Diaper having perfume zones

The present invention relates to an absorbent article and preferably a diaper or incontinent device having perfume zones disposed on the backsheet outer surface or on a backing member attached to the backsheet outer surface. The perfume zones generally comprise a binder having release agents of one or more types dispersed therethrough. Additionally, the perfume zones contain pull-strips attached to the binder which, when detached from the binder, will cause perfume to be released from the release agents either by shearing of the agents or diffusion as a result of uncovering the binder. The perfume provides the functions of either masking and/or absorbing malodors and are released via fragrance burst, and/or diffusion over time. Furthermore, perfume is released either at attachment of the article about a wearer, at removal of the article from about a wearer and/or during sustained wear of the article about a wearer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an absorbent article that has perfume 
zones on the outer surface of its backsheet. The perfume zones generally 
comprise a binder having perfume release agents therein. The binder is 
attached to the outer surface of the absorbent article backsheet or 
attached to a separate backing member. A pull-strip covers the opposite 
surface of the binder, thus covering the release agents therein. When the 
pull-strip is detached, the release agents provide a fragrance burst 
and/or a diffuse release of perfume. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A wide variety of fluid absorbent structures known in the art absorb body 
fluids such as blood, urine, menses, and the like, and are sanitary and 
comfortable in use. Disposable products of this type generally comprise 
fluid-permeable topsheet material, a fluid absorbent core, and 
fluid-impermeable backsheet material. Various shapes, sizes and 
thicknesses of such articles have been explored in an attempt to make 
their use more comfortable and convenient. 
Odor control in sanitary products has been under investigation for many 
years. Many body fluids have an unpleasant odor, or develop such odors 
when in contact with air and/or bacteria for prolonged periods. 
Various odor-controlling agents have been disclosed in the literature. For 
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,410, Hagiwara, et al., issued Jun. 25, 1985, 
teaches zeolite particles (doped with bactericidal cations) stably held in 
a fibrous web by incorporating some portion of meltable fibers in the web, 
and applying heat. Hagiwara, et al. teaches using these compositions as 
the outside cover layer in general sanitary goods. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,690,415, F. A. Shuler, issued Sep. 28, 1954, teaches 
particles of odor-absorbing materials uniformly affixed at the interstices 
of a permeable web by adhesive to provide an odor absorbent medium, e.g., 
in catamenials. Particulate carbon, silica gel and activated alumina are 
noted. Shifting and/or displacement of the particulates is avoided and the 
sheet is flexible. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,628 issued on Jul. 4, 1995 to Trinh, et al. teaches the 
incorporation of odor absorbing or fragrance releasing particles in the 
absorbent core or topsheet of an absorbent article. The particles are 
preferably activated by the presence of moisture from a user through the 
topsheet and absorbent core. 
ABSCENTS (odor-control molecular sieve from Union Carbide) for use in 
diapers and catamenials are specifically noted in Union Carbide brochure 
(A. J. Gioffre 1988). The brochure indicates that Union Carbide's market 
research shows potential benefits in such products. U.S. Pat. Nos. 
4,795,482 and 4,826,497, relate to ABSCENTS used as an odor-controlling 
agent, generally, and in sanitary products, in particular. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the present invention provides a diaper comprising a fluid 
pervious topsheet, a fluid impervious backsheet having an inner surface 
and an outer surface The backsheet is joined to the topsheet, and an 
absorbent core is located between the topsheet and the backsheet. There is 
at least one perfume zone located on the outer surface of the backsheet. 
The perfume zone comprises a binder, having release agents therein, that 
is attached to the outer surface of the backsheet. Also, the perfume zone 
comprises a pull-strip that is attached to the backsheet outer surface via 
the binder having release agents dispersed therein. Preferably, the 
pull-strip substantially covers the binder. Also, the release agents 
herein are preferably microcapsules of one or more functions and/or types; 
i.e., for fragrance burst, diffusion or malodor absorption. Preferably, 
the perfume release, odor masking and/or odor absorbing functions of the 
release agents are not activated until the pull-strip member has been 
released. 
In another embodiment herein, a perfume zone additionally comprises a 
backing member which is attached to the outer surface of the backsheet. 
The binder is then attached, i.e., coated onto the backing member having 
release agents dispersed therein, and a pull-strip is attached to the 
backing member with the binder therebetween. 
In a preferred embodiment of the pull-strips herein, the edges of the 
pull-strip extend beyond the edges of the binder. Further, those extended 
pull-strip edges are sealed to the outer surface of the backsheet and/or 
the backing member such that a continuous or nearly continuous seal is 
formed about the binder. 
The release agents comprise perfume selected from the group consisting of 
uncomplexed cyclodextrins, volatile perfumes, fragrances, essences, 
zeolites, activated carbons and mixtures thereof 
In the invention herein, one or more pull-strips may be detached during at 
least one of three times; i.e., at attachment of a diaper about a wearer, 
at detachment of a diaper from a wearer and during sustained wear of a 
diaper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally 
worn by infants and incontinent persons that is worn about the lower torso 
of the wearer which absorbs and contains body exudates, and, more 
specifically, refers to devices which are placed against or in proximity 
to the body of the wearer. The term "disaposable" is used herein to 
describe absorbent articles which are not intended to be laundered or 
otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are 
intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be 
recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally 
compatible manner). The term "perfume" or "encapsulated agents" as used 
herein refers to odor absorbing and/or masking agents which include 
volatile perfumes, essences, fragrances, zeolites, activated carbon, 
cyclodextrins, mixtures thereof and the like which are placed in release 
agents like microcapsules that are subsequently burst by mechanical 
shearing forces and/or uncovered to release the perfume as a result of 
diffusion. The term "release agent" as used herein refers to any suitable 
means known in the art for the containment and release of perfume as 
described herein. The term "microcapsules" or "microspheres" as used 
herein refers to a type of release agent and/or containment assembly for 
holding and later distributing perfume. The term "perfume-filled" as used 
herein refers to release agents that are at least partially filled with 
perfume as defined herein. The term "fragrance burst" as used herein 
refers to the immediate release of perfume resulting from bursting or 
uncovering release agents that contain perfume. The term "diffuse" or 
"steady-state" as used herein refers to a substantially continuous release 
of perfume from a release agent. By the term "embedded" it is meant herein 
the integration or securement of one material within another material, 
adjacent to another material, and/or onto another material, e.g., release 
agents embedded within a binder. 
