EP0800377A1

EP0800377A1 - Adhesive tape fastening system

Info

Publication number: EP0800377A1
Application number: EP95943975A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Brinckmann Rogers; Tom Karl Wentzel
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc; Kimberly Clark Corp
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc; Kimberly Clark Corp
Priority date: 1994-12-29
Filing date: 1995-12-21
Publication date: 1997-10-15
Also published as: TW341843U; FR2728788A1; AU697112B2; WO1996020685A1; EG20898A; GB2296422B; FR2728788B1; PE9097A1; AR005398A1; JPH10511874A; CA2209151A1; GB9526405D0; UY24140A1; SV1995000089A; AR000561A1; TR199501706A2; AR005399A2; MX9704799A; ZA9510975B; AU4529396A

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved adhesive tape fastening system which is adapted for use on a disposable absorbent article. The adhesive tape fastening system comprises an adhesive tape fastener (20), a substrate layer (22) and a fibrous taping panel (24). The fibrous taping panel (24) is bonded to the substrate layer (22) and includes a fibrous outer surface (28) which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fastener (20). The fibrous taping panel (24) provides a shear strength with the adhesive tape fastener of at least about 2.67 Newtons (0.60 pounds-force). The fibrous taping panel (24) also provides a peel strength with the strength with the adhesive tape fastener (20) of no more than about 3.56 Newtons (0.80 pounds-force). The fibrous outer surface (28) of the fibrous taping panel (24) comprises fibers which are capable of withstanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fastener (20) thereform without unaccepatably contaminating the adhesive tape fastener (20) to allow a refastening of the adhesive tape fastener (20) to the fibrous outer surface (28).

Description

ADHESIVE TAPE FASTENING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an adhesive tape fastening system and disposable absorbent article incorporating same.

The use of adhesive tape fastening systems on disposable absorbent articles which are adapted to be worn about the body of a wearer such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, feminine care products, and the like is well known. The adhesive tape fastening systems are used to fasten the article about the body of a wearer. Typically, the conventional adhesive tape fastening systems utilize pressure-sensitive adhesive tape fasteners which can be released and refastened a plurality of times onto a specific fastening zone of the outer cover of the article. For example, refastenable adhesive tape fasteners have been used on disposable diapers to allow a refastening of the diaper about the wearer as may be required after the diaper is inspected to see if it has been soiled. Generally, it has been desirable that the adhesive tape fastening systems have a high shear strength to maintain the article about the wearer for an extended period of time. Such adhesive tape fastening systems have also had a high peel strength.

The materials used to provide the outer cover of the disposable absorbent articles are typically thin and do not have sufficient strength to withstand the peeling forces generated by the removal of the adhesive tape fasteners. The materials can tear and residual material may remain attached to the adhesive tape fasteners. As a result, the adhesive tape fasteners and the disposable absorbent article may be rendered unusable. In addition, the materials used to provide the outer cover of the disposable absorbent articles typically do not allow sufficient adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners to provide a reliable fastening about the wearer. Some of the materials used to provide the outer cover may also be susceptible to contamination from foreign substances such as ointments, powders, oils and the like which can adversely affect tape adhesion.

Several conventional techniques have been used to reinforce the outer cover in the fastening zone of the article and provide for sufficient adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners. One such technique includes the application of a thin layer of an adhesive coating to the outer cover in the fastening zone to strengthen the outer cover. Another conventional technique includes the incorporation of a reinforcement layer or panel which comprises a plastic film affixed to the inner or outer surface of the outer cover in the fastening zone. Typically, the reinforcement layer or panel has been a layer of a polyethylene or polypropylene film. Conventional techniques of providing adhesive tape fastening of disposable absorbent articles about a wearer, such as those described above, have not been completely satisfactory. For example, the conventional techniques which utilize a reinforcement layer comprising a plastic film have undesirably degraded the appearance of the outer cover of the disposable absorbent article. When the plastic film is affixed to the inner surface of the outer cover, the bonding or adhesive pattern can undesirably show through the outer cover. When the plastic film is affixed to the outer surface of the material, there can be an undesirable contrast between the plastic film reinforcement layer and the rest of the absorbent article. This appearance problem is particularly acute when the outer cover is a fibrous material. In addition, the plastic film reinforcement layer has been typically stiff and inelastic which has undesirably affected the flexibility and fit of the article about the wearer. The plastic film materials used to provide the reinforcement layer have also been particularly susceptible to contamination from oils and the like which can adversely affect tape adhesion.

Further, some of the conventional techniques which utilize a plastic film reinforcement layer have only been able to achieve the required level of shear strength with the adhesive tape fasteners while having an undesirably high peel strength. Such high peel strengths with the adhesive tape fasteners can result in increased tearing and reduced consumer acceptance.

Thus, the conventional techniques of providing adhesive tape fastening for disposable absorbent articles have not provided the desired level of adhesion and refastenability while maintaining the flexibility, fit and appearance of the articles.

The present invention intends to overcome these problems. The object is solved by the adhesive tape fastening system according to independent claim 1 and further by the disposable absorbent article of independent claim 29.

Further advantages, features, aspects and details of the invention are evident from the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings. The claims are intended to be understood as a first non-limiting approach to defining the invention in general terms.

In response to the discussed difficulties and problems, a new adhesive tape fastening system and disposable absorbent article incorporating the same have been discovered.

In one aspect, the present invention concerns an adhesive tape fastening system which is adapted for use on a disposable absorbent article. The adhesive tape fastening system comprises an adhesive tape fastener, a substrate layer and a fibrous taping panel. The fibrous taping panel is bonded to the substrate layer and includes a fibrous outer surface which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fastener. The fibrous taping panel provides a shear strength with the adhesive tape fastener of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.60 pounds-force) upon a first fastening. In a particular aspect, the fibrous outer surface of the fibrous taping panel comprises fibers which are capable of withstanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fastener therefrom without unacceptably contaminating the adhesive tape fastener to allow a refastening of the adhesive tape fastener to the fibrous outer surface.

In another particular aspect, the fibrous taping panel provides a shear strength with the adhesive tape fastener of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.60 pounds-force) after a third fastening of the adhesive tape fastener to the fibrous taping panel. The shear strength with the adhesive tape fastener after the third fastening is at least about 50 percent of the shear strength after the first fastening of the adhesive tape fastener to the fibrous taping panel.

In still another aspect, the present invention concerns a disposable absorbent article which comprises an outer cover, a bodyside liner, an absorbent core disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, and an adhesive tape fastening system. The adhesive tape fastening system comprises an adhesive tape fastener which is connected to a longitudinal side portion of said disposable absorbent article and a fibrous taping panel which is bonded to the outer cover. The fibrous taping panel includes a fibrous outer surface which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fastener. The fibrous taping panel provides a shear strength with the adhesive tape fastener of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.60 pounds-force) upon a first fastening.

