446 056, but, of course, with the difference that the fastener means is a mechanical means, more specifically a touch-and-cloεe, hook-loop type fastener.
Another example is found in European publication EP 0 321 234 Al, which deεcribes a mechanical fastener system for articles intended for one-time use only and provided with means to enable the article to be discarded in a convenient manner. It is reported that this patent application is based on the observation that in the case of a typical touch-and-close faεtener, the hook-pile of the faεtener is mounted on a firεt end-part of the article while the loop-pile iε disposed on another end-part of the article. It is maintained that the loop-pile normally folds or rolls in under other parts of the article to be hidden thereby, so as not to be exposed and accessible to the loop-pile when the article is being packaged for dispoεal after uεe. The propoεed εolution to this problem is to be provide the article with disposal means which enable the article to be closed and sealed in a "disposal state". The disposal means can have different forms. According to one preferred embodiment, an extra faεtener device iε mounted on the rear εide of at least one of the fastener tabε, εo aε to enable the extra fastener device to be fastened to the front side of the other fastener tab, after bringing the article to a "disposal state".
The problem described in EP 0321 234 Al and the solution proposed therein obviously assume that the article must be folded or rolled-up in a certain way after use, viz so that one of the components of the fastener system will be located in an inaccessible position which makes it imposεible to secure this component to the other component of the fastener εyεtem. In thiε regard, it would seem necessary to mount fastener components of mutually the same kind in a conven¬ tional manner, i.e. in the same reεpective end-parts and on the same side surface of the diaper. It would also seem that the faεtener componentε muεt have a very small extension over reεpective εide surfaces of the diaper, and that the diaper backing sheet must be comprised of a plastic film against which the fastener components are unable to faεten. When such a diaper is rolled together (in the manner that a carpet is normally rolled-up) , beginning from the end-part that includes the loop-pile faεtener deviceε aε described in EP 0 321 234 Al, the user will find that he or she has rolled these devices into the middle of the diaper roll, without any part of εaid deviceε projecting forwards on the expoεed outer side of the roll. In this εtate of the diaper, the hook-pile of the fastener devices is no longer able to faεten to the loop-pile devices and not against the diaper backing sheet either. The inventors connected with EP 0 321 234 Al then find that it iε neceεεary to increaεe the number of exiεting fastener components for closing a diaper in this rolled-up state. This will, of course, increase material consumption and therewith make the article more expensive. When needing to include additional fastener components, the difficulty arises as to where theεe componentε shall be best positioned so as to enable them to be uεed correctly by the user. It is unlikely that all userε will handle a used diaper in a mutually similar fashion when diεpoεing of the diaper after use. The provision of a further fastener component or several more fastener components on the article will add further procedures to the article manufacturing process, making manufacture more complicated. Another way of solving the problem would be to substantially increase the extension of the existing fastener components across the side surfaces of the diaper, instead of increasing their number. However, this also results in higher material consumption. Because the thickness of the outer casing sheet is increased over a large part of its surface as a result of extending the fastener componentε, the article will be stiffer and therewith less pliable and also lesε comfortable to wear.
It εhould be mentioned for the sake of completeness that a diaper according to EP 0235014 Bl can, of course, be closed and secured in a rolled-up state after use, but only when the diaper is rolled-up from the end in which the hook and loop fastener tabs are mounted. When the diaper is rolled-up in this way, the loop and hook receiving strip or strips will be accesεible to the hook and loop deviceε. The same diaper may, of course, also be closed after use, by fastening the hook and loop devices to the receiving strip in the same manner as that applied when the diaper is donned. In this case, however, it is necesεary to refrain from encapεulating the faeceε on the surface of a soiled diaper in the more compact faεhion afforded by the rolling-up procedure. THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION AND ITS MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanical absorbent-article fastening system.
Another object of the present invention is to εolve the problem of cloεing an abεorbent article with the aid of a mechanical faεtener εyεtem both during use and after use.
A further object of the preεent invention iε to provide an absorbent article having a mechanical fastener system which can be used to close the absorbent article during use and after use and which utilizes as few components as necessary or whose extenεion is not greater than that required to function effectively in both caseε.
These objects are achieved with an absorbent article of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is characterized in that at least one of the end-parts on one and the same first or second side of the article includeε a fastener device in the first side end-part, εaid faεtener device or faεtener deviceε being able to coact with one or more faεtener devices on the εecond side end-part of the same end-part, and in that respective side end-parts of one end-part include a fastener device that can coact with a faεtener device on the εecond end-part of side end-parts on reεpective same sideε of a contemplated line between the end-edgeε.
The preεent invention provides an article which utilizes the same fastener devices for closing and securing the article both during and after use in a highly cost-effective manner, without needing to provide faεtener deviceε that are particu¬ larly intended for thiε latter purpoεe or without needing to give the faεtener deviceε an unneceεsarily large surface area. The preεent invention thus provides advantageε from an economical aεpect and alεo with regard to the uεe of reεourc- es. The present invention enables the article to be folded or rolled-up after use in εeveral wayε, although while alwayε enεuring that two faεtener deviceε will be available for fastening against one another and therewith close and secure the diaper in itε folded-up or rolled-up state. It is also very beneficial to the user not to need to keep track of more faεtener deviceε than necessary, and the present invention therefore makeε the article very easy to use.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener syεtem includes at least two types of fastener devices which are able to coact with fastener devices of a different type.
According to one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first side end-part of the first end-part of the diaper is provided with at least one first type of fastener device, and the second side end-part of said first end-part is provided with at least one second type of fastener device; and in that the εecond end-part iε provided with fastener deviceε of the first and the second type in reverεed relationεhip with the imaginary centre line in compariεon with the faεtener devices on the εide end-parts of the firεt end-part.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastener system includes a first type of fastener device that can coact with a second type of faεtener device, wherein this second faεtener device can alεo coact with a third type of faεtener device, wherein the first εide end-part of the firεt end-part includes at least one first type of faεtener device and the second side end-part on the opposite side of said contemplated centre line includes at leaεt one εecond type of faεtener device and the εecond end-part includeε a εecond type of fastener device on a side end-part located on the same εide of the contemplated centre line aε the firεt side end-part, and wherein the second end-part includes a third type of fastener device on the εide end-part located on the εecond εide of the contemplated centre line relative to the firεt εide end-part on the firεt end-part.
