WO2020062132A1

WO2020062132A1 - Wearable article having disposal wrapping means

Info

Publication number: WO2020062132A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/108576
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koichi Morimoto; Kazuaki Tameishi
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2018-09-29
Filing date: 2018-09-29
Publication date: 2020-04-02
Also published as: CN110960359A; CN110960359B

Abstract

A wearable article comprises a center chassis (38), a first belt (85) and a second belt; a detachable area (330) positioned within the first belt (85) wherein the detachable area (330) comprises a detaching means to provide a disposal pocket (331) by opening the detachable area (330) , the disposal pocket (331) having a longitudinal dimension of at least about 30mm and a transverse dimension of from about 60mm to not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction; wherein the disposal pocket (331) is large enough to be flipped inside-out to tuck in the waist opening and leg openings of the article.

Description

WEARABLE ARTICLE HAVING DISPOSAL WRAPPING MEANS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wearable articles having a disposal wrapping means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants and other incontinent individuals wear absorbent articles such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other bodily exudates. Pull-on absorbent articles, or pant-type absorbent articles, are those which are donned by inserting the wearer’s legs into the leg openings and sliding the article up into position about the lower torso. Pant-type absorbent articles have become popular for use on children who are able to walk and often who are toilet training, as well as for younger children who become more active in movement such that application of taped-type absorbent articles tends to be more difficult.

Belt-type pants having a center chassis to cover the crotch region of the wearer and a separate elastic belt defining the waist opening and leg opening are known in the art, such as described in PCT Publication WO 2006/17718A. On the other hand, certain pant-type wearable articles are configured such that there is a substrate layer completely covering the entirety of the garment-facing surface of the article. Such pant-type wearable articles may be referred to as one piece-type pants. Whether the belt-type or one piece-type, such pants have an elastic belt made of a laminate of nonwoven layers and elastic bodies sandwiched therebetween.

Pant articles which do not have fastening means may be equipped with a disposal tape on the garment facing surface which enables the used pant to be wrapped around itself prior to disposal as sanitary waste. Further, the disposal tape may help distinguish front and back of the article, which may otherwise look similar. By wrapping around itself, the used article can be kept in a closed posture to avoid exposure of bodily exudates, and can be made compact. In order to endure the stretching forces that may be applied to the disposal tape upon such wrapping action, the disposal tape may be made by durable plastic material, and with a colored opening tab to signal where to open the disposal tape. All of the above characteristics of such a disposal tape has a number of disadvantages. The plastic aesthetic and tactile sense of the disposal tape may not harmonize well with the garment facing surface of the article. Further, the disposal tape may be opened prematurely by being accessible to the very young wearer or by inadvertently attaching to the inner surface of clothing. Still further, the disposal tape may add cost.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a wearable article having a disposal wrapping means, which also provides favorable tactile and aesthetic sense for the overall article. There is further a need for providing such a wearable article in an economical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising;

a center chassis and a ring-like elastic belt comprising a first belt (85) and a second belt; the center of the first belt (85) is joined to a first waist panel (55) of the center chassis, the center of the second belt is joined to a second waist panel of the center chassis, and the remainder of the center chassis is a crotch panel, the front and back belt each having a left side panel and a right side panel where the center chassis does not overlap, and the transverse edges of the first belt (85) and the second belt are joined by a seam to form a waist opening and two leg openings; wherein the first belt (85) and the second belt are discontinuous of each other in the longitudinal direction;

the center chassis comprising a liquid impermeable backsheet having a transverse dimension;

a detachable area (330) positioned along the proximal edge of the first belt (85) where the first belt (85) is joined to the first waist panel (55) , wherein the detachable area (330) comprises a detaching means to provide a disposal pocket (331) by opening the detachable area (330) with an Opening Force of no more than about 3N according to measurements herein, the disposal pocket (331) having a longitudinal dimension of at least about 30mm and a transverse dimension of from about 60mm to not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction;

wherein the disposal pocket (331) is large enough to be flipped inside-out to tuck in the waist opening and leg openings of the article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention showing the second belt.

Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention with the seams unjoined and in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface.

Figure 3A is a schematic view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention in a contracted condition showing the first belt.

Figure 3B is a schematic view of Figure 3A in a ready-to-wrap state.

Figure 3C is a schematic view of Figure 3B with fingers inserted.

Figure 3D is a schematic view of Figure 3B in a flipping state.

Figure 3E is a schematic view of Figure 3B in a wrapped state.

Figure 4A is a schematic view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention in a contracted condition showing the first belt.

Figure 4B is a schematic view of Figure 4A in a ready-to-wrap state.

Figure 5A is a schematic view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention in a contracted condition showing the first belt.

Figure 5B is a schematic view of Figure 5A in a ready-to-wrap state.

Figure 6A is a schematic cross section view of one embodiment of the wearable article of the present invention.

