Patent ID: 7569040
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An absorbent article comprising a chassis and a stretchable fastening member, the chassis extending longitudinally and laterally and comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the stretchable fastening member comprising a fixed portion permanently joined to the chassis, a distal portion provided with a fastening material and a stretchable panel positioned between the fixed portion and the distal portion, the stretchable fastening member being joined to the chassis such that the distal portion is positioned laterally outwardly from the fixed portion in the flat-out configuration of the stretchable fastening member, wherein the stretchable panel comprises a laminate of a stretchable film and a nonwoven web, and wherein the stretchable panel of the stretchable fastening member comprises a first stretchable zone and a second stretchable zone disposed in the lateral direction, the first stretchable zone is capable of providing extensibility upon an initially applied extension force, and extensibility of the second stretchable zone is restricted by a restriction means until the restriction means is inactivated, and the restriction means is inactivated upon a further applied extension force such that the second stretchable zone provides an additional extensibility to reduce a stress developed in the stretchable panel.