Abstract:
A disposable front opening garment made with two superposed overlapped half width segments and pads of different shape located between segments. Other embodiments have pads of different shapes on both segments positioned for different requirements. Pads inside segment assemblies are enclosed with impervious substrates to contain body fluids. Elastic on segment margins form cuffs. Expandable materials, elastic side tapes, and elastic front closaure tape provide girth adjustment. Segment assemblies with enclosed pads are overlapped and bonded together in central areas of the rear panel and not sealed together in the front panel area for a front opening. Embodiments includes cooperating half width pads with wings on each segment, cooperating pads and a pad supporting panel, and a garment for use with a catheter. All embodiments include side margin tapes and a front recloseable tape. The garment is applied by using side closures or as step-in adult garment by using side and front closure tapes for girth adjustment.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/303,215 filed Nov. 25, 2002 which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/286,355 filed Apr. 5, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,730 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/240,900 filed Jan. 29, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,242 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/889,461 filed Jul. 8, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,890. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to a disposable garment made from two half width segments bonded together in the rear panel and not bonded in the front panel for a front opening. The garment is put on by stepping through the leg openings, pulling up, and attaching the front closure tape to define a receptacle for pads of different shape between segments alone, or in combination with cooperating pads located on the inside segment, and other locations to define different embodiments for use as diapers, training pants for children, adult incontinent products, and for feminine hygienic use and undergarments.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Present disposable diapers can be applied in a prone position by folding the front portion around the user&#39;s crotch and connecting front and rear garment panels with side tapes. Older children can leave one side tape attached, step into the one completed leg opening, pull the diaper up around the other leg, and attach the other side tape to complete the waist and second leg opening, a procedure not easily accomplished by children or adults using oversized diapers for incontinence.  
         [0004]     Training pants include larger sizes, higher absorbency pads, side fastening means, and a monolithic absorbent pad enclosed between a pervious upper sustrate and an impervious lower substrate.  
         [0005]     There are two general types; garments where side fasteners remain attached and the garment expands around the waist when applied, and, garments with some expandable waist members and side fastening means such as elasticized tapes or hook and loop connecting tapes.  
         [0006]     Some training pants have extensible materials for the garment waist so that side fasteners stay connected while the user steps through one leg openings and, balancing on one leg while the second leg is placed through its leg opening, the garment is pulled up over the torso. A typical garment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,077 B1.  
         [0007]     Other training pants are put on by stepping through one of the leg openings, pulled up, and front and rear portions are connected by attaching the other side fastening member as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,404 B2.  
         [0008]     The instant garment including well known elements can be applied in a prone position like a diaper or, with sides connected, put on by stepping through both leg openings before attaching the front closure tape to complete the waist opening with the degree of waist snugness found most comfortable by the user. With elastonmeric substrates for the garment structure, elasic side fastening means, and elastic front closure tape, a wide range of waist adjustment is achieved.  
         [0009]     The front opening differs from current diapers, training pants and adult care products by allowing frontal inspection of pads, a front opening for male urination, for front opening of the garment to pull down for male or female toilet use, and a thinner appearance and bulk than current adult incontinent products by using one or more thin pads having super absorbent agents for pads selectively shaped and located for the intended use.  
         [0010]     The instant garment is preferably made with two bio-degradeable segments and a separable “self contained” leakproof pad with a plastic bottom enclosure for separation and disposal of non-degradeable and bio-degradeable materials. Because absorbent pads are enclosed within liner and the outer cover sheet, current diapers, training pants, and adult incontinent garments are not separable and the entire garment with integral pad is discarded, exascerbating landfill problems.  
         [0011]     Some current adult undergarment products have multiple elastic strands aligned transversely and bonded at spaced intervals for expansion and shirred contraction of the waistband. Expanded over the waist, tension is not adjustable and can exert excessive pressure around the waist.  
         [0012]     The instant garment avoids the complication of applying multiple elastic strands by providing elastomeric materials and three elastic tapes for adjustment of the waist opening to the degree of preferred tighness and to avoid complex manufacturing manipulations.  
         [0013]     In addition to the pad or cooperating pads described below, the front opening permits use of a supplemental front panel pad for insertion between segments for overnight or occasional heavy fluid incontinent use.  
         [0014]     The supplemental pad is only used between segments in the front panel area and can be lightly adhered to one of the surfaces between segments for easy removal and replacement without taking the garment off the user.  
         [0015]     Five embodiments for combinations of differemt pad shapes and ;pcations are described below in the summary and description of the invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The front opening disposable garment is constructed from two similarly shaped half width overlapped segments selectively bonded between segments in the rear to form a unitary rear panel, and not bonded between segments in the front panel to define a front opening. Segments of all embodiments have elastic strands along side margins to shirr and form leg cuffs when the garment is folded. Substrates used for the segments can be nonwovens and/or paper composites.  
         [0017]     Within the context of the two segment assembly, substrates can be extensible, one ply, or a two ply laminate depending on the intended use as disposable diapers, training pants, or for adult and feminine use.  
         [0018]     As an assembly of two segments, one of which is reinforced along a linear margin, the garment is used a receptacle for enclosed pads of different shapes, locations, and embodiments of the specifications.  
         [0019]     The central overlap area between segments is used for pads of different shapes, and adding a coacting pad inside the garment results in two layer absorbency in the central area.  
         [0020]     In current products, extra central absorbency requires thicker machine formed absorbent pads versus the addition of separately processed air laid absorbent pads in two separate layers of the instant front opening garment.  
         [0021]     Other shaped pads located between segments include a pad with “wings” on the innermost segment cooperating with a pad with “wings” and attached to the overlapped outermost segment to define a combination full width absorbent pad with “wings” in the front and rear panel areas.  