Preferably, the release agents for all embodiments disclosed herein are one 
of several types of microcapsules disclosed herein. In the type of 
microcapsule that is sheared or ruptured, at least one opening will be 
created on the surface of the previously unopened microcapsule through 
which perfume will diffuse through one of the mechanisms disclosed herein 
(e.g., fragrance burst, steady-state diffusion, etc.). Alternatively, the 
microcapsule can be a porous, substantially filled-in structure that 
releases perfume through one or more disclosed mechanisms as the 
microcapsule is uncovered and therefore exposed to the atmosphere. By the 
term "uncovered" it is meant herein that a structure, which had been 
previously substantially covered and/or fully enclosed from exposure to 
the air by a covering means, is now exposed; e.g., wherein the pull-strip 
member herein substantially covers the release agents embedded within a 
perfume zone. Also alternatively, at least a plurality of microcapsules 
herein absorb odors in addition to or rather than emitting perfume via the 
mechanisms disclosed herein such as in a fragrance burst. 
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its 
flat-out, uncontracted state (i.e., with elastic induced contraction 
pulled out) with portions of the structure being cut-away to more clearly 
show the construction of the diaper 20 and with the portion of the diaper 
20 which faces away from the wearer, the outer surface 52, facing the 
viewer. As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 comprises a containment assembly 
22 preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet 24, a liquid 
impervious backsheet 26 joined to the topsheet 24, and an absorbent core 
28 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. The diaper 
preferably further comprises elasticized leg cuffs 30; elasticized 
waistbands 32; a fastening system 40 comprising a pair of first fastening 
members 42 and a second fastening member 41. 
The diaper 20 is shown in FIG. 1 to have an outer surface 52 (facing the 
viewer in FIG. 1), an inner surface 50 (not shown) opposed to the outer 
surface 52, a front waist region 54, a rear waist region 56 longitudinally 
opposed to the front waist region 54, a crotch region 58 positioned 
between the front waist region 54 and the rear waist region 56, and a 
periphery which is defined by the outer perimeter or edges of the diaper 
20 in which the longitudinal edges are designated 60 and the end edges are 
designated 62. The inner surface 50 of the diaper 20 comprises that 
portion of the diaper 20 which faces toward the wearer's body during use 
(i.e., the inner surface 50 is generally formed by at least a portion of 
the topsheet 24 and other components joined to the topsheet 24). The outer 
surface 52 of the diaper 20 comprises that portion of the diaper 20 which 
faces away from the wearer's body during use (i.e., the outer surface 52 
is generally formed by at least a portion of the backsheet 26 and other 
components joined to the backsheet 26). As used herein, the term "joined" 
encompasses configurations whereby an element is directly secured to the 
other element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and 
configurations whereby the element is indirectly secured to the other 
element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn 
are affixed to the other element. The front waist region 54 and the rear 
waist region 56 extend from the end edges 62 of the periphery to the 
crotch region 58. 
The diaper 20 also has two centerlines, a longitudinal centerline 100 and a 
transverse centerline 102. The term "longitudinal", as used herein, refers 
to a line, axis, or direction in the plane of the diaper 20 that is 
generally aligned with (e.g., approximately parallel with) a vertical 
plane which bisects a standing wearer into left and right halves when the 
diaper 20 is worn. The terms "transverse" and "lateral", as used herein, 
are interchangeable and refer to a line, axis or direction which lies 
within the plane of the diaper that is generally perpendicular to the 
longitudinal direction which divides the wearer into front and back body 
halves.) 
The containment assembly 22 of the diaper 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as 
comprising the main body (chassis) of the diaper 20. The containment 
assembly 22 comprises at least an absorbent core 28 and preferably an 
outer covering layer comprising the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. When 
the absorbent article comprises a separate holder and a liner, the 
containment assembly 22 generally comprises the holder and the liner 
(i.e., the containment assembly 22 comprises one or more layers of 
material to define the holder while the liner comprises an absorbent 
composite such as a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core.) For 
unitary absorbent articles, the containment assembly 22 comprises the main 
structure of the diaper with other features added to form the composite 
diaper structure. Thus, the containment assembly 22 for the diaper 20 
generally comprises the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, and the absorbent 
core 28. 
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the containment assembly 22 in which 
the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 have length and width dimensions 
generally larger than those of the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 and 
the backsheet 26 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 28 to 
thereby form the periphery of the diaper 20. While the topsheet 24, the 
backsheet 26, and the absorbent core 28 may be assembled in a variety of 
well known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are described 
generally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled "Contractible Side Portions 
for Disposable Diaper" which issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan. 14, 1975; 
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 entitled "Absorbent Article With Dynamic 
Elastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge", 
which issued to Kenneth B. Buell, et al. on Sep. 29, 1992; each of which 
is incorporated herein by reference. 
In a preferred embodiment, FIGS. 1A and 1B show that the microcapsule 
containing binder 82 is attached directly to the outer surface 52 or 
garment surface of the backsheet 26. The pull-strip 80 is laid directly 
over the binder 82 and is attached thereto. The pull-strip 82 will 
preferably fully cover the binder 82. In a preferred application of all of 
the embodiments disclosed herein, the pull-strip 80 will not only fully 
cover the binder 82 but also will have edges that extend beyond the edges 
of the binder 82. The extended edges of the pull-strip 80 will preferably 
be attached directly to the opposed surface of either the outer backsheet 
surface 52 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) or the backing member 88 (see FIGS. 2A 
and 2B), thus forming a continuous or semi-continuous seal about the 
entire binder 82. This preferred sealing serves to restrict the release of 
any one of the perfumes disclosed herein and to protect the binder 82 and 
microcapsules 70 from outside substances, e.g., water, dirt, and to 
provide the greatest possible perfume release at the user's discretion. In 
one embodiment, the extended edges of the pull-strip 80 are attached to 
the backsheet outer surface 52 or backing member 88 by an adhesive. In 
another example of the above attachment, a vacuum seal is formed using the 
extended edges of the pull-strip 80 to seal the binder 82. 
In another alternative embodiment, FIGS. 2 and 2A disclose in part a 
perfume zone 85 comprising a backing member 88 attached directly to the 
outer surface 52 of the backsheet 26. That is, the backing member 88 is an 
independent member attached directly to the backsheet outer surface 52 
that is preferably not removable upon separation of the pull-strip 80 from 
the binder 82. Additionally, the perfume zone 85 comprises a 
micro-encapsulated binder 82 that is attached to the backing member 
surface and attached to a pull-strip 80 on the opposite surface. By the 
term "micro-encapsulated", it is meant herein that the binder comprises a 
plurality of microcapsules therein. The binder 82 is secured to the 
perfume surface 90 and attaches the pull-strip 80 to the backing member 
88. The binder 82 preferably substantially comprises a plurality of 
release agents 65, preferably being microcapsules 70, that are activated 
upon release of the pull-strip 80 from the perfume zone 85. By activated 
it is meant herein that release agents 65 are sheared to release perfume 
and/or uncovered to release perfume by any one of the mechanisms discussed 
herein (e.g., by fragrance burst). 