Figure 6B is a a schematic plan view of one embodiment of the detaching strip in unfastened state of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning specified thereafter:

“Wearable article" refers to articles of wear which may be in the form of pants, taped diapers, incontinent briefs, feminine hygiene garments, and the like. The “wearable article” may be so configured to also absorb and contain various exudates such as urine, feces, and menses discharged from the body. The “wearable article” may serve as an outer cover adaptable to be joined with a separable disposable absorbent insert for providing absorbent and containment function, such as those disclosed in PCT publication WO 2011/087503A.

“Pant” refers to disposable absorbent articles having a pre-formed waist and leg openings. A pant may be donned by inserting a wearer's legs into the leg openings and sliding the pant into position about the wearer's lower torso. Pants are also commonly referred to as “closed diapers” , “prefastened diapers” , “pull-on diapers” , “training pants” and “diaper-pants” .

“Longitudinal” refers to a direction running substantially perpendicular from a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generally parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article. “Transverse” refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

“Body-facing” and “garment-facing” refer respectively to the relative location of an element or a surface of an element or group of elements. “Body-facing” implies the element or surface is nearer to the wearer during wear than some other element or surface. “Garment-facing” implies the element or surface is more remote from the wearer during wear than some other element or surface (i.e., element or surface is proximate to the wearer’s garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbent article) .

“Disposed” refers to an element being located in a particular place or position.

“Joined” refers to configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element and to configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member (s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

“Permanently attached” refers to a state whereby an element is directly secured to another element, wherein the other element cannot be removed from the element without destroying the element, or wherein when the other element is removed, the other element can no longer be secured to the element. Permanent attaching means include heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, adhesive agent, and combinations thereof.

“Refastenably attached” refers to a state whereby an element is directly secured to another element, wherein the other element is capable of being removed from the element and subsequently secured back to the element. Refastenable attaching means include hook and loop, latch and hole, button and hole, hook and hole, low tackifying adhesive agent, and combinations thereof.

“Proximal” refers to a portion being closer relative to the longitudinal center of the article, while “distal” refers to a portion being farther from the longitudinal center of the article.

“Film” refers to a sheet-like material wherein the length and width of the material far exceed the thickness of the material. Typically, films have a thickness of about 0.5 mm or less.

“Water-permeable” and “water-impermeable” refer to the penetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term “water- permeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term “water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure through the thickness of which liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine cannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure (aside from natural forces such as gravity) . A layer or a layered structure that is water-impermeable according to this definition may be permeable to water vapor, i.e., may be “vapor-permeable” .

“Extendibility" and "extensible" mean that the width or length of the component in a relaxed state can be extended or increased.

“Elasticated” and “elasticized” mean that a component comprises at least a portion made of elastic material.

“Elastic material” , “extensible material” , or “stretchable material” are used interchangeably and refer to a material that, upon application of a biasing force, can stretch to an extended length of at least about 110%of its relaxed, original length (i.e. can stretch to 10 percent more than its original length) , without rupture or breakage, and upon release of the applied force, shows little recovery, less than about 20%of its extention without complete rupture or breakage as measured by EDANA method 20.2-89. In the event such an extensible material recovers at least 40%of its extension upon release of the applied force, the extensible material will be considered to be “elastic” or “elastomeric. ” For example, an elastic material that has an initial length of 100mm can extend at least to 150mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 130mm (i.e., exhibiting a 40%recovery) . In the event the material recovers less than 40%of its extension upon release of the applied force, the extensible material will be considered to be “substantially non-elastic” or “substantially non-elastomeric” . For example, an elastic material that has an initial length of 100mm can extend at least to 150mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 145mm (i.e., exhibiting a 10%recovery) .

“Artwork” refers to a visual presentation to the naked eye, which is provided by printing or otherwise, and having a color. Printing includes various methods and apparatus well known to those skilled in the art such as lithographic, screen printing, flexographic, and gravure ink jet printing techniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wearable article (20) of the present invention showing the second belt. Figure 3A is a schematic view of another embodiment of the wearable article (20) of the present invention in a contracted condition showing the first belt (85) . Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the same article with the seams unjoined and in its flat uncontracted condition showing the garment-facing surface. The wearable article (20) has a longitudinal centerline L1 which also serves as the longitudinal axis, and a transverse centerline T1 which also serves as the transverse axis. The wearable article (20) has a body facing surface, a garment facing surface, a front region (26) , a back region (28) , a crotch region (30) , and seams (32) which join the front region (26) and the back region (28) to form two leg openings and a waist opening. The wearable article (20) comprises a center chassis (38) to cover the crotch region of the wearer, a front belt (84) and a back belt (86) (hereinafter may be referred to as “front and back belts” ) . The wearable article (20) may be a belt-type pant wherein the front and back belts (84, 86) form a ring-like elastic belt (40) (hereinafter may be referred to as “waist belt” ) extending transversely defining the waist opening, as in Figure 1, 2, or 3A. The front and back belts (84, 86) and the center chassis (38) jointly define the leg openings. The wearable article may be a one-piece-type pant wherein the garment facing surface of the center chassis (38) , the front belt (84) , and the back belt (86) are continuously covered by an outer cover layer as in Figure 5A. For the one-piece-type pant, the portion configured to stretch about the torso and extending transversely between the side seams (32) is considered the front and back belts (84, 86) .

