MXPA99011287A - Absorbent article with side panels having zones of different extensibility - Google Patents

Abstract

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique side panel which improves the overall fit of the absorbent article as well as reducing the redmarking of the wearer's skin. Such absorbent articles include a chassis assembly preferably having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet;a pair of side panels joined to the chassis assembly;and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The side panels have a low extension force legzone and a high extension force waist zone.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH SIDE PANELS THAT HAVE DIFFERENT EXTENSION CAPACITY ZONES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence briefs, training pants, and the like, and more particularly, with absorbent articles having multi-zone side panels that provide improved fit around the wearer, as well as the Improved comfort for the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Babies and other incontinent individuals carry absorbent articles such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other exudates from the body. The absorbent articles work both to contain the discharged materials and to isolate these materials from the user's body and from the users' underwear and bedding. Disposable absorbent articles having many different basic designs are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. Re. 26,152, entitled "disposable diaper" issued to Duncan and Baker on January 31, 1967, describes a disposable diaper that has achieved wide acceptance and commercial success. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003, entitled "Shrinkable side portions for disposable diaper", issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, describes a disposable diaper with elasticized leg cuff which has achieved wide acceptance and commercial success . Disposable diapers with lateral stretch characteristics have used stretching and strength profiles that are avenience solutions with good initial fit, good sustained fit, and low red markings of the wearer's skin. The need for avenience solutions is the result of a design imperfection in current stretch diapers. The design imperfection is the use of a connection or connection of the characteristic of diaper to stretch that is parallel to the longitudinal edges or edges in the direction of the diaper machine. The joint extending parallel to the longitudinal edges of the diaper carries forces that are very similar or equal along the stretch panel from the top to the bottom when the diaper is applied to a wearer. Sufficient forces result in either the red marking of the skin on the upper part of the leg, the poor sustained fit around the waist, or both. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper having improved initial fit, improved sharp fit, and reduced red marking of the wearer's skin. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having a unique side panel characteristic. These and other objects of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered with reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper fasteners, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, having a side panel that improves the initial fit and initial adjustment of the absorbent article in the user and a reduced red marking of the user's skin. These absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly having end edges and longitudinal edges. The chassis assembly preferably comprises a liquid pervious top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet bonded with the top sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet; a pair of side panels joined with the chassis assembly, the side panels extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal edges of the chassis; and a closure system for keeping the absorbent article in the user. The side panels comprise a leg area and a waist area. The leg area has an extension force that is less than the extension force of the waist area. The leg area with the smaller extension force allows the side panels to easily expand with the movements of the user's leg, thereby reducing any red marking of the skin around the leg region. The waist zone with the superior extension force generates a continuous tension fence around the user's waist providing improved initial and sustained adjustment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims pointing out in a particular way and claiming differently the exposed matter that is considered as formant of the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description, which is taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which they use similar designations to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a disposable diaper embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure, the outer surface of the diaper facing towards the observer; Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternate embodiment of a side panel of the present invention; Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternate embodiment of a side panel of the present invention; Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternate embodiment of a side panel of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternate embodiment of a side panel of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to the devices that absorbent contain body exudates, and, more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or close to the wearer's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not intended to be washed or restored or reused in another way as an absorbent article (ie, they are intended to be discarded after a single use and , preferably, to be recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). A "unitary" absorbent article refers to an absorbent article that is formed of separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity, such that it does not require separate manipulated parts such as a separate fastener and liner. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is the disposable, unitary absorbent article, diaper 20, shown in Figure 1. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally worn by babies and incontinent people that is carried around the user's lower torso. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, and the like. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its flattened, non-contracted state (ie, with the contraction induced by the elastic pulled outward), with portions of the structure being cut out to show more clearly the construction of the diaper 20, and with the portion of the diaper 20 that gives away from the wearer, the outer surface, facing the observer. As shown in Figure 1, diaper 20 has a generally "T" shape and comprises an assembly 22 preferably comprising a topsheet 24 permeable to liquid; a back sheet 26 impervious to the liquid attached to the topsheet 24; an absorbent core 28 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; extendable leg folds 30; an extensible rear waist feature 32; a pair of side panels 36; a closure system for securing the diaper to the wearer preferably comprising at least a pair of fastening members 40 and a tie member 41; and an extensible front waist feature 42. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have an inner surface (not shown), an outer surface 44 opposite the inner surface, a front waist region 45, a back waist region 46 opposite the front waist region 45, and a periphery that is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20, in which the longitudinal edges are designated 47 and the edges of end are designated 48. (Although the skilled artisan will recognize that a diaper is usually described in terms of having a pair of waist regions and a crotch region between waist regions; in this application, for simplicity of terminology, the diaper 20 is described as having only waist regions, each of the waist regions including a part of the diaper, which would typically be designed as part of the crotch region). The inner surface of the diaper 20 generally comprises that part of the diaper 20 which is placed adjacent the wearer's body during use (i.e., the inner surface is generally formed by at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and other components attached to the upper sheet 24). The outer surface 44 generally comprises that part of the diaper 20 that is positioned away from the wearer's body (i.e., the outer surface 44 is generally formed by at least a portion of the back sheet 26 and other components attached to the back sheet 26) . The front waist region 45 and the rear waist region 46 extend, respectively, from the end edges 48 of the periphery to the lateral center line 49 of the diaper 20. (The lateral direction (x or width direction) is defined as the direction parallel to the lateral center line 49 of the diaper 20, the longitudinal direction (direction and / or length) being defined as the direction parallel to the longitudinal center line 50, and the axial direction (Z direction or thickness) being defined as the direction extending Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 in which the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 28 to thereby form the periphery of the diaper. The periphery defines the outer perimeter or, in other words, the edges of the diaper 20. The periphery comprises the longitudinal edges 47 and the end edges 48. The chassis assembly 22 (chassis panel) of the diaper 20 is shown in the Figure 1, as comprising the main body (chassis) of the diaper 20. The chassis assembly 22 comprises at least part of an absorbent core 28, preferably an outer covering layer comprising the top sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. Therefore , the chassis assembly 22 comprises the diaper main structure and other additional features to form the composite diaper structure. An illustrative example of a chassis assembly of the present invention is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975, the patent of which is incorporated herein by reference. The absorbent core 28 may be any absorbent member that is capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and certain other exudates from the body. The absorbent core 28 has a garment surface, a body surface, side edges 57, and waist or end edges 56. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, "T" -shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as crushed wood pulp which is generally referred to as air felt . Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including coform; crosslinked cellulose fibers; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also be varied (for example, the absorbent core can have zones of variable gauge, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient or acquisition zones with lower average density and lower average basis weight.; or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper 20. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 can be varied to encompass users ranging from babies to adults. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 having an absorbent core with a rectangular shape. A useful absorbent structure such as the absorbent core 28 of the present invention which has achieved wide acceptance and commercial success is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High Density Absorbing Structures", issued to Weisman and Goldman on 9 September 1986, U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent articles with double layered cores", issued to Weisman, Houghton and Gellert on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having a Dust Cap", issued to Weisman, Houghton and Gellert on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled "High efficiency absorbent articles for the management of incontinence", issued to Young, LaVon and Taylor on September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,102,597 entitled "Absorbent, porous polymeric structures and methods for making them", issued to Roe, Lahrman and Berg on April 7, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735 entitled "High density absorbent members having acquisition zones with lower density and lower basis weight", issued to Berg on May 30, 1989; it also describes absorbent structures that are useful in the present invention. "Absorbent core 28 is preferably the double layer absorbent structure described in U.S. Patent No. 5,234,423 entitled" Absorbent article with elastic waist feature and increased absorbency ", issued to Alemany and Clear on August 10, 1993. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference The backsheet 26 is positioned adjacent to the garment surface of the absorbent core 28 and is preferably attached thereto by attachment means ( not shown), such as those well known in the art For example, the backsheet 26 can be secured to the absorbent core 28 by a continuous uniform adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of lines, shafts, Separate spirals or adhesive spots Adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by HB Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, and is marketed as HL-1258. The attachment means preferably will comprise an open-pattern network of adhesive filaments as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled "disposable garbage containment garment", which was issued to Minetola and Trucker on March 4, 1985, and which is incorporated herein by reference. An exemplary attachment means of an open filament pattern network comprises several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague. on October 7, 19875; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker et al. on November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, heat / pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints or any other suitable joining means or combinations of these joining means as are known in the art. . The backsheet 26 is preferably impervious to liquids (eg, urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic, although other flexible liquid impervious materials can also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are docile and that will readily conform to the shape and general contour of the human body. The backsheet 26 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained within the absorbent core 28 from wetting the articles that are in contact with the diaper 20 such as sheets and undergarments. The backsheet 26 may thus comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. In addition, the backsheet 26 can allow the vapors to escape from the absorbent core 28 (ie, breathable), while preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. The topsheet 24 is positioned adjacent to the body surface of the absorbent core 28 and preferably attached to it and the backsheet 26 by attachment means (not shown), such as those well known in the art. Suitable fixing means were described with respect to the attachment of the backsheet 26 to the absorbent core 28. As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations by means of which a first element is directly secured to a second element. by fixing the first element directly to the second element and configurations by which the first element is indirectly secured to the second element by fixing the first element to a member or intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the second element. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are directly bonded together at the periphery of the diaper, and are indirectly joined together by attaching them directly to the absorbent core 28 by the attachment means (not shown). The topsheet 24 is docile, soft in feel, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 24 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids, for example (menstruation and / or urine), to easily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet 24 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as porous foams; cross-linked foams; plastic films with openings; or woven and nonwoven materials of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers) of synthetic fibers (e.g. polymeric fibers such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene fibers), or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the user's skin from liquids that have passed through the topsheet and are contained within the absorbent core 28 (i.e., prevent rewetting). If the top sheet is made of a hydrophobic material, at least its top surface is treated so that it is hydrophilic so that liquids will transfer more rapidly through the top sheet. This decreases the likelihood that body exudates will flow out of the top sheet instead of being drawn through the top sheet and absorbed by the absorbent core. The upper sheet can be hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet with a surfactant include spraying the material with the surfactant and immersing the material within the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such treatment and hydrophilic ability is contained in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 entitled "Absorbent articles with multi-layer absorbent layers" issued to Reising et al. On January 29, 1991. There is a manufacturing techniques that can be used to make the top sheet 24. For example, the top sheet 24 can be a non-woven web of fibers. When the upper sheet comprises a nonwoven web, the web can be spun bonded, carded, wet laid, blown in the molten state, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or the like. A preferred top sheet is carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the art of fabrics. A preferred top sheet comprises polypropylene fibers of cut length having a denier of about 2.2: As used herein the term "cut length fibers" refers to those fibers having a length of at least about 15.9 mm. . Preferably, the topsheet has a basis weight of about 18 to about 25 grams per square meter. The diaper 20 preferably further comprises extendable leg cuffs 30 to provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Each extensible leg fold 30 may comprise several different embodiments to reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. (The leg fold can be and is sometimes also referred to as leg bands, leg flaps, barrier folds, or elastic folds). U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled "Shrinkable side portions for a disposable diaper", issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, discloses a disposable diaper that provides a collapsible leg opening that has a leg flap and a flap. more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg fold (packing fold). U.S. Patent No. 4,909,803 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Fins", issued to Aziz and Blaney on March 20, 1990, discloses a disposable diaper having "upright" elasticated fins (barrier folds), to improve the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Patent No. 4,695,278 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Double Folds" issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper having double folds including a gusset fold and a barrier fold. U.S. Patent No. 4,704,115 entitled "Disposable waste containment garment", issued Buell on November 3, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper or an incontinence garment having sidewall leakage protection channels configured to contain the free liquids within the garment. U.S. Patent No. 5,032,120 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Improved Leg Folds", issued to Freeland and Allen on July 16, 1991, discloses an absorbent article having leg folds that have a final contact force relatively low at relatively high elongations achieved, for example, by the low contact force differential material. U.S. Patent No. 5,087,255 entitled "Absorbent article having bent barrier folds", issued to Sims on February 11, 1992, discloses an absorbent article having bent barrier folds with the distant edge placed outwardly from the shore proximal in one waist region and inward in the other, to provide the best fit around the hip / buttock. Each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 further comprises extendable waist features that provide improved fit and containment. The extensible waist features at least extend longitudinally outwardly of the containment assembly, preferably from a respective waist edge of the absorbent core 28 and generally form at least a portion of the end edge of the diaper 20. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the extensible rear waist feature 32 comprises that diaper portion 20 extending from the waist edge 56 of the absorbent core in the rear waist region 46 towards the end edge 48 of the diaper 20. The characteristic of The waist can be constructed as a separate element attached to the chassis assembly 22 or as an extension of other diaper elements (ie, unitary). Preferably, the waist feature is constructed as an extension of other chassis elements such as backsheet 26, top sheet 24, or both. The extensible rear waist feature 32 provides an expandable member that provides a more comfortable and contoured fit by initially comfortably adjusting the diaper to the wearer and holding this fit throughout the time of use even after the diaper has been loaded with exudates, since the extensible posterior waist feature allows the diaper to expand and, preferably, contract. Furthermore, the extensible posterior waist feature develops and maintains the forces (tensions) of use that increase the tensions developed and maintained by the closure system, to maintain the diaper on the wearer and that increases the diaper fit around the waist of the diaper. user. The extensible back waist feature further provides for more effective diaper application since even if the diaper wearer pulls one side (side panel 36) of the rear waist feature extendible further than the other during the application (so asymmetric), the diaper will "self-adjust" during use. The extensible rear waist feature 32 can be constructed in a number of configurations and from a number of different materials. For example, the extensible rear waist feature 32 may be elasticized to operatively attach an elastic member thereto, such that the elastified waistbands known in the art and as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit and others, on May 7, 1985; and U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell et al. on September 29, 1992; each of which are incorporated here by reference. In this way, the extensible back waist feature can be a stretch laminate such as a zero tension stretch laminate as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, Buell et al. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extensible rear waist feature comprises a film frame in structural elastic form (SELF) as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 issued to Chapell et al. May 1996, which is incorporated here by reference. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the side panels 36 are attached to the chassis assembly 22 such that they extend laterally outwardly from the longitudinal edges 47. The side panels 36 may have a number of different shapes and sizes. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the side panels 36 have a rectangular shape. For a typical "large" baby diaper (from 8 kg to 14 kg), the side panels can, for example, have a size of approximately 63 mm in the lateral direction by approximately 80 mm in the longitudinal direction. The side panels 36 can be constructed in a number of configurations and from a number of different materials. The side panels may comprise conventional elastic materials or mechanically stretched laminates such as a stretch laminate with zero tension. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side panels may comprise a SELF screen as described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 issued to Chappell et al. The side panels 36 may comprise a separate element attached to the frame assembly 22, or may be constructed as an extension of other diaper elements, such as the backsheet 26 or the top sheet 24, preferably both of the top sheet and the sheet later. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, each of the side panels 36 comprises a separate frame attached to the chassis assembly 22. The side panels 36 are attached to the chassis assembly 22 in the rear waist region 46 and extend laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges 47. The side panels 36 comprise a first end edge 90, positioned adjacent and forming a portion of the end edge 48 of the chassis assembly, a second end edge 92 positioned remote from the first end edge 90 towards the lateral center line 49, a first longitudinal edge 94, and a second longitudinal edge 96 positioned laterally outwardly of the longitudinal edge 47 of the chassis assembly 22. The first longitudinal edge 94 may be contiguous with the longitudinal edge 47, preferably the first longitudinal edge 94 is positioned laterally inwardly of the longitudinal edge 47. The side panels 36 have in a multi-zone construction comprising at least one leg zone 100 and one waist area 105. The leg zone 100 is positioned adjacent the longitudinal edge 47 of the chassis assembly 22. The waist zone 105 is located laterally toward outside the leg zone 100. The leg zone 100 is extendable in a direction having a vector component in the lateral direction, preferably in the lateral direction. The waist region 105 is extendable in a direction having a vector component in the lateral direction, preferably in the lateral direction. The leg zone 100 is designed to have lower extension forces than the waist area 105. The extension force of the leg zone 10O should be as low as possible. In a preferred embodiment, the extension force of leg area 100 is less than about 10 g / cm, preferably less than about 5 g / cm, to the extent of 50%. The extension force of the waist area is preferably between about 10 g / cm to 30 g / cm, preferably between about 15 g / cm and 20 g / cm, to the extent of 50%. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the leg zone 100 is separated from the waist area 105 by a separation zone 110. The separation zone 110 may be a demarcation line that distinguishes the leg area 100 from the area 105. Preferably, the separation zone 110 is a non-extensible zone that physically separates the leg zone 100 from the waist area 105. The non-extensible separation zone 110 is preferably formed with the use of heat / pressure joints. , ultrasonic union or mechanical union, which join together the different layers of the side panels in such a way as to make them non-extensible. The separation zone 110 may also be formed by joining the additional materials to the side panel to make that portion non-extensible. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, each of the leg area 100, the waist area 105, the separation zone 110, and the grip zone 115, comprise the same material. However, each zone has its own unique strength / extension degree. The use of an SELF screen as described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 issued to Chappell et al. Allows the strength / extension properties of each zone to be specifically designed. Leg area 100 may have a number of different sizes and shapes. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the leg area 100 has a triangular shape. One side of the triangle forms a part of the second end edge 92. The waist area 105 may also have a number of different sizes and shapes. Preferably, the waist area 105 has a triangular shape with one side of the triangle having a portion of the first end edge 90. The leg zone 100 having the smaller force and the unique triangular shape allows the side panel to expand with the movement from the user's leg to relatively low forces. This provides the benefit of reduced red marking of the user's skin, since less stresses are carried with lower forces along the user's leg. The waist area 105 maintains a continuous high strength fence in the waist area of the diaper, which provides improved initial and sustained fit. This high strength zone extends across the end edge 48 of the diaper providing the tension ridge necessary to initially adjust and hold this adjustment throughout use. As shown in Figure 1, the leg zone 100 preferably does not form part of the first end edge 90 of the side panel 36. Preferably, the waist zone 105 is not part of the second end edge 92 of the side panel 36.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the side panel 36 of the present invention. The side panel 436 comprises a leg area 500, a waist area 505 and a separation zone 510. The leg area 500 forms a part of both the first end edge 490 and the second end edge 492. The area of waist 505 forms a part of both of the first end edge 490 and the second end edge 492. Alternatively, the side panel 436 may be designed such that the leg area 500 forms a part of both of the first edge of the leg. end 490 and the second end edge 492, while the waist area 505 forms a part of the first end edge 490 but is not part of the second end edge 492. Alternately, the side panel 436 may be designed so such that the waist area 505 forms a part of both the first end edge 490 and the second end edge 492, while the leg zone 500 forms a part of the second end edge 492, but is not part of the first edge. of ext pad 490. Side panels 36 may be attached to chassis assembly 22 in a number of different ways as are known in the art, including by adhesives, heat / pressure joints, ultrasonic bonding, or mechanical bonding. The side panels 36 are preferably attached to the chassis 22 via the mechanical joint indicated 120 in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 1, the side panels 36 preferably comprise a grip region 115 disposed laterally outwardly from the waist area 105. The grip area 115 is preferably an inflexible material that is non-extensible and functions to allow convenient grasping of the side panel 36 by the user to apply the fastening members 40 to the mooring area 41. As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 20 can also be provided with an extensible front waist feature 42. The extensible front waist feature 42 is designed to fit around the abdomen at the front waist of the wearer to improve fit and containment of the diaper at the front waist. The extensible front waist feature 42 extends longitudinally outwardly of the chassis assembly 22, preferably the waist edge 56 of the absorbent core 28, and generally forms at least a portion of the end edge 48 of the diaper 20 in the front waist region 45. The extensible front waist feature 42 may comprise any of the known configurations of an elastic feature or any of the extensible features as described herein. For example, the extensible front waist feature can comprise any of the elastified waistbands as are known in the art such as described in the aforementioned US Patent No. 5,515,595 (Kievit et al.) And the United States Patent. No. 5,151, 092 (Buell et al.). In addition, the extensible front waist feature may comprise a stretch laminate such as a zero tension stretch laminate as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 (Buell et al.). The diaper 20 can also include a closure system for adjusting the diaper on the wearer. While the closure system may adopt a number of configurations such as adhesive tape tabs, mechanical closure tape tabs, fixed position fasteners, side seams such as for training pants, or any other closure means as is known in the art. technique; As shown in Figure 1, the closure system preferably comprises a tape fastening system of adhesive tape that includes a pair of tape tab fastening members 40 and a tie-down member, preferably a reinforcement strip 41 as in Figure 1 or, alternatively, a portion of the backsheet, placed in the front waist region 45 of the diaper 20. Suitable examples of suitable adhesive tape tab fastening systems are disclosed in the United States patent. No. 3,848,594 issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; U.S. Patent No. 4,662,875 issued to Hirotsu and Robertson on May 5, 1987; each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of other closure systems, including mechanical closure systems, useful in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,869,724 issued to Scripps on September 26, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,848,815 issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; and the two-point fastening system described in U.S. Patent No. 5,242,436 