CA2239456C

CA2239456C - Absorbent articles having panty covering components that naturally wrap the sides of panties

Info

Publication number: CA2239456C
Application number: CA002239456A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Bruce William Lavash; Thomas Ward Osborn Iii; Robb Eric Olsen; Katherine Louise Mayer; Letha Margie Hines; Noriko Kawai
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1992-07-23
Filing date: 1993-07-22
Publication date: 2002-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-22
Also published as: PL307233A1; DE69319116D1; NO950208L; HK1012909A1; CN1107683A; SG72619A1; JPH07509162A; KR100295525B1; NZ328135A; CA2140868A1; DE69322390D1; JPH09502104A; WO1994002095A1; JPH07509163A; WO1994002094A1; AU4992993A; ES2125344T3; NZ244958A; BR9306770A; HUT72267A

Abstract

The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have longitudinal side edge components (52) that naturally wrap the sides (22) of a wearer's panties which provide an alternative to conventional side naps. The side edge components are extensible, and may be attached inboard of the longitudinal edges of the main body of the article, or be decoupled from the main body, or comprise part of the impervious backsheet of the main body.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLES HAVING
PANTY COVERING COIiPONENTS THAT
NATURALLY WRAP THE SIDES OF PANTIES
The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. l~lore particularly, the present invention relates to sanitary napkins that have longitudinal side edge components that naturally wrap the sides of a wearer's panties which provide an alternative to conventional side flaps.
BACKGROUND I~ THE INYEHTION
Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners,-and incontinence pads are devices that are typically worn in the crotch region of an undergarment. These devices are designed to absorb and retain liquid and other discharges frog the human body and to prevent body and clothing soiling. Sanitary napkins are a type of absorbent article worn by women in a pair of panties that is normally positioned between the wearer's legs, adjacent to the perineal area of the body. Sanitary napkins both with and without side flaps (or wings) are disclosed in the literature and are available in the marketplace. Soave particularly preferred sanitary napkins that do not require flaps are described in U.S.

Patents 4,950,264 and 5,009,653 issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990 and April 23, 1991, respectively.
Generally when sanitary napkins are provided with flaps, the flaps extend laterally from a central absorbent means and are intended to be folded around the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch region. Thus, the flaps are disposed between the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch region and the wearer's thighs. Coa~only, the flaps are provided with an attachment means for either affixing the flaps to the underside of the wearer's panties or to the opposing flap. The flaps ire particularly effective for preventing exudates from soiling the edges of the wearer's panties. __ Sanitary napkins having flaps of various types are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,687,478, entitled 'Shaped Sanitary Napkin ilith Flaps', which issued to Van Tilburg on August 18, 1987; U.S.
Patent 4,608,047, entitled 'Sanitary Napkin Attach~ent Neans', which issued to llattingly on August 26, 1986; U.S. Patent 4,589,876, entitled 'Sanitary Napkin', which issued to Van Tilburg on flay 20, 1986 and its Reexa~ination Patent No. B1 4,589,876, Certificate of Reexa~ination Issued April 27, 1993; U.S. Patent 4,285,343, entitled 'Sanitary Napkin', which issued to HcNair on August 25, 1981; U.S. Patent 3,397,697, entitled 'Disposable Sanitary Shield For Undergarnents', which issued to Rickard on August 20, 1968; and, U.S. Patent 2,787,271, entitled 'Sanitary Napkin', which issued to Clark on Aprl1 2, 1957.
while sanitary napkins having flaps are commonly viewed as providing better protection against soiling as coopared to sanitary napkins without flaps, sore women find applying sanitary napkins having flaps to be inconvenient for various reasons. For instance, some women find it to be difficult to attach the flaps to the underside of the crotch of their panties. This can be due to factors such as the tendency for the adhesive fasteners on the flaps to stick to themselves or to other parts of the sanitary napkin. As a result, sore woven still prefer a sanitary napkin rithout flaps, and some roman rho generally prefer a sanitary napkin rith flaps, occasionally (such as during periods of light flow) prefer a sanitary napkin rithout flaps. Therefore, there is a need for a sanitary napkin rhich provides an alternative to sanitary napkins having conventional side flaps while still providing the protection of side flaps.
In addition, both sanitary napkins rith and rithout flaps are subject to the problem that the rearer's underganients move rith the rearer's movements during rear. These stresses may cause the sanitary napkin to shift frog its desired position in the rearer's undergar~aent. l~lost sanitary napkins, horever, provide no mechanism for ad3usting to these ~oveaients. This puts stresses on the sanitary napkin and the flaps. The failure to provide tf~e.
sanitary napkin rith a mechanism to adjust to the difference betreen the Movement of the rearer's undergarnents and the rearer's body gay also cause the sanitary napkin to be not as caofortable as it could be than if it stretched and conforsed rith the rearer's ~oveaients and to the reartr's undergarnents.
Several variations of sanitary napkins having conventional flaps that attempt to solve sore, but not all of these problems are disclosed in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Patent 4,911,701 issued to llavinkurve discloses a sanitary napkin having elastic strands for providing a greater convex shape to the body-facing portion of the central absorbent and for enabling adhesive-free placement of the flaps of a ringed napkin embodiment into a pair of panties. The sanitary napkin described in this patent, horever, still appears to require the user to manipulate the flaps (by first flipping the flaps uprard and then placing the flaps in her panties and flipping the flaps back down) since the flaps appear to be pre-disposed to be in a dornrard folded condition. The Mavinkurve patent also requires that individual elastic strands be attached in a contracted condition to the central absorbent portion of the napkin and/or to its rings or flaps. The napkins described in the havinkurve patent can, therefore, be difficult and expensive to Manufacture. The Mavinkurve patent also does not disclose any mechanism to account for differences in movement and extensibility of the central absorbent of the napkin and the wearer's panties.
U.S. Patent 4,940,452 issued to Salerno discloses a sanitary napkin with longitudinally expandable flaps. The flaps are designed to fold over the exterior of the wearer's panty and then to expand to confora~ with the contour of the panties. The Salerno patent, however (in Column 5), appears to require conventional adhesive fasteners to retain the flaps in place on the underside of the wearer's panties. Further, the sanitary napkin shown in the Salerno patent suffers from several drawbacks due to the fact that the longitudinally expandable flaps extend directly outward frog the longitudinal sides of the absorbent element. The __ expandable flaps in Salerno are attached directly to an.
inextensible body. This limits the~extensibility of the portions of the Salerno flaps that are located adjacent to the absorbent element. In order for the Salerno flaps to extend an amount sufficient to vrap around the panty elastics, the flaps have to have a relatively wide transverse dimension. This is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the Salerno reference. The extra flap Material can extend too far outward beyond the panty elastics to create a sloppy border that hangs out of the wearer's panties.
Mother drawback to the flap construction shown ~in both the Mavinkurve and Salerno references is that the attachment of the expandable flaps directly to the longitudinal sides of the absorbent element leads to the problem that any compression of the absorbent elesent will cause the flaps to retract transversely inward. My bunching of the absorbent element in the sanitary napkins shovm in these references, such as that caused by compression by the ~rearer's legs, causes the flaps to lose their ability to cover a given area of the wearer's panties. The Salerno patent, like the Mavinkurve patent, also does not disclose any mechanism to account for differences in movement and extensibility of the central portion of the napkin and the wearer's panties.

