U.S. patent application number 13/161160 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for disposable absorbent garment having colored facings and integral waistband.
Invention is credited to Marlene R. Dins, Marie E. Luna, Julie A. Paveletzke, Lacey L. Poole.
Application Number | 20120323204 13/161160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47354254 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120323204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poole; Lacey L. ; et
al. |
December 20, 2012 |
DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT GARMENT HAVING COLORED FACINGS AND INTEGRAL
WAISTBAND
Abstract
A garment comprises a laminate. The laminate comprises a first
layer colored a first color, and a second layer colored a second
color different than the first color. The laminate includes a
folded flap in the waist region, thereby defining an integral,
outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. In one
embodiment, the first layer and the second layer are coterminous at
the waistband lower edge. In particular embodiments, the folded
flap is an outwardly folded flap, and the first layer is an inner
layer and the second layer is an outer layer, and the outwardly
visible waistband is colored the first color. The distinction
between the first color and second color in conjunction with the
fold creates a visible waistband effect.
Inventors: |
Poole; Lacey L.; (Appleton,
WI) ; Luna; Marie E.; (Appleton, WI) ; Dins;
Marlene R.; (Appleton, WI) ; Paveletzke; Julie
A.; (Appleton, WI) |
Family ID: |
47354254 |
Appl. No.: |
13/161160 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.3 ;
604/385.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2013/8497 20130101;
A61F 13/515 20130101; A61F 13/49011 20130101; A61F 13/496 20130101;
A61F 13/49014 20130101; A61F 13/49012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/385.3 ;
604/385.01 |
International
Class: |
A61F 13/496 20060101
A61F013/496 |
Claims
1. A disposable absorbent garment comprising a laminate, the
laminate comprising: a first layer colored a first color; a second
layer colored a second color different than the first color;
wherein the laminate includes a folded flap in the waist region,
thereby defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a
waistband lower edge, the first layer and the second layer being
coterminous at the waistband lower edge.
2. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 1, wherein the folded
flap is an outwardly folded flap, wherein the first layer is an
inner layer, wherein the second layer is an outer layer, and
wherein the outwardly visible waistband is colored the first
color.
3. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 1, wherein the folded
flap is an inwardly folded flap, wherein the first layer is an
outer layer, and wherein the second layer is an inner layer.
4. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 1, wherein at least
one elastic thread is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder
of the laminate.
5. A pant-like disposable absorbent garment defining a longitudinal
direction and a transverse direction, the garment comprising a
front waist panel, a back waist panel, and a crotch panel
interconnecting the front waist panel and the back waist panel, the
front waist panel being attached to the back waist panel along a
pair of transversely opposed side seams to define a waist opening
and two leg openings, the front waist panel and the back waist
panel each comprising a laminate, each laminate comprising: an
inner layer colored a first color; an outer layer colored a second
color different than the first color; wherein the laminate includes
an outwardly folded flap proximate the waist opening, thereby
defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a
waistband lower edge, the inner layer and the outer layer being
coterminous at the waistband lower edge, the outwardly visible
waistband colored the first color.
6. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 5, wherein the first
color is not white, and the second color is white.
7. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 5, wherein at least
one elastic strand is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder
of the laminate in the front waist panel, and wherein at least one
elastic strand is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder of
the laminate in the back waist panel.
8. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 5, wherein both the
inner layer and the outer layer comprise nonwoven polyolefin-based
material, and wherein each laminate comprises an elastomeric film
layer sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer, the
elastomeric film layer being coterminous with both the inner layer
and the outer layer around a periphery of the laminate.
9. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 8, wherein the
elastomeric film layer is colored a non-white color.
10. A pant-like disposable absorbent garment defining a
longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the garment
comprising a front waist panel, a back waist panel, and a crotch
panel interconnecting the front waist panel and the back waist
panel, the front waist panel being attached to the back waist panel
along a pair of transversely opposed side seams to define a waist
opening and two leg openings, the front waist panel and the back
waist panel each comprising a laminate, each laminate comprising:
an inner layer colored a first color; an outer layer colored a
second color different than the first color; wherein the laminate
is folded upon itself proximate the waist opening, thereby defining
an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower
edge, the inner layer and the outer layer being coterminous at the
waistband lower edge, the outwardly visible waistband colored the
first color.
11. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 10, wherein the first
color is not white, and the second color is white.
12. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 10, wherein at least
one elastic strand is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder
of the laminate in the front waist panel, and wherein at least one
elastic strand is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder of
the laminate in the back waist panel.
13. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 10, wherein both the
inner layer and the outer layer comprise nonwoven polyolefin-based
material, and wherein each laminate comprises an elastomeric film
layer sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer, the
elastomeric film layer being coterminous with both the inner layer
and the outer layer around a periphery of the laminate.
14. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 13, wherein the
elastomeric film layer is colored a non-white color.