The faεtener devices may all be mounted on the same firεt or εecond side of the article on its first end-part, whereas the faεtener devices on the second end-part are mounted on oppoεite firεt or εecond εideε of the article in relation to the fastener devices on the first end-part.
The fastener devices are preferably comprised of mechanical devices, for instance touch-and-cloεe fasteners, presε studs, preferably vacuum-formed presε studs, buttons and button holes, or profiles of inverted S-shaped or S-shaped cross- section, or U-shaped profiled partε. The faεtener deviceε may alεo comprise a fastener device of the kind with which said device can coact with a εimilar faεtener device, for inεtance with an S-εhaped profiled part or an inverted S-εhaped profiled part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be deεcribed in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the diaper shown in Figure 1 in its intended εtate of uεe, with the front and the side end-parts of the right-hand of the diaper joined together, but with the two end-partε of the left-hand εide of the diaper being εhown εeparated from one another for the sake of illustration;
Figure 3 illustrates the diaper of Figures 1 and 2 in a rolled-up εtate, with the two fastener devices on the rear end-part of the diaper mutually connected;
Figure 4 illustrateε a εecond embodiment of an inventive diaper εchematically from above;
Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above;
Figure 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line A-A in Figure 6 and illustrates schematically one of the fastener deviceε on the diaper εhown in said Figure;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line B-B in Figure 6 and illustrates εchematically another of the faεtener deviceε on the diaper εhown in Figure 6;
Figure 9 illuεtrateε schematically the coaction between the two fastener devices εhown in Figures 7 and 8 in the contem¬ plated use configuration of the diaper;
Figure 10 illustrates schematically the coaction of the fastener device of Figure 7 with said other fastener device on the same end-part when cloεing the diaper to form a disposal package after use;
Figure 11 iε a croεε-εectional view of a type of fastener device different to that shown in Figure 8, said view being taken on the line B-B in Figure 6, this fastener device being in accordance with a variant of the fourth embodiment;
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate respectively coaction of the fastener device shown in Figure 7 with a fastener device of the type εhown in Figure 11, when the diaper iε in use and after uεe, thiε coaction being similar to the coaction shown in Figures 9 and 10;
Figure 14 illuεtrateε a fifth embodiment of an inventive diaper εchematically from above;
Figure 15 iε a croεε-sectional view of the fastener deviceε εhown in Figure 14 taken on the line C-C in said Figure;
Figure 16 is a crosε-εectional view of the faεtener device εhown in Figure 15 with said device fastened to the fastener device located on the oppoεite end-part on the εame εide of the article, in a manner corresponding to that shown in Figure 9; and
Figure 17 illuεtrates a sixth embodiment of an inventive diaper schematically from above.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a diaper from that side of the diaper which is intended to lie proximal to the wearer in use. The diaper is shown in a flat and extended state, i.e. in a non-assem¬ bled or open configuration. Figure 2 showε the diaper of Figure 1 in a partially aεεembled or partial pantε-type configuration, as the diaper will be seen when donned by a uεer, and Figure 3 shows the diaper when packaged after use, i.e. when folded together or rolled-up and secured by means of the fastener devices to form a dispoεable package.
The diaper includes a liquid-permeable casing εheet 1, an abεorbent body 2 located inwardly of said casing sheet, and a liquid-impermeable caεing or backing εheet 3 on the other εide of the abεorbent body. The casing sheets 1 and 3 and the absorbent body 2 form no real part of the present invention and will therefore only be deεcribed in brief below. The liquid-permeable caεing εheet 1 may be compriεed of any conventional material whatεoever, provided that it will fulfil the requirements that are normally placed on absorbent article εheet material, for inεtance rapid penetration of diεcharged fluidε, low rewetting tendencies, softneεs and other skin-friendly properties. For instance, the casing sheet may be compriεed of εpun-bonded or thermo-bonded nonwoven fabric, or perforated plastic film. The casing εheet may also conεiεt in εeveral layerε that may be bonded to one another over a more or leεs large surface area.
The liquid-impermeable casing sheet 3 may be comprised of plastic film, for instance polyethylene or polypropylene. This sheet may also consist in a multi-layer construction, for instance a laminate or an extrusion laminate.
Although the two casing sheets 1, 3 in Figures 1-3 are shown to have the same extension, it will be understood that these sheetε may have different extenεionε, wherein the liquid- permeable casing sheet may have a larger extenεion than the liquid-impermeable casing sheet, or vice verεa.
The extenεionε of the abεorbent body 2 are εmaller than the extensions of the two casing sheetε 1 and 3 in all direc¬ tions. The casing sheets 1, 3 are glued or welded together along their peripheral edge regions formed around the absorbent body 2. Naturally, the size and the location of these joining areas may vary, depending on the size relation¬ ship between the casing sheetε and the absorbent body respectively. The absorbent body 3 may include any appropri- ate absorbent material, such as cellulose fluff pulp for inεtance. The absorbent material may be admixed with absor¬ bent gel-forming polymers, also referred to as super¬ absorbents or SAP. These polymers may have the form of cross¬ linked polyacrylates.
The abεorbent body may be joined to either one or both of the caεing εheets over greater or smaller parts of its εurface. For inεtance, the abεorbent body may be joined to the liquid- impermeable sheet by means of a number of sparεely εpaced and mutually parallel glue εtringε applied to εaid layer.
The diaper illuεtrated in Figure 1 also includes elastic threadε 4 and 5 provided along the εide-edgeε 6, 7 and the end-edges 8, 9 of the diaper. Naturally, it is conceivable to uεe other types of elastic devices, εuch as elastic rubber bandε or elastic foam material instead of elastic threadε. Elastic devices may alεo be provided within other partε of the diaper than the regionε εhown in Figureε 1-3. The surface covered by the elastic devices may alεo be much larger than the relatively narrow edge-portionε εhown in the Figureε. The number of elastic threads may, of course, alεo vary and may be more than two or only one. Figure 1 εhowε the diaper in a εtate in which the elaεtic devices 4, 5 are stretched from their elastic relaxed state, whereaε Figures 2 and 3 show the diaper in a state in which the elastic devices have contract¬ ed more or less.
