Patent ID: 8231594

Claim:
An absorbent article comprising a chassis and a stretchable fastening member, the chassis extending longitudinally and laterally and comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the stretchable fastening member comprising a fixed portion permanently joined to the chassis, a distal portion provided with a fastening material and a stretchable panel positioned between the fixed portion and the distal portion, the stretchable fastening member being joined to the chassis such that the distal portion is positioned laterally outwardly from the fixed portion in the flat-out configuration of the stretchable fastening member, wherein the stretchable panel comprises a stretchable film, a nonwoven web wherein said stretchable film and said nonwoven web are disposed in a face to face relationship and at least one restriction means directly and detachably joining said stretchable film to said nonwoven web, and wherein the stretchable panel of the stretchable fastening member comprises a first stretchable zone and a second stretchable zone disposed in the lateral direction, wherein said stretchable panel exhibits a first strain curve upon application of an extension force and wherein said stretchable panel exhibits a second strain curve upon application of an extension force that is sufficient to inactivate said restriction means when said stretchable fastening member is in a flat-out configuration and to detach said stretchable film from said nonwoven web.