Reduced noise level fastening system

Abstract

A non-elastic thermoplastic film having a noise abatement region and a fastening component. The noise abatement region has a plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of apertures has an area of between about 4 mm2 to about 75 mm2. The fastening component is disposed within the noise abatement region such that the fastening component is surrounded by the noise abatement elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a non-elastic thermoplastic film constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a close up view showing a portion of the non-elastic thermoplastic film of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view showing the non-elastic thermoplastic film of FIG. 1A along line 2A-2A.

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of a non-elastic thermoplastic film constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing an embodiment a suitable apparatus for making the non-elastic thermoplastic film of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3B is an elevation view of a transfer roll of the apparatus of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a side panel comprising the non-elastic thermoplastic film of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a disposable absorbent article comprising the side panel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view showing an apparatus used to measure sound levels generated by non-elastic thermoplastic films.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view showing a sound measurement chamber used in the apparatus of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front perspective view showing the sound measurement chamber of FIG. 7 with a non-elastic thermoplastic film sample clamped therein.

Claims

1. A non-elastic thermoplastic film comprising: a noise abatement region comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of apertures have an area of between about 4 mm2 to about 75 mm2; anda fastening component disposed within the noise abatement region such that the fastening component is surrounded by noise abatement elements.

2. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 1 having a thickness, wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures extends through the thickness of the non-elastic thermoplastic film.

3. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 2, wherein the thickness is in a range from about 50 μm to about 110 μm.

4. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures extends through only a surface of the non-elastic thermoplastic film through only a portion of the thickness of the non-elastic thermoplastic film.

5. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 4, where in the at least one of the plurality of apertures extending only through a portion of the thickness of the non-elastic thermoplastic film has a depth, and wherein the depth is in a range of about 5% to about 99% of the thickness of the non-elastic thermoplastic film.

6. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 1, wherein the non-elastic thermoplastic film is selected from the group consisting of: polyurethanes, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polycarbonates, polyesters, polymethacrylates, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyichlorides, acrylate modified ethylene vinyl acetate polymers, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, nylons fluorocarbons, and any combination thereof.

7. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 1, wherein the fastening component is a slot member having a slot therein.

8. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures comprises an area of between about 20 mm2 to about 50 mm2.

9. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of apertures has a length of between about 3 mm to about 6 mm, and wherein each of the plurality of apertures has a width of between about 3 mm to about 6 mm.

10. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of apertures are spaced apart by a first distance and a second distance, wherein the first distance is between about 3 mm to about 6 mm, and the second distance is between about 3 mm to about 6 mm.

11. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 9 further comprising a first direction and a second direction, wherein a larger number of apertures are aligned in the second direction than in the first direction.

12. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 11, wherein a fastening force is generally parallel to the second direction.

13. The non-elastic thermoplastic film of claim 9 further comprising a first direction and a second direction, wherein a larger number of apertures are aligned in the first direction than in the second direction.

14. A disposable absorbent article for wearing about the lower torso of a wearer, the disposable absorbent article comprising: a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions; a first waist edge and a second waist edge; and a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; the disposable absorbent article further comprising: a topsheet;a backsheet attached to at least a portion of the topsheet; andan absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;a first pair of side panels extending outward from the first and second longitudinal edges in the first waist region, wherein each of the first pair of side panels comprises a first fastening component; anda second pair of side panels extending outward from the first and second longitudinal edges in the second waist region, wherein each of the second pair of side panels comprise: a non-elastic thermoplastic film having a noise abatement region comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of apertures have an area of between about 4 mm2 to about 75 mm2; anda second fastening component disposed within the noise abatement region such that the fastening component is surrounded by noise abatement elements,