Fastener system with a lift region

Details Fastener system with a lift region Fastener system with a lift region

1998-09-17

2001-04-03

Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material

Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...

C604S390000, C024S442000, C024S450000, C024S452000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06210389

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fastening systems for garments and other articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to interlocking, mechanical-type fastening systems which can be employed with disposable articles, such as gowns, diapers, incontinence garments and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional disposable absorbent articles have typically employed adhesive fastening tapes for securing the article on a wearer. Such articles have also been constructed with interengaging mechanical fasteners, such as VELCRO brand hook-and-loop fasteners. Particular articles have included a fastening system which has extended along substantially the entire length of an ear section of the article. Other fastening systems have included strips or segmented sections of adhesive. Still other systems have included strips or segmented sections of selected mechanical fastener components, such as individual sections of hook material. In addition, various types of hook materials, such as inverted-J shaped, T-shaped and generally mushroom-shaped hooks have been employed. Conventional fastening systems have also employed tapered fastening tabs where the attaching area on the user's end is relatively wide at its region adjacent the longitudinally extending sides of the diaper, and is tapered to a more narrow width at its more remote distal end. For example, see European patent EP 0 233 704 B1 of H. Burkhard et al. Conventional fasteners have also included a finger tab region which remains relatively unattached during the fastening operation, and allows an easy grasping for detaching the fastener from its fastening engagement. Conventional fasteners and fastening systems, such as those described above, have not provided a desired combination of reliable securement, ease of unfastening, and ease of manufacture. The conventional fastening systems have not provided a sufficient capability to accommodate the stresses imposed by fastening the article on a wearer, while accommodating the other stresses and displacements caused by a moving wearer and also providing a desired ease of selective unfastening and removal. As a result, the conventional fastening systems have not provided desired levels of comfort, securement, ease and low cost of manufacture and ease of use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally stated, the present invention provides an article having a lengthwise longitudinal direction, a lateral cross-direction, a first article portion, a second article portion, and a fastener for securing the first article portion to the second article portion. The fastener includes at least one first fastener component attached to a lateral side section of the first article portion, and a cooperating, second fastener component attached to the second article portion. The first fastener component includes an engagement substrate having an appointed lift region, and a plurality of engagement members which are operably attached to extend away from the engagement substrate. The lift region is disposed along at least a longitudinally extending, outboard edge of the engagement substrate, and the lift region contains a plurality of engagement members which have been substantially deactivated.
In particular aspects of the invention, the engagement substrate may include an outboard, distal corner portion, and said lift region can be positioned at the outboard corner portion.
In other aspects of the invention, the engagement substrate may include a laterally outboard, distal border portion, and the lift region can be located at a medial section of the outboard border portion.
The incorporation of the various aspects of the fastening system of the invention can provide improved securement with greater resistance to premature pop-opens, and can also help provide improved fit, greater comfort, and reduced irritation of the wearer's skin. The distinctively configured engagement zones and finger lift tab regions can provide an improved combination of high engagement areas for greater securement and fastener reliability, and distinctively configured areas of relatively lesser engagement for ease of unfastening and removal of the article from a wearer and for reduced irritation of the wearer.


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