Mechanical fastener means provided with disposing means for disposable absorptive article

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a fastener means for a disposable absorbent product, and more particularly to an improved mechanical fastener means for a disposable absorbent product for easily disposing of the absorbent product.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

It is known to use adhesive tape fastener means to secure the corners of disposable absorbent products such as diapers. These types of adhesive tape fastener means are described in US Pat. No. Re.26.151 and US Pat. No. 3,848,594.

【0003】

The adhesive tape fastener means is a fixing means for holding a disposable absorbent product in use on the wearer. In addition, the re-fixable adhesive tape fastener means allows disposable absorbent products to be folded or rolled up into a rigid package for disposal, fixed in the disposal shape and easily dumped in the trash can. When such an adhesive tape fastener means is fixed to a wound absorbent product, the contents do not leak even if the absorbent product is thrown away.

【0004】

However, the adhesive tape fastener means has many drawbacks. One is that this means is susceptible to oil or powder contamination, and when it comes in contact with the adhesive on the tape tab, the adhesive does not adhere to the absorbent product with sufficient strength to form an effective side closure. In addition, the adhesive tape fastener means can tear the backsheet of the absorbent product when the tape fastener means are loosened to check if the absorbent product is dirty or to adjust its fit. Therefore, a hole is formed in the back sheet, the tape fastener means cannot be fixed, and the tape fastener means cannot be used. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener means that is not easily contaminated by oil or powder, is easy to re-fix, and does not become unusable after loosening an absorbent product or tape fastener means.

【0005】

Many ideas have been proposed to provide washable diapers with mechanical fastener means on top of the body of the absorbent product. Hook and loop type mechanical fasteners are generally less contaminated by oil or powder than adhesive tape fastener means and form fastener means that are easy to re-fix, but roll up absorbent products to contain their filth. It does not have a disposable structure that is fixed in a discarded state so that it can be easily thrown out. Generally, the hook fastener member is placed in the first end area of the absorbent product and the loop fastener member is placed in the second end area of the absorbent product. Therefore, when the absorbent product is folded or rolled up for disposal, the loop fastener member is pushed below the other portion of the absorbent product and cannot engage with the loop fastener member. Further, since the hook fastener means is not fixed to the exposed area of the absorbent product, particularly to the back sheet, the absorbent product cannot be easily fixed to the waste shape. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a mechanical fastener means capable of easily disposing of the absorbent product.

【0006】

[Purpose and Effect of the Invention] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a disposable absorbent product having improved fastener means. Another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable absorbent product having improved mechanical fastener means. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable absorbent product having mechanical fastener means with a disposal means capable of conveniently disposing of the disposable absorbent product.

【0007】

[Outline of the Invention] According to the present invention, there is provided a disposable absorbent product such as a diaper provided with a mechanical fastener means capable of easily disposing of the absorbent product. The mechanical fastener means can take many shapes, but the closing member including the tape tab and the first fastener element, and the land member having the second fastener element that engages with the first fastener element of the closing member and the disposal means. And include. Absorbent in a waste shape that prevents filth from leaking out of the absorbent product after the absorbent product has become dirty, with the first fastener element engaging with the second fastener element to ensure side closure of the absorbent product during use. Fold or roll up the product. The absorbent product is then fixed in its discarded state.

【0008】

The disposal means of the present invention include any means for fixing the absorbent product in a waste form containing filth. The disposal means can therefore include various elements placed on the body portion of the absorbent product or the fastener means. Preferably, the disposal means comprises a second fastener element secured to the backing surface of at least one tape tab, the first fastener element of the other tape tab engages the second fastener element of the disposal means and is absorbent. Fix the product in a discarded state. Therefore, the disposal means can include a mechanical fastener element of hook fastener material or loop fastener material arranged on the tape tab. Alternatively, the disposal means was placed on any other mechanical fastener element for use when the absorbent product becomes dirty, an adhesive fixing means placed on the body portion or the fastener means, or on the body portion. It can include one or more separate adhesive tape tabs.

【0009】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described in detail. The mechanical fastener means of the present invention is suitable for use in disposable absorbent products. As used herein, a "disposable absorbent product" is a product that absorbs and contains body excrement, and more specifically, a product that comes into contact with or accommodates the wearer's body to absorb and contain various excrement excreted from the body. Products that are placed in close proximity and discarded after a single use (ie, products that are not washed or otherwise recovered or reused). The preferred disposable absorbent product of the present invention is diaper 20. As used herein, "diaper" refers to clothing that is generally worn by an infant or incontinence person and is pulled up between its legs or secured around the waist. The types of diapers to which the present invention can be applied very easily are described in US Pat. Nos. Re 26,151 and US Pat. No. 3,860,003 described above, both of which are added as references. As will be apparent from the description below, the mechanical fastener means illustrated and described below are used for the body portion of such a diaper. On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to a particular diaper structure or shape.