The present invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Fig. 1 representatively shows a top plan view of an example of an adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 representatively shows a cross-sectional view of the adhesive tape fastening system of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2; Fig. 3 representatively shows a top plan view of a disposable diaper incorporating the adhesive tape fastening system according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 representatively shows a cross-sectional view of the disposable diaper of Fig. 3 taken along line

Fig. 5 representatively shows the approximate configuration of a disposable diaper when placed on a wearer; and

Fig. 6 representatively shows a graph illustrating the shear strength of the fibrous taping panel of the present invention upon multiple fastenings.

The present invention relates to an adhesive tape fastening system which is adapted for use on a disposable absorbent article and a disposable absorbent article incoφorating the same. The term "disposable absorbent article" is intended to refer to any disposable article intended to be worn and attached to a wearer to absorb discharged body fluids. EΞxamples of disposable absorbent articles include diapers, adult incontinence products, training pants, feminine care products and the like. For ease of understanding, much of the following description of the present invention will be made in terms of using the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention on disposable diapers. Nonetheless, it is to be understood that the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention is equally suited for use on any other disposable absorbent article.

As representatively illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention comprises an adhesive tape fastener 20, a substrate layer 22, and a fibrous taping panel 24. The fibrous taping panel 24 includes an inner surface 26 which is bonded to the substrate layer 22 and a fibrous outer surface 28 which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fastener 20. The fibrous taping panel 24 and substrate layer 22, in combination, provide a composite reinforced substrate 30 which is capable of withstanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fastener 20 therefrom substantially without tearing.

The fibrous outer surface 28 of the fibrous taping panel 24 comprises fibers which are also capable of withstanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fastener 20 therefrom without contaminating the adhesive tape fastener 20. This allows multiple fastenings of the adhesive tape fastener 20 to the fibrous outer surface 28. The fibrous taping panel 24 is adapted to provide sufficient shear strength with the adhesive tape fastener 20 without an undesirably high peel strength.

The components and properties of the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the use of such a system in a disposable absorbent article such as the disposable diaper representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the disposable diaper 40 generally comprises an outer cover 42, an inner bodyside liner 44, and an absorbent core 46 located between the outer cover 42 and the bodyside liner 44. Leg elastics 48 are located generally at the longitudinal edges of the diaper 40. The disposable diaper 40 may further comprise a front waist elastic 50 and a rear waist elastic 52.

The outer cover 42 of the disposable diaper 40, as representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5, may suitably be composed of a material which is either liquid permeable or liquid impermeable. It is generally preferred that the outer cover 42 be formed from a material which is substantially impermeable to liquids. It is also desirable that the outer cover 42 be thin and flexible to improve consumer acceptance. For example, a typical outer 42 cover can be manufactured from a thin plastic film or other flexible liquid-impermeable material. For example, the outer cover 42 may be formed from a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 millimeter (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeter (2.0 mils). If it is desired to present the outer cover 42 with a more clothlike feeling, the outer cover 42 may comprise a polyethylene film having a nonwoven web laminated to the outer surface thereof, such as a spunbond web of polyolefin fibers. For example, a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.015 millimeter (0.6 mil) may have thermally laminated thereto a spunbond web of polyolefin fibers, which fibers have a thickness of about 0.167 tex to 0.389 tex (about 1.5 to 3.5 denier (d)) per filament, which nonwoven web has a basis weight of about 24 grams per square meter (0.7 ounces per square yard). Methods of forming such clothlike outer covers are known to those skilled in the art.

Further, the outer cover 42 may be formed of a woven or nonwoven fibrous web layer which has been totally or partially constructed or treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability to selected regions that are adjacent or proximate the absorbent core 46. Still further, the outer cover 42 may optionally be composed of a micro-porous "breathable" material which permits vapors to escape from the absorbent core 46 while still preventing liquid exudates from passing through the outer cover 42. The outer cover 42 may also be formed from an elastomeric material such as elastomeric films, e.g., natural or synthetic rubber; elastomeric foams, e.g., urethane foams; elastomeric nonwoven materials; laminates or composites of such elastomeric materials with other elastomeric or non-elastomeric materials, e.g., neck-bonded laminates or stretch-bonded laminates; and the like.

The outer cover 42 of the diaper 40 should be very thin and flexible to provide an improved fitting and aesthetically pleasing diaper 40. Thin, flexible materials tend to have relatively low tensile strengths. As used herein, the term "tensile strength" refers to the tensile strength value determined according to the Tensile Strength Test as set forth below in connection with the examples. As a result, the outer cover 42 is capable of supporting only a limited tensile load and is generally unable to withstand the peeling force generated when an adhesive tape fastener is peelingly removed from the outer cover 42. When the outer cover 42 comprises a film material, the tensile strength of the outer cover 42 is generally less than about 44.5 Newtons (about 10.0 pounds-force), and typically is within the range of from about 32.4 to about 43.5 Newtons (about 7.3 to about 9.8 pounds-force). In an alternative embodiment wherein the outer cover 42 comprises a fibrous nonwoven material or a laminate comprising a fibrous nonwoven material, the tensile strength of the outer cover 42 is generally less than about 52.27 Newtons (about 11.75 pounds-force), and typically is within the range of from about 27.80 to about 52.27 Newtons (about 6.25 to about 11.75 pounds- force).

The bodyside liner 44 of the disposable diaper 40, as representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5, suitably presents a bodyfacing surface which is compliant, soft feeling and nonirritating to the wearer's skin. Further, the bodyside liner 44 may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent core 46, to present a relatively dry surface to the wearer, and may be sufficiently porous to be liquid permeable, permitting liquid to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable bodyside liner 44 may be manufactured from a wide selection of web materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, natural fibers (for example, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner 44 is suitably employed to help isolate the wearer's skin from liquids held in the absorbent core 46.

Various woven and nonwoven fabrics can be used for the bodyside liner 44. For example, the bodyside liner may be composed of a meltblown or spunbonded web of polyolefin fibers. The bodyside liner may also be a bonded-carded web composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may, optionally, be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the bodyside liner 44 comprises a nonwoven, spunbond, polypropylene fabric composed of about 0.311-0.356 tex (about 2.8-3.2 denier) fibers formed into a web having a basis weight of about 22 grams per square meter and a density of about 0.06 gram per cubic centimeter. The fabric is surface treated with about 0.28 weight percent of a surfactant commercially available from Rohm and Haas Co. under the trade designation Triton X-102.

The absorbent core 46 of the diaper 40, as representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5, may suitably comprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulosic fluff, mixed with particles of a high-absorbency material commonly known as superabsorbent material. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent core 46 comprises a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles and wood pulp fluff. The wood pulp fluff may be exchanged with synthetic, polymeric, meltblown fibers or with a combination of meltblown fibers and natural fibers. The superabsorbent particles may be substantially homogeneously mixed with the hydrophilic fibers or may be nonuniformly mixed. Alternatively, the absorbent core 46 may comprise a laminate of fibrous webs and superabsorbent material or other suitable means of maintaining a superabsorbent material in a localized area.

The high-absorbency material can be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. The high-absorbency materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers. The term "crossiinked" refers to any means for effectively rendering normally water-soluble materials substantially water insoluble but swellable. Such means can include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ionic complexes and associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces.

