Elasticated topsheet with an elongate slit opening

US6482191B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Procter & Gamble Company · US

Inventors

• Donald Carroll Roe · Sharonville, US
• Gregory Ashton · Venice, US
• Oliver Edwin Clarke Mason · Cincinnati, US
• Jörg Müller · Karben, DE
• Lars Westerheide · Kelkheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 19, 2002
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F13/513
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An absorbent article having a void space for receiving bodily exudates comprises an elongate slit opening in communication with the void space. The elongate slit opening includes elasticated region disposed along longitudinal side edges of the slit opening which maintain longitudinal and lateral alignment and Z-direction proximity with a point of discharge on a wearer during use. The elasticated regions contain stored elastic energy producing tensile forces which are distributed laterally away from the slit opening enabling the edges to deflect and allow bodily exudates to pass through the slit opening to the void space.