Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20020099352?dq=oakley+5,387,949
Timestamp: 2017-03-28 05:24:57
Document Index: 341889670

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 28', 'art 29', 'art 30', 'art 29', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 29', 'art 29', 'art 28', 'art 31']

Patent US20020099352 - Mechanical tape fastening system for disposable absorbent articles - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA disposable absorbent article, such as an baby diaper, comprising a first end portion (1) and a second end portion (2), and an intermediate crotch portion (3), said portions comprising an inner layer (4), which is turned towards the user during use. The article is formed in the area of the second end...http://www.google.com/patents/US20020099352?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20020099352 - Mechanical tape fastening system for disposable absorbent articlesAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS20020099352 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/044,904Publication dateJul 25, 2002Filing dateJan 15, 2002Priority dateJan 22, 2001Also published asUS6923798Publication number044904, 10044904, US 2002/0099352 A1, US 2002/099352 A1, US 20020099352 A1, US 20020099352A1, US 2002099352 A1, US 2002099352A1, US-A1-20020099352, US-A1-2002099352, US2002/0099352A1, US2002/099352A1, US20020099352 A1, US20020099352A1, US2002099352 A1, US2002099352A1InventorsAnna Heden, Robert Kling, Monica ForgarOriginal AssigneeAnna Heden, Robert Kling, Monica ForgarExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (12), Referenced by (26), Classifications (9), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMechanical tape fastening system for disposable absorbent articles
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0031] The baby diaper illustrated in the drawing is hourglass-shaped, including a first end portion 1, a second end portion 2, and an intermediate crotch portion 3. The diaper comprises an inner layer 4 consisting of a longitudinally extending middle portion 5, the central area of which is liquid-permeable and which consists of e.g. a fibre cloth, a so-called non-woven fabric, and two longitudinally extending lateral edge portions 6, 7, which preferably are liquidimpermeable or hydrophobic. The middle portion 5 is connected to the lateral edge portions 6, 7 by means of interconnecting lines 8, 9 and 10, 11, 12, 13, said interconnecting lines preferably being in the form of ultrasonic welds. The lateral portions 6, 7 may consists of a non-woven fabric that has been treated to make it hydrophobic, or else it could consist of some other liquid-impermeable material known to the expert. The inner layer comprised of said portions is joined at least along its lateral and end edges to an external layer 14, which in the present case is formed in one piece from a liquid-impermeable material, such as a laminated product of polyethylene and a thin outer layer of a fibre cloth. [0032] Along the edges of the crotch portion 3, the diaper is provided with leg-abutting elastic means 15, 16. The lateral portions 6, 7 overlap the middle portion somewhat laterally, forming inner barriers 17, 18 serving to prevent urine and faeces from spreading sideways in the diaper in the direction towards the diaper edges. The barriers 17, 18 are provided at their inner edges with pre-stressed elastic bands or threads 19, 20, which extend essentially along the crotch area of the diaper and which are arranged, when the diaper is in use, to make the barriers stand up from the inner layer. In the end portions of the diaper, the barriers are kept in a position of abutment against the middle portion 5 by means of the interconnecting lines 10-13. An absorbent body 21 is enclosed between the outer layer 14 and the inner layer 4. In accordance with the shown embodiment, the absorbent body 21 widens somewhat in the area of the first end portion 1, the front portion, and has a softly rounded configuration in the opposite end portion, the rear portion 2 of the diaper. The absorbent body 21 could consist for instance of cellulose fluff having mixed thereinto high absorbent materials in the form of particles or fibres. [0033] At the rear portion 2 of the diaper, a pre-stressed elastic waistband 22 is provided between the outer and inner diaper layers. [0034] At the two opposite lateral portions 23, 24, viz. the corner portions of the rear diaper portion 2, the diaper is provided with mechanical tape fasteners 25, 26, which are permanently joined to the inner layer 4 by means of a producer's bonding face. At the opposite end portion 1 of the diaper, viz. the front portion, a bonding face, complementary to the mechanical tape fasteners, is arranged on the external face of the outer layer 14, as most clearly apparent from FIG. 2. This bonding face is formed by an elongate band 27, serving as one of the parts of a fastening of the kind known as a hook-and-loop fastener, the other part of which is formed by a user's bonding face on the tape