Absorbent article having flaps and zones of differential extensibility

Claim 2

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a principal longitudinal centerline that is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and a principal transverse centerline that is oriented in a transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, one of each of said flaps being joined to said main body portion at a juncture and extending laterally outward from each said longitudinal edge beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion, said flaps having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion, and having portions of said flaps that are located along said flap transverse centerline, wherein said portions of said flaps that are located along said flap transverse centerline lie transversely outboard of the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion when said flaps are extended, and said flap transverse centerline intersecting the principal longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article and dividing the absorbent article into four quarters, each quarter comprising: a first portion of each quarter adjacent said principal longitudinal centerline and said flap transverse centerline, and a second portion of each quarter outboard of said first portion of each quarter, said second portion of at least one of said quarters comprising a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility, said zone of differential extensibility having a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than said first portion of said quarter.

Claim 3

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a principal longitudinal centerline that is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and a principal transverse centerline that is oriented in a transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, one of each of said flaps being joined to said main body portion at a juncture and extending laterally outward from one of said longitudinal edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps being divided into a front half and a back half by a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion, two corner regions at each flap, said corner regions being located adjacent the juncture of each flap with said main body portion and comprising at least portions of said flaps, wherein at least a portion of one of said corner regions is located in the front half of said flaps and at least a portion of the other corner region is located on the back half of said flaps, and said corner regions are spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said absorbent article further comprising: a first portion of said absorbent article disposed longitudinally inboard of each corner region, each said first portion being complementary with its respective corner region, wherein at least part of each said first portion is disposed along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility in at least one of said corner regions, said zone of differential extensibility having a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than said first portions of said absorbent article.

Claim 4

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a principal longitudinal centerline that is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and a principal transverse centerline that is oriented in a transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, one of each of said flaps being joined to said main body portion at a juncture and extending laterally outward from one of said longitudinal edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps being divided into a front half and a back half by a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion, two corner regions at each flap, said corner regions being located adjacent the juncture of each flap with said main body portion and comprising at least portions of said flaps, wherein at least a portion of one of said corner regions is located in the front half of said flaps and at least a portion of the other corner region is located on the back half of said flaps, and said corner regions are spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said absorbent article further comprising: a first portion of said absorbent article disposed longitudinally inboard of each corner region, each said first portion being complementary with its respective corner region, wherein at least part of each said first portion is disposed along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility in at least one of said corner regions, said zone of differential extensibility having a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than said first portions of said absorbent article.

Claim 5

The absorbent article of claims 1 or 2 wherein said zone of differential extensibility is located between the longitudinal side edge of the main body portion and the distal edge of one of said flaps.

Claim 6

The absorbent article of claims 1 or 2 wherein said zone of differential extensibility comprises portions of said absorbent article having pleats with generally longitudinally-oriented fold lines.

Claim 7

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a body-facing side, a garment side, a principal longitudinal centerline and a principal transverse centerline, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward along said principal longitudinal centerline from said central region a distance of about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, each flap being joined to said main body portion at a juncture and extending laterally outward from one of said longitudinal edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps having a flap transverse centerline that passes through the central region of said main body portion; said absorbent article being provided with a pleat along said juncture of at least one of said flaps, said pleat having folds formed by generally longitudinally-oriented fold lines; and a flap pleat restraint located in the area of said flap transverse centerline for restraining said pleat from unfolding in the area of said flap transverse centerline while allowing said pleat to unfold at locations disposed longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline.

Claim 8

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a body-facing side, a garment side, a principal longitudinal centerline and a principal transverse centerline, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward along said principal longitudinal centerline from said central region a distance of about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, each flap being joined to said main body portion at a juncture and extending laterally outward from one of said longitudinal edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps having a flap transverse centerline that passes through the central region of said main body portion; said absorbent article being provided with a pleat along said juncture of at least one of said flaps, said pleat having folds formed by generally longitudinally-oriented fold lines; and a flap pleat restraint located in the area of said flap transverse centerline for restraining said pleat from unfolding in the area of said flap transverse centerline while allowing said pleat to unfold at locations disposed longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline.

Claim 9

The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said flap pleat restraint can be broken and said flap containing said pleats can be unfolded and at least some of said folds forming said pleats are located between the longitudinal edge of the main body portion and the distal edge of said flap.

Claim 10

The absorbent article of claims 1, 2, or 5 wherein said junctures are located at each longitudinal edge of said main body portion.

Claim 11

The absorbent article of claims 1, 2, or 5 wherein at least a portion of each of said junctures is located inboard of a longitudinal edge of said main body portion.

Claim 12

The absorbent article of claim 8 wherein said flaps comprise at least one separate element that is joined to said main body portion.

Claim 13

The absorbent article of claim 8 wherein said flaps each comprise a separate element.

Claim 14

The absorbent article of claim 9 wherein said at least one separate element is at least partially joined to the garment-facing side of said main body portion.

Claim 15

A sanitary napkin that is worn in and secured to a wearer's panties, said panties having an underside and curved leg openings, and said sanitary napkin having a body-facing side, a garment side, a principal longitudinal centerline and a principal transverse centerline, said sanitary napkin comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward along said principal longitudinal centerline from said central region a distance of about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under and securing to the underside of the wearer's panties, said flaps having a garment side that corresponds to the garment side of said sanitary napkin, said flaps being subjected to stresses when said flaps are folded under said panties, each flap being joined to said main body portion at a juncture and extending laterally outward from one of said longitudinal edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion, said flaps having a flap transverse centerline, an area surrounding and containing said flap transverse centerline, and comprising a fastener for attaching said flap to the underside of the wearer's panties, said fastener being disposed along said flap transverse centerline on the garment side of said flaps; said sanitary napkin being provided with a pleat along said juncture of at least one of said flaps, said pleat having folds formed by generally longitudinally-oriented fold lines; and a flap pleat restraint located along said flap transverse centerline for restraining said pleat from unfolding in the area of said flap transverse centerline while allowing said pleat to unfold at locations disposed longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline to provide slack material in said flaps to relieve the stresses which tend to develop when said flaps are folded around said curved leg openings of said panties.

Claim 16

A sanitary napkin that is worn in and secured to a wearer's panties, said panties having an underside and curved leg openings, and said sanitary napkin having a body-facing side, a garment side, a principal longitudinal centerline and a principal transverse centerline, said sanitary napkin comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward along said principal longitudinal centerline from said central region a distance of about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under and securing to the underside of the wearer's panties, said flaps having a garment side that corresponds to the garment side of said sanitary napkin, said flaps being subjected to stresses when said flaps are folded under said panties, each flap being joined to said main body portion at a juncture and extending laterally outward from one of said longitudinal edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion, said flaps having a flap transverse centerline, an area surrounding and containing said flap transverse centerline, and comprising a fastener for attaching said flap to the underside of the wearer's panties, said fastener being disposed along said flap transverse centerline on the garment side of said flaps; said sanitary napkin being provided with a pleat along said juncture of at least one of said flaps, said pleat having folds formed by generally longitudinally-oriented fold lines; and a flap pleat restraint located along said flap transverse centerline for restraining said pleat from unfolding in the area of said flap transverse centerline while allowing said pleat to unfold at locations disposed longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline to provide slack material in said flaps to relieve the stresses which tend to develop when said flaps are folded around said curved leg openings of said panties.

Claim 17

An absorbent article having a liquid pervious body-facing side and a liquid impervious garment side, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and two spaced apart end edges defining a peripheral portion of said main body portion, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward from said central region about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising an absorbent core positioned between said body-facing side and said garment side; a pair of flaps extending laterally outward along one of the longitudinal side edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps each having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion and points along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility comprising at least a portion of at least one of said flaps that is spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said zone of differential extensibility having slack therein and a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than the points on said flaps located along said flap transverse centerline.

Claim 18

An absorbent article having a liquid pervious body-facing side and a liquid impervious garment side, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and two spaced apart end edges defining a peripheral portion of said main body portion, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward from said central region about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising an absorbent core positioned between said body-facing side and said garment side; a pair of flaps extending laterally outward along one of the longitudinal side edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps each having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion and points along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility comprising at least a portion of at least one of said flaps that is spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said zone of differential extensibility having slack therein and a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than the points on said flaps located along said flap transverse centerline.

Claim 19

An absorbent article having a liquid pervious body-facing side, a liquid impervious garment side, a longitudinal centerline, and a transverse centerline, said sanitary napkin comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and two spaced apart end edges defining a peripheral portion of said main body portion, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward from said central region about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising an absorbent core positioned between said body-facing side and said garment side; a pair of flaps, each flap extending laterally outward along one of the longitudinal side edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps each having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion and points along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility comprising at least a portion of at least one of said flaps that is spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said zone of differential extensibility comprising material that has a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than the points on said flaps located along said flap transverse centerline.

Claim 20

An absorbent article having a liquid pervious body-facing side, a liquid impervious garment side, a longitudinal centerline, and a transverse centerline, said sanitary napkin comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and two spaced apart end edges defining a peripheral portion of said main body portion, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward from said central region about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising an absorbent core positioned between said body-facing side and said garment side; a pair of flaps, each flap extending laterally outward along one of the longitudinal side edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps each having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion and points along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility comprising at least a portion of at least one of said flaps that is spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said zone of differential extensibility comprising material that has a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than the points on said flaps located along said flap transverse centerline.

Claim 21

An absorbent article having a liquid pervious body-facing side, a liquid impervious garment side, a principal longitudinal centerline, and a principal transverse centerline, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and two spaced apart end edges defining a peripheral portion of said main body portion, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward from said central region about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising an absorbent core positioned between said body-facing side and said garment side; a pair of flaps, each flap extending laterally outward along one of said longitudinal side edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps each having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion, first portions located along said flap transverse centerline and spaced a distance outward from said principal longitudinal centerline, and second portions spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline the same distance outward as said first portions; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility comprising said second portions of said flaps, said zone of differential extensibility comprising material that has a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than the first portions of said flaps.

Claim 22

An absorbent article having a liquid pervious body-facing side, a liquid impervious garment side, a principal longitudinal centerline, and a principal transverse centerline, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having a length, two spaced apart longitudinal side edges and two spaced apart end edges defining a peripheral portion of said main body portion, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said end regions extending outward from said central region about 1/8 to about 1/3 the length of said main body portion, said main body portion comprising an absorbent core positioned between said body-facing side and said garment side; a pair of flaps, each flap extending laterally outward along one of said longitudinal side edges beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps each having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion, first portions located along said flap transverse centerline and spaced a distance outward from said principal longitudinal centerline, and second portions spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline the same distance outward as said first portions; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility comprising said second portions of said flaps, said zone of differential extensibility comprising material that has a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than the first portions of said flaps.

Claim 23

The absorbent article of claims 13, 14, or 15 wherein said flaps are integral with said main body portion.

Claim 24

The absorbent article of claims 13, 14, or 15 wherein said flaps are formed by at least one of said topsheet and said backsheet.

Claim 25

The absorbent article of claims 13, 14, or 15 wherein said flaps comprise at least one separate element that is joined to said main body portion.

Claim 26

The absorbent article of claim 18 wherein said flaps each comprise a separate element.

Claim 27

The absorbent article of claim 18 wherein said at least one separate element is at least partially joined to the garment-facing side of said main body portion.

Claim 28

The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said at least one separate element is joined to the garment-facing side of said main body portion at two junctures wherein one juncture is located at each longitudinal edge of said main body portion.

Claim 29

The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said at least one separate element is joined to the garment-facing side of said main body portion at two junctures, wherein at least a portion of each juncture lies inboard of each longitudinal edge of said main body portion.

Claim 30

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a principal longitudinal centerline that is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and a principal transverse centerline that is oriented in a transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, said flaps being integral with said main body portion, one of said flaps extending laterally outward from each said longitudinal edge of said main body portion beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion, said flaps having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion, and having portions of said flaps that are located along said flap transverse centerline, wherein; said portions of said flaps that are located along said flap transverse centerline lie transversely outboard of the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion when said flaps are extended, and said flap transverse centerline intersecting the principal longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article and dividing the absorbent article into four quarters, each quarter comprising: a first portion of each quarter adjacent said principal longitudinal centerline and said flap transverse centerline, and a second portion of each quarter outboard of said first portion of each quarter, said second portion of at least one of said quarters comprising a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility, said zone of differential extensibility having a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than said first portion of said quarter.

Claim 31

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a principal longitudinal centerline that is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and a principal transverse centerline that is oriented in a transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, said flaps being integral with said main body portion, one of said flaps extending laterally outward from each said longitudinal edge of said main body portion beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion, said flaps having a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion, and having portions of said flaps that are located along said flap transverse centerline, wherein; said portions of said flaps that are located along said flap transverse centerline lie transversely outboard of the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion when said flaps are extended, and said flap transverse centerline intersecting the principal longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article and dividing the absorbent article into four quarters, each quarter comprising: a first portion of each quarter adjacent said principal longitudinal centerline and said flap transverse centerline, and a second portion of each quarter outboard of said first portion of each quarter, said second portion of at least one of said quarters comprising a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility, said zone of differential extensibility having a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than said first portion of said quarter.

Claim 32

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a principal longitudinal centerline that is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and a principal transverse centerline that is oriented in a transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, said flaps being integral with said main body portion, one of said flaps extending laterally outward from each said longitudinal edge of said main body portion beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps being divided into a front half and a back half by a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion; and two corner regions at each flap, said corner regions being located adjacent the juncture of each flap with said main body portion and comprising at least portions of said flaps, wherein at least a portion of one of said corner regions is located in the front half of said flaps and at least a portion of the other corner region is located on the back half of said flaps, and said corner regions are spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said absorbent article further comprising: a first portion of said absorbent article disposed longitudinally inboard of each corner region, each said first portion being complementary with its respective corner region, wherein at least part of each said first portion is disposed along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility in at least one of said corner regions, said zone of differential extensibility having a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than said first portions of said absorbent article.

Claim 33

An absorbent article for wearing in a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article having a principal longitudinal centerline that is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and a principal transverse centerline that is oriented in a transverse direction, said absorbent article comprising: a main body portion having two spaced apart longitudinal edges, two spaced apart transverse edges, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, said main body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; a pair of flaps for folding under the wearer's undergarment, said flaps being integral with said main body portion, one of said flaps extending laterally outward from each said longitudinal edge of said main body portion beyond an outermost peripheral portion of said main body portion to a distal edge, said flaps being divided into a front half and a back half by a flap transverse centerline that passes through said central region of said main body portion; and two corner regions at each flap, said corner regions being located adjacent the juncture of each flap with said main body portion and comprising at least portions of said flaps, wherein at least a portion of one of said corner regions is located in the front half of said flaps and at least a portion of the other corner region is located on the back half of said flaps, and said corner regions are spaced longitudinally away from said flap transverse centerline, said absorbent article further comprising: a first portion of said absorbent article disposed longitudinally inboard of each corner region, each said first portion being complementary with its respective corner region, wherein at least part of each said first portion is disposed along said flap transverse centerline; and a non-elasticated zone of differential extensibility in at least one of said corner regions, said zone of differential extensibility having a greater range of extensibility outward in a generally transverse direction than said first portions of said absorbent article.