The illustrated diaper includes a first end-part 10, a second end-part 11 and an intermediate crotch part 12. There are, however, no precise boundaries between the crotch part 12 and respective end-partε 10, 11. By end-part is meant in this document the respective parts of the diaper which when the diaper is worn will face towards the wearer's stomach and bottom respectively. More particularly, the first end-part 10 is intended to face towards the stomach of the wearer and the second end-part 11 iε intended to face towardε the wearer's bottom. Correspondingly, the crotch part 12 of the diaper is intended to be located between the wearer's thighs when the diaper is in use. The crotch part 12 is comprised approximately of the diaper part within which the elastic devices 4 are arranged, i.e. along a part of the diaper in which the εide-edgeε 6, 7 define an arcuate εhape with the intention of forming a pair of curved side edge-parts which serve as leg openingε when the diaper is worn. The reference numeral 13 in Figure 1 identifieε a contemplat¬ ed longitudinally extending line which extendε from one end- edge 8 to the other end-edge 9, centrally between the side- edges 6, 7. The fictive line 13 divides the diaper into two longitudinally extending halves. The fictive line 13 also divides the two end-parts 10, 11 into two side end-parts 14- 17, i.e. a first and a second side end-part 14, 15 in the first end-part 10, and a third and a fourth side end-part 16, 17 in the εecond end-part 11.
Faεtener deviceε 18, 21 are mounted on respective side end- parts 14-17. The fastener devices 18-21 are of two types that have mutually complementary properties so as to be able to coact with one another to form a locking connection or fastening that can be opened and re-closed repeatedly. These fastener devices will be referred to in the following as first fastener devices 18, 21 and second fastener devices 19, 20. A first fastener device 18 is mounted on the first side end-part 14, a second fastener device 19 is mounted on the second side end-part 15, a second fastener device 20 is mounted on the third side end-part 16 and a firεt faεtener device 21 is mounted on the fourth side end-part 17. The respective fastener devices 18, 19 and 20, 21 mounted on the same end-part 10 and 11 respectively are located on the εame reεpective εide surface of the diaper, in other words the fastener devices 18, 19 on the first end-part 10 are located on the liquid-impermeable casing sheet 3 , whereaε the fastener devices 20, 21 are located on the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1. The fastener devices on the same respective end-part are thus of different types. The fastener devices on the same side of the contemplated or fictive centre line are also of different types. The advantage afforded by this arrangement will be apparent when considering the diaper shown in Figure 1 in its two different states of use, i.e. in the contemplated state when cloεed together in uεe, as shown in Figure 2, and the contemplated state when closed together after use, as shown in Figure 3. When donning the diaper, two fastener devices 18, 20 and 19, 21 respectively are fastened together on the same side of the contemplated centre line 13; see Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 2, the left-hand end-parts 14, 16 of the diaper shown in Figures 1-2 are joined together by means of the firεt and the εecond faεtener deviceε 18, 20 mounted on εaid left-hand side end-parts 14, 16. The right-hand εide end-parts 15, 17 can be fastened together in a corresponding manner, by bringing together the first and the second faεtener deviceε 19, 21 located on their respective right-hand side end-partε 15, 17, although thiε iε not εhown in Figure 2. Up to this point, the diaper shown in Figures 1-2 does not differ functionally from a conventional diaper which includes similar pairε of faεtener deviceε at reεpective end-parts. However, the difference between the present invention and the known technique, and also the advantage afforded by the invention with the mutual positionε of the two typeε of faεtener devices shown in Figure 1 will become apparent when alεo εtudying Figure 3.
Figure 3 shows the diaper in a rolled-up state, beginning from the end-edge 9 located in the first end-part 10, i.e. that end of the diaper which is intended to be located forwardly of the wearer. As the diaper is rolled-up, the two faεtener deviceε 18, 19 in the first end-part 10 will be rolled into the innermost part of the diaper roll, whereaε the two fastener devices 20, 21 on the second end-part 11 will be accessible and can be used to fasten and secure the rolled-up diaper, by virtue of being two mutually different but complementary fastener devices. Thiε would not have been possible if the fastener deviceε had been of mutually the εame type on the same respective end-part.
The invention thus enableε the user to fold, roll-up or package the diaper in some other way while enclosing the urine and/or faeces in a closed package with the liquid- impermeable casing sheet turned outwards. Furthermore, the user need not worry about having to find fastener devices that are positioned particularly to thiε end, but iε able to uεe the normal faεtener deviceε, i.e. the fastener deviceε that are uεed to εecure the diaper on the wearer. Further- more, the initial direction in which the diaper iε rolled-up to form a diεposable package iε totally irrelevant. The rolled-up diaper can also be cloεed and sealed when rolling- up the diaper while starting from the second end-part 11.
In uεe, reεpective εide end-parts 16, 17 of the second and rear end-parts will overlap the first and front side end- parts 14, 15. This provides an advantageous connection from the aspect of load, this connection or fastening being subjected eεεentially to solely shear forces which act in the circumferential waist direction of the wearer. The connection or fastening also reεultε in aeεthetically connected side end-parts in the absence of outwardly projecting end-part flaps. When the diaper is closed in the disposal package shown in Figure 3, the faεtener deviceε 20, 21 will be faεtened in the oppoεite manner, i.e. with the liquid- permeable side surfaces of respective side end-parts 16, 17 facing towards each other. The faεtening or connection will therewith be subjected mainly to peel forces. This is of lesε importance, however, εince a diaper diεposal package is not intended to be subjected to any conεiderable streεεeε. It iε sufficient that the connection or fastening is εufficiently εtrong to prevent the diaper from opening out prior to being thrown into the waεte bin or like refuse container.
