Elastic Composite for a Disposable Absorbent Garment

Abstract

An elastic composite is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The elastic composite has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally cross machine direction and in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a first longitudinally extending side edge and a second longitudinally extending side edge between which, the elastic construction is disposed. The elastic composite further includes an elasticized region, wherein the elastic construction is disposed, a first non-elasticized region disposed between the first side edge and the elasticized region, and a second non-elasticized region disposed between the second side edge and the elasticized region.

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         13 . A disposable absorbent garment comprising:
 a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet such that a longitudinal centerline of said garment extends through said topsheet, said backsheet, and said absorbent core, wherein said topsheet, said backsheet and said absorbent core provide a central body of said disposable absorbent garment; and   an elastic composite band attached to said central body, said elastic composite band having a first side edge, a second side edge, and a composite centerline spaced inwardly of said side edges, said elastic composite band including a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed between said top and base layers and spaced inwardly from at least one of said side edges; and   wherein said elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart and disconnected elastic elements, each said elastic element being oriented along a direction intersecting said composite centerline and said side edges.   
     
     
         14 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 13 , wherein said elastic composite band includes
 an elasticized region positioned between said first and second side edges, said elastic construction being disposed in said elasticized region, and   a first non-elasticized region positioned between said first side edge and said elasticized region, said elastic elements being spaced inwardly from said first side edge.   
     
     
         15 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 14 , wherein said first non-elasticized region is free of said elastic elements. 
     
     
         16 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second non-elasticized region positioned between said second side edge and said elasticized region, said second non-elasticized region being free of said elastic elements.   
     
     
         17 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 14 , wherein said elastic elements are elastic strands. 
     
     
         18 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of elastic strands are sections of elastic strand originating from and severed from a single substantially continuous elastic strand. 
     
     
         19 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 14 , wherein said elastic elements are disposed in mutual generally parallel relation. 
     
     
         20 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 13 , wherein said composite centerline corresponds with a machine direction of said elastic composite band. 
     
     
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         23 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 13 , wherein said topsheet and backsheet define a front end edge and a back end edge through which said longitudinal centerline extends, and a pair of side margins disposed on opposite sides of said core and extending between said front and back end edges, said disposable absorbent garment further comprising:
 a second elastic composite band that is substantially identical to said first elastic composite band, and wherein each of said first and second elastic composite bands is attached in proximity of one of said end edges of said garment and one of said side margins and extends laterally outward relative to said longitudinal center line to provide a fastening tab thereabout.   
     
     
         24 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 13 , wherein said topsheet and backsheet define a front end edge and a back end edge through which said longitudinal centerline extends, and a pair of generally longitudinally extending side margins disposed on opposite sides of said core and extending between said front and back end edges, and wherein said elastic composite band is positioned adjacent one of said end edges of said disposable absorbent garment to provide an elastic waistband therealong. 
     
     
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         26 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second elastic composite band also attached to said central body and having a first side edge, second side edge and a composite centerline spaced inwardly from said side edges, said second composite band also including a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed between said top and base layers and spaced inwardly from at least one of said side edges; and   a pair of ear portions for fastening said disposable absorbent garment about the waist of a user, wherein said ear portions extend in opposite lateral directions with respect to said longitudinal center line, each said elastic composite band being incorporated into one of said ear portions.   
     
     
         27 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 26 , wherein each said elastic composite band is attached near one of said side margins to provide a complete ear portion. 
     
     
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         34 . In a disposable absorbent garment, an elastic composite band attached to a central body of the garment, said elastic composite band comprising:
 a base layer;   a top layer; and   an elastic construction disposed therebetween, said elastic construction including a plurality of spaced apart and disconnected elastic strands;   wherein said top and base layers define a first side edge, a second side edge, and a centerline extending therebetween;   wherein said elastic construction is spaced inwardly from at least one of said side edges to define an elasticized region positioned between said first and second side edges, a first non-elasticized region positioned between said first side edge and said elasticized region, wherein said non-elasticized region is free of said elastic elements;   wherein said elastic construction has a centerline extending therethrough that is spaced from each said side edge, said elastic strands being distributed along said centerline and in generally lateral relation therewith.   
     
     
         35 . The elastic composite band of  claim 34 , wherein a direction of said centerline corresponds with a machine direction of said elastic composite band. 
     
     
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         37 . The elastic composite band of  claim 34 , wherein said elastic elements are adhered to said top and base layers such that said elasticized region is shirred when said elastic composite band is disposed in a relaxed, un-stretched state, and wherein said first and second non-elasticized regions provide fastening regions that are generally flat relative to said elasticized region. 
     
     
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         49 . A disposable absorbent garment comprising:
 a topsheet;   a backsheet; and   an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet such that a longitudinal centerline of said garment extends through said topsheet, said backsheet, and said absorbent core, wherein said topsheet, said backsheet and said absorbent core provide a central body of said disposable absorbent garment; and   wherein said central body has a first longitudinal end edge and a second longitudinal end edge spaced longitudinally from the first end edge, the central body defining a front waist region proximate the first end edge, a back waist region proximate the second end edge and a crotch region therebetween; and   wherein said central body further includes, at the crotch region and beneath the absorbent core, an elastic construction of spaced apart and disconnected plurality of elastic strands extending generally laterally to impart generally lateral elasticity to the central body and the absorbent core, each said elastic strand being aligned in lateral relation with said composite centerline.   
     
     
         50 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 49 , wherein said elastic construction is included in an elastic composite band formed by a top material layer, a base material layer, and the elastic strands sandwiched therebetween. 
     
     
         51 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 49 , wherein said central body further includes:
 an elasticized region positioned between said first and second side edges, said elastic construction being disposed in said elasticized region,   a first region free of said elastic strands positioned between said first side edge and said elasticized region, and   a second region free of said elastic strands positioned between said second side edge and said elasticized region; and   wherein said elastic strands are spaced inwardly from said side edges.   
     
     
         52 . The disposable absorbent garment of  claim 50 , wherein said absorbent core is adhered to said elastic composite band and movable therewith.