Article closure tape for an absorbent

Abstract

The present invention refers to a closure tape ( 10 ) for an absorbent article, particularly for a disposable diaper ( 1 ), for fastening of the article on the body of a person, the closure tape being attachable to the outside surface ( 3 ) of the diaper ( 1 ) through one of its end portions ( 17 ) and comprising a backing ( 11 ) bearing a continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer ( 12 ), a fastening means ( 15 ) and a stretchable elastic sheet ( 13 ), the backing ( 11 ) being essentially non-elastic and/or essentially non-extensible, the support sheet comprising the backing ( 11 ) and the continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer exhibiting one or more incisions ( 14 ) in the area of the elastic sheet with at least one of the incisions extending in machine direction over the full width of the backing ( 11 ) and the end portion ( 17 ) being separated from the incision ( 14 ) closest to the end portion ( 17 ), by a sufficiently large distance ( 22 ) to prevent the incisions ( 14 ) essentially from opening when attaching the end portion ( 17 ) to the outside surface ( 3 ) of the diaper ( 1 ) and bending the remaining part of the closure tape ( 10 ) to contact the inside surface ( 2 ) of the diaper ( 1 ).

We claim:  
     
         1 . Closure tape ( 10 ) for an absorbent article, particularly for a disposable diaper ( 1 ), for fastening of the article on the body of a person, the closure tape being attachable to the outside surface ( 3 ) of the absorbent article ( 1 ) through one of its end portions ( 17 ) and having a support sheet ( 20 ) comprising a backing ( 11 ) bearing a continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer ( 12 ), a fastening means ( 15 ) and a stretchable elastic sheet ( 13 ), the backing ( 11 ) being essentially non-elastic and/or essentially non-extensible, the support sheet ( 20 ) exhibiting at least two incisions ( 14 ) in the area of the elastic sheet with at least one of the incisions extending in machine direction over the full width of the backing ( 11 ), wherein the ratio of the extension of the elastic sheet ( 13 ) in the cross-direction over the length of the closure tape ( 10 ) prior to fastening it to the absorbent article ( 1 ) is between 0.1 and 0.9.  
     
     
         2 . Closure tape according to  claim 1  wherein the elastic sheet ( 13 ) is selected from a group of materials consisting of elastomeric polyurethanes, natural or synthetic rubbers, elastomeric polyamides or elastomeric polyesters or elastomeric polyols.  
     
     
         3 . Closure tape according to  claim 1  wherein the elastic sheet ( 13 ) is anisotropically elastic and exhibits a ratio of the F10 force measured in cross direction over the F10 force measured in machine direction of at least 1.5.  
     
     
         4 . Closure tape according to  claim 1  wherein the fastening means ( 15 ) comprises a mechanical fastening means and/or a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.  
     
     
         5 . Closure tape according to  claim 1  wherein the backing ( 11 ) is selected from a group comprising kraft paper, cellophane film, polymeric films, non-wovens, foamed materials or laminates.  
     
     
         6 . Closure tape according to  claim 1  wherein the incisions ( 14 ) have an average width in cross direction in the relaxed state of less than 100 μm.  
     
     
         7 . Closure tape according to  claim 1  wherein the number and extension of the incisions ( 14 ) in MD (length) is chosen as to allow for an elongation of at least 15% when applying a force of 20 N in CD.  
     
     
         8 . Closure tape according to  claim 1  additionally comprising a release sheeting ( 19 ) bearing an adhesive layer ( 18 ) to allow for securing the closure tape to the absorbent article ( 1 ) in a shear mode type of attachment.