Absorbent articles comprising a slow recovery elastomer

Abstract

An absorbent article comprising at least one topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet joined with the topsheet; an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and a slow recovery elastomer. The slow recovery elastomer exhibits a normalized unload force at 37° C. of greater than about 0.04N and at least about 20% post elongation strain at 22° C. after 15 seconds of recovery.

1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a) a topsheet;   b) a backsheet joined with the topsheet;   c) an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and   d) an elastic laminate comprising a slow recovery elastomer, wherein the elastic laminate exhibits a normalized unload force at 37° C. of greater than about 0.04 N/mm 2  and a post elongation strain of at least about 50% after 15 seconds of recovery at 22° C.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the slow recovery elastomer is an elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, natural and synthetic rubbers, polyisoprene, neoprene, polyurethanes, silicone rubbers, hydrocarbon elastomers, ionomers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 2 , wherein the slow recovery elastomer is a block copolymer comprising at least one substantially soft block and at least one substantially hard block. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 3 , wherein the slow recovery elastomer is a triblock copolymer comprising a hard/soft/hard block configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 4 , wherein the slow recovery elastomer is a triblock copolymer selected from the group comprising styrene/isoprene/styrene, styrene/butadiene/styrene, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the slow recovery elastomer comprises about 0.01% to about 60%, by weight, of at least one modifying resin. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 6 , wherein the modifying resin is selected from the group consisting of unhydrogenated C5 hydrocarbon resins or C9 hydrocarbon resins, partially and fully hydrogenated C5 hydrocarbon resins or C9 hydrocarbon resins; cycloaliphatic resins; terpene resins; polystyrene and styrene oligomers; poly(t-butylstyrene) or oligomers thereof; rosin and rosin derivatives; coumarone indenes; polycyclopentadiene and oligomers thereof; polymethylstyrene or oligomers thereof; phenolic resins; indene polymers, oligomers and copolymers; acrylate and methacrylate oligomers, polymers, or copolymers; derivatives thereof; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 7 , wherein the modifying resin is selected from the group consisting of C5 hydrocarbon resins or C9 hydrocarbon resins and hydrogenated derivatives thereof, alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, terpene phenolic resin, poly(t-butylstyrene), poly(iso-bornylmethacrylate), poly(indene-co-coumarone), poly(vinylcyclohexane), terpenes, poly(methylstyrene-co-indene), cycloaliphatic resin, poly-beta-pinene, and poly(3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl methacrylate), polycyclopentadiene, polymethylstyrene, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the slow recovery elastomer comprises an additive selected from the group comprising stabilizers, antioxidants, viscosity modifiers, processing aids, bacteriostats, colorants, fillers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the post elongation strain of the elastic laminate after 15 seconds of recovery at 32° C. is at least about 35% less than the post elongation strain of the slow recovery elastomer after 15 seconds of recovery at 22° C. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising an elasticized topsheet. 
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the elasticized topsheet includes a slit opening allowing for passage of waste therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 12 , wherein the elastic laminate is joined to the elasticized topsheet and runs substantially longitudinally adjacent to the slit opening. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the article portion with the elastic laminate joined thereto comprises a secondary elastomer joined to the article portion, wherein the secondary elastomer does not exhibit at least about 20% post elongation strain at 22° C. after 15 seconds of recovery. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic waist feature, wherein the elastic waist feature includes the elastic laminate. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a gasketing cuff and a barrier cuff, wherein at least one of the gasketing cuff and barrier cuff include the elastic laminate. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one extensible side panel, wherein the extensible side panel includes the elastic laminate. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising an extensible backsheet, wherein the extensible backsheet includes the elastic laminate. 
     
     
         19 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said articles are at least partially covered by an overwrap so as to form a kit. 
     
     
         20 . A method for applying an absorbent article comprising the steps of:
 a) providing to a caregiver an absorbent article comprising:
 i) a topsheet; 
 ii) a backsheet joined with the topsheet; 
 iii) an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and 
 iv) an elastic laminate comprising a slow recovery elastomer joined to one or more article portions selected from the group consisting of the topsheet, the backsheet, the core, an anal cuff, an elasticized topsheet, a fastening system, a leg cuff, an waist elastic feature, a side panel, a pocket, a spacer, and combinations thereof; 
 wherein said slow recovery elastomer comprises about 20% to about 70%, by weight, of at least one elastomeric polymer; and 
 wherein the slow recovery elastomer exhibits a normalized unload force at 37° C. of greater than about 0.04 N/mm 2  and a post elongation strain of at least about 50% after 15 seconds of recovery at 22° C.; 
   b) stretching the article in preparation for application; and   c) applying the article to a wearer.