15. A pant-like disposable absorbent garment defining a
longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the garment
comprising a front waist panel, a back waist panel, and a crotch
panel interconnecting the front waist panel and the back waist
panel, the front waist panel being attached to the back waist panel
along a pair of transversely opposed side seams to define a waist
opening and two leg openings, the front waist panel and the back
waist panel each comprising a laminate, each laminate comprising: a
first, inner layer colored a first color; a second, outer layer
colored a second color different than the first color, the second
layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface; wherein the
first layer includes an outwardly folded flap proximate the waist
opening so as to define an integral, outwardly visible waistband
having a waistband lower edge, wherein the outwardly visible
waistband is colored the first color.
16. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 15, wherein said flap
is bonded to the outer surface of the second layer.
17. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 15, wherein at least
one elastic thread is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder
of the laminate.
18. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 15, wherein the first
color is not white, and the second color is white.
19. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 15, wherein at least
one elastic strand is sandwiched between the flap and the second
layer in the front waist panel, and wherein at least one elastic
strand is sandwiched between the flap and the second layer in the
back waist panel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Pant-like disposable absorbent garments are in common use in
today's society. For example, disposable absorbent underwear for
incontinence and enuresis conditions, disposable training pants,
and disposable menstrual panties are common in the marketplace. It
is desirable to make such products as much like normal cloth
underwear as possible. For example, wearers of incontinence and
enuresis garments generally wish to conceal the fact that they are
wearing such products, and therefore desire the garments to
resemble normal cloth underwear as closely as possible. In another
example, children wearing training pants take pride in the fact
that they are no longer wearing diapers, and providing them with a
disposable training pant product that closely resembles real
underwear supports this process. It is also important that such
garments provide a snug and secure fit, both to provide comfort to
the wearer and to minimize leakage of bodily waste out of the
absorbent garment.
[0002] For example, it is common for many products to include
waistbands or leg bands, often elasticized, to provide improved
fit, leakage management, and underwear-like aesthetics. In one
conventional approach, the waist edge of a disposable absorbent
garment is folded over. However, in such conventional products, the
folded edge region is the same color as the remainder of the waist
region; as a result, the folded waistband is generally not visible
to a viewer, because the folded waistband "blends in" with the
color of the underlying material. In another approach, a waistband
graphic is printed onto the garment in the vicinity of the waist
opening to resemble a separately attached waistband. However, such
an approach can introduce undesirably process complexity, equipment
cost, and ink expense. In still another conventional approach, a
separate waistband material is provided and attached to the
garment. While this approach can provide a more garment-like look
in many instances, it introduces additional process complexity and
expense, and introduces additional cost associated with raw
material procurement and inventory.
[0003] Therefore, there remains a need for pant-like disposable
garments that better resemble normal cloth underwear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In response to aforementioned need, an improved disposable
absorbent garment having an integral waistband has been
invented.
[0005] In one embodiment, the garment comprises a laminate. The
laminate comprises a first layer colored a first color, and a
second layer colored a second color different than the first color.
The laminate includes a folded flap in the waist region, thereby
defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a
waistband lower edge. The first layer and the second layer are
coterminous at the waistband lower edge.
[0006] In another embodiment, the garment defines a longitudinal
direction and a transverse direction, and includes a front waist
panel, a back waist panel, and a crotch panel interconnecting the
front waist panel and the back waist panel. The front waist panel
is attached to the back waist panel along a pair of transversely
opposed side seams to define a waist opening and two leg openings.
The front waist panel and the back waist panel each comprise a
laminate. The laminate comprises an inner layer colored a first
color, and an outer layer colored a second color different than the
first color. The laminate includes an outwardly folded flap
proximate the waist opening, thereby defining an integral,
outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. The
inner layer and the outer layer are coterminous at the waistband
lower edge. The outwardly visible waistband is colored the first
color.
[0007] In another embodiment, the garment defines a longitudinal
direction and a transverse direction, and includes a front waist
panel, a back waist panel, and a crotch panel interconnecting the
front waist panel and the back waist panel. The front waist panel
is attached to the back waist panel along a pair of transversely
opposed side seams to define a waist opening and two leg openings.
The front waist panel and the back waist panel each comprise a
laminate. The laminate comprises an inner layer colored a first
color, and an outer layer colored a second color different than the
first color. The laminate is folded upon itself proximate the waist
opening, thereby defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband
having a waistband lower edge. The inner layer and the outer layer
are coterminous at the waistband lower edge. The outwardly visible
waistband is colored the first color.