fasteners as will be described in closer detail in the following. The material of the elongate band 27 is formed with apertures, loops or fibre filaments for co-operation with hooks formed on the tape fastener. Examples of suitable materials for the elongate band are described in the above-mentioned patent specification EP-A1-0 324 578. [0035] [0035]FIG. 3 illustrates a mechanical tape fastener 25 as attached in its storage position to the inner layer of the corner portion 23. The tape fastener is pre-fabricated and is applied in folded condition, the single fold 38 forming the laterally outermost end edge of the tape fastener. Between the fold 38 or end edge and an edge 40, the fastener is formed with a producer's bonding face 28, see FIG. 5, which is coated with an adhesive 39 for permanent anchorage of the tape fastener in the process of manufacture of the baby diaper. In accordance with the shown embodiment, the tape fastener comprises a support strip comprising three layers, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. The support strip essentially has three sub-parts, which are most clearly apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5. One sub-part is formed by the producer's bonding part 28 that extends between the fold 38 and the edge 40. In addition, there is a middle part 29 and a distal part 30. One of the parts of a hook-and-loop fastener is applied on that latter part, said part being a strip formed with a users' bonding face 31 in the form of hooks or the like, said hooks projecting from the strip and, upon use of the hook-and-loop fastener as the diaper is being put on about the waist of the user, being anchored in the elongate band 27 that forms the other part of the hook-and-loop fastener. Examples of a mechanical tape-attachment part formed with hooks or the like to form said users' bonding face 31 are shown in the previously mentioned Patent Specification EP-A1-0 324 578. [0036] In its storage condition, the tape fastener 25 is folded as shown in FIG. 3, and in this condition the middle part 29 is joined to the producer's part 28 by means of a bond in the form of thermal or ultrasonic welds. FIG. 3 shows this bond 32 in the form of a pattern of linear welds. The advantage of this type of bond is that no additional material in the form of glue or release-agent coatings and associated support strips are needed. In the storage condition, the users' bonding face 31 including the hooks and similar means thereon is protected by the support strip of the tape fastener and there is no risk for unintentional hook-on of the bonding face before the bond 32 is broken. The inner layer of a baby diaper usually has a textile-like open fibrous face to which the bonding face 31 of the mechanical tape fastener adheres somewhat, and in the storage condition, the bonding face 31 adheres weakly to the inner diaper layer at the corner portion 23. The outer edge portion 33 externally of the bonding face 31 could alternatively be provided with a pressure-sensitive bonding agent (not shown), serving both to bind the distal part of the tape fastener stronger to the inner layer of the diaper in the storage condition of the latter and to seal the used diaper such that a package is formed enclosing urine and faeces inside the diaper. [0037] The support strip of the tape fastener 25 is a three-ply strip as appears from FIG. 5. An intermediate ply 34 in the form of an elastic film, which is elastically stretchable when exposed to stress in conjunction with the putting-on of the diaper and as the infant moves. Stress normally occurring in conjunction with the putting-on of the diaper is in the order to 200-2000 g, the stress being higher on the tape fastener that is secured the last compared with that on the tape fastener that is secured first. Stress load arising during use of the diaper as a result of the movements of the infant is in the order of 100-500 g, possibly somewhat higher in the case of chubby infants. [0038] In accordance with the shown embodiment, a ply 35 of a non-woven fabric is laminated together with the elastic film. The non-woven ply follows the movements of the elastic film. The strip formed with the mechanical bonding face of the tape is joined to said non-woven ply 35 by means of a bonding agent 36. A ply 37 of a non-elastic fabric is attached to the opposite face of the elastic film 34. By non-elastic as used in this case is to be understood that the ply 37 does not stretch when subjected to the stress to which the tape fastener is exposed during use of the diaper. Along the producer's bonding part 28 and along the distal part, the non-elastic non-woven ply is joined to the elastic film, with the result that the elastic capacity of the latter is lost in these areas. In the middle part 29, however, the non-elastic non-woven ply is corrugated and joined to the elastic film at spaced-apart points only, as shown in FIG. 5. Consequently, the middle part of the tape fastener is elastically stretchable from the position of FIG. 5 to the completely extended position, wherein