Title of Invention

DISPOSABLE DIAPER

Abstract There is disclosed a disposable diaper (1B) comprising: a front waist region (5); a rear waist region (7); a crotch region (6) extending between the said waist regions; a liquid-pervious topsheet (2) facing the wearer's skin; a liquid-impervious backsheet (3) facing away from the wearer's skin; a liquid-absorbent core (4) interposed between said top - and backsheets (2, 3); said diaper (1B) being contoured by longitudinally opposite end portions (8) extending in a transverse direction outside longitudinally opposite ends (4a) of said core (4) and transversely opposite side edge portions (9) extending in a longitudinal direction outside transversely opposite side edges (4b) of said core (4) wherein said front and rear waist regions (5, 7) are connected to each other by means of fastening means (19) when the diaper (1A) is put on; and of said front and rear waist regions (5, 7), at least said rear waist region (7) having an elastically stretchable waist area (10) extending in the transverse direction along its end (8) and elastically stretchable wing areas (11) extending outward from its transversely opposite side edge portions (9) in the transverse direction wherein the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable waist area (10) is created by a first elastic member (16) contractibly attached to said rear waist region (7) along its end (8), said transversely opposite side edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7) lying between said stretchable waist area (10) and said stretchable wing areas (11) and said stretchable wing areas (11) having a transverse stretch stress higher than that of said stretchable waist area (10); said diaper (1B) being characterized in that: the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable wing areas(11) is created by stretchy sheets (18) separately of said top- and backsheets (2,3); and second elastic members (22) are contractibly attached to the transversely opposite side edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7) so as to make said transversely opposite side edge portion (9) stretchable in the transverse direction, the transverse stretch stress of said elastically stretchable wing areas (11) being lower than the transverse stretch stress of the transversely opposite side edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7).
Full Text SPECIFICATION
DISPOSABLE DIAPER
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
The present invention relates to a disposable diaper
having front and rear waist regions connected to each other by
a fastener means when the diaper is put on.
BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION
[0002]
There has already been proposed a disposable diaper
composed of, in a longitudinal direction, a front waist region,
a rear waist region and a crotch region extending between these
waist regions and comprises a liquid-pervious topsheet, a
liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core
interposed between these two sheets. The diaper is contoured
by longitudinally opposite ends extending in a transverse
direction outside longitudinally opposite ends of the core and
transversely opposite side edges extending in the longitudinal
direction outside transversely opposite ends of the core and
wherein first wings extend outward in the transverse direction
from respective side edges of the front waist region and second

wings extend outward in the transverse direction from the
respective side edges of the rear waist region (See Patent
Document 1).
[0003]
In the diaper disclosed in Patent Document 1, band-like
first elastic members extending in the transverse direction is
contractibly attached to the longitudinally opposite ends of
the front and rear waist regions, respectively, and a plurality
of strand-like second elastic members extending in the
transverse direction are contractibly attached to the rear
waist region so as to lie between the end of the core and the
first elastic member in the rear waist region. In this diaper,
the second elastic members extend between the transversely
opposite side edge portions and further into wings. The wings
of the rear waist region are elastically stretchable in the
transverse direction. Each of the tape fasteners has a fixed
portion permanently bonded to the associated wing of the rear
waist region and a free portion extending outward from the fixed
portion in the transverse direction. Hooks constituting a
so-called mechanical fastener are attached to the free portion
of the tape fastener and a stretch stress higher than those of
the inner layer sheet and the outer layer sheet. Each of the
tape fastener has a fixed side portion which is permanently

bonded to outer end of the associated second wing and a free
portion extending outward from the fixed side portion in the
transverse direction. Hooks constituting a so-called
mechanical fastener are attached to the free portion.
[0004]
An example of the sequence in accordance with which a
parent or a care personnel puts the diaper on the wearer's body
will be described. After the hip of the wearer lying face up
has been laid on the developed diaper, the front waist region
is held with the hand and folded back along the crotch region
onto the wearer's belly. Then, with the tape fasteners gripped
by the fingers, the wings of the rear waist region are folded
back so that these wings are placed on respective outer sides
of the wings of the front waist region. Adjusting a tightness
of the end portions as well as of the wings around the wearer's
waist, the free portions of the respective tape fasteners are
alternately anchored on the outer surface of the front waist
region. Upon connection of the front and rear waist regions
to each other, the diaper is formed with a waist-hole and a pair
of leg-holes.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent.
Application Publication No. 2000-254176
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0005]
In the case of the diaper disclosed in Citation, the
second elastic members are stretched in the transverse
direction and thereby the wings of the rear waist region also
are stretched in the transverse direction as the tape fasteners
are pulled outward in the transverse direction when the diaper
is put on. A tensile force exerted on the second elastic members
is transmitted to the first elastic member which is, in turn,
stretched in the transverse direction and thereby the end
portion of the rear waist region is stretched in the transverse
direction.
[0006]
In this diaper, the first and second elastic members may
often different stretch stresses since the first elastic
members are band-like and the second elastic members are
strand-like. With a consequence, a transverse stretch stress
of the end portion of the rear waist region along which the first
elastic member extends may often be different from a transverse
stretch stress of the wings of the rear waist region along which
the second elastic members extend.
[0007]
If the wings of the rear waist region exhibit a transverse

stretch stress higher than a transverse stretch stress
exhibited by the end of the rear waist region, the end of the
rear waist region will be fully stretched before the wings
should be sufficiently stretched. If the free portions of the
respective tape fasteners are anchored on the front waist region
at this moment, the diaper will be put on the wearer's body with
the wings insufficiently stretched in the transverse direction.
Consequently, the contractile force of the wings can not be
utilized to ensure a desired tightness of the diaper around the
waist of the wearer and the diaper may slip down from the proper
position at which the diaper should be held on the wearer' s body.
In addition, the end portion of the rear waist region may locally
constrict the wearer's waist and the wearer may experience
uncomfortable feeling of local oppression.
[0008]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
disposable diaper improved so as to prevent the diaper from
slipping down during its use and to give the wearer no
uncomfortable feeling of local oppression around the wearer's
waist.
MEASURE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
[0009]
According to the present invention, there is provided a

