Absorbent article with improved fastening system and method of fastening thereof

Abstract

An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system in which at least the loop material is stretchable and in some embodiments is elongated before it is brought into engagement with the hook material and is then allowed to contract on the hook material while in other embodiments the loop material is shrunk as it is placed in engagement with the hook material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disposable absorbent article comprising: 
 a body having first and second regions;    a mechanical fastening system on the body, the mechanical fastening system comprising a first fastening component disposed on the body in the first region and a second fastening component disposed on the body in the second region, at least a portion of the first fastening component being a hook material, and at least a portion of the second fastening component being a loop material which is stretchable from a relaxed state to an elongated state;    whereby when the second fastening component is in an elongated state and in juxtaposition and contact with the first fastening component the loop material engages the hook material as it moves from an elongated state to a relaxed state.    
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the loop material is stretchable by about 150 to 300 percent.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the loop material is stretchable by about 300 to 450 percent.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the second fastening component is elastomeric.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the first fastening component is stretchable.  
     
     
         6 . A disposable absorbent article for personal wear, said disposable article comprising: 
 a body having first and second end regions and comprising an inner layer for contact with the wearer's skin, at least a portion of the inner layer being liquid permeable, an outer layer in opposed relation with the inner layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;    a mechanical fastening system positioned on the body including: 
 a first fastening component disposed on the body in the first end region, at least a portion of the first fastening component being a hook material, and  
 a second fastening component disposed on the body in the second end region, at least a portion of the second fastening component being a loop material which is stretchable and contractible;  
 whereby when the second fastening component is in an elongated state and in juxtaposition and contact with the hook material it further engages the hook material as it moves from an elongated state to a contracted state.  
   
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the loop material is stretchably mounted on the second end region.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the loop material is stretchable by about 150 to 300 percent.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the loop material is stretchable by about 300 to 450 percent.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the loop material forms at least a portion of the second end region.  
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the loop material is stretchable by about 150 to 300 percent.  
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the loop material is stretchable by about 300 to 450 percent.  
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the second fastening component is elastomeric.  
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the first fastening component is substantially stretchable.  
     
     
         15 . A disposable absorbent article for personal wear, said disposable article comprising: 
 a body having first and second end regions and comprising an inner layer for contact with the wearer's skin, at least a portion of the inner layer being liquid permeable, an outer layer in opposed relation with the inner layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;    a mechanical fastening system positioned on the body including: 
 a first fastening component disposed on the body in the first end region and at least a portion of the first fastening component being a hook material, and  
 a second fastening component disposed on the body in the second end region, at least a portion of the second fastening component being a loop material which is contractible upon the application of heat;  
   whereby when the second fastening component is in juxtaposition and contact with the first fastening component and then heated the second fastening component further engages the hook material as it retracts.    
     
     
         16 . A method of securing an absorbent article for personal wear, comprising: 
 providing an absorbent article having a body having first and second end regions, the body comprising inner layer for contact with the wearer's skin, at least a portion of the inner layer being liquid permeable, an outer layer in opposed relation with the inner layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;    providing a mechanical fastening system positioned on the body including: 
 a first fastening component disposed on the body in the first end region, at least a portion of the first fastening component being a hook material, and  
 a second fastening component disposed on the body in the second end region, at least a portion of the second fastening component being a loop material which is stretchable and contractible; and  
 stretching the loop material and then placing the stretched loop material overlying and in engagement with the hook material and then contracting the loop material.  
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein stretching the loop material is done manually.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the loop material is stretched by about 150 to 300 percent.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the loop material is stretched by about 300 to 450 percent  
     
     
         20 . A method of securing an absorbent article for personal wear, comprising: 
 providing an absorbent article having a body having first and second end regions each having longitudinal edges, the body also having an inner layer for contact with the wearer's skin, at least a portion of the inner layer being liquid permeable, an outer layer in opposed relation with the inner layer and an absorbent layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;    providing a mechanical fastening system positioned on the body including: 
 a first fastening component disposed on the body of the first end region and at least a portion of the first fastening component being a hook material, and  
 a second fastening component disposed on the body of the second end region, at least a portion of the second fastening component being a loop material which is retractable; and  
   contacting the loop material in engagement with the hook material and then contracting the loop material.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein contracting the loop material comprises activating the loop material.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein activating the loop material comprises heating the loop material.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the loop material comprises a stretched elastic member having its retraction temporarily inhibited during engagement of the hook and loop materials.  
     
     
         24 . A method of securing an absorbent article for personal wear, comprising: 
 providing an absorbent article comprising a body having first and second end regions;    providing a mechanical fastening system on the body, the mechanical fastening system comprising a first fastening component disposed on the body in the first end region and a second fastening component disposed on the body in the second end region, at least a portion of the first fastening component being a hook material, and at least a portion of the second fastening component being a loop material which is stretchable from a relaxed state to an elongated state;    stretching the second fastening component to an elongated state;    engaging the first and second fastening component while the second fastening component is in an elongate state; and    allowing the second fastening component to retract from the elongated state after the first and second components are engaged.