【0010】

In the attached figure, FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the diaper 20 of the present invention before being placed on the wearer's body by the diaper user. As seen in FIG. 1, the preferred diaper 20 includes a body portion 22 and a mechanical fastener means 24. A preferred body portion 22 includes a liquid permeable topsheet 26, an absorbent core 28, an impermeable backsheet 30, and elastically contractible leg cuffs 32, which leg cuffs 32 are singular or unilateral with side flaps 34. Includes a plurality of elastic members 36. The topsheet 26, the absorbent core 28, the backsheet 30, the side flaps 34, and the elastic member 36 can be assembled into a variety of known structures, the preferred disposable diaper structure described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003. , Add this as a reference.

【0011】

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the body portion 22, where the topsheet 26 and the backsheet 30 are the same extension and have a length and width greater than that of the absorbent core 28. The top sheet 26 overlaps the back sheet 30 and forms the outer peripheral portion 38 of the main body portion. The outer peripheral portion 38 forms the outer circumference of the main body portion 22, that is, limits its extension. The outer peripheral portion 38 includes a vertical edge 40 and a terminal edge 42.

【0012】

The main body portion 22 has an inner side surface 44 and an outer side surface 46. Generally, the outer surface 46 extends from one end edge 42 of the diaper to the other end edge 42, and from one vertical edge 40 to the other vertical edge 40, and is a surface away from the wearer during use of the diaper. .. When a backseat 30 is used, this backseat forms the outer surface 46 of the body portion 22. The inner surface 44 is the surface opposite the outer surface 46 and is formed by the top sheet 26 in the illustrated embodiment. Generally, the inner surface 44 has the same extension as the outer surface 46, and when the diaper 20 is worn, most of it comes into contact with the wearer.

【0013】

The diaper 20 has first and second zones 48, 50 extending from the terminal edge 42 of the outer circumference 38 of the diaper toward the lateral center line of the diaper 20, respectively. These terminal areas 48 and 50 each extend about half the length of the diaper, and each area occupies half of the diaper 20 respectively.

【0014】

The first terminal area 48 and the second terminal area 50 each have a panel 51. These panels are the portion of the end area that overlaps when the diaper 20 is secured around the wearer's waist. The extension of the overlapping end areas, i.e. the extension of the panel 51, depends on the overall size of the diaper 20 and the size of the wearer.

【0015】

The absorbent core 28 is generally compressible, shape-matched, does not irritate the wearer's skin, and is an optional means capable of absorbing and accommodating liquids and excrement. The absorbent core 28 can be formed into a variety of shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, etc.) and can be used in the manufacture of disposable diapers and other absorbent products, such as ground wood pulp commonly referred to as air felt. It can be manufactured from the liquid absorbent material of. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials are yarns, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or other equivalent materials or combinations thereof. However, the total absorption capacity of the absorbent core 28 must correspond to the design excrement charge for the particular application of the diaper 20. In addition, the size and capacity of the absorbent core 28 must be varied to accommodate wearers in the range from infants to adults.

【0016】

Absorbent core 28 can consist of a single layer of absorbent material as described in US Pat. No. 4,610,678, adding this patent as a reference, but preferred embodiments of US Pat. No. 4,673,402 are preferred embodiments of US Pat. No. 4,673,402. It is a double layer absorbent core as described in the issue, and this patent is added as a reference. This structure has an asymmetrically shaped upper layer 52 and a lower layer 54. The upper layer 52 acts as a liquid absorption / distribution layer preferably made of a hydrophilic fibrous material. The lower layer 54 acts as a fluid storage layer composed of a mixture of hydrophilic fiber material and absorbent gelling material particles (hydrogel material). The upper layer 52 and the lower layer 54 each consist of an absorbent layer surrounded by a Tish layer. However, the size, shape, structure and total absorption capacity of the upper layer 52 or lower layer 54 will vary to suit wearers ranging from infants to adults. Thus, the dimensions, structure and shape of these layers can be changed at will (eg, the upper or lower layer has variable calipers, hydrophilic gradients, rapid absorption zones, or contains absorbent gelling material. Can be done).