disposable diaper composed of a a front waist region; a rear waist region; a crotch region extending
between these said waist regions; a liquid-pervious topsheet facing the wearer's skin; a liquid-
impervious backsheet facing away from the wearer's skin; a liquid-absorbent core interposed between
said top - and backsheets; said diaper being contoured by longitudinally opposite end portions
extending in a transverse direction outside longitudinally opposite ends of said core and transversely
opposite side edge portions extending in a longitudinal direction outside transversely opposite side
edges of said core wherein said front and rear waist regions are connected to each other by means of
fastening means when the diaper is put on; and of said front and rear waist regions, at least said rear
waist region having an elastically stretchable waist area extending in the transverse direction along its
end and elastically stretchable wing areas extending outward from its transversely opposite side edge
portions in the transverse direction wherein the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable
waist area is created by a first elastic member contractibly attached to said rear waist region along its
end, said transversely opposite side edge portions of said rear waist region lying between said
stretchable waist area and said stretchable wing areas and said stretchable wing areas having a
transverse stretch stress higher than that of said stretchable waist area; said diaper being characterized
in that: the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable wing areas is created by stretchy sheets
separately of said top - and backsheets; and second elastic members contractibly attached to the
transversely opposite side edge portions of said rear waist region make said transversely opposite
side edge portion stretchable in the transverse direction and the transverse stretch stress of said
elastically stretchable wing areas is lower than the transverse stretch stress of the transversely
opposite side edge portions of said rear waist region.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the stretchable elasticity of the
elastically stretchable waist area is created by a first elastic member contractibly attached to the waist
region along its end and the stretchable elasticity of the elastically stretchable wing areas is created
by stretchy sheets separately of the top- and backsheets.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastically
stretchable waist area presents a transverse stretch stress in a range of 0.5 to 3.0 N
as a first transverse length dimension of the elastically stretchable waist area is
stretched to a first transverse length dimension corresponding to 90% of its maximally stretched
transverse length dimension set as 100%, each of the elastically stretchable wing areas presents
a transverse stretch stress in a range of 1.5 to 7.0 N as each of the elastically stretchable wing
areas is stretched to a second transverse length dimension corresponding to 120% of its non-
stretched transverse length dimension set as 100% and presents a transverse stretch stress

in a range of 3. 0 to 10.0 N as each of the elastically stretchable
is stretched to a second length dimension corresponding to 150%
of its non-stretched transverse length dimension set as 100%.
[0013]
According to still another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the transversely opposite side edge portions of the
rear waist region are substantially non-stretchable.
[0014]
According to further another preferred embodiment of the
invention, second elastic members contractibly attached to the
transversely opposite side edge portions of the rear waist
region make the transversely opposite side edge portion
stretchable in the transverse direction and the transverse
stretch stress of the elastically stretchable wing areas is
lower than the transverse stretch stress of the transversely
opposite side edge portions of the rear waist region.
[0015]
According to an additional preferred embodiment of the
invention, the transversely opposite side edge portions of the
rear waist region present a transverse stretch stress in a range
of 5 to 20 N as the side edge portions are stretched to a third
length dimension corresponding to 90% on the basis of their
maximally stretched transverse length dimension set as 100%.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0016]
The disposable diaper according to the present invention
is characterized in that the tensile force exerted on the
stretchable wing areas is segmentalized and restrained by the
side edge portions of the rear waist region which are
respectively interposed between the stretchable waist area and
the stretchable wing areas so as to reduce the tensile force
transmitted to the stretchable waist area. In this diaper, the
stretchable waist area having a stretch stress lower than that
of the stretchable wing areas is stretched in the transverse
direction in the course of stretching the stretchable wing areas.
However, there is no possibility that the stretchable waist area
might be fully stretched in the transverse direction before the
stretchable wing areas are stretched, so the diaper can be put
on the wearer's body with the stretchable wing areas
sufficiently stretched in the transverse direction. In
addition, the contractile force of the stretchable wing areas
and the stretchable waist area is effectively utilized to ensure
that the diaper can appropriately constrict the wearer's waist
and it is possible to prevent the diaper from slipping down from
the proper position. This diaper is free from the anxiety that
the stretchable waist area might locally constrict and the

wearer might experience uncomfortable feeling of local
oppression.
[0017]
In the case of the diaper wherein the side edge portions
of the rear waist region are elastically stretchable and these
side edge portions have a transverse stretch stress higher than
a transverse stretch stress, even if the tensile force exerted
on the stretchable wing areas is transmitted to the side edge
portions of the rear waist region, such tensile force is
segmentalized and restrained by the side edge portions of the
rear waist region having a stretch stress higher than that of
the stretchable wing areas. Consequently, the tensile force
transmitted to the stretchable waist area can be reduced. In
the course of stretching the stretchable wing areas, the
stretchable waist area having a stretch stress lower than that
of the stretchable wing areas is stretched in the transverse
direction. However, there is no anxiety that the stretchable
waist area might be fully stretched before the stretchable wing
areas are stretched in the transverse direction. Namely, the
diaper can be put on the wearer' s body with the stretchable wing
areas sufficiently stretched in the transverse direction.
This diaper allows the contractile force of the stretchable wing
areas and the stretchable waist area to be effectively utilized

to ensure that the diaper can reliably constrict the wearer's
waist and unintentional slip down of the diaper from the proper
position can be prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view
showing a diaper as an embodiment of the invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line
II-II in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line
III-III in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line
IV-IV in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view
showing another embodiment of the invention.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line
VI-VI in Fig. 5.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line
VII-VII in Fig. 5.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line
VIII-VIII in Fig. 5.
IDENTIFICATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS
[0019]

1A open-type diaper (disposable diaper)
1B pants-type diaper (disposable diaper)
2 liquid-pervious topsheet
3 liquid-impervious backsheet
4 liquid-absorbent core
4a longitudinally opposite ends
4b transversely opposite side edges
5 front waist region
6 crotch region
7 rear waist region
8 longitudinally opposite end portions
9 transversely opposite side edge portions
10 stretchable waist areas
11 stretchable wing areas
16 first elastic members

18 stretchable sheet
19 tape fasteners (fastening means)
22 second elastic members
25 target tape (fastening means)
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR WORKING OF THE INVENTION
[0020]
Details of a disposable diaper according to the present
invention will be more fully understood from the description

given hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an open-type diaper
1A, one of embodiments of the invention, as partially broken
away, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in
Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III
in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line
IV-IV in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a transverse direction is indicated
by an arrow L and a longitudinal direction is indicated by an
arrow M. As used here, the phrase "inner surfaces" of top- and
backsheets and leak-barrier sheets refers to surfaces thereof
facing an absorbent core and as used here, the phrase "outer
surfaces" of these sheets refers to surfaces thereof facing away
from an absorbent core. As used here, the phrase "skin
contacting side" refers to the side facing the wearer's skin
and as used here, the phrase "skin non-contacting side" refers
to the side facing away from the wearer's skin.
[0022]
A diaper 1A basically comprises a liquid-pervious
topsheet 2 lying on a skin contacting side, a liquid-impervious
backsheet 3 lying on the skin non-contacting side and a
liquid-absorbent core 4 interposed between the top- and
backsheets 2,3. The diaper 1A is composed, in the longitudinal

direction, a front waist region 5, a rear waist region 7 and
a crotch region 6 extending between these waist regions 5, 7
wherein the diaper 1A is contoured by longitudinally opposite
end portions 8 extending in the transverse direction across the
front and rear waist regions 5, 7 outside longitudinally
opposite ends 4a of the core 4 and transversely opposite side
edge portions 9 extending in the longitudinal direction between
the front and rear waist regions 5, 7 outside transversely
opposite side edges 4b of the core 4.
[0023]
The diaper 1A further includes elastically stretchable
waist areas 10 defined by the respective end portions 8 of the
front and rear waist regions 5, 7 and a pair of elastically
stretchable wing areas 11 extending outward in the transverse
direction from the side edge portions 9 of the rear waist region
7 . A transverse length dimension between the side edge portions
9 is larger in the front waist region 5 than in the crotch region
6 and thus the diaper 1A presents a substantially hourglass-like
planar shape. A pair of leak-barrier sheets 12 are attached
to the side edge portions 9 so as to extend in the longitudinal
direction.
[0024]
The topsheet 2 is formed from a breathable hydrophilic

