Release tape-free fasteners and disposable absorbent articles utilizing the same

Abstract

Disclosed herein are fasteners for disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles that include the fasteners. The disclosed fasteners generally are free of release tape and adhesives requiring those tapes. At the same time, the disclosed fasteners can be maintained in a closed position prior to the fastener's (and the disposable absorbent article's) use and during the process by which the article is manufactured. While maintainable in this closed position, the fastener may be easily opened by the consumer such that the fastener can be then used for its intended purpose, such as, for example to form a side closure on a diaper around the waist and legs of an infant.

1 . A fastener for a disposable absorbent article, the fastener being free of a release tape and comprising:
 (a) a fixed portion attachable to the article;   (b) a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, the connective portion comprising
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) a fastening member having a fastening surface and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surface, wherein the fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a layer of napped nonwoven fabric on the article, and 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surface of the fastening member; and, 
   (c) a folding line disposed between the fixed and connective portions.   
   
   
       2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface. 
   
   
       3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the fastening surface. 
   
   
       4 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article 
   
   
       5 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the connective portion is foldable along the folding line to permit the fastening surface to releasably fasten to the layer of napped nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       6 . A fastener for a disposable absorbent article, the fastener being free of a release tape and comprising:
 (a) a fixed portion attachable to the article;   (b) a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, the connective portion comprising
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) a fastening member having dissimilar proximate and distal fastening surfaces and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surfaces, wherein at least one of the fastening surfaces is fastenable to a layer of shedable nonwoven fabric on the article, and 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surface of the fastening member; and, 
   (c) a folding line disposed between the fixed and connective portions.   
   
   
       7 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the connective portion is foldable along the folding line to permit the at least one of the fastening surfaces to fasten to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       8 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       9 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is an adhesive. 
   
   
       10 . The fastener of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the distal fastening surface. 
   
   
       11 . The fastener of  claim 10 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the distal fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the distal fastening surface. 
   
   
       12 . The fastener of  claim 10 , wherein the distal fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
   
   
       13 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the distal fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       14 . The fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the distal fastening surface is an adhesive. 
   
   
       15 . The fastener of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the proximate fastening surface. 
   
   
       16 . The fastener of  claim 15 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the proximate fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the proximate fastening surface. 
   
   
       17 . The fastener of  claim 15 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
   
   
       18 . A fastener for a disposable absorbent article, the fastener being free of a release tape and comprising:
 (a) a fixed portion attachable to the article;   (b) a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, the connective portion comprising
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) proximate and distal fastening members each comprising a fastening surface and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surface, wherein the fastening surfaces are releasably fastenable to each other, and 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surfaces of the proximate and distal fastening members, and 
   (c) a folding line disposed between the proximate and distal fastening members.   
   
   
       19 . The fastener of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface of the distal fastening member. 
   
   
       20 . The fastener of  claim 19 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the fastening surface of the distal fastening member and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the fastening surface of the distal fastening member. 
   
   
       21 . The fastener of  claim 19 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a napped nonwoven fabric, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       22 . The fastener of  claim 21 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is an adhesive. 
   
   
       23 . The fastener of  claim 21 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is a napped nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       24 . The fastener of  claim 19 , wherein the fastening surface of the distal fastening member is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
   
   
       25 . The fastener of  claim 25 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is not releasably fastenable to the landing member on the article 
   
   
       26 . The fastener of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member. 
   
   
       27 . The fastener of  claim 26 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member. 
   
   
       28 . The fastener of  claim 26 , wherein the fastening surface of the distal fastening member is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a napped nonwoven fabric, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       29 . The fastener of  claim 28 , wherein the fastening surface of the distal fastening member is an adhesive. 
   
   
       30 . The fastener of  claim 28 , wherein the fastening surface of the distal fastening member is a napped nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       31 . The fastener of  claim 26 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
   
   
       32 . The fastener of  claim 31 , wherein the fastening surface of the distal fastening member is not releasably fastenable to the landing member on the article. 
   
   
       33 . A disposable absorbent article comprising:
 (a) a body portion having an inside surface, an outside surface opposite of the inside surface, longitudinal edges, end edges, a first end region, and a second end region opposite of the first end region, the body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and,   (b) a fastener free of a release tape, the fastener comprising a fixed portion attached to the first end region of the body portion, and a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, a folding line disposed between the fixed and connective portions, wherein the connective portion comprises:
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) a fastening member having a fastening surface and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surface, wherein the fastening surface is releasably fastenable a layer of napped nonwoven fabric on the inside surface of the body portion adjacent the fastener, and 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surface of the fastening member. 
   