The central chassis (38) may comprise a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core (62) disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and further an outer cover layer (42) for covering the garment-facing side of the backsheet. The topsheet may be a water permeable substrate. The backsheet may be a water impermeable film. The outer cover layer (42) may be a nonwoven sheet. The center chassis (38) may comprise an absorbent core to absorb and retain liquid body exudates. The absorbent core may include acquisition and/or distribution layers to facilitate the acquisition and the distribution of body exudates. The absorbent core (62) is the region wherein absorbent materials in particulate form having a high retention capacity such as superabsorbent polymers, are present. The absorbent core (62) may be substantially cellulose free, while the acquisition and/or distribution layers may include cellulosic fibers. Superabsorbent polymers of the absorbent core (62) may be disposed between first and second layers of material and immobilized by a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material. The first and second layers of materials may be nonwoven fibrous webs including synthetic fibers, such as mono-constituent fibers of PE, PET and PP, multiconstituent fibers such as side by side, core/sheath or island-in-the-sea type fibers. Such synthetic fibers may be formed via a spunbonding process or a meltblowing process.

An absorbent composite may be made of the first layer of nonwoven, the second layer of nonwoven, and absorbent polymers, and the absorbent composite may further be layered. Some portions of the first and second layers of absorbent composite may be configured to have substantially no absorbent material and adhered to each other to form channels. Channels may be useful for allowing the absorbent core to bend upon swelling with fluids to conform to the wearer’s body and prevent sagging of the article.

The vicinity of the longitudinal side edges (48) of the central chassis (38) may be formed into a pair of outer cuffs extending transversely outward from the central chassis (38) , the outer cuffs made by at least the backsheet (60) and the outer cover layer (42) , and optionally also with the topsheet (58) , and further with a cuff material and cuff elastic members. The central chassis (38) may further comprise a pair of inner cuffs extending toward the body facing side, the inner cuff made by cuff material and cuff elastic members.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the ring-like belt (40) or elastic region formed by the front belt (84) and back belt (86) acts to dynamically create fitment forces and to distribute the forces dynamically generated during wear. The front and back belts (84, 86) may be joined with each other only at the side edges (89) at the seams (32) to form a wearable article having a waist opening and two leg openings. Each leg opening may be provided with elasticity around the perimeter of the leg opening by the combination of elasticity from the front belt (84) , the back belt (86) , and any from the center chassis (38) . The front leg opening region is disposed adjacent the leg opening along the proximal edge (90) of the left and right side panels (82) of the front belt (84) .

The front belt (84) and back belt (86) are configured to impart elasticity to the belt (40) . The front belt (84) and the back belt (86) may each be formed by a laminate comprising a plurality of elastic bodies (96) running in the transverse direction, an inner sheet, an outer sheet (92) , and an outer sheet fold over wherein the outer sheet fold over is an extension of the outer sheet material formed by folding the outer sheet material at the distal edge (88) of the front and back belts, the outer sheet fold over directly joined to the center chassis. The front belt (84) and the back belt (86) may each be made only by elastic bodies (96) , the inner sheet, the outer sheet (92) , and the outer sheet fold over. The belt elastic bodies (96) may extend in the transverse direction to provide a ring like elastic belt 40 when the front belt (84) and the back belt (86) are joined. At least some of the elastic bodies (96) extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other. All of the elastic bodies (96) may extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other. Such an article may be economically made. The front and back belt (84, 86) each have transversely continuous proximal and distal edges, the proximal edge (90) being located closer than the distal edge (88) relative to the transverse center line T1. The outer sheet fold over is an extension of the outer sheet material formed by folding the outer sheet material at the distal edge (88) of the front and back belts (84, 86) . The elastic bodies (96) may be disposed in the same or different denier, interval, or force between the front and back, as well as in different longitudinal positions of the belt. The inner and outer sheets (92) may be the same or different material, and selected to provide characteristics such as breathability, softness, cushiony feel, loftiness, and combinations thereof, depending on the desirables of the resulting article. The inner and outer sheets (92) may have the same or different basis weight, stiffness, texture or any combination thereof.

Referring to Figure 2, the transverse width LW of the back belt (86) in the uncontracted condition may be the same as the transverse width of the front belt (84) of the same condition. Such an article may be economically made.