         [0022]     In a first embodiment, a first pad assembly is attached to the inside of the outermost segment in the front panel area. The absorbent pad is enclosed between pervious top and impervious bottom substrates sealed around the pad margins to form a leakproof pad assembly. The pad assembly is a discreet ‘fluid recepticle’ and attached in the front panel area without affecting the front opening.  
         [0023]     In a second embodiment, the pad assembly is longitudinally extended an sealed around the periphery. The pad plus end seals are proximate the ends of the garment to provide absorbency in the overlap area of both front and rear panels. The pad assembly is bonded to both segments in the rear panel only, and left unbonded in the front panel area.  
         [0024]     In a third embodiment, a pad assembly is extended toward the curvilinear margin and attached to the inside of the outermost segment, forming one half of a garment with full width absorbency. A similar pad assembly on the innermost segment is superposed in mirror-image relationship to the other segment, thus forming the other half of a garment with full width absorbency, including two layer absorbency in the central overlap area.. The front opening remains unbonded and functional.  
         [0025]     In a fourth embodiment, pads of the above-embodiment are used in conjunction with a third pad attached to a support panel bonded to the innermost segment at the panel ends and having elastic strands at side margins. When the garment is folded the support panel forms a shirred contoured receptacle for supporting absorbent pads or body parts.  
         [0026]     This embodiment results in absorbency of the support panel pad plus double fluid absorbency in the central overlap area and full width fecal absorbency in the two overlapped cooperating pads of embodiment 3.  
         [0027]     In embodiment 5, a support panel with stretched elastic strands along side margins and a width substantially equal to the overlap width is attached to the innermost segment near both end margins.  
         [0028]     When folded for use, side margins of the support panel shirr to form a contoured receptacle for genetalia and the catheter.  
         [0029]     A catheter tube advances through an aperture in the support panel and through an aperture in the central overlap area of the inner segment near the front end margin. The catheter tube advances over an absorbent pad attached to the front panel and passes through a centrally located aperture in the crotch region of the outermost segment. The pad absorbes fluid leakage that passes through the support panel.  
         [0030]     These and other objectives will be understood from the detailed description when read in conjunction with other embodiments of the drawings.  
       DEFINITIONS  
       [0031]     Within the context of the specification, the definition of terms listed below include the following meaning:  
         [0032]     “Garment” refers to the assembled partially overlapped mirror- image first and second segment assemblies.  
         [0033]     “Segment assembly” refers to an assembled segment, a V-folded reinforcing strip (s), leg elastic strands, side and front closure, and fastening means. When a segment assembly includes a pad assembly  
         [0034]     rhe pad assembly is between to a segment and a liner. When a V-folded str is used along a linear margin of the segment, the liner is bonded to the inside surface of the strip.  
         [0035]     “Pad assembly” refers to the assembled absorbent pad and pad enclosing substrates. When a pad assembly is enclosed between a segment and a liner, it becomes part of a segment assembly.  
         [0036]     “Extensible” refers to a substrate material that can be elongated by at least 25% of its relaxed length and with release of the applied force will recover at least 50% of its elongation.  
         [0037]     “Elastic” or “stretchable” refers to the property of a material or composite by which it tends to recover its original size and shape when an elongating force is removed. The term is used for side tapes and a front closure tape.  
         [0038]     “Refastenable” refers to side and front closure fastening means and the ability to detach these means from a cooperating element to which they are attached. Refastenable includes attachment to a release coated area, or other detachable means such as well known hook and loop systems.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]      FIG. 1  of embodiment 1 is a plan view of a garment illustrating an innermost segment assembly superposed and overlapped with an outermost segnment assembly. Portions of the inner liner are cutaway from both segment assemblies and a portion of the liner on the innermost segment is cutaway to show the V-folded strip.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating a segment, elastic strands, and a side tape of the innermost segment assembly. The inside liner sheet is omitted.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a plan view ilustrating a segment with elastic strands, a V-folded reinforcing strip, an absorbent pad assembly, a side tape, a front closure tape of the outermost segment assembly, and a bonding area to attach rear panels between segments. The liner sheet is omitted.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation viewed from  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  illustrating bonding of the pad assembly between the outermost segment and liner sheet, and bonding between the outermost and innermost segment assemblies in the rear panel area.  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  of embodiment 1 is an end view from  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  illustrating the unbonded facing surfaces of the front panel to define a front opening and the outermost segment assembly with an enclosed pad assembly.  
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is an end view from  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  illustrating bonding of the outermost and innermost segment assemblies in the rear panel area.  
         [0045]      FIG. 7  of embodiment 1 is a top side perspective view of the pad assembly of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the perforated upper surface cutaway to show the upper substrate of an absorbent pad assembly.  
         [0046]      FIG. 8  of embodiment 2 is a front perspective view of a garment folded along F-F of  FIG. 9  including a full length pad assembly enclosed within the outermost segment assembly.  
         [0047]      FIG. 9  of embodiment 2 is a plan view illustrating a garment with superposed segment assemblies, with portions of the inner assembly cutaway to show the top surface of an underlying full length pad assembly. Liner sheets on both segment assemblies are partially cutaway.  
         [0048]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation viewed from  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  illustrating bonding of the segment, full length pad assembly, and liner of the outermost segment, bonding of the segment and liner of the innermost segment assembly, and bonding segment assemblies together in the rear panel area only.  
         [0049]      FIG. 11  is a simplified end view from  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , illustrating the unbonded front panel between innermost and outermost segment assemblies to define a front opening of the garment.  
         [0050]      FIG. 12  is a simplified end view from  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10  illustrating a rear panel overlap area bonded between outermost and innermost segment assemblied to define a unitary rear panel.  
         [0051]      FIG. 13A  of embodiment 3 is a top perspective view of the innermost segment assembly with an enclosed pad assembly having side wing extensions. A portion of the segment assembly liner sheet is cutaway.  