   
   
       34 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 33  further comprising a landing member disposed on the second end region of the body portion, the landing member comprising a fastening element releasably fastenable to the fastening surface of the fastening member. 
   
   
       35 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 34 , wherein the fastening element comprises a plurality of fiber elements. 
   
   
       36 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 33 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface. 
   
   
       37 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 36 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the fastening surface. 
   
   
       38 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 33 , wherein the connective portion is foldable along the folding line to permit the fastening surface to releasably fasten to the layer of napped nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       39 . A disposable absorbent article comprising:
 (a) a body portion having an inside surface, an outside surface opposite of the inside surface, longitudinal edges, end edges, a first end region, and a second end region opposite of the first end region, the body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and,   (b) a fastener free of a release tape, the fastener comprising a fixed portion attached to the first end region of the body portion, and a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, a folding line disposed between the fixed and connective portions, wherein the connective portion comprises:
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) a fastening member having dissimilar proximate and distal fastening surfaces and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surfaces, wherein at least one of the fastening surfaces is fastenable to a layer of shedable nonwoven fabric on the inside surface of the body portion adjacent the fastener, and 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surface of the fastening member. 
   
   
   
       40 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 39 , wherein the connective portion is foldable along the folding line to permit the at least one of the fastening surfaces to fasten to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       41 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 39 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       42 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 41 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is an adhesive. 
   
   
       43 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 42 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the distal fastening surface. 
   
   
       44 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 43 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the distal fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the distal fastening surface. 
   
   
       45 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 43 , wherein the distal fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
   
   
       46 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 39 , wherein the distal fastening surface is fastenable to the layer of shedable nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       47 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 46 , wherein the distal fastening surface is an adhesive. 
   
   
       48 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 47 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the proximate fastening surface. 
   
   
       49 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 48 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the proximate fastening surface and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the proximate fastening surface. 
   
   
       50 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 48 , wherein the proximate fastening surface is releasably fastenable to a landing member on the article. 
   
   
       51 . A disposable absorbent article comprising:
 (a) a body portion having an inside surface, an outside surface opposite of the inside surface, longitudinal edges, and edges, a first end region, and a second end region opposite of the first end region, the body portion comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   (b) a fastener free of a release tape, the fastener comprising a fixed portion attached to the first end region of the body portion, and a connective portion joined to and contiguous with the fixed portion, the connective portion comprising:
 (i) a distal edge, 
 (ii) proximate and distal fastening members each comprising a fastening surface and a bonding surface opposite to the fastening surface, wherein the fastening surfaces are releasably fastenable to each other, 
 (iii) a backing member attached to the bonding surfaces of the proximate and distal fastening members, and 
 (iv) a folding line disposed between the proximate and distal fastening members. 
   
   
   
       52 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 51  further comprising a landing member disposed on the second end region of the body portion, the landing member comprising a fastening element engageable with at least one of the fastening surface of the distal fastening member and the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member. 
   
   
       53 . The disposable absorbent article of  claim 52 , wherein the fastening element comprises a plurality of fiber elements. 
   
   
       54 . The fastener of  claim 51 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface of the distal fastening member. 
   
   
       55 . The fastener of  claim 54 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the fastening surface of the distal fastening member and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the fastening surface of the distal fastening member. 
   
   
       56 . The fastener of  claim 51 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a napped nonwoven fabric, a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       57 . The fastener of  claim 56 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is an adhesive. 
   
   
       58 . The fastener of  claim 56 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is a napped nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       59 . The fastener of  claim 56 , wherein the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member is a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member. 
   
   
       60 . The fastener of  claim 51 , further comprising a plurality of engaging elements outwardly extending from the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member. 
   
   
       61 . The fastener of  claim 60 , wherein each engaging element comprises a stem supported at one end by the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member and a head disposed at the stem end opposite the fastening surface of the proximate fastening member. 
   
   
       62 . The fastener of  claim 60 , wherein the fastening surface of the distal fastening member is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a napped nonwoven fabric, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       63 . The fastener of  claim 62 , wherein the fastening surface of the distal fastening member is an adhesive.