[0008] In still another embodiment, the garment defines a
longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a
front waist panel, a back waist panel, and a crotch panel
interconnecting the front waist panel and the back waist panel. The
front waist panel is attached to the back waist panel along a pair
of transversely opposed side seams to define a waist opening and
two leg openings. The front waist panel and the back waist panel
each comprise a laminate. Each laminate comprises first, inner
layer colored a first color, and a second, outer layer colored a
second color different than the first color. The second layer
defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The first layer
includes an outwardly folded flap proximate the waist opening so as
to define an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a
waistband lower edge. The outwardly visible waistband is colored
the first color.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 representatively illustrates a front perspective view
of a disposable absorbent garment incorporating principles of the
garment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the garment of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the garment of FIG. 1, shown in a
laid-flat condition, prior to the joining of the front and back
waist regions, and showing the surface of the article that faces
away from the wearer when the article is worn.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 3
as viewed along line 3A-3A.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel
of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel
of another embodiment of the garment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel
of yet another embodiment of the garment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel
of still another embodiment of the garment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel
of still another embodiment of the garment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS
[0018] "Attach" and its derivatives refer to the joining, adhering,
connecting, bonding, sewing together, or the like, of two elements.
Two elements will be considered to be attached together when they
are integral with one another or attached directly to one another
or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly
attached to intermediate elements. "Attach" and its derivatives
include permanent, releasable, or refastenable attachment. In
addition, the attachment can be completed either during the
manufacturing process or by the end user.
[0019] "Bond" and its derivatives refer to the joining, adhering,
connecting, attaching, sewing together, or the like, of two
elements. Two elements will be considered to be bonded together
when they are bonded directly to one another or indirectly to one
another, such as when each is directly bonded to intermediate
elements. "Bond" and its derivatives include permanent, releasable,
or refastenable bonding.
[0020] A description of exemplary embodiments of the garment of the
present invention shall now be presented. Examples of the pant-like
disposable absorbent garment are adult incontinence absorbent
underwear, youth absorbent enuresis pants, children's absorbent
training pants, absorbent menstrual panties, and the like.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the invention in particular
embodiments is directed to a pant-like disposable absorbent garment
10 that defines a longitudinal direction 12 and a transverse
direction 14. The garment 10 includes a front waist panel 16, a
back waist panel 18, and a crotch panel 20 interconnecting the
front waist panel 16 and the back waist panel 18. The front waist
panel 16, the back waist panel 18, and the crotch panel 20 can be
separate, distinct panels that are attached to each other.
Alternatively, the front waist panel 16. the back waist panel 18,
and the crotch panel 20 can be integral with each other. The front
waist panel 16 is attached to the back waist panel 18 along a pair
of transversely opposed side seams 22 to define a waist opening 24
and two leg openings 26. The side seams 22 can be refastenable or
non-refastenable.
[0022] The front waist panel 16 is formed from a laminate 30, and
the back waist panel 18 is formed from a laminate 32. The laminate
30 of the front waist panel 16 and the laminate 32 of the back
waist panel 18 each include a first layer 34 colored a first color
35. Each laminate 30, 32 further includes a second layer 36 colored
a second color 37 different than the first color. As used herein,
"colored" means having a particular color or pattern over
substantially the entire area of the layer, such as, for example,
by virtue of being dyed, pigmented, printed, or the like. Examples
of "colored" include but are not limited to: being dyed beige;
being dyed gray; being printed with stripes; not being dyed or
printed but instead being naturally and inherently white, gray, or
another color; and the like. Preferably, the first layer 34 is
predominantly the inner, bodyside layer, and the second layer 36 is
predominantly the outer, non-bodyside layer, though in particular
embodiments this could be reversed. In particular embodiments, the
first color 35 is not white, and the second color 37 is white. In
other embodiments, the first color 35 is white, and the second
color 37 is not white. In still other embodiments, both the first
color 35 and the second color 37 are not white.
[0023] At least one of the laminate of the front waist panel 16 and
the laminate of the back waist panel 18, and preferably both
laminates, includes a folded flap 40 proximate the waist opening
24. The folded flap 40 defines an integral, outwardly visible
waistband 42. In particular embodiments, the folded flap 40 is an
outwardly folded flap 40. In particular embodiments, the laminate
30, 32 is folded upon itself proximate the waist opening 24.
thereby defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband 42.
"Outwardly folded" means folded in a direction away from the wearer
of the garment. In other embodiments, the folded flap 40 is an
inwardly folded flap. "Inwardly folded" means folded in a direction
toward the wearer of the garment. "Outwardly visible" means visible
from the non-bodyside surface of the garment when the garment is
donned.
[0024] The waistband 42 defines a waistband lower edge 44. In
particular embodiments, such as those representatively illustrated
in FIGS. 4-6, the inner layer 34 and the outer layer 36 are
coterminous at the waistband lower edge 44. The outwardly visible
waistband 42 is colored the first color 35. In this manner, in
particular embodiments, a more garment-like appearance can be
achieved in disposable absorbent garments with reduced complexity
and cost.