         [0052]      FIG. 13B  is a top perspective view of the outermost segment assembly with an enclosed pad assembly having side wing extensions. Bonding adhesive is applied to the upper surface in rear panel area for attachment of the innermost segment assembly. Portions of the outermost segment assembly liner sheet are cutaway.  
         [0053]      FIG. 13C  of embodiment 3 is a top perspective view of the innermost and outermost segment assemblies superposed and overlapped to form a garment having full width cooperating enclosed pad assemblies. Portions of the innermost liner sheet are cutaway.  
         [0054]      FIG. 14  of embodiment 3 is a plan view of the overlapped super-posed innermost and outermost cooperating segment assemblies, each containing a pad assembly with enclosed pads having front and rear wing extensions. Liner sheets on each segment assembly are partially cutaway.  
         [0055]      FIG. 15  is an end elevation along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14  illustrating the overlapped superposed innermost and outermost segment assemblies with pervious portions of upper and lower substrates for the innermost enclosed pad, a pervious portion of the upper substrate, and an impervious lower substrate for the outermost enclosed pad.  
         [0056]      FIG. 16  of embodiment 4 is a perspective plan view of the overlapped superposed segment assemblies of embodiment 3 in combination with a support panel for an absorbent pad spaced from the surface of the innermost segment assembly when the garment is folded for use. Portions of the support panel and the inside segment assembly are cutaway.  
         [0057]      FIG. 17  of embodiment 4 is a cross sectional side elevation of the garment viewed along  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16  illustrating shirred cuffs on both sides of the support panel and shirred leg cuffs on side margins of the segment assemblies when the garment is folded about a plane containing F-F.  
         [0058]      FIG. 18  of embodiment 4 is a perspective frontal view of a garment illustrating use of a supplemental pad inserted in the front opening between innermost and outermost segment assemblies.  
         [0059]      FIG. 19  is a front plan view of a folded garment illustrating location of a supplemental pad inserted for use. The garment and components are shown dashed.  
         [0060]      FIG. 20A  of embodiment 5 is a top perspective view from the side of the innermost segment having a support panel with a frontal aperture and attached to the innermost segment.  
         [0061]      FIG. 20B  is a perspective view of the innermost segment with an aperture in the front panel area.  
         [0062]      FIG. 20C  is a perspective view of the outermost segment illustrating a catheter path over an aborbent pad in the front panel area and an aperture in the rear panel area of the segment. The rear panel has an area of adhesive for bonding innermost and outermost segments together. The pad can be secured along one margin for a catheter path under the pad ( adhesive dots are under the pad but shown solid).  
         [0063]      FIG. 20D  is a perspective view of the innermost and outermost segment assemblies bonded together and having elastic strands for leg cuffs and for cuffs on side margins of the support panel.  
         [0064]      FIG. 21  is a cross section side elevation viewed along  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 D  when the garment folded about a plane containimg F-F, illustrating location of a pad, an aperture in the support panel and in each segment to define a catheter path. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0065]     In  FIG. 1  of embodiment 1, garment  1  is an assembly of components including two overlapped half width segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ; bonded together only in the central overlap area  9  of rear panel  2 , and unbonded on facing surfaces  13  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) between segments in the overlap area  9  of front panel  3 .  
         [0066]     Segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ include half width segments  5 ,  6 , with elastic strands  18 ,  18 ′ adjacent curvilinear margins, a V-folded strip  26  folded over the linear margin  11  of at least one segment, an absorbent pad assembly  115  with internal pad  115 ′ between segment assemblies attached to the first outermost segment  5 , and cutaway liner sheets  21 ,  22 .  
         [0067]     In  FIG. 1 , each segment  5 ,  6 , has a stretchable elastic side margin fastening means  19 , 19 ′ and outermost segment  5  has a stretchable elastic central fastening means  20  to define leg openings and a front closure respectively  
         [0068]     In  FIG. 1  of embodiment 1, segments widths W 5 , W 6  are substantially equal to half the width W of the garment plus half the width of the overlap and an amount to add side elastic strands adjacent margins formed by cutouts  10 - 10 ′. Elastic strands are applied in stretched condition and attached at spaced intervals along cutout margins  34 ,  35 .  
         [0069]     The unfolded garment and segment assemblies have a rear panel  2 , front panel  3 , an intermediate crotch region  4 , and extend from rear end margin  7  to front end margin  8 .  
         [0070]     For use, the garment is folded transversely about line F-F before the free ends R of side fastening means  19 , 19 ′ and front closure fastening means  20  are attached to release coated landing areas R 1 , R 2  (shown dashed at the bottom of  FIG. 1 ) define the leg, waist, and closure for the front panel opening  14  (see  FIGS. 4,5 ).  
         [0071]     With one or both side fastening means attached, the folded garment is worn by “stepping into” the leg openings, pulling the garment over the torso, and fastening the front closure means, all of which are refastenable.  
         [0072]     In  FIG. 1 , segment assembly  5 ′ includes elastomeric pervious segment  5  with elastic strands  18 ′ attached adjacent cutout margin  35 , pad assembly  115  with enclosed absorbent pad  115 ′ (see  FIGS. 4 and 7 ), V-folded reinforcing strip  26  along the linear margin  11 , and liner sheet  21  bonded along the periphery  25 ′ to segment  5  and over the surface of strip  26  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Portions of segment  6  and liner  21  are cutaway to show strip  26  with adhesive  25 ′ for periphery bonding to segment  5 .  
         [0073]     In  FIG. 1 , segment assembly  6 ′ includes elastomeric pervious segment  6  with elastic strands  18  attached along cutout margin  34  and liner sheet  22  which faces the user&#39;s body. Portions of liner  22  are cutaway and sealed to the periphery of segment  6  with adhesive  25 .  
         [0074]     In  FIG. 1 , underlying pad assembly  115  includes internal absorbent pad  115 ′. A portion of the front panel in segment  6  is cutaway to show the top of perforated area  23 ′ having a small cutaway portion to expose the top of pad  115  (see  FIGS. 4-7  for detail of the pad assembly).  