For the belt-type pant, the longitudinal length LB of the back belt (86) between the back distal edge (88) and the back proximal edge (90) along its entire width LW of the back belt (86) may be approximately the same as the longitudinal length LF of the front belt (84) between the front distal edge (88) and the front proximal edge (90) . In such configuration, the seams (32) close the front and back belt (84, 86) side edges (89) of the same length for forming the article. Such an article may be economically made.

Referring to Figure 2, for the belt-type pant, the back belt (86) may have a greater longitudinal length LB between the back distal edge (88) and the back proximal edge (90) along its entire width LW of the back belt (86) in the transverse direction than the longitudinal length LF of the front belt (84) between the front distal edge (88) and the front proximal edge (90) . In such configuration, when the wearable article is assembled to form the waist opening and the leg openings, the wearable article (20) is folded along the transverse centerline T1 such that the front distal edge (88) is aligned with the back distal edge (88) . The front side edge (89) is also aligned with a portion of the back side edge (89) . Then the front belt (84) and the back belt (86) are joined at the front and back side edges (89) at the seams (32) . The front and back proximal edges (90) , however, may not be aligned to one another. The back proximal edge (90) may be disposed longitudinally closer than the front proximal edge (90) relative to the transverse center line T1 such that the proximal portion of the back side panel (82) extends toward the crotch panel (56) of the center chassis (38) beyond the front proximal edge (90) . The side edge of the proximal portion of the back side panel (82) may not be joined to anywhere and free from attachment. Thus, the proximal portion of the back side panel (82) provides a buttock cover.

Referring to Figure 2, the front and/or back belt (84, 86) may be treated such that certain of the area overlapping the front and/or back waist panel (52, 54) of the center chassis (38) are removed of elasticity. Removal of elasticity from a certain area of the front and/or back waist panel (52, 54) may be advantageous when the center chassis (38) comprises an absorbent core (62) , in that elasticity in the front and/or back area may cause bunching of the absorbent composite or any of the layers in the absorbent core (62) and interfere with close fit of the center chassis (38) to the wearer. This may be advantageous in preventing leakage. At least one elastic body (96) overlapping with the distal vicinity of the absorbent core (62) may be disposed in active elasticity so that the gap appearance between the absorbent material non-existing region (61) and the absorbent core (62) is alleviated.

Referring to Figure 2, for the belt-type pant, the front and back belts (84, 86) are discontinuous with one another in the crotch region (30) , and therefore the outer cover layer (42) of the central chassis (38) is the garment-facing surface in the crotch region (30) . Referriing to Figure 5A, the wearable article may be a one-piece-type pant wherein the garment facing surface of the center chassis (38) , the outer sheet (92) of the front belt (84) , the outer sheet (92) of the back belt (86) , and the outer cover layer (42) of the center chassis (38) may be a countinuous integral sheet.

Referring back to Figure 2, the outer cover layer (42) may extend only partly in the longitudinal direction of the front waist panel (52) and/or the back waist panel (54) to leave the distal parts (40F, 40B) of the front waist panel (52) and the back waist panel (54) free of the outer cover layer (42) . Namely, the longitudinal length of the outer cover layer (42) may be longer than the longitudinal length of the crotch panel (56) and shorter than the longitudinal length of the backsheet (60) . By such configuration, the distal parts of the front waist panel (52) and the back waist panel (54) are devoid of the outer cover layer (42) , providing better breathability to the overall article. Further, this may provide cost saving of the outer cover layer (42) material. Accordingly, referring to the difference in layers of elements between the garment facing surface and the backsheet of the center chassis (38) , there exists a transitional region (34) disposed on the waist panel (52) where the outer cover layer (42) is present. The longitudinal length of the transitional region (34) may be made as short as possible, for example, less than about 20mm, or less than about 15mm, or less than about 10mm. Further, adhesive may be applied on the entire area of the transitional region (34) , or the entire area leaving no more than up to 5mm, in the longitudinal direction, from the distal edge of the transitional region (34) . For providing attractive artwork for a wearable article in an economical manner, it is common practice to provide printing on the garment facing side of the backsheet (60) . By providing the transitional region (34) as short as possible, applying adhesive to enhance transparency, or simply avoiding displaying artwork in this region, compromised appearance of the artwork over different layers of material between the artwork and the observer may be avoided.