The invention herein comprises two methods by which malodors can be at 
least partially subdued. They are odor masking and odor absorbing. Two 
mechanisms which provide odor masking are perfume release through a 
fragrance burst or perfume diffusion over time. When perfume is released 
by either of these two methods, malodors tend to be masked by perfume of 
greater intensity. The intensity or strength of the perfume forms no part 
of the invention but is increased or decreased at the discretion of a 
manufacturer. In contrast, odor absorbers such as cyclodextrin or 
activated carbon serve to lock malodors into their molecular structures in 
such fashion that the malodor molecules go undetected by most (if not all) 
human olfactory senses. 
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 2A illustrate schematically one mechanism believed to 
be the operative one in insuring that a controlled amount of perfume 95 is 
released from the release agents 65. Referring to the unpeeled portion 103 
of the pull-strip 80, it can be seen that a portion of at least some of 
the microcapsules 70 are at least partially embedded within a non-sticky 
binder 82. By "non-sticky" binder, it is meant herein that the binder, 
while causing release agents 65 (e.g., microcapsules 70) to be embedded 
therein, will substantially not stick to other surfaces such as a wearer's 
clothing or body when the pull-strip 80 has been released prior to or 
during wear of a diaper. Specifically, when a diaperer detaches pull-strip 
80 and thus uncovers the perfume zone 85 having an exposed non-sticky 
binder 82 thereon, that binder 82 will not stick to any clothing that is 
worn adjacent to or over the diaper. Referring now to the peeled portion 
102 of the pull-strip 80, it can be seen that the effects of peeling the 
pull-strip 80 produces a shear force across the tops of the microcapsules 
70 that facilitates their rupture, thus releasing the perfume 95 contained 
therein. 
Note, FIGS. 1A and 1B disclose the binder 82 being attached directly to the 
outer surface 52 of the backsheet 26. This is a preferred embodiment. 
Conversely, FIGS. 2-3A show the binder 82 being attached to a backing 
member 88. The backing member 88 is an independent member that is attached 
to the outer surface 52 of the backsheet 26. 
Those factors which control the number of microcapsules 70 ruptured and 
hence the quantity of perfume 95 released are entirely within the control 
of the manufacturer's discretion through manipulation of such parameters 
as microcapsule size and wall thickness, type of binder used, quantity of 
binder used, the amount and type of perfume used, rupture strength of the 
microcapsules, the number and distribution of the microcapsules, adhesive 
strength of a binder relative to the rupture strength of the 
microcapsules, and other such factors that may affect microcapsule 
rupture. In one example, it is believed that both the force required to 
detach a pull-strip 80 from a binder 82 should be greater than the force 
required to rupture a microcapsule embedded within a binder 82. If this 
condition is met, microcapsules at least partially embedded within the 
perfume zone 85 by a binder 82 will rupture due to shearing of their outer 
surfaces. In another example, microcapsules 70 sized at 50 microns or 
above should readily burst upon separation of the pull-strip 80 from the 
perfume zone 85 because of increased effects upon adhesive and cohesive 
properties of a binder 82 in contact with the microcapsules 70. 
A binder 82 will preferably form a bond to the surface 90 of the perfume 
zone 85. In one embodiment, the binder will also have microcapsules 70 
that are at least partially embedded therein. A pull-strip 80, preferably 
comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, a nonwoven, and/or a cellulosic 
material (these are also suitable materials for the backing member 88), 
will preferably substantially cover the perfume zone 85. The pull-strip 80 
will lay on the side of the binder that is opposite to the surface of the 
perfume zone 85. The pull-strip 80 will form a bond with the binder 82 
such that when the pull-strip is detached, i.e., pulled from the perfume 
zone 85, microcapsules 70 will rupture, thus providing a fragrance burst. 
While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed 
that the detachment of the pull-strip 80 shears the rupturable 
microcapsules 70 at disengagement of the pull-strip from the perfume zone 
85, thus releasing their perfume immediately. It is most desirable to have 
a binder, the absolute cohesive strength of which is less than its 
adhesive strength to the surface of the perfume zone 85. 
In another embodiment herein, the binder 82 at least partially comprises 
release agents 65 that diffusely release perfume over time, e.g., odor 
absorbers. As in the previous embodiment, the pull-strip 80 is detached 
from the binder 82, thus uncovering the release agents 65 therein to 
exposure to the atmosphere. These types of diffuse release agents may be 
combined with the shearable/rupturable type of release agents to provide 
both a fragrance burst and time diffuse release of perfume. 
A binder 82 bearing microcapsules 70 can be coated onto a portion of the 
adhering surface of the perfume zone 85. This binder is preferably the 
sole bonding material between the pull-strip 80, release agents 65 and 
perfume surface 90. If any effective amount of adhesive is present in the 
areas where microcapsules 70 are deposited with the intention of having 
them removable and not rupture due to separation of the pull-strip 80 from 
the perfume zone 85, it is then preferable that the cohesive strength of 
that adhesive be lower than the rupture strength of the microcapsules 70. 
FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate schematically a similar mechanism as in FIGS. 2 
and 2A believed to be the operative one in insuring that microcapsules 72 
which either diffuse perfume over time or microcapsules 74 which release 
substances that can absorb malodors are activated. As in FIGS. 2 and 2A, 
the pull-strip 80 is released from the perfume zone 85, thus uncovering 
the microcapsules 72 and 74. Microcapsules 72 and 74 are shown here 
together for simplicity, however, embodiments can comprise any combination 
of the microcapsule types disclosed herein for any sort of 
multi-functional purpose; e.g., one embodiment may comprise all three 
microcapsule types (70, 72 & 74) or may comprise any combination of two 
types, or only one type. This preference is at the discretion of the 
manufacturer. 