         [0075]     In  FIG. 1 , end seal  27 ′ of pad assembly  115  extends from near the garment front end margin  8  with end seal  27  near fold line F-F.  
         [0076]     Side seals  28 ,  28 ′ are within overlap area  9  when both segment assemblies are overlapped.  
         [0077]     In  FIG. 1 , the periphery of the absorbent pad  115 ′ includes ends  16 ,  16 ′ and side margins  17 ,  17 ′.  
         [0078]     In  FIG. 1 , selected lines or areas of adhesive are applied to the overlap area  9  of outermost segment  5  within the peripheral boundaries  12 ,  12 ′ and spaced from linear side margin  11 ′ of superposed segment assembly  6 ′.  
         [0079]     In  FIG. 1 , front panel linear side dimension  36  is the maximum length of side margin tapes  19 ,  19 ′.  
         [0080]     In  FIG. 2  of embodiment 1, segment assembly  6 ′ liner sheet  22  is not shown.  
         [0081]     Adhesive area  25  along the periphery of innermost segment  6  bonds liner  22  (not shown) to segment  6  and covers elastic strands  18  to form segment assembly  6 ′. Stretched elastic strands  18  are applied in stretched condition and attached to segment  6  at spaced intervals along cutout margin  34 .  
         [0082]     Side margin tape  19  with refastenable free end R is attached to release coatee landing area R 1  (shown dashed) on the outer surface of the front panel when the garment is folded for use.  
         [0083]     Underlying pad assembly  115  attached to overlap area  9  of segment  5  is shown dashed.  
         [0084]     In  FIG. 2 , an area of adhesive bounded by  12 ,  12 ′ and applied to underlying segment  5  is shown dashed.  
         [0085]     In  FIG. 3  of embodiment 1, V-folded reinforcing strip  26 , elastic strands  18 ′ applied in stretched condition and attached at spaced intervals, and pad assembly  115  are bonded to outermost segment  5 , and liner  25  attached along periphery  25 ′ to complete segment assembly  5 ′.  
         [0086]     A selected adhesive pattern is applied along and between  12 ,  12 ′ in the rear panel overlap area  12 ,  12 ′ for joining segment assemblies  5 ′ and  6 ′ together and form unitary rear panel  2 .  
         [0087]     Pad assembly  115  has end seals  27  and side seals  28  enclosing internal pad  115 ′.  
         [0088]     In  FIG. 3 , perforations  23 ′ in the top substrate of pad assembly  115  are not shown (see  FIGS. 1, 4 ,  7 ).  
         [0089]     In  FIG. 3 , adhesive  25  along the periphery of segment  5  and on the surface of strip  26  bonds the liner sheet  21  (not shown) to segment  5  and with inside pad assembly  115  forms segment assembly  5 ′.  
         [0090]     In  FIG. 3 , a refastenable free end R of side margin elastic tape  19 ′ is attached to release coated landing area R 1  on the outside surface of segment  5  in the front panel segment  5 .  
         [0091]     In  FIG. 3 , a refastenable free end R of elastic front closure tape  20  is attached to release coated landing area R 2  on the outside surface of segment  6  in the front panel area. (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to complete the front panel closure.  
         [0092]     In  FIG. 4  of embodiment 1, outermost segment  5  with elastic strands  18 ′ and a reinforcing V-folded strip  26  along the linear margin, a pad assembly  115 , and liner  21  are bonded together to form segment assembly  5 ′.  
         [0093]     Innermost segment  6 , (see upper part of  FIG. 4 ), elastic strands  18 , and liner sheet  22  are bonded together as segment assembly  6 .  
         [0094]     In  FIG. 4 , segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ are bonded together in the overlap area the of rear panel with a selected adhesive pattern within an area bounded by  12 , 12 ′ (see  FIG. 3 ). Facing surfaces  13  of innermost segment  6  and liner sheet  21  of segment assembly  5 ′ are not bonded and define the front panel opening  14 .  
         [0095]     In  FIG. 4 , components and attachments (moving upward) include; bonding  29 —outermost segment  5  to lower substrate  24 , bonding  30 —lower substrate  24  to pad  115 ′, bonding  31 —top of pad to upper substrate  23 , bonding  32 —substrate  23  to substrate  24 , bonding  33 —liner  21  to upper substrate  23 , segment periphery bonding  25 ′—liner  21  to outermost segment  5  for segment assembly  5 ′, segment periphery bonding  25 —liner  22  to innermost segment  6  for segment assembly  6 ′ and bonding— 12 ,  12 ′ between segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ in the rear panel. The absence of bonding between facing surfaces  13  of segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ defines the front opening  14 .  
         [0096]     Pad assembly  115  includes upper impervious substrate  23  with perforations in area  23 ′ to make it pervious, and an impervious substrate  24  below pad  115 ′ to provide a leakproof container with end seals  27  and side seals  28  (not shown).  
         [0097]     For side seals see  FIGS. 5, 6 . In  FIG. 4 , top substrate  23  and bottom substrate  24  are bonded together at  32  to complete end seals  27 ,  27 .′ 
         [0098]     At the bottom of  FIG. 4 , distal edges of V-folded strip  26  enclose segment  5 .  
         [0099]     In  FIG. 4 , side tape  19  is attached to segment  6 , and side tape  19 ; is attached to segment  5 . Front closure tape  20  is attached to the front panel of outermost segment  5  and connects the segments together by attachment to landing area R 2  on segment  6  (see  FIG. 1 )  
         [0100]     In  FIG. 5  of embodiment 1, side seals  28 ,  28 ′ and end seals  27 ,  27 ′ (see  FIG. 4 ) complete pad assembly  115  including pad  115 ′ with a portion of upper substrate  23  having a pervious portion  23 ″.  