Referring to Figures 3A, 4A, and 5A, the article of the present invention comprises a first belt (85) which may be the front belt or the back belt, wherein the first belt (85) comprises a detachable area (330) which may be configured to form the disposal wrapping means. While most wearable articles on the market which are equipped with a disposal tape have it disposed on the back side of the article, the present invention is not necessarily limited to having the disposal wrapping means on the back belt. Accordingly, the second belt of the present invention, which is the other side of the first belt (85) , may be devoid of a disposal wrapping means. The waist panel of the center chassis attached to the first belt (85) is the first waist panel (55) . By opening the detachable area (330) by the detaching means to provide a disposal pocket (331) , the article is provided in a ready-to-wrap state, as in Figures 3B, 4B, and 5B. By inserting hands and or fingers inside the disposal pocket (331) and flipping the disposal pocket (331) inside-out against the remainder of the article, the volume of the article may be tucked into the reversed disposal pocket. By such tucking in, the entire article may be wrapped around itself to substantially close any openings of the article as in Figure 3E, such that bodily exudate may be kept from leaking outside the wrapped article. Specific configurations and flipping steps to effect such wrapping and closing will be discussed in further detail below. The present invention enables providing a disposal wrapping means for a pant article without the need to attach a discrete disposal tape, which disposal tape may be costly and not harmonizing well with the article due to the plastic aesthetic and tactile sense.

Referring to Figure 3A, the article of the present invention may be a belt-type pant comprising a detachable area (330) positioned along the proximal edge of the first belt (85) where the first belt (85) is joined to the first waist panel (55) , wherein the detachable area (330) comprises a detaching means to provide a disposal pocket (331) .

Referring to Figure 3B-3D, what is meant by disposal pocket (331) herein is a 3-dimensional spacing between materials constructing the article, which disposal pocket (331) accommodates inserting hands and/or fingers for enabling the disposal wrapping procedures for the article after use. The detaching means may be one or more configurations and/or indicia for detaching the first belt (85) from the first waist panel (55) in the detachable area (330) . The detaching means may enable opening the detachable area (330) with an Opening Force of no more than about 3N, or no more than about 2N according to measurements herein, such that the opening may be made without excess effort. The resulting disposal pocket (331) may have a longitudinal dimension of at least about 30mm, or from about 30mm to about 100mm, or from about 60mm to about 100mm, and a transverse dimension of from about 60mm to not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet, or from about 100mm to not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet. By providing the disposal pocket (331) to have such dimensions, enough spacing may be secured for inserting hands and/or fingers, while preventing squeezing out of bodily exudates during the disposal wrapping procedure by securing backing of the liquid impermeable backsheet against the disposal pocket (331) . Namely, the planar dimension of the detachable area (330) more or less matches that of the disposal pocket (331) , and may be at least about 1800mm ² or from about 1800mm ² to about 10000mm ². The disposal pocket (331) may be defined by the garment facing surface of the first waist panel (55) , the body facing surface of the first belt (85) , the opening of the disposal pocket (331) matching a portion of the proximal edge of the first belt (85) , the distal edge, and the left and right transvese edges. The left and right transverse edges of the disposal pocket (331) are within the transverse dimension of the backsheet overlapping the disposal pocket (331) in the thickness direction.

Referring to Figure 3A, the detaching means may comprise a low adhesion zone (332) . The low adhesion zone (332) may be provided with weaker or less amount of adhesive for joining the first belt (85) and the first waist panel (55) compared to the remaining joining areas. On the other hand, the periphery of the detachable area (330) may be provided as a reinforcement zone (334) which may be treated with stronger adhesive or permanent attaching means so that the disposal pocket (331) is prevented from being overly expanded to become disfunctional, or from extending into the area beyond the transverse edges of the backsheet. The detachable means may comprise a no adhesion zone (333) at least at the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) for aesthetically and tactically signaling the start of the detaching procedure. The no adhesion zone (333) may have a longitudinal dimension of from about 3mm to about 20mm, or from about 3mm to about 10mm from the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) . The remainder of the detachable area (330) may be the low adhesion zone (332) . The detaching means may comprise an illustrative instruction (335) for creating and utilizing the disposal pocket (331) , the illustrative instruction (335) provided in the area at least partially overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction, and being visible from the garment facing side of the first belt (85) . The illustrative instruction (335) may be a color or pattern difference from the remainder of the first belt (85) .

Referring to Figure 3A, the detaching means may further comprise a detaching strip (336) permanently attached at the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) . The detaching strip (336) may also aesthetically and tactically signal the start of the detaching procedure. The detaching strip (336) may be positioned approximately at the longitudinal center line L1 and over a small transverse and longitudinal dimension. The detaching strip (336) may be made by plastic, or a nonwoven material, or non-stretchable nonwoven material, and have a basis weight of at least about 20gsm. Examples of nonwoven materials suitable for the detaching strip (336) include SMS or spunbond polyolefin fibers.

As in Figure 3A, the detaching strip (336) may bridge the first belt (85) and the crotch panel (56) of the center chassis (38) , wherein the distal edge of the detaching strip (336) is permanently attached to the first belt (85) , and the proximal edge of the detaching strip (336) remains free of attachment to any part of the article, thus serving as a tab portion (338) for the user to pinch for starting the detaching means.