the corrugations of the non-elastic non-woven ply are completely straightened-out. FIG. 5 shows part pieces of the inner layer 4 and the external layer 14 of the diaper as well as a coat 39 of an adhesive coating, viz. the producer's bonding face, disposed between the tape fastener and the inner ply. [0039] The bond 32 between the middle part 29 of the tape fastener and the producer's bonding part 28 should be of a magnitude ensuring reliable attachment of the mechanical tape fastener to the diaper in the folded tape-fastener position while at the same the bond should not be difficult to break for the person that is about to put on the diaper. Research has shown that the bond is too weak when forces below 0.2 N are sufficient to unfasten a strip having a width of 40 mm, whereas the bond is difficult to break, when forces above about 2.0 N are required to unfasten a strip having a width of 40 mm. Thus, the bond functions satisfactorily, when a force in the range of from 0.2 to 2.0 is required to break the bond on a strip having a width of 40 mm. Preferably, the required force to break the bond should range from 0.5 to 1.5 N for a strip having a width of 40 mm. [0040] The measurement method for determination of the force necessary to break the bond will be described in the following. [0041] Testing method for measurement of lamination strength: [0042] The object of this method is to determine the mean value of the force necessary to separate from one another two different sheets of a laminate. This method is applicable to laminates comprising two or several sheets that are joined together by gluing, thermo-bonding or welding. [0043] Principle [0044] Separate the sheets and attach the individual sheets in a tensile strength tester and hold the non-separate part in a manner ensuring that delamination takes place at an angle of 90°. [0045] Test the material in the transverse and the machine directions. [0046] Equipment: [0047] Tensile strength tester [0048] Printer with plotter function [0049] Punching or cutting equipment [0050] Preparation of specimens: [0051] Cut or punch specimens of 25×200 mm, five in the transverse direction and five in the machine direction. The strips should be evenly distributed over the entire specimen. [0052] Condition the specimens for 4-48 hours at an air humidity level of 50±5% and at 23±2° C. [0053] Wet specimens: Put the test strips in a sealable plastic bag. Pour de-ionised water into the bag and seal it. Leave it in a climate-controlled space for 4 hours. Do not wet more test strips at a time than can be delaminated within 30 minutes. In this manner, all test strips will have a “wet time” of between 4 and 4.5 hours. [0054] Procedure: [0055] Prepare the tensile-strength tester in accordance with the apparatus instructions [0056] Length of clip 50 mm [0057] Pulling speed 300 mm/min [0058] Speed of paper 300 mm/min [0059] Calibrate the tensile-strength tester [0060] Separate the sheets at one end of the test strip [0061] Attach the edges in the clips [0062] Support the laminated part of the specimen with one hand, loosely and at right angles to the laminated part, during the testing process Note the force during displacement of the draw-head over 250 mm, i.e. during delamination of a length of 125 mm [0063] In the case of glued laminates: Note when the delamination occurs and note the respective separation codes in accordance with the separation-code key shown in FIG. 6 [0064] Perform five acceptable tests in the cross-machine direction and five in the machine direction [0065] Calculate and note the results: [0066] Calculate the mean force (N/25 mm) and the mean peak value (N/25 mm) of the movement of the draw-head from 10 mm to 210 mm. [0067] The report is to include: [0068] The number of test strips/specimens [0069] Mean value of the mean delamination force in the transverse direction and in the machine direction [0070] Mean value of maximum values [0071] Mean value of minimum values [0072] Standard deviation [0073] Specification of separation code list (Example: 2 A1+3B) [0074] Accuracy: 0.01 N [0075] Reference: ASTM D 1876-72 [0076] The mechanical tape fastener 25, 26 in accordance with the present invention is attached in folded condition to the inner face of the inner layer 4. The manufacturing process may therefore be performed in a simpler and more reliable manner than in the case of the prior art solutions, such as a solution involving Y-tapes. As mentioned above, all folding steps with regard to the mechanical tape fasteners for the article, in accordance with the present invention may be performed at a considerable lower speed than at the high web velocities found in modern machines for rational and competitive production of disposable absorbent articles, such as baby diapers. [0077] The manufacturing of the mechanical tape fasteners in accordance with the present invention can be performed at such a first, lower speed which is only about 5-30% of a second, higher speed at which the diapers are produced. [0078] The process for manufacturing mechanical tape