Absorbent article

Abstract

An absorbent article is provided including a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The diaper includes large rectangular fasteners that stretch in only one direction. At least one longitudinally extending, elasticized inner leg gather is disposed with the topsheet. The inner leg gather includes at least one elastic member for distributing elastic contractile forces. The inner leg gather is joined to the topsheet along a front tackdown zone and a back tackdown zone. The elastic members and tackdown zones extend in a manner sufficient to provide enhanced fit, functionality and waste containment. The uni-directional stretch fasteners and leg gathers are sized in relationship to each other to enable a complete encircling of each leg to form a better leg gasket for waste containment and fit.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . A fastener adapted for use with an absorbent article, the fastener comprising: at least one non-extensible portion; and an extensible portion configured to extend in a single lateral direction such that the fastener extends distally from the absorbent article.  
     
     
         17 . A fastener as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the non-extensible portion is a closure tab that includes hook elements configured for attachment with the absorbent article.  
     
     
         18 . A fastener as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the extensible portion is situated between the absorbent article and the non-extensible portion.  
     
     
         19 . A fastener as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the non-extensible portion is substantially centered along a distal edge of the extensible portion.  
     
     
         20 . A fastener as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the extensible portion has a greater surface area relative to the non-extensible portion.  
     
     
         21 . A fastener as recited in  claim 20 , wherein in use the fastener provides lateral forces across a wearer's waist and upper leg regions.  
     
     
         22 . An absorbent article comprising: a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the absorbent article extending from a first end to a second end; and a pair of fasteners being connected to the first end and being configured to extend in a single direction relative to the first end, wherein in use the fasteners exert a force around a wearer's waist and outer leg regions, the force being exerted in a single lateral cross-direction.  
     
     
         23 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the first end is configured for engagement with a rear portion of a subject and the second end is configured for engagement with a front portion of the subject.  
     
     
         24 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the fastener includes an extensible portion connected to the first end and a non-extensible closure tab connected to the extensible portion.  
     
     
         25 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the non-extensible portion includes mechanical closure elements configured for attachment with the absorbent article.  
     
     
         26 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the extensible portion has a greater surface area relative to the non-extensible portion.  
     
     
         27 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the absorbent article extends from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal axis thereof, the single direction extending along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article.  
     
     
         28 . A diaper comprising: a backsheet bonded to a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the diaper extending from a rear end, configured for engagement with a rear portion of a subject, to a front end, configured for engagement with a front portion of a subject, along a longitudinal axis of the diaper; and a pair of fasteners being adhesively bonded to opposite sides of the rear end, the fasteners being elastic in a single direction in a transverse axis relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the fasteners provide a transverse securing force around the subject's waist.  
     
     
         29 . A diaper comprising: a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the diaper extending from a front end to a rear end along a longitudinal length thereof; the rear end of the diaper including a fastener attachment area; the fastener attachment area including a fastener attached thereto, wherein the length of the fastener as measured in a longitudinal direction is between 45-70% of the length of the fastener attachment area.  
     
     
         30 . A diaper comprising: a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the diaper extending from a front end to a rear end along a longitudinal length thereof; and a fastener attached to the rear end of the diaper, wherein the length of the fastener as measured in a longitudinal direction is between 8-18% of the length of the diaper.  
     
     
         31 . An absorbent article adapted for use with a subject, the absorbent article comprising: a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the absorbent article extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal length thereof; a fastener attached to the first end and being engageable with the second end for disposing the absorbent article about the subject, the first end including a fastener attachment area for attaching the fastener thereto, wherein the length of the fastener as measured in a longitudinal direction is between 45-70% of the length of the fastener attachment area, the fastener including an extensible portion configured to extend in a single lateral direction such that the fastener extends distally from the absorbent article, the fastener being configured to engage an upper portion of a leg of the subject to facilitate containment about the upper portion of the leg of the subject; and at least one longitudinally extending, elasticized inner leg gather disposed with the topsheet, wherein the leg gather engages the leg to facilitate containment about a lower portion of the leg of the subject.  
     
     
         32 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the length of the fastener is between 50 and 90 mm.  
     
     
         33 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the length of the fastener attachment area is between 95 and 125 mm.  
     
     
         34 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the length of the fastener attachment area is between 20-25% of the length of the absorbent article.