Elastomeric side panel for use with convertible absorbent articles

Abstract

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An absorbent article having a refastenable fastening system allowing the absorbent article to be fitted to a wearer in a conventional configuration or in a pull-on configuration, a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline, the absorbent article comprising: 
 a) a containment assembly having a rear waist region, a crotch region, a front waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges, a body facing surface and a garment facing surface opposite of said body facing surface, said containment assembly comprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet;    b) an elastomeric first ear panel extending laterally outwardly from one of said longitudinal edges of said containment assembly in said rear waist region, said first ear panel having a proximal edge joined with said containment assembly, a distal edge spaced laterally outwardly from said proximal edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface, said elastomeric first ear panel having differential bond regions; and    c) an elastomeric second ear panel extending laterally outwardly from the other of said longitudinal edges of said containment assembly in said rear waist region, said second ear panel having a proximal edge joined with said containment assembly, a distal edge spaced laterally outwardly from said proximal edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface, said elastomeric second ear panel having differential bond regions, said differential bond regions comprising individual bonds.    
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1  wherein said differential bond regions of each of said elastomeric first and second ear panels are further comprising: 
 (a) a distal high bond zone juxtaposed with said distal edge;  
 (b) a proximal high bond zone juxtaposed with said proximal edge; and  
 (c) a low bond zone disposed between said distal and proximal high bond zones.  
 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 2  wherein said distal high bond zone and said proximal high bond zone each comprises a higher frequency of said individual bonds than said low bond zone.  
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 2  wherein said distal high bond zone and said proximal high bond zone each comprises a greater bonded area than said low bond zone.  
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 2  wherein said distal high bond zone and said proximal high bond zone each comprises stronger bonds than said low bond zone.  
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a) a refastenable mechanical fastening system comprising: 
 i) a first closure member disposed adjacent said distal edge of said first ear panel, said first closure member having a pair of longitudinal outer edges;  
 ii) a second closure member disposed adjacent said distal edge of said second, said second ear panel closure member having a pair of longitudinal outer edges; and  
 iii) a third closure member disposed in said front waist region on said garment facing surface of said containment assembly, said third closure member being engageable with said first closure member and said second closure member so as to define a waist hoop having a relaxed state circumference between about 280 mm and about 360 mm and a fully stretched circumference between about 550 mm and about 600 mm when a force less than about 2000 grams is applied.  
 
 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 5  wherein said waist hoop relaxed circumference is between about 280 mm and about 360 mm and said fully stretched circumference is between about 550 mm and about 600 mm when a force less than about 2000 grams is applied.  
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 5  wherein said waist hoop relaxed circumference is between about 300 mm and about 380 mm and said fully stretched circumference is between about 600 mm and about 700 mm when a force less than about 2000 grams is applied.  
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 5  wherein said waist hoop relaxed circumference is between about 550 mm and about 750 mm and said fully stretched circumference is between about 1000 mm and about 1450 mm when a force less than about 3000 grams is applied.  
     
     
         10 . An absorbent article having a refastenable fastening system allowing the absorbent article to be fitted to a wearer in a conventional configuration or in a pull-on configuration, a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline, the absorbent article comprising: 
 a) a containment assembly having a rear waist region, a crotch region, a front waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges, a body facing surface and a garment facing surface opposite of said body facing surface, said containment assembly comprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet;    b) an elastomeric first ear panel extending laterally outwardly from one of said longitudinal edges of said containment assembly in said rear waist region, said first ear panel having a proximal edge joined with said containment assembly, a distal edge spaced laterally outwardly from said proximal edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface;    c) an elastomeric second ear panel extending laterally outwardly from the other of said longitudinal edges of said containment assembly in said rear waist region, said second ear panel having a proximal edge joined with said containment assembly, a distal edge spaced laterally outwardly from said proximal edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface; and    d) a refastenable mechanical fastening system comprising: 
 i) a first closure member disposed adjacent said distal edge of said first ear panel, said first closure member having a pair of longitudinal outer edges;  
 ii) a second closure member disposed adjacent said distal edge of said second ear panel, said second closure member having a pair of longitudinal outer edges; and  
 iii) a third closure member disposed in said front waist region on said garment facing surface of said containment assembly, said third closure member being engageable with said first closure member and said second closure member so as to define a waist hoop having a relaxed state circumference between about 550 mm and about 750 mm and a fully stretched circumference between about 1000 mm and about 1450 mm when a force less than about 3000 grams is applied.  
   
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 10  wherein said longitudinal outer edges of said first and said second closure members are disposed at an angle to said longitudinal centerline and said lateral centerline of the absorbent article.  
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 10  wherein said first and said second closure members each have a closure member major axis which is at an angle to said longitudinal and said lateral centerline of the absorbent article.  
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 10  wherein said first and second closure members comprise at least two engaging components.