Thus, a need exists for an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is provided with an alternative to conventional flaps. In particular, a need exists for a sanitary napkin having an alternative to conventional flaps which provides the protection from soiling of conventional flaps and which can conveniently and efficiently solve the problems caused when attempting to attach conventional flaps to the underside of the wearer's panties and of the failure of the sanitary napkins having conventional flaps to stretch to conform to the wearer's body and the wearer's panties. A need also exists for a sanitary napkin that has a mechanism to adjust to the difference between the movement of the wearer's panties and the wearer's body.
It is, therefore, an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is able to provide coverage to the wearer's panties to reduce side soiling (i.e., staining of the edges of the panty crotch) without the use of conventional flaps.
ft is another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin that automatically wraps around the sides of the wearer's panties by the simple action of the wearer pulling up her panties.
It is still another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is able to wrap around the sides of the wearer's panties and stay without providing flaps having panty fasteners thereon, and without attaching separate elastic strands to the sanitary napkin.
It is another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin that has a mechanism for attachment of the sanitary napkin to the wearer's panties that stretches to conform to the wearer's body and the wearer's panties, and responds to the wearer's movements to allow better conformation between the sanitary napkin and the wearer's body and between the sanitary napkin and the wearer's panties.
It is yet another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an absorbent article, particularly a relatively thin absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is capable of extending, or more preferably, stretching when the article is worn for improved comfort and fit.
These and other objects of aspects of the present invention will be more rapidly apparent when considered in reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin of the present invention has an undergarment covering component (or "panty" covering component") that provides coverage to the wearer's panties to reduce side soiling (i.e., staining of the edges of the panty crotch) without the use of conventions! flaps.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is a sanitary napkin for wearing in the crotch region of a pair of panties, the sanitary napkin having a longitudinal dimension extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse dimension extending in a transverse direction, the sanitary napkin comprises:
a main body portion comprising an absorbent core, the main body portion having a body-facing side, a garment-facing side, and a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a pair of side wrapping elements for folding at least partially around a side of a crotch region of an undergarment, the side wrapping elements being joined to the garment-facing side of the main body portion at affixation points that are inboard of the 6a longitudinal side edges of the main body portion and being otherwise unattached to the main body portion laterally outboard of at least some of the affixation points, the side wrapping elements extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion wherein at least a portion of the side Wrapping elements a.s extensible when the side wrapping elements are folded at least partially around a side of a crotch portion of a pair of panties, and the extensible portions of the side wrapping elements have a return force of less than or equal to about 100 grams.
The sanitsry napkin comprises a sain body portion coaprising a 1 squid pervious topsheet; a 1 squid ispervious backsheet joined to the topsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The undergan~ent covering cosaponent (or panty covering cooponent) 1s joined to the win body portion.
The undergarment covering cosponent is eider than the crotch region of the undergarnent. The underganient covering cooponent his a pair of short, flexible (and in sole e~abodiments, drapable) longitudinal side portions (or 'side wrapping elements') that extend beyond the crotch edge portions of the wearer's undergarment. The side wrapping eleioents hive a high fold retention. The undergarment covering component coa~prises at least soiae extensible portions that are provided with a low return force or no return force (force that tends to cause the extensible f portions to retract after they have been extended). Preferably, the extensible portions comprise at least a portion of the undergarment covering component which is located between the affixation points where the undergarment covering component is joined to the main body portion and the distal edges of the side wrapping elements. The fact that the extensible portions are provided with a low return force and the side wrapping elements have a high fold retention allows the side wrapping elements of the undergarment covering component to automatically fold around the crotch edge portions of the wearer's undergarment toward the underside of the undergarment and to remain so folded when the absorbent article is placed in an undergarment and the undergarment is pulled up ad3acent the wearer's body.
__.
The extensible portions of the undergarment covering component may comprise any type of extensible structure, including materials that have an inherent extensibility and materials that are gathered, pleated, or othen~rise forwed into extensible __ structures. These portions can be extensible in the longitudinal direction, the transverse direction, or both. The undergarment covering component can comprise a laminate of one or more nonwoven materials and an elastomeric film. In one alternative version of this laminate eiabodiment, the elastomeric film can be present in all but the four regions of the laminate where the periphery of the undergarment covering element Intersects with the edges of the wearer's panty crotch. In other embodiments, the undergarment covering component can be extensible only in these four regions and inextensible everywhere else.
A non-limiting n~ber of additional variations of the undergarment covering component are described herein. For instance, the undergarnent covering component can comprise the backsheet of the sanitary napkin. In still other embodiments, the sanitary napkin can comprise an undergarnent covering component which is a separate element that is attached to the main body portion of the sanitary napkin at spaced apart attachment zones.
The undergarment covering component is unattached to the main body portion between the_ attachment zones to provide unattached portions of the undergarment covering component in the central region of the main body portion. The unattached portions of the undergarment covering component are capable of separating from the main body portion so that the vain body portion of the sanitary napkin can stay in contact with the wearer's body and the undergarment covering component can stay attached to the wearer's panties even when the panties pull array from the wearer's body during wear.
In variations of this latter embodiment, the undergarment covering component can be joined to the main body portion of the sanitary napkin by material- that has slack built into it by providing flaccid material, pleated material, extensible oaterfal.,-or the like between the main body portion and the underganaent covering component. Numerous other variations are possible. For example, the sanitary napkin of the present invention may comprise a main body portion that has its longitudinal side margins folded inward underneath the main body portion of the sanitary napkin and the longitudinal side margins attached to an extensible panty covering component that extends outward beyond the longitudinal side margins of the main body portion. In still another embodiment, the sanitary napkin comprises an extensible gain body portion (including an extensible topsheet that is attached to an extensible backsheet which extends beyond the longitudinal edges of the absorbent core).
The sanitary napkin of the present invention provides an alternative to sanitary napkins having conventional side flaps for several reasons. The undergarnent covering component does not extend far enough outward beyond the side edges of the wearer's panties to cause any inconvenience to the wearer. The undergarment covering component requires no action on the part of the wearer to fold the side wrapping elements under her panties or to attach the same to her panties. The undergarnent covering component stays in place well enough to cover the sides edges of the wearer's panties without affixing it to the outside surface of the panties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject natter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention. ' --FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1 shown before use.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1 (taken frog an angle similar to that of FIG. 3) in an in-use configuration.
FIG. 5 is an end view of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1 in an in-use configuration.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing the extensibility of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a table which shows preferred relationships between the magnitude of stretching forces applied to the sanitary napkin and the amount the sanitary napkin stretches in response to such forces.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an absorbent core that is provided with slits in the central region of the same.
FIGS. 9 and 9A are simplified end views of a known sanitary napkin having longitudinally extensible flaps. Fig. 9A, and the other figures designated with a letter 'A', are end views shown after the absorbent elenent has been compressed. (These figures have been shown without the flaps wrapped around the crotch of an undergara~ent for simplicity.]
FIGS. 10 through 15C are end views of several basic embodiments that show various features of the sanitary napkin of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a simplified schematic side view of the procedure used to Leisure resistance to edge compression of the side wrapping eleeents.
FIGS. 17-20 are plan views of sanitary napkins having several alternative configurations of the attachment mechanism used to loin the panty covering component to the gain body portion of the sanitary napkin.
FIG. 21 is a bottoo plan view of a panty covering component having hook-like aechanical fasteners distributed radially on portions thereof, as shown in place in a section of a panty crotch.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of t portion of a panty with the sanitary napkin of the present invention in place therein.
FIG. 23 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the panty covering component of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin having a panty covering component that is generally inextensible with the exception of zones in the corners of the panty covering, cooponent.

FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sanitary napkin having its longitudinal side margins folded underneath its main body portion and attached to a panty covering component.
FIG. 26 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a sanitary napkin comprised of extensible components in which the backsheet is an extensible Material that extends outward beyond the topsheet and absorbent core to serve ~as the panty covering component.
FIG. 27 is a graph showing the 'set' of an extensible material after going through several cycles of elongation.
FIG. 28 is a graph that shows the edge compression of an __..
extensible Material.
1. General Characteristics of the Absorbent Arti ~~
The overall characteristics of the absorbent article of the present invention will be discussed first.
FIGS. 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of a disposable absorbent article of the present invention 20. The present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins.
l~lore particularly, the present invention relates to sanitary napkins that have a gain body portion 21 (or 'basic sanitary napkin' or 'base sanitary napkin') that cooprises the portions of the sanitary napkin without the undergarment covering co~onent, and an undergarnent covering coioponent ('garnent covering component', or 'panty covering component') 100 that preferably stretches with the wearer's panties and automatically wraps the sides of the wearer's panties when the wearer places the sanitary napkin in her panties and pulls her panties up.

WO 94/02096 PCT/US93/0695~

The term "absorbent article", as used herein, refers to articles which absorb and contain body exudates. More specifically, the term refers to articles which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged frow the body. The term 'absorbent article' is intended to include sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and incontinence pads (and other articles worn in the crotch region of a garwent). The terw 'disposable' refers to articles which are intended to be discarded after a single use and preferably recycled, composted, or othenrise disposed .of in an environmentally compatible wanner. (That is, they are not intended to be laundered or other~rise restored or reused as an absorbent article.) In the preferred ewbodiwent illustrated, the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin designated 20. , The terea 'sanitary napkin', as used herein, refers to an article which is worn by fewales adjacent to the pudendal region that is intended to absorb and contain the various exudates which are discharged frow the body (e.g., blood, wenses, and urine). It should be understood, however, that the present invention is also applicable to other fewinine hygiene or catawenial pads such as panty liners, or other absorbent articles such as incontinence pads, and the like.
The sanitary napkin 20 has tro surfaces, a liquid pervious body-contacting surface or 'body surface' 20A and a liquid iwpervious garoent surface 20B. The sanitary napkin 20 is shown - in FI6. 1 as viewed frow its body surface 20A. The body surface 20A is intended to be worn adjacent to the body of the wearer.
The garnent surface 20B of the . sanitary napkin 20 (shown in FI6.
2) is on the opposite side and is intended to be placed adjacent to the wearer's undergarwents when the sanitary napkin 20 1s worn.
The sanitary napkin 20 has two centerlines, a longitudinal centerline L and a transverse centerline T. The tens 'longitudinal', as used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generally 1-3, the components of the main body portion are assembled in a "sandwich" configuration with the components sized so that the edges of the topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 extend outward beyond the edges of the absorbent core 42. The topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 are preferably at least s partially peripherally joined using known techniques. As shown in Figure 1, the topsheet 38 is preferably secured to backsheet 40 along a first seam, such as seam 90. Seam 90 is preferably liquid impervious. The seam 90 can be formed by any means commonly used in the art for this purpose such as by gluing, crimping, or heat-sealing.
The term "joined", as used herein, encompasses configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediate members) which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with another element, i.e., one element is essentially part of the other element.
The components of the sanitary napkin 20 can be joined together by 2o adhesives, stitching, heat and/or pressure bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, ultrasonic bonds, intermingling or entanglement of the fibers or other structural elements comprising the components of the sanitary napkin, such as by meltblowing the fibers comprising one component onto another component, extruding one component onto another, or by any other means 2s known in the art. Suitable means for attaching the components of the sanitary napkin are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,103,93 issued to Cree, et al. on August 15, 2000.
When the main body portion is comprised of extensible components, so the components can be joined together in any suitable manner that allows the main body portion to extend. The backsheet 40, in one example comprises a stretchable adhesive film. The core 42 is placed on top of the backsheet 40.
The topsheet 38 is then placed on top of the core 42. The portions of the edges of the topsheet 38 that extend outward beyond those of the core 38 are secured to those of the backsheet 40 using the adhesive around the perimeter of the backsheet fill. It has been found that such a construction adequately secures the components of the sanitary napkin without further securing the faces of the adjacent components to each other. Although, as noted above, it is often preferred to secure sore of the cooponents at their faces, as yell.
The above Banners of joining the components are preferred for ease of construction. (Other jeans of uniting the various components can be used.j For instance, the present invention also includes so-called 'tube' products. In these products, a liquid pervious cover arterial (such as topsheet oaterialj can be wrapped completely around the absorbent core and the backsheet, and then the components can be secured together. In alternative arrangements, the topsheet could be wrapped around the core, and the wrapped core could be placed on and secured to the backsheet.
E. the Pantv Goverins Canconent.
The panty covering cooponent 100 cooprises a pair of side wrapping eleaents 52 that are disposed along the longitudinal side edges of the sanitary napkin to autouatically wrap the sides of a wearer's panties. the panty covering cooponent 100 provides an alternative to conventional side flaps.
' Figs. 1-5 show a preferred e~bodiaent of the panty covering component. Before exaaining the features of the sanitary napkin shown in Flgs. 1-5 1n greater detail, the functioning of the panty covering component, in its post basic forays, will be discussed with relation to figs. 9-15C.
Figs. 9 and 9A are sioplified schematic end views of a sanitary napkin having longitudinally extensible flaps, such as the one described in U.S. Patent 4,940,462 issued to Salerno. The sanitary napkin shown in the Salerno patent suffers from several drawbacks due to the fact. that the longitudinally expandable flaps extend directly outward from the longitudinal sides of the absorbent element. The expandable flaps in Salerno ire attached directly to an inextensible body. This lioits the extensibility of the portions of the Salerno flaps that are located adjacent to the absorbent eleiaent. In order for the Salerno flaps to extend an amount sufficient to wrap around the panty elastics, particularly if the panty crotch stretches, the flaps have to have a relatively wide transverse dimension.
Fig. 9A also shows that any laterally inward co~presslon of the absorbent portion of the Salerno sanitary napkin will cay~e_ the flaps to be pulled inward. This can result in a loss in the ability of the flaps to cover a given area of the wearer's panties (i.e., a loss in area coverage), and gay also cause the flaps to become detached from the wearer's panties.
Fig. 10 shows a first basic embodiment of the panty covering component of the present invention. The panty covering coaponent 100 comprises side wrapping elements 52 that are extensible extensions frog the longitudinal sides of an extensible sanitary napkin. The extensions are preferably extensions of non-absorbent co~aponents. The panty covering coa~onent (or the extensible portions thereof) can, in this, like post of the other embodiments described herein, be extensible in the longitudinal direction, the transverse direction, or both. When the panties are pulled up on the wearer's body, the stretching of the portions of the panties along the leg elastics causes the extensions to naturally fold around and wrap the elastic-containing edges of the panty crotch.
In this particular eobodi~ent, the distal edges 53 of the extensions preferably extend frog about 3/8 inch (about 1 cm) to about 2 inches (about 5 ca) frog the edge of the absorbent core of the sanitary napkin. The extensible extensions can be comprised of one of the components of the gain body portion, or they can comprise separate elements joined to the gain body portion. In a particularly preferred version of this embodiment, an adhesive fastener 45 may be applied up to about 1/8 inch (3 am) of the edge on the garment-facing side of the extensions to help hold the extensions in place around the panty crotch during vigorous motions by the wearer (although such fasteners are generally not reQuired under normal circuostances).
In alternative versions of this embodioent, the extensions can be provided with regions that are permanently extensible (that is, regions that will have no tendency to retract after extension) along any of those portions of the extension that will be disposed in the area of the panty elastics. In other alternative versions, extensions can be folded, gathered, or pinched and sealed :to-.-further facilitate wrapping the elastic-containing edges of the panty crotch. fig. 26 shows an alternative version of such an embodiment in which the sanitary napkin is extensible and the backsheet extends beyond the edges of the topsheet and absorbent core to form the extensible extensions. In this ebodiment, all of the components of the sanitary napkin are preferably at least extensible in the longitudinal direction.
The fact that the sanitary napkin is extensible at least partially alleviates some of the problems associated with the Salerno sanitary napkin. The fact that the side crapping elements are joined to an extensible body rather than to an inextensible body, allows the side wrapping elements to continue to stay wrapped around the sides of the panty crotch even if the panty crotch stretches.
It should be understood that the 'basic' embodiments described herein are directed to certain features with which the panty covering component may be provided. These features can be combined in various different ways (or omitted from) the sanitary napkin of the present invention. That is, they are not all mandatory features. ' Figs. 11 and 11A show that in a second basic embodiment, the panty covering component 100 of the present invention is joined underneath to the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin inboard of the longitudinal side edges 22 of the main body portion. The panty covering component is otherwise unnattached to the garment-facing side of the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20 between the points of attachment Q and the longitudinal side edges 22 of the gain body portion. The e~nbodi~nent shown in Figs. 11 and 11A allows the panty covering component 100 to stretch between the points, Q, where the panty covering component is attached to the pain body portion and the place where the panty elastics will cross the panty covering component. This allows the panty covering component to gold to and fold around the wearer's panty. = --Figs. 12 and 12A show that in a third basic embodiment, the panty covering co~aponent can be joined a substantial distance inward of the longitudinal side edges 22 of the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20 so that the point of attachment is located in the region of the longitudinal centerline, L. The embodiment shorn in Fig. 12 provides the advantage that it reduces the tendency for the compression of the vain body portion (particularly compression of the absorbent core) to interfere with the operation of the panty covering component 100. The reduction in the tendency for the coapression of the core to interfere with the operation of the panty covering component 100 occurs because - the panty covering component 100 is not joined near the sides 22 of the gain body portion. This prevents any forces exerted on the core from directly acting on the panty covering cooponent. Fig.
12 shows that the absorbent core can be bunched inward to the points, Q, where the panty covering component 100 is attached to the main body portion without effecting the coverage of the panty covering cosponent 100. This can be contrasted with Fig. 9A which shows how the flaps of the Salerno sanitary napkin will bunch inward in response to such forces.

Several additional matters should be noted rith regard to the embodiment shorn in Fig. 12. First, the location where the panty covering component 100 is joined to the garment side 21B of the main body portion 21 is most important in the central region 32 of the main body portion (or, if the main body portion is asymmetrical, the area of the main body portion that is intended to be betreen the rearer's legs) because this is primarily there any bunching of the main body portion 21 rill occur. The central region 32 (shorn in Fig. 1j is subject to bunching because this is in the area of the narrorest portion of the panty crotch and the narrotest space betreen the rearer's legs, then the tearer's legs are brought together. This is particularly true for the central about 3 inches (7.6 unj to about 6 inches (15 cnj of the main body portion. = ---The second matter rhich should be noted rith regard to the embodiment shorn in Fig. 12 is that such an embodiment should preferably be provided tith sore type of stabilizing structure in order to prevent the gain body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20 from pitching and rolling around the longitudinal centerline relative to the panty covering component 100.
The third matter thich should be noted rith regard to the embodiment shorn in Fig. 12 is the manner in rhich the side trapping elements function differently from the flaps of knotn sanitary napkins. For example, sanitary napkins are knorn thich have flaps of various types attached inboard of the longltudlnal sides of an absorbent cooponent. Examples of such flaps are described in U.S. Patent 4,589,876 issued to Yan Tilburg and !1.S.
Patent 4,900,320 issued to McCoy. The differences are particularly apparent rith regard to the flaps of the sanitary napkin described in the McCoy patent. The flaps of the sanitary napkin described in the McCoy patent are intended to completely encircle the panty crotch and be affixed to each other. The flaps of the McCoy sanitary napkin are designed to gather the panty crotch inrard. The side crapping elements 52 of the sanitary napkin of the present invention do not overlap, nor are they designed to gather the wearer's panties. The side wrapping elements 52 are intended to adjust to the movements of the panties. That is, they move with the panties and allow the panties to move, rather than to constrain the movement of the panties as do the flaps of the McCoy sanitary napkin.
While attaching the panty covering component inboard of the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion Is beneficial, additional benefits may be achieved by decoupling the main body portion from. the panty covering component. The decoupling of the main body portion from the o panty covering component refers to the ability of the main body portion to move away from the panty covering component in the z-direction. (For a discussion of the concept of decoupling in other contexts, reference can be made-to U.S. Patent 5,007,906 issued to Osborn, et al on April 16, 1991 and EP Patent No. 555,341 issued to Visscher, et al. on December 14, 2000. The decoupling of the main body portion is achieved through a decoupling component (or "isolation component" or "intermediate component") 102 that is joined at points of juncture to the main body portion and at points of juncture to the panty covering component with extra material between the two sets of points. (The points of juncture may comprise lines, zones, etc., and, as a 2o result, may be referred to simply as "junctures".) Three basic examples of structures capable of decoupling are shown in Figs. 13-15C (Figs. 13 and 13A; Figs. 14 and 14A; and Figs. 15-15C). Figs.
13-1 SC show that the extra material indirectly joins the panty covering component to the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin. The isolation component 102 is attached to the main body portion 21 at main body portion attachment points 110, and the isolation component 102 is attached to the panty covering component 100 at undergarment covering component attachment points 112. These three sets of figures show the various different so possible relationships between the location of the main body portion attachments points and the undergarment covering component attachment points.

Figs. 13 and 13A show a first example in rhich the sanitary napkin is provided with a construction that allows the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin to decouple from the panty covering component 100. A basic way of accomplishing this is for the decoupling component 102 to comprise a single piece of material or separate strips of aaterial that fore a pair of legs 107 that loin the undergan~ent covering component 100 to the main body portion 102. The sanitary napkin shorn in Figs. l3 and 13A
is characterized by the fact that the points of puncture 110 There the decoupling coaponent 102 is joined to the main body portion 21 are inboard (1.e., closer to the longitudinal centerline) of the points There the decoupling component is joined to the panty covering component 100. The construction shown in Fig. 13A alhovs the pain body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin to Maintain close contact with the rearer's body and the panty covering component 100 to stay in the wearer's panties even Then the panties move aray frog the rearer's body. The basic ray of achieving the construction described above can be carried out in numerous different manners.
For exaeple, in the ewbodi~ent shorn in Figs. 13 and 13A, the sanitary napkin 20 can be provided rith a panty covering component 100 that is in the fore of a tvo layer laminate structure, comprising an upper layer 106 and a loner layer 108. In this e~abodiment, the layers of the laoinate are bonded at points of attachment 112 located torard the longitudinal sides of the la.inate. The layers of the laminate are unbonded between the points of attachment. This allows the unbonded portion 109 of the upper layer 106 of the laminate (and the overlying main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin) to separate frog the lower layer 108 of the laminate and the panty crotch. The structure shown in figs 13 and l3A provides the lateral stability needed to the embodiment shorn in Fig. 12. In addition, the upper layer can be provided rith transverse extensibility to reduce the tendency for the compression of the core to pull the sides of the panty covering component inward.

While the construction of the sanitary napkin is shown in Fig. 13 is suitable for allowing the main body portion to decouple from the panty covering component, as shorm in Fig. 13A, a degree of bunching of the main body portion could still lead to some tendency for the side wrapping elements to be pulled inward. The embodiment shown in Figs. 13 and 13A, however, is still believed to represent an improvement over the Salerno sanitary napkin in this regard.
Figs. 1~ and 14A show a second example of a decoupling feature. In this second example, the sanitary napkin 20 is provided with extra material in the form of a pair of inwardly attached legs 107 that loin the panty covering cooponent 100, to the main body portion 21. (That is, the points where 'tfie decoupling component are joined to the main body portion ire outboard of the points where the decoupling cooponent 1s joined to the panty covering component.) The inwardly attached legs eay comprise a number of possible types of structures. For instance, as shown in Fig. 25, the inwardly attached legs can coaprise a portion of one or more of the components of the sanitary napkin which is/are pleated and folded under the gain body portion of the sanitary napkin and attached to the panty covering component.
Alternatively, the inwardly attached legs can comprise separate elements that are connected to the gain body portion of the sanitary napkin and the panty covering component. The embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 14A provide the advantage that the panty covering component is not subject to being pulled inward by cospression of the core and the legs provided the main body portion vith stability frog pitching and rolling relative to the main body portion.
Figs. 15 through 15C show a third example in which a sanitary napkin is provided with a construction that allows the pain body portion of the sanitary napkin to decouple fray the panty covering component. The panty covering component shown in Figs. 15 and 15A
has pleated slack material between the pain body portion and the panty covering component. This sanitary napkin combines the features of the embodiments shown in Figs. 13 and 14. This panty covering component can be thought of as having legs with a lower portion like that shown in Fig. 13 and an upper portion like that shov~m in Fig. 14. The lower portion of the connecting structure between the main body portion 21 and the panty covering component 100 helps prevent the compression of the main body portion Z1 froe interfering with the Bolding of the panty covering cooponent 100 to the wearer's panties. The upper portion of the connecting structure allows the win body portion to be bunched or scolded to the wearer's body (e. g., to assuae a 'W'-shape) without causing the panty covering co~aponent 100 to be pulled inward resulting in losing coverage of the panty covering cooponent.
__.
Figs. 15B and C show two additional versions of the type of extra wterial that loins the oaln body portion to the panty covering coe~onent. fig. 15B shows a version having wterial in the form of flaccid (or slack) material joining the main body portion to the panty covering component. fig. 15C shows a version having extensible eaterial between the win body portion and the panty covering coa~ponent.
The panty covering cooponent features shown in Figs. 15 through 15C are particularly desirable for products having thicker (e.g., greater than about 8 w~ thick) win body portions. Ilhen the sides of the win body portion of the sanitary napkin ire not constrained as they ire in Fig. 14, they are able to move to fit up close to the wearer's body.
The decoupling component lOZ has been described above in terms of how it can interact to allow the win body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin to separate frog the panty covering component in the z-direction. The decoupling component can also enhance the functioning of eaibodi~ents in which the panty covering cooponent is 3oined to an inextensible win body portion. In these cases, the decoupling component is preferably provided with extensibility under the same or lesser forces than those that cause the panty covering component to extend. The decoupling coeponent is, thus, able to serve as a stretch isolation component (or 'isolation component') to allow the panty covering component 100 to extend more independently of the inextensible (or less extensible) components of the main body portion.
ilith the fundamental concepts and structures of the panty covering component described above in ~~tnd, the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5 will now be discussed in greater detail. The sanitary napkin shorm in Figs. 1-5 comprises a panty covering component that comprises at least one sheet of extensible material 100 which is used in conjunction with an isolation eleeent 102.
The sheet of extensible material 100 shown in Figs. k-iw comprises a racetrack-shaped sheet of oaterial that is larger in dimensions than the main body portion of the sanitary napkin. The panty covering component 100 may be of any suitable size and shape. For example, the panty covering co~onent 100 may have certain dimensions that are less than or equal to those of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin. The panty covering coa~onent may be oval, rectangular, irregular, or soave other suitable shape.
Figure 1 shows that portions of the sheet of extensible material 100 extend laterally outward beyond portions of the longitudinal edges 22 of the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20 in the central region 32 of the sanitary napkin 20. The portions of the sheet of extensible material 100 that extend laterally outward beyond the longitudinal edges 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 in the central region 32 provide side wrapping elements 52 that can be folded around the edges of the wearer's panties.
It should be understood, however, that while the panty covering cc~t~ponent 100 is shown as being a single sheet of material having portions which define the side wrapping elements 52, other embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention. For instance, in alternative embodiments, the side wrapping elements 52 may each comprise one or more separate pieces attached to the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin. In still other alternative embodiments, the side wrapping elements 52 may be integral portions of one or pore components of the ~aain body portion. In addition, while the side wrapping ele~aents 52 are shown as extending frog each longitudinal edge of the pain body portion, there may only be one side wrapping elenent extending frog one of the edges of the gain body portion.
Further, the side wrapping eleaents are preferably Mirror rages of each other, and are syw~etrical about the longitudinal centerline. However, it should be understood that the shape and location of the side wrapping elements described herein are those of a preferred embodiment, and other embodiiaents are also possible. For instance, the side wrapping e~eoents 52 gay = be-offset along the longitudinal centerline more towards one end edge of the gain body portion than the other.
In the embodiment shown in figs. 1-5, the sheet of extensible material 100 is preferably at least extensible in the longitudinal direction. The sheet of extensible Material 100 (or any of the other panty covering components or coaponents of the sanitary napkin described herein) can, however, be extensible only in the transverse direction, or extensible only in a direction between the longitudinal and transverse directions, or be provided with bi-directional, or ~ulti-directional extensibility.
_ The sheet of extensible Material 100 can be jade of- any suitable Material. In one non-li~iting example, the sheet of extensible material 100 cooprises a laminate. The laminate coeprises a sheet of extensible film such as Find~ey Adhesive 198-338 secured between two longitudinally extensible nonwoven webs. In another eobodiment, the sheet of extensible Aaterial 100 can coiaprise an adhesive file secured between extensible nonwoven webs or between ring rolled plastic file sheets such as those of a type that can be used for the backsheet.

The side wrapping elements 52 ire smaller than conventional flaps. (That is, the side yapping elements do not have as great a span from distal edge to distal edge.) Preferably, the site of the side wrapping elements relates to the size of the crotch region of the wearer's panties. Panties have crotch widths that average about 65-70 aro (about. 2 3/4 inches) measured at the narrowest point of the crotch. Panties come in a wide variety of sizes, however. The width of panty crotches can range frog about 2 inches (about 5 c~) to about 4 1/2 inches (about 11.4 a~). The smallest span of conventional flaps is believed to be about 5 inches (about 12.7 cm) for saall tab-like flaps that ire on some current products.
Nith these factors in oind, the width of the side yapping elesents should not be large enough to overlap then they fold under the wearer's panties. The dimensions of the side trapping elea~ents can be expressed in terns related to the boundaries of main body portion of the sanitary napkin. For instance, the span of the side wrapping elements 52 can be expressed in terms of the perpendicular distance in the x-y plane, O1, from the most inward point on the longitudinal side. edge of the gain body portion (i.e., the point closest to the longitudinal centerline) R to the distal edge 53 of the side crapping elements 52. The side wrapping elements 52 preferably extend a distance that is less than.or equal to about 1 1/4 inch (about 3 a~) froo the post inward portion of the gain body portion of the sanitary napkin.
l~lore preferably, the side trapping elements extend less than or equal to the following distances frot the most inward point on the rain body portion: about 1 inch (about 2.5 at), about 3/4 inch t (about 2 cm), about 1.5 co, and about 0.5 inch (about 1.25 ca).
The span of the side wrapping elements 52 can alternatively be specified in absolute tern of the distance fro4 the distal edge to distil edge when the side wrapping elements 52 are extended laterally in opposite directions. Expressed in this manner, the span of the side wrapping elements from one distal edge to the other ( and, thus al so the span of the panty covert ng component) is preferably less than about 5 inches (about 12.7 cm) more preferably less than or equal to about 4 3/4 inches (about 12 cm). The minimum span of the side wrapping elements should be greater than or equal to any of the following amounts provided the span is also greater than the vidth of the panty crotch: about 2 1/2 inches (about 6.4 cm); about 3 inches (about 7.6 or 8 cm); or about 3 1/2 inches (about 9 cm). A preferred range for the span of the side wrapping elements is between about 3 1/2 inches to about 4 3/4 inches. Even more preferably, the side crapping elements have a span of between about 4 inches (about 10 cm) to about 4 1/2 inches (about 11.5 cm).
The side wrapping elements 52 can have a length (longitudinal dimension) that varies within a large range. The length of =tt~e side wrapping elements 52 is preferably at least as large as the longitudinal dimension of known types of flaps (such as those described in the Background of the Invention) that attach to each other or to the underside of a wearer's panties. The side wrapping eleoents, therefore, can extend primarily from the central region of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin.
Alternatively, the side vrapping.elements can have a length that is as long as, or longer than, the length of the pain body portion. Providing the sanitary napkin with side wrapping elements that ire shorter than the length of the main body portion, however, may be preferred from a cost standpoint since such a sanitary napkin will require less material to make.
The panty covering component 100 should have additional features in order to autooatically wrap the edges of the wearer's panties and stay in place around the same. For example, at least portions of the sheet of extensible material 100 preferably comprise a material having a low return force and a high set.
These are materials that, when stretched, will not tend to return all the way to their unstretched dimensions. They will tend to remain (or set) close to their extended dimensions.

When the side wrapping elements 52 comprise a material having a high set, they will stretch to fit around the crotch of the wearer's panties. The high set reduces the tendency of the side wrapping elements 52 to retract and bunch the wearer's panties, or to unfold from the underneath the panties.
The term 'set', as used herein, refers to the amount of permanent defornation (as a percentage of the original sample length) remaining in a sample after application and removal of the indicated strain. The procedure and equipment are described in the following. (Unless otherwise specified, ail tests described herein are performed on samples that have been conditioned by leaving them in a room at SOx relative humidity and at 73' F for.a __ period of two hours prior to the tests.) The set of a material is determined by pulling a 1' wide x 4' long (2.5 cm x 10 cm) sample of the material to a given strain in an Instron model testing apparatus 1122, using a crosshead speed of 10 in/min. (25 c~/min.). The sample is mounted in the Instron grips so that the axis of elongation is parallel to the long dimension of the sample. The gage length of the sample (distance between gripping points is 2' (5 cm)). The strain used for this particular test is 30% (i.e., a 2' (5 cm) sample is pulled to 2.6' (6.6 cm)) and is held for thirty seconds at that strain. The separation between the grips is then returned to 2' (Ox strain on the sample) and held at this position for 60 seconds. This cy~'~e is then repeated. The percent set is detenained as the first point on the strain axis where the force to elongate is greater than zero during the second cycle. This is illustrated in Figure 27. An average percent set for three samples is reported. The material comprising the extensible material preferably has a set greater than or equal to lOx strain and more preferably has a set greater than or equal to 15x, 20'x, 25x, or 30Z strain (at 30x set all deformation is permanent).
Materials having a high set are particularly useful in several selected portions of the sanitary napkin. Two such s portions are the regions of the fold tines There the side mapping elements 52 are folded around the curved leg openings in the crotch of a pair of panties. The material in these areas is stretched when the side Trapping elements 52 are folded around the crotch of the panties. The stretching also puts tension on the material, outvard of the fold lines along the distal edges of the side mapping elements 52. (The effect ~of such stresses on components of a sanitary napkin rith conventional flaps is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent 4,917,697 issued to Osborn, et al. on April 17, 1990.) Examples of materials having a high set are zero strain nonroven maters al s, such as a Ti ng rol 1 ed nonroven oateri al or, a nonroven reb comprised of unbonded fibers. In one embodiment, the-entire sheet of extensible ~ateritl 100 could comprise one of these types of oaterials. In other embodiaents, the sheet of extensible Material 100 could only have side wrapping elements 52 comprised of such materials. In such a case, the entire sheet of extensible Material 100, rith the exception of the side mapping eleeents 52, could be co~rised of the laminate rith an extensible adhesive file therein. The extensible adhesive file, in such an embodiwent, preferably omitted from the portion of the sheet coaprising the side mapping eleoents 52. The sheet of extensible waterial 100 that has the extensible adhesive therein rill be elastically extensible. The side mapping elements 52, horever, rill not be elastically extensible. The side mapping elenents 52 can, as a result, be folded around and attached to the underside of the rearer's panties and rill not tend to flip back.
In other embodiments, only portions of the side mapping elements 52 could comprise materials having a high set. For instance, the portions of the side mapping elements 52 located on and near the axes There the side mapping eleoents 52 are folded around the panty crotch gay be comprised of such Materials, rhile the remaining portions of the side mapping elements 52 are not to relieve the stresses There they are concentrated Then the side mapping elements are folded under the panties.

The side wrapping elements 52 preferably also have several properties which allow them to wrap the sides of the wearer's panties and stay folded around the panty elastics without unfolding. These properties are low return force, resistance to edge compression and fold retention.
Return force is seasured as follows: A 1' x 4' long (2.5 cm x cm) saspla is cut from the maternal to be tested so that the long axis of the sample is in the direction of lovest sodulus (highest extensibility at lowrest force) of the saterial. The sampl a s s then mounted s n a f s xture compri s s ng a force gauge, a steel rule for measuring extension of the sasple and two clamps to hold the sample separated by a distance of 2' (5 cm) (the gale length). One of the clasps is attached to the force gauge and tiie-other is attached to a lab hack which can be raised and lowered.
The entire apparatus is placed in an oven set at a tesperature of 98'F (37'C), and the sasple is clasped between the two grips. The sasple is pulled to 30% strain (2.6' e.g. 6.6 cs) and held at this position for~5 sinutes. The strain on the sasple is then reduced to 25% and the force on the force gage is reported as the return force at 25x. This is to sisulate the tesperatures and strains placed on a saterial during wearing of the product. The average return force of three sasples is reported. The return force should be less than or equal to about 100 grass, preferably less than~or equal to about 50 grass, and cost preferably less than or equal to about 25 grass.
The 'resistance to edge cospression' refers to the seasuresent of how substantial the saterial is that cooprises the side rn~apping elesents. Specifically, edge compression refers to the tendency of the saterial cooprising the side wrapping elesents 52 to buckle when the side wrapping elesents are extended to fore a planar extension and forces are applied perpendicular to the plane of the side wrapping elesents. The resistance to edge cospression can be seasured by placing a plate or block 115 perpendicular to the distal edge 53 of the side r~rrapping element 52 and applying a force with the block perpendicular to the plane of the side wrapping elements. This property is important because if the material comprising the side wrapping elements is insubstantial, it will bunch up when forces are applied by the wearer's panty elastics to the side wrapping elements during wear.
The side wrapping elements preferably have a resistance to edge compression of greater than or equal to about 5 grams, ware preferably greater than or equal to the following amounts: about 7 grams; about 10 grams, and about 15 grams.
The edge compression test uses the Instron Model 1122 equipped with a coepression load cell which is interfaced with Testworks~ software wade by Sintech, Inc., and run on a Gateway 486/33Hz compute. All of the parameters for testing are specified in the conputer program, for example the crosslFeed speed, the strain up and the strain down. Also, all the dati collection, data analysis and graphing are done by Testworks.
A 9 ~w by 25 m saaple is cut frog the panty covering component so that the distal edge 53 of the side ~rrapping element i s paral 1 e1 to the 25 w~ 1 ong edge of the sampl a . The sampl a 1 s glued on its long edge in an upright position to a glass slide (i.e., perpendicular to the face of the slide). The glass slide 1 s cal 1 ed the sa~npl a hol der. The sail a and hot der are p1 aced on a platform on top of the crosshead. The crosshead speed is set for 10 in/min (25 c~/ein). A T-bar is attached to the coiopression cell and the crosshead is raised until a load of 0.5 graves is placed on the sample. The gage length is set to zero at this point and the crosshead continues .to wove up to a distance of 3 aa. The crosshead then returns to zero extension and the cycle is repeated. The eaxi~um force of the two cycles is recorded and the average of five samples is reported as the Edge Compression Force.
This is shown in Figure 28.
The 'fold retention' refers to the ability of the side wrapping elements to stay in place after they have been folded around a panty crotch. Fold retention is neasured by the following procedure. A side crapping element is first folded around a panty crotch. The folded side crapping element is then placed folded side uprard on a flat surface. A lOS gram reight is placed on the side crapping element for a period of S minutes.
Also, this test is run at 98'F. The weight is removed, and the side crapping element is alloyed to unfold (if there is any tendency for it to do so). The amount, if any, the side crapping elesent has unfolded is Measured by weasuring the angle formed between the side crapping element and the flat surface after 30 seconds following the removal of the reight. The sa~aller the angle the side crapping element sakes rith the flat surface, the better fold retention the side crapping eleoent has. The side crapping elements preferably have a fold retention aeasured in the foregoing wanner of less tfian or equal to about 90', and pore preferably, less thin or equal to about ~S', and wost prefereb~~
less than or equal to about 20'.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the side crapping elewents can be at least partially comprised of a mateOrial, rith a 'dead fold' property such as aluminum foil or SARANRvrap so the side crapping elements call have very little tendency to unfold after being folded.
The panty covering coaponent 100 in the preferred eobodiment shorn in Figs. 1-S is used with an isolation eleoent 102. The isolation element 102 provides the sanitary napkin rith slack material betreen the ~naln body portion 21 and the panty covering cooponent. This allots the panty covering cooponent 100 to decouple so the vain body portion cay move closer to the body rhea panties pull aray frog the body.
The isolation eleoent 102 can also be used to connect the sheet of extensible naterial 100 to an inextensible component of the pain body portion of the sanitary napkin (or to a component that is less extensible than the sheet of extensible Material 100). This is iaportant then it is desired to create a sanitary napkin that stretches rith the rearer's panties then one or more of the components of the gain body portion are either relatively inextensible or less extensible than the rearer's panties. If the isolation element 102 serves this purpose, the isolation element can comprise any suitable type of component that allors the sheet of extensible material 100 to extend more independently of the less extensible components than if such an element rere not present. The isolation element, thus, can be said to 'isolate', 'disassociate', or 'decouple' the extensibility of the sheet of extensible material 100 froo the inextensible components of the sanitary napkin.
Figs. 1-5 show an embodiment in rhich the isolation element 102 is in the position of the backsheet 40 of the sanitary napkin 20. The isolation element 102 shorn in Figs. 1-5 preferably comprises a nonroven reb that is extensible at leas! in the longitudinal direction. The main body portion of the embodiment shorn in Figs. 1-5 has a liquid impervious barrier betreen the absorbent core and the isolation component. The isolation element can, horever, replace the backsheet in other embodiaents. In other embodiments, the sanitary napkin 20 may have a conventional backsheet, and the isolation eleaent 102 oay comprise a separate component that is attached to the backsheet 40. The isolation element 102 may be liquid pervious if 1t is used in addition to a backsheet. The isolation element 102 is preferably liquid impervious if it replaces the backsheet.
The panty covering component (or sheet of extensible material 100 in Figs. 1-5) should, as discussed above, preferably be joined to the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin (or in the case of the embodiment shorn in Figs. 1-5, to the isolation element t 102) at certain discrete points). The sheet of extensible material 100 can be joined to the the isolation element 102 by any suitable attachment oechanism. Suitable attachment mechanisms include, but are not limited to adhesives, and the like.
Fig. 1 shors one ray the sheet of extensible material 100 may be attached to the isolation element 102. The attachment mechanism 108 comprises a large zone of adhesive 104 disposed WO 94/02096 PCT/LjS93/06957 along a portion of the longitudinal centerline L, and smaller adhesive areas 106 in the corners 27 of the sanitary napkin 20.
These adhesives can be extensible or inextensible. The large zone of adhesive 104 can comprise adhesive in any suitable pattern.
The large zone of adhesive 104 can comprise one or more strips, patches, spots, or lines of adhesive. The strips (or the likej.of adhesive within the large zone 104 can be intenaittent or continuous. The length and width of the large zone of adhesive 104 can range i n s i ze . The l ength of the l arge zone of adhes i ve 104 can range in size from a small pitch located along the transverse centerline T to a zone that extends nearly the length of the sanitary napkin. The large zone of adhesive in the embodiment shown is about 6 inches (about 15 can.) long. The large zone of adhesive 104 can range from very narrow to fairly wTde-:
The width of the large zone of adhesive 104 can be so swall that it is dust a thin line of adhesive disposed along the longitudinal centerline. The following discussion describes soiae of the factors involved in choosing the configuration of the attachment mechanism, such as the large zone of adhesive 104 and smaller adhesive areas 106.
There are oany possible alternative configurations of attachments between the panty covering component and the gain body portion of the sanitary napkin. Several configurations for the attachaent mechanis~a are shown in Figs. 17-20. (Figs. 17-20 also show several examples of panty covering components that are shorter in the longitudinal dimension than the main body portion of the sanitary napkin.) Fig. 17 shows an attachment eechanism v 108 that i s i n the form of a rectangul ar zone or b1 ock that i s centered about the longitudinal centerline. Fig. 18 shows an attachment mechanise 108 that is in the fono of two strips that extend in the longitudinal direction. The strips are on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline. The strips can be in any suitable configuration that extends generally in the longitudinal direction. Suitable configurations include, but are not limited to linear strips, curvilinear strips, intermittent strips, and the like. The strips are located near, but inward from the longitudinal side edges 22 of the main body portion 21.
Fig. 19 shows an attachment mechanism 108 that is in the form of two strips that extend in the transverse direction. The strips are on opposite sides of the transverse centerline. These strips are preferably located at the transverse end edges 100D of the panty covering component. Fig. 20 shows an attachment mechanism that is in the form of a block letter 'I' which has two strips similar to those shown in Fig. 19 and a central strip that runs down the longitudinal centerline connecting the two transverse strips. The attachment patterns in Figs. 19 and 20 have the advantage that they can permit the pain body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin to decouple from the panty covering component and the central region 32 of the pain body portion can also permit the main body portion to bunch inward without pulling the panty covering component inward.
Returning to the discussion of the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5, there are several factors which were taken into account in providing such a product. Yhen such an embodiment is provided with a main body portion that is generally inextensible, a key dimension to the proper functioning of the panty covering component embodiment shown therein is the dimension D2 (shown in Figure 1). The dimension D2 can be measured longitudinally or laterally, as shown in Fig. 1. The dimension 02 is the distance from the place where: (a) the isolation element 102 is bonded to any inextensible components of the sanitary napkin, point P, to the place where (b) the isolation element 102 1s bonded to the sheet of extensible material 100, point Q. (In this embodiment, if the main body portion comprises inextensible or less extensible components, the isolation element 102 would be bonded to any inextensible components of the sanitary napkin at the seam 90 around the perimeter of the sanitary napkin.) The dimension D2 is important because it affects the amount that the extensibility properties of the sheet of extensible material 100 and the main body portion of the sanitary napkin 20 can be decoupled. The dimension 02 required for a particular sanitary napkin depends on the relative extensibility of the materials comprising all of the relevant portions of the sanitary napkin. The portions of the sanitary napkin relevant to the dimension 02 include, but are not lioited to the inextensible components, the sheet of extensible aaterial 100, and the isolation eleaent 102. For instance, if the isolation element 102 is extremely extensible, the isolation element 102 rill,not need a great D2 dimension to create a sufficient apount of slack betreen the sheet of extensible aaterial and the inextensible components.
The dimension 02 rill also depend on the dimensions of the attachment mechanise used to attach the sanitary napkin 20 to tae ___ rearer's panties. This is because the slack Material can also be present in the portion of the sheet of extensible Material 100 betreen the edge of the panty fastener and the place there the sheet of extensible material 100 is joined to the isolation element 102. Preferably, in the embodiment described herein, 02 is greater than or equal to about 5 w~, yore preferably greater than or equal to about 10 w~, yore preferably, and eost preferably is greater than or equal to about l5 ~. The upper licit on 02 is as follors. D2 is preferably not so large that point Q extends past the intersection of the centerlines of the sanitary napkin, point I.
Figures 4 and 5 shot that happens then the sanitary napkin 20 rith the panty covering component 100 shorn in Figs. 1-3 is stretched. The sheet of stretchable material 100 stretches rith the rearer's underganients U. Figure ~ shots that the end regions 28 and 30 of the sanitary napkin 20 rill curve uprard then the sanitary napkin is viered frog the side. This rill provide the sanitary napkin an overall curved longitudinal profile. Figure 5 shots that the sanitary napkin 20 is saddle-shaped then viered from the end. The particular curvature shorn in FIGS. 4 and, 5 results from the configuration of the attachment mechanism betreen the sheet of extensible aaterial 100 and the isolation element 102. Other attachment mechanisms nay be used to create other stretched configurations.
The panty covering coiaponent (as noted above) automatically wraps around the sides of the wearer's panties by the simple action of the wearer pulling up her panties. There are several additional matters which should be kept in mind relating to the features of the panty covering coaponent.
First, placing a sanitary eapkin having conventional flaps in a pair of panties and pulling up the panties will not consistently provide the automatic sustained wraparound feature of the present invention. There are several reasons for this. The conventional flaps ire not extensible, so they will not confora to the panties_ Conventional flaps are not provided with a low return force and a high fold retention, so that in cases where conventional flaps wrap around the panties, they do not consistently stir. In addition, conventionally-sized flaps will have excess flap oaterial that hangs down underneath the panties during wear. This Material can rove around excessively underneath the panties. The side wrapping eleaents of the present invention, on the other hand, hive a span that is ldeally~~ust wide enough to wrap around the elastic-containing edges of the panties, but no wider. The absence of Material hanging down under the panties, coobined with the extensibility of the sage, reduces any tendency for the side wrapping elewents to bunch longitudinally inward during wear.
The second utter wh a ch shoul d be kept a n ~i nd a s that the ' portions of the panty covering cooponent to the longitudinal ends of the side wrapping elements that do not wrap around the edges of the panties can also serve an important function. These portions, end portions (or 'non-wrapping portions') are shown as 52' in Fig.
1. The sanitary napkin is preferably constructed so these non-wrapping portions 52' can naturally work their way into the area of the wearer's leg crease to provide a gasketing effect against the wearer's body. This is believed to provide the wearer with extra protection from soiling of the wearer's panties (even in these areas) where the panty covering component does not cover the panty elastics. This is particularly true when the panty covering component is between about 150-200 mm long, or up to about 90% of the length of the main body portion for sanitary napkins having main body portions longer than 5 200 mm.
The gasketing benefits of the non-wrapping portions 52' is believed to be attributable to several factors associated with the construction of the sanitary napkin. When the side wrapping elements 52 are wrapped around 1o the edges of the panties, the non-wrapping portions 52' are held in tension.
The non-wrapping portions 52' are held at one end by the panty elastic, and at the other end by the smaller adhesive areas 106 in the corners 27 of the sanitary napkin. This causes the non-wrapping elements to stand more upright to form these gasket-like structures, rather than to simply flop over.
The benefits provided by the non-vrrapping portions are enhanced when the panty covering component has a nonwoven body-facing side. When the panty covering component has a nonwoven body-facing side, this provides the panty covering component with a "skin friendly" surface that is 2o desirable when the non-wrapping portions serve their gasketing function.
The panty covering component, as noted above, may provide an extensible (or stretchable) interactive connection between the main body portion of the sanitary napkin and the wearer's undergarments. The panty covering component 100 is particularly useful in providing a generally inextensible sanitary napkin with the ability to adapt to the stretching of the wearer's undergarments. The panty covering components are also useful in providing the other benefits of extensibility described herein. The panty covering component 100 can be stretchable, and therefore, it can be so considered to be a variety of a stretchable attachment device as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,824,004 issued to Osborn, et al on October 20, 1998.

F. Fasteners for Attaching the Sanitary Naakin to the Wearer's Panties.
The garment surface 20B of the sanitary napkin 20 (e.g., the garment s surface 100B of the panty covering component) may include fasteners (or "means for attaching the sanitary napkin to the undergarment of the wearer"
or "attaching means") 44.
Figures 2 and 3 show the central pad fastener 44 which is adapted to o secure the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20 to the crotch region of an undergarment. Fasteners comprising adhesives have been found to work well for this purpose. Any adhesive or glue used in the art for such purposes can be used, with pressure-sensitive adhesives being preferred.
Suitable adhesives are sold under the Century A-305-IV tradename ~s manufactured by the Century Adhesives Corporation, Instant Lock 34-2823 manufactured by the National Starch Company, 3 Sigma 3153 manufactured by 3 Sigma, and Fuller H-2238ZP manufactured by the H.B. Fuller Co.
Suitable adhesive fasteners are also described in U.S. Patent 4,917,697.
2o The central pad fastener 44 can be in many possible configurations depending on the characteristics desired for the sanitary napkin. Figs. 2 and show one preferred arrangement which utilizes a longitudinally oriented zone of extensible adhesive centered about the longitudinal centerline L. Other suitable fastener configurations are shown In PCT International Patent 25 Publication No. WO 92/04000 entitled "Shape and Adhesive Fastening Means for an Absorbent Article" published in the name of Papa, et al. on March 19, 1992; PCT Publication No. WO 93/01783 published in the name of Olsen, et al. and in PCT Publication No. WO 93/01785 published in the name of Osborn, et al It should be understood that if it is desired to make the component that forms the garment surface of the sanitary napkin (and any overlying components) extensible in the wearer's panties, the particular adhesive configurations that can be used depend on whether extensible or inextensible 3s adhesives are used. The 6 52 PCT/US93/0695'7 portion of the sanitary napkin on rhich extensible adhesives ire located will be extensible. Sanitary napkins containing inextensible adhesives will typically only be capable of extension between the inextensible adhesive patches. Therefore, if inextensible adhesives are used, they are preferably applied in intenaittent patterns, including but not limited to intermittent dots, intermittent strips, and the like, to permit the sanitary napkin to extend between adhesive patches. If, on the other hand, the adhesive is extensible, the adhesive can be applied in continuous or intermittent patterns in the above configurations (and other configurations). If the adhesives are extensible, they preferably extend approximately the sage mounts as the sanitary napkin as set forth in Table I.
Suitable extensible adhesives include extensible adhesives, Per se. and extensible adhesive/backsheet combinations. My extensible adhesives known in the art can be used. Suitable extensible adhesive/backsheet combinations include, but are not limited to non-extensible adhesive used on an extensible backsheet Material such as 3 Sig~a 2474 available frog Mchor Continental, Inc., 3 Sigsa Division, of Covington, Ohto; elastically stretchable adhesive file such as Findley adhesive 198-338, or an elastically stretchable adhesive file known as 3N XP0-0-011 available frog the Minnesota !lining and hanufacturing Co~pany of St. Paul , !ii nnesota; or spray adhesi ves such as 3!I adhes 1 ve 1442 on a low ~odulus elastic file.
In addition, other types of fasteners can be used instead of, or in addition to adhesives. These other types of fasteners are preferably arranged in patterns sl~ilar to those in the patent publications referred to above. Such fasteners include, but are not limited to conventional VELCRO hook Material, the fasteners described in: U.S. Patent 4,946,527 issued to 8attrell on August 7, 1990; U.S. Patents 5,058,247 and 5,116,563 issued to Thomas, et al. on October 22, 1991 and flay 26, 1992, respectively; and EPO
Patent Application Publication No. 0 381 087 published August 8, 1990; or, high coefficient of friction foals and other high 53 ~1'/US93/06957 coefficient of friction oaterials in the same category as those described in U.S. Patent 4,166,464 issued to Korp~an, U.S. Patent 4,834,739 issued to linker, III, et al., and U.S. Patent 5,011,480 issued to Gossens, et al. These fasteners gay also be jade extensible as described in U.S. Patent No.
5,824,004 issued to Osborn et al. on October 20,1998.
The side mapping elements 5Z, as noted above, should map and stay rithout being provided rith fasteners to secure the sage to the panties. Horever, embodiments of the present invention spy have optional fasteners thereon for additional security. The optional side mapping element fasteners 45 can be any of the types of fastening Materials specified herein.
The optional side mapping element fasteners 45 assist ~he~
side mapping elements 51 in staying in position after they are mapped around the edges of the crotch portion of the panty. The side mapping element fasteners 45 Wr be located on the garsent surface of side mapping elements 52, adiacent the distal edges 53 of the side mapping elements 52 (1.e., the end of tM side crapping elements 5Z farthest ar~r from the longitudinal centerline L of the sanitary napkin 20), or at various other locations on the side mapping elements.
In one alternative embodiment, as shorn in Fig. 21, the side maPPin9 elements 52 are provided rith side mapping elements in the fog of strips of hook Material 45 or other Mechanical fastener Material 45. In this preferred embodiment, the holes 49 on the strips of hook saterial 45 are distributed in a radial pattern. The hooks can be oriented in a particular direction for improved gripping properties. Preferably, in the embodiment in Fig. Z1, the youths of the hooks are oriented so that they face the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse centerlines.
The use of mechanical fasteners on absorbent articles is believed to be particularly beneficial, due to their tendency to reduce the effect of the shearing forces exerted on the garnent surface 20B of the sanitary napkin 20 by the wearer's panties moving in response to the wearer's body motions. Mechanical fasteners that engage the fabric of the vearer's panties will above with the panties, reducing the problems caused by these shearing forces. The mechanical fastening devices have engaging elements t9 that preferably engage the fabric (typically, the yarns of a knit or woven fabric) covering the panty leg elastics. The Mechanical fastening devices Wr engage the fabric covering the top of the wearer's panty elastics, the fabric covering the sides of the panty elastics, or the fabric covering the bottom of the panty elastics.
The usa of Mechanical attachment elements at or near the panty elastics and at other places, such as at the end edges 24 of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin 20, also elimina~e3--several problems associated with the use of adhesive fasteners alone. Mechanical fasteners are not subject to the problem of adhesives sticking to the rearer's body hair. They are also not subject to the problem of the adhesives become unattached and causing the sanitary napkin folding back and stick to itself when the panty and panty elastics rove and stretch. further, as shown in Figure 22, the leg elastics of the wearer's panties, E, are stretched when the panties are put on by the wearer. This causes the elastics to exert forces FE against the wearer's body. These forces provide a norsal force component relative to the portions of the side wrapping elements S2 that are against the wearer's body. The nornal force component can be used to cause mechanical - or frictional attachment jeans to be yore effective. Horwal forces gay aid Mechanical fasteners having hook-like elements in penetrating and hooking onto the fabric of the wearer's panties.
Ideally, the norwal forces will cause the hooks to automatically engage the panty fabric with little or no effort needed on the part of the wearer to press the hooks into the panties.
In another alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 23, the panty covering component 100 has indentations at its four corners 120 to allow the panty covering component to adjust to the shape of the WO 94/02046 PCT/US93/Od9~7 wearer's underganAents. This embodioent is especially useful then the sanitary napkin is corn rith menstrual shorts of the type typically corn by Japanese roman. The indentations also allot the panty covering coa~ponent to assist the side wrapping elements in flipping underneath the crotch region of the rearer's undergan~ents. The panty covering coioponent 100 shorn in Fig. 23 is preferably provided rlth an overall ~ulti-directional extensibility. The panty covering co~onent is also preferably provided rith an adhesive fastener that covers the entire gat~ent side of the same rith the exception of tro longitudinally oriented zones 128 rhich are adhesive-free. The adhesive-free zones 128 prevent the side crapping elements 52 fray folding over onto and sticking to other portions of the panty covering component after the rel ease paper i s removed from the back of the panty covering __.
component. Optionally, the adhesive-free areas can be provided rtth a releasable saterial to further reduce any tendency for the side crapping elements to stick to these portions of the panty covering component:
Before the sanitary napkin 20 is placed in use, if an adhesive fastener is used, the adhesive is typically covered rith a removable cover strip or release liner 52 in order to keep the adhesive from sticking to a surface other than the crotch portion of the panty prior to use. Suitable release liners are also described in the above-referenced U.S. Patent 4,917,697. My co~ercially available release liners co~only used for such purposes can be utilized herein. Non-li~ltin9 exarples of suitable release liners are sold under BL30MG-A
Silox E1/0 and HL30MG-A Silox 4P/0, both of which are manufactured by the Akrosil Corporation.
In particularly preferred embodiments, the adhesive fastener 50 is protected rlth a trapper that not only covers the adhesive, but also provides both an individually packaged sanitary napkin and a container for disposing the sanitary napkin after use, such as is described in U.S. Patent 4,556,146 issued to Sranson, et al.
on December 3, 1985 and in PCT International Publication No. i10 93/09743 entitled 'Sanitary Napkin wrapper and Adhesive Tab Construction for the Same' published in the naare of Berg, et al.
on May 27, 1993.
The sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention is used by reiaoving any release liner 52 and thereafter placing the sanitary napkin 20 in a panty so that the adhesive (or other fastener) 50 contacts the panty and a~aintains the sanitary napkin in position within the panty during use.
The following Exa~ple further illustrates the practice of the present invention. The following Exa~ple, however, is not intended to licit the scope of the absorbent articles encompassed herein.
The topsheet 38 is jade in accordance with U.S. Patent 4,463,045 and ring rolled to provide it with longitudinal extensibility. The absorbent core 42 is a superabsorbent Material laminate as described above which is slatted or partially slatted for longitudinal extensibility. Figure 8 shows an absorbent core ~2 that is slit at the end regions 28 and 30, but not at the central region 32. The backsheet 40 is an extensible adhesive film known ss Fonwli 1198-338 manufactured by the Findley Adhesives Co~pany of ifauwatosa, W sconsin. The sanitary napkin 20 al so r ncl udes a creped BOUNTY (TM) paper towel 1 ayer and several layers of extensible, highly-oriented spunlaced polyester nonwoven naterial obtained fraa Yeratec Inc., a Division of International Paper Coiapany, of Walpole, Massachusetts. One layer of Yeratec spunlaced nomroven having a basis weight of 19 g/yd2 and tyro layers having a basis weight of 30 g/yd2 are used. This naterlal is extensible in the lateral direction as it is unrolled.
Assembly of the gain body portion of the sanitary napkin is as follows. Cut the ring-rolled topsheet to size. Place a teoplate on the bottaa side of the topsheet and apply Findley 4031 WO 94/02096 5~ PCT/US93/06957 adhesive in a spiral pattern. Lay the Findley backsheet with a protective release piper attached on flat surface. Place the s9itted absorbent gelling oaterial (AG!!) laminate core on the Findley backsheet. Center the creped BOUNTY tissue (shaped sioilarly to the topsheet) over the laminate core. Place the topsheet over the creped tissue. Secure the components and smooth at edges. Roll the edges to seal. Peel the release paper frog the back of the backsheet. Tsar and retava in 2 or 3 pieces, then place the'Yeratec nomroven saterial having the lower basis weight (19 g/yd2j on the exposed adhesive on the backsheot (oriented so the nonwoven is extensible in the longitudinal direction). Spray the topsheet with 0.01 g. PE60SPERSE~ urfactant available fret Lonza, Inc., Nilliatisport, PA.
Assembly of the panty covering cotiponent is a follows. foil a laoinate of the Findley extensible adhesive between the two layers of higher basis reight nonwoven (30 g/yd2). Apply ,panty fastening adhesive.
Assembly of the complete sanitary napkin is is follows. Bond the isolation la,~rer to the train body portion around the perimeter of the gain body portion with the 0.2S inch wide Findley adhesive.
Trig the isolation layer to the sane shape as the rain body portion. Bond this assembly to the panty covering cowponent with the 1.S inch wide Findley adhesive. The adhesive is centered along the longitudinal centerline of the gain body portion. Cut the panty covering component to shape.
The specifications of the finished product are as follows:
t Parameters of !lain Bodv Portion Scesifications Pad weight (g) 8.50 _+ 0.18 Core weight (g) laitinate 2.54 _+ 0.09 Pad l ength (may) Z32 + 4 Core 1 ength (w) 1 aiei pate 201 + 1 WO 94/01096 ~ PGT/US93/06957 Pad width at center (pa) 85 + 1 Core width at center (~) 65 + 1 Pad caliper (in. at 0.13 psi) 0.11 + 0.01 (2.9 Win) Core caliper (in. at 0.13 psi) 0.074 + 0.003 Co~noonents of !lain Bodr Portion ~yecifications Polyethylene forged-file topsheet (per U.S. 9' x 5' Patent 4,463,045; ring rolled) findley extensible adhesive file backsheet -9' x~5' (fornula f198-338) Creped BOUNTY paper torrel Shaped PFA (panty fastening adhesive) Hone PE60SPERSE 0.01 g .
Veratec spunlaced nomroven (19 g/~rd2j 9' x 5' A6~1 slit core non-slit center; total 65 e. x 193 ~
core wreight 2.5 g; contains 0.7 g A6lI vith 2 3/4' non-slit center Findley 4031 (adhesive) 0.05 g Pare~neters of Isolation Laver Specifications Length 232 t 4 liidth of Center 85 t 1 Cowuonents of Isolation Laver Specifications Yeratec spunlaced nonwoven (19 g/~rd 2) 9' x 5' ;, Bond to panty covering component 9' x 1.50' Bond to gain body portion (around perimeter) 30' x 0.25' Para.~neters of Panty Covering Corticonent . Specifications Length (w~) 232 t 4 Nidth 108 ~ 2 Components 'of Pantyr Coverina Com op nent Specifications Veratec spunlaced nonwoven (30g/yd2- 2 layers) 9" x 5"
Findley extensible adhesive film 9" x 5"
PFA (panty fastening adhesive) 8" x 2.5"
Release paper As needed G. Other Alternative Embodiments.
While several preferred sanitary napkin embodiments have been described, numerous other sanitary napkin embodiments are disclosed in the literature. These could be provided with the panty covering component of the present invention. Some of such sanitary napkins are described in U.S.
Patents 5,009,653 and 4,950,264, issued to Osborn on April 23, 1991 and August 21, 1990, respectively, and in U.S. Patent No. 5,688,259 issued to Johnson, et al. on November 18, 1997.
The terms panty liner or "pantiliner" refer to absorbent articles that are less bulky than sanitary napkins which are generally worn by women between their menstrual periods. Suitable absorbent articles In the form, of pantiliners are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,738,676 entitled "Pantiliner" issued to Osborn on April 19, 1988.
The term incontinence article refers to pads, undergarments (pads held in place by a suspension system of same type, such as a belt, or the like), inserts for absorbent articles, capacity boosters for absorbent articles, briefs, bed pads, and the like, regardless of whether they are worn by adults or other incontinent persons. Suitable incontinent articles that can be provided with the so panty covering components described herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,253,461 issued to Strickland, et al. on March 3, 1981; U.S. Patents 4,597,760 and 4,597,761 issued to Buell; the above-mentioned U.S. Patent 4,704,115; U.S. Patent 4,909,802 issued to Ahr, et al.; U.S. Patent 4,964,860 issued to Gipson, et al. on October 23, 1990; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,304,161 issued to Noel, et al. on April 19, 1994 and in U.S. Patent No. 5,300,054 issued to Feist, et al.
on April 5, 1994.
s While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A sanitary napkin for wearing in the crotch region of a pair of panties , said sanitary napkin having a longitudinal dimension extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse dimension extending in a transverse direction, said sanitary napkin comprising:
a main body portion comprising an absorbent core, said main body portion having a body-facing side, a garment-facing side, and a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a pair of side wrapping elements for folding at least partially around a side of a crotch region of an undergarment, said side wrapping elements being joined to the garment-facing side of said main body portion at affixation points that are inboard of the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion and being otherwise unattached to said main body portion laterally outboard of at least some of said affixation points, said side wrapping elements extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of said main body portion wherein at least a portion of said side wrapping elements is extensible when said side wrapping elements are folded at least partially around a side of a crotch portion of a pair of panties, and said extensible portions of said side wrapping elements have a return force of less than or equal to about 100 grams.