Examples of synthetic, polymeric, high-absorbency materials include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylamides), poly(vinyl ethers), maleic anhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins, poly(vinyl pyrolidone), poly(vinyl moφholinone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Further polymers suitable for use in the absorbent core include natural and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and the natural gums, such as alginates, xanthum gum, locust bean gum, and the like. Mixtures of natural and wholly or partially synthetic absorbent polymers can also be useful in the present invention. The high absorbency material may be in any of a wide variety of geometric forms. As a general rule, it is preferred that the high absorbency material be in the form of discrete particles. However, the high absorbency material may also be in the form of fibers, flakes, rods, spheres, needles, or the like. As a general rule, the high absorbency material is present in the absorbent core in an amount of from about 5 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of the absorbent core 46.

Specific examples of disposable diapers on which the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention may be utilized are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents and U.S. Patent Applications: U.S. 4,798,603 issued January 17, 1989, to Meyer et al.; U.S. 5,176,668 issued January 5, 1993, to Bemardin; U.S. 5,176,672 issued January 5, 1993, to Bruemmer et al.; U.S. 5,192,606 issued March 9, 1993, to Proxmire et al., and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/096,654 filed July 22, 1993, in the name of Hanson et al.

As representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5, the disposable diaper 40 also includes an adhesive tape fastening system. The adhesive tape fastening system includes adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 which are connected to the longitudinal side portions of the diaper 40. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 are well known to those skilled in the art and can include any tape fasteners which provide the desired levels of adhesion and refastenabiiity. Typically, the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 include a substrate layer to which a layer of adhesive is bonded. The layer of adhesive is preferably a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Suitable adhesive tape fasteners 54, 56 include those commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany, under the trade designation BF33-4. Other suitable adhesive tape fasteners include those commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233.

Generally, it is desirable that the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 have a high level of adhesion such that the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention can advantageously provide a more secure fastening of the disposable absorbent article about the wearer. The high levels of adhesion provide adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 which are less susceptible to an inadvertent or premature release caused by the movements of an active wearer during use. The high levels of adhesion also provide adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 which are less susceptible to contamination by foreign materials such as, for example, powders and oils. However, the high levels of adhesion of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 may readily tear the outer cover 42 of the diaper 40 when the fasteners 54 and 56 are adhesively applied to and peelingly removed from the outer cover 42. This is particularly true when the outer cover 42 is a thin film material. Tearing of the outer cover 42 can adversely affect the ability of the outer cover 42 to act as a barrier to the flow of liquids. In addition, any torn pieces may contaminate the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 and undesirably reduce their refastenabiiity.

When the outer cover 42 comprises a woven, knitted or nonwoven material, the high levels of adhesion of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 may also tear individual fibers away from the outer cover 42 when the fasteners 54 and 56 are adhesively applied to and peelingly removed from the outer cover 42. The woven, knitted and nonwoven materials which can be used to provide the outer cover 42 typically are soft, compliant and flexible. Such materials generally have individual fibers which are easily torn away which may result in the contamination of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56.

To improve the adhesion and refastenabiiity of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56, the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention includes a fibrous taping panel 58, as representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5. The fibrous taping panel 58 includes an inner surface 60 which is bonded to the outer cover 42 of the disposable diaper 40. The fibrous taping panel 58 also includes a fibrous outer surface 62 which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. The combination of the outer cover 42 and the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a reinforced composite material to which the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 can be adhesively secured.

In a particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 may be provided directly by the outer cover 42 of the disposable diaper 40 without requiring a separate panel. In such a configuration, the outer cover 42 comprises a material which includes a fibrous outer surface 62 which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. The material used to provide such an outer cover 42 should also provide the desired levels of strength, adhesion to the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56, resistance to contamination, and appearance. For ease of understanding, much of the following description of the present invention will be made in terms of using a separate fibrous taping panel 58 which is bonded to the outer cover 42 of the disposable diaper 40 to provide adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. Nonetheless, it is to be understood that the fibrous taping panel 58 may be provided by the outer cover 42 without requiring the addition of a separate panel. The fibrous outer surface 62 of the fibrous taping panel 58 comprises fibers which are capable of withstanding a peeling removal of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 therefrom without contaminating the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 can then be adhesively applied to, peelingly removed from and reapplied to the fibrous outer surface 62 of the fibrous taping panel 58 a plurality of times. The individual fibers of the fibrous taping panel 58 can dissipate the energy which exists when the wearer exerts forces on the adhesive tape fastening system.

The inner surface 60 of the fibrous taping panel 58 may be joined to the outer cover 42 by any means known to those skilled in the art. For example, the inner surface 60 of the fibrous taping panel 58 and the outer cover 42 may be joined together using adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonds. The bonding of the outer cover 42 and fibrous taping panel 58 must be of sufficient strength such that the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 can be peelingly removed without delamination between the outer cover 42 and fibrous taping panel 58. Such bonding techniques may also be used to join any of the other various components of the disposable diaper 40 together.

The fibrous taping panel 58 can include any fibrous material which provides the desired levels of reinforcement of the outer cover 42, adhesion to the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56, resistance to contamination, and appearance. Various woven, knitted and nonwoven materials can be used for the fibrous taping panel 58. For example, the fibrous taping panel 58 may be composed of a woven or knitted material such as a woven nylon material. The fibrous taping panel 58 may also be composed of a meltblown or spunbond web of polyolefin fibers or a bonded-carded web composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers.

The fibrous taping panel 58 may also be an elastomeric material such as elastomeric woven, knitted and nonwoven materials and laminates or composites of elastomeric films, e.g., natural or synthetic rubber, elastomeric foams, e.g., urethane foams; elastomeric woven and nonwoven materials with other elastomeric or non-elastomeric materials, e.g., neck-bonded laminates or stretch-bonded laminates; and the like. Such elastomeric materials are particulariy useful for the fibrous taping panel 58 when the outer cover 42 is also an elastomeric or stretchable material.

When a woven material is used for the fibrous taping panel 58, the fibrous taping panel 58 generally comprises a fabric having from about 11.8 to about 23.6 wales per centimeter (about 30 to about 60 wales per inch) and from about 7.8 to about 59.0 courses per centimeter (about 20 to about 150 courses per inch). The fabric generally comprises fibers, desirably nylon fibers, or a combination of fibers, such as a blend of nylon and lycra fibers, which provides the desired levels of adhesion and resistance to contamination. Typically, at least 50 percent of the fibers are composed of fibers having about 2.22 to about 6.67 tex (a denier (d) of from about 20 to about 60 d). The fabric also may have a basis weight of from about 39.1 to about 391 grams per square meter (about 1.0 to about 10.0 ounces per square yard).

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous taping panel 58 is a woven material comprising 100 percent nylon fibers having about 4.44 tex (a denier of about 40 d), and which has a basis weight of about 82.1 grams per square meter (about 2.1 ounces per square yard). For example, the fibrous taping panel 58 may comprise a woven or knitted nylon material which is commercially available from Guilford Mills, Inc., a business having offices located in Greensboro, North Carolina, under the trade designation Style #30433 or #18203.