The fastener devices 18-21 εhown in Figureε 1-3 are of the εo-called touch-and-close devices, by which is meant faεtener devices that consist in two parts having fastener elements which can be fastened to one another but which will not faεten individually on themεelveε, at leaεt not to an extent aε to obtain any appreciably εtrong and effective connection that is able to withstand the strains to which it is εubject- ed, primarily not while the diaper is worn. One fastener element may consist in a multiple of small hook-like or mushroom-like projections. Many different forms and variants of such fastener elements are commercially available and known from the patent literature, and the preεent invention is not restricted to any given type of hook projection. The complementary fastener element may conεiεt in a multiple of fibre loopε or the like, into which the hook-like projections are able to grip or tangle. The loop-like elements may alεo be freely chosen from a multiple of loop material available commercially or known from the patent literature.
As an alternative to touch-and-cloεe faεtener deviceε, other types of fastener devices that have two mutually complementa¬ ry faεtener elementε can be uεed, for inεtance preεε εtudε, strap-type fastenerε, buttonε and button holeε, or mechani¬ cally equivalent deviceε.
In the caεe of the embodiment illuεtrated in Figure 1, the faεtener deviceε have been mounted directly onto one of the diaper caεing sheets. As an alternative, the fastener devices can be mounted on faεtener tabε at least on one end-part, suitably on the second end-part 11, in the manner known from SE 446 056 or EP 0 235 014 Bl, for instance. Such fastener tabs include a fixed end which is a permanent integrated part of one or both of the diaper casing εheetε, and a free end which the user can fasten to another region of the diaper. The diaper side surface on which the fastener tabε are affixed iε immaterial. Each of the faεtener tabs can be affixed to a respective εide εurface or to the same side surface or may be mounted between the two caεing εheetε. What iε important iε that the fastener devices arranged on respective fastener tabs are disposed so that in their position of use, they will be located on the εame side surface of reεpective fastener tabs in relation to the plane of the diaper when said diaper iε in itε open and extended εtate as shown in Figure 1. The fastener devices on the fastener tabs on one and the same end-part will therewith face in the same direction in the same manner aε the fasten¬ ing devices 20, 21 on the εecond end-part 11 in Figure 1 face in the same direction.
Naturally, the mutual positioning of the firεt and the εecond typeε of faεtener deviceε on reεpective end-parts may be the reverse to that εhown in Figure 1, provided that thiε εwitch iε made on both end-parts at the same time, i.e. provided that the fastener devices are still of different types on the εame reεpective end-part and on the same respective εide of the contemplated centre line.
It will be underεtood that the diaper in Figure 1 may have a εhape different to that εhown. For inεtance, the εide-edgeε of the εide end-partε may be parallel inεtead of being non- parallel.
Figures 4-6 and 14 illustrate alternative embodiments which are identical with the diaper embodiment shown in Figure 1, with the exception of the fastener devices. Other εtructural elementε have therefore been identified with the same reference signs as thoεe used in Figures 1-3.
Figure 4 illuεtrateε a second embodiment of an inventive diaper. The diaper shown in Figure 4 differs from the diaper shown in Figure 1 by virtue of the fact that all fastener devices 22-25 are mounted on one and the same εide of the diaper, namely on the liquid-permeable caεing sheet 1. In the case of this embodiment, when the diaper is donned and closed to its pants-like configuration by the user, the side end- partε on the same respective εide of the contemplated centre line 13 will form combined flapε which face outwardly of the wearer. Thus, the diaper connection obtained with this embodiment is not only subjected eεεentially to the shear forces that are more favourable from the aspect of load, but instead will mainly be εubjected to the leεε deεirable peeling forceε. However, thiε embodiment affords other advantages. For instance, it may be beneficial from the aspect of manufacture to mount all fastener devices on one and the same side of the diaper, particularly when the individual diaperε are produced by cutting the diaperε from an originally continuous product web. This embodiment may alεo be beneficial when the article concerned iε a εo-called openable and re-cloεable pants-type diaper whose fastener devices are fastened together in conjunction with the manufacture of the pants-type diaper, for instance in the manner described in our Swedish Patent Application SE 94021227-5.
Figure 5 illustrateε an embodiment which differε from the Figure 4 embodiment by virtue of the fact that the fastener deviceε 26-29 are four in number on each εide end-part 14-17. Those edge-parts of the diaper εide end-parts along which the fastener devices 26-29 are mounted will herewith be lesε rigid than when the faεtener device extendε along a distance which correspondε to the diεtance covered by the four εmaller devices 26-29.
Figure 6 illustrateε a variant of fastener deviceε 30-33 that are mounted on a diaper in the εame poεitions as on the diaper shown in Figure 1, but which differ from the faεtener deviceε 18-21 of the Figure 1 embodiment by virtue of the fact that this fastener device variant 30-33 is of a type that can be fastened to a similar fastener device. The fastener deviceε also include partε which enable the same type of fastener device to be fastened in one specific way to a εimilar faεtener device mounted on the same side surface of the article and on the same end-part, but in another specific way to a similar faεtener device mounted on the εame side of the contemplated centre line of the diaper but on the opposite end-part, as will be explained more clearly below with reference to Figureε 6-10.
The faεtener deviceε 30-33 shown in Figures 6-10 have an S- shape cross-section or an inverse S-εhape croεε-section (depending on the direction in which the profile is viewed) which form a double-hook configuration. The faεter deviceε may be compriεed of elongated profileε made of thermoplastic material, for instance polyester, polypropylene or polyethyl¬ ene. The fastener devices are pliant and resilient, εo that two faεtener deviceε can be inεerted one into the other and firmly clamped in a manner described in more detail below with reference to Figures 9 and 10.
Figure 7 illustrates a double-hook fastener device 32 on the left-side end-part of the second end-part of Figure 6, i.e. the third side end-part 16, in a cross-sectional view taken on the line A-A. The fastener device 32 includeε a baεe part 34 and a faεtener part 35 in the form of an inverted S, which in turn includeε two curved segments 36, 37. The first segment 36 extendε from the baεe-part edge 38 located proximal to the diaper εide-edge 6 and extendε arcuately inwards from the diaper side-edge 6. The second segment 37 extendε from the first segment in the opposite direction to said εegment while describing an inverted arc, i.e. extends in a direction out towards the nearest side-edge 6 of the diaper. There is formed between the base part 34 and the first segment 36 a space 39 which has an opening between the base part 34 and that part of the first segment which merges with the second εegment 37. A correεponding εpace 40 iε formed between the firεt εegment 36 and the second segment 37, this space having a corresponding opening between the end of the second εegment 37 and that part of the first segment 36 at which the base part 34 merges with said firεt segment.