【0017】

The absorbent core 28 is layered on top of the backsheet 30, preferably for which industry-known, such as pressure sensitive adhesives, hot melt adhesives or other adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, or thermal / pressure sealing, etc. It is attached by the core attachment means 55 of. The absorbent core 28 can be attached to the backsheet 30 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a pattern layer or a separate row of lines or dots of adhesive. Adhesives found to be satisfactory are hot melt adhesives, such as products manufactured by Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., Tennessee, USA, marketed under the trademark Easybond A-3, or Ohio, USA. , Columbus, a product manufactured by Century Adhesive and marketed under the trademark Century 5227. The core mounting means 55 comprises an open pattern network of adhesive filaments as described in US Pat. No. 4,573,986. This patent is added as a reference.

【0018】

The backsheet 30 is impermeable and is preferably made of a thin plastic film, but other flexible impermeable materials can also be used. The backsheet 30 prevents the excrement absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 28 from contaminating products such as sheets and underwear that come into contact with the diaper 20. Preferably, the backsheet 30 is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil), but other flexible impermeable materials can also be used. In this case, "flexible" refers to a material that is shape-matching and easily matches the overall shape and contour of the human body.

【0019】

Suitable polyethylene films are manufactured by Monsanto Chemical and marketed under the trademark Film No. 8020. The backsheet 30 is preferably embossed and / or matte finished to give it a cloth-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet 30 can allow water vapor to escape from the absorbent core while preventing the passage of excrement.

【0020】

The size of the backseat 30 is determined by the size of the absorbent core 28 and the exact diaper design selected. In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet 30 has the shape of a modified hourglass extending outward from the entire diaper circumference 38 by a minimum distance of at least about 1.3 cm to about 2.5 cm (about 0.5 to about 1.0 inch) from the absorbent core.

【0021】

The top sheet 26 of the main body portion 22 of the product of the present invention is shape-matched, has a soft feel, and does not irritate the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 26 is liquid permeable to allow liquids to easily penetrate. Suitable topsheets 26 are made from porous foams, reticulated foams, aperture films, natural fibers (wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg polyester or polypropylene fibers), or combinations of natural and synthetic fibers. You can do things. Preferably the topsheet 26 is made from a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquid retained in the absorbent core 28.

【0022】

Particularly preferred topsheets 26 include staple length polypropylene fibers of approximately 1.5 denier, such as Hercules Type 151, commercially available from Wilmington, Delaware, USA. In this case, "staple length fiber" means a fiber having a length of at least about 15.9 mm (0.625 inch). There are many techniques used to manufacture the topsheet 26. For example, the top sheet 26 can be a woven cloth, a non-woven fabric, a spunponded cloth, a carded cloth, or a hydrofoamed cloth. The top sheet 26 is carged and heat-bonded by means known in the industry. Preferably the topsheet 26 has a basis weight of about 15 to about 30 g / square meter and a minimum dry tensile strength of at least about 400 g per centimeter in the machine direction and a tensile strength of at least about 55 g per centimeter in the cross machine direction.

【0023】

The top sheet 26 and the back sheet 30 are combined with each other by any suitable method known in the diaper industry. In this case, "combined" means a structure in which the top sheet 26 is directly bonded to the back sheet 30 to be directly bonded to the back sheet, and the top sheet 26 is fixed to the intervening member. It includes a structure in which the intervening member is indirectly joined to the back sheet 30 by being fixed to the back sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the topsheet 26 and the backsheet 30 are joined directly to each other along the diaper circumference 38 by a flap attachment means 56 such as an adhesive or any other attachment means known in the industry. Generally, the core attaching means 55 for fixing the absorbent core 28 to the back seat 30 is also the same means as the flap attaching means 56 described above. Thus, for example, a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a pattern layer, a separate row of lines or dots, or a network of adhesive filaments, as described in US Pat. No. 4,573,986 above, can be used.

【0024】

Elastically contractile leg cuffs 32 are placed adjacent to the outer circumference 38 of the body portion 22, preferably along the vertical edge 40 of the diaper, and these leg cuffs 32 pull the diaper to pull the wearer's leg. To hold the contact with. The leg cuffs 32 can be any means known in the diaper industry, but particularly preferred leg cuff structures are the side flaps 34 and one or more elastic members, as detailed in US Pat. No. 3,860,003 above. Including 36 and. Suitable methods and devices for the production of disposable diapers with elastically shrinkable leg cuffs are described in US Pat. No. 4,081,301, which is added as a reference. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic contractile leg cuffs 32 include a side flap 34 and an elastic member 36 composed of elastic cords. The diaper 20 comprises a mechanical fastener means 24 for achieving side closure. That is, when the diaper 20 is attached to the wearer, the first terminal area 48 and the second terminal area 50 are held in an overlapping state.