issued to Weil, Buell, Clear and Falcone on September 7, 1993; each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 is preferably applied to a wearer by placing the back waist region 46 under the wearer's back and pulling the rest of the diaper between the user's legs, such that the front waist region 45 is positioned across the front of the user. The tongue portions of the tape tabs 40 are then released from the release portion. The person placing the diaper then wraps the side panel 36 around the wearer, while still holding the tongue portion. AND! Side panel will typically be stretched and stretched during this operation to conform to the size and shape of the user. The tape tab 40 is secured to the reinforcement strip 41, the lanyard, in the chassis assembly 22 to effect a lateral closure. The process then repeated with the other tape tab. Therefore, the diaper is closed over the wearer and the extensible rear waist feature and the other elements, if provided, provide the benefits of adjustment and containment as described herein. Alternatively, the diaper can be fastened before being adjusted on the wearer, such that it can be worn as a brief. In any configuration, the pant or diaper can be removed by unhooking the fasteners or by removing it as one would a pant. Figure 2 shows an alternate embodiment of a side panel 136 of the present invention. The side panel 136 is a separate member attached to the chassis assembly 22. The side panels 136 extend laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal edge 147 of the chassis assembly 122. The side panel 136 comprises a leg area 200, a waist area. 205, and a separation zone 210. The fastening member is attached to the waist region since the side panel 136 does not include a grip area. The leg area 200 has a triangular shape, where one side of the triangle forms a substantial portion of the second end edge 192. The waist area 205 has a triangular shape, where one side of the triangle forms a substantial portion of the first end edge. 190. The side panel is attached to the chassis assembly 122 such that it is spaced away from the end edge 148 of the chassis assembly 122. The first end edge 190 is spaced away from the end edge 148 at a distance. indicated as 160. The distance 160 is less than about 2 cm, preferably less than about 1 cm. The first end edge 190 of the side panel 136 forms a part of the end edge of the chassis assembly 122. Figure 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a side panel 236 of the present invention. The side panel 236 is a separate member attached to the chassis assembly 22. The side panel 236 extends laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal edge 247 of the chassis assembly 122. The side panel 236 comprises a leg area 300, a waist area 305, a separation zone 310 and a grip area 315. The grip zone 315 and the separation zone 310 are preferably non-extensible zones. The fastening member 240 preferably comprises a mechanical closure member. The mechanical closing members may comprise any well-known means for achieving a mechanical coupling closure such as the hook and loop fastening materials. When the fastening member comprises a mechanical closing member, the clamping members (not shown in Figure 3) comprise a complementary mechanical closure element, which is capable of engaging the clamping member 240. Figure 4 shows an alternate embodiment of a side panel 336 of the present invention. . The side panel 336 is an extension of the back sheet 326 and the top sheet (not shown) with other elements, such as elastic members, attached thereto, preferably between the top sheet and the back sheet. The side panel 336 comprises a leg area 400, a waist area 405, a separate area 410, and a grip area 415. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the first end edge 390 is contiguous with the end edge. 348 of chassis assembly 322 such that it forms a continuous edge through the rear waist region. The second end edge 392 is not parallel with the first end edge 390. The first end edge 390 extends parallel to the lateral centerline of the diaper, while the second end edge 392 extends at an angle to the line. lateral center. A line 370 defines the boundary between the side panel 336 and the chassis assembly 322. In this embodiment, the line 370 is an extension of the longitudinal edges 347 of the chassis assembly 322. However, the line 370 can be placed laterally toward inside or laterally away from the longitudinal edge 347. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, attempts are made in the appended claims to protect all these changes and modifications that are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A disposable absorbent article having a front waist region and a rear waist region, the absorbent article comprising a chassis assembly having end edges and longitudinal edges, the chassis assembly comprising a liquid pervious top sheet, a back sheet waterproofing the liquid bound with the top sheet, and an absorbent core placed between the top sheet and the back sheet; characterized in that said chassis assembly includes: a pair of side panels joined with the chassis assembly, said side panels extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges, each panel having a leg zone and a waist zone, the zone of leg having a lesser extension force than the waist area.

The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein each of said side panels comprises a film web in the form of a structural elastic.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the waist area is extendable in the lateral direction.

4. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the leg area is extendable in the lateral direction.

The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the leg zone has an extension force of between about 2 g / cm and about 10 g / cm at the 50% extension.

6. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the waist area has an extension force of between about 10 g / cm and about 30 g / cm to the extent of 50%.

7. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a separation zone separating the leg area from the waist area.

The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein said separation zone is not extensible.

The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a substantially non-extensible grip region disposed laterally outwardly from the waist area.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein each of the leg area and the waist area have a triangular shape.