Diaper article with elasticized waist panel

Claim 2

An absorbent article, comprising: (a) a substantially liquid impermeable backsheet layer which delimits at least one waistband portion of said article; (b) a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer which is located in facing relation with an inner surface of said backsheet layer; (c) an absorbent body located between said topsheet layer and said backsheet layer; and (d) an elastic member connected to a selected surface of said waistband portion, said elastic member comprising an elastomeric nonwoven fibrous web material which is arranged to gather and shirr said waistband portion and is composed of at least one layer of nonwoven fabric secured to a meltblown fibrous elastic layer, said elastic member having an untensioned bulk thickness of at least about 0.025 in, and said backsheet layer, topsheet layer and elastic member providing a composite waistband which has an untensioned total bulk thickness of at least about 0.050 in.

Claim 3

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said backsheet layer is composed of a polymer film.

Claim 4

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said backsheet layer is composed of a substantially vapor permeable polymer film.

Claim 5

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1 wherein said backsheet layer, said topsheet layer and said elastic member form a laminated composite waistband having a buckling force value within the range of about 30-50 grams-force.

Claim 6

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said elastic member is secured between said backsheet and topsheet layers.

Claim 7

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said elastic member is secured to an outer surface of said backsheet layer.

Claim 8

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1 wherein said laminated composite waistband has a buckling force value within the range of about 35-45 grams-force.

Claim 9

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said elastic element has a bulk thickness of at least about 0.05 in.

Claim 10

An absorbent article as recited in claim 8, wherein said composite waistband has a total bulk thickness of at least about 0.075 in.

Claim 11

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said elastic member extends across at least about 40% of the cross-directional width of said article, and wherein said elastic member covers an area within the range of about 25-80 sq. cm.

Claim 12

An absorbent article as recited in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric nonwoven fibrous web material comprises an elastomeric meltblown material which is arranged in a selected pattern of strips, and is sandwiched and attached between two layers of nonwoven, spunbond, fibrous material.

Claim 13

An absorbent article, comprising: a. a backsheet layer delimiting at least one backsheet waistband portion, said waistband portion being a reduced-stiffness sectin therein; (b) a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer which is located in facing relation with an inner surface of said backsheet layer and spans at least partially over said reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet waistband portion; (c) an absorbent body located between said topsheet layer and said backsheet layer; and (d) an elastic member connected to a surface of said backsheet waistband portion and spanning at least partially over the reduced-stiffness section thereof, wherein said elastic member includes a meltblown, elastomeric, nonwoven fibrous material arranged to shirr at least the part of said topsheet layer which spans over said reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet.

Claim 14

An absorbent article, comprising: a. a backsheet layer delimiting at least one backsheet waistband portion, said waistband portion being a reduced-stiffness sectin therein; (b) a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer which is located in facing relation with an inner surface of said backsheet layer and spans at least partially over said reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet waistband portion; (c) an absorbent body located between said topsheet layer and said backsheet layer; and (d) an elastic member connected to a surface of said backsheet waistband portion and spanning at least partially over the reduced-stiffness section thereof, wherein said elastic member includes a meltblown, elastomeric, nonwoven fibrous material arranged to shirr at least the part of said topsheet layer which spans over said reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet.

Claim 15

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said backsheet layer has a front waistband portion and a back waistband portion; each of said front and back waistband portions has a reduced-stiffness section therein; a front elastic member, which is connected to an outer surface of said backsheet layer, spans completely over the reduced-stiffness section of the front waistband portion and is contructed and arranged to shirr at least a front portion of said topsheet layer; and a rear elastic member, which is connected to an outer surface of said backsheet layer, spans completely over the reduced-stiffness section of the rear waistband portion and is constructed and arranged to shirr at least a rear portion of said topsheet layer.

Claim 16

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet waistband is located at a medial position thereof.

Claim 17

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said waistband reduced-stiffness section comprises at least one notched recess formed into a terminal edge of said waistband.

Claim 18

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said waistband reduced-stiffness section comprises a plurality of apertures formed through said waistband.

Claim 19

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said waistband reduced-stiffness section comprises a pattern of embossments formed into said waistband.

Claim 20

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said elastic member is substantially vapor permeable.

Claim 21

An absorbent article as recited in claim 18, wherein said elastic member and topsheet layer provide a composite waistband portion having a porosity of at least about 3 cfm/sq. ft.

Claim 22

An absorbent article as recited in claim 19, wherein said composite waistband portion has a porosity value of at least about 5 cfm/sq. ft.

Claim 23

An absorbent article as recited in claim 20, wherein said composite waistband portion has a porosity value of at least about 10 cfm/sq. ft.

Claim 24

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, further comprising a flow barrier for reducing the migration of liquids past said waistband portion.

Claim 25

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said flow barrier comprises a flap, which is formed from said backsheet layer and folded over to overlap onto a bodyside of said absorbent body.

Claim 26

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said elastic member comprises at least one layer of nonwoven fabric secured to a meltblown, fibrous elastic layer.

Claim 27

An absorbent article as recited in claim 12, wherein said elastic member laminated to said topsheet layer in combination provide for a composite waistband region having a buckling force value within the range of about 30-50 grams-force.

Claim 28

An absorbent article as recited in claim 25, wherein said composite waistband region has a buckling force value within the range of about 35-45 grams-force.