The base-part 34 of the fastener device is glued or welded to the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1 of the diaper or affixed thereto in εome other way. As with the earlier- mentioned fastener tapes, the base-part may inεtead be mounted on the liquid-permeable caεing εheet 3 or between the two caεing εheetε 1, 3. However, the inverted S-εhaped faεtener part 35 εhall be mounted on that side of the diaper which is covered by the liquid-permeable εheet 1 in all caεeε, i.e. on that side of the diaper which faces towardε the wearer in use.
Figure 8 is a croεs-sectional view of a similar fastener device 30 on the first εide end-part 14, said view being taken on the line B-B in Figure 6. This fastener device 30, however, has the difference that itε S-εhaped faεtener part 35 extends out from that side surface of the diaper formed by the outer surface of the liquid-impermeable casing εheet 3.
The fastener device 30 thuε includeε a baεe part 41 and an S-shaped fastener part 42, which in turn includes two curved εegmentε 43, 44. The baεe part 41 and the first segment 43 define therebetween a space 45, while a space 46 is defined between the first εegment 43 and the εecond segment 44.
Figure 9 illustrates the mutual engagement of two fastener deviceε 32, 30 in forming a locking connection when the diaper is in use. In this case, the first and second εegmentε 43, 44 of the fastener device 30 on the first side end-part are inserted into the space 39 on the faεtener device 32 of the third εide end-part, i.e. between the baεe part 34 of the faεtener device 32 and the first fastener segment 36. The first and the second segments 36, 37 of the fastener device 32 on the third side end-part are alεo inserted into the εpace 45 in the fastener device 30 on the first side end- part, i.e. between the base part 41 of the fastener device 30 and the firεt faεtener εegment 43.
The reεpective inserted segments 43, 44 of the two fastener devices 30, 32 are held firmly clamped in the respective spaces 39 and 45 of the second fastener device by virtue of the εuppleneεs and resiliency of the faεtener deviceε. The faεtener seg entε will deform temporarily when entering the spaceε and when located therein will spring back and clamp firmly against the inner walls of the space. The faεtening connection can be eaεily releaεed, however, by εubjecting the fastener segments temporarily to a segment deforming force, εo aε to enable εaid εegments to be withdrawn through the openings of reεpective recesseε. The εegments must alεo be moved εufficiently rearwardε of one another to enable the εegments to be moved to side of and beyond one another, so aε to fully releaεe the faεtener system. It is preferred that the faεtener εyεtem iε constructed so that the force required to release the fastener will be sufficiently large to prevent the fastener being released unintentionally by the forces that act normally on the diaper when in use. When the diaper iε intended for children, the force required to release the fastener may also be made εo large as to require the strength of an adult to release the faεtener. Naturally, the fastener locking force may be adapted to a magnitude which enables the wearer himεelf/herεelf to release the fastener, even when the wearer is a child.
Figure 10 illustrateε the fastener device 32 (shown in Figure 7) on the third εide end-part 16 in engagement with the faεtener device 33 on the fourth εide end-part 17, i.e. illustrates the manner in which two fastener devices on the same end-part are intended to coact with one another. When the diaper shown in Figure 6 is rolled-up into a disposal package beginning with the firεt end-part 10, the two fastener deviceε 32 and 33 on the εecond end-part 11 will be the only faεtener devices that are accesεible for uεe in cloεing the folded or rolled-up diaper. However, becauεe the faεtener deviceε 32, 33 are mounted on the εame εide surface of the diaper, the fastener devices 32, 33 are unable to engage one another in the manner εhown in Figure 9, and it is necesεary to twist the fastener device belonging to the one side end-part at the εame time. This procedure is both time-conεuming and awkward on the part of the uεer. However, the S-shaped fastener devices are so constructed as to enable the right-hand faεtener device 33 shown in Figure 10 (i.e. the fastener device 33 on the fourth εide end-part 17) with its base part 45 and itε first fastener segment 46 to be inserted through the opening of the space 40 between the first and the εecond faεtener εegments 36, 37 of the left- hand fastener device 32 (i.e. the fastener device 32 on the third side end-part 16). This insertion is shown in Figure 10. The second fastener segment 47 of the right-hand fastener device 33 has no function in thiε situation. Neither haε the space 39 defined between the base part 34 and the first fastener segment 36 of the left-hand fastener device 32. Naturally, the two fastener devices 32, 33 shown in Figure 10 may alternatively be fastened together in the reverse manner, i.e. the left-hand faεtener device 32 with itε base part 34 and its first fastener segment 36 may have been inεerted into the space 48 defined between the first and the second fastener segments 46, 47 of the right-hand fastener segment 33.
Correspondingly, the respective fastener devices 30 and 31 on the first end-part 10 are able to grip with one another when the diaper iε inεtead rolled or folded εo that theεe two faεtener deviceε 30, 31 will be the only fastener devices that are accessible upon completion of the procedure.
Instead of uεing four mutually εimilar S-εhaped double-hook faεtener deviceε of the kind shown in Figures 6-10, there may be used in accordance with one variant only one such fastener device and three single-hook fastener devices. An embodiment which includes this variant will be described with reference to Figure 6 and Figures 11-13, wherein the fastener devices on the first, second and fourth side end-parts 14, 15 and 17 of this embodiment have the form of single hooks 49, 43, 54, while the fastener device on the third side end-part 16 haε the εame S-εhaped double hook configuration 32 aε that εhown in Figures 6, 7, 9 and 10. In other respects, this embodiment iε identical to the embodiment εhown in Figure 6. Figure 11 is a croεε-εectional view of a εingle hook 49 taken on the εame location in Figure 6 aε the faεtener device 30, i.e. on the line B-B. The εingle hook 49 includeε a baεe part 50 mounted on the liquid-impermeable caεing εheet 3, and a curved fastener segment 51 in the same way aε correεponding partε of the S-εhaped double hook 30-33. The single hook 49 differs from the double hookε 30-33 by virtue of not having a curved second fastener segment. Thus, only one space 52 into which another hook can be engaged is defined between the base part 50 and the fastener segment 51.