【0025】

In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the fastener means 24 comprises a closing member 58 having a tape tab 60 and a first fastener element 62 arranged along a vertical edge 40 of a first terminal area 48, and a body. Disposable so that the land member 64 having the second fastener element 66 disposed in the second end area 50 of the outer surface 46 of the portion 22 and engaging with the first fastener element 62 and the diaper 20 can be easily disposed of. It includes a body portion 22 or fastener means 24 so as to be fixed in shape, preferably a disposal means 68 arranged on a tape tab 60.

【0026】

Each closing member 58 forms a mechanical fastener means that engages with the land member 64 to provide a secure side closure of the diaper 20. Thus, the closing member 58 includes at least one fastener element 62. Each closing member 58 also includes means for arranging the first fastener element 62 adjacent to the land member 64, preferably for side closure. That is, the closing member 58 may include any known structure and fastening means for achieving side closure of the diaper 20, such as an internal fastener member, tape tab or belt secured to the inner and / or outer surfaces of the diaper 20. .. Preferred closing member 58 includes an internal fastener member or tape tab.

【0027】

The internal fastener member includes a fastener element or a combination of the fastener element and the adhesive fixing means arranged on the main body portion of the diaper 20. Therefore, the preferred internal fastener member is the first fastener element 62 made of strips or patches of hook fastener material. The internal fastener member can be arranged at any position on the main body portion, such as the inner side surface 44 or outer surface 46 of the main body portion, or the first terminal area 48 or the second terminal area 50. Preferably, they are arranged in the first terminal area 48 of the inner side surface 44 of the main body portion, adjacent to the vertical edge 40, respectively, so as to engage with the land member 64. The first fastener element 62 of each internal fastener member is joined to the body portion and preferably approximately 1 inch wide (perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline) x approximately 2.5 inches (ie, perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline) on the panel 51 of the body portion 22. , Parallel to the longitudinal centerline). Examples of this internal fastener member are described in US Pat. No. 4,699,622, which is added as a reference.

【0028】

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closing member 58 preferably includes a tape tab 60. Any known structure and shape of the tape tab can be used. A preferred tape tab is the Y-shaped tape tab described in detail in US Pat. No. 3,848,594, which this patent is added as a reference. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tape tab 60 is most preferably located in the first terminal area 48 adjacent to each vertical edge 40 of the body portion 22.

【0029】

A particularly preferred tape tab 60 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and has a fastener surface 70 and a backing surface 72. The fastener surface 70 is the surface of the tape tab that engages with the land member 64 of the present invention. That is, the fastener surface 70 corresponds to the inner side surface 44 of the main body portion 22 of the diaper, and the adhesive fixing means 63 and the first fastener element 62 are provided on the inner surface 44. The backing surface 72 is a surface opposite to the fastener surface 70 and corresponds to the outer surface 46 of the diaper body portion 22. Therefore, the back surface 72 is exposed while wearing the diaper 20.

【0030】

The preferred tape tab 60 illustrated in FIG. 2 is affixed to the inner and outer surfaces 44 and 46 of the body portion 22 to form the end of the manufacturer (ie, the attachment of the tape tab to the diaper 20 is performed during the manufacture of the diaper ). The tape tab 60 has other elements as the end of the user (ie, the fitting part made by the person who attaches the diaper to the wearer). That is, the preferred tape tab of the present invention has at least the following three elements: first fixed portion 74, second fixed portion 76, connecting portion 78. The first fixed portion 74 is a portion attached to the inner surface of the main body portion 22. The second fixed portion 76 is a portion attached to the outer surface 46 of the main body portion 22. Therefore, the first fixing portion 74 and the second fixing portion 76 form the end of the manufacturer of the tape tab 60. The connecting portion 78 is a portion that is generally attached to the land member 64 with respect to other parts of the diaper 20 when the user fixes the diaper 20 to the wearer. Therefore, this connecting portion 78 forms the end of the user. Further, the outer surface of the second fixing portion 76 and the outer surface of the connecting portion 78 form the back surface 72 of the tape tab 60, while the inner surface of the first fixing portion 74 and the inner surface of the connecting portion 78 are the fastener surfaces of the tape tab 60. Make 70.