Claim 29

An absorbent article, comprising: (a) a backsheet layer composed of a synthetic polymer film material and delimiting at least one backsheet waistband portion, said waistband portion having a reduced-stiffness section therein; (b) a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer which is located in facing relation with an inner surface of said backsheet layer and spans at least partially over the reduced-stiffness section of said waistband portion; (c) an absorbent body located between said backsheet layer and said topsheet layer; and (d) an elastic member connected to a surface of said backsheet layer and spanning at least partially over the reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet waistband portion, wherein said elastic member includes a meltblown, elastomeric, vapor-permeable, nonwoven fibrous material which is connected and arranged to shirr at least a waistband portion of said topsheet layer, and wherein said elastic member extends across at least about 40% of the cross-directional width of said article and covers an area within the range of about 25-80 sq. cm, said elastic member and topsheet layer providing a composite waistband region which has a buckling force value within the range of about 30-50 grams-force and a porosity of at least about 3 cfm/sq. ft.

Claim 30

An absorbent article, comprising: (a) a backsheet layer composed of a synthetic polymer film material and delimiting at least one backsheet waistband portion, said waistband portion having a reduced-stiffness section therein; (b) a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer which is located in facing relation with an inner surface of said backsheet layer and spans at least partially over the reduced-stiffness section of said waistband portion; (c) an absorbent body located between said backsheet layer and said topsheet layer; and (d) an elastic member connected to a surface of said backsheet layer and spanning at least partially over the reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet waistband portion, wherein said elastic member includes a meltblown, elastomeric, vapor-permeable, nonwoven fibrous material which is connected and arranged to shirr at least a waistband portion of said topsheet layer, and wherein said elastic member extends across at least about 40% of the cross-directional width of said article and covers an area within the range of about 25-80 sq. cm, said elastic member and topsheet layer providing a composite waistband region which has a buckling force value within the range of about 30-50 grams-force and a porosity of at least about 3 cfm/sq. ft.

Claim 31

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said backsheet layer has a front waistband portion and a back waistband portion; each of said front and back waistband portions has a reduced-stiffness section therein; a front elastic member, which is connected to an outer surface of said backsheet layer, spans completely over the reduced-stiffness section of the front waistband portion and is constructed and arranged to shirr at least a front portion of said topsheet layer; and a rear elastic member, which is connected to an outer surface of said backsheet layer, spans completely over the reduced-stiffness section of the rear waistband portion and is constructed and arranged to shirr at least a rear portion of said topsheet layer.

Claim 32

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said reduced-stiffness section of said backsheet waistband is located at a medial position thereof.

Claim 33

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said waistband reduced-stiffness section comprises at least one notched recess formed into a terminal edge of said waistband.

Claim 34

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said waistband reduced-stiffness sectin comprises a plurality of apertures formed through said waistband.

Claim 35

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said waistband reduced-stiffness section comprises a pattern of embossments formed into said waistband.

Claim 36

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said composite waistband region has a porosity value of at least about 5 cfm/sq. ft.

Claim 37

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said composite waistband region has a porosity value of at least about 10 cfm/sq. ft.

Claim 38

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, further comprising a flow barrier for reducing the migration of liquids past said waistband portion.

Claim 39

An absorbent article as recited in claim 23, wherein said flow barrier comprises a flap, which is formed from said backsheet layer and folded over to overlap onto a bodyside of said absorbent body.

Claim 40

An absorbent article as recited in claim 27, wherein said elastic member comprises at least one layer of nonwoven fabric secured to a meltblown, fibrous elastic layer.

Claim 41

An absorbent article, comprising: a substantially liquid impermeble and substantially inelastic backsheet layer which delimits at least one backsheet waistband portion; a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer which is located in facing relation with an inner surface of said backsheet layer; an absorbent body located between said topsheet layer and said backsheet layer; and an elastic member laminated between said backsheet and topsheet layers to form a gathered, composite waistband portion, wherein said elastic member includes a meltblown, elastomeric nonwoven fibrous material having a thickness in its untensioned, contracted state of at least about 0.025 inch and wherein said composite waistband portion has a buckling force value within the range of about 30-50 grams-force.

Claim 42

An absorbent article, comprising: a substantially liquid impermeble and substantially inelastic backsheet layer which delimits at least one backsheet waistband portion; a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer which is located in facing relation with an inner surface of said backsheet layer; an absorbent body located between said topsheet layer and said backsheet layer; and an elastic member laminated between said backsheet and topsheet layers to form a gathered, composite waistband portion, wherein said elastic member includes a meltblown, elastomeric nonwoven fibrous material having a thickness in its untensioned, contracted state of at least about 0.025 inch and wherein said composite waistband portion has a buckling force value within the range of about 30-50 grams-force.

Claim 43

An absorbent article as recited in claim 38, wherein said elastic member is composed of an elastomeric, meltblown fibrous web.

Claim 44

An absorbent article as recited in claim 38, wherein said elastic member is composed of an elastomeric, stretch-bonded laminate web.

Claim 45

An absorbent article as recited in claim 38, wherein said elastic member has a thickness of at least about 0.050 inch.

Claim 46

An absorbent article as recited in claim 38, wherein said composite waistband portion has a buckling force value within the range of about 35-45 grams-force.

Claim 47

An absorbent article as recited in claim 38, further comprising a flow barrier for reducing the migration of liquids past said waistband portion.

Claim 48

An absorbent article as recited in claim 38, wherein said flow barrier comprises a flap, which is formed from said backsheet layer and folded over to overlap onto a bodyside of said absorbent body.