The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 2015
Filed:
Dec. 14, 2007
Walter Andrew Mattingly, Appleton, WI (US);
Sherry A. Vandyke, Neenah, WI (US);
Michael Donald Sperl, Waupaca, WI (US);
Lisa L. Bushman, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Robert Lee Popp, Hortonville, WI (US);
Valerie V. Finch, Neenah, WI (US);
Thomas E. Williamson, Appleton, WI (US);
Walter Andrew Mattingly, Appleton, WI (US);
Sherry A. VanDyke, Neenah, WI (US);
Michael Donald Sperl, Waupaca, WI (US);
Lisa L. Bushman, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Robert Lee Popp, Hortonville, WI (US);
Valerie V. Finch, Neenah, WI (US);
Thomas E. Williamson, Appleton, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
Absorbent articles are disclosed having extended waistbands. More particularly, the absorbent articles include a back waistband and/or a front waistband that encircle a portion of the circumference of the waist opening. The absorbent article includes a front portion attached to a back portion by a pair of stretchable side areas. Each of the side areas are made from at least two panels that are connected together along a vertical attachment area. In accordance with the present disclosure, a waistband is incorporated into the article that extends over the entire front portion or the entire back portion and terminates at opposite ends on opposing side areas. Each end of the waistband, however, terminates prior to the vertical attachment areas leaving a gap in between. The presence of the gap has been found to provide various benefits and advantages including improved stretch properties for donning the article.