【0031】

The preferred Y-tape tab 60 of the present invention can be manufactured by several methods. The first fixing portion 74, the second fixing portion 76, and the connecting portion 78 are separate tapes that are adjacent to the vertical edge 40 of the main body portion 20 and joined to each other in the joining area, respectively. A more practical structure of the tape tab 60 is a structure in which the connecting portion 78 and either the first fixing portion 74 or the second fixing portion 76 form an integral tape strip. When the connecting portion 78 is integrated with the second fixed portion 76 as shown in FIG. 2, the first fixed portion 74 is the connecting portion 78 / second fixed in the joint area 80 adjacent to the vertical edge 40 of the main body portion 22. Part 76 A separate element linked to the conjugate.

【0032】

FIG. 2 shows a tab fixing means for fixing the tape tab 60 to the main body portion 22. This means is any fixing means that forms a suitable bond, preferably any pressure sensitive adhesive known in the adhesive industry. The second surface 75 ́ of the first fixing portion 74 is fixed to the inner surface 44 of the main body portion 22 by the first tab fixing means 80. The first surface 77 of the second fixing portion 76 is fixed to the outer surface 46 of the main body portion 22 by the second tab fixing means 82. The connecting portion 78 has a first fastener element 62 on its first surface 79 as a second tab fixing means 82 (or, if the connecting member 78 is an element separate from the second fixing portion 76, a third tab fixing means). Attached by. However, it is also possible to separately place the adhesive fixing means on the first fastener element 62 and join it to the connecting portion 78.

【0033】

Preferred materials for Tape Tab 60 include tape materials such as Tape Code No. XPF 14.43.0, Y-9376 or Y-9030 obtained from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Minnesota, USA. The tape material used in these embodiments is preferably a polyethylene film, and tab fixing means formulated to bond to polyethylene are arranged on the tape material. The tab fixing means is any adhesive that is appropriately bonded to other parts of the diaper, and is preferably any pressure-sensitive adhesive known in the industry. A preferred tab fixing means is a pressure sensitive adhesive such as Code No. XPF 1.42.34 obtained from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota.

【0034】

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape tab 60 includes a grip tab 83 at the end edge 71 of the connecting portion 78. This grip tab is formed by folding back and adhering the edge 71 of the connecting portion 78. As a result, a terminal portion that can be easily grasped by the user when the diaper 20 is attached to and fixed to the wearer is formed on the connecting portion 78. The grip tab 83 is most effective when the connecting portion 78 is superposed on the first fixed portion 74 during use.

【0035】

The first fastener element 62 of the closing member 58 closes between the closing member 58 and the land member 64. That is, the first fastener element 62 forms one or more elements that engage the second fastener element 66 of the land member 64. Therefore, the first fastener element 62 can be any known means of side closure such as buttons, snaps, hooks or loop fasteners.

【0036】

The first fastener element 62 can be a separate member joined to the tape tab 60 or a member integrally with the tape tab 60. For example, the topsheet 60 has an engaging element formed or molded onto it to mechanically engage the land member 64 (integrated first fastener element 62), or a separate patch to the tape tab 60. Alternatively, strips can be joined (separate member type first fastener element 62). Preferably, the first fastener element 62 is a separate member joined to the fastener surface 70 of the tape tab 60.

【0037】

The first fastener element 62 is preferably joined to the fastener surface 70 of the tape tab 60. In this specification, "joined" means detachably attached to the tape tab 60 so that the user can peel off the first fastener element 62 from the adhesive fixing means 63, especially after the diaper 20 becomes dirty. The structure includes a structure in which the first fastener element 62 is fixedly fixed to the tape tab 60. Further, "joined" means that the first fastener element 62 is directly joined to the tape tab, and that the first fastener element 62 is detachably fixed to the intervening member and the intervening member is attached to the tape tab. This includes the case where the first fastener element 62 is indirectly joined to the tape tab 60 by being detachably fixed. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the first fastener element 62 is directly fixed to the fixing portion 78 of the tape tab 60 by the second tab fixing means 82.