FIG. 4 discloses an alternative embodiment in which a plurality of perfume 
zones 85 may be applied to the outer surface 52 of the backsheet 26 of a 
diaper 20. There is no fixed number as to how many perfume zones may be 
applied to a part of the backsheet outer surface 52. The number of perfume 
zones 85 assigned is entirely within the purview of the manufacturer. A 
perfume zone 85 may be of any shape and configuration as deemed desirable 
by a manufacturer. Also, the size of a perfume zone is not fixed but is 
within the design limitations of a manufacturer. Of course, all sizes, 
numbers and configurations herein should be compatible and within the 
limits of the function and size of a diaper. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, the diaper 20 also comprises a fastening system 
40 having first fastening members 42 preferably comprising fastening tabs 
and a second fastening member 41 that can attach to one-another to form a 
side closure which maintains the front waist region 54 and the rear waist 
region 56 in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tensions are 
maintained around the circumference of the diaper to maintain the diaper 
on the wearer. Exemplary fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,846,815 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having An Improved Fastening Device" 
issued to Scripps on Jul. 11, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,060 entitled 
"Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook Fastener Portion" issued to 
Nestegard on Jan. 16, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,527 entitled 
"Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastener And Method of Making Same" issued to 
Battrell on Aug. 7, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening 
System for Disposable Diaper" issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbent Article" issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 
5, 1987; and the herein before referenced U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 
07/715,152; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
Examples of suitable adhesive tape tab fastening systems are disclosed in 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; and U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,662,875 issued to Hirotsu and Robertson on May 5, 1987; each of 
which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of other closure 
systems, including mechanical closure systems, useful in the present 
invention, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,724 issued to Scripps on 
Sep. 26, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,815 issued to Scripps on Jul. 11, 1989; 
and the two-point fastening system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,436 
issued to Weil, Buell, Clear, and Falcone on Sep. 7, 1993; each of which 
are incorporated herein by reference. When a two-point fastening system is 
used, the waist closure members of the waist closure system are preferably 
longitudinally aligned with the extensible front waist feature 42 and 
laterally aligned with the elastic strands of the extensible leg cuff 30 
to provide an effective closure about both the legs and the waist. As 
shown throughout the disclosure, the diaper 20 may be provided with a pair 
of fastening tabs 42 that allow the side panels to be first joined 
together. The diaperer then brings the containment assembly 22 between the 
legs of the wearer and joins the assembly 22 to the outer layer of the 
waist feature. Such a configuration and securing method is more fully 
described in the above-referenced U.S. application Ser. No. 08/044,562 
(New, et al.) 
The fastening system can comprise any attachment means known in the art 
including pressure sensitive adhesives, cohesive materials, mechanical 
fasteners such as hook and loop type fasteners, or any combination of 
these or any other attachment means known in the art. Exemplary adhesive 
tape tab fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 
entitled "Tape Fastening System for Disposable Diaper" issued to Buell on 
Nov. 19, 1974; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbent Article" 
issued to Hirotsu and Robertson on May 5, 1987. Exemplary fastening 
systems comprising mechanical fastening components are described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,058,247 entitled "Mechanical Fastening Prong" issued to Thomas 
Oct. 22, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,724 entitled "Mechanical Fastening 
Systems With Adhesive Tape Disposal Means For Disposal of Absorbent 
Articles" issued to Scripps on Sep. 26, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,815 
entitled "Disposable Diaper Having an Improved Fastening Device" issued to 
Scripps on Jul. 11, 1989. An example of a fastening system having 
combination mechanical/adhesive fasteners is described in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,946,527 entitled "Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastener and Method of 
Making Same" issued to Battrell on Aug. 7, 1990. Each of these patents are 
incorporated herein by reference. 
As discussed, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a hook 
fastening material preferably comprising a base and a plurality of 
engaging elements extending from the base. The hook fastening material is 
intended to engage fibrous elements of a loop fastening material so as to 
provide a secure fastening device. Thus, the hook fastening material may 
be manufactured from a wide range of materials. Further, the engaging 
elements may have any shape such as hooks, "T's", "mushrooms" or any other 
shape as are well known in the art. Suitable materials include nylon, 
polyester, polypropylene, or any combination of these materials. Examples 
of preferred hook fastening materials are available from Aplix of 
Charlotte, N.C. under the trade designation 960, 957 and 942. Other 
preferred hook fastening materials are available from the Minnesota Mining 
and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn. under the trade designations 
CS200, CS300, MC5 and MC6. Another preferred hook fastening material is 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,247 entitled "Mechanical Fastening Prong" 
issued to Thomas Oct. 22, 1991 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
The second fastening member preferably comprises a fastening element 
engageable with the hook member. Thus, the second fastening member may be 
manufactured from a wide range of materials and configurations capable of 
securely engaging the hook member. For example, the second fastening 
member may comprise identical complementary elements or distinct 
complementary elements. As used herein, the term "identical complementary 
elements" is used to define mechanical fastening systems wherein the 
engaging elements of the hook member and the second fastening member 
comprise the same configuration or structure that are interlocking. 
Examples of such systems are described in Brown et al. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,322,875 entitled "Two Strip Materials Used For Forming Fasteners" issued 
on Apr. 16, 1982 and Kellenberger et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,179 entitled 
"Fixed Position Fasteners For Disposable Absorbent Garments" issued on 
Oct. 20, 1987. The term "distinct complementary elements" is used herein 
to designate a system wherein the hook member is different from the second 
fastening member but is engageable therewith. 
In one preferred embodiment, the second fastening component comprises a 
plurality of fiber elements, such as a loop fastening material, that 
engage the engaging elements of the hook component. The loop fastening 
material may be manufactured from a wide range of materials to provide 
fiber elements, preferably being loops. Suitable materials include woven 
materials, nonwovens, nylons, polyesters, polypropylenes, or any 
combination of these materials. One suitable loop fastening material is a 
nonwoven available from Minn. Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, 
Minn. under the trade designation EBL. A preferred loop fastening material 
comprises a number of shaped engaging elements projecting from a woven 
backing such as the commercially available material designated Guilford 
18904 available from Guilford Mills of Greensboro, N.C. Other suitable 
loop components are available from the Minn. Mining and Manufacturing 
Company of St. Paul, Minn. under the trade designation EBL. An inexpensive 
loop fastening material and a method of making the same is described in 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,122, entitled "Loop Fastening Material For Fastening 
Device and Method of Making Same" issued to Noel et al., Jul. 16, 1991, 
which application is incorporated herein by reference. Another suitable 
loop material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,612 entitled "Nonwoven 
Female Component for Refastenable Fastening Device and Method of Making 
the Same" issued to David J. K. Goulait on Jul. 5, 1994, which is hereby 
incorporated by reference herein. Yet other suitable second fastening 
components are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 
08/254,814 entitled "Nonwoven Female Component For Refastenable Fastening 
Device and Method of Making the Same" filed Jun. 6, 1994 in the names of 
Patrick Jay Allen et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/287,571 
entitled "Nonwoven Female Component For Refastenable Fastening Device" 
filed Aug. 9, 1994 in the names of Willie F. King et al.; and U.S. Pat. 
Ser. No. 08/374,269 entitled "Female Component For Refastenable Fastening 
Device" filed Jan. 18, 1995 in the names of Carl L. Bergman et al. 