Figures 12-13 illustrate how the S-shaped double hooks 32 coact in two different ways with single hooks 49, 53 mounted at two different positions on the diaper shown in Figure 6.
Figure 12 is a view corresponding to the diaper fastening situation shown in Figure 9, i.e. illustrates the insertion of the fastener device, the double hook 32, together with its first and second fastener segments 36, 37 on the third side end-part 16 into the space 52 between the base part 50 of the single hook 49 of the fastener device on the first side end- part 14 and the fastener segment 51.
Figure 13 is a view which corresponds to the diaper fastening procedure shown in Figure 10, i.e. illustrates how the fastener device 32 on the third side end-part 16 is fastened to the fastener device 53 on the fourth side end-part 17, i.e. shows how two fastener devices on the εame end-part are intended to mutually coact when the diaper iε folded or rolled-up into a disposal package. The fastener device 53 on the fourth εide end-part 17 haε the form of a single hook whose base part 55 and curved faεtener segment 56 are inserted into the space 40 defined in the S-shaped double hook 32 between the firεt and the εecond faεtener εegments 36, 37 thereof. The two embodiments illustrated in Figures
10 and 13 do not thus differ functionally in this uεer εituation. When using the diaper, the right-hand εide end-parts 15, 17 of the diaper shown in Figure 6, i.e. the two side end-parts to the right of the contemplated centre line 13, are connect¬ ed by means of two εingle hookε 53, 54, which provideε an effective fastening as these single hookε are mounted on different side surfaceε of the diaper. Notwithstanding this, the diaper according to this embodiment can be closed and sealed in itε folded or rolled-up εtate without undue difficulty, by means of the two single hookε 49, 54 on the firεt end-part 10, due to the fact that the single hooks in this configuration will be located on the same side and having their respective fastener segments directed away from each other.
Figures 14-16 illustrate another embodiment in which four fastener devices 57-60 are mounted on the four εide end-partε 14-17 of the diaper. The illuεtrated faεtener deviceε 57-60 are compriεed of upεtanding elongated projections of U-εhaped cross-εection, of which the faεtener device 59 on the third εide end-part 16 iε εhown in croεε-section in Figure 15, taken on the line C-C in Figure 14. The fastener device 59 has a base part 61, which is affixed to the liquid-permeable casing εheet 1 and extendε in the same plane thereas, two wallε 62, 63 which are upεtanding from the base part 61, and a roof 64 which extends between the two walls 62, 63. The two walls 62, 63 slope slightly towardε one another from the roof or web 64 to the baεe part 61.
The two caεing sheets 1, 3 present an opening 65 between the two walls 62, 63, the width of thiε opening being approxi¬ mately equal to the diεtance between the two walls 62, 63. The opening also extends eεsentially along the full length of the fastener device 59. An inner groove or channel iε formed within the opening 65, between the wallε 62, 63 and the roof 64. The wallε 62, 63 and the roof 64 alεo form at the εame time an outer channel in the form of a projection 66 upstanding from the base part 61. When mutually coupling two faεtener deviceε of thiε kind, the projection of one device is inserted into the internal channel of the other device; see Figure 16.
The three remaining fastener deviceε 56, 58 and 60 are in principle conεtructed in the εame way and are all mounted on the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1 of the diaper with an opening through the two caεing εheetε 1, 3 located generally opposite to and extending along the internal channel of respective fastener devices.
The fastener devices 57-60 may be comprised of thermoplastic material or some other resilient material. They need not be comprised of one single elongated U-like profile, but may be comprised of several discrete profiles dispoεed in a selected pattern within respective side end-parts, although conve¬ niently in patterns which match each other on mutually adjacent side end-partε of the εame end-part or on the same respective side of the contemplated centre line 13. Neither need the profile have a U-like εhape, since any configuration iε conceivable that will allow one faεtener device to fit into another.
The faεtener devices 57-60 of the Figure 14 embodiment have three mutually different sizeε with regard to channel width and channel height, i.e. the diεtance between the wallε and the distance from the roof to the base part. In this regard, the fastener device 57 on the first side end-part 14 is larger than the fastener devices 58, 59 on respective second and third side end-parts 15, 16 which are mutually of the same size, said fastener devices 58, 59 being, in turn, larger than the fastener device 60 on the fourth side end- part 17, thiε latter fastener device thus being the smallest of the four devices.
The size difference between the fastener devices 57-60 iε such as to enable a fastener device of given εize to fit into and be coupled together with a faεtener device of the next largest size.
Thus, when using the diaper, the faεtener device 57 on the firεt εide end-part 14 iε coupled to the faεtener device 59 on the third εide end-part 16, εhown in Figure 16, by inεerting the projection 67 on the faεtener device 59 into the inner channel 67 of the fastener device 57.
Similarly, the fastener devices 58, 60 on the right of the contemplated centre line can be coupled together to form a pants-like configuration in use. After uεe, the diaper can be rolled-up and cloεed in the manner εhown in Figure 3, by faεtening the εmaller of the two faεtener deviceε 58 or 60 on one of the end-parts 10 or 11, to the larger fastener device 57 or 59 on the same end-part 10 or 11 respectively. As will be understood, the positionε of the three mutually connectable faεtener deviceε 57-60 of mutually different εize are not restricted to the position shown in Figure 14, for instance εuch that the εmalleεt fastener device 60 muεt be mounted on the εecond and rear end-part 11. For inεtance, a εelected number of all faεtener deviceε can be moved through one-quarter of a turn in a clockwiεe or anti-clockwiεe direction, εo that the reεpective faεtener deviceε 57-60 will be located on a εide end-part other than that εhown in Figure 14, provided that the mutual poεitioning between the faεtener deviceε iε maintained.
Becauεe the faεtener deviceε are resilient, the fastener devices will be deformed slightly when one faεtener device iε inεerted into the other, and will then spring back and tightly abut respective wallε and roofs so as to provide a mechanical locking action. Aε in the caεe of the aforedeε- cribed S-εhaped fastener devices, the force required to release the fastener will be greater than the force to which the diaper is normally subjected to in use. It will be understood that a number of variantε are poεεible within the εcope of the invention, and that the invention iε reεtricted solely by the scope of the following Claims.
