Absorbent article having an extensible outer cover with activatable zoned breathability

US6503236B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Duane Girard Uitenbroek · Little Chute, US
• Yung Hsiang Huang · Appleton, US
• Thomas Harold Roessler · Menasha, US
• Paul VanGompel · Hortonville, US
• John Philip Vukos · Neenah, US
• Michael Tod Morman · Alpharetta, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 3, 2000
• Grant date: Jan 7, 2003
• Expiry date: May 3, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F13/51484
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article is provided which includes a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover, a liquid permeable bodyside liner, an absorbent body located between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and a pair of fasteners located on the laterally opposed side edges in one of the waist sections of the absorbent article. The outer cover can be configured to provide a substantially permanent deformation of at least about 10 percent when subjected to a tensile force of 100 gmf per inch (per 2.54 cm) of width according to the Material Elongation and Deformation Tensile Test set forth herein. The outer cover can further define a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 800 g/m2/24 hr. The permanent deformation of the outer cover in use can result in a longitudinal breathability gradient ratio between the outer cover in the waist section and the crotch or intermediate section of the article of at least about 1.25 according to the Product Deformation Test set forth herein.