         [0101]     Elastic strands  18 ′ are attached to segment  5  adjacent a cutout margin, Elastic strands  18  are also attached to segment  6  (see upper left).  
         [0102]     In  FIG. 5 , Segment assembly  5 ′ includes segment  5 , V-folded strip  26 , pad assembly  115 , and liner  21 . Segment assembly  6 ′ includes segment  6  and liner  22 .  
         [0103]     In  FIG. 5 , the absence of bonding between overlapped segment assemblies in the front panel defines front opening  14 .  
         [0104]     In  FIG. 5 , components and bonding  29 - 33  secure substrates  23 ,  24  to pad  115 ′, pad assembly  115  to segment  5 , elastic strands  18 ′, V-folded strip  26 , and edge bond  25 ′ for liner  21  to segment  5  to complete assembly  5 ′.  
         [0105]     In  FIG. 5 , upper assembly  6 ′, bonding includes elastic strands  18 , and bonding  25  for liner  22  to segment  6 . Liners  22  is pervious and bonded to segment  6  along  25 .  
         [0106]     In  FIG. 5  side margin tape  19  on segment  6  and  19 ′ on segment  5  have protruding free ends with refastenable adhesive R (not shown) Front closure tape  20  has a protruding free end with refastenable adhesive R.  
         [0107]      FIG. 6  of embodiment 1 is like  FIG. 5  without the pad, substrates, V-folded strip and bonding for the pad assembly.  
         [0108]     In  FIG. 6 , Innermost segment assembly  6 ′ is the same as  6 ′ in  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 6 , with no pad between segments in the rear panel, assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ are bonded together with adhesive in the area bounded by  12 ,  12 ′.  
         [0109]     In  FIG. 7  of embodiment 1, pad assembly  115  includes impervious lower substrate  24  and impervious upper substrate  23  sealed along end margine  27 ,  27 ′ and side margins  28 ,  28 ′ to enclose pad  115 ′.  
         [0110]     Upper impervious substrate  23  has a perforated pervious area  23 ′ partially cutaway to show internal pad  115 ′. Area  23 ′ is spaced from end margins  16 , 16 ′ and side margin  17 , 17 ′ to prevent leakage at pad margins.  
         [0111]     Embodiment 2 described in  FIGS. 8-12  below has the same components, bonding, etc. as embodiment 1 of  FIGS. 1-7 . Differences relate to length of pad and segment to segment bonding in the rear panel.  
         [0112]     In  FIG. 8  of embodiment 2, segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ are bonded together in the overlap area of rear panel  2 . No bonding between segments in front area  3  creates front opening  14 .  
         [0113]     In  FIG. 8 a  full length reinforcing strip  26  encloses the linear margin of outermost segment  5  in front and rear and is visible on the outermost segment assembly.  
         [0114]     Pad assembly  215  is between segments and attached to the inside of segment  5 .  
         [0115]     In  FIG. 8 , side margin tapes  19 ,  19 ′ with free ends are attached to release coated landing areas described above. Front closure tape  20  has a protruding free end with refastenable adhesive R for attachment to release coated landing area R 2  on the front of segment  6 .  
         [0116]     In  FIG. 9  of embodiment 2, portions of liner sheets  21 ,  22  are cutaway.  
         [0117]     Innermost segment  6  is cutaway in two areas. The upper cutaway shows a portion of the top perforated portion  23 ′ of pad assembly  215 . The The lower cutaway of  23 ′ shows the top surface of internal pad  215 ′.  
         [0118]     Elastic strands  18  are adjacent the crotch area of cutout margin  34  of segment  6 . Elastic strands  18 ′ are adjacent the crotch area of cutout margin  35  of segment  5 .  
         [0119]     In  FIG. 9 , duplicate elements described in  FIG. 1  above include segments  5 ,  6 , elastic strands  18 ,  18 ′, V-folded strip  26 , liners  21 ,  22 , segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ and a pad asembly  215  located between segments and attached to outermost segment  5 .  
         [0120]     Elastic side margin tapes  19 ,  19 ′ are attached to rear panel  2  of segments  6 , 5  respectively, and have adhesive coated free ends R for attachment to release coated landing areas R 1 , R 1 ′ on the front panel.  
         [0121]     In  FIG. 9 , an elastic central front closure tape  20  on segment  5  has a refastenable free end R (not shown) for attachment to release coated landing area R 2  on the front panel of segment  6  to complete the front closure and waist opening.  
         [0122]     In  FIG. 9 , end seal areas  27 ,  27 ′ of pad assembly  215  are spaced from garment end margins  7 ,  8 , to permit direct sealing of liners  21 ,  22  along peripheral margins  25 ,  25 ′ of segments  6 ,  5 .  
         [0123]     Side seals  28 ,  28 ′ are located in the central overlap area  9 .  
         [0124]     Pad assembly  215  has internal pad  215 ′ enclosed by lower impervious substrate  24  and upper imperevious substrate  23  having a pervious perforated area  23 ′ in the central area. Perforated area  23 ′ is spaced from pad ends  16 , 16 ′ and sides  17 ,  17 ′ to provide a leakproof “pouch” around the perimeter of pad  215 ′.(similar to  FIG. 7 )  
         [0125]     In the rear panel overlap area  9  of  FIG. 9 , the upper the surface of liner  21  is bonded in area  12 ,  12 ′ to the rear panel area of segment  6  to form a unitary rear panel. (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0126]      FIG. 10  of embodiment  2  is a side elevation with details like  FIG. 4  except that pad  115 ′ is replaced by full length pad  215 ′.  
         [0127]     In  FIG. 10 , duplicate components described in  FIGS. 1,4  and  9  include segnents  5 ,  6 , elastic strands  18 ,  18 ′, V-folded strip  26  on margin  11 , liner sheets  21 ,  22  and the enclosed full length pad assembly  215  with an internal pad  215 ′ located between segments and attached to outermost segment  5 .  