For instance, each εide end-part 14-17 may include two mutually different and mutually coacting typeε of faεtener devices, for instance both a hook element and a loop element of a touch-and-close fastener. Figure 17 εhowε one εuch example in which a hook-type fastener-element 68 and a loop- type fastener-element 69 of a touch-and-close fastener have been positioned alternately in a row in respective side end- parts 14-17. A loop fastener-element 69 is mounted nearest the end-edge 9 of the first side end-part 14, followed by a hook fastener-element 68, which in turn is followed by a further loop fastener-element 69, which is followed by a further hook fastener-element 68. The sequence on the second end-part 15 beginε with a hook faεtener-element 68 nearest the end-edge 9 and terminates with a loop fastener-element 69. On the third side end-part 16 of the second end-part 11, a hook fastener-element 68 is mounted neareεt the end-edge 8, thiε fastener element being followed by a loop fastener- element 69, a further hook fastener-element 68 and finally a further loop fastener-element 69. Finally, the sequence of fastener elements on the fourth εide end-part εtarting from the end-edge 8 iε the same as that on the first εide end-part 14, counting from itε nearest end-edge 9. In principle, the embodiment illustrated in Figure 17 functions in the same way as the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, although each side end-part includes two mutually different fastener devices instead of only one. Naturally, formationε other than a εingle row of the two different typeε of fastener devices are conceivable, for instance groupε compriεing εeveral rows and columnε, triangular groupε, etc. The relative diεtance between the individual faεtener deviceε in one and the εame εide end-part can also vary.
For the εake of clarity, the four εide end-parts of the described embodimentε have been identified with ordinal numberε and different types of fastener devices have been described as being placed on specific side end-parts. In order to be on the εafe side in this regard, it is mentioned that the "third" side end-part may juεt aε well be the "firεt" side end-part within the scope of the wording of the Claims, and that a fastener device which has been said to be mounted on a given side end-part in one embodiment can equally as well be mounted on one of the other three end- parts. It is εolely the mutual relative poεitionε of the different faεtener deviceε that is significant to the invention. For instance, if the hook fastener-element in Figure 1 iε changed for the loop faεtener-element on the εame end-part, then the two hook fastener-elements and loop fastener-elementε on the other end-partε muεt alεo change places.

Claims

1. An absorbent article such as a diaper or an openable and re-closable pants-type diaper, comprising a firεt εide which is intended to lie proximal to the wearer in use, a second εide which is intended to lie distal from the wearer in use, first and a second end-parts (10, 11) which in use are intended to lie againεt the front part and the rear part of the wearer reεpectively, and a crotch part (12) located between the two end-partε (10, 11) and intended to lie between the wearer's thighs in use, wherein the article also includes a fastener system by means of which the end-parts (10, 11) of the article can be closed from a non-asεembled or open configuration to form a pantε-type configuration, and by meanε of which the end-partε (10, 11) can be looεened from an assembled or closed pants-type configuration to a non- asεembled or open configuration, wherein the faεtener εyεtem includeε mutually coacting faεtener devices (18-21; 22-25; 26-29; 30-33; 49, 32, 53, 54; 57-60; 68, 69), wherein the article also includeε two side-edges (6, 7) which delimit the article in its non-asεembled configuration in a tranεverεe direction, wherein each end-part (10, 11) haε in the non- assembled configuration of the article an end-edge (8, 9) which delimits the article in its longitudinal extension in the non-aεsembled configuration of said article, and wherein the article includes a contemplated longitudinally extending line (13) which extendε from one end-edge (8) to the other end-edge (9) centrally between the εide-edgeε (6, 7), εaid line (13) dividing respective end-parts (10, 11) into a respective first and a respective εecond εide end-part (14- 17), characterized in that at leaεt one of the end-partε (10, 11) on one and the εame firεt or εecond side of the article includeε faεtener deviceε (18, 20; 22, 24; 26, 28; 30, 32; 49, 32; 57, 59; 68, 69) on the first side end-part (14, 16), which fastener device or which fastener deviceε (18, 20; 22, 24; 26, 28; 30, 32; 49, 32; 57, 59; 68, 69) can coact with one or more fastener deviceε (19, 21, 23, 25; 27, 29; 31, 33; 54, 53; 58, 60; 68, 69) on the εecond εide end-part (15, 17) on the εame end-part (10, 11); and in that respective side end-partε (14, 15) on the one end-part (10, 11) include faεtener deviceε (18, 19, 22, 23; 26, 27; 30, 31; 49, 54; 57, 58; 68, 69) that can coact with faεtener deviceε (20, 21; 24, 25; 28, 29; 32, 33; 32, 53; 59, 60; 68, 69) on the εecond end-part (11) on εide end-partε (16, 17) on reεpective εame εides of the contemplated line (13) between the end-edges (8,
9).
2. An abεorbent article according to Claim 1, characterized in that the firεt side end-part (14) of the first end-part (10) includeε at least one first type of fastener device (18; 22; 26; 30; 69) and the second side end-part (15) of said first end-part (10) includes at least one second type of faεtener device (19; 23; 27; 31; 68); in that the εecond end- part (11) includeε fastener deviceε of the firεt (21; 25; 29; 33; 69) and the εecond type (20; 24; 28; 32; 68) in reverεed relationεhip with the contemplated centre line (13) in comparison with the fastener devices (18; 22; 26; 30; 69 and 19; 23; 27; 31; 68) on the side end-parts (10, 11) of the firεt end-part.
3. An absorbent article according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fastener syεtem includes a first type of faεtener device (57) that can coact with a εecond type of faεtener device (58, 59); in that the second type of fastener device (58, 59) can coact with a third type of faεtener device (60); in that the firεt εide end-part (14) of the first end-part includes at leaεt one firεt type of faεtener device (57); in that the εecond side end-part (15) on the opposite εide of the contemplated centre line (13) includes at least one second type of fastener device (58); in that the second end- part (13) includeε a faεtener device of the second type (59) on a side end-part (16) on the εame εide of the contemplated centre line (13) aε the first side end-part (14) on the firεt end-part (10); and in that the εecond end-part (11) includeε a fastener device of the third type (60) on the side end-part (17) on the other side of the contemplated centre line (13) in relation to the first side end-part (14) on the first end- part (10).