The fastening elements may be disposed on either the outer surface 52 or 
the inner surface 50 of the diaper 20. In a preferred embodiment, however, 
the fastening elements are disposed on the diaper 20 such that the 
fasteners do not irritate the wearer's skin. In addition, the fastening 
elements may either be a discrete separate element affixed to the diaper 
20 or a unitary piece of material that is neither divided nor 
discontinuous with an element of the diaper 20 such as the topsheet 24 or 
the backsheet 26. While the fastening elements can assume varying sizes 
and shapes, they preferably comprise one or more separate patches of 
material joined to the diaper 20 to allow for the best fit for a broad 
range of wearers. 
The topsheet 24 is positioned adjacent the body surface of the absorbent 
core 28 and is preferably joined thereto and to the backsheet 26 by 
attachment means (not shown) such as those well known in the art. Suitable 
attachment means are described with respect to joining the backsheet 26 to 
the absorbent core 28. As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses 
configurations whereby a first element is directly secured to a second 
element by affixing the first element directly to the second element, and 
configurations whereby the first element is indirectly secured to the 
second element by affixing the first element to an intermediate member(s) 
which in turn is affixed to the second element. In a preferred embodiment 
of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are joined 
directly to each other in the diaper periphery and are indirectly joined 
together by directly joining them to the absorbent core 28 by attachment 
means (not shown). 
The topsheet 24 is compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the 
wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet 24 is liquid pervious permitting 
liquids (e.g., menses and/or urine) to readily penetrate through its 
thickness. A suitable topsheet 24 may be manufactured from a wide range of 
materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; polymeric materials such 
as apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and 
hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; 
reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven 
and nonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood or 
cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such as 
polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combination of 
natural and synthetic fibers. 
There are a number of manufacturing techniques which may be used to 
manufacture the topsheet 24. For example, the topsheet 24 may be a 
nonwoven web of fibers. When the topsheet comprises a nonwoven web, the 
web may be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, 
combinations of the above, or the like. A preferred topsheet is carded and 
thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabrics art. 
A preferred topsheet comprises staple length polypropylene fibers having a 
denier of about 2.2. As used herein, the term "staple length fibers" 
refers to those fibers having a length of at least about 15.9 mm (0.625 
inches). Preferably, the topsheet has a basis weight from about 18 to 
about 25 grams per square meter. A suitable topsheet is manufactured by 
Veratec, Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, 
Mass. under the designation P-8. 
The backsheet 26 is positioned adjacent the garment surface of the 
absorbent core 28 and is preferably joined thereto by attachment means 
(not shown) such as those well known in the art. For example, the 
backsheet 26 may be secured to the absorbent core 28 by a uniform 
continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array 
of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Adhesives which have 
been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of 
St. Paul, Minn. and marketed as HL-1258. The attachment means will 
preferably comprise an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as is 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable 
Waste-Containment Garment" , which issued to Minetola and Tucker on Mar. 
4, 1986, and which is incorporated herein by reference. An exemplary 
attachment means of an open pattern network of filaments comprises several 
lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern such as is 
illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 
issued to Sprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996 issued to 
Ziecker, et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued to 
Werenicz on Jun. 27, 1989. Each of these patents are incorporated herein 
by reference. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise heat bonds, 
pressure bonds, heat/pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical 
bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these 
attachment means as are known in the art. 
The backsheet 26 is impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and is preferably 
manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid 
impervious materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" 
refers to materials which are compliant and will readily conform to the 
general shape and contours of the human body. The backsheet 26 prevents 
the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 28 from wetting 
articles which contact the diaper 20 such as bedsheets and undergarments. 
The backsheet 26 may thus comprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric 
films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, or 
composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, 
the backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 
0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). The backsheet preferably 
comprises a polyethylene blend film of about 0.025 mm (1.0 mil) as is 
manufactured by Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Ind. and marketed as 
P8863. 
The absorbent core 28 may be any absorbent means which is capable of 
absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain body 
exudates. The absorbent core 28 has a garment surface, a body surface, 
side edges, and waist edges. The absorbent core 28 may be manufactured in 
a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, 
"T"-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials 
commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as 
comminuted wood pulp which is generally referred to as airfelt. Examples 
of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding, 
meltblown polymers including coform, cross-linked cellulose fibers, tissue 
including tissue wraps and tissue laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent 
sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any 
equivalent material or combinations of materials. The configuration and 
construction of the absorbent core may also be varied (e.g., the absorbent 
core may have varying caliper zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a 
superabsorbent gradient, or lower average density and lower average basis 
weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or 
structures). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should, 
however, be compatible with the design loading and the intended use of the 
diaper 20. Further, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 
28 may be varied to accommodate wearers ranging from infants through 
adults. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 having a 
rectangular-shaped absorbent core. 
An absorbent structure useful as the absorbent core 28 of the present 
invention that has achieved wide acceptance and commercial success is 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled "High-Density Absorbent 
Structures" issued to Weisman and Goldman on Sep. 9, 1986. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores" issued to 
Weisman, Houghton, and Gellert on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231 
entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer" issued to Angstadt on 
Dec. 19, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 entitled "High Efficiency Absorbent 
Articles For Incontinence Management", issued to Young, LaVon & Taylor on 
Sep. 15, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,597 entitled "Porous, Absorbent, 
Polymeric Macrostructures and Methods Of Making the Same", issued to Roe, 
Lahrman and Berg on Apr. 7, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled 
"High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis 
Weight Acquisition Zones", issued to Alemany and Berg on May 30, 1989; 
also describe absorbent structures that are useful in the present 
invention. The absorbent core 28 is preferably the dual-layer absorbent 
structure described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,423 entitled "Absorbent Article 
With Elastic Waist Feature and Enhanced Absorbency", issued to Alemany and 
Clear on Aug. 10, 1993. Each of these patents are incorporated herein by 
reference. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an acquisition layer(s) 
may be positioned between the topsheet 24 and the absorbent core 28 and 
joined to the absorbent core 28. The acquisition layer may serve several 
functions including improving wicking of exudates over and into the 
absorbent core. There are several reasons why the improved wicking of 
exudates is important, including providing a more even distribution of the 
exudates throughout the absorbent core 28 and allowing the absorbent 
structure to be made relatively thin. The wicking referred to herein may 
encompass the transportation of liquids in one, two or all directions 
(i.e., in the x-y plane and/or in the z-direction). The acquisition layer 
may be comprised of several different materials including nonwoven or 
woven webs of synthetic fibers including polyester, polypropylene, or 
polyethylene; natural fibers including cotton or cellulose; blends of such 
fibers; or any equivalent materials or combinations of materials. Examples 
of absorbent structures disclosed herein having an acquisition layer and a 
topsheet are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,264 issued to 
Osborn, III and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/944,764, "Absorbent 
Article Having Fused Layers", filed Oct. 7, 1992, in the names of Cree, et 
al. Each of these references are incorporated herein by reference. In a 
preferred embodiment, the acquisition layer may be joined with the 
topsheet 24 and separate from the inserted absorbent material or absorbent 
core 28 by any of the conventional means for joining webs together, most 
preferably by fusion bonds as is more fully described in the 
above-referenced Cree application. 