fibrous nonwoven fabric 13. The backsheet 3 is formed from a
breathable liquid-impervious plastic film 14 and a breathable
hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric 15 placed upon each other
so that the film 14 lies on the skin contacting side and the
nonwoven fabric 15 lies on the skin non-contacting side. The
film 14 and the nonwoven fabric 15 have respective surfaces
opposed to each other and intermittently bonded to each other
by means of adhesive (not shown) . The core 4 extends over the
crotch region 6 further into the front and rear waist regions
5, 7 and is permanently bonded to at least one of inner surfaces
of the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3.
[0025]
The core 4 comprises a mixture of particulate or fibrous
super-absorbent polymer and fluff pulp or a mixture of
particulate or fibrous super-absorbent polymer, fluff pulp and
thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber, in any case, compressed
to a desired thickness. Preferably, the core 4 is entirely
wrapped with a liquid-pervious sheet such as a tissue paper or
hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric in order to avoid a
possibility that the core 4 might get out of its initial shape
and/or the particulate polymer might fall off from the core 4.
The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of
starch-based polymer, cellulose-based polymer and synthetic

polymer.
[0026]
The longitudinally opposite end portions 8 are formed
from longitudinally opposite end portions 2a of the topsheet
2 and longitudinally opposite end portions 3a of the backsheet
3 extending outward beyond longitudinally opposite ends 4a of
the core 4 . The top- and backsheets 2, 3 are overlapped together
along the end portions 2a, 3a thereof and inner surfaces of these
sheets 2, 3 are permanently bonded together to form the
respective end portions 8. Elasticity of the stretchable waist
areas 10 is created by tape-like first elastic members 16 (i.e.,
waist-surrounding elastic members) contractibly attached to
the respective end portions 8 of the front and rear waist regions
5, 7. The first elastic members 16 are interposed between the
respective end portions 2a of the topsheet 2 and the respective
end portions 3a of the backsheet 3 and. are permanently and
intermittently bonded to the inner surfaces of these sheets 2,
3 by means of adhesive (not shown). The first elastic members
16 are permanently bonded to the top- and backsheets 2, 3 while
the first elastic members 16 are stretched in the transverse
direction at a given ratio. In the stretchable waist areas 10,
the top- and backsheets 2, 3 shrink in the transverse direction
as the elastic members 16 contract and thereupon these sheets

2, 3 are formed with a plurality of gathers rising and falling
in a thickness direction of the diaper 1A.
[0027]
The transversely opposite side edge portions 9 are formed
from transversely opposite side edge portions 2b of the topsheet
2, transversely opposite side edge portions 3b of the backsheet
3 and respective fixed side portions 12a (as will be described
later in details) of the leak-barrier sheets 12 extending
outward in the transverse direction beyond transversely
opposite side edges 4b of the core 4. Along the side edge
portions 9, the side edge portions 2b of the topsheet 2 extend
outward in the transverse direction slightly beyond the
transversely opposite side edges 4b of the core 4 and the side
edge portions 3b of the backsheet 3 as well as the side edge
portions 12a of the leak-barrier sheets 12 extend outward in
the transverse direction beyond the side edge portions 2b of
the topsheet 2. Along the side edge portions 9, the respective
side edge portions 2b, 3b, 12a of these sheets 2, 3, 12 are
overlapped together and have inner and outer surfaces thereof
permanently bonded together. The side edge portions 9 are
substantially non-stretchable. The side edge portions 9 of the
rear waist region 7 lie between the stretchable waist area 10
and the stretchable wing areas 11.

[0028]
A plurality of string-like leg surrounding elastic
members 17 are contractibly attached to the respective side edge
portions 9 of the crotch region 6 so as to extend in the
longitudinal direction. More specifically, the leg
surrounding elastic members 17 are interposed between the
respective side edge portions 3b of the backsheet 3 and the
respective fixed side portions 12a of the leak-barrier sheets
12 and are intermittently and permanently bonded to the inner
surfaces of these sheets 3, 12 by means of adhesive (not shown)
while these elastic members 17 are stretched in the longitudinal
direction at a given ratio. Along the side edge portions 9,
the backsheet 3 and the leak-barrier sheets 12 shrink in the
longitudinal direction as the elastic members 17 contract and
these sheets 3, 12 are formed with a plurality of gathers rising
and falling in the thickness direction of the diaper 1A.
[0029]
The stretchable wing areas 11 are formed from an
elastically stretchable sheet 18 which are prepared separately
of the top- and backsheets 2, 3 as well as the leak-barrier sheets
12 and elastically stretchable in the transverse direction.
The stretchable wing areas 11 have a transverse stretch stress
higher than that of the stretchable waist areas 10. The

stretchable wing areas 11 have transversely inner end portions
11a interposed between the side edge portions 3b of the
backsheet 3 and the fixed side portions 12a of the leak-barrier
sheets 12 and permanently bonded to respective inner surfaces
of these sheets 3, 12 by means of adhesive (not shown) . A pair
of tape fasteners 19 (fastening means) extending in the
transverse direction are attached to the transversely outer end
portions l1b of the respective stretchable wing areas 11.
[0030]
The stretchable sheet 18 comprises a pair of breathable
hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric layers 20 and breathable
liquid-impervious stretchy plastic film 21 sandwiched between
these nonwoven fabric layers 20. These nonwoven fabric layers
20 are formed with a plurality of gathers rising and falling
in the thickness direction of the diaper 1A.
[0031]
The elastically stretchable sheet 18 may be obtained, for
example, by placing and bonding the nonwoven fabric layers 20
on and to both surfaces of the stretchy plastic film 20 which
is under a tension in the transverse direction. Upon relaxation,
the film 21 contracts in the transverse direction and a
contractile force of the film 21 causes the nonwoven fabric
layers 20 to shrink in the transverse direction and to be formed

with the gathers. Specifically, the nonwoven fabric layers 20
and the film 21 have respective surfaces opposed one to another
overlap and intermittently bonded one to another at a plurality
of heat-sealing spots rather evenly distributed in a dotted
pattern. For bonding of the nonwoven fabric layers 20 to the
film 21 may be achieved using welding technique such as
heat-sealing or sonic sealing. Alternatively, the nonwoven
fabric layers 20 and the film 21 may be intermittently bonded
together using adhesive instead of using the heat-sealing spots
23.
[0032]
The fibrous nonwoven fabric 20 is formed from
polyolefin-based thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber. The
polyolef in-based thermoplastic synthetic resin may be selected
from the group consisting of polyamide-, polyester-,
polyethylene-, polypropylene-based thermoplastic synthetic
resin. The plastic film 21 is formed by thermoplastic synthetic
resin having rubber-like elasticity. The thermoplastic
synthetic resin forming the film 21 is made of material selected
from the group consisting of styrene-based block copolymer,
polyurethane-based block copolymer, polyester-based block
copolymer, polyamide-based block copolymer and copolymer blend.
The styrene-based block copolymer may be: selected from a group

consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene (S-B-S) and
styrene-ethylene butadiene-styrene (S-EB-S). The copolymer
blend may be selected from the group consisting of
styrene-ethylene butadiene-styrene/polypropylene (S-EB-S/PP)
and polypropylene/ethylene-propylene (PP/-P).
[0033]
Alternatively, the stretchable sheet 18 may be formed
from a single layer of the breathable hydrophobic fibrous
nonwoven fabric 20 and the stretchy plastic film 21. In this
case, the nonwoven fabric layer 20 may be placed and bonded on
and to one surface of the stretchy plastic film 21 being
stretched in the transverse direction by means of the
heat-sealing spots 23 or by means of adhesive.
[0034]
Each of the tape fasteners 19 has a fixed side portion
19a permanently bonded to the outer end portion l1b of the
associated second stretchable wing area 11 by means of adhesive
(not shown) and a free portion 19b extending outward from the
fixed side portion 19a in the transverse direction. Stock
material for the tape fastener 19 may be selected from the group
consisting of a fibrous nonwoven fabric made of
polyolefin-based thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber and a film
made of polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin. The free

portion 19b is provided with a plurality of hooks 24 extending
in the thickness direction of the diaper 1A. These hooks 24
are made of polyolefin-based thermoplastic synthetic resin.
Alternatively, the free portion 19b may be coated with
pressure-sensitive adhesive, instead of the hooks 24.
[0035]
The front waist region 5 is provided with a target tape
25 (fastening means) on which the free end portions 19b of the
respective tape fasteners 19 are releasably anchored. The
target tape 25 has a rectangular shape having its longer sides
extending in the transverse direction and is intermittently or
continuously bonded to the outer surface of the backsheet 3 by
means of adhesive (not shown) . Stock materials for this target
tape 25 may be selected from the group consisting of a fibrous
nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based thermoplastic
synthetic resin fiber and a plastic film made of
polyolefin-based thermoplastic synthetic resin. The target
tape 25 is provided on its outer surface with a plurality of
loops 26 each describing a circular arc in the thickness
direction of the diaper 1A. These loops 26 are made of
polyolefin-based thermoplastic synthetic resin. When it is
desired to coat the free portions 19b of the respective tape
fasteners 19 with pressure-sensitive adhesive, the synthetic

resin film may be used as the target tape 25.
[0036]
The leak-barrier sheets 12 are formed from a breathable
hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric 27. The leak-barrier
sheets 12 respectively have the fixed side portions 12a
extending between the front and rear waist regions 5, 7 in the
longitudinal direction along the side edge portions 9, a movable
portions 12b normally biased to rise up above the topsheet 2
and extending between the front and rear waist regions 5, 7 in
the longitudinal direction and longitudinally opposite fixed
end portions 12c lying on the longitudinally opposite end
portions 8, respectively, and collapsed inward in the
transverse direction of the diaper 1A. Elastic members 28
extending in the longitudinal direction are contractibly
attached to the movable portions 12b in the vicinity of distal
ends of these movable portions 12b wherein each of the elastic
members 28 is wrapped with a part of the movable portion 12b
and intermittently and permanently bonded to the movable
portions 12b by means of adhesive (not shown). The fixed end
portions 12c are permanently bonded to the outer surface of the
respective end portions 2a of the topsheet 2. In the
leak-barrier sheets 12, the elastic members 28 contract as the
diaper 1A is curved in the longitudinal direction with the

topsheet 2 inside and a contractile force of these elastic
members 28 causes the movable portions 12b to rise up above the
topsheet 2 so as to form barriers against bodily discharges.
[0037]
An example of the sequence in accordance with which a
parent or a care personnel puts the diaper 1A on the wearer's
body will be described. After the hip of the wearer lying face
up has been laid on the developed diaper 1A, the front waist
region 5 is held with the hand and folded back along the crotch
region 6 onto the wearer's belly. Then, with the free portions
19b of the tape fasteners 19 gripped by the fingers, the
stretchable wing areas 11 are folded back so that these
stretchable wing areas 11 may be positioned above the wearer's
belly. Adjusting a tightness of the stretchable waist area 10
as well as the stretchable wing areas 11 around the wearer's
waist by stretching the wing areas 11 in the transverse
direction, the stretchable wing areas 11 are place on respective
outer sides of the end portion 8 of the front waist region 5
and the side edge portions 9, and then the free portions 19b
of the respective tape fasteners 19 are anchored on the outer
surface of the target tape 25 and thereby the front and rear
waist regions 5, 7 are connected to each other.

To anchor the tape fasteners 19 on the target tape 25,
the free portions 19b of the respective tape fasteners 19 may-
be pressed against the outer surface of the target tape 25 and
thereby the hooks 24 may be engaged with the loops 26. Upon
connection of the front and rear waist regions 5, 7 to each other,
the diaper 1A is formed with a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes
(not shown). Excretion discharged on the diaper 1A put on the
wearer's body is absorbed by the core 4 through the topsheet
2 and contained therein.
[0039]
The stretchable wing areas 11 are stretched in the
transverse direction as the tape fasteners 19 pulled outward
in the transverse direction and a tensile force exerted on the
stretchable wing areas 11 is transmitted to the side edge
portions 9 of the rear waist region 7 defined between the
stretchable waist area 10 and the stretchable wing areas 11.
Even when the tensile force exerted on the stretchable wing
areas 11 is transmitted to the side edge portions 9 of the rear
waist region 7, such tensile force is segmentalized and
restrained by the substantially non-stretchable side edge
portions 9 and the tensile force transmitted from the
stretchable wing areas 11 to the stretchable waist area 10 can
be reduced. Therefore, while the waist area 10 having a stretch

stress lower than that of the wing areas 11 is stretched in the
transverse direction in the course of stretching the wing areas
11, it is unlikely that the stretchable waist area 10 might be
fully stretched before the stretchable wing areas 11 are
sufficiently stretched in the transverse direction. In this
way, the free portions 19b of the respective tape fasteners 19
can be anchored on the target tape 25 with the stretchable waist
area 10 as well as the stretchable wing areas 11 sufficiently
stretched.
[0040]
A parent or a care personnel is able to put the diaper
1A on the wearer's body with not only the stretchable waist area
10 but also the stretchable wing areas 11 sufficiently stretched.
In other words, there is no anxiety that the diaper 1A might
be put on the wearer's body with the stretchable wing areas 11
insufficiently stretched. In this way, it is ensured that the
diaper 1A can be appropriately tightened around the wearer's
waist by utilizing a contractile force of the stretchable waist
area 10 as well as a contractile force of the stretchable wing
areas 11. The diaper 1A can be held in close contact with the
wearer's skin along the end portions 8 as well as the side edge
portions 9 of the front and rear waist regions 5, 7 to avoid
both the apprehension that the end portions 8 and/or the side

