Disposable absorbent article having a dual fastening system

Details Disposable absorbent article having a dual fastening system Disposable absorbent article having a dual fastening system

1997-09-26

2001-01-16

Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material

Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...

C604S385250, C604S385300, C604S391000, C604S398000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06174303

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles which are adapted to contain body exudates. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles which have fastening systems to maintain the articles about the waist of the wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, have typically included a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed between the outer cover and the bodyside liner. The articles have generally defined a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region which extends between and connects the front and rear waist regions. Such conventional absorbent articles have also included fastening systems which are configured to secure the article on the wearer's waist. The absorbent articles have also been constructed with various types of elasticized portions at the waist and leg opening regions. Such elasticized portions have been used to reduce the leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article and improve the appearance and fit of the absorbent article about the wearer.
Typically, the fastening systems on conventional absorbent articles have included a pair of fasteners located on the outermost comers of the absorbent article in one of the waist regions of the article. Such fasteners have been configured to releasably engage a complimentary fastener in the opposite waist region of the absorbent article. For example, the fastening systems have included a pair of fasteners, such as adhesive tape tabs, located on the outermost comers of the absorbent article in the rear waist region of the article. Such systems have also included a complimentary fastener, such as a taping panel, located on the outer surface of the outer cover of the absorbent article in the front waist region of the article. In such a configuration, the absorbent article has been positioned between the legs of the wearer and the adhesive tape tabs have been releasably attached to the taping panel to secure the absorbent article about the waist of the wearer.
However, conventional disposable absorbent articles which are configured as described above have exhibited several shortcomings. For example, it has been difficult to maintain and conform conventional absorbent articles and, in particular, the absorbent cores of such articles about the body of the wearer. Typically, the absorbent core on such conventional absorbent articles has been bonded to or immobilized between the outer cover and the bodyside. However, the absorbent cores on such articles have sagged or drooped especially after becoming saturated with body exudates. Such sagging and drooping has undesirably resulted in improper fit and appearance which has lead to increased leakage. Moreover, the outer covers on such absorbent articles have not had a “blousy” appearance in use.
In an attempt to better gather the absorbent core and the absorbent article, the waist and leg opening regions of conventional absorbent articles have included elastics which apply high contracting or gathering forces on the absorbent article. However, such high forces have undesirably resulted in irritation and red marking of the skin of the wearer. The high forces have also resulted in an undesirable level of bunching of the absorbent article especially in the crotch region which has not been aesthetically pleasing.
Despite the attempts to develop more aesthetically pleasing and improved disposable absorbent articles, there remains the need for disposable absorbent articles which contain body exudates while providing an optimum fit about the wearer and maintaining a pleasing appearance even after becoming saturated. Moreover, there is a need for disposable absorbent articles which have a garment-like appearance and which can be easily secured about and removed from the waist of a wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, a new disposable absorbent article which has a loose fitting outer cover to provide a more garment-like appearance has been discovered. In one aspect, the present invention concerns a disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions. The absorbent article includes an outer cover, an absorbent chassis and a dual fastening system which includes a pair of primary fasteners located on the outer cover in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article and a pair of secondary fasteners located on the outer cover in the opposite waist region of the absorbent article. The primary fasteners are configured to engage an outer surface of the absorbent article and the secondary fasteners are configured to engage a body facing surface of the absorbent chassis in use. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent chassis defines a front attached portion and a back attached portion which are attached to the outer cover and an unattached portion which extends between and connects the attached portions and which remains substantially unattached to the outer cover.
In another aspect, the present invention concerns a disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions. The absorbent article includes an outer cover, an absorbent chassis and a dual fastening system. The absorbent chassis includes a backsheet, a bodyside liner which is connected to the backsheet in a superposed relation and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the bodyside liner. At least about 90 percent of a length of the absorbent chassis remains substantially unattached to the outer cover. The dual fastening system includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the outer cover in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article and which are configured to engage an outer surface of the absorbent article. The dual fastening system also includes a pair of secondary fasteners which are located on the outer cover in the opposite waist region of the absorbent article and which are configured to engage the bodyside liner of the absorbent chassis in use.
In yet another aspect, the present invention concerns a disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region which extends between and connects the waist regions. The absorbent article includes an outer cover, an absorbent chassis which is connected to the outer cover in superposed relation and which defines a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges, a waist flap connected to one of the waist edges of the absorbent chassis, and a dual fastening system. The dual fastening system includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the outer cover in the one waist region of the absorbent article and which are configured to engage an outer surface of the absorbent article. The dual fastening system also includes a pair of secondary fasteners which are located on the outer cover in the opposite waist region of the absorbent article and which are configured to engage a body facing surface of the waist flap in use. In a particular embodiment, at least about 90 percent of a length of the absorbent chassis remains substantially unattached to the outer cover.
The present invention advantageously provides a disposable absorbent article which has a garment-like appearance and refastenable side seams which allow the article to be easily secured about and removed from the waist of the wearer. The disposable absorbent article of the different aspects of the present invention also achieves a good fit while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance when compared to conventional absorbent articles which gather and bunch in the crotch region. Moreover, the disposable absorbent article of the present invention provides improved containment of body exudates within the absorbent core of the article by allowing the absorbent core to remain unattached from the oute

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