The diaper 20 preferably further comprises extensible leg cuffs 30 for 
providing improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Each 
extensible leg cuff 30 may comprise several different embodiments for 
reducing the leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. (The leg cuff 
can be and is sometimes also referred to as leg bands, leg flaps, barrier 
cuffs, or elastic cuffs.) U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled "Contractable 
Side Portions For a Disposable Diaper" issued to Buell on Jan. 14, 1975, 
describes a disposable diaper which provides a contractible leg opening 
having a leg flap and one or more elastic members to provide an 
elasticized leg cuff (gasketing cuff). U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,803 entitled 
"Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elasticized Flaps" issued to Aziz & 
Blaney on Mar. 20, 1990, describes a disposable diaper having "stand-up" 
elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) to improve the containment of the leg 
regions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,278 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Dual 
Cuffs" issued to Lawson on Sep. 22, 1987, describes a disposable diaper 
having dual cuffs including a gasketing cuff and a barrier cuff. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,704,115 entitled "Disposable Waist Containment Garment" issued to 
Buell on Nov. 3, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper or incontinent 
garment having side-edge-leakage-guard gutters configured to contain free 
liquids within the garment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,120 entitled "Disposable 
Absorbent Article Having Improved Leg Cuffs" issued to Freeland & Allen on 
Jul. 16, 1991, discloses an absorbent article having leg cuffs having a 
relatively low ultimate contact force at relatively high elongation's 
accomplished, for example, by low contact force differential material. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,255 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Inflected 
Barrier Cuffs" issued to Sims on Feb. 11, 1992, discloses an absorbent 
article having inflected barrier cuffs with the distal edge positioned 
outboard of the proximal edge in one waist region and inboard in the other 
to provide better fit about the hips/buttocks. Each of these patents are 
incorporated herein by reference. 
The diaper 20 further comprises extensible waist features that provide 
improved fit and containment. The extensible waist features at least 
extend longitudinally outwardly from the containment assembly 22, 
preferably a respective waist edge of the absorbent core 28, and generally 
form at least a portion of the end edge of the diaper 20. While a 
disposable diaper of the present invention is constructed with an 
extensible waist feature disposed in each waist region (an elastic waist 
feature 32), the discussion will focus on diapers having different 
configurations for each extensible waist feature. At a minimum, it is 
preferred that the diaper at least have one of the extensible waist 
features constructed according to the present invention, more preferably 
at least the elastic waist feature 32. The waist features can be 
constructed as a separate element joined to the containment assembly 22 or 
as an extension of other elements of the diaper (i.e., unitary). The waist 
features will be described with respect to preferred embodiments in which 
certain portions or panels comprise an extension of other elements of the 
diaper such as the backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both, and other 
portions or panels comprise a separate element joined to other portions or 
panels of the waist feature or other panels of the diaper. 
As used herein, the term "cyclodextrin" includes any of the known 
cyclodextrins such as unsubstituted cyclodextrins containing from six to 
twelve glucose units, especially, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins, 
and/or their derivatives, and/or mixtures thereof. The alpha-cyclodextrin 
consists of 6, the beta-cyclodextrin 7, and the gamma-cyclodextrin 8 
glucose units arranged in a donut-shaped ring. The specific coupling and 
conformation of the glucose units give the cyclodextrins a rigid, conical 
molecular structure with a hollow interior of a specific volume. The 
"lining" of the internal cavity is formed by hydrogen atoms and glycosidic 
bridging oxygen atoms, therefore this surface is fairly hydrophobic. These 
cavities can be filled with all or a portion of an organic molecule with 
suitable size to form an "inclusion complex." Alpha-, beta-, and 
gamma-cyclodextrins can be obtained from, among others, American 
Maize-Products Company (Amaizo), Hammond, Ind. 
Cyclodextrin derivatives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos: 3,426,011, 
Parmerter et al., issued Feb. 4, 1969; 3,453,257, 3,453,258, 3,453,259, 
and 3,453,260, all in the names of Parmerter, et al., and all also issued 
Jul. 1, 1969; 3,459,731, Gramera, et al., issued Aug. 5, 1969; 3,553,191, 
Parmerter, et al., issued Jan. 5, 1971; 3,565,887, Parmerter, et al., 
issued Feb. 23, 1971; 4,535,152, Szejtli, et al., issued Aug. 13, 1985; 
4,616,008, Hirai, et al., issued Oct. 7, 1986; 4,638,058, Brandt, et al., 
issued Jan. 20, 1987; 4,746,734, Tsuchiyama, et al., issued May 24, 1988; 
and 4,678,598, Ogino, et al., issued Jul. 7, 1987, all of the above 
patents are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of cyclodextrin 
derivatives suitable for use herein are methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, 
hydroxyethyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin of 
different degrees of substitution (D.S.), available from Amaizo; Wacker 
Chemicals (USA), Inc.; and Aldrich Chemical Company. Water-soluble 
derivatives are also highly desirable. 
The compositions and articles of this invention optionally contain, in 
addition to uncomplexed, small particle size cyclodextrins, an effective, 
i.e., odor-controlling, amount of various additional adjunct 
odor-controlling materials. Incorporating adjunct odor-controlling 
materials will enhance cyclodextrin's capacity for controlling odors, as 
well as the range of odor types being controlled. Such materials include, 
for example, zeolites, activated carbon, kieselguhr, and water-soluble 
antibacterial compounds, such as cetyl pyridinium chloride, zinc chloride, 
copper salts, copper ions, chlorhexidine, quaternary ammonium compounds, 
chelating agents, parabens, chitin, pH buffered materials, and the like. 
Especially preferred is zeolite material having "intermediate" 
silicate/aluminate ratios. 
A wide variety of intermediate zeolites suitable for use herein are 
commercially available as VALFOR CP301-68, VALFOR 300-63, VALFOR CP300-35 
and VALFOR CP300-56, from PQ Corporation, and the CBV100 series (other 
than Mordenite, as noted below) of zeolites from Conteka. 