edge portions 9 might shift from the proper positions and the
apprehension that the diaper 1A might slip down from the proper
position.
[0041]
The diaper 1A is free from the anxiety that the
stretchable waist area 10 might locally compress the wearer's
waist and the wearer might experience uncomfortable feeling of
local oppression around the waist. Even if the stretchable
waist area 10 of the front waist region 5 constrict the wearer's
waist, such constriction is not so significant that the wearer
might be prevented from his or her abdominal respiration and
might experience uncomfortable feeling to wear the diaper 1A.
[0042]
The elastically stretchable waist area 10 presents a
transverse stretch stress in a range of 0.5 to 3.0 N as this
elastically stretchable waist area 10 is stretched to its first
transverse length dimension corresponding to 90% of its
maximally stretched transverse length dimension set as 100%,
each of the elastically stretchable wing areas 11 presents a
transverse stretch stress in a range of 1.5 to 7.0 N as each
of the elastically stretchable wing areas 11 is stretched to
its second transverse length dimension corresponding to 120%
of its non-stretched transverse length dimension set as 100%

and presents a transverse stretch stress in a range of 3.0 to
10.0 N as each of the elastically stretchable wing areas 11 is
stretched to its second length dimension corresponding to 150%
of its non-stretched transverse length dimension set as 100%.
[0043]
If the stretch stress of the wing areas 11 exceeds the
above-mentioned higher limit values, an excessively high
tensile force will be required to stretch the wing areas 11 in
the transverse direction and, in consequence, it will be
impossible to control a tensile force transmitted from the
stretchable wing areas 11 to the stretchable waist area 10.
Thus undesirably high tensile force may be transmitted from the
stretchable wing areas 11 to the stretchable waist area 10 and
the stretchable waist area 10 may be fully stretched in the
transverse direction before the stretchable wing areas 11 are
sufficiently stretched. In this case, the diaper 1A may be put
on with the stretchable wing areas 11 insufficiently stretched
in the transverse direction.
[0044]
If the stretch stress of the stretchable waist area 10
is less than the above-mentioned lower limit values, the
stretchable waist area 10 will be fully stretched under a
relatively low tensile force and, as an inevitable result, it

will be impossible to put the diaper 1A on the wearer's body
with the stretchable wing areas 11 sufficiently stretched.
Additionally, a contractile force of the stretchable waist area
10 will be substantially ineffective and it will be impossible
for the stretchable waist area 10 to clinch the wearer's waist
appropriately. If the stretch stress of the stretchable waist
area 10 exceeds the above-mentioned higher limit values and the
stretch stress of the stretchable wing areas 11 is less than
the above-mentioned lower limit values, the stretchable waist
area 10 will needlessly clinch the wearer's waist, leading to
a feeling of local oppression and sometimes making an abdominal
respiration difficult. At the same time, the contractile force
of the stretchable wing areas 11 is substantially ineffective
to clinch the wearer' s waist appropriately by these stretchable
wing areas 11.
[0045]
The stretch stress of the stretchable waist area 10 was
measured using a method as follows:
(1) The stretchable waist area 10 (including the first
elastic members) is cut away from the end portion 8 of the rear
waist region 7 to prepare a first sample having a transverse
dimension of 220 to 240 mm for measurement of stretch stress.
INSTRON 5543 or AUTOGRAPH manufactured by INSTRON JAPAN CO. is

used to measure the stretch stress.
(2) One end of the first sample in the transverse
direction is held by an upper chuck and the other end of the
first sample in the transverse direction is held by a lower chuck.
A length dimension of the sample measured between the upper and
lower chucks is 125 mm. The first sample is now stretched in
the vertical direction at a rate of 100 mm/min so that the upper
and lower chucks may get away from each other.
(3) On the basis of a length dimension of the first sample
having been stretched to the maximum limit as measured between
the upper and lower chucks set as 100%, the first sample is
stretched to a length dimension corresponding to 90% and a
stretch stress at this moment is measured as the transverse
stretch stress of the stretchable waist area 10.
[0046]
The stretch stress of the stretchable wing areas 11 was
measured using a method as follows:
(1) The transversely opposite side edge portions 9 of the
rear waist region 7 are cut away from the diaper 1A to prepare
second samples for measurement of stretch stress. Each sample
comprises a part of the side edge portion 9 and the complete
stretchable wing area 11 (including the tape fastener 19).
INSTRON 5543 or AUTOGRAPH manufactured by INSTRON JAPAN CO. is

used to measure the stretch stress.
(2) A fixture is attached to the side edge portion 9 of
the sample except the stretchable wing area 11 so that the
fixture may extend along full length of the side edge portion
9. Of the second sample, the tape fastener 19 is held by an
upper chuck and the fixture is held by a lower chuck. A length
dimension of the sample measured between the upper and lower
chucks is 70 mm.
(3) A length dimension of the non-stretched second sample
extending between the upper and lower chucks without slacks is
set as 100%. The second sample is stretched in the vertical
direction at a rate of 100 min/min so that the upper and lower
chucks may get away from each other. The second sample is
stretched to a length dimension corresponding to 120% of its
non-stretched length and a stretch stress of the second sample
at this moment is measured and then the second sample is
stretched to a length dimension corresponding to 150% of its
non-stretched length and a stretch stress of the second sample
at this moment is measured.
[0047]
Fig. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing
a diaper IB as another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is
a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5, and Figs.

7 and 8 are sectional views taken along lines VII-VII and
VIII-VIII, respectively. In Fig. 5, the transverse direction
is indicated by an arrow L, the longitudinal direction is
indicated by an arrow M and the thickness direction is indicated
by an arrow N.
[0048]
The diaper 1B basically comprises a liquid-pervious
topsheet 2, a liquid-impervious backsheet 3 and a
liquid-absorbent core 4 interposed between the top- and
backsheet s 2, 3. The diaper 1B is composed of, in the
longitudinal direction, a front waist region 5, a rear waist
region 7 and a crotch region 6 extending between these waist
regions 5, 7. The diaper 1B is contoured by longitudinally
opposite end portions 8 extending across the front and rear
waist regions 5, 7 in the transverse direction outside
longitudinally opposite ends 4a of the core 4 and transversely
opposite side edge portions 9 extending between the front and
rear waist regions 5, 7 in the longitudinal direction outside
transversely opposite side edges 4b of the core 4.
[0049]
The diaper 1B further includes elastically stretchable
waist areas 10 defined by the respective end portions 8 of the
front and rear waist regions 5, 7 and a pair of elastically

stretchable wing areas 11 extending outward in the transverse
direction from the side edge portions 9 of the rear waist region
9. A pair of leak-barrier sheets 12 extending in the
longitudinal direction are attached to the side edge portions
9. The topsheet 2 is formed by the same nonwoven fabric 13 as
that of the diaper 1A and the backsheet 3 is formed from the
film 14 and the nonwoven fabric 15 both being the same as those
of the diaper 1A. The core 4 also is the same as that of the
diaper 1A.
[0050]
The longitudinally opposite end portions 8 are formed
from longitudinally opposite end portions 2a of the topsheet
2 and longitudinally opposite end portions 3a of the backsheet
3 extending outward beyond longitudinally opposite ends 4a of
the core 4 . The top- and backsheets 2, 3 are overlapped together
along the end portions 2a, 3a thereof. Elasticity of the
stretchable waist areas 10 is created by tape-like first elastic
members 16 (i.e., waist-surrounding elastic members)
contractibly attached to the respective end portions 8 of the
front and rear waist regions 5, 7. The first elastic members
16 are interposed between the respective end portions 2a of the
topsheet 2 and the respective end portions 3a of the backsheet
3 and are permanently and intermittently bonded to the inner