When a nonwoven material is used for the fibrous taping panel 58, the fibrous taping panel 58 generally comprises fibers having about 0.167 to about 0.556 tex (a denier of from about 1.5 to about 5.0 d) and desirably from about 0.278 to about 0.333 tex (about 2.5 to about 3.0 d) for improved performance. The nonwoven material may also have a basis weight of from about 51 to about 102 grams per square meter and a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.40 grams per cubic centimeter. The nonwoven material may include any types of fibers which provide the desired levels of adhesion and resistance to contamination. The fibers may include both single component and bicomponent fibers. Suitable single component fibers include natural and/or synthetic fibers such as polyolefin fibers or nylon fibers. Suitable bicomponent fibers may include composite, sheath/core type bicomponent fibers such as polyethylene/polypropylene or polyethylene/nylon sheath/core fibers.

The sheath/core type bicomponent fibers of the nonwoven material may also have a sheath to core ratio of at least about 50:50 and desirably at least about 80:20 by weight to provide improved adhesion between the fibrous taping panel 58 and adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. For example, the fibrous taping panel 58 may include bicomponent fibers of the sheath/core type having a nylon core and polyethylene sheath and a sheath to core ratio of at least 80:20 to provide improved adhesion. Such a nonwoven material is commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Coφ., a business having offices located in Roswell, Georgia, under the trade designation Pravek #011394-1. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous taping panel 58 may be a meltblown nonwoven material comprising polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fibers having about 0.306 tex (a denier of about 2.75 d), a sheath to core ratio of at least about 80:20, and which has a basis weight of 78.2 grams per square centimeter (2.0 ounces per square yard). For example, the fibrous taping panel 58 may comprise a meltblown nonwoven material which is commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Coφ. under the trade designation Pravek #010594-1.

Typically, many of the fibers used to provide the materials for the fibrous taping panel have a finish which is applied in the formation process. The materials used to provide the fibrous taping panel 58 may additionally be treated or coated after the materials have been formed to provide the desired level of adhesion and resistance to contamination. However, the use of such a coating on the fibrous outer surface 62 of the fibrous taping panel 58 may undesirably affect the softness, flexibility and appearance of the disposable absorbent article. Thus, in a particular cost effective embodiment, the fibrous outer surface 62 of the fibrous taping panel 58 is not treated or coated after being formed. Such an uncoated outer surface 62 is generally softer, more flexible and more aesthetically pleasing than a coated outer surface 62.

The fibrous taping panel 58 can be of any desired size and shape to provide the desired adhesive tape fastening system. As representatively illustrated in Figs. 3-5, the fibrous taping panel 58 may be located on the longitudinal side portions of the front section of the outer cover 42 of the disposable diaper 40. In such a configuration, the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 are located in the back section of the diaper 40 such that the fasteners 54 and 56 may be adhesively secured to the fibrous taping panel 58 to position the diaper 40 about the wearer. Alternatively, the fibrous taping panel 58 and the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 may be located on the back section and front section of the outer cover 42 of the diaper 40, respectively. When the fibrous taping panel 58 is composed of an elastomeric material, the fibrous taping panel 58 can also be positioned to provide either a front or back elastic waistband to provide a better fit of the diaper 40 about the wearer.

The fibrous taping panel 58 may include a single sheet of material or multiple sheets of material which are independently positioned to allow for the adhesive securement of each adhesive tape fastener 54 and 56. In the illustrated embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 includes a single sheet of material which has a length 64 and a width 66. Desirably, the length 64 and width 66 of the fibrous taping panel 58 are sufficient to provide a large zone of fas tenability for the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 to adjust for the size of the wearer. For example, when a single sheet of material is used for the fibrous taping panel 58, the fibrous taping panel 58 may have a length 64 of at least about 7.5 centimeters and desirably from about 12.5 to about 25 centimeters and a width 66 of at least about 2.5 centimeters and desirably from about 3.8 to about 6.4 centimeters.

Desirably, the fibrous taping panel 58 is configured to adequately reinforce the outer cover 42 such that the reinforced composite of the fibrous taping panel 58 and the outer cover 42 can withstand the peeling removal of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 therefrom without tearing. For example, in a particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 has a tensile strength of at least about 220 Newtons (about 50.0 pounds-force), and desirably within the range of from about 220 to about 378 Newtons (about 50.0 to about 85 pounds- force) to reduce tearing. In addition, the reinforced composite of the fibrous taping panel 58 and outer cover 42 may be configured to have a composite tensile strength of at least about 267 Newtons (about 60 pounds-force), and desirably within the range of from about 267 to about 467 Newtons (about 60 to about 105 pounds-force) to reduce tearing.

The fibrous taping panel 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention is configured to provide sufficient bonding with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 to provide a secure and reliable fastening of the diaper 40 about the wearer. To provide the desired level of adhesive securement and reliability, the fibrous taping panel 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention must provide sufficient shear strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. As used herein the term "shear strength" refers to the shear strength value determined according to the Dynamic Shear Test as set forth below in connection with the examples. The direction of shear of the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 from the fibrous taping panel 58 is that direction in which tension is generally exerted on the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 when the diaper 40 is in use. This direction is generally peφendicular to a longitudinal centeriine of the diaper 40 and in the same plane of the diaper 40.

In a particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a shear strength upon a first fastening with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.6 pounds-force), desirably at least about 3.56 Newtons (about 0.8 pounds-force) and more desirably from about 4.45 to about 17.8 Newtons (about 1.0 to about 4.0 pounds-force).

Typically, after the first fastening to the fibrous taping panel 58, the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 may be peelingly removed from and refastened to the fibrous taping panel 58 one or more times to adjust the fit of the diaper 40 about the wearer and check the diaper 40 for soiling. Desirably, the fibrous taping panel 58 provides sufficient shear strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 for multiple refastenings. For example, it is desirable that the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a shear strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.6 pounds-force) and desirably at least about 3.56 Newtons (about 0.8 pounds-force) upon a third fastening. In a particular embodiment, the shear strength between the fibrous taping panel 58 and the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 upon the third fastening is at least about 50 percent and desirably at least about 80 percent of the shear strength upon the first fastening.

Typically, conventional materials used to reinforce the outer cover 42 have not been resistant to contamination by foreign substances such as oils and powders resulting in undesirable adhesive tape fastening systems. The fibrous taping panel 58 of the present invention is desirably resistant to such contamination by foreign substances to provide improved reliability. For example, in a particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a shear strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of at least about 1.78 Newtons (about 0.40 pounds-force) and desirably at least about 2.67 Newtons (about 0.60 pounds- force) in the presence of mineral oil as tested according to the Contamination Resistance Test set forth in connection with the Examples below. In a particular embodiment, the shear strength between the fibrous taping panel 58 and the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 in the presence of mineral oil according to the Contamination Resistance Test is at least about 50 percent and desirably at least about 80 percent of the shear strength upon the first fastening according to the Dynamic Shear Test and in the absence of mineral oil.

