Patent ID: 6264641
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An integral absorbent article having a longitudinal article length and a lateral article width, said article comprising:an absorbent composite having a first end region, a second end region which is longitudinally opposed from said first end region, laterally opposed side regions, a bodyside surface, an outward surface, and a first longitudinally terminal end edge, said absorbent composite further includinga substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet layer,a liquid permeable topsheet layer, anda retention portion sandwiched between said backsheet and topsheet layers;a separately provided, first body panel havinga bodyside surface,an outward surface,a panel length which is less than said article length,an outboard terminal end edge, anda relatively inboard terminal end edge;an expandable attachment section joined along at least a portion of each side region of said absorbent composite in said first end region of the absorbent composite, each expandable attachment section extendible in length at least outwardly, and each expandable attachment section configured to secure its correspondingly joined side edge region of the absorbent composite to said outward surface of said first body panel; anda substantially non-elastomeric, extensible outercover joined to extend over a major portion of said outward surface of said absorbent composite, said substantially non-elastomeric, extensible outercover capable of providing a sustained deformation when subjected to a tensile force and then allowed to relax after a removal of said tensile force, wherein said extensible outercover provides an elongation of at least about 1 cm when subjected to a tensile force of 30 gmf per inch, and said extensible outercover provides a sustained deformation of at least about 20% when subjected to a tensile force of 50 gmf per inch and then allowed to relax, after the removal of said tensile force, for a period of 1 minute.