surfaces of these sheets 2, 3. In the stretchable waist areas
10, the top- and backsheets 2, 3 shrink in the transverse
direction as the elastic members 16 contract and thereupon these
sheets 2, 3 are formed with a plurality of gathers rising and
falling in a thickness direction of the diaper 1B.
[0051]
The transversely opposite side edge portions 9 are formed
from transversely opposite side edge portions 2b of the topsheet
2, transversely opposite side edge portions 3b of the backsheet
3 and the respective fixed side portions 12a of the leak-barrier
sheets 12 extending outward in the transverse direction beyond
transversely opposite side edges 4b of the core 4. Along the
side edge portions 9, the respective side edge portions 2b, 3b,
12a of these sheets 2, 3, 12 are overlapped together and have
inner and outer surfaces thereof permanently bonded together.
[0052]
The transversely opposite side edge portions 9 of the rear
waist region 7 are elastically stretchable in the transverse
direction and interposed between the stretchable waist area 10
and the stretchable wing areas 11. Elasticity of the side edge
portions 9 are created by second elastic members 22 contractibly
attached thereto. The second elastic members 22 present
substantially rectangular shape having its longer sides

extending in the longitudinal direction. These second elastic
members 22 are interposed between the side edge portions 3b of
the backsheet 3 and the fixed side portions 12a of the respective
leak-barrier sheets 12 and intermittently and permanently
bonded to the respective inner surfaces of these sheets 3, 12
by means of adhesive (not shown). The second elastic members
22 are bonded to the backsheet 3 and the leak-barrier sheets
12 while the second elastic members 22 are stretched in the
transverse direction at a given ratio. Along the side edge
portions 9, the backsheet 3 and the leak-barrier sheets 12
shrink in the longitudinal direction as the elastic members 17
contract and these sheets 3, 12 are formed with a plurality of
gathers rising and falling in the thickness direction of the
diaper 1B.
[0053]
A plurality of string-like leg surrounding elastic
members 17 are contractibly attached to the respective side edge
portions 9 of the crotch region 6 so as to extend in the
longitudinal direction. More specifically, the leg
surrounding elastic members 17 are interposed between the
respective side edge portions 3b of the backsheet 3 and the
respective fixed side portions 12a of the leak-barrier sheets
12 and are intermittently and permanently bonded to the inner

surfaces of these sheets 3, 12 while these elastic members 17
are stretched in the longitudinal direction at a given ratio.
Along the side edge portions 9 of the crotch region 6, the
backsheet 3 and the leak-barrier sheets 12 shrink in the
longitudinal direction as the elastic members 17 contract and
these sheets 3, 12 are formed with a plurality of gathers rising
and falling in the thickness direction of the diaper 1B.
[0054]
The stretchable wing areas 11 are formed from an
elastically stretchable sheet 18 which are prepared separately
of the top- and backsheets 2, 3 as well as the leak-barrier sheets
12 and elastically stretchable in the transverse direction.
The stretchable wing areas 11 have a transverse stretch stress
which is higher than that of the stretchable waist areas 10 and
lower than that of the side edge portions 9 in the rear waist
region 7 . The stretchable wing areas 11 have transversely inner
end portions 11a interposed between the side edge portions 3b
of the backsheet 3 and the fixed side portions 12a of the
leak-barrier sheets 12 and permanently bonded to respective
inner surfaces of these sheets 3, 12. Inner end portion 11a
of the stretchable wing area 11 has substantially the same
longitudinal dimension as that of the second elastic members
22 attached to the side edge portions 9 of the rear waist region

7. A pair of tape fasteners 19 (fastening means) extending in
the transverse direction are attached to the transversely outer
end portions l1b of the respective stretchable wing areas 11.
The stretchable sheet 18 comprises, similarly to that of the
diaper 1A, a pair of breathable hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven
fabric layers 20 and breathable, liquid-impervious and stretchy
plastic film 21 sandwiched therebetween. The nonwoven fabric
layers 20 and the film 21 are intermittently bonded together
at a plurality of heat-sealing spots distributed in
dot-pattern.
[0055]
Each of the tape fasteners 19 has a fixed side portion
19a permanently bonded to the outer end portion l1b of the
associated second stretchable wing area 11 and a free portion
19b extending outward from the fixed side portion 19a in the
transverse direction. The free portion 19b is provided with
a plurality of hooks 24 extending in the thickness direction
of the diaper 1B. The tape fasteners 19 and hooks 24 are made
of the same materials as those used in the embodiment of the
diaper 1A.
[0056]
The front waist region 5 is provided with a target tape
25 (fastening means) on which the free end portions 19b of the

respective tape fasteners 19 are releasably anchored. The
target tape 25 has a rectangular shape having its longer sides
extending in the transverse direction and is permanently bonded
to the outer surface of the backsheet 3. The target tape 25
is provided on its outer surface with a plurality of loops 26
each describing a circular arc in the thickness direction of
the diaper 1B. The target tape 25 and the loops 26 are made
of the same materials as those used in the embodiment of the
diaper 1A.
[0057]
The leak-barrier sheets 12 are formed from the same
nonwoven fabric 27 as that used in the embodiment of the diaper
1A. The leak-proof sheets 12 respectively have the fixed side
portions 12a extending between the front and rear waist regions
5, 7 in the longitudinal direction along the side edge portions
9, a movable portions 12b normally biased to rise up above the
topsheet 2 and extending between the front and rear waist
regions 5, 7 in the longitudinal direction and longitudinally
opposite fixed end portions 12c lying on the longitudinally
opposite end portions 8, respectively, and collapsed inward in
the transverse direction of the diaper 1B. Elastic members 28
extending in the longitudinal direction are contractibly
attached to the movable portions 12b in the vicinity of distal

ends of these movable portions 12b. The fixed end portions 12c
are permanently bonded to outer surface of the respective end
portions 2a of the topsheet 2. The movable portions ,12b rise
up above the topsheet 2 so as to form barriers against bodily
discharges.
[0058]
The sequence in which a parent or a care personnel puts'
the diaper 1B on the wearer's body is the same as in the case
of the diaper 1A and not described here to eliminate duplication.
The stretchable wing areas 11 are stretched in the transverse
direction as the tape fasteners 19 pulled outward in the
transverse direction with the free portions 19b gripped by the
fingers and a tensile force exerted on the stretchable wing
areas 11 is transmitted to the side edge portions 9 of the rear
waist region 7 defined between the stretchable waist area 10
and the stretchable wing areas 11. Even when the tensile force
exerted on the stretchable wing areas 11 is transmitted to the
side edge portions 9 of the rear waist region 7, such tensile
force is segmentalized and restrained by the substantially
non-stretchable side edge portions 9 and the tensile force
transmitted from the stretchable wing areas 11 to the
stretchable waist area 10 can be reduced. Therefore, while the
waist area 10 having a stretch stress lower than that of the