As in Figures 6A and 6B, the detaching strip (336) may comprise a fold (340) on the proximal edge of the the detaching strip (336) , wherein one side of the detaching strip (336) is permanently attached to the first belt (85) and the other side of the detaching strip (336) is attached to itself by the refastenable means (337) . By providing the refastenable means (337) in such configuration, the refastenable means (337) may be used to securely close the article after the article is provided in a wrapped state as in Figure 3E. Namely, after flipping the disposal pocket (331) , the opened refastenable means (337) would be facing the tucked-in-article, thus enabling the reversed first belt (85) to be fastened to the tucked-in-article by the refastenable means. The detaching strip (336) may further comprise a tab portion (338) at the edge of the detaching strip (336) , wherein the tab portion (338) is free of refastenable means (337) , wherein the tab portion (338) is adjacent refastenable means (337) and having a longitudinal dimension of from about 5mm to about 20mm. By providing such tab portion (338) , the edge of the detaching strip (336) may be easily pinched and lifted away from the part to which it is attached. The tab portion (336) may be provided in color for easy identification. The refastenable means (337) may provide a Peeling Force of from about 0.5N to about 3N, according to the measurements herein.

Refering to Figures 3A and 6B, the detaching strip (336) may comprise an indicia selected from the group consisting of: a mark distinguishing front and back, a mark distinguishing boy/girl, a size indicator, and combinations thereof. The indicia may be coordinated with the illustrative instruction (335) .

Referring to Figures 2, 3A and the descriptions above, the article of the present invention may have the first belt (85) formed by a laminate comprising a plurality of elastic bodies (96) running in the transverse direction, an inner sheet, and an outer sheet. The first belt (85) may be partially actively elasticized in the area overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction. By imparting elasticity on the first belt (85) defining the disposal pocket (331) , this may help smooth disposal wrapping procedure, and may also help keeping bodily exudate from leaking outside the wrapped article. The actively elasticized area may overlap the left and right transverse edges of the detachable area (330) (now shown) . Such transverse overlap region may be from about 10%to about 100%of the transverse dimension of the detachable area (330) . Alternatively or additionally, the first belt (85) overlapping the detachable area (330) may comprise a guiding elastic body (96G) toward the proximal edge of the first belt (85) , the guiding elastic body (96G) being actively elastic along the entire transverse dimension of the first belt (85) . By providing such guiding elastic body (96G) , the opening of the disposal pocket (331) may be better closed after the disposal wrapping procedures. The guiding elastic body (96G) may be one elastic body, or a pair of elastic bodies, or all of the elastic bodies of the first belt (85) overlapping the detachable area (330) . The guiding elastic body (96G) may be one elastic body, or a pair of elastic bodies disposed at a position from about 3mm to about 10mm from the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) .

Referring to Figures 3A-3E, the disposal wrapping procedure of the present invention may be conducted as such. First, the detachable area (330) is opened to provide a disposal pocket (331) by inserting hands and/or fingers. Figure 3B shows the opened disposal pocket (331) in the ready-to-wrap state. Second, by using the inserted hands/and or fingers into the disposal pocket (331) as in Figure 3C and flipping inside-out against the remainder of the article, the freed portion of the first belt (85F) defining the disposal pocket (331) may be reversed as in Figure 3D. Third, the remainder volume of the article is tucked inside the reversed disposal pocket. By this tucking, the waist opening and leg openings are also tucked into the reversed disposal pocket (334) as in Figure 3E. Although the overall volume of the crotch panel may be expanded by the bodily exudate, the freed portion of the first belt (85F) defining the disposal pocket (331) is actively elasticized that it may accommodate the volume of the crotch panel, and further press against the crotch panel to maintain the tucked configuration. Figure 3E shows such finally tucked configuration wherein A) the body facing surface of the first belt (85) defining the disposal pocket (331) and B) the garment facing surface of the first waist panel (55) defining the disposal pocket (331) ; account for a majority of the outside surface of the tucked configuration. Namely, the entire article may be wrapped around itself to securely close any openings of the article, such that bodily exudate may be kept from leaking outside the wrapped article. As in Figure 3E, the final configuration of the obtained sanitary waste may take the form of a pouch.

The article of the present invention may comprise a center chassis (38) having an absorbent core (62) which is substantially cellulose free. By providing the absorbent core (62) substantially cellulose free, the overall volume of the center chassis may be kept relatively small, such that the above mentioned wrapping is facilitated.

