Patent ID: 6962578
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A disposable diaper having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region between the waist regions and comprising: an absorbent assembly having an interior surface and an exterior surface and laterally opposing longitudinally extending side flaps, each side flap having longitudinally opposing ends and a longitudinally extending proximal edge, each side flap being attached adjacent to its ends to the interior surface of the absorbent assembly and having a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge such that when allowed to relax, the elastic gathering member contracts and lifts the proximal edge away from the interior surface of the absorbent assembly, thereby raising the side flap to form a side barrier, the absorbent assembly including a lower covering sheet attached in a cruciform attachment pattern having a longitudinally extending portion and a laterally extending portion intersecting in the crotch region, the longitudinally extending portion having a smaller lateral extent than the laterally extending portion and the laterally extending portion having a smaller longitudinal extent than the longitudinally extending portion, such that quadrantal portions of the lower covering sheet lying outside the cruciform attachment pattern are unrestrained by attachment to any other element of the absorbent assembly, at least one of the quadrantal portions of the lower covering sheet being laterally extensible; and two laterally opposing longitudinally extending backsheet strips attached to the exterior surface of the lower covering sheet.