Patent ID: 6602236
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A sanitary napkin having a pair of transversely opposite edges extending longitudinally of said napkin and a pair of longitudinally opposite ends extending transversely of said napkin, said napkin comprising:a liquid-pervious topsheet; a liquid-impervious backsheet; a liquid-absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet; and upper and lower layer flaps extending longitudinally along and outward relative to each of said transversely opposite side edges, each of said upper layer flaps being formed from a sheet that is separate from said topsheet and said backsheet, each of said upper layer flaps being elastically stretchable in a longitudinal direction and having a plurality of gathers formed therein which plurality of gathers are provided along a length of each of said upper layer flaps, each of said upper layer flaps includes an inner side edge and an outer side edge, said inner side edge of each of said upper layer flaps being defined along lower transversely opposite side edges of said liquid-absorbent core, said plurality of gathers extending from said inner side edge to the outer side edge of each said upper layer flaps, each of said upper layer flaps being joined to at least one of portions of said topsheet and said backsheet adjacent said side edge of said napkin, each of said lower layer flaps including a wing that extends laterally outward beyond an outer side edge of said upper layer flap and each said wing includes a lower surface coated with an adhesive agent, each of said upper layer flaps comprising an elastic member secured under tension longitudinally thereof whereby the tension provided by the elastic member causes said plurality of gathers to form, each of said upper layer flaps is formed from a sheet that is elastically stretchable longitudinally thereof.