[0025] In particular embodiments, such as that representatively
illustrated in FIG. 5, one or more elastic strands or strips 46 are
sandwiched between the flap 40 and the remainder of the laminate 30
in the front waist panel 16. Additionally or alternatively, one or
more elastic strands 46 are sandwiched between the flap 40 and the
remainder of the laminate 32 in the back waist panel 18. Desirably,
the elastic strands 46 impart retractive forces to the laminate
30/32 to create a "gathered" waistband.
[0026] In particular embodiments, both the first layer 34 and the
second layer 36 comprise nonwoven polyolefin-based material, and
each laminate 30, 32 comprises an elastomeric film layer 50
sandwiched between the first layer 34 and the second layer 36. In
such embodiments, it is preferable that the elastomeric film layer
50 be coterminous with both the first layer 34 and the second layer
36 around the entire periphery of the laminate 30, 32. The
elastomeric film layer 50 can itself be clear, translucent, or
opaque, and can be colored white or can be colored a non-white
color.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8. in alternative embodiments, the
laminate of the 30 of the front waist panel 16 and/or the laminate
32 of the back waist panel 18 include a first layer 34 colored a
first color 35, and further include a second layer 36 colored a
second color 37 different than the first color 35. The second layer
36 defines an outer surface 38 and an inner surface 39. The outer
surface 38 faces away from the center of the laminate sandwich,
while the inner surface 39 faces toward the center of the laminate
sandwich The first layer 34 includes a folded flap 40 proximate the
waist opening 24 so as to define an integral, outwardly visible
waistband 42 having a waistband lower edge 44. In particular
embodiments, the flap 40 is bonded to the outer surface 38 of the
second layer 36 so as to define an integral, outwardly visible
waistband 42 having a waistband lower edge 44.
[0028] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, the folded flap 40 is
an outwardly folded flap. The first layer 34 is an inner, bodyside
layer, and the second layer 36 is an outer, non-bodyside layer, and
the outwardly visible waistband 42 is colored the first color 35.
In such an embodiment, the outwardly visible waistband 42 is
colored the first color 35 because the first layer 34 is colored
the first color and is outwardly folded to cover the second layer
36 proximate the waist opening 24.
[0029] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the folded flap 40 is
an inwardly folded flap. The first layer 34 is an outer,
non-bodyside layer colored a first color 35, and the second layer
36 is an inner, bodyside layer colored a second color 37, and the
outwardly visible waistband 42 is colored the first color 35. In
such an embodiment, although the entire outer layer 34 is colored
the same first color, the integral waistband 42 is nonetheless
outwardly visible, because in such an embodiment the first (outer)
layer 34 is translucent. When viewed from the outside (that is,
from the non-bodyside surface of the garment when the garment is
donned), the translucent outer layer 34 is underlain by the folded
flap 40 (which is colored the first color 35) proximate the waist
opening. In contrast, when viewed from the outside, the translucent
outer layer 34 is underlain by the second (inner) layer 36 (which
is colored the second color 37). As a result, though the folded
flap 40 is positioned on the inside (that is, the bodyside) of the
garment, an outwardly visible, integral waistband 42 can be created
due to the contrast created by the differently colored underlying
materials. In certain embodiments, in which the flap 40 contacts or
overlaps the second (inner) layer 36, the waistband lower edge 44
is outwardly visible through the translucent first (outer) layer
34. This configuration is representatively illustrated in FIG.
8.
[0030] In particular embodiments, such as that representatively
illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more elastic strands or strips 46 are
sandwiched between the flap 40 and the remainder of the laminate 30
in the front waist panel 16. Additionally or alternatively, one or
more elastic strands 46 are sandwiched between the flap 40 and the
remainder of the laminate 32 in the back waist panel 18. In
particular embodiments, at least one elastic strand 46 is
sandwiched between the flap 40 and the second layer 36 in the front
waist panel, and at least one elastic strand 46 is sandwiched
between the flap 40 and the second layer 36 in the back waist
panel. Desirably, the elastic strands 46 impart retractive forces
to the laminate 30/32 to create a "gathered" waistband. In an
alternative embodiment (not shown), one or more elastic strands 46
are sandwiched within the fold 40 of the first layer 34 without
overlapping or contacting the second layer 36. In particular
embodiments, as is representatively illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8,
elastomeric materials, such as elastomeric strands 47, can be
sandwiched between the first layer 34 and the second layer 36,
thereby constituting a part of the laminate 30, 32.
[0031] In particular embodiments, the first color 35 is not white,
and the second color 37 is white. In other embodiments, the
opposite is true. In still other embodiments, both the first and
second colors 35, 37 are not white.
[0032] It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing
embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be
construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although only a
few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in
detail, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many
modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of
this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of this invention, which is defined in
the following claims and all equivalents thereto. Further, it is
recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not
achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments, particularly of
the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of a particular
advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean that such an
embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *