RU2820664C1 - Absorbent garment with softened waist band - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: hygiene.

SUBSTANCE: absorbent product (10) has longitudinal axis (30) and transverse axis (32). Absorbent product (10) is a panty having front area (12), back area (14) and perineal area (16) located between front area (12) and back area (14). Perineal area (16) is formed by absorbent assembly (34). In addition to absorbent assembly (34), absorbent article (10) comprises front panel (57) and rear panel (61); wherein front panel (57) is attached to front area of absorbent assembly (34), and back panel (61) is attached to the back area of absorbent assembly (34). Front panel (57) and rear panel (61) comprise layer (205) of softened material.

EFFECT: absorbent product (10) has a waist band, which provides an individual fit and is soft and comfortable when worn, so that skin irritation is reduced or eliminated.

24 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence garments, potty training pants, sanitary napkins, panty liners and the like are well known in the art. These products, which are often disposable, are capable of absorbing and retaining fluids and other bodily secretions. Some absorbent articles, such as pull-type absorbent articles, comprise a central absorbent member and side panels extending from and connecting respective front and rear regions of the absorbent member to form a waist assembly.

An example of a pull-on absorbent article is a diaper pant; Diaper panties are typically worn by children who can stand up but are not old enough to be potty trained. Panty-diaper absorbent articles typically include a waist assembly (which includes side panels) formed from elastic threads or other elastic materials located between the inner and outer layers of nonwoven material. Elastic strands are typically held in place by adhesive. These types of waist knots may contain 20 to 40 high tenacity elastic strands that surround the waist section. The use of elastic threads in the side panels of the diaper briefs provides high elasticity to the side panels and accommodates a wide range of body shapes on which the diaper briefs can be worn. Elastic side panels also provide an adjustable fit for the wearer.

Such elastic side panels in traditional diaper panties may cause irritation to the baby's skin during use. A necessary feature of a diaper pant is that it has a soft and comfortable waistband or waist area that does not put undue pressure on the skin that could cause red marks on the skin.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a diaper pant that includes a waistband that provides a "custom" fit and is soft and comfortable to wear so that irritation to the wearer's skin is reduced or eliminated.

SHORT DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an absorbent garment that provides a solution for a more comfortable waist band that can reduce wearer irritation. The absorbent garments according to the present invention have a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The transverse direction is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and describing absorbent garments in terms of these orientations improves understanding of the components of the garment in relation to each other. The absorbent garments also have a central transverse axis extending laterally about the center of the garment 10. The absorbent garments comprise a front region, a back region, and a crotch region, with the crotch region located between the front region and the rear region. The crotch area contains an absorbent unit. The absorbent assembly has a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a pair of laterally opposed side edges (ie, side edges that are laterally opposite to each other). The absorbent assembly comprises a skin-facing liner material and an absorbent composite material. The absorbent garments also comprise a front panel in a front region and a back panel in a rear region. Both the front panel and the back panel contain an inner layer, an outer layer and a layer of softened material. The front panel and the back panel also include an elastic portion located between the inner layer and the outer layer. The front panel and the back panel are bonded or otherwise connected to each other to form the side seams of the absorbent garment. The front panel and back panel portions are folded to form a front waist edge and a back waist edge of the garment. The folded portion of the front panel includes a front fold line, which contains a portion of a layer of softened material folded along the front fold line. The folded portion of the front panel includes a first attachment region connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material and a second attachment region connecting the softened material layer to the outer layer. The folded portion of the back panel includes a back fold line containing a portion of a layer of softened material folded along the back fold line. The folded portion of the back panel includes a third attachment region connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material and a fourth attachment region connecting the softened material layer to the outer layer.

In another aspect, a garment is provided comprising a front panel in a front region and a back panel in a rear region. The front panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a layer of softened material and an elastic portion located between the inner and outer layers. A layer of softened material is located between the elastic portion and the outer layer. A portion of the front panel is folded over to form the front waist edge of the garment. The front panel includes a first attachment area connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material and a second attachment area connecting the softened material layer to the outer layer. The back panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a layer of softened material and an elastic portion located between the inner and outer layers. A layer of softened material is located between the elastic portion and the outer layer. A portion of the back panel is folded over to form the rear waist edge of the garment. The back panel includes a third attachment area connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material, and a fourth attachment area connecting the softening material layer to the outer layer.

In another aspect, a garment is provided comprising a front panel in a front region and a back panel in a rear region. The front panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a layer of softened material and an elastic portion located between the inner and outer layers. The inner layer includes a first end containing a layer of softened material. The first end containing the layer of softened material is folded over the elastic portion so that the layer of softened material forms a folded portion located between the elastic portion and the outer layer. A portion of the front panel is folded over to form the front waist edge of the garment. The outer layer may be attached to the skin-facing liner material in the first attachment region. The back panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a layer of softened material and an elastic portion located between the inner and outer layers. The inner layer contains a second end containing a layer of softened material. The second end, containing a layer of softened material, is folded over the elastic portion so that the layer of softened material forms a folded portion located between the elastic portion and the outer layer. A portion of the back panel is folded over to form the rear waist edge of the garment. The outer layer may be attached to a skin-facing liner material in a second attachment region.

The present invention will be further understood and additional features will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIALS

A full and sufficient disclosure of the present invention will be set forth more specifically in the remainder of the specification, which includes reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the following is shown:

in fig. 1 is a top-down view of an absorbent garment according to the present invention in an unassembled state;

in fig. 2 is a front view of the absorbent garment of FIG. 1 assembled;

in fig. 3 is a top-down view of the rear region of an absorbent garment according to the present invention;

in fig. 4 is a top-down view of the front region of an absorbent garment according to the present invention;

in fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the length of an absorbent garment according to the present invention;

in fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the length of an absorbent garment according to the present invention;

in fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the length of an absorbent garment according to the present invention;

in fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the length of an absorbent garment according to the present invention;

in fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along the length of an absorbent garment according to the present invention; And

in fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the length of an absorbent garment according to the present invention.

Repeated use of reference numerals throughout the specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or similar features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that this document describes only illustrative embodiments and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention.

The term "absorbent garment" or "absorbent article" as used herein refers to a garment that can be placed on or near the body (i.e., in contact with the body) of the wearer to absorb and retain various liquid, solid and semi-solid secretions produced by the body. Such absorbent articles as described herein should be discarded after a limited period of use rather than being washed or otherwise recovered for reuse. It should be understood that the present invention is applicable to a variety of disposable absorbent garments, including, but not limited to, infant diaper briefs, potty training briefs, teen briefs, swim briefs, feminine hygiene garments and items clothing for adults suffering from incontinence. The term “bonded” as used herein refers to the joining, gluing, joining, bonding, or the like of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be connected together if they are articulated, glued, connected, fastened, or the like, directly to each other or indirectly to each other, for example, if each is directly connected to intermediate elements.

The term “carded web” as used herein refers to a web containing natural or synthetic staple fibers, typically having fiber lengths less than about 100 mm. Bundles of staple fibers can be subjected to a loosening process to separate the fibers, which are then sent to a carding process that separates and combs the fibers to align them in the machine direction, after which the fibers are deposited onto a moving screen for further processing. Such webs are typically subjected to some type of bonding process such as heat sealing using heat and/or pressure. In addition or instead, the fibers can be subjected to bonding processes to bond the fibers together, for example by using powder adhesives. The carded web may be subjected to jet bonding, such as water jet bonding, to further interweave the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Carded webs, due to the alignment of the fibers in the machine direction, will generally have a machine direction strength greater than the cross-machine direction strength after bonding.

The term “film” as used herein refers to a thermoplastic film made using an extrusion and/or molding process, such as a cast film process or an extrusion blown film process. The term includes apertured films, slotted films and other porous films that constitute liquid transfer films, as well as films that do not transfer fluids such as, but not limited to, barrier films, filled films, permeable films and oriented films.

The term “liquid impermeable” as used herein refers to a layer or laminate in which body fluids, such as urine, will not pass through the layer or laminate under normal conditions of use in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate. at the point of contact with the liquid.

The term "liquid permeable" as used herein refers to any material that is not impermeable to liquid.

The term "meltblown" as used herein refers to fibers produced by extruding molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of small, usually circular, spinneret holes into molten filaments or filaments in converging high-velocity streams of heated gas (e.g., air) that thin the filaments molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be the diameter of the microfiber. Meltblown fibers are then carried by a high-velocity gas flow and deposited onto a collecting surface to form a web of randomly distributed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers that can be continuous or discontinuous, generally have a filament thickness of less than about 0.6 denier, and can be adhesive and self-bonding when deposited onto a collection surface. The term “non-woven” refers herein to materials and webs of material that are formed without the use of a weaving or knitting process. Materials and webs of materials may have a structure of individual fibers, filaments or filaments (collectively referred to as "fibers"), which may be interlaminated, but not in a recognizable way, as in a knitted fabric. Nonwovens or webs can be formed by many processes such as, but not limited to, meltblown processes, spunbond processes, carded processes, etc.

The term "malleable" as used herein refers to materials that are deformable and that will readily conform to the overall shape and contours of the wearer's body.

The term "spunbond" as used herein refers to small diameter fibers that are produced by extruding molten thermoplastic material into filaments through a plurality of small extruder die openings in a circular or other shape, the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced in conventional manner, such such as ejector pulling, and the methods described in US Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., US Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., US Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., US Pat. Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Patent No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, U.S. Patent No. 3,502,538 to Peterson, and U.S. Patent No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. completeness by reference. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often have average denier values greater than about 0.3 and, in one aspect, from about 0.6, 5 and 10 to about 15, 20 and 40. Spunbond fibers are generally non-tacky when they are deposited on a collecting surface.

The term “superabsorbent” as used herein refers to a water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight under the most favorable conditions and, in one aspect, at least about 30 times more than its weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride. Superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers.

The term "thermoplastic" as used herein refers to a polymeric material that becomes malleable or moldable above a particular temperature and returns to a solid state when cooled.

The term "polymer" generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers such as, for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc., as well as mixtures and modifications thereof. Additionally, unless specifically limited, the term "polymer" will include all possible geometric configurations of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to, isotactic, syndiotactic, and statistical symmetries.

The term "softened material layer" as used herein refers to a polymeric material that has been treated to increase the softness of the material. This treatment may include any mechanical or chemical method known to increase the softness of the material. Such a layer of softened material may generally be formed from any suitable nonwoven material. In at least some embodiments, the softened material layer may comprise a spunmelt nonwoven material containing randomly laid continuous filaments. In other embodiments, the softened material layer may also be a spunbond nonwoven or through air bonded carded web (TABCW). Additional aspects of the softened material layers of the present invention are described in more detail below.

In general, this document discloses an absorbent garment comprising a softened waist region. The main purpose of an absorbent garment is to provide additional comfort when worn, while also providing a custom fit around the wearer's waist. Absorbent pant-style garments, such as those of the present invention, are typically designed and configured to fit a wide range of body shapes and to be comfortable to wear by the user. The overall construction of the pant includes a generally rectangular absorbent assembly integrated with a front waist panel and a back waist panel. Waist panels typically contain elastic material, such as threaded elastics, and it is the working combination of the front panel and back panel that provides the pant's range of fit. With respect to the pant-type absorbent garments of the present invention, the edges of the front panel and the back panel are laterally connected to each other to form side seams of the garment. Advantageously, the pant-style garments of the present invention comprise a layer of softened material disposed on the front waist panel and the rear waist panel such that the garment provides a feeling of increased softness around the waist opening of the garment. In addition, the softened material is bonded to the front waist panel and the back waist panel in a manner that does not reduce the softness of the softened material layer.

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 and 2 illustrate one suitable aspect of the absorbent garment of the present invention in the form of a pant-diaper, indicated generally as 10. Although the present invention will be practiced in the context of the pant-diaper 10, it should be understood that aspects of the present invention are also applicable to other absorbent garments such as, for example, open diaper articles, potty training briefs, junior briefs, swim briefs, feminine hygiene garments and adult incontinence garments. As used herein, the term "absorbent garment" refers to garments that absorb and retain bodily fluids and that are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use. Garments are not intended to be washed or otherwise recovered for reuse. In other words, the clothing items are disposable. Articles of clothing may be placed on or near the wearer's body to absorb and retain various secretions produced by the body.

In fig. 1 illustrates an absorbent garment 10, such as a pant-diaper, in an unfolded and laid horizontal state to demonstrate the inner surface of the absorbent garment that faces the wearer when the absorbent garment 10 is worn. The absorbent garment 10 has a longitudinal axis (direction) 30 and transverse axis (direction) 32. Along the longitudinal axis 30, the absorbent garment 10 defines a front region 12, a back region 14, and a crotch region 16 extending between the front region 12 and the back region 14 and connecting them. The absorbent garment 10 also has a central lateral axis "L" extending in the lateral axis direction 32 near the center of the garment 10.

Absorbent garment 10 includes a central absorbent assembly, shown generally at 34, that extends longitudinally from the front region 12 through the crotch region 16 to the rear region 14. The central absorbent assembly 34 in the illustrated aspect includes an outer cover 42 (shown in FIG. 2) , which forms the outward-facing surface of the garment 10, and a skin-facing (or "body-facing") liner material 44 bonded to the outer cover 42 by layering using suitable means such as adhesives, ultrasonic welding bonds, bonds heat-sealed, pressure-formed bonds, or combinations thereof. The outer cover 42 may be a multilayer material. The absorbent composite 46 is disposed between the outer cover 42 and the body liner 44. The absorbent assembly 34 also includes a leading edge 18, a trailing edge 20, and a pair of laterally opposed side edges 22, 24. Front and rear absorbent body regions 12, 14 The garments 10 include a front panel 57 and a back panel 61, respectively. The front panel 57 and the back panel 61 are mutually connected by at least an absorbent assembly 34. The front panel 57 is a laminated or composite material consisting of several materials and includes an inner layer, an outer layer and a layer 205 of a softened material. Likewise, the back panel 61 is also a multi-material laminate or composite material and includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and a softening layer. Between the inner layer and the outer layer of the front panel 57 is an elastic portion 36. Between the inner layer and the outer layer of the back panel 61 is an elastic portion 38.

Regarding the front region 12 of the absorbent garment 10, a portion of the front panel 57 is folded so that it forms a front fold line 64 on the front waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the front panel 57 portion may be attached to the body-facing side of the garment 10. For example, the folded portion of the front panel 57 may be attached to the inner layer of the front panel 57. In certain embodiments, the folded portion of the front panel 57 may be attached to the absorbent assembly. The folded portion of the front panel 57 includes at least a portion of the outer layer 202. In at least some embodiments, the folded portion of the front panel 57 may also include a portion of the inner layer 200 and/or the softening material layer 205. Although in such embodiments, the outer layer 202 may completely cover the inner layer when viewed from the body side of the garment 10.

Regarding the rear region 14 of the absorbent garment 10, a portion of the back panel 61 is folded so that it defines a rear fold line 63 on the rear waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the back panel 61 may be attached to the body facing side of the garment 10. For example, , the folded portion of the back panel 61 may be attached to the inner layer of the back panel 61. In certain embodiments, the folded portion of the back panel 61 may be attached to the absorbent assembly 34. Like the front panel 57, the folded portion of the back panel 61 includes at least a portion of the outer layer 202. In at least some embodiments, the folded portion of the back panel 61 may also include a portion of the inner layer 200 and/or the softening material layer 205. Although in such embodiments, the outer layer 202 may completely cover the inner layer when viewed from the body side of the garment 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 57 includes a pair of laterally opposed front side portions extending outwardly from the transverse center portion of the absorbent article 10. Likewise, the back panel 61 includes a pair of laterally opposing rear side portions extending outwardly from the transverse center portion of the absorbent article. clothing 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 57 is connected to the back panel 61 through a pair of butt (or raised) side seams 40 to form a pull-on pant-like configuration of an absorbent garment 10 having a waist opening, shown at 48, and two leg openings, shown at 50. More specifically, each front side portion is connected to a corresponding rear side portion by one of the side joining seams 40.

With regard to the absorbent garment 10 in the pull-on panty-like configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, the front region 12 contains a portion of the absorbent garment 10 that, when worn, is located at least partially in front of the wearer, while the rear region 14 contains a portion of the absorbent garment 10 that is located at least partially behind the wearer. The crotch region 16 of the absorbent garment 10 includes a portion of the absorbent garment 10 that is located between the wearer's legs and covers the wearer's lower torso. The front and rear side portions comprise portions of the absorbent garment 10 (and more specifically the front and rear regions 12, 14) that are located on the wearer's hips when worn. As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 57 and the back panel 61 collectively form an opening 48 for the waist of the absorbent garment 10, which is configured to completely surround the waist of the wearer. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, front panel 57 and rear panel 61 each include a layer 205 of softened material.

In one aspect of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the absorbent garment 10 includes a folded portion of the back panel 61 that is folded to form a rear fold line 63 defining the rear waist edge of the garment 10. In certain embodiments, the folded portion of the back panel 61 may be attached to the body facing side of the garment 10. In certain embodiments, the folded portion of the back panel 61 may be attached to the inner layer of the back panel 61. In other embodiments, the folded portion of the back panel 61 may be attached to the absorbent assembly 34. In such an embodiment, the folded portion of the back panel 61 may be coupled to. the skin-facing liner 44 of the absorbent assembly 34. Between the rear fold line 63 and the edge of the folded portion 67, the layer 205 of softened material faces the body-facing side of the absorbent garment. The purpose of the softened material layer 205 is to provide increased comfort to the wearer so that skin irritation can be reduced. To perform this function, in one embodiment, the softened material layer 205 may be adhered to a portion of the outer layer 202 of the back panel 61 on the outward facing surface so that when the back panel 61 is folded to form a rear waist edge along the rear fold line 63, the softened material layer 205 The material comprises a portion that faces the body side of the garment 10 and also extends along a reverse fold line 63. In such an embodiment, the folded portion of the back panel 61 includes an attachment area 215 located on the body-facing side of the garment 10 for bonding the softened material layer 205 to the outer layer of the folded portion of the back panel 61. The back panel 61 may also include an attachment area 216 for binding outer layer 202 to the body-facing side of the garment 10. In some embodiments, an attachment region 216 may couple the outer layer 202 to the skin-facing liner 44 of the absorbent assembly 34. In yet other embodiments, an attachment area 216 may couple the outer layer 202 to an inner layer layer 200 of the back panel 61.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a portion of the front panel 57 is folded to form a front fold line 64 that defines the front waist edge of the garment 10. In certain embodiments, the folded portion of the front panel 57 may be attached to the body-facing side of the garment 10. In certain embodiments, the folded portion of the front panel 57 may be attached to the body-facing side of the garment 10. front panel 57 may be attached to an inner layer of front panel 57. In other embodiments, a folded portion of front panel 57 may be attached to an absorbent assembly 34. In such an embodiment, the folded portion of front panel 57 may be associated with a skin-facing absorbent liner 44 assembly 34. The softening layer 205 is located between the front fold line 64 and the edge of the folded portion 68 on the body side of the absorbent garment 10. The purpose of the softening layer 205 is to provide increased comfort to the wearer so that skin irritation can be reduced. To perform this function, in one embodiment, the softened material layer 205 may be adhered to a portion of the outer layer 202 of the front panel 57 on an outward-facing surface such that when the front panel 57 is folded over the absorbent assembly 34, the softened material layer 205 includes a portion that faces to the body side of the garment 10 and also extends along the front fold line 64. In such an embodiment, the folded portion of the front panel 57 includes an attachment region 217 located on the body-facing side for bonding the softened material layer 205 to the outer layer 202 of the front panel 57. The front panel 57 may also include an attachment region 218 for bonding the outer layer 202 of the folded portion. front panel 57 with the body facing side of the garment 10. In some embodiments, the attachment region 218 may couple the outer layer 202 to the skin-facing liner material 44 of the absorbent assembly 34. In yet other embodiments, the attachment area 218 may couple the outer layer 202 to the inner layer 200 of the back panel 61.

Figure 5 depicts a longitudinal section of an exemplary absorbent garment 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the garment 10 includes an absorbent assembly 34 that includes a skin-facing liner 44. For example, the absorbent assembly 34 may include a skin-facing liner 44 on one side of the absorbent assembly 34 and may be associated with an inner layer 200 on the opposite side. side of the absorbent assembly 34. While one side of the inner layer 200 is connected to the absorbent assembly 34, the other and opposite side of the inner layer 200 is connected to the elastic portions 36 and 38 located between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202. To form the back panel 61 , a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form a rear fold line 63 . The folded portion of the back panel 61 defines the rear waist edge of the garment 10 generally along the rear fold line 63. The folded portion of the back panel 61 is associated with the skin-facing liner material 44 in the attachment area 216. As shown, the attachment region 216 may be configured such that, in the attachment region 216, only the outer layer 202 is associated with the skin-facing liner material 44. However, in other embodiments, the attachment area 216 may be associated with the skin-facing cushion material 44 as part of the outer layer. 202 and the inner layer 200. To form the front panel 57, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form a front fold line 64. The folded portion of the front panel 57 defines the front waist edge of the garment 10 generally along the front fold line 64. The folded portion of the front panel 57 is associated with the skin-facing liner material 44 in the attachment region 218. As shown, the attachment region 218 may be configured such that, in the attachment region 218, only the outer layer 202 is associated with the skin-facing liner material 44. However, in other embodiments, the attachment area 218 may be associated with the skin-facing cushioning material 44 as part of the outer layer. 202 and the inner layer 200.

As shown herein in relation to FIG. 5 and other figures, both the inner layer 200 and the outer layer may extend between the anterior and posterior regions 12, 14 and through the crotch region 16. However, in other contemplated embodiments, the inner layer 200 in each of the front and rear regions 12, 14 may be formed from separate, independent materials such that the inner layers 200 of the front and rear regions are not connected. Any of these embodiments, in which at least one layer extends between the front and back regions 12, 14, may generally be referred to in the art as a "one-piece" or "one-piece" construction garment. In additional embodiments provided by the present invention, the front panel 57 and the rear panel 61 may each comprise separate materials forming the outer layer of each panel 57, 61. For example, both the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202 of the front region 12 may be completely separated from the corresponding inner layer 200 and outer layer 202 of the back region 14. In such embodiments, the node 34 may be a single portion of the garment connecting the front and back regions 12, 14. Any of these such embodiments may be referred to in the art as " three-component" or having a "three-component" design, garments.

The softened material layer 205 is positioned on the outer layer 202 such that a portion of the softened material layer 205 is folded along the back fold line 63 and the front fold line 64. In general, the softened material layer 205 of each of the front and rear regions 12, 14 may be separate materials coupled to the outer layer 202 in each of the regions 12, 14. Although in other embodiments, the softened material layer 205 may include one, a single piece of material.

In the case of the back panel 61, a portion of the softened material layer 205 may be bonded to the outer layer 202 in an attachment region 220 located on the outward facing surface folded along the rear fold line 63 and bonded to the outer layer 202 in an attachment region 215 located on the outward facing surface. to the body side of the garment 10. Similarly, in the case of the front panel 57, a portion of the softened material layer 205 may be bonded to the outer layer 202 in an attachment region 222 located on the outward facing surface folded along the front fold line 64 and bonded to the outer layer 202 at an attachment region 217 that is located on the body-facing side of the garment 10. In certain embodiments, the softened material layer 205 remains unattached to the outer layer 202 except as it relates to the attachment regions 222 and 217. As shown, attachment regions 215 and 217 couple only a portion of the softener layer 205 to the outer layer 202. In at least some embodiments, the softener layer 205 is not attached to the attachment regions 216 and/or 218. For example, no portion of the attachment areas 216 and/or 218 may be covered by the outer layer 202, and thus the softened material layer 202 is bonded directly to the attachment areas 216 and/or 218.

The folded portion of the back panel 61 may include a layer 205 of softened material having an end along the body side of the garment that is located approximately equidistant to the central transverse axis (L) compared to the end of the outer material layer 202 along the body side of the garment. . In other embodiments, the folded portion of the back panel 61 may include a layer of softened material 205 having an end along the body side of the garment that is located closer to the central transverse axis (L) compared to the end of the outer material layer 202 along the body side of the item. clothes. In other additional embodiments, the folded portion of the front panel 61 may include a layer of softened material 205 having an end along the body side of the garment that is located further from the central transverse axis (L) compared to the end of the outer material layer 202 along the body side. item of clothing.

Figure 6 depicts a longitudinal section through an exemplary absorbent garment 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the garment 10 includes an absorbent assembly 34 that includes a skin-facing liner 44. For example, the absorbent assembly 34 may include a skin-facing liner 44 on the body side of the absorbent assembly 34 and may be associated with an inner layer 200 on the opposite side of the absorbent assembly 34. While one side of the inner layer 200 is connected to the absorbent assembly 34, the other and opposite side of the inner layer 200 is connected to one or more elastic portions 36 and 38 located between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202. To form the back panel 61, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form a back fold line 63. The folded portion of the back panel 61 defines the rear waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the back panel 61 is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 216. The attachment region 216 is configured such that both a portion of the outer layer 202 and a softening material layer 205 are bonded to the skin-facing liner material 44. To form the front panel 57, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded over to form a front fold line 64. The folded portion of the front panel 57 defines the front waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the front panel 57 is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 218. The attachment region 218 is configured such that both a portion of the outer layer 202 and the softening material layer 205 are bonded to the skin-facing liner material 44.

The softened material layer 205 is positioned on the outer layer 202 such that a portion of the softened material layer 205 is folded along the back fold line 63 and the front fold line 64. In the case of the back panel 61, a portion of the softened material layer 205 may be bonded to the outer layer 202 in an attachment region 220 located on an outward-facing surface folded along the rear fold line 63 and bonded to the outer layer 202 in an attachment region 215 that is generally on the body-facing side of the garment 10. Similarly, in the case of the front panel 57, a portion of the softened material layer 205 may be bonded to the outer layer 202 in an attachment region 222 located on the outward-facing surface of the garment folded along the front fold line 64 and bonded to the outer layer 202 in the attachment area 217, which is generally on the body-facing side of the garment 10. In certain embodiments, the softened material layer 205 remains unattached to the outer layer 202 except as it relates to the attachment areas 222 and 217. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, attachment regions 215 and 217 associate only a portion of the softened material layer with the outer layer 202.

The folded portion of the back panel 61 may include a layer of softened material 205 having an end along the body side of the garment that is located closer to the central transverse axis (L) compared to the end of the outer material layer 202 along the body side of the garment. Similarly, the folded portion of the front panel 57 may include a softened material layer 205 having an end along the body side of the garment that is located closer to the central transverse axis (L) compared to the end of the outer material layer 202 along the body side of the garment.

According to some embodiments, in which the end of the softened material layer 205 along the body side of the garment is located closer to the central lateral axis (L) compared to the end of the outer material layer 202 (in either of the front and/or back panels 57, 61) , portions of the adhesive 218 may not be covered by the outer material layer 202 and exposed to the softened material layer 205 . In such embodiments, the adhesive 218 may bond the softening material layer 205 to the skin-facing liner material 44 at a point closer to the central lateral axis L than the end(s) of the outer material layer 202. In such cases, the attachment regions 215 and 217 may be eliminated and the softened material layer 205 remains bonded to the outer material layer 202 in the attachment regions 220, 222, and bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 by adhesive 218 and not bonded to the outer layer. 202 material between these attachment points.

Figure 7 depicts a longitudinal section through an exemplary absorbent garment 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the garment 10 includes an absorbent assembly 34 that includes a skin-facing liner 44. For example, the absorbent assembly 34 may include a skin-facing liner 44 on the body side of the absorbent assembly 34 and may be associated with an inner layer 200 on the opposite side of the absorbent assembly 34. While one side of the inner layer 200 is connected to the absorbent assembly 34, the other and opposite side of the inner layer 200 is connected to one or more elastic portions 36 and 38 located between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202. To form the back panel 61, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form a back fold line 63. The folded portion of the back panel 61 defines the rear waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the back panel 61 is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 216. A layer 205 of softened material is located between the elastic portion 38 and the outer layer 202. To form the front panel 57, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form a front fold line 64. The folded portion of the front panel 57 defines the front waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the front panel 57 is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 218. A layer 205 of softened material is located between the elastic portion 36 and the outer layer 202.

In fig. 8 illustrates the same garment 10 as in FIG. 7, except that the garment 10 of FIG. 8 includes one or more attachment areas 225 and 226 for bonding the softened material layer 205 to the outer layer 202.

Figure 9 depicts a longitudinal section through an exemplary absorbent garment 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the garment 10 includes an absorbent assembly 34 that includes a skin-facing liner 44. For example, the absorbent assembly 34 may include a skin-facing liner 44 on the body side of the absorbent assembly 34 and may be associated with an inner layer 200 on the opposite side of the absorbent assembly 34. While one side of the inner layer 200 is connected to the absorbent assembly 34, the other and opposite side of the inner layer 200 is connected to one or more elastic portions 36 and 38 located between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202.

To form the back panel 61, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form a back fold line 63. The folded portion of the back panel 61 defines the rear waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the back panel 61 is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 216. As shown, the attachment region 216 is configured such that only the outer layer 202 is associated with the skin-facing cushion material 44 in the attachment region 216. The inner layer 200 includes an end portion 240 containing a softening material layer 205. The end portion 240 may be folded over the end of the elastic portion 38 to form a folded portion of the inner layer 200. The folded portion of the inner layer 200 positions the end portion 240, which contains the softened material layer 205, between the outer layer 202 and the elastic portion 38.

To form the front panel 57, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded over to form a front fold line 64. The folded portion of the front panel 57 defines the front waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the front panel 57 is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 218. As shown, the attachment region 218 is configured such that only the outer layer 202 is associated with the skin-facing cushion material 44 in the attachment region 218. The inner layer 200 includes an end portion 250 containing a softening material layer 205. The end portion 250 may be folded over the end of the elastic portion 36 to form a folded portion of the inner layer 200. The folded portion of the inner layer 200 positions the end portion 250, which contains the softened material layer 205, between the outer layer 202 and the elastic portion 36.

Figure 10 depicts a longitudinal section through an exemplary absorbent garment 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the garment 10 includes an absorbent assembly 34 that includes a skin-facing liner 44. For example, the absorbent assembly 34 may include a skin-facing liner 44 on one side of the absorbent assembly 34 and may be associated with an inner layer 200 on the opposite side. side of the absorbent assembly 34. While one side of the inner layer 200 is connected to the absorbent assembly 34, the other and opposite side of the inner layer 200 is connected to the elastic portions 36 and 38 located between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202. To form the back panel 61 , a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form a rear fold line 63 . The folded portion of the back panel 61 defines the rear waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the back panel 61 is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 216. As shown, the attachment region 216 is configured such that the outer layer 202 is associated with the skin-facing liner material 44 and the softening material layer 205 is associated with the inner layer 200. Similarly, to form the front panel 57, a portion of the outer layer 202 is folded to form the front line 64 fold. The folded portion of the front panel 56 defines the front waist edge of the garment 10. The folded portion of the front panel is bonded to the skin-facing liner 44 in the attachment region 218. As shown, the attachment region 218 is configured such that the outer layer 202 is associated with the skin-facing liner material 44 and the softening material layer 205 is associated with the inner layer 200.

The softening layer 205 is positioned on the outer layer 200 such that when the outer layer is folded to form the rear fold line 63, the outer layer completely covers the softening layer 205 when viewed from the body side of the garment or the outward side of the garment. In such an embodiment, the softened material layer 205 forms one of the inner layers of the back panel 62.

In the case of the back panel 61, a layer of softened material 205 is located between the elastic portion 38 and the outer layer 202. As shown, the layer of softened material 205 is bonded to the outer layer 202 in the attachment region 220. The softened material layer 205 is then folded over and adhered to the outer layer 202 at an attachment region 215 along the body side of the garment. Similarly, in the case of the front panel 57, a layer of softened material 205 is located between the elastic portion 36 and the outer layer 202. The layer of softened material 205 is bonded to the outer layer at an attachment region 222. The softened material layer 205 is then folded over and adhered to the outer layer in the attachment region 217 along the body side of the garment. In certain embodiments, the softened material layer 205 remains unattached to the outer layer 202 except in the attachment areas 215, 217, 220, and 222. As shown, in embodiments, attachment regions 215, 217, 220, and 222 bind only a portion of the softened material layer 205 to the outer layer 202.

As shown in Figure 10, the softened material layer 205 is located within the outer material layer 202 such that no portion of the softened material layer 205 is in direct contact with the wearer's skin. The softened material layer 205 is folded in combination with the outer layer 202 to provide both a rear fold line 63 and a front fold line 64 of the garment. In such an embodiment, the softened material layer 205 provides one or more inner layers for the back panel 61 and the front panel 57.

The folded portion of the back panel 61 may include an outer layer 202 having an end along the body side of the garment that is located closer to the central transverse axis (L) compared to the end of the softening layer 205 on the body side of the garment. Similarly, the folded portion of the front panel (57) may include an outer layer 202 having an end along the body side of the garment that is located closer to the central transverse axis L compared to the end of the softening layer 205 on the body side of the garment. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the back panel 61 and front panel 57 may comprise a softened material layer 205 that has an end located closer to the central lateral axis L than the end of the outer layer 202.

It should be understood that the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202 may also form the outer cover 42 for the absorbent assembly 34. For example, as shown in Figures 5-9, the absorbent assembly 34 includes a skin-facing liner material 44 on one side and is associated with the inner layer 200 on the side opposite the skin-facing liner 44. Thus, both the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202 extend in the longitudinal direction of the garment 10 to provide material for the outer cover of the absorbent body 34 and material for the front panel 57 for the waist and back panel 61 for waist. The absorbent assembly 34 is adhered to the inner layer 200 by an adhesive region 224. One or more elastic portions, such as elastic portions 36 and 38, may be sandwiched between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202. Additionally, between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202, as shown, other elastic portions may be located, such as the middle elastic portion 39. If necessary, additional elastic portions may be included between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202.

The garments provided herein may be manufactured according to any suitable method. It should be understood that embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use with both "machine direction" and "cross machine direction" processes and include these processes for the manufacture of garments such as disposable diapers, disposable swim trunks, disposable training pants potty dressing, disposable bedwetting garments, feminine hygiene products, surgical garments, etc. Examples of suitable processes are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,491,741 and U.S. Patent No. 8,753,466, both of which are assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. and are incorporated herein by reference to the extent inconsistent with this disclosure. For example, during the manufacture of the garments disclosed herein, both the outer layer 202 and the inner layer 200 may be laid out in a machine direction defining the width of the cross direction, and have a first end in the cross direction and a second end in the cross direction, each of which defines the front and back areas of the garment. An elastomeric material comprising one or more elastic portions 36, 38 may be sandwiched between the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202. A softening material layer 205 may be located on the outer layer 202 or inner layer 200 at desired locations. The individual absorbent assemblies 34 may then be located on and associated with the inner layer 200. The garments 10 may then be cut to form leg openings 50 and folded to form front and back waist panels 57 and 61, respectively.

With reference in particular to FIG. 5, 6, and 10, each of the attachment areas 220 and 215 may be located a distance in the longitudinal direction 30 from the top waist edge of the article 10. In some embodiments, the attachment area 220 may be located at a distance of from about 10 mm to about 40 mm from upper waist edge. For example, the back fold line 63 may define a top waist edge along the back of the garment 10. Accordingly, the attachment area 220 can be located at a distance of from about 10 mm to about 40 mm from the back fold line 63 defining the top waist edge of the garment. In other embodiments, the attachment region 220 may be located at a distance of from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 25 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 20 mm from the top waist edge. Likewise, the attachment region 215 may be located at a distance of from about 10 mm to about 40 mm from the top waist edge, or, in other embodiments, from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 25 mm, or from approximately 10 mm to approximately 20 mm from the upper waist edge. However, in additional embodiments, each of the attachment regions 220 and 215 may be located in the longitudinal direction 30 at a distance of from about 50 mm to about 150 mm or from about 50 mm to about 100 mm from the top waist edge of the article 10. These embodiments may be more suitable for adult care garments.

In any of these embodiments, the length of the softened material layer 205 extends between the attachment region 215 and the attachment region 220. Indeed, the length of the softened material layer 205 between these attachment areas may be folded, thereby forming part of the folded portion of the back panel. Although folded, it remains such that there is a length of softened material layer 205 that extends between the attachment region 215 and the attachment region 220. The length of the softened material layer 205 extending between the attachment region 215 and the attachment region 220, which is measured along the softened material layer, may be from about 20 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 60 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 60 mm. 50 mm, or from approximately 20 mm to approximately 40 mm. In other further embodiments, the length of the softened material layer 205 that extends between the attachment region 215 and the attachment region 220 may be from about 100 mm to about 300 mm, or from about 100 mm to about 200 mm. In some aspects, the softened material layer 205 may not be associated with the outer layer 202 between the attachment regions 215 and 220. Thus, the softened material layer 205 can maintain a soft feel and a plush appearance conveying a feeling and perception of comfort for both the wearer and the viewer of the garment 10.

Each of the attachment areas 222 and 217 may be located at a distance in the longitudinal direction 30 from the top waist edge of the article 10. In some embodiments, the attachment area 222 may be located at a distance from about 10 mm to about 40 mm from the top waist edge. For example, the front fold line 64 may define the top waist edge along the front portion of the garment 10. Accordingly, the attachment region 222 may be located at a distance of from about 10 mm to about 40 mm from the front fold line 64 defining the top waist edge of the garment. In other embodiments, the attachment region 222 may be located at a distance of from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 25 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 20 mm from the upper waist edge. Likewise, the attachment region 217 may be located at a distance of from about 10 mm to about 40 mm from the top waist edge, or, in other embodiments, from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 25 mm, or from approximately 10 mm to approximately 20 mm from the upper waist edge. However, in additional embodiments, each of the attachment regions 222 and 217 may be located in the longitudinal direction 30 at a distance of from about 50 mm to about 150 mm or from about 50 mm to about 100 mm from the top waist edge of the article 10. These embodiments may be more suitable for adult care garments.

In any of these embodiments, the length of the softened material layer 205 extends between the attachment region 217 and the attachment region 222. Indeed, the length of the softened material layer 205 between these attachment areas may be folded over and thus form part of the folded portion of the front panel. Although folded, it remains such that there is a length of softened material layer 205 that extends between the attachment region 217 and the attachment region 222. The length of the softened material layer 205 extending between the attachment region 217 and the attachment region 222, which is measured along the softened material layer, may be from about 20 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 60 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 60 mm. 50 mm, or from approximately 20 mm to approximately 40 mm. In other further embodiments, the length of the softened material layer 205 that extends between the attachment region 217 and the attachment region 222 may be from about 100 mm to about 300 mm, or from about 100 mm to about 200 mm. In some aspects, the softened material layer 205 may not be associated with the outer layer 202 between the attachment regions 217 and 222. Thus, the softened material layer 205 can maintain a soft feel and a plush appearance conveying a feeling and perception of comfort for both the wearer and the viewer of the garment 10.

In at least some embodiments, it may be that the length of the softened material layer 205 extending between the attachment regions 215 and 220 (or between the regions 217 and 222) that is measured along the softened material layer 205 (referred to herein as the “softened material length” "") may be greater than the distance between the attachment regions 215 and 220 (or between the regions 217 and 222) (referred to herein as the "panel waist length"), measured along the front or rear panels 57, 61. Measurement along the front and rear panels 57, 61 may include measuring along the outer layer 202 where the outer layer is folded to form the front and back fold lines 64, 63 or may include measuring along the outer layer 202 from the attachment area 220 (or area 222) to the waist edge and then along the inner layer 200 from the waist edge to the attachment region 215 (or 217).

According to some aspects of the present invention, the length of the softened material may be at least about 6 mm greater than the length of the waist region of the panel. In additional embodiments, the length of the softened material may be at least about 8 mm, or at least about 10 mm, or at least about 12 mm, or at least about 14 mm, or at least about 16 mm greater than the length of the waistband. panel areas. In other additional embodiments, the length of the softened material may be from about 6 mm to about 20 mm greater than the length of the waist region of the panel, or, in other embodiments, from about 6 mm to about 16 mm, or from about 6 mm to about 14 mm , or from about 6 mm to about 12 mm, or from about 8 mm to about 12 mm more than the length of the waist region of the panel. These length differences can be achieved by varying the tension of the outer and/or inner layers 200, 202 and the softener layer 205 at the time the material of the softener layer 205 is applied to the outer and/or inner layers 200, 202 so that when the tension is released, the outer and/or the inner layers 200, 202 are contracted to a greater extent than the softened material layer 205, thereby realizing a difference in length between the attachment regions 215 and 220 (or 217 and 222). Alternatively, the softened material layer 205 may be folded when the softened material layer 205 is attached to the outer and/or inner layers 200, 202, or alternatively may form a convex shape when attached to the outer and/or inner layers 200, 202.

The folded portion of both the front panel 57 and the back panel 61 comprises a softened material layer 205 having an end along the body side of the garment 10 that is located in the direction of the central transverse axis (L) of the garment 10. In certain embodiments, the softened material layer 205 the material may include a length of material extending from the attachment regions 215, 217 to each respective body side end. The length of the layer 205 of softened material extending from the attachment regions 215, 217 to each respective end may be from about 2 mm to about 5 mm, such as about 3 mm, such as about 4 mm. Advantageously, having such a length of softened material layer 205 extending in this manner from the attachment regions 215, 217 avoids exposure to adhesive during manufacture and prevents wrinkling at the end of the softened material layer 205 located on the body side of the garment.

As shown in relation to FIG. 3-10, the garment 10 may include front and back fold lines 64, 63, with a portion of the front and back panels 57, 61 folded onto the body facing side of the garment 10. However, in additional embodiments, it is contemplated that the garment 10 may not include portions of the front and back panels 57, 61 that are folded onto the body facing side of the garment 10. In such embodiments, the ends of the front and back panels 57, 61 may terminate near the front and rear waist edges of the garment 10. In such embodiments, the front and rear fold lines 64, 63 may be formed only by the softened material layer 205 folded over the ends of the front and rear panels 57, 61. In these embodiments, the attachment region 215 may link the softened material layer 205 to the inner layer 200, while the attachment region 220 may couple the softened material layer 205 to the outer layer 202, with both areas 215, 220 located on the front panel. Likewise, an attachment region 217 may couple the softened material layer 205 to the inner layer 200, while an attachment region 222 may couple the softened material layer 205 to the outer layer 202, with both areas 217, 222 located on the rear panel 61.

Each of the attachment areas 215, 216, 217, 218, 220, 222 may contain any suitable adhesive. For example, the attachment regions disclosed herein may comprise an adhesive strip that generally has a longitudinal length and a transverse length. The longitudinal length is the length of the strip parallel to the longitudinal direction 30, and the transverse length is the length of the strip parallel to the transverse direction 32. In embodiments, the strip will have a longitudinal length less than the transverse length. In certain embodiments, the longitudinal length of the adhesive strip may be from about 1 mm to about 40 mm, such as from about 2 mm to about 30 mm, such as from about 3 mm to about 20 mm. In certain embodiments, the attachment areas may contain one or more beads of adhesive. In such embodiments, where multiple adhesive strips are needed, the adhesive strips may have the same or different longitudinal lengths.

The application of adhesives to absorbent products such as diapers can affect the elasticity and softness of the underlying layers of material. Additionally, applying adhesive strips under body-facing material layers could potentially cause additional irritation to the wearer's skin or reduce the softness of the material layers. Additionally, applying adhesives under certain softened materials may cause the adhesive to bleed through the material layer, which is undesirable. Accordingly, the attachment regions 215 and 217 may comprise an adhesive strip having a longitudinal length of from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, such as from about 1 mm to about 4 mm, such as from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. Such an adhesive strip having a reduced longitudinal length can prevent irritation and leakage of the adhesive. Additionally, the presence of such a narrow strip of adhesive, as described for the attachment areas 215 and 217, may provide higher attachment strength along the attachment areas 215,217 compared to other attachment areas having a larger surface area in the longitudinal direction. Additionally, portions of the softened material layer 205 may remain unbonded except in the areas of attachment described herein. Accordingly, attachment regions 215 and 217 having the described longitudinal lengths allow the softened material layer to remain unattached to portions of the front and rear panels 57,61 so that the softness provided by the softened material layer 205 is not compromised by the use of additional adhesives.

In certain embodiments, the attachment regions 216 and 218 may include an adhesive strip that has a greater longitudinal length than the attachment regions 215 and 217. For example, attachment regions 216 and 218 may comprise one or more adhesive strips having a longitudinal length of from about 15 mm to about 45 mm, such as from about 20 mm to about 30 mm. Providing an adhesive strip having the longitudinal lengths disclosed herein in the attachment regions 216 and 218 ensures that the absorbent assembly 34 is properly bonded to the outer layer 202 so that the folded portion of the back panel 61 or the front panel 57 does not separate from the absorbent assembly 34.

In addition to the description of the various aspects of the present invention already proposed, further description of the individual components of the absorbent garment 10 is useful. For example, the softening material layer 205 may be a single or multi-layer material and may be selected from nonwovens, laminates, spunbond fabrics, spunmelt fabrics (including spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) and other similar laminate fabrics), films, meltblown fabrics, elastic mesh, microporous webs, bonded carded webs (including air-filled carded webs, which are represented herein by abbreviation TABCW), liquid-absorbing materials or foams consisting of elastomeric or polymeric materials or cellulosic materials such as fabric. In embodiments, the softened material layer comprises a non-woven fabric or web. Nonwoven fabrics or webs are formed by a variety of processes, such as, for example, meltblown processes, spunbond processes and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (oz/sqyd) or grams per square meter (g/m2), and useful fiber diameters are usually expressed in microns, although deniers are sometimes used for fiber thickness. For example, in certain embodiments, the layer of softened material may have a basis weight of from about 7 g/m2 to about 45 g/m2, or from about 7 g/m2 to about 35 g/m2, or from about 7 g/m2 to about 25 g /m2, or from about 10 g/m2 to about 20 g/m2. In such embodiments, the preferred type of material for the softened material layer 205 may be spunbond, spunmelt, or TABCW.

In particular embodiments, where the softened material layer comprises a spunbond fabric containing one or more spunbond fibers therein, the spunbond fibers may be formed from any suitable polymeric material. The softened material layer may be formed from any suitable thermoplastic polymer. For example, thermoplastic polymers that can be used can be any known to those skilled in the art that are commonly used in meltblown and spunbond processes. Such polymers include polyolefins, polyesters, polyesters containing ester groups, polyurethanes and polyamides, and mixtures thereof, more particularly polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers and butene copolymers.

In certain embodiments, the softened material layer may comprise a single layer or a multi-layer laminate. Such a multilayer laminate may include embodiments in which some of the layers are spunbond and some of the layers are meltblown, for example, spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) laminates. Examples of such SMS laminates are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,041,203 to Brock et al. and US Pat. No. 5,169,706 to Collier et al. Such a laminate can be made by sequentially depositing, on a moving forming belt, first a layer of spunbond fabric, then a layer of meltblown fabric, and finally another layer of spunbond, and then bonding the laminate according to known methods. Alternatively, the layers of fabric can be produced separately, collected into rolls and combined in a separate bonding step. Such fabrics typically have a basis weight of from about 6 grams to about 400 grams per square meter. The process of the present invention can also produce fabric that has been coated with layers of films, glass fibers, staple fibers, paper and other sheet materials.

The softened material layer 205 may consist essentially of a nonwoven web of material that has been treated with a softener to impart a desired level of soft texture to the material layer. For example, the softening material layer 205 may be treated with one or more softening additives, such as softening chemicals. For example, to provide a softening material layer 205, softening chemicals may be added to the nonwoven fabric in varying amounts. The softening chemicals can be any of those generally known to those skilled in the art as useful for softening textiles. Softeners can be silicone, anionic, non-ionic or cationic.

Anionic softeners are generally chemical compounds such as sulfonated oils like castor, olive and soybean, sulfonated synthetic fatty esters such as glyceryl trioleate, and sulfonated high molecular weight fatty alcohols.

Non-ionic softeners are highly compatible with other finishing agents and are generally compounds such as glycols, glycerin, sorbitol and urea. Other examples are fatty acid compounds such as polyglycol esters of high molecular weight saturated fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic acids.

Cationic softeners are generally long-chain amides, imidazolines, and compounds containing quaternary nitrogen compounds. One suitable cationic softener is a tallow-based quaternary ammonium compound sold under the brand name Varisoft®.

In certain embodiments, the nonwoven fabric of the softening material layer 205 may be subjected to any known mechanical treatment to soften the nonwoven fabric. Examples of chemical and mechanical softening processes for nonwoven fabrics are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,413,811 to Fitting et al.

In other embodiments, the softened material layer 205 may consist essentially of a nonwoven web of material that contains a polymer composition comprising one or more polymers capable of imparting softness to the nonwoven web. For example, the softened material layer 205 may consist of a polymer composition containing Vistamaxx®Performance Polymers available from ExxonMobil. In embodiments, the polymer composition used to form the nonwoven web of the material may contain from about 1% by weight to about 7.5% by weight Vistamaxx®Performance Polymers, for example, from about 1% by weight to about 5% by weight or from about 1% by weight to about 4% by weight, from about 1% by weight to about 3.5% by weight, for example, about 3.5% by weight or from about 1% by weight to about 2.5% by weight. It has been found that going beyond 3.5%, 5%, or 7.5%, in certain embodiments, while making the softener layer 205 softer, prevents the softener layer 205 from bonding to itself or other materials, thus making the manufacture of product 10 very difficult or impossible. Other functional polymers or polymer mixtures may be added to the polymer composition used to form the softened material layer 205.

As an alternative to, or in addition to, adding one or more softening additives to the nonwoven fabric forming the softening layer 205, it may be desirable to ensure that the fibers forming the softening layer 205 are sufficiently low in denier to provide the desired level of softness. It has been found that denier deniers of the fibers forming the softened material layer are preferably less than about 2.0, or more preferably less than about 1.7, or more preferably less than about 1.5, or more preferably less than about 1.3 , or more preferably less than about 1.2. Lower denier fibers generally equate to a material that is softer to the touch.

In addition, the absorbent assembly 34 is configured to retain and/or absorb physiological secretions released by the wearer. Accordingly, the outer cover 42 of the garment 10 suitably comprises a material that is substantially liquid impermeable, i.e., a film layer. It should be understood that in certain embodiments, the outer cover 42 of the absorbent assembly may be composed of a multilayer material comprising an inner layer 200 and an outer layer 202. For example, the absorbent composite 46 may be bonded to the inner layer 200 and then over the absorbent composite 46 may skin-facing liner material 44 is applied. In such embodiments, the inner layer 200 may be a liquid impermeable layer and the outer layer 202 may be a liquid permeable layer. The liquid-permeable outer layer 202 and the liquid-impermeable inner layer 200 may be joined together by an adhesive, an ultrasonic bond, a heat seal bond, a pressure bond, or combinations thereof. Suitable adhesives may be applied continuously or intermittently as beads, sprays, parallel spirals, or the like. The liquid-permeable outer layer 202 may be any suitable material, including materials that provide an overall fabric-like texture. The outer layer 202 may also be made from the same materials as the liquid-permeable skin-facing liner 44. Although the outer layer 202 need not be liquid-permeable, it is advantageous for it to provide a relatively fabric-like texture to the wearer.

The inner layer 200 may be impermeable to both liquid and vapor, or it may be liquid impermeable and vapor permeable. The inner layer 200 may be made of a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. The inner layer 200 can prevent waste products from being wetted against articles such as sheets and clothing, as well as the wearer and caregiver.

The outer layer 202 can be embossed and/or surface matted to achieve a more fabric-like appearance. As mentioned previously, the liquid impermeable material may allow vapor to escape from the interior of the absorbent garment while still preventing liquids from passing through the inner layer 200 and outer layer 202. One suitable "breathable" material consists of a microporous polymer film or nonwoven fabric, which has been coated or otherwise treated to provide the required level of liquid impermeability. It is also contemplated that the inner layer 200 and outer layer 202 may be stretchable and more suitably elastic. In particular, the inner layer 200 and outer layer 202 are suitably stretchable and more suitably elastic in at least the lateral or circumferential direction of the absorbent garment 10. In other aspects, the inner layer 200 and outer layer 202 may be stretchable and more acceptably elastic both in the transverse (lateral) 32 and longitudinal directions 30.

The liquid-permeable skin-facing liner 44 overlaps the absorbent composite 46 and may, but need not, have the same dimensions as the core layer 200. In certain embodiments, the skin-facing liner 44 overlaps the absorbent composite 46 and is bonded to an inner layer 200 along the transverse ends of the absorbent composite 46. The skin-facing liner 44 may be bonded to the inner layer 200 through any suitable bonding mechanism.

The skin-facing liner material 44 is suitably deformable, soft to the touch, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The skin-facing liner 44 is also sufficiently fluid-permeable to allow bodily fluids to readily pass through its thickness to the absorbent composite 46. In addition, the skin-facing liner 44 may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent composite 46 , to provide the wearer with a relatively dry surface and allow liquid to easily penetrate through its thickness. The hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties may vary along the length, width and/or depth of the skin-facing liner 44 and absorbent composite 46 to achieve desired wet feel or flow characteristics.

The skin-facing liner 44 can be made from a wide variety of sheet materials, such as cellular foams, mesh foams, apertured plastic films, woven and nonwoven webs, or a combination of any such materials. For example, the skin-facing liner 44 may comprise a meltblown web, a spunbond web, or a bonded carded web composed of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof. The skin-facing liner material 44 may be comprised of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise treated to impart the desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant may be applied by any conventional method, such as spraying, printing, brushing, or the like. The surfactant may be applied to the entire skin-facing liner 44 or may be applied selectively to specific areas of the skin-facing liner 44. the skin of the cushioning material 44, such as a median portion along the longitudinal centerline.

The skin-facing liner 44 may also be extensible, and more suitably, it may be elastomeric. In particular, the skin-facing liner 44 is suitably stretchable and more suitably elastomeric in at least the transverse or circumferential direction 32 of the absorbent garment 10. In other aspects, the skin-facing liner 44 may be stretchable and more suitably elastomeric as in the transverse direction 32, and in the longitudinal direction 30.

The absorbent composite material 46 is suitably compressible, adaptable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining fluids and certain body secretions. For example, the absorbent composite 46 may contain cellulose fibers (eg, wood pulp fibers), other natural fibers, synthetic fibers, woven or non-woven sheets, gauze-type mesh or other stabilizing structures, superabsorbent material, binders, surfactants , selected hydrophobic materials, pigments, lotions, deodorants, or the like, and combinations thereof. The materials can be formed into a web structure through the use of various traditional methods and techniques. For example, the absorbent composite 46 may be formed by a dry molding technique, an air molding technique, a wet molding technique, a foam bed molding technique, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. In addition, the absorbent composite 46 may itself comprise multiple layers in the Z direction (e.g., thickness) of the absorbent composite 46. Such multiple layers may take advantage of differences in absorbency, for example, by placing a layer of less absorbent material closer to the skin to the liner 44, and more absorbent material closer to the outer cover 42. Likewise, portions of a single layer absorbent composite may comprise higher absorbency absorbent materials, and other portions of the composite may contain lower absorbent absorbent materials. ability.

The superabsorbent material is suitably present in the absorbent composite 46 in an amount of from about 0 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of the absorbent composite 46. The absorbent composite 46 may suitably have a density in the range of from about 0.10 to about 0.60 grams per cubic centimeter. Superabsorbent materials are well known in the art and can be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. Superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers. Typically, the superabsorbent material is capable of absorbing at least about 10 times its weight in liquid and preferably is capable of absorbing more than about 25 times its weight in liquid.

The absorbent composite 46 may alternatively comprise a coform material. The term "coform material" generally means composite materials containing a mixture or stabilized matrix of thermoplastic fibers and a second non-thermoplastic material. For example, coform materials are made by a process in which at least one meltblown die is located near a chute through which other materials are added to the web as it is formed. Such other materials may include, but are not limited to, fibrous organic materials such as wood or non-wood pulps such as cotton, rayon, recycled paper, fluff pulp, as well as superabsorbent particles, inorganic absorbent materials, processed polymer staple fibers, etc. Any of a variety of synthetic polymers can be used as the meltspun component of the coform material. For example, thermoplastic polymers may be used in certain aspects. Some examples of suitable thermoplastics that may be used include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, etc.; polyamides; and polyesters. In one aspect, the thermoplastic polymer is polypropylene.

In one suitable aspect, the absorbent composite 46 is extensible in a manner that does not interfere with the extensibility of other components to which the absorbent composite 46 may be adhered, such as the outer cover 42 and the skin-facing liner 44. Once molded or cut into the desired shape, the absorbent composite 46 may be wrapped or covered with a suitable wrapper (not shown) that helps maintain the integrity and shape of the absorbent composite 46.

Absorbent assembly 34 may also include a surge distribution layer (not shown) positioned adjacent the absorbent composite 46 (e.g., between the absorbent composite 46 and the skin-facing liner 44) to help slow and dissipate surges or liquid outflows that may be quickly introduced by the wearer into the absorbent composite material 46 of the absorbent garment 10. It is advisable that the emission distribution layer can quickly receive and temporarily hold liquid before releasing the liquid into the storage or retention portions of the absorbent composite material 46. Examples of suitable emission distribution layers are described in US Pat. No. 5486166, issued January 23, 1996 to Bishop et al.; US Patent No. 5,490,846 issued February 13, 1996 to Ellis et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,820,973, issued October 13, 1998 to Dodge, II, et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As has already been described with respect to various aspects of the present invention, the absorbent assembly 34 may include a pair of sealed flaps (not shown) that extend longitudinally along the absorbent assembly 34 and are adapted to provide a barrier against the lateral spread of body fluids, as is known in the art. . The seal flaps may be coupled to the skin-facing liner 44 or other components of the absorbent assembly 34. Suitable seal flap configurations are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,599,338 issued February 4, 1997 to K. Enloe, the entire contents of which are included in this document by reference.

Elastic portions 36,38 are attached to at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer to impart the required level of elasticity to the front and back panels 57,61. The elastic portions 36,38 may be attached to the inner layer 200 and/or outer layer 202 using any suitable means, including, for example, adhesives. The elastic portions 36,38 may be stretched and then adhered to one or both of the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202, or adhered to one or both of the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202 when the layers are in the assembled state, to impart a front panel 57 and rear panel 61 have the required level of elasticity. In other aspects, the elastic portions 36,38 may be adhered to one or both of the inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202 and then rubberized or compressed, for example by applying heat, such that elastic contractile forces are applied to the front panel 57 and back panel 61 .

The elastic portions 36,38 may be formed from a variety of suitable elastic materials, including threads or bands of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. In the aspect shown in FIG. 1, the elastic portions 36,38 comprise a plurality of elastomeric yarns extending in a transverse direction 32 (FIG. 1) or a circumferential direction (FIG. 2) of the absorbent garment 10. In one suitable aspect, the elastomeric yarns comprise dry-spun united multifilament spandex elastomeric threads sold under the trade name LYCRA® and supplied by Invista, Wichita, Kansas, USA. Other suitable materials from which the elastic portion 36 may be formed include vertical filament laminates (VFLs), an example of which is described in US Pat. No. 6,916,750 to Thomas et al., incorporated herein by reference.

The inner layer 200 and the outer layer 202 may be bonded together face to face using suitable means such as adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, heat sealing bonding, pressure bonding, or combinations thereof. Suitable adhesives, which can be applied continuously or intermittently as drops, sprays, parallel spirals, or the like, include rubber adhesives (i.e., materials capable of elongating at least 75% without breaking) such as styrene- water-based butadiene adhesives, neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl copolymers, polyamides and ethylene vinyl terpolymers.

For the purposes of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of values described in the present invention include all values within the range and should be construed as the basis for claims that set forth any subranges having breakpoints that are integer values within the specified range in question. As a possible example, the indication of a range from 1 to 5 should be considered as support for claims in relation to any of the following ranges: 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 2 to 5 , from 2 to 4, from 2 to 3, from 3 to 5, from 3 to 4 and from 4 to 5.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood to be strictly limited to the exact numerical values set forth. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such size shall denote both the value stated and a functionally equivalent range encompassing that value.

For example, a size stated as "40mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40mm".

All documents referred to in the detailed description are incorporated herein by reference to their respective extents; however, mention of any document should not be construed as an admission that it is prior art to the present invention. If any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of a term in a document incorporated by reference, then the meaning or definition with which the term is used in that written document shall control.

While specific aspects of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims should cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (42)

1. An absorbent garment containing: longitudinal direction, transverse direction and central transverse axis; a front region, a rear region, a crotch region, wherein the crotch region is located between the front region and the rear region, and the crotch region contains an absorbent unit; wherein the absorbent assembly comprises a skin-facing liner material and an absorbent composite material, the absorbent assembly also comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a pair of laterally opposed side edges; a front panel in a front region, the front panel comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, a layer of softened material, and an elastic portion located between the inner layer and the outer layer, a portion of the front panel being folded to form a front waist edge around the front fold line, wherein the portion of the softened material the material is folded along the front fold line, the folded portion of the front panel comprising a first attachment region connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material and a second attachment region connecting the softened material layer to the outer layer; a back panel in a rear region, wherein the back panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a layer of softened material, and an elastic portion located between the inner layer and the outer layer, a portion of the back panel being folded to form a rear waist edge around the rear fold line, wherein the portion of the softened material the material is folded along the rear fold line, wherein the folded portion of the back panel includes a third attachment region connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material, and a fourth attachment region connecting the layer of softened material to the outer layer; And wherein the front panel and the back panel are connected to each other to form side seams of the absorbent garment. 2. The garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the softened material layer in the folded portion of the front panel has an end that is located closer to the central transverse axis compared to the end of the outer layer in the folded portion of the front panel, and the portion of the softened layer the material in the folded portion of the back panel has an end that is located closer to the central transverse axis compared to the end of the outer layer in the folded portion of the back panel. 3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer layer in the folded portion of the front panel has an end that is located closer to the central transverse axis compared to the end of the layer of softened material in the folded portion of the front panel, and wherein the portion of the outer layer in the folded portion of the back panel has an end that is located closer to the central transverse axis compared to the end of the layer of softened material in the folded portion of the back panel. 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the second attachment region and the fourth attachment region comprise an adhesive for bonding the softened material layer to the outer layer. 5. The garment according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one strip of adhesive having a longitudinal length and a transverse length, wherein the longitudinal length is from 1 mm to 4 mm. 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first attachment area and the third attachment area comprise an adhesive for bonding the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material. 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first attachment area and the third attachment area bind a portion of the softened material layer to the skin-facing cushion material. 8. The garment of claim 6, wherein no portion of the adhesive of the first attachment area or the third attachment area is in contact with the layer of softened material. 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a fifth attachment area connecting the softened material layer to a portion of the front panel opposite the folded portion, and the back panel includes a sixth attachment area connecting the softened material layer to a portion of the back panel , opposite the bent part. 10. The garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the second attachment area is located at a distance from 10 mm to 40 mm from the front waist edge, and the fourth attachment area is located at a distance from 10 mm to 40 mm from the rear waist edge. 11. The garment of claim 9, further comprising a first length of a layer of softened material extending between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area and not associated between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, and a second length of a layer of softened material extending between the fourth attachment area and the sixth attachment area and unconnected between the fourth attachment area and the sixth attachment area, each of the first length and the second length being from 20 mm to 80 mm. 12. An absorbent garment containing: longitudinal direction and transverse direction; a front region, a rear region, a crotch region, wherein the crotch region is located between the front region and the rear region, and the crotch region contains an absorbent unit; wherein the absorbent assembly comprises a skin-facing liner material and an absorbent composite material, the absorbent assembly also comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a pair of laterally opposite side edges; a front panel in a front region, wherein the front panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a softened material layer, and an elastic portion, wherein the elastic portion is located between the inner layer and the softened material layer, and the softened material layer is located between the outer layer and the elastic portion, wherein a portion of the front panel is folded over to form a front waist edge, the front panel comprising a first attachment region connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material, and a second attachment region connecting the softened material layer to the outer layer; a back panel in a rear region, wherein the back panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a softened material layer, and an elastic portion, wherein the elastic portion is located between the inner layer and the softened material layer, and the softened material layer is located between the outer layer and the elastic portion, wherein a portion of the back panel is folded over to form a rear waist edge, the back panel comprising a third attachment region connecting the outer layer to the skin-facing liner material, and a fourth attachment region connecting the layer of softened material to the outer layer; And wherein the front panel and the back panel are connected to each other to form side seams of the absorbent garment. 13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the second attachment region and the fourth attachment region comprise an adhesive for bonding the softened material layer to the outer layer, and wherein the adhesive includes at least one adhesive strip having a longitudinal length and a transverse length, the longitudinal length ranges from 1 mm to 4 mm. 14. An article of clothing according to claim 13, characterized in that the adhesive includes at least two strips of adhesive having different longitudinal lengths. 15. The garment of claim 13, wherein the front panel folded portion comprises a layer of softened material and the back waist panel folded portion comprises a layer of softened material. 16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the portion of the softened material layer in the folded portion of the front panel has an end that is located closer to the central transverse axis compared to the end of the outer layer in the folded portion of the front panel, and wherein the portion of the softened layer the material in the folded portion of the back panel has an end that is located closer to the central transverse axis compared to the end of the outer layer in the folded portion of the back panel. 17. The garment of claim 15, wherein the portion of the softened material layer in the folded portion of the front panel has an end that is located further from the central transverse axis compared to the end of the outer layer in the folded portion of the front panel, and wherein the portion of the softened layer the material in the folded portion of the back panel has an end that is located further from the central transverse axis compared to the end of the outer layer in the folded portion of the back panel. 18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the first attachment region and the third attachment region comprise an adhesive for bonding a portion of the softened material layer to the skin-facing cushioning material and a portion of the outer layer to the skin-facing cushioning material. 19. The garment according to claim 12, characterized in that the layer of softened material comprises a non-woven material treated with a softening additive. 20. An absorbent garment containing: longitudinal direction and transverse direction; a front region, a rear region, a crotch region, wherein the crotch region is located between the front region and the rear region, and the crotch region contains an absorbent unit; wherein the absorbent assembly comprises a skin-facing liner material and an absorbent composite material, the absorbent assembly also comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a pair of laterally opposite side edges; a front panel in a front region, wherein the front panel includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an elastic portion located between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the inner layer includes a first end containing a layer of softened material, wherein the first end contains a layer of softened material , is folded over the elastic portion such that the layer of softened material defines a folded portion disposed between the elastic portion and the outer layer, wherein the front panel portion is folded over to form a front waist edge, wherein the front panel includes a first attachment region linking the outer layer to the skin-facing cushioning material; a back panel in a rear region, wherein the back panel comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, and an elastic portion located between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the inner layer includes a second end comprising a layer of softened material, wherein the second end contains a layer of softened material , is folded over the elastic portion such that the layer of softened material defines a folded portion disposed between the elastic portion and the outer layer, wherein a portion of the back panel is folded over to form a rear waist edge, wherein the back panel includes a second attachment region linking the outer layer to the skin-facing cushioning material; And wherein the front panel and the back panel are connected to each other to form side seams of the absorbent garment. 21. The garment of claim 9, wherein the length of the layer of softened material extending between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, measured along the layer of softened material, is greater than the distance between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, measured along the front panel. 22. The garment of claim 21, wherein the length of the softened material layer extending between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, measured along the softened material layer, is greater than the distance between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, measured along the front panel, by at least 6 mm. 23. The garment of claim 12, wherein the front panel comprises a fifth attachment area connecting the softened material layer to a portion of the front panel opposite the folded portion, and wherein a length of the softened material layer extends between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area , measured along the softened material layer, exceeds the distance between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, measured along the front panel. 24. The garment of claim 23, wherein the length of the softened material layer extending between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, measured along the softened material layer, is greater than the distance between the second attachment area and the fifth attachment area, measured along the front panel, by at least 6 mm.