         [0128]     In  FIG. 10 , bonding between components is described in  FIG. 4  including adhesives  29 - 33 , liner to segments  25 ,  25 ; and the rear panel bonding in the overlap area bounded by  12 , 12 ′. Segments are not bonded on facing surfaces  13  of the front panel to define opening  14 .  
         [0129]     Liners are bonded to segment peripheries at  25 ,  25 ′ as described above.  
         [0130]     In  FIG. 10 , bottom substrate  24  and top substrate  23  with pervious portion  23 ′ extend toward and are spaced from pad end margins  16 , 16 ′ (see  FIG. 9 ) to enclose pad  215 ′. End seals  27 ,  27 ′ extend from rear end margin  7  to front end margin  8 .  
         [0131]     Pad  215 ′ is attached to segment  5  and enclosed by liner  21  to define segment assembly  5 ′. Segment assembly  6 ′ includes segment  6 , elastic strands  18 , and liner  22 .  
         [0132]     In  FIG. 10 , after folding for use, side margin tape  19 ′ connects segment  5  front and rear panels at the side. Tape  19  connects front and rear panels of segment  6  together at the side.  
         [0133]     Front closure tape  20  attached to segment  5  protrudes and attaches to the front of segment  6  to close the front opening  14 .  
         [0134]      FIG. 11  of embodiment 2 is a simplified end view of the garment of  FIG. 9  (see similar end view of  FIG. 5  for detail) The lower assembly includes segment  5 , pad  215 ′ attached as at  29  to segment  5  forming assembly  5 ′ (liner  21 , V-folded strip  26 , and elastics omitted). Side tape  19 ′ connects front and rear panels together at the side margin and front closure tape  20  attached to segment  5  connects to segment  6  to close the front opening  14 .  
         [0135]     In  FIG. 11 , the upper assembly includes segment  6  and tape  19  to form assembly  6 ′ (liner  22  and elastic strands omitted) As described above, bonding between segment assemblies defines front opening  14 .  
         [0136]     In  FIG. 12  of embodiment  2 , details are as described for  FIG. 6 .  
         [0137]     In  FIG. 12 , basic components for the lower assembly  5 ′ incude segment  5 , pad  215 ′ attached at  29 , and side tape  19 ′ (liner and elastic strands omitted). The upper assembly  6 ′ includes side tape  19  (liner and elastic strands omitted). Tape  20  is not shown in the rear panel view of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0138]     In  FIG. 12 , assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ are bonded together in the rear panel overlap area as at at  12 ′ to form a unitary rear panel with a full length pad  215 ′ attached to segment  5  and between segments  5 ′,  6 ′.  
         [0139]     In  FIG. 13A  of embodiment 3, pad assembly  316  (shown dashed) is attached to innermost segment  6  with liner  22  superposed on top and bonded along peripheral margin  25  (see  FIG. 14 ) to form segment assembly  6 ′.  
         [0140]     Pad assembly  316  end seals  27 ,  27 ′ and side seals  28 ,  28 ′ are spaced a distance  25  from rear margin  7  and front margin  6  and from segment side margins  34 ,  35 .  
         [0141]     A cutaway of inside liner  22  shows the perforated pervious portion  623 ′ of top substrate  623  in pas assembly  316 .  
         [0142]     Stretched elastic strands  18 , are attached at spaced intervals adjacent cutout margins  34 .  
         [0143]     In  FIG. 13B  pad assembly  315  (shown dashed) is attached to outermost segment  5  with liner  21  superposed on top and bonded along margin  25 ′ (see  FIG. 14 ) to form segment assembly  5 ′.  
         [0144]     Pad assembly  315  end seals  27 ,  27 ′ and side seals  28 , 28 ; are spaced a distance  25  from rear margin  7 , front margin  8 , and from side margins  11  and  35 .  
         [0145]     A cutaway of liner  21  shows pervious area  523 ′ in the central overlap area but extends into selected “wing” areas  39  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Substrate perforations  523 ′ are spaced from pad end  16 , 16 ′ and side  17 , 17 ′ margins to provide impervious upper and lower substrates inward from pad margins.  
         [0146]     Stretched elastic strands  18 ′ are attached at spaced intervals along crotch margin  35 .  
         [0147]     In  FIG. 13B , the V-folded strip  26  along margin  11 ′ is not shown.  
         [0148]     In the overlap area of the rear panel, segments  5 ′,  6 ′ are bonded within area  12 ,  12 ′ (see  FIG. 14 ) for a unitary rear panel. Adhesive on peripheral area  25  bonds liner  21  to segment  5 .  
         [0149]     In  FIG. 13C  of embodiment 3, stretched elastic strands  18 ,  18 ′ adjacent cutout margins  34 ,  35  in the crotch area are attached at spaced intervals to segments  5 ,  6 .  
         [0150]     In  FIG. 13C , pad wing extensions  39  increase the width of cooperating pad assemblies  315 ,  316 , segments  5 ,  6 , and width of the assembled garment.  
         [0151]     Adhesive within area  12 ,  12 ′ (see  FIG. 14 ) bonds the segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ together in the rear panel without affecting the front opening  14 .  
         [0152]     In  FIG. 13C  of embodiment 3, outermost pad assembly  315  on segment  5  is partially overlapped an amount  9  and covered by pad assembly  316  on segment  6 .  
         [0153]     Margin seals  28 ′,  28 ′, end seals  27 ,  27 ′ and seals adjacent linear margins  11 ,  11 ′ (see  FIG. 14 ) of pad asemblies  315 ,  316  are spaced a distance  25  from segment cutout margins  34 ,  35 , and linear side margins and end margins  7 ,  8 .  
         [0154]     Space  25  on  6  and  25 ′ on segment  5  are adhesively bonded to liners  21 ,  22 .  
         [0155]     In  FIG. 14  of embodiment  3 , liner  22  is partially cutaway to show a portion of the perforated pervious upper substrate  623 ′ which extends toward and is spaced from pad end margins  16 , 16 ′ and side margins  17 ,  17 ′ including selected portions of wing areas  39 ,  39 ′ of assembly  316 .  
         [0156]     Impervious portions of upper substrate  623  and underlying portions of impervious substrate  624  surround margins of three pads to provide a perimeter With two superposed pads, prefix  6  is added for pad substrates in  316 , prefix  5  is added for pad assembly  315 .  
         [0157]     Non-perforated areas of upper substrate  623  are impervious and are bonded together with lower substrate  624  in end seals  27 ,  27 ′ and side seals  28 ,  28 ′ to form C-shaped impervious margin around pad  316 ′. The perforated portions extend into selected areas of wings  39 .  
         [0158]     See  FIG. 15  for detail of upper superposed pad  316 ′ includes a pervious portion in lower subsrtrate  614  for fluid transmission to the lower pad  315 ′. The upper substrate in pad assembly  315  has a pervious area  523 ′ and an impervious lower substrate to prevent leakage from the bottom.  
         [0159]     Returning to  FIG. 14 , side tapes  19 ,  19 ′ have free ends R for attachment at landing areas R 1 . Front closure tape  20  has free end R for landing area R 2 .  
         [0160]     Stretched elastic strands  18 ,  18 ′ are attached adjacent margins  34 ,  35  of segments  5 ,  6 . Segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ are bonded together in the rear panel overlap area by adhesive  12 ,  12 ′ (see  FIG. 15 ) In  FIG. 14 , segment cutout margins  34 ,  35  have margin adhesive  25  for attaching liners  21 ,  22 . The outline of pad end and side seals for pad assemblies  315 ,  316  are spaced from the segment cutout margins  34 ,  35 , end margin  7 , linear margins  11 , 11 ′ to provide space for peripheral adhesive  25 .  
         [0161]     In  FIG. 14  with a linear margin of segment assembly  6 ′ partially cutaway, the linear adhesive space  25 , pad side seal  28  and upper substrate of pad assembly  316  is seen. On the left hand side of  FIG. 14 , space  25  is between the side cutout margin  34  and pad cutout margin  37 .  
         [0162]     On outermost segment assembly  5 ′, space  25 ′ is between segment cutout margin  35  and pad assembly cutout margin  38 .  
         [0163]     In  FIG. 15  of embodiment  3 , innermost segment assembly  6 ′ includes segment  6 , internal pad  316 ′ enclosed by substrates  623 ,  624  sealed along end edges (not shown) and side seals  28 ,  28  as at  32 .  
         [0164]     In  FIG. 15 , segments  5 ,  6  are sealed to liners  21 ,  22  with adhesvie  25  along margins that protrude beyond pad seals  27 ,  28 .  
         [0165]     In  FIG. 15 , upper pad  316 ′ is enclosed with substrate  623  having pervious area  623 ′ which extends toward and is spaced from end margins  16 ,  16 ′ and side margins  17 ,  17 ′ including selected portions of wing areas  39 .  
         [0166]     Below pad  316 , substrate  624  has a pervious area  624 ′ to allow fluid transmission to the lower coacting pad  315 ′. Lower pad  315 ′ is enclosed with an upper impervious substrate  523  having a pervious area  523 ′. Below pad  315 ′, substrate  524  is impervious to retain fluids inside the pad assembly.  
         [0167]     Pads  315 ′,  316 ′ are spaced from ends  7 , 8 , side margins  34 ,  35 , and linear margins  11 ,  11 ′ (shown in  FIG. 14 ) to bond end seals  27 ,  27 ′ and side seals  28 ,  28 ′ and provide space between the seals and margins pf segments  5 ,  6  for bonding the liners  21 ,  22  along margin  25 .  
         [0168]     In  FIG. 15 , adhesive between end and side boundaries  12 ,  12 ′ bond segment assemblies  5 ′,  6 ′ together in the rear panel area. Assemblies are not bonded together in the front panel to create an opening.  
         [0169]     In  FIG. 15 , components include elastic strands  18 , 18 ′, V-folded strip  26 , and bonding  32  of perimeter seals  27 ,  28 .  
         [0170]     In  FIG. 16  of embodiment 4, the garment assembly includes two segment assemblies  5 ,  6  bonded in the rear panel overlap area like the garment in embodiment 3 in combination with a support panel  40  attached to innermost sergment assembly  6 ′ along end margins of the support panel at  41 ,  42 , and suspended from rear  7  and front  8  end margins of the innermost segment assemby  6 ′.  
         [0171]     In  FIG. 16  with liner  22  removed, only a portion of pervious area  623 ′ of top substrate  623  is shown for clarity. Pervious area  623 ′ extends toward and is spaced from pad end margins  16  (top left) and pad side margins  17  (bottom right) including selected portions of wings  39  (see  FIG. 14 ).  
         [0172]     In  FIG. 16 , pad  415  is supported by cutaway panel  40  to show pervious portion  623 ′ and spacing from the pad end margin  16 .  
         [0173]     In  FIG. 16 , segment assembly  5 ′ includes segment  5  with V-folded strip  26  (not shown) along linear segment margin  11 ′, attached pad assembly  315 , with wings  39 , and inside facing liner  21  (not shown) Each pad assembly  5 ′,  6 ′, includes an upper substrate  523 ,  623 , with pervious portions  523 ′,  623 ′ extending toward side margins, an enclosed absorbent pads  315 ′,  316 ′, sealed between end seals  27 ,  27 ′ and side seals  28 ,  28 ′. Pad assemblies  315 ,  316  are contained between a segment and a liner sheet (not shown in  FIG. 16 ) bonded together with adhesive in peripheral area  25 ,  25 ′.  
