The Procter Gamble Company

James W Richardson

Kenneth B Buell

Gerald M Weber

Douglas Herrin Benson

William Robert Vinnage, Jr

David Albert Sabatelli

James R Mick

A disposable garment comprising a chassis having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region between the front and back regions, the chassis comprising a liquid impervious backsheet and at least one pair of side panels extending laterally outwardly from the chassis. The backsheet comprises a liquid impervious film extending longitudinally in the front, back, and crotch regions, and having a nonuniform lateral width so as to form a first portion in the crotch region and a second portion in the front or back region. The second portion has a lateral width dimension less than the lateral width dimension of the first portion such that the film does not extend into the side panels. At least one of the side panels comprises an elastomeric material extending laterally outwardly from the chassis, wherein the elastomeric material is joined to the second portion of the liquid impervious film.

Disposable garment having improved fitness to body during use

Absorbent articles having a unique elastic feature improving the dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic feature preferably includes an elastomeric member and a nonelastic web; a portion of the nonelastic web coincides with at least a portion of the elastomeric member; this portion of the nonelastic web being mechanically prestrained. Mechanical prestraining of the nonelastic web improves not only the extension of the elastomeric member, but also the heat-shrink contraction of preferred elastomeric members.

Absorbent article with elastic feature having a prestrained web portion

In accordance with the present invention, a method for attaching discrete portions of stretched elastic strands to predetermined isolated portions of disposable absorbent articles having obstructing elements positioned thereon in the areas where the elastic strands are to be unattached to the disposable absorbent article, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, discrete portions of stretched, continuous elastic strands are attached to predetermined isolated portions of a continuous diaper web having obstructing elements positioned thereon in the areas where the continuous elastic strands are to be unattached to the continuous diaper web. A disposable absorbent article made in accordance to the above described method is also provided.

Method for attaching discrete, stretched elastic strands to

Absorbent articles having a unique elastic feature improving the dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic feature preferably comprises an elastomeric member and a segment of the backsheet; a portion of the backsheet segment coincides with at least a portion of the elastomeric member; this portion of the backsheet segment being mechanically prestrained. Mechanical prestraining of the backsheet segment improves not only the extension of the elastomeric member, but also the heat-shrink contraction of preferred elastomeric members.

Absorbent article with elastic feature having a portion mechanically

An improved method and apparatus for incrementally stretching 'zero strain' stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. The 'zero strain' stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ('zero strain') condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric. The second ply will, upon stretching of the laminate, be at least to a degree permanently elongated so that, upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not return to its original undistorted configuration. This results in z-direction bulking of the laminate web when the applied tension is released as well as subsequent elastic extensibility in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the opposed peripheral edge portions of the laminate web to be incrementally stretched are subjected to restraint to substantially prevent inwardly directed slippage or contraction thereof in a direction parallel to the direction of stretching. This maximizes the effectiveness of the incremental web stretching operation by forcing the 'zero strain' stretch laminate web to undergo the fullest possible degree of elongation during the incremental stretching operation.

Method for incrementally stretching a zero strain stretch laminate web

A 'zero strain' stretch laminate web exhibiting a non-uniform degree of elasticity, as measured in the direction of elasticization at various points along an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of elasticization. Improved method and apparatus for non-uniformly stretching 'zero strain' stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching are also disclosed. The 'zero strain' stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ('zero strain') condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric. The second ply will, upon stretching of the laminate, be at least to a degree permanently elongated so that, upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not return to its original undistorted configuration. This results in z-direction bulking of the laminate web when the applied tension is released as well as elastic extensibility in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical stretching of said laminate web is carried out by passing said laminate web between at least one pair of meshing corrugated rolls, the degree of meshing between said corrugated rolls being non-uniform about the periphery of said rolls, whereby said laminate web is subjected to non-uniform incremental stretching as it passes therebetween to produce a varying degree of elasticity in the resultant web.

Method for incrementally stretching zero strain stretch laminate web in

An improved method and apparatus for incrementally stretching 'zero strain' stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. The 'zero strain' stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ('zero strain') condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric. The second ply will, upon stretching of the laminate, be at least to a degree permanently elongated so that, upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not return to its original undistorted configuration. This results in z-direction bulking of the laminate web when the applied tension is released as well as subsequent elastic extensibility in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical stretching operation is carried out by passing said laminate web between multiple pairs of meshing corrugated rolls, each pair of rolls exhibiting a greater degree of meshing than the preceding pair, to sequentially stretch said web in stages. Sequentially stretching the web in the foregoing manner minimizes damage to the web.

Method for sequentially stretching zero strain stretch laminate web to

A disposable diaper having an improved leg cuff. The disposable diaper is provided with an elastic member which is affixed to the diaper at its ends and unaffixed in its central portion. The elastic member is contained between seams having bond portions and hinge portions.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

James W Richardson