Three-dimensional, inward leg gather disposable garment

Details Three-dimensional, inward leg gather disposable garment Three-dimensional, inward leg gather disposable garment

1999-02-12

2001-04-17

Nguyen, Anhthuan T. (Department: 3763)

Surgery

Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material

Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...

C604S378000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06217563

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to garment articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, desirably disposable absorbent articles, which are assembled and integrated to form a unitary structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional garment articles, such as disposable diapers and other disposable absorbent articles, have typically employed adhesive or mechanical fasteners which attach appointed waistband sections of the articles around a wearer. In addition, various configurations of waist elastics, leg elastics, elasticized liners, and elasticized outer covers have been employed on garment articles to help produce and maintain the fit of the articles about the body contours of the wearer.
The external surfaces of such disposable absorbent products may include a nonwoven fibrous material or a matte-finished film material. In some arrangements, pattern embossments have been formed into outward surface of the outer cover to provide a decorative pattern. Other disposable garments have had outer covers composed of elastomeric fabrics.
In particular configurations of disposable absorbent articles, inner elasticized waistband flaps have been incorporated along the bodyside surface of the article. The waistband, inner flap component can extend along a portion of the lateral width of the waistband section of the article, and may have a lateral extent which is equal to or greater than the lateral extent of the outer cover of the article.
In other configurations, the article may include an absorbent assembly attached to the inward surface of a relatively large waistband member. The waistband member is typically elasticized and disposed at one end of the absorbent assembly. The waistband member extends beyond the terminal edge of that end of the absorbent assembly, and also extends beyond the laterally opposed side edges of the absorbent assembly.
Conventional garment articles, such as those described above, have not provided desired levels of fit, absorbency, resistance to leakage, low cost and ease of manufacture. As a result, there has been a continued need for more effective garments having improved combinations of such properties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally stated, the present invention provides an absorbent article having a longitudinal article length and a lateral article width. The article includes an absorbent composite having longitudinally opposed end regions, and at least a first longitudinally terminal end edge. The absorbent composite includes a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet layer, a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer, and a retention portion sandwiched between the backsheet and topsheet layers. The retention portion has laterally opposed, terminal side edges, and the absorbent composite includes a pair of laterally opposed side margins which extend laterally beyond the side edges of the retention portion. A body panel is joined to a longitudinal end of the absorbent composite. The body panel has a body side surface, an outward surface, an outboard terminal end edge, and a relatively inboard terminal end edge. In particular aspects of the invention, each of the side margins of the absorbent composite can be inwardly turned to provide a turned bodyside surface and a turned outward side surface of each side margin. In additional aspects, at least a first portion of the turned bodyside surface of each side margin of the absorbent composite can be secured to the outward surface of the first body panel.
By incorporating its various aspects, the article of present invention can provide an article having improved fit, improved absorbency and improved resistance to leakage. The article can also be produced at lower cost and with greater efficiency. In particular, the expandable attachment sections which join the absorbent composite to the body panel can allow the absorbent composite to increase in volume during use while allowing the body panel to maintain a close and conforming fit around the waist and torso of the wearer's body. The body panel can also better provide a more effective barrier between the wet absorbent composite and the wearer's skin. Where elasticized legbands and expandable sections of the absorbent composite are located in the intermediate, crotch portion of the diaper, the expandable portion can also allow the absorbent composite to grow in volume substantially without affecting the fit of the elasticized legbands about the wearer's legs.


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