The fibrous taping panel 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention also provides a peel strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56. As used herein the term "peel strength" refers to the peel strength value determined according to the Peel Strength Test as set forth below in connection with the examples. The peel strength is generally the peak load required to peelingly remove an adhesive tape fastener from a substrate such as a disposable absorbent article. The direction of removal (peel) of the adhesive tape fastener from the substrate is that direction in which the adhesive tape fastener would generally be removed from a substrate when the product is in use. This direction is generally peφendicular to a longitudinal centeriine of the product.

In a particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a peel strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of from about 0.89 to about 5.34 Newtons (about 0.20 to about 1.20 pounds-force) and desirably from about 2.22 to about 4.45 Newtons (about 0.50 to about 1.00 pounds-force). It is desirable that the fibrous taping panel 58 provide a high shear strength and adequate peel strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 to maintain the absorbent article about the waist of the wearer while allowing an ease of fastening and refastening without tearing. Accordingly, in another particular embodiment, the fibrous taping panel 58 provides a shear strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of at least about 4.45 Newtons (about 1.0 pounds-force) and a peel strength with the adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 of no more than about 3.56 Newtons (about 0.80 pounds-force). Desirably, the peel strength is no more than about 75 percent, and desirably no more than about 50 percent, of the shear strength to provide improved performance and customer acceptance.

Thus, the adhesive tape fastening system of the present invention provides the desired level of adhesion and refastenabiiity while maintaining the flexibility, fit and appearance of the articles. In addition, the fibrous taping panel of the fastening system can provide sufficient adhesion with the adhesive tape fasteners even when contaminated with foreign substances such as powders and oils.

The following examples are given to provide a more detailed understanding of the present invention. The particular materials, amounts, proportions and parameters are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Examples

Tensile Strength Test

This test procedure determines the peak tensile load, measured in pounds-force, of a material when only a portion of the sample material width is centrally gripped by the testing equipment.

Equipment

1. Tensile tester capable of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an appropriate load cell. A suitable tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester, commercially available from MTS Sintech, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade designation Instron Model 5213 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance Department) Software.

2. QAD software commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade designation QAD Software. 3. 25.4 mm x 76.2 mm (1 inch x 3 inch) lower jaw facing commercially available from Instron Coφoration, Canton, Massachusetts.

4. 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm (1 inch x 1 inch) upper jaw facing commercially available from Instron Coφoration, Canton, Massachusetts.

Test Procedure

1. The load cell is calibrated and the QAD software loaded.

2. The jaws are installed on the tensile tester. 3. The test condition for the tensile tester are set as follows:

Crosshead speed: 300 millimeters/minute

Full-scale load: 50 kilograms

Threshold: 3 percent

Fail criterion: 40 percent Gage length: 76.2 mm (3 inches)

4. The weight of the jaws is tared out.

5. The material is cut to provide a sample having a width of 101.6 mm (4.0 inches) and a length of 152.4 mm (6.0 inches).

6. The material is symmetrically inserted into the jaws with the length being parallel to the direction of the load application.

7. The crosshead is started in motion.

8. The peak load of failure is recorded.

Dynamic Shear Test This test procedure determines the instantaneous strength in terms of peak strength, measured in Newtons(pounds-force), achieved between an adhesive tape fastener and a substrate such as a disposable absorbent article. The direction of shear of the adhesive tape fastener from the substrate is that direction in which tension is generally exerted on the adhesive tape fastener when the product is in use. This direction is generally peφendicular to a longitudinal centeriine of the product.

Equipment

1. Tensile tester capable of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an appropriate load cell. A suitable tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester, commercially available from MTS Sintech, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade designation Instron Model 4201 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance

Department) Software. 2. QAD software commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade designation QAD Software.

3. 621 kPa (90 pound per square inch) grips commercially available from Instron Coφoration, Canton, Massachusetts, under the trade designation "Grips Instron 2712 (90 psi), Instron 2712-003."

4. 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) grip faces, serrated, commercially available from Instron Coφoration, Canton, Massachusetts.

5. Aluminum weights having a width of 25.4 mm (1.0 inch), a length of 38.1 mm (1.5 inches) and a thickness of 3.175 mm (0.125 inches).

6. Steel plates having a width of 50.8 mm (2.0 inches), a length of 127 mm (5.0 inches) and a thickness of 1.27 mm (0.05 inches).

7. Double sided masking tape.

8. Transfer tape, 50.4 mm (2.0 inch) width, commercially available from the 3M Company under the trade designation #2-0300.

Sample Preparation

1. Place two pieces of double sided masking tape on a steel plate with 44.45 mm (1.75 inches) separating their inner edges.

2. Attach a polyethylene strip having a width of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches), a length of 127 mm (5.0 inches) and a thickness of 0.0318 mm (1.25 mils) to the tape on the steel plate.

3. Attach a 50.4 mm x 127 mm (2.0 inch x 5.0 inch) strip of the substrate material to be tested to the polyethylene strip using the 50.4 mm (2.0 inch) width transfer tape.

4. Adhere strips of the adhesive tape to release paper and cut to a width of 19.05 mm (0.75 inches).

5. Remove the adhesive tape from the release paper and attach a leader strip to one end of the adhesive tape. 6. Cut the adhesive tape 12.7 mm (0.50 inches) from the edge of the leader strip.

7. Place the adhesive tape onto the substrate material adhesive side down without pressure.

8. Place aluminum weights weighing 31.43 grams on top of the adhesive tape for 10 seconds and remove.

Test Procedure

1. The load cell is calibrated and the QAD software loaded.

2. The grips are installed on the tensile tester with the serrated grip face being inserted into the upper jaw of the tensile tester.

3. The test condition for the tensile tester are set as follows: Crosshead speed: 100 millimeters/minute

Full-scale load: 5 kilograms Threshold: 5 percent

Fail criterion: 95 percent Gage length: 127 mm (5 inches) 4. The weight of the clamp is tared out.

5. The leader strip is inserted into the upper jaw.

6. The bottom of the steel plate is inserted into the lower jaw.

7. The crosshead is started in motion.

8. The peak load of failure is recorded. It is intended that the mode of failure is that the adhesive tape delaminates from the substrate material.

Peel Strength Test

This test procedure determines the peak load, measured in Newtons(pounds-force), required to peelingly remove an adhesive tape fastener from a substrate such as a disposable absorbent article. The direction of removal (peel) of the adhesive tape fastener from the substrate is that direction in which the adhesive tape fastener would generally be peelingly removed from a substrate when in use. This direction is generally peφendicular to a longitudinal centeriine of the article.

Equipment

1. Tensile tester capable of obtaining a peak load and equipped with an appropriate load cell. A suitable tensile testing system is a Sintech Tensile Tester, commercially available from MTS Sintech, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, under the trade designation Instron Model 4201 Tensile Tester with Sintech QAD (Quality Assurance Department) Software.

2. QAD software commercially obtained from MTS Sintech under the trade designation QAD Software.

Sample Preparation

1. Provide a polyethylene strip having a width of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches), a length of 127 mm (5.0 inches) and a thickness of 0.0318 mm (1.25 mils).