wing areas 11 is stretched in the transverse direction in the
course of stretching the wing areas 11, it is unlikely that the
stretchable waist area 10 might be fully stretched before the
stretchable wing areas 11 are sufficiently stretched in the
transverse direction. In this way, the free portions 19b of
the respective tape fasteners 19 can be anchored on the target
tape 25 with the stretchable waist area 10 as well as the
stretchable wing areas 11 sufficiently stretched.
[0059]
A parent or a care personnel is able to put the diaper
1B on the wearer' s body with not only the stretchable waist area
10 but also the stretchable wing areas 11 sufficiently stretched.
In other words, there is no anxiety that the diaper 1B might
be put on the wearer's body with the stretchable wing areas 11
insufficiently stretched. In this way, it is ensured that the
diaper 1B can be appropriately tightened around the wearer's
waist by utilizing a contractile force of the stretchable waist
area 10 as well as a contractile force of the stretchable wing
areas 11. The diaper 1B can be held in close contact with the
wearer's skin along the end portions 8 as well as the side edge
portions 9 of the front and rear waist regions 5, 7 to avoid
both the apprehension that the end portions 8 and/or the side
edge portions 9 might shift from the proper positions and the

apprehension that the diaper 1B might slip down from the proper
position.
[0060]
The diaper 1B is free from the anxiety that the
stretchable waist area 10 might locally compress the wearer's
waist and the wearer might experience uncomfortable feeling of
local oppression around the waist. Even if the stretchable
waist area 10 of the front waist region 5 constrict the wearer' s
waist, such constriction is not so significant that the wearer
might be prevented from his or her abdominal respiration and
might experience uncomfortable feeling to wear the diaper 1B.
[0061]
In the diaper 1B, the elastically stretchable waist area
10 presents a transverse stretch stress in a range of 0.5 to
3.0 N as the elastically stretchable waist area 10 is shortened
to a transverse length dimension corresponding to 90% of a
second length dimension if the stretchable waist area 10 as
maximally stretched in the transverse direction and set as 100%,
each of the elastically stretchable wing areas 11 presents a
transverse stretch stress in a range of 1.5 to 7.0 N as each
of the elastically stretchable wing areas 11 is stretched to
a length dimension corresponding to 120% of a second length
dimension of the wing areas 11 non-stretched in the transverse

direction and set as 100% and presents a transverse stretch
stress in a range of 3.0 to 10.0 N as each of the elastically
stretchable wing areas 11 is stretched to a length dimension
corresponding to 150% of a second length dimension of the wing
areas 11 non-stretched in the transverse direction and set as
100%.
[0062]
In the diaper 1B, the side edge portion 9 of the rear waist
region 7 presents a transverse stretch stress in a range of 5
to 20 N as a third length dimension of the side edge portion
9 is shortened to 90% of the third length dimension of the side
edge portion maximally stretched in the transverse direction
and set as 100%.
[0063]
The stretch stress of the elastically stretchable waist
area 10 and the stretch stress of the stretchable wing areas
11 were measured using the methods as have been described in
connection with the embodiment of the diaper 1A. The stretch
stress of the side edge portions 9 in the rear waist region 7
was measured by a method as follows:
(1) The transversely opposite side edge portions 9
(including the second elastic members 22) of the rear waist
region 7 are cut away from the diaper 1B to prepare third samples

each having transverse dimension of 10 to 50 mm for measurement
of stretch stress. INSTRON 5543 or AUTOGRAPH manufactured by
INSTRON JAPAN CO. is used to measure the stretch stress.
(2) One lateral end of the third sample is held by an upper
chuck and the opposite lateral end thereof is held by a lower
chuck. A length dimension of the sample measured between these
two chucks is 10 mm. The third sample is pulled in the vertical
direction at a rate of 100 mm/min so that the upper and lower
chucks may get away from each other.
(3) The third sample is stretched to a length dimension
corresponding to 90% of the length dimension of the third sample
maximally stretched, measured between the two chucks and set
as 100%. At this moment, a stretch stress of the third sample
is measured as the transverse stretch stress of the side edge
portions 9 in the rear waist region 7.
[0064]
Stock materials for the topsheet 2 may be selected from
the group consisting of a hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric
having a plurality of apertures and a plastic film having a
plurality of fine perforations. Stock materials for the
backsheet 3 may be selected from the group consisting of a
breathable hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric, a breathable
liquid-impervious plastic film and a composite nonwoven fabric

comprising two or more breathable hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven
fabric layers laminated one upon another. Stock materials for
the leak-barrier sheets 12 may be selected from the group
consisting of a composite nonwoven fabric comprising two or more
breathable hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric layers
laminated one upon another and a composite sheet comprising a
breathable hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric and a breathable
liquid-impervious plastic film laminated upon each other.
[0065]
As stock materials for the backsheet 3 and the
leak-barrier sheets 12, it is also possible to use a composite
nonwoven fabric (SM nonwoven fabric or SMS nonwoven fabric)
consisting of a melt blown fibrous nonwoven fabric having a high
water-resistance and a spun bond fibrous nonwoven fabric having
a high strength as well as a high flexibility laminated on at
least one side of the melt blown fibrous nonwoven fabric.
[0066]
Fibrous nonwoven fabric used to form the top- and
backsheets 2, 3, the leak-barrier sheets 12, the stretchable
wing areas 11, the tape fasteners 19 and the target tape 25 may
be selected from those obtained by spun lace-, needle punch-,
melt blown-, thermal bond-, spun bond- and chemical
bond-processes.

The hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric may be made of
any one of synthetic fiber, semi-synthetic fiber and
regenerated fiber each modified to become hydrophilic or
conjugate fiber thereof. The hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven
fabric may be formed from synthetic fiber and may contain
therein semi-synthetic fiber or regenerated fiber both treated
to become water repellent. While not specified, the synthetic
fiber may be selected from the group consisting of polyester-,
polyacrylonitrile-, polyvinyl chloride-, polyethylene-,
polypropylene- and polystyrene-based fibers. The suitably
useful synthetic fibers further include core-sheath type
conjugate fiber, side-by-side type conjugate fiber, macaroni
fiber, microporous fiber and bonded-type conjugate fiber.
[0068]
It is preferred to use hot melt adhesive as the adhesive.
In addition to hot melt adhesive, it is also possible to use
any one of acrylic adhesive and elastomeric adhesive. The
adhesive may be applied on the top- and backsheets 2, 3 and the
leak-barrier sheets 12 in a suitable pattern selected from the
group consisting of a spiral pattern, zigzag pattern, dotted
pattern and striped pattern. Application of the adhesive on
these sheets 2, 3, 12 in such pattern generates adhesive-coated

regions and adhesive-free regions, resulting in that these
sheets 2, 3, 12 are permanently bonded one to another in
intermittent fashion, the sheets 2, 3, 12 are bonded to one to
another in an intermittent fashion and the core 4 is permanently
bonded to the sheets 2, 3 and the elastic members 16, 17, 22,
28 are also bonded to the sheets 2, 3, 12 in an intermittent
fashion.
[0069]
In these diapers 1A, IB having been described in reference
with the accompanying drawings, the stretchable waist area 10
may be formed along the end portion 8 of at least the rear waist
region 7 of the front and rear waist regions 5, 7. The first
and second elastic members 16, 22 may be provided in the form
of strand-like elastic members. As stock materials for the
first and second elastic members 16, 22, the leg surrounding
elastic members 17 and the elastic members 28, it is also
possible to use natural rubber, synthetic rubber or urethane
foam.

