Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent article such as a diaper having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, at least one elastically contractible gasketing cuff, and at least one barrier cuff. The barrier cuff has a proximal edge and a distal edge. The absorbent article is additionally provided with spacing means for spacing the distal edge away from the top surface of the topsheet. In addition, adhesive means secure the end portions of the barrier cuff closed. A channel is formed between the proximal and distal edges in at least the crotch region because the distal edge is spaced away from the topsheet top surface.When the diaper embodiment of the present invention is applied to a wearer, the barrier cuff rides up along the inner thighs and the perineum of the wearer in the crotch region and along the buttocks in the back waist region.

Abstract: An absorbent article having improved adhesive attachment means to secure the absorbent article in the crotch region of a garment. The adhesive attachments means of this invention consists of an adhesive pattern having the shape of a block "I". The block I being defined by a base portion, a stem portion, and a head portion.

Abstract: Disposable diapers having liquid impermeable waistshields and elastically expansible waistbands. The waistshields and waistbands are formed of a single--unitary--liquid impermeable material. In preferred embodiments, the waistshield/waistband is formed of a material which has a heat unstable state and a heat stable and elastic state. In diapers ready for use, the waistband portion is relatively more heat stable and elastic than the waistshield portion.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a diaper with a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, flexible side flaps extending outwardly from and along each side edge of the absorbent core in at least the crotch region of the diaper, elastic members secured to the side flaps, and a reservoir. The reservoir collects and holds body exudates, especially loose fecal material, until the diaper is removed. Leakage prevention is enhanced because body exudates would have to flow not only above and over the reservoir but also beyond the elasticized side flaps; leakage being additionally prevented by the elasticized side flaps because they form an additional liquid impervious barrier about the body of the wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper or an incontinent brief having indicia means provided for aiding an individual fitting the article to a wearer to obtain optimal waist fit and leg opening fit. Indicia means are provided in an area at least coextensive with a part of an area to which fastening means are affixed to the article when the article is fitted to a wearer. Indicia, as used herein are any type of lines, patterns, ornamental designs, symbols, script, color codes, or other markings which have the capability, either inherently or with additional denotation, to aid an individual fitting the article to promptly locate a desired affixation point for a particular fastening means.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having front and rear waist portions and comprising a liquid permeable topsheet; a liqid impermeable backsheet affixed to the topsheet; an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a crotch portion located intermediate the front and rear waist portions; a pair of side flaps; and crotch tensioning means associated with each of the side flaps. The absorbent core has oppositely disposed end portions and a pair of longitudinally disposed side edges therebetween. The crotch tensioning means further comprises one or more elasticized members extending from an attachment area in the crotch portion of the diaper, across the respective side flap, to a location longitudinally outside of the crotch portion. The crotch tensioning means thereby tend to impose outward lateral tension on the crotch portion of the diaper when in use.

Abstract: A two-ply nonwoven fabric laminate comprises a first-ply of synthetic fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2 ; and a second ply of fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2. The inner surfaces of the first and second plies are adhered at their interface by a flexible, soft latex binder. The binder is adhered to substantially all fibers exposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second plies. The binder is present in the first ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness, and is present in the second ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness.

Abstract: A disposable diaper, or similar article, with elastic side-bands, is folded to bring the elastics into a curvilinear shape, thereby improving fit around the legs.

Abstract: A two-ply nonwoven fabric laminate comprises a first-ply of synthetic fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2 ; and a second ply of fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2. The inner surfaces of the first and second plies are adhered at their interface by a flexible, soft latex binder. The binder is adhered to substantially all fibers exposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second plies. The binder is present in the first ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness, and is present in the second ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as urine. A liquid permeable topsheet is affixed to a liquid impermeable backsheet encasing an absorbent core therebetween. A liquid impermeable barrier member overlays a segment of the absorbent core and is affixed at one end to the backsheet. The topsheet has compacted portions which are affixed to the barrier member.

Abstract: A disposable waste-containment garment such as a disposable diaper, an external incontinent protection garment for adults (e.g. adult incontinent briefs), an external catamenial, or a disposable liner for either a disposable diaper or an incontinent brief. The garment, which may be elasticized by, for example, having elasticized leg cuffs and waistbands, comprises an absorbent core comprising substantially unbonded fibers disposed between a liquid permeable lamina and a liquid impermeable backsheet, and the liquid permeable lamina and the absorbent core are bonded together in face to face relation with an open pattern of adhesive: preferably a fine scale reticulated network of filaments of pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive having a weight of from about one-half (1/2) milligram to about three (3) milligrams per square inch (from about 0.8 to about 4.7 grams per square meter) but, more preferably, from about one-and-three-tenths (1.3) milligrams to about two-and-three-tenths (2.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as menses. The disclosed article is disposable and has a wrapper associated therewith. The wrapper overlays one major surface of the article and by folding the article and sealing the wrapper, an individually packaged disposable absorbent article is provided.

Abstract: An integral handle is provided for a carton having opposed pairs of side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall comprising at least first and second substantially identical overlapping flaps hingedly connected to the upper edges of one of the opposed pairs of side walls. The handle comprises first and second handle elements. The first handle element is die cut from the upper portion of the first flap and is of a length less than the width of the first flap. The first handle element has a finger receiving aperture and is pivotal about score line hinges formed in the first flap. The second handle element is of greater length than the first handle element and comprises the entire upper portion of the second flap as defined by a score line hinge extending the full width of the second flap in parallel spaced relationship to the upper edge thereof and about which the second handle element is pivotal. The second flap has at least one finger receiving aperture alignable with the aperture of the first handle element.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as urine. An absorbent core is encased in an outer covering layer. Leakage resistant members are affixed at each segment of the diaper from which leakage is to be reduced. The leakage resistant member has a facing sheet having compacted portions affixed to a backing sheet. The leakage resistant members may be elasticized by providing a separate elastic element or by using an elastic material for the backing sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for texturing a running ribbon of thermoplastic sheet material or film. The apparatus causes a ribbon of such film to be forwarded from a supply such as a roll of thermoplastic material, thence about a circumferentially extending portion of a rotating texturing cylinder, and then downstream where the textured film may be further processed or where it may be wound on a spool to form a roll thereof. The texturing cylinder comprises a tubular member having a coating of spheroidal particles adhered to the surface thereof. While the film is in contact with the texturing cylinder, it is both heated and urged against the texturing cylinder, causing the film to assume the textured image of the texturing cylinder. The apparatus may further control tension in the film both upstream and downstream of the texturing cylinder at predetermined constant levels.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an improved brief or panty and method of making the same that has porous fabric panels and elastic members that are elastic in all directions. The panty lies flat against the body of the wearer and the fabric panel does not gather adjacent the elastic members.The panty has an hourglass-shaped panel (10) and an elastic member (11) having hourglass exterior margin (21) and interior margin (22) overlying and bonded to the exterior margin of the fabric panel (10). A functional crotch portion (20) is interposed between the elastic member (11) and the panel (10).The panty is manufactured by forming an hourglass-shaped panty blank (10) of elastic material having front (19) and rear (18) panel portions; forming an elastic border member (11) from elastic material; superimposing the border member (11) on the hourglass margin of the panty blank (10) and bonding it thereto; and securing corresponding transverse edges of the front (19) and rear (18) panel portions.