2. Attach a 50.4 mm x 127 mm (2.0 inch x 5.0 inch) strip of the substrate material to be tested to the polyethylene strip using 50.4 mm (2.0 inch) wide transfer tape.

3. Place the adhesive tape onto the substrate material adhesive side down without pressure.

4. Place aluminum weights weighing 31.43 grams on top of the adhesive tape for 10 seconds and remove.

Test Procedure

1. The load cell is calibrated and the QAD software loaded. 2. The grips are installed on the tensile tester with the serrated grip face being inserted into the upper jaw of the tensile tester. 3. The test condition for the tensile tester are set as follows: Crosshead speed: 500 millimeters/minute Full-scale load: 5 kilograms Threshold: 5 percent

5. The fingertab of the adhesive fastening tape is inserted into the upper jaw such that the edge of the grip face is flush with the edge of the adhesive fastening tape.

6. The substrate of the test sample is inserted into the lower jaw such that the adhesive tape fastener is positioned parallel to the edge of the lower jaw. The lower jaw is closed.

7. The crosshead is started in motion.

8. The peak load of failure is recorded. It is intended that the mode of failure is that the adhesive tape fastener delaminates from the substrate.

Contamination Resistance Test

This test procedure determines the strength in terms of peak strength, measured in Newtons (pounds-force), achieved between an adhesive tape fastener and a substrate such as a disposable absorbent article when the substrate has been partially coated with a foreign substance. The direction of shear of the adhesive tape fastener from the substrate is that direction in which tension is generally exerted on the adhesive tape fastener when the product is in use. This direction is generally peφendicular to a longitudinal centeriine of the product.

Sample Preparation

1. Place a drop of mineral oil on the substrate using a medicine dropper.

2. Place the adhesive tape fastener on the substrate such that one-half of the drop of mineral oil is covered by the adhesive tape fastener.

3. Place aluminum weights weighing 31.43 grams on top of the adhesive tape for 10 seconds and remove.

The samples are then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above.

Example 1

Ten samples of a specific adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive tape fastening system according to the present invention were prepared. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany, under the trade designation BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 comprised a woven material which comprised 100 percent nylon fibers having 4.44 tex (a denier of 40 d). The woven material was commercially available from Guilford Mills, Inc., a business having offices located in Greensboro, North Carolina, under the trade designation Style #30433. The woven material also had a basis weight of 82.1 grams per square meter (2.16 ounces per square yard) and had 15.9 courses per centimeter (40.5 courses per inch) and 15.9 wales per centimeter (40.5 wales per inch). The woven material also had a tensile strength of 247 Newtons (55.6 pounds-force).

The samples of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fasteners were applied to the technical face of the material used to provide the fibrous taping panel. As used herein, the phrase "technical face" refers to the front or shiny side of the material as is well known to those skilled in the art. As used herein, the phrase "technical back" refers to the side of the material opposite the technical face. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 6.4 Newtons (1.44 pounds-force). Three samples were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 3.9 Newtons (0.87 pounds-force), and 3.0 Newtons (0.67 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests, respectively.

Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then subjected to the Peel Strength Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners were again applied to the technical face of the material used to provide the fibrous taping panel. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 2.34 Newtons (0.53 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Tables 1 and 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.

Example 2

Six samples of a specific adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive tape fastening system according to the present invention were prepared. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany, under the trade designation BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 comprised a woven material which comprised 92 percent nylon fibers having 2.22 tex (a denier of 20 d) and 8 percent lycra fibers having 7.778 tex (a denier of 70 d). The woven material was commercially available from Guilford Mills, Inc., a business having offices located in Greensboro, North Carolina, under the trade designation Style #56507. The woven material also had a basis weight of 127.1 grams per square meter (3.75 ounces per square yard) and had 15.9 courses per centimeter (40.5 courses per inch) and 15.9 wales per centimeter (40.5 wales per inch). The woven material also had a tensile strength of 368 Newtons (82.6 pounds-force).

The samples of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener was applied to the technical back of the material used to provide the fibrous taping panel. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 2.8 Newtons (0.63 pounds- force). Three samples were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 2.5 Newtons (0.57 pounds-force), and 2.5 Newtons (0.56 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests, respectively.

Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then subjected to the Peel Strength Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners were again applied to the technical back of the material used to provide the fibrous taping panel. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 0.98 Newtons (0.22 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Tables 1 and 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.

Example 3 Six samples of a specific adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive tape fastening system according to the present invention were prepared. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany, under the trade designation BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 comprised a tricot knit material which comprised 21 percent nylon fibers having 7.778 tex (a denier of 70 d) and 79 percent nylon fibers having 15,556 tex (a denier of 140 d). The knit material was commercially available from Guilford Mills, Inc., a business having offices located in Greensboro, North Carolina, under the trade designation Style #18203. The knit material also had a basis weight of 270.9 grams per square meter (7.99 ounces per square yard) and had 25.6 courses per centimeter (65 courses per inch) and 16.9 wales per centimeter (43 wales per inch). The knit material also had a tensile strength of 328 Newtons (73.7 pounds- force). The samples of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 4.58 Newtons (1.03 pounds-force). Three samples were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 4.4 Newtons (0.99 pounds-force), and 4.2 Newtons (0.94 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests, respectively.

Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel 58 were then subjected to the Peel Strength Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 3.0 Newtons (0.68 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Tables 1 and 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.

Example 4

Six samples of a specific adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel of the adhesive tape fastening system according to the present invention were prepared. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany, under the trade designation BF33-4. The fibrous taping panel 24 comprised a meltblown nonwoven material which comprised bicomponent fibers having 4.75 tex (a denier of 2.75 d). The bicomponent fibers comprised a polyethylene sheath and nylon core having a sheath to core ratio of 90:10 by weight. The nonwoven material was commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Coφ., a business having offices located in Roswell, Georgia, under the trade designation Pravek #011394-1. The nonwoven material also had a basis weight of 67.8 grams per square meter (2.0 ounces per square yard) and a density of 0.375 grams per cubic centimeter. The meltblown nonwoven material also had a tensile strength of 89 Newtons (20 pounds-force).

The samples of the fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener 54, 56 were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 5.9 Newtons (1.32 pounds-force). Three samples were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean shear strength of 5.6 Newtons (1.25 pounds- force), and 3.5 Newtons (0.79 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests, respectively. Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then subjected to the Peel Strength Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 4.4 Newtons (0.99 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Tables 1 and 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.

Example 5 Three samples of each of the adhesive tape fasteners 54, 56; 20 and the different fibrous taping panels 24; 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system according to Examples 1, 2, 3 and 4 were prepared. Each fibrous taping panel and adhesive tape fastener sample was then subjected to the Contamination Resistance Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel according to EΞxample 1 had a mean shear strength of about 3.3 Newtons (0.74 pounds-force). The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel according to Example 2 had a mean shear strength of about 1.4 Newtons (0.31 pounds-force). The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel according to Example 3 had a mean shear strength of about 3.6 Newtons (0.82 pounds-force). The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel according to Example 4 had a mean shear strength of about 4.4 Newtons (0.98 pounds-force). The results are also tabulated in Table 3 along with the percent of the original shear strength for each material when tested without the presence of the mineral oil.