WE CLAIM:
1. A disposable diaper (1B) comprising:
a front waist region (5);
a rear waist region (7);
a crotch region (6) extending between the said waist regions;
a liquid-pervious topsheet (2) facing the wearer's skin;
a liquid-impervious backsheet (3) facing away from the wearer's skin;
a liquid-absorbent core (4) interposed between said top - and backsheets (2, 3);
said diaper (1B) being contoured by longitudinally opposite end portions (8) extending in a
transverse direction outside longitudinally opposite ends (4a) of said core (4) and transversely
opposite side edge portions (9) extending in a longitudinal direction outside transversely opposite
side edges (4b) of said core (4) wherein said front and rear waist regions (5, 7) are connected to each
other by means of fastening means (19) when the diaper (1 A) is put on; and
of said front and rear waist regions (5, 7), at least said rear waist region (7) having an
elastically stretchable waist area (10) extending in the transverse direction along its end (8) and
elastically stretchable wing areas (11) extending outward from its transversely opposite side edge
portions (9) in the transverse direction wherein the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable
waist area (10) is created by a first elastic member (16) contractibly attached to said rear waist region
(7) along its end (8), said transversely opposite side edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7)
lying between said stretchable waist area (10) and said stretchable wing areas (11) and said
stretchable wing areas (11) having a transverse stretch stress higher than that of said stretchable waist
area (10); said diaper (1B) being characterized in that:
the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable wing areas(11) is created by stretchy
sheets (18)separately of said top- and backsheets (2,3); and

second elastic members (22) are contractibly attached to the transversely opposite side edge
portions (9) of said rear waist region (7) so as to make said transversely opposite side edge portion
(9) stretchable in the transverse direction, the transverse stretch stress of said elastically stretchable
wing areas (11) being lower than the transverse stretch stress of the transversely opposite side edge
portions (9) of said rear waist region (7).
2. The diaper (1B) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastically stretchable waist area (10)
presents a transverse stretch stress in a range of 0.5 to 3.0 N as said elastically stretchable waist area
(10) is shortened to a transverse length dimension corresponding to 90% of a second length
dimension of said elastically stretchable waist area (10) as maximally stretched in the transverse
direction and set as 100%, each of said elastically stretchable wing areas (11) presents a transverse
stretch stress in a range of 1.5 to 7.0 N as each of said elastically stretchable wing areas (11) is
stretched to a transverse length dimension corresponding to 120% of a second length dimension of
said elastically stretchable wing areas (11) as non-stretched in the transverse direction and set as
100% and presents a transverse stretch stress in a range of 3.0 to 10.0 N as each of the elastically
stretchable is stretched to a transverse length dimension corresponding to 150% of said second
length dimension of said elastically stretchable wing areas (11) as non-stretched in the transverse
direction and set as 100%.
3. The diaper (1B) as claimed in any one of claims lor 2, wherein the transversely opposite side
edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7) are substantially non-stretchable.

4. The diaper (1B) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transversely opposite side edge portions
(9) of said rear waist region (7) present a transverse stretch stress in a range of 5 to 20 N as said side
edge portions (9) are stretched to a length dimension corresponding to 90% of a third length
dimension of said side edge portions (9) maximally stretched in the transverse dimension and set as
100%.

There is disclosed a disposable diaper (1B) comprising:
a front waist region (5); a rear waist region (7); a crotch region (6) extending between the said waist
regions; a liquid-pervious topsheet (2) facing the wearer's skin; a liquid-impervious backsheet (3) facing away
from the wearer's skin; a liquid-absorbent core (4) interposed between said top - and backsheets (2, 3); said
diaper (1B) being contoured by longitudinally opposite end portions (8) extending in a transverse direction
outside longitudinally opposite ends (4a) of said core (4) and transversely opposite side edge portions (9)
extending in a longitudinal direction outside transversely opposite side edges (4b) of said core (4) wherein
said front and rear waist regions (5, 7) are connected to each other by means of fastening means (19) when
the diaper (1A) is put on; and
of said front and rear waist regions (5, 7), at least said rear waist region (7) having an elastically
stretchable waist area (10) extending in the transverse direction along its end (8) and elastically stretchable
wing areas (11) extending outward from its transversely opposite side edge portions (9) in the transverse
direction wherein the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable waist area (10) is created by a first
elastic member (16) contractibly attached to said rear waist region (7) along its end (8), said transversely
opposite side edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7) lying between said stretchable waist area (10) and
said stretchable wing areas (11) and said stretchable wing areas (11) having a transverse stretch stress higher
than that of said stretchable waist area (10); said diaper (1B) being characterized in that:
the stretchable elasticity of said elastically stretchable wing areas(11) is created by stretchy sheets
(18) separately of said top- and backsheets (2,3); and second elastic members (22) are contractibly attached to
the transversely opposite side edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7) so as to make said transversely
opposite side edge portion (9) stretchable in the transverse direction, the transverse stretch stress of said
elastically stretchable wing areas (11) being lower than the transverse stretch stress of the transversely
opposite side edge portions (9) of said rear waist region (7).

Documents:

27-KOLNP-2006-FORM-27.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-abstract.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-claims.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-correspondence.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-drawings.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-examination report.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-form 1.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-form 18.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-form 3.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-form 5.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-gpa.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-specification.pdf

27-kolnp-2006-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 229478
Indian Patent Application Number 27/KOLNP/2006
PG Journal Number 08/2009
Publication Date 20-Feb-2009
Grant Date 18-Feb-2009
Date of Filing 03-Jan-2006
Name of Patentee UNI-CHARM CO. LTD.
Applicant Address 182, SHIMOBUN, KINSEI-CHO, SHIKOKUCHU-SHI, EHIME
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MINATO HIRONAO C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARAM CO., LTD. 1531-7, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, KANONJI-SHI, KAGAWA 769-1602
2 MITSUI KOICHIRO C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARAM CO., LTD. 1531-7, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, KANONJI-SHI, KAGAWA 769-1602
3 YOSHIDA MASAKI C/O TECHNICAL CENTER, UNI-CHARAM CO., LTD. 1531-7, WADAHAMA, TOYOHAMA-CHO, KANONJI-SHI, KAGAWA 769-1602
PCT International Classification Number A61F 13/56
PCT International Application Number PCT/JP2004/010955
PCT International Filing date 2004-07-30
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2003-204004 2003-07-30 Japan