         [0174]     In  FIG. 16 , adhesive area  25 ′ for segment  5  is between segment cutout margin  35  and pad cutout margin  38 . The adhesive area  25  for segment  6  is between the segment cutout margin  34  and pad cutout margin  37  the peripheral adhesive area  25  is along cutout. Margin area  25  is the same width around the outline of the segment.  
         [0175]     In  FIG. 16 , the same description applies to mirror-image innermost segment  6 , segment assembly  6 ′, pad assembly  316 , adhesive area  25 , liner  22  (not shown), elastic strands  18 , and tape  19 . Outermost segment assembly %′ includes a V-folded strip  26  and elastic strands  18 ′.  
         [0176]     The same description applies to outermost segment  6 , segment assembly  6 ′ pad assembly  316 , and liner  22  (not shown).  
         [0177]     Side margin tapes  19 ,  19 ′, free ends R, landing areas R 1 , front closure tape  20 , free end R, and landing area R 2  are described above.  
         [0178]     In the support panel  40  of  FIG. 16 , elastic strands  43  applied in a stretched condition at spaced intervals to side margins of panel  40  contract when the garment is folded along line F-F and form a concave pocket for pad  415 .  
         [0179]     In  FIG. 17  of embodiment 4, outermost segment  5  with attached pad assembly  315  is bonded at  12  in the rear panel area to innermost segment  6  and attached pad assembly  316 .  
         [0180]     In  FIG. 17 , elastic strands,  18 ′ (shown dashed) are attached to segments  5 , at spaced intervals and contract segment side margins to form a shirred leg opening with cuffs when the garment is folded in half along line F-F of  FIG. 16  (F-F shown vertical in  FIG. 17 ).  
         [0181]     In  FIG. 17 , support panel  40  is attached at  41  to the rear panel and  42  to the inside panel of innermost segment  6 . Panel  40  has stretched elastic strands  43  attached to side margins and when folded along F-F forms shirred cuffs  44 .  
         [0182]     In  FIG. 17 , segments  5 ,  6  each with an attached pad assembly  315 ,  316  and inside liners  21 ,  22  (nor shown) are bonded together in the rear panel by adhesive  12 , and are not interconnected in the front and form front panel opening  14 . Pad assembly  315  includes a V-strip along a linear margin and is attached to outermost segment  5  with adhesive  29  with side tape  19 ′ shown dashed), and a front closure tape  20  with a refastenable free end R.  
         [0183]     Pad  316  is attached to segment  6  at  29 ′ before being bonded to assembly  5 ′ by  12  in the rear panel.  
         [0184]     In  FIG. 18  of embodiment 4, the garment includes pads  315 ′ in cooperation with pad  316 ′, and the support panel  40  with pad  415 . Other components are as described above. Panel  40  contracts and is spaced from innermost segment assembly  6 ′ when folded for use.  
         [0185]     The garment of  FIG. 18  has attached side tapes  19 ,  19 ′ and front closure tape  20  with refastenable end R attaches to the outside front panel area R 2  (not shown) on inner segment  6 . (not shown) of segment  6  to close opening  14 .  
         [0186]     With the front panel closed, a supplemental pad  45  with protruding tab  46  is inserted between segments  5 ,  6  for removal.  
         [0187]      FIG. 19  shows location of inserted pad  45  in a completed garment (shown as dashed lines).  
         [0188]     In  FIG. 19 , inserted, supplemental pad  45  with tab  46  has adhesive R on the inside surface facing segment  6  is attached to release coated landing area R 3 . Pad  45  has a peripgeral adhesive area  48  for adding an iinside liner (not shown).  
         [0189]     In  FIG. 20A , of embodiment  5 , support panel  40  is attached along the rear margin  41  and along the front margin  42  of innermost segment  6 . Stretched elastic strands  43  are attached at spaced intervals along side margins of  40 . Support panel  40  has an aperture  49  in the upper front panel area. Stretched elastic strand  18  is attached at intervals along the cutout margin of segment  6 .  
         [0190]     In  FIG. 20B , innermost segment  6  with support panel  40  omitted has aperture  50  in the central upper front panel area of segment  6 . The solid line between support panel aperture  49  and segment aperture  50  is a path for a catheter tube (not shown). Apertire  51  in underlying segment  5  si shown dashed. Elastics strands o segment  6  are described above.  
         [0191]     In  FIG. 20C , outermost segment  5  has stretched elastic strands  18 ′ along a cutout margin, a pad  515  bonded to the central overlap area in the front panel area  3 , and an area of adhesive applied as at  12  in the rear panel area  2 , Aperture  51  in segment  5  is adjacent the rear end of pad  515  and allows the catheter tube to exit the garment.  
         [0192]     In  FIG. 20D , Segments  5 ,  6  are attached at  12  (see  FIG. 20C ) and assembled with support panel  40 . Panel  40  has side elastic strands  43  to form a contoured support. Both segment  5 ,  6  have side elastic strands  18 ,  18 ′ that form cuffed leg openings when the garment is folded and tapes  19 ,  19 ′ are attached.  
         [0193]     In  FIG. 20A-20D  side tapes and front closure tape  20  have refastenable ends R and are attached to landing areas R 1 , R 2  as described above.  
         [0194]     In  FIG. 21  of embodiment 5, the garment cross section is viewed along line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20D  and is shown folded for use. Assembly, bonding  41 ,  42 ,  1   n   2   12  between components, apertures, elastics  43  and tapes are as described above.  
         [0195]     Apertures in components of the completed garment define a catheter path through aperture  49  in support panel  40 , through aperture  50  in segment  6 , between segment  6  and the surface of pad  515 , advancing rearward on the inside surface of pad  515 , and passing through aperture  51  in outermost segment  5  to exit the garment.  
         [0196]     In  FIG. 20B , note pad  515  attached to segment  5  along one side margin only (solid dots) If preferred the catheter is threaded to advance between pad  515  and outermost segment  5  before exiting through aperture  51 .