Disposable absorbent article and process for making the same

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper including fastener means by means of which front and rear waist regions are releasably connected with each other improved so that the fastener means are not affected by contraction of elastic members arranged in these waist regions In this absorbent article, a waist region and / or a waist region is or are divided into elasticized intermediate zone provided with elastic means and inelasticized transversely opposite side edge zones provided with none of the elastic means and contiguous to transversely opposite side edges of the intermediate zone. Fastener means are provided in the transversely opposite side edge zones.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article used for absorption and containment of body wastes and to a method of making the same. The invention particularly relates to a disposable absorbent article such as an open or pull-on type diaper for an infant or incontinent patient or training pants and a method of making the same. Regarding the method, the invention particularly to a method comprising the step of attaching waist-surrounding elastic members to a base sheet functioning to support an absorbent panel and to hold this in close contact with a wearer's body. [0002] WO 01 / 13843 A1 (hereinafter referred to as “Citation 1”) relating to an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper discloses a structure comprising a plurality of elastic members provided in a rear waist region of the article and fastener means detachably connecting the rear waist region with a front waist region of the article wherein the fastener means are fi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] In the disposable absorbent article according to the present invention, the first and / or second waist region(s) is or are divided into the elasticized intermediate zone and inelasticized transversely opposite side edge zones in which the fastener means are provided. Such a unique arrangement is effective to protect the fastener means from undulation due to contraction of the elastic members laid to elasticize at least the waist regions and, in consequence, proper engagement between the cooperating fastener means is assured. In this way, there is no anxiety that the fastener means might be affected or deteriorated by contraction of the elastic members and unintentionally disengaged from each other as has been described above in the paragraph regarding the prior art.

[0030] Preferably, the step of fixing the elastic members to the second zones is achieved by means of adhesive intermittently applied on the web. Such an arrangement effective to ensure flexibility as well as breathability of the base sheet.

Problems solved by technology

Such gathers make it difficult to bring the fastener means in a firm engagement with a landing zone and an unstable engagement is accompanied with a problem that the fastener means may be unintentionally disengaged from the landing zone.

While it is technically possible to provide the waist region partially with the elastic members, such a measure is not suitable for a mechanical apparatus driven at a high speed to mass produce the article as described herein at a low cost.

Assumed that these waist regions are forced by a nonwoven fabric made of staple fibers or continuous filaments of synthetic resin as this is usually the case and particularly such a nonwoven fabric contains fibers or filaments oriented to cross the tear off direction defined by the tear off lines, it is difficult to tear the front waist region off from the rear waist region.

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