【0038】

The first fastener element 62 can be placed anywhere on the fastener surface 70 of the tape tab 60, but when the closing member 58 includes an internal fastener member, the first fastener element 62 is preferably on the panel 51 of the end area 48. It is placed adjacent to the vertical edge 40 inside. When the closing member 58 includes the tape tab 60, the first fastener element 62 is preferably located on all or part of the fastener surface 70, more preferably all or part of the connecting portion 78. Most preferably, the first fastener element 62 is located in the first area (part) of the connecting portion 78, adjacent to the end edge 71 of the tape tab 60. Examples of this structure are described in US Pat. No. 5,019,065, which is added as a reference. FIG. 2 shows a first fastener element 62 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The first fastener element 62 includes a hook fastener material 84. In this specification, the "hook fastener material" refers to a material having an engaging element 86. That is, this hook fastener material 84 can also be called a male fastener. The term "hook" is also a non-limiting term in the sense that the engaging element 86 takes any shape known in the industry as long as it can engage the complementary second fastener element 66. As shown, the hook fastener 84 preferably includes a substrate 88 having a first surface and a second surface, and a plurality of engaging elements 86 projecting from the first surface of the substrate 88. Each engaging element 86 includes a shaft portion 94 supported on a first surface of the substrate 88 and an expansion head 96 located at the end opposite to the substrate 88 of the shaft portion 94.

【0039】

The preferred hook fastener material 84 of the present invention is configured to engage a fiber element of a loop fastener to form a fastener device. Therefore, the hook fastener material 84 can be manufactured from various materials. Suitable materials are nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or a combination thereof. Includes a number of engaging elements 86 protruding from woven linings such as the "Scotchmate" brand No. FJ3402 obtained from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. Alternatively, the engaging element 86 can have a hook shape, a T shape, or any other shape known in the industry. Particularly preferred hook fastener materials are described in US Pat. No. 4,846,415, which is added as a reference.

【0040】

The land member 64 of the mechanical fastener means 24 provides a means for fixing itself and the closing member 58 to each other to hold the first end area 48 and the second end area 50 of the diaper in an overlapping state. Make up. The land member 64 can be placed at any location on the diaper 20 as long as it engages with the closing member 58 to hold the side closure. For example, the land member 64 may be placed on the outer surface 46 of the second terminal area 50, on the inner surface 44 of the first terminal area 48, or anywhere else that engages with the closing member 58. it can. Further, the land member 64 is a separate element fixed to the diaper 20, or an integral member inseparably or continuously provided with an element such as the top sheet 26 or the back sheet 30 of the diaper 20, or with the integral member. It can be combined with a separate member. The land member 64 can come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but is preferably located on a portion of the backsheet 30 and on the outer surface 46 of the second end zone 50 to best fit the wearer's waist. Includes one or more separate patches. A preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 includes an elongated rectangular land member 64 secured to the outer surface 46 adjacent to the vertical edge 40 of the second terminal area 50.

【0041】

The land member 64 preferably includes a second fastener element 66 that engages a first fastener element 62 of the tape tab 60. That is, the second fastener element 66 is made of various materials and can have various shapes that engage the first fastener element 62. For example, the second fastener element 66 can be the same element as the first fastener element 62 in the complementary form, or can be a separate element. In this case, "the same element of the complementary shape" is used to define a mechanical fastener means having the same shape or structure in which the engaging members of the first fastener element 62 and the second fastener element 66 engage with each other. used. Examples of such means are described in US Pat. No. 4,322,875 and US Pat. No. 4,701,179. A "separate element of the complement" means that the first fastener element 62 has a different shape than the second fastener element 66, but can be engaged with it, for example buttons and holes, hook fasteners and loop fasteners. , Or a male member and a female member. Preferably, the second fastener element 66 is a hook or loop, depending on whether the first fastener element 62 is a loop or a hook. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the land member 64 includes a second fastener element 66 with a plurality of fiber elements such as a loop fastener 98.

【0042】

The loop fastener material 98 of the second fastener element 66 forms a fiber element that engages the engagement head 86 of the hook fastener material 84. These loop fasteners 98 can be made from fiber elements, preferably various materials that form a loop. Suitable materials are nylon, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene or combinations thereof. Suitable Loop Fastener 98, Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota Mining and Includes fiber loops protruding from the lining, such as the nylon woven loop of Manufacturing's registered trademark "Scotchmate" No. SJ3401. A preferred loop fastener material 98 is a tricot knit fabric consisting of nylon filament loops protruding from a nylon lining such as "Guilford No. 16110" commercially available from Guilford Mill, Greensboro, NC. Alternatively, the loop fastener material 98 can be a non-woven fabric or any other type of industry-known fiber material or loop material. Economical loop fasteners and methods of their manufacture are described in US Pat. No. 5,032,122, which is added as a reference.