Referring to Figure 4A, the article of the present invention may be a belt-type pant comprising a detachable area (330) positioned away from the proximal edge of the first belt (85) . The detaching means for providing the disposal pocket (331) is initiated by opening a line of weakness (852) along the proximal edge of the detachable area to provide a horizontal slit (339) , as in Figure 4B. Once the horizontal slit (339) is created, the disposal pocket (331) may be made following the detaching means as described above for Figure 3A. The disposal wrapping procedures are the same as described above in Figures 3B –3E. Referring back to Figure 4A, the distance between the proximal edge of the first belt (85) and the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) may be provided as a reinforcement zone (334) such that the attachment of this region between the first belt (85) and center chassis (62) remains intact through the detaching process. By providing a reinforcement zone (334) in this region, this may prevent premature opening of the disposal pocket (331) . The reinforcement zone (334) positioned between the proximal edge of the first belt (85) and the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) may have a longitudinal dimension of from about 1mm to about 15mm. The line of weakness (852) may have a transverse dimension of not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet. The other detaching means and dimensions for the disposal pocket (331) of the embodiment of Figure 4A are the same as what was described for the embodiment of Figure 3A above.

Referring to Figure 5A, the article of the present invention may be a one-piece type pant comprising a detachable area (330) positioned along the proximal edge of the first belt (85) and extending distally towards the waist opening, wherein the detachable area (330) comprises a detaching means to provide a disposal pocket (331) by opening the detachable area (330) . The one-piece type pant of the present invention has the garment facing surface of the center chassis, first belt (85) and the second belt continuously covered by an outer cover layer, wherein the detaching means may comprise a line of weakness (852) provided on the first belt (85) in a position toward the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) . By opening a line of weakness (852) along the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) , a horizontal slit (339) is created, as in Figure 5B. The disposal pocket (331) may be made following the detaching means as described above for Figure 3A. The disposal wrapping procedures are the same as described above in Figures 3B –3E. The proximal side of the line of weakness (852) may be provided with a reinforcement zone (334) which may be treated with stronger adhesive or permanent attaching means. The reinforcement zone (334) may have a longitudinal dimension of from about 1mm to about 15mm. This ensures that the disposal pocket (331) is not expanded into the crotch panel. Expanding the disposal pocket (331) into the crotch panel is disadvantageous in that such may overly expand the disposal pocket (331) into an area that may not be actively elasticized, thus leading to disfunction of the disposal wrapping procedure. The reinforcement zone (334) may be provided along the entire periphery of the detachable area (330) . The line of weakness (852) may have a transverse dimension of not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet. The other detaching means and dimensions for the disposal pocket (331) of the embodiment of Figure 5A are the same as what was described for the embodiment of Figure 3A above.

Measurements

1. Preparation of Specimen

Specimen for all of the measurements hereinbelow are obtained from a finished wearable article sample.

To obtain a detachable area specimen, the approximate transverse center of the detachable area, together with the center chassis to which is attached, is cut out using a precision cutter to make a specimen having a dimension of 25.4mm in the transverse direction and 60mm in the longitudinal direction. Remove material of the center chassis except for the outer cover layer and backsheet of the center chassis. Manually separate the first belt and center chassis for approximately 20mm in the longitudinal direction from the proximal edge of the detachable area, taking care not to expand the opening further.

To obtain a strip specimen, the detaching strip, together with the substrate to which is attached, is cut out using scissors.

Specimen are obtained from five (5) finished wearable articles from the same area of each article for each set of measurement. Specimen are pre-conditioned in a room maintained at 23 ±2 ℃ and 50 ± 5 %relative humidity, for at least 2 hours prior to testing. All testing is performed in a room maintained at 23 ± 2 ℃ and 50 ± 5 %relative humidity.

2. Opening Force

As equipment, MTS Criterion C42 running TestWorks 4 Software with standard tensiometer jaw or equivalent is used. The detachable area specimen is used.

(1) Set the gauge length to 20mm. With the flat grip faces, gauge length should be calculated from the bottom of the top grip face to the top of the bottom grip face.

(2) Clamp the first belt layers in the thickness direction approximately at 10mm from the proximal edge to the upper jaw with care to keep a straight position of the upper and lower jaws.

(3) Insert the center chassis layers of the specimen into the lower jaw and close the jaw with enough tension to eliminate any slack, but less than 0.05 N of force on the load cell.

(4) Pull the specimen by peel tester under 30.5 cm/min speed and acquisition rate of 20hz, until the first belt part and the center chassis part of the specimen is completely separated.

(5) Calculate the average force (N) between the 15mm peel extension point and end point. Record the average force (N) to the nearest 0.01N. The average of the individual average peel force (N) is the Opening Force.

3. Peeling Force

As equipment, MTS Criterion C42 running TestWorks 4 Software with standard tensiometer jaw or equivalent is used. The strip specimen with closed refastenable means is used.

(1) Clamp the closed article specimen in the thickness direction approximately at the attachment portion to the upper jaw, and 10mm from the edge of the extending portion to the lower jaw. Fix the gauge length to 10mm.

(2) Pull the specimen by peel tester under 460mm/min speed and acquisition rate of 20hz, until the refastenable means is completely separated.

