Disposable absorbent articles with zones comprising elastomeric components

Abstract

Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The absorbent articles include a thermoplastic elastomer joined to or disposed in a stretch zone on at least one component or region of the absorbent article to impart an elastic resistance that provides sizing or shaping capabilities to the article. The absorbent article can be in the form of diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, wipes, bibs, incontinence briefs or inserts.

1 . An absorbent article, said absorbent article having a waist region, a crotch region, a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline, said absorbent article comprising at least one stretch zone, said stretch zone comprising a first substrate having a first elastomeric composition disposed thereon in a predetermined geometric pattern defining said stretch zone such that said elastomeric composition at least partially penetrates said first substrate.  
     
     
         2 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said stretch zone comprises at least a portion of a feature selected from the group consisting of an ear, a side panel, a leg cuff, a fastener component and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . An absorbent article according to  claim 2  wherein said feature further comprises a breathable three dimensional composite material.  
     
     
         4 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said stretch zone is positioned in at least one of said waist region and said crotch region.  
     
     
         5 . An absorbent article according to  claim 2  wherein said feature comprises a feature selected from the group consisting of ears and side panels.  
     
     
         6 . An absorbent article according to  claim 5  wherein said feature comprises an ear and said ear defines a first line of force that cooperates with a second line of force defined by a stretch zone positioned in said waist region encircling a wearer's waist.  
     
     
         7 . An absorbent article according to  claim 5  wherein said ear defines a first line of force that cooperates with a second line of force defined by said leg cuff to provide a substantially continuous line of force encircling a wearer's legs.  
     
     
         8 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said stretch zone comprises at least a portion of a diaper component selected from topsheets and backsheets.  
     
     
         9 . An absorbent article according to  claim 8  wherein said absorbent article further comprises an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet has a front waist region wherein said stretch zone is outboard of and at an angle to said longitudinal centerline, said stretch zone diverging toward said front waist region so as to anchor said core by providing a line of force connecting said core to said front waist region.  
     
     
         10 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said absorbent article comprises at least two stretch zones wherein said at least two stretch are in a non-parallel relationship.  
     
     
         11 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said stretch zone is a linear stretch zone disposed at an angle of between about −50° and about +50° with respect to said lateral centerline.  
     
     
         12 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said absorbent article comprises at least two linear stretch zones, said linear stretch zones being disposed at different angles with respect to said lateral centerline.  
     
     
         13 . An absorbent article according to  claim 12  wherein said absorbent article comprises a first linear stretch zone disposed at an angle substantially parallel to said lateral centerline and a second linear stretch zone disposed at an angle substantially perpendicular to said lateral centerline.  
     
     
         14 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said stretch zone is a curvilinear stretch zone, at least a portion of said curvilinear stretch zone having a radius of curvature greater than about 1 mm.  
     
     
         15 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said stretch zones are disposed in an array selected from the group consisting of continuous arrays and intermittent arrays.  
     
     
         16 . An absorbent article according to  claim 15  wherein said array comprises a plurality of stretch zones having a spacing therebetween and said spacing is selected from the group consisting of uniform spacing and non-uniform spacing.  
     
     
         17 . An absorbent article according to  claim 15  wherein said absorbent article comprises first and second arrays of individual stretch zones wherein at least one of said arrays comprises at least two differing individual stretch zones.  
     
     
         18 . An absorbent article according to  claim 16  wherein said individual stretch zones differ in a property selected from the group consisting of differing width dimensions between said individual stretch zones, differing thickness dimensions between said individual stretch zones, differing spacing between said individual stretch zones, differing mechanical properties between said individual stretch zones, differing visual appearance and differing permeability between said individual stretch zones.  
     
     
         19 . An absorbent article according to  claim 16  wherein said differing individual stretch zones comprise at least one first stretch zone and at least one second stretch zone wherein said first stretch zone lies longitudinally outboard of said second stretch zone.  
     
     
         20 . An absorbent article according to  claim 1  wherein said first elastomeric composition comprises components suitable for a post treatment step to enhance the properties thereof, said post treatment step being selected from the group consisting of drying, crosslinking, curing polymerizing and combinations thereof by a treatment means selected from the group consisting of chemical, thermal, and radiation means, and combinations thereof.