【0043】

The disposal means 68 of the present invention forms an element for simply and easily disposing of the diaper 20. That is, the disposal means 68 has an arbitrary structure capable of folding or rolling up the diaper 20 into a waste shape, holding the diaper 20 in this shape, and accommodating filth inside the diaper 20. For example, the disposal means 68 is an adhesive tape tab, an adhesive fixing means, a mechanical fastener element, a hook fastener material, a loop fastener material, a first fastener element and a second fastener element, or other elements or elements known to those skilled in the art. It can be various elements such as combinations that are arranged on the main body portion 22 or on the fastener means 24.

【0044】

The disposal means 68 can be arranged in either the main body portion of the diaper 20 or the fastener means 24 as long as the diaper 20 can be held in the discarded shape. For example, the disposal means 68 may be on the inner side surface 44 of the body portion 22, on the outer side surface 46, on the first end area 48 or the second end area 50, and on one or both tape tabs 60 and the like. It can also be placed on 24. Disposal means 68 may be on the fastener surface 70 or on the backing surface 72 of the tape tab 60, on the connecting portion 78, the first fixing portion 74, the second fixing portion 76, or on one or both of the tape tab 60 elements. Can be placed on any combination of.

【0045】

Further, the disposal means 68 is a separate element connected to the diaper 20, or an integral element as a continuous and indivisible single member to the diaper element such as the top sheet 26, the back sheet 28 or one of the first fastener elements 62. (For example, if the first fastener element of one tape tab is complementary to the first fastener element of the other tape tab and is attached to each other, one first fastener element serves as a disposal means). Disposal means 68 can have different sizes and shapes as different elements, but preferred disposal means 68 is an adhesive tape tab or mechanical fastener element as a second fastener element arranged to dispose of the diaper 20. Can be done.

【0046】

A preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 has a disposal means 68 as a separate element consisting of a second fastener element 106 secured to at least one tape tab 60. The disposal means 68 preferably includes a second fastener element 106 secured to the backing surface 72 of each tape tab 60. This second fastener element 106 can be placed on the fastener surface 70 of the tape tab 60, but the first fastener element 62 of the opposite tape tab 60 is easily attached to the second fastener element 106 and the tape tab for disposal of the diaper 20. The disposal means 68 is preferably located on the backing surface 72 of the tape tab 60 so that the 60 can be easily closed. The second fastener element 106 is also arranged on the connecting portion 78 adjacent to the end edge of the tape tab 60.

【0047】

The second fastener element 106 of the disposal means 68 can have any structure used as the land member 64 of the present invention. For example, the second fastener element 106 can be an integral element or a separate element, a hook fastener material or a loop fastener material, and a single element of the complementary shape or a separate element of the complementary shape. The second fastener element 106 of the disposal means 68 is preferably made of the same material as the second fastener element 66 of the land member 64, and is preferably a loop that can engage with the hook fastener material 84 arranged on the fastener surface 70 of the tape tab 60. Use as a fastener material. Therefore, the hook fastener material 84 of one tape tab 60 can be fixed to the loop fastener material of the disposal means 68 on the backing surface 72 of the other tape tab 60. The second fastener element 106 of the disposal means 68 is preferably fixed to the backing surface 72 by an industry-known adhesive fixing means 108, preferably by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

【0048】

When using the diaper 20, place the first terminal area 48 under the wearer's back, pull the rest of the diaper 20 between the wearer's feet, and place the second terminal area 50 on the front side of the wearer. Place in. Next, the connecting portion 78 of the tape tab 60 is fixed to the land member 64 of the outer surface 46 of the second end area 50, and the first fastener element 62 arranged on the fastener surface 70 of the tape tab 60 is attached to the second fastener element. Engage with 66 to form a side closure. When the diaper 20 becomes dirty, move the diaper 20 away from the wearer. In that case, the structure shown in FIG. 6 in which the panel 51 of the second end area 50 is folded inward, the main body portion 22 is folded or rolled in from the second end area 50, and the tape tab 60 projects outward from the rolled diaper 20. To. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, if the first fastener element 62 of one tape tab 60 was fixed to the second fastener element 106 of the disposal means 68 arranged on the other tape tab 60, the diaper 20 was wound. Since it is fixed in the state, it can be easily thrown into the trash can.

【0049】

In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, the disposal means 368 includes a tape tab 360, preferably an adhesive fixing means 110 disposed on its backing surface 72, which is one of the fastener surfaces 70. It can be placed on the department. Disposal means 368 also includes a release liner 112 disposed on the adhesive fixing means 110 so that the adhesive is not exposed until the diaper 20 becomes dirty. The adhesive fixing means 110 can use any adhesive or glue used in the industry for this purpose, but pressure sensitive adhesives are preferred. The release liner 112 prevents the adhesive fixing means from drying out and prevents it from adhering to foreign matter before use. Any release liner used for this purpose can be used, but suitable examples are the BL 30MG-A SILOX E1-0 and BL 30MG-A SILOX manufactured by Acrosil. It is 4P / 0. In this embodiment, when the diaper 20 is soiled and made into a disposable shape, the release liner 112 is removed from the adhesive fixing means 110 and the adhesive fixing means 110 is the backsheet of the other tab 360 or body portion 22. It is fixed to 30 etc. and fixes the diaper 20 in its disposable state.

【0050】

In yet another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, the disposal means 468 uses an adhesive fixing means 114 (in this embodiment, a second tab fixing means 82) arranged on the fastener surface 70 of the tape tab 460. Including. The first fastener element 62 of the tape tab 60 is detachably fixed to the fastener surface 70 by the adhesive fixing means 114. Therefore, when the diaper 20 becomes dirty and is formed into a waste shape, the first fastener element 62 is peeled off from the adhesive fixing means 114 to expose the adhesive fixing means 114. The diaper 20 is fixed in a discarded state by fixing the exposed adhesive fixing means 114 to the other tape tab 460, or the backsheet 30, or any other location of the diaper 20. Therefore, the adhesive fixing means 114 is any known adhesive used for such a purpose, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferable.

【0051】

In yet another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the disposal means 868 includes an adhesive tape tab 116 disposed on the body portion 22. This adhesive tape tab can be any adhesive tape tab known in the industry. An example of this tape tab 116 is described in US Pat. No. 3,848,594 above. The adhesive tape tab 115 can be placed anywhere on the body portion 22 of the diaper 20, but preferably on the first terminal area 48, adjacent to the terminal edge 42 of the diaper 20, most preferably the terminal edge. Centered laterally along 42, it forms disposal means 868. Thus, after the diaper 20 is dirty, folded or rolled up, the user detaches the adhesive tape tab 116 from its release liner and attaches the adhesive to the backsheet 30 or body portion 22 of the body portion 22. , Fix the rolled up diaper 20 in the closed state.

【0052】

In yet another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, the disposal means 968 comprises two adhesive tape tabs 118,120. These adhesive tape tabs can be placed at any location on the body portion 22, eg, adjacent to each end edge 42, but preferably adjacent to the vertical edge 40, respectively, at the first end edge 48 of the diaper 20. Most preferably, it is placed adjacent to the tape tab 60. Thus, in this embodiment, the disposal means 968 forms a second pair of tape tabs, which as a means of disposal after the fastener means and diaper 20 being worn and after the diaper 20 has become dirty, or as a means of disposal only after the diaper 20 has become dirty. used. These adhesive tape tabs 118 and 120 are used as disposal means 968 by sticking to the back sheet 30 or the like of the main body portion 22 or sticking to each other in order to fix the diaper 20 to the waste shape. The present invention is not limited to the above description, and can be arbitrarily modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

A partially cutaway perspective view of a diaper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2]

Sectional view of the tape tab along line 2-2 in Figure 1.

[Fig. 3]

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 4]

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 5]

Elevation view showing the state when wearing the diaper shown in FIG.

[Fig. 6]

The perspective view which shows the diaper of FIG. 1 of the disposal state before using the fastener means of this invention.

[Fig. 7]

The perspective view which shows the diaper of FIG. 1 of the disposal state after using the fastener means of this invention.

[Fig. 8]

Top view of a diaper according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 9]

Top view of a diaper according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 diapers 22 Diaper body 24 Mechanical fastener means 44 Side of the body 46 Outer surface of the main body 48 1st terminal area 50 Second terminal area 58 Closing member 60 tape tab 62 1st fastener element 63 Adhesive fixing means 64 Land member 66 2nd fastener element 68 Disposal means 70 Fastener surface 71 End edge 84 Hook fastener material 86 Engagement element 98 Loop fastener material 368,468,868,968 Disposal means