(3) Record the peak force during peeling. The peak force (N) is the Peeling Force.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm. ” Further, every numerical range given throughout this specification includes every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

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.

Claims

A wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising;

a center chassis and a ring-like elastic belt comprising a first belt (85) and a second belt; the center of the first belt (85) is joined to a first waist panel (55) of the center chassis, the center of the second belt is joined to a second waist panel of the center chassis, and the remainder of the center chassis is a crotch panel, the front and back belt each having a left side panel and a right side panel where the center chassis does not overlap, and the transverse edges of the first belt (85) and the second belt are joined by a seam to form a waist opening and two leg openings; wherein the first belt (85) and the second belt are discontinuous of each other in the longitudinal direction;

the center chassis comprising a liquid impermeable backsheet having a transverse dimension;

a detachable area (330) positioned along the proximal edge of the first belt (85) where the first belt (85) is joined to the first waist panel (55) , wherein the detachable area (330) comprises a detaching means to provide a disposal pocket (331) by opening the detachable area (330) with an Opening Force of no more than about 3N according to measurements herein, the disposal pocket (331) having a longitudinal dimension of at least about 30mm and a transverse dimension of from about 60mm to not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction;

wherein the disposal pocket (331) is large enough to be flipped inside-out to tuck in the waist opening and leg openings of the article.
A wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising;

a center chassis, a first belt (85) and a second belt; the center of the first belt (85) is joined to a first waist panel (55) of the center chassis, the center of the second belt is joined to a second waist panel of the center chassis, and the remainder of the center chassis is a crotch panel, the front and back belt each having a left side panel and a right side panel where the center chassis does not overlap, and the transverse edges of the first belt (85) and the second belt are joined by a seam to form a waist opening and two leg openings;

the center chassis comprising a liquid impermeable backsheet having a transverse dimension;

a detachable area (330) positioned within the first belt (85) wherein the detachable area (330) comprises a detaching means to provide a disposal pocket (331) , the detaching means comprising opening a line of weakness along the proximal edge of the detachable area to provide a horizontal slit (339) , followed by opening the detachable area (330) with an Opening Force of no more than about 3N according to measurements herein, the disposal pocket (331) having a longitudinal dimension of at least about 30mm and a transverse dimension of from about 60mm to not more than the transverse dimension of the backsheet overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction;

wherein the disposal pocket (331) is large enough to be flipped inside-out to tuck in the waist opening and leg openings of the article.
The article of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the detaching means comprises a low adhesion zone (332) .
The article of any of the preceding claims wherein the detachable means comprises a no adhesion zone (333) at least at the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) .
The article of any of the preceding claims further comprising a reinforcement zone (334) positioned immediately outside the periphery of the detachable area (330) .
The article of Claim 5 wherein the garment facing surface of the center chassis, the first belt (85) and the second belt are continuously covered by an outer cover layer.
The article of any of the preceding claims comprising an illustrative instruction (335) for creating and utilizing the disposal pocket (331) , the illustrative instruction (335) provided in the area at least partially overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction, and being visible from the garment facing side of the first belt (85) .
The article of any of the preceding claims wherein the first belt (85) is formed by a laminate comprising a plurality of elastic bodies running in the transverse direction, an inner sheet, and an outer sheet, wherein the first belt is at least partially actively elasticized in the area overlapping the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction.
The article of Claim 8 wherein the first belt (85) overlapping the detachable area (330) comprises a guiding elastic body (96G) toward the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) , the guiding elastic body (96G) being actively elastic along the entire transverse dimension of the first belt (85) .
The article of Claim 8 or 9 wherein the actively elasticized area may overlap the left and right transverse edges of the detachable area (330) in the thickness direction.
The article of any of the preceding claims wherein the detaching means comprises a detaching strip (336) permanently attached at the proximal edge of the detachable area (330) .
The article of Claim 11 wherein the detaching strip (336) comprises an indicia selected from the group consisting of: a mark distinguishing front and back, a mark distinguishing boy/girl, a size indicator, and combinations thereof.
The article of Claim 11 or 12 wherein the detaching strip (336) comprises a refastenable means (337) and a tab portion (338) , wherein the detaching strip (336) comprises a fold on the proximal edge of the the detaching strip (336) , the detaching strip (336) attached to itself by the refastenable means (337) , preferably wherein the refastenable means (337) provides a Peeling Force of from about 0.5N to about 3N according to the measurements herein, and wherein the tab portion (338) is free of refastenable means (337) , preferably wherein the tab portion (338) is adjacent refastenable means (337) and having a longitudinal dimension of from about 5 mm to about 20 mm.
The article of any of the preceding claims wherein the center chassis (38) comprises an absorbent core (62) comprising superabsorbent polymers disposed between first and second layers of nonwoven material and immobilized by a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material, wherein the absorbent core (62) is substantially cellulose free.