fasteners includes the following steps.: [0079] A. A carrier web, for instance of a three-ply configuration as has been described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, i.e. an intermediate ply in the form of an elastic film, a non-woven ply and a non-elastic ply of a non-woven, is supplied to a manufacturing line for the mechanical tape fasteners. [0080] B. A longitudinal edge part of the carrier web is folded over itself. [0081] C. The folded edge part is attached to the unfolded part by means of a weak, breakable bond, preferably in the form of thermal or ultrasonic welds. The bond can be in the form of a pattern of linear welds or spaced apart dots. The bonds can represent a part of a pattern or be randomly distributed. [0082] D. In case two rows of carrier webs are formed out of the same base material the carrier web is divided. [0083] E. Diaper user attachment means in the form of a web with projecting hooks, intended to form one part of a hook-and-loop fastener are joined to the unfolded parts. [0084] F. Diaper manufacturer attachment means, in the form of glue are joined to the folded part of the carrier web so that both user and manufacturer attachment means are facing at the same direction. [0085] G. Diaper fastening tabs are formed by cutting the tab carrier material perpendicular to the travelling direction. [0086] H. The diaper fastening tabs, which have been formed at a first low speed, are accelerated from the first, low speed to a second, higher speed, corresponding to the manufacturing speed of the diapers. [0087] I. The diaper fastening tabs are attached at said second, higher speed to the upward facing side of the diaper material web forming the inner layer of the diapers. [0088] An attached diaper fastening tab is shown in FIG. 3. The outer edge portion 33 externally of the fastening part 31 could possibly be provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive (not shown) when the fastening part with hooks are fastened to the carrier web in step E above. [0089] The invention is not limited to the examples described above but several modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. [0090] The elastic tape fastener may comprise several folds when in its storage condition. This may be appropriate if longer tape fasteners are desired, for example when it is desirable to give the diaper itself a more narrow shape. It is, however essential that the number of folds is an odd number to allow the tape fasteners to be attached permanently to the inner layer and by means of the mechanical tape bonding face be joined to the complementary bonding face on the outer face of the outer layer. [0091] The tape fastener naturally need not be designed with three plies. The internal non-woven ply 35, for instance, may be dispensed with. [0092] In addition, also the corrugated non-woven ply may be eliminated. One example of a suitable material of this kind is an elastic film marketed by Tredegar under the name Fabriflex 106D. [0093] The tape fastener need not either include an elastic part. A suitable non-elastic alternative is a spunbond non-woven product having a weight per unit of 40-100 g/m2 marketed by Pegas [0094] The above description has been made with reference to a baby diaper. However, the present invention embraces also adults' diapers and other sanitary disposable absorbent articles that may be attached about the waist of the wearer, such as women's sanitary diaperss. The width of the mechanical tape fastener may be in the order of 40 mm. If longer tape fasteners are desired, the width may be increased for more stability. The width of the tape fasteners should be in the range of 30 to 100 mm. 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propertiesUS20060004342 *Jun 30, 2004Jan 5, 2006Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Absorbent garments with tailored stretch properties in the lateral directionUS20070203470 *Apr 30, 2007Aug 30, 2007Hiroshi NakahataAbsorbent article having stretchable fastening memberUS20070256266 *Mar 19, 2007Nov 8, 2007Robert MichelsonCleaning padUS20090264850 *Jun 26, 2009Oct 22, 2009Hiroshi NakahataAbsorbent Article Having Stretchable Fastening MemberEP2835124A4 *Mar 28, 2013Dec 2, 2015Unicharm CorpDisposable diaperWO2010071507A1 *Dec 16, 2008Jun 24, 2010Sca Hygiene Products AbMethod for manufacturing belted disposable absorbent garments* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification604/387, 604/389, 604/390International ClassificationA61F13/62, A61F13/56Cooperative ClassificationA61F13/622, A61F13/5633European ClassificationA61F13/56C, A61F13/62Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJan 15, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB, SWEDENFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HEDEN, ANNA;KLING, ROBERT;FORGAR, MONICA;REEL/FRAME:012496/0689Effective date: 20011218Jan 8, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jan 18, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Jan 19, 2017FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services