Example 6 100 medium size diapers, similar to Huggies® Ultratrim diapers which are commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Coφoration and suitable for an infant weighing about 5.9-10.4 kg (about 13-23 lbs.), comprising a 0.0318 mm (1.25 mil) thick outer cover composed of polyethylene film, an absorbent core, and a bodyside liner composed of a spunbonded material were prepared. With reference to Figs. 3-6, the diaper 40 included the fibrous taping panel 58 as described in Example 1. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were those commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were adhesively attached to the longitudinal side portions of the diaper 40 in the back section of the diaper. The fibrous taping panel 58 had a width 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches) and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5 inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front portion of the diaper 40 using a piece of double sided transfer tape having the same dimensions as the taping panel 58. The double sided transfer tape was that commercially available from the 3M Company under the trade designation #2-0300. The outer cover 42 had a tensile strength of 37.8 Newtons (8.50 pounds-force). The reinforced composite of the fibrous taping panel 48 and outer cover 42 had a composite tensile strength of 289 Newtons (64.9 pounds-force).

The samples of the diaper were then placed on 20 different infants to measure the ability of the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours. 3.4 percent of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became delaminated from the fibrous taping panel during use. In the Examples, instances of delamination due to the attachment of one adhesive tape fastener onto the other instead of being attached to the fibrous taping panel were not included.

Example 7

100 medium size diapers similar to those described in Example 6 were prepared. With reference to Figs. 3-6, the diaper 40 included the fibrous taping panel 58 as described in Example 2. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were those commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were adhesively attached to the longitudinal side portions of the diaper 40 in the back section of the diaper. The fibrous taping panel 58 had a width 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches) and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5 inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front portion of the diaper 40 using a piece of double sided transfer tape having the same dimensions as the taping panel 58. The double sided transfer tape was that commercially available from the 3M Company under the trade designation #2-0300. The reinforced composite of the fibrous taping panel 48 and outer cover 42 had a composite tensile strength of 423 Newtons (95.1 pounds-force).

The samples of the diaper were then placed on 20 different infants to measure the ability of the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours. 45.76 percent of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became delaminated from the fibrous taping panel during use.

EΞxample 8

100 medium size diapers similar to those described in Example 6 were prepared. With reference to Figs. 3-6, the diaper 40 included the fibrous taping panel 58 as described in EΞxample 3. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were those commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were adhesively attached to the longitudinal side portions of the diaper 40 in the back section of the diaper. The fibrous taping panel 58 had a width 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches) and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5 inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front portion of the diaper 40 using a piece of double sided transfer tape having the same dimensions as the taping panel 58. The double sided transfer tape was that commercially available from the 3M Company under the trade designation #2-0300. The reinforced composite of the fibrous taping panel 48 and outer cover 42 had a composite tensile strength of 359 Newtons (80.7 pounds-force).

The samples of the diaper were then placed on 20 different infants to measure the ability of the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours. 16.01 percent of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became delaminated from the fibrous taping panel during use.

Example 9 100 medium size diapers similar to those described in EΞxample 6 were prepared. With reference to Figs. 3-6, the diaper 40 included the fibrous taping panel 58 as described in Example 4. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were those commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fasteners 54 and 56 were adhesively attached to the longitudinal side portions of the diaper 40 in the back section of the diaper. The fibrous taping panel 58 had a width 66 of 50.4 mm (2.0 inches) and a length 64 of 190.5 mm (7.5 inches) and was secured to the outer cover in the front portion of the diaper 40 using a piece of double sided transfer tape having the same dimensions as the taping panel 58. The double sided transfer tape was that commercially available from the 3M Company under the trade designation #2-0300.

The samples of the diaper were then placed on 20 different infants to measure the ability of the diaper to remain fastened to the wearer. The duration of the test was about 8 hours. 7.14 percent of the diapers tested had adhesive tape fasteners which became delaminated from the fibrous taping panel during use.

Comparative Example 1

The shear strength and peel strength of the adhesive tape fasteners with a different material was then determined for comparative puφoses. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany, under the trade designation BF33-4. The material comprised the outer cover material which was being used on Huggies® Supreme diapers which were commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Coφoration. The material was a fibrous nonwoven material which had polypropylene fibers having 0.333 tex (a denier of 3.0 d). The fibrous nonwoven material had a basis weight of 23.7 grams per square meter and a density of 0.240 grams per cubic centimeter. The fibrous nonwoven material also had a tensile strength of 52.27 Newtons (11.75 pounds-force).

Three samples of the fibrous nonwoven material and adhesive tape fastener 54, 56; 20 were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous nonwoven material had a mean shear strength of 3.9 Newtons (0.88 pounds- force). The same samples were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous nonwoven material had a mean shear strength of 2.8 Newtons (0.62 pounds-force) and 2.5 Newtons (0.56 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests, respectively.

Six samples of the same fibrous taping panel 58; 24 were then subjected to the Peel Strength Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 3.2 Newtons (0.72 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Table 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.

Comparative Example 2 The shear strength and peel strength of adhesive tape fasteners 54, 56; 20 with another material was then determined for comparative puφoses. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the adhesive tape fastener 20 was an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from Koester GmbH & Co., a business having offices in Altendorf, Germany, under the trade designation BF33-4.

The material comprised the outer cover material which was being used on Huggies® Ultratrim diapers which were commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Coφoration. The material was a polyethylene film material which had a thickness of 0.0318 mm (1.25 mils). The film material was commercially available from Consolidated Thermoplastics, Inc., a business having offices in Dallas, Texas, under the trade designation XEM432.0-65. The film material also had a basis weight of 30.2 grams per square meter and a density of 0.95 grams per cubic centimeter. The film material also had a tensile strength of 37.8 Newtons (8.50 pounds-force).

Three samples of the film material and adhesive tape fastener 54, 56; 20 were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and film material had a mean shear strength of 7.0 Newtons (1.58 pounds-force). The same adhesive tape fastener and material were then subjected to the Dynamic Shear Test 2 more times. The adhesive tape fastener and film material had a mean shear strength of 4.8 Newtons (1.08 pounds-force) and 4.1 Newtons (0.92 pounds-force) upon the second and third Dynamic Shear Tests, respectively.

Five samples of the same fibrous taping panel were then subjected to the Peel Strength Test as described above using an adhesive tape fastener which was commercially available from the 3M Company, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the trade designation KR3233. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous taping panel had a mean peel strength of 11.4 Newtons (2.57 pounds-force). The results are tabulated in Table 2. The shear strength results are also illustrated in Fig. 6.

Comparative Example 3 Three samples of the adhesive tape fasteners 54, 56; 20 and material according to Comparative Example 1 were prepared. Each sample was then subjected to the Contamination Resistance Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and fibrous nonwoven material according to Comparative EΞxample 1 had a mean shear strength of 2.1 Newtons (0.47 pounds-force) under the Contamination Resistance Test. The results are tabulated in Table 3.