In the event the zeolites herein are optionally to be used in conjunction 
with the activated carbon, it is preferred (for visually aesthetic 
purposes) to coat the carbon with the zeolite using a binder. 
Other odor-controlling agents include kieselguhr, and water-soluble 
antibacterial compounds, such as cetyl pyridinium chloride, zinc chloride, 
copper salts, copper ions, chlorhexidine, quaternary ammonium compounds, 
chelating agents, parabens, chitin, pH buffered materials, and the like. 
The encapsulated agents ingredients and compositions, i.e., perfumes, of 
this invention are the conventional ones known in the art. Selection of 
any encapsulated agents component, or amount of encapsulated agents, is 
based on functional and aesthetic considerations. Preferred encapsulated 
agents components useful in the present invention are the highly volatile, 
and the moderately volatile encapsulated agents ingredients, more 
preferably the highly volatile, low boiling ingredients. 
The highly volatile, low boiling, encapsulated agents ingredients typically 
have boiling points of about 250.degree. C. or lower. These highly 
volatile encapsulated agents ingredients are fleeting and are quickly lost 
as they are released. Many of the more moderately volatile encapsulated 
agents ingredients are also quickly lost. The moderately volatile 
encapsulated agents ingredients are those having boiling points of from 
about 250.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. Many of the encapsulated 
agents ingredients as discussed hereinafter, along with their odor 
characters, and their physical and chemical properties, such as boiling 
point and molecular weight, are given in "Encapsulated agents and Flavor 
Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals)," Steffen Arctander, published by the author, 
1969, incorporated herein by reference. 
Examples of the highly volatile, low boiling, encapsulated agents 
ingredients are: anethole, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, 
benzyl formate, iso-bornyl acetate, camphene, cis-citral (neral), 
citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, para-cymene, decanal, 
dihydrolinalool, dihydromyrcenol, dimethyl phenyl carbinol, eucalyptol, 
geranial, geraniol, geranyl acetate, geranyl nitrile, cis-3-hexenyl 
acetate, hydroxycitronellal, d-limonene, linalool, linalool oxide, linalyl 
acetate, linalyl propionate, methyl anthranilate, alpha-methyl ionone, 
methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, methyl phenyl carbinyl acetate, laevo-menthyl 
acetate, menthone, iso-menthone, myrcene, myrcenyl acetate, myrcenol, 
nerol, neryl acetate, nonyl acetate, phenyl ethyl alcohol, alpha-pinene, 
beta-pinene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, terpinyl 
acetate, and vertenex (para-tertiary-butyl cyclohexyl acetate). Some 
natural oils also contain large percentages of highly volatile 
encapsulated agents ingredients. For example, lavandin contains as major 
components: linalool; linalyl acetate; geraniol; and citronellol. Lemon 
oil and orange terpenes both contain about 95% of d-limonene. 
Examples of moderately volatile encapsulated agents ingredients are: amyl 
cinnamic aldehyde, iso-amyl salicylate, beta-caryophyllene, cedrene, 
cinnamic alcohol, coumarin, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate, ethyl 
vanillin, eugenol, iso-eugenol, flor acetate, heliotropine, 3-cis-hexenyl 
salicylate, hexyl salicylate, lilial (para-tertiarybutyl-alpha-methyl 
hydrocinnamic aldehyde), gamma-methyl ionone, nerolidol, patchouli 
alcohol, phenyl hexanol, beta-selinene, trichloromethyl phenyl carbinyl 
acetate, triethyl citrate, vanillin, and veratraldehyde. Cedarwood 
terpenes are composed mainly of alpha-cedrene, beta-cedrene, and other 
C.sub.15 H.sub.24 sesquiterpenes. 
The encapsulated agents/cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of this invention 
are formed in any of the ways known in the art. Typically, the complexes 
are formed either by bringing the encapsulated agents and the cyclodextrin 
together in a suitable solvent, e.g., water, or, preferably, by 
kneading/slurrying the ingredients together in the presence of a suitable, 
preferably minimal, amount of solvent, preferably water. The 
kneading/slurrying method is particularly desirable because it results in 
smaller particles so that there is less, or no, need to reduce the 
particle size. In addition, less solvent is needed and therefore less 
separation of the solvent is required. Disclosures of complex formation 
can be found in Atwood, J. L., J. E. D. Davies & D. D. MacNichol, (Ed.): 
Inclusion Compounds, Vol. III, Academic Press (1984), especially Chapter 
11, Atwood, J. L. and J. E. D. Davies (Ed.): Proceedings of the Second 
International Symposium of Cyclodextrins Tokyo, Japan, (July, 1984), and 
J. Szejtli, Cyclodextrin Technology, Kluwer Academic Publishers (1988). 
The publications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
Microcapsules 70 for use in this invention can be made by many of several 
well-known encapsulating processes. Examples of appropriate processes 
include chemical encapsulating processes and mechanical encapsulating 
processes. A wide variety of processes exist by which the microcapsules 
herein can be manufactured. These varied processes provide different 
techniques for producing microcapsules of varying sizes, alternative 
materials for the composition of the capsule shell and various different 
functional materials within the shell. Some of these various processes are 
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,516,846; 3,516,941; 3,996,156; 4,409,156 and 
5,180,637 and British patent specification Nos. 1,156,725; 2,041,319 and 
2,048,206, and each is incorporated herein by reference. 
It is also desirable to have microcapsule construction resist the effects 
of variable ambient conditions. It is therefore desirable that rupture 
strength exceed 4.0 g/cm after storage at 120.degree. C. and less than 1% 
R.H. for seventy-two hours. This test would be performed by storage in an 
oven, removal to a neutral environment (e.g., sealed bag or jar) until the 
article is at room temperature, and then measuring the rupture strength. 
It is preferred that the rupture strength is at least 8.0 g/cm and most 
preferred that the rupture strength is at least 16 g/cm under those 
conditions. The article must still display a rupture strength between 2 
and 90g/cm at 20.degree. and 50% R.H. The use of microcapsules 70 which 
are not moisture sensitive in combination with these large microcapsules 
70 (i.e., greater than 30 microns and up to 50 microns) provides a useful 
microcapsule-containing adhesive layer. 
An example of a mechanical encapsulating process is the impingement of 
droplets of the material to be encapsulated (i.e., in the case of this 
invention, encapsulated agents or other deodorant composition) within 
liquid or semi-solid films of intended capsule wall material; separation 
of the thereby encapsulated droplet from the film of impingement; and 
solidification of the microcapsule wall material. 