4. An abεorbent article according to any one of the preced¬ ing Claimε, characterized in that all faεtener deviceε (22- 25; 26-29; 57-60) are mounted on the εame firεt εide or the same second side of the article.
5. An absorbent article according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the fastener devices (18-19; 30-31; 49, 54; 68, 69) on the first end-part (10) are mounted on the same first side or the same εecond εide of the article, whereaε the faεtener deviceε (20-21; 32-33; 32, 53; 68, 69) on the εecond end-part (11) are mounted on oppoεite firεt or εecond εideε of the article in relation to the faεtener devices (18-19; 30-31; 49, 54; 68, 69) on the first end-part (10).
6. An absorbent article according to any one of the preced¬ ing Claims, characterized in that the fastener devices (18- 21; 22-25; 26-29; 30-33; 49, 32, 53, 54; 57-60; 68, 69) are mechanical fastener deviceε, εuch as touch-and-close fasten- erε, preεε εtudε, preferably vacuum-formed preεε studs, buttons and button holeε, profiled devices of S-εhaped cross- section, inverted S-shaped croεε-εection or U-shaped cross- section, or equivalent devices.
7. An absorbent article according to any one of the preced¬ ing Claims, characterized in that the faεtener devices are of a type (30-33) which can coact with a similar fastener device (30-33), for inεtance an S-εhaped or an inverted S- shaped profile.
PCT/SE1996/000848 1995-07-07 1996-06-26 An absorbent article provided with a fastener system WO1997002797A1 (en)

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AU63727/96A AU6372796A (en) 1995-07-07 1996-06-26 An absorbent article provided with a fastener system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9502492-3 1995-07-07
SE9502492A SE508248C2 (en) 1995-07-07 1995-07-07 Absorbent article comprising a fastening system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997002797A1 true WO1997002797A1 (en) 1997-01-30

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AU (1) AU6372796A (en)
GB (1) GB2303045A (en)
SE (1) SE508248C2 (en)
TN (1) TNSN96094A1 (en)
TW (1) TW317498B (en)
WO (1) WO1997002797A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA965739B (en)

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DE19854123A1 (en) * 1998-11-24 2000-05-25 Barbara Gruene Nappy pants, has adsorbent part that adjoin relevant body
US6715188B1 (en) 2002-09-24 2004-04-06 3M Innovative Properties Company Hinged tab for slot and tab closure systems
US6730069B2 (en) 2001-07-05 2004-05-04 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Cloth-like mechanical fastener
US6880211B2 (en) 2002-06-13 2005-04-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Macro closure device for disposable articles
KR100772778B1 (en) 2000-05-16 2007-11-01 킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크. Absorbent Articles with Refastenable Sides Seams
JP2012105904A (en) * 2010-11-19 2012-06-07 Daio Paper Corp Underpants type absorbent article and method for manufacturing the same
CN102665628A (en) * 2009-11-24 2012-09-12 宝洁公司 Absorbent articles and method for manufacturing same
US9700079B2 (en) 2002-12-09 2017-07-11 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process of making boxer shorts from a web with various leg opening shapes

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WO2000035397A1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-06-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles having hinged fasteners
US8343127B1 (en) 1999-11-22 2013-01-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with garment-like refastenable seams
US6849067B2 (en) 1999-11-22 2005-02-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with refastenable side seams
US6447497B1 (en) 1999-11-22 2002-09-10 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with child resistant refastenable seams
WO2000037016A1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-06-29 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles having differential strength refastenable seam
US6554816B1 (en) 1999-11-22 2003-04-29 Kimberly-Clarke Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with shaped fastening component
US6764475B1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2004-07-20 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles having differential strength refastenable seam
US6645190B1 (en) 1999-11-22 2003-11-11 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent article with non-irritating refastenable seams
US6761711B1 (en) 1998-12-18 2004-07-13 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with refastenable side seams
US6454751B1 (en) 1999-11-22 2002-09-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles having hinged fasteners
JP2001046429A (en) * 1999-08-12 2001-02-20 Ykk Corp Disposable diaper
US6454752B1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2002-09-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Pre-fastened adjustable mechanical fastener garment
US7828784B2 (en) 2006-04-24 2010-11-09 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Absorbent articles with refastenable side seams and intuitive disposal feature
US8123733B2 (en) 2009-01-29 2012-02-28 First Quality Baby Products, Llc Absorbent article with intermittent side seams
US8777913B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2014-07-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent articles and method for manufacturing the same
US9248056B2 (en) 2011-01-13 2016-02-02 Fameccanica.Data S.P.A. Pant-type diaper and corresponding manufacturing process and apparatus

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19854123A1 (en) * 1998-11-24 2000-05-25 Barbara Gruene Nappy pants, has adsorbent part that adjoin relevant body
KR100772778B1 (en) 2000-05-16 2007-11-01 킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크. Absorbent Articles with Refastenable Sides Seams
US6730069B2 (en) 2001-07-05 2004-05-04 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Cloth-like mechanical fastener
US6880211B2 (en) 2002-06-13 2005-04-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Macro closure device for disposable articles
US6715188B1 (en) 2002-09-24 2004-04-06 3M Innovative Properties Company Hinged tab for slot and tab closure systems
US9700079B2 (en) 2002-12-09 2017-07-11 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Process of making boxer shorts from a web with various leg opening shapes
CN102665628A (en) * 2009-11-24 2012-09-12 宝洁公司 Absorbent articles and method for manufacturing same
JP2012105904A (en) * 2010-11-19 2012-06-07 Daio Paper Corp Underpants type absorbent article and method for manufacturing the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2303045A (en) 1997-02-12
TNSN96094A1 (en) 1998-12-31
ZA965739B (en) 1997-01-27
GB9613654D0 (en) 1996-08-28
TW317498B (en) 1997-10-11
SE508248C2 (en) 1998-09-21
AU6372796A (en) 1997-02-10
SE9502492D0 (en) 1995-07-07
SE9502492L (en) 1997-01-08

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