Comparative Example 4

Three samples of the adhesive tape fasteners and material according to Comparative Example 2 were prepared. Each sample was then subjected to the Contamination Resistance Test as described above. The adhesive tape fastener and polyethylene film material according to Comparative Example 2 had a mean shear strength of 1.4 Newtons (0.32 pounds-force) under the Contamination Resistance Test. The results are tabulated in Table 3. Table 1

Mean Shear Strength Mean Peel Strength (N (pounds-force)) (N (pounds-force))

Ex. 1 6.4 (1.44) 2.4 (0.53)

Ex. 2 2.8 (0.63) 1.0 (0.22)

Ex. 3 4.6 (1.03) 3.0 (0.68)

Ex. 4 5.9 (1.32) 4.4 (0.99)

Comp. Ex. 1 3.9 (0.88) 3.2 (0.72)

Comp. Ex. 2 7.0 (1.58) 11.4 (2.57)

Table 2

Mean Shear Strength (N (pounds-force)) 1st fastening 2nd fastening 3rd fastening

Ex. 1 6.4 (1.44) 3.9 (0.87) 3.0 (0.67)

Ex. 2 2.8 (0.63) 2.5 (0.57) 2.5 (0.56)

Ex. 3 4.6 (1.03) 4.4 (0.99) 4.2 (0.94)

Ex. 4 5.9 (1.32) 5.6 (1.25) 3.5 (0.79)

Comp. Ex. 1 3.9 (0.88) 2.8 (0.62) 2.4 (0.54)

Comp. Ex. 2 7.0 (1.58) 4.8 (1.08) 4.1 (0.92)

Table 3

Contamination Resistance Shear Strength (N (pounds-force)) % of Original Shear

EΞx. 1 3.3 (0.74) 51%

EΞx. 2 1.4 (0.31) 49%

Ex. 3 3.6 (0.82) 80%

Ex. 4 4.5 (0.98) 74% C Coommpp.. E EΞxx.. 33 2 2..11 ( (00..4477)) 53%

Comp. Ex. 4 1.4 (0.32) 20%

The examples representatively illustrate the fibrous taping panel 24; 58 of the adhesive tape fastening system according to the present invention can advantageously provide sufficient shear strength with an adhesive tape fastener to reliably maintain an absorbent article about the waist of a wearer without concurrently having an undesirably high peel strength. Moreover, the fibrous taping panel of the present invention reinforces the outer cover of the absorbent article such that it can withstand the peeling removal of an adhesive tape fastener without adversely affecting the flexibility or appearance of the article. The examples further illustrate that the fibrous taping panel 24; 58 of the present invention also provides sufficient shear strength even when it has been contaminated by a foreign substance. The percentage reduction in shear strength in the presence of the foreign substance is much less when using the fibrous taping panel of the present invention as compared to conventional polymeric film reinforcement materials.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. An adhesive tape fastening system adapted for use on a disposable absorbent article, said adhesive tape fastening system comprising: a) an adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56); b) a substrate layer (22; 42); and c) a fibrous taping panel (24; 58) which is bonded to said substrate layer (22; 42) and which includes a fibrous outer surface (28; 62) which is capable of providing adhesive bonding with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56).

2. The adhesive tape fastening system of claim 1 , wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least about 2.67 Newtons (0.60 pounds-force) upon a first fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous taping panel (24; 58).

3. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said substrate layer (22; 42) is an elastomeric material and/or a fibrous nonwoven material and/or a polymeric film material.

4. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) is a fibrous woven material and/or a fibrous elastomeric material.

5. The adhesive tape fastening system according to claim 4 wherein said fibrous woven material comprises nylon fibers.

6. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) is a fibrous nonwoven material.

7. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous outer surface (28; 62) of said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) includes fibers having from about 0.167 tex to about 0.556 tex (a denier of from about 1.5 to about 5.0 d).

8. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous outer surface (28; 62) of said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) includes bicomponent fibers.

9. The adhesive tape fastening system according to claim 8 wherein said bicomponent fibers have a polyethylene sheath and a nylon core.

10. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) has a basis weight of from about 51 to about 391 grams per square meter.

11. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) has a tensile strength of at least about 220 Newtons (about 50.0 pounds-force).

12. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) provides a peel strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of no more than about 3.56 Newtons (about 0.80 pounds-force).

13. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said substrate layer (22) and said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) provide a composite reinforced fibrous substrate (30) which is capable of withstanding a peeling removal of said adhesive tape fastener therefrom without tearing.

14. The adhesive tape fastening system according to claim 13 wherein said composite reinforced substrate (30) has a tensile strength of at least about 267 Newtons (about 60 pounds-force).

15. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous outer surface (28; 62) of said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) is uncoated.

16. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least about 3.56 Newtons (0.80 pounds-force) upon a first fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous taping panel (24; 58).

17. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least from about 4.45 to about 17.80 Newtons (about

1.0 pounds-force to about 4.0 pounds-force) upon a first fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous taping panel (24; 58).

18. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein said fibrous outer surface (28; 62) of said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) comprises fibers which are capable of withstanding a peeling removal of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) therefrom without unacceptably contaminating said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to allow a refastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous outer surface (28; 62)

19. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least about 2.67 Newtons (0.60 pounds-force) after a third fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous taping panel

(24; 58).

20. The adhesive tape fastening system according to claim 19 wherein said shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) after said third fastening is at least about 50 percent of said shear strength after said first fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous taping panel (24; 58).

21. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said substrate layer (22; 42) has a tensile strength of no more than about 52.26 Newtons (about 11.75 pounds-force).

22. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least about 3.56 Newtons (0.80 pounds-force) upon a first fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous taping panel

(24; 58).

23. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said outer surface (28; 62) has a tensile strength of at least about 220 Newtons (about 50.0 pounds-force).

24. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least about 1.78 Newtons (about 0.40 pounds-force) when determined according to a Contamination Resistance Test.

25. The adhesive tape fastening system according to claim 24 wherein said shear strength between said fibrous taping panel (24; 58) and/or said outer surface (28; 62) and said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) according to said Contamination Resistance Test is at least about 50 percent of said shear strength upon said first fastening.

26. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous outer surface (28; 62) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least about 2.67 Newtons (0.60 pounds-force) after a third fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous outer surface (28; 62).

27. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous outer surface (28; 62) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least about 3.56 Newtons (0.80 pounds-force) upon a first fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous outer surface (28; 62).

28. The adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein said fibrous outer surface (28; 62) provides a shear strength with said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) of at least from about 4.45 to about 17.80 Newtons

(about 1.0 pounds-force to about 4.0 pounds-force) upon a first fastening of said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) to said fibrous outer surface (28; 62).

29. A disposable absorbent article (40) comprising: a) an outer cover (42); b) a bodyside liner (44); c) an absorbent core (46) disposed between said bodyside liner (44) and said outer cover (42); and d) an adhesive tape fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein said adhesive tape fastener (20; 54, 56) is connected to a longitudinal side portion of said disposable absorbent article (40); and said outer cover (42) acts as said substrate layer (22).

30. The disposable absorbent article of claim 29 wherein said outer cover (42) is adapted to act as fibrous taping panel.