Chemical encapsulating processes generally include combining a first 
reactive material in a continuous phase capsule manufacturing vehicle and 
a second reactive material into droplets to be encapsulated. The droplets 
are then dispersed in the manufacturing vehicle and a reaction between the 
reactive materials is effected. Liquid-liquid phase separation of the 
polymeric capsule wall material from the vehicle is carried out wherein 
the phase-separated polymeric material wets and enwraps the dispersed 
droplets to be encapsulated. 
A wide variety of different materials may also be used in making the 
capsule shells. A popular material for shell formation is the 
polymerization reaction product between urea and formaldehyde or melamine 
and formaldehyde, or the polycondensation products of monomeric or low 
molecular weight polymers of dimethylolurea or methylolated urea with 
aldehydes. A variety of capsule forming materials are disclosed, for 
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,516,846 and 4,087,376 and British patent 
specification Nos. 2,006,709 and 2,062,570, and each is incorporated 
herein by reference. 
It has also been found that microcapsule size plays a role in the 
usefulness of microcapsules herein according to the practice of the 
present invention. Generally the microcapsules should have an average 
diameter between 5 and 100 microns and preferably between 12 and 30 
microns when the capsule payload is between 80 and 90% by weight of the 
total capsule weight. It is highly preferred that microcapsules herein 
have an average diameter between 14 and 42 microns and it is most 
preferred that the microcapsules have a diameter between 15 and 25 
microns. These dimensions play a surprisingly important role in the 
ability to control the percentage of rupture of microcapsules in the 
practice of the present invention. With lower payloads (e.g., 70-80%), the 
microcapsules should be larger to provide the necessary rupture strength. 
The broadest range of average capsule size under most conditions would be 
about 5 to 100 microns. When 8 micron microcapsules are used, a 90-95% by 
weight payload is preferred. Generally preferred are microcapsules having 
sizes of between 8 and 30 micrometers. 
Microcapsules herein can form between 20 and 99 percent by volume of the 
total binder composition of the perfume zone 85, but most preferably 
between 30 and 75 percent of this total composition volume. The absolute 
peel force tends to be dependent on the weight of the base coat and 
relatively independent of the amount of microcapsules (up to 50% by weight 
of microcapsules 70 per unit area). 
It is preferred that microcapsules herein have an average diameter between 
5 and 100 micrometers, the cohesive strength of the adhesive composition 
layer being less than the strength of the bond between the binder and the 
coated surface of the perfume zone 85, the tensile rupture strength of the 
microcapsules being less than the cohesive strength of the binder, and the 
rupture force of the microcapsule containing binder at 50% relative 
humidity being between at least 0.5 ounces per linear five-and-one half 
inches (greater than 1.0 g/cm and less than 20 g/cm). It is preferred that 
the rupture strength of the microcapsules exerted by a pull-strip 80 
exceeds 2.0g/cm and is less than 16 g/cm and most preferably exceeds 2.5 
g/cm and is less than 10 g/cm. 
In most preferable embodiments, the nature and composition of the binder is 
not critical to the practice of the invention as long as the binder is 
capable of bonding the microcapsules 70 to the backsheet outer surface 52 
or backing member 88. Also, it should be noted that a suitable binder for 
the practice of the invention herein will not stick to or otherwise soil 
clothing when a perfume zone 85 has been uncovered and subsequently placed 
in close proximity to clothing. The quantity of adhesive must be 
sufficient to hold the microcapsules in place one of the above mentioned 
surfaces until rupture of the microcapsules at removal of the diaper 20 
from the wearer. Any class of adhesives including but not limited to 
polyurethane's, polyacrylates, polyvinyl resins (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, 
polyvinyl chloride), polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, starches, gum 
arabic, gelatin and the like may be readily used in the practice of the 
present invention. 
Preferably, the binder 82 used to secure the release agents 65 contained 
therein to the perfume zone surface 85 and the pull-strip 80 is an 
acrylate- or methacrylate-based adhesive system comprising infusible, 
solvent dispersible, solvent insoluble, inherently tacky, elastomeric 
copolymer microspheres as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,140. 
Alternatively, this adhesive composition may comprise hollow, polymer, 
acrylate, infusible, inherently tacky, solvent insoluble, solvent 
dispersible, elastomeric pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres as 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,569. Washing of the microcapsules 70 
before mixing them with the adhesive often tends to provide more 
consistency in their properties by removing low molecular weight, 
unreacted materials. 
In another aspect, the present invention involves a novel article 
comprising a thermoplastic, preferably flexible, substrate having 
partially embedded therein rupturable microcapsules. In this embodiment, 
binder resin is required. This article can be used in situations where 
good retention and protection of microcapsules is required, but where 
access to the microcapsules must be retained. Methods for applying the 
binder (with microcapsules) to the substrate can vary, depending upon 
available methods and economics more than any other parameter. Suitable 
application methods include air knife, gravure coating, and printing 
methods including silk screening, gravure, and flexographic techniques. 
The binder (with microcapsules) may be applied either in a continuous or 
discontinuous pattern on the backsheet outer surface or backing member. 
Capsule wall materials suitable for use in accordance with the teachings of 
this invention include any appropriate polymeric film-forming material. 
For example, microcapsules may be made from natural hydrophilic polymeric 
materials such as gelatin, gum arabic, starch, carrageenin, and zein; 
natural polymeric materials modified in some way such as ethyl cellulose, 
carboxymethyl cellulose, shellac, resin and nitrocellulose; and other 
polymeric materials such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polystyrene, 
polyacrylamide, polyether, polyester, polybutadiene, silicone, epoxy and 
polyurethane. 
The particular encapsulated agents or deodorant encapsulated forms no part 
of this invention and may be varied to so great a degree as to defy 
classification or description. Reference is made, instead, to "Cosmetics, 
Science and Technology," second edition, edited by M. S. Balsam and Edward 
Sagarin and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., of N.Y. 1972. In 
particular, reference is made to Chapter 32, "Fragrance" written by M. S. 
Balsam for examples of the variety of encapsulated agents formulations 
possible. 
The material contained in the microcapsules herein can be any of a variety 
of liquids, including solutions, dispersions, and gelled materials. 
Preferred types of ingredients are organic solids which are 
fragrance-releasing materials that readily volatilize upon rupture of the 
microcapsules. The most preferred types of ingredients would be fragrant 
materials (such as essences and most preferably medium to highly volatile 
perfumes) or materials which provide chemically active vapors or liquids 
(e.g., bacteriostats or deodorants). Whatever the fragrance, it or they 
should be chosen to be compatible with the perfume zone 85, binder 82, and 
pull-strip 80 and all other diaper components. 
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated 
and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that 
various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from 
the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover 
in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within 
the scope of this invention.