Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a moving substrate includes a cutter nozzle connected to a movable support. A supplying mechanism provides a cutting fluid to the cutter nozzle at a pressure which provides for a fluid flow rate from the cutter nozzle which is sufficient to cut the substrate in a selected cut pattern. A designating mechanism identifies a plurality of selected article lengths along the substrate, and a transporting mechanism moves the substrate at a predetermined speed along the machine direction during the cutting of the substrate. An actuating servo moves the cutter nozzle along a selected cutting path, and a regulating mechanism controls the actuating servo by employing a selected, electronically stored data set. The data set is configured to move the actuating servo in a selected sequence, and the sequence has a predetermined correspondence with the movement of the substrate to thereby direct the cutter nozzle along the selected cutting path and provide the selected cut pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) which includes a backsheet layer (30) having a pair of laterally opposed and longitudinally extending side margins (20). Each side margin has an outwardly concave, terminal side edge contour 15 located at appointed leg opening regions (17) in an intermediate portion (16) of the side margin. Each concave side edge contour (15) has a selected longitudinal extent along a length dimension (26) of the article (10). A liquid permeable topsheet layer (28) is connected in a superposed facing relation to the backsheet layer (30), and an absorbent body (32) is sandwiched between the topsheet layer (28) and the backsheet layer (30). A separately provided gusset-flap composite member (19) is connected to at least one of the backsheet and topsheet layers along each of the leg opening regions (17). The gusset-flap member (19) provides a leg gusset section (142) and a containment flap section (144).

Abstract: A distinctive technique for creating a shaped article (90, 100) includes a pivoting of a first portion (56) of a cooperating web layer (26) substantially about a first joining region (40) to lie laterally adjacent to a first portion (52) of a primary web layer (24). The cooperating web layer (26) has been positioned in a superposed facing relation with the primary web layer (24) with the primary web layer having a first and second, lateral side edge regions (32, 34), and the cooperating web layer having third and fourth, lateral side edge regions (36, 38). The first side edge region (32) of the primary web layer (24) has been synchronized to the third side edge region (36) of the cooperating web layer (26) along the first joining region (40), and the second side edge region (34) of the primary web layer (24) has been synchronized to the fourth side edge region (38) of the cooperating web layer (26) along a second joining region (42) to provide a synchronized laminated web (44).

Abstract: A microporous, hydrophilic polymer film has a morphology composed of distinctively interconnected pores, which are desirably surface-open. In particular aspects, the film can provide for a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) value of at least about 1000 grams per square meter per 24 hours per mil (0.00254 cm) of film thickness. The film can exhibit a modulus of not less than about 1 MPa, and may also exhibit an elongation strain at break of at least about 100% in both its machine and transverse directions. The film can also provide for a water contact angle of not more than about 80 degrees. In other aspects, the porous film can also include other properties or characteristics, such as a desired tensile strength at break, a desired elongation-at-break, and voids or pores having distinctive shapes, sizes, distributions and configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making an elastomeric web. Generally stated, the process includes moving a first web (26) along an appointed machine-direction (28) of the process, and delivering a plurality of elastomeric strands (30) moving along the machine-direction. The elastomeric strands (30) have been elastomerically stretch to an elongation of at least about 50 percent, and the plurality of elastomeric strands (30) have been laterally distributed along an appointed cross-direction (32) of the process. The elastomeric strands (30) are positioned at a spaced distance (34) from the first web (26), and an adhesive is applied to the elastomeric strands (30) and the first web (26) while the elastomeric strands are at the spaced distance (34) from the first web (26). A second web (36) is laminated to the first web (26) with the elastomeric strands (30) sandwiched between the first and second webs to provide an elastomeric laminate, composite web (24) attached together with the adhesive.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a longitudinal length dimension, a lateral cross dimension, a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion and an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article includes a backsheet layer having a pair of laterally opposed side margins, with each side margin having an outwardly concave, terminal side edge contour located at appointed leg opening regions in an intermediate portion of each of the side margins. Each concave side edge contour has a selected longitudinal extent along the length dimension of the article. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is connected in superposed relation to the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body is sandwiched between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enveloping a series of absorbent cores with a fluid-permeable layer includes a first web supplying mechanism for providing a first layer of fluid-permeable material, and a depositing mechanism for positioning a series of absorbent cores on the first layer. Each of the absorbent cores defines a periphery thereof and includes superabsorbent material therein. A second web supplying means provides a second layer of fluid-permeable material to sandwich the absorbent cores between the first and second layers. A sealing mechanism secures the first layer to the second layer along an attachment region thereof which is located adjacent to at least a pair of side edge regions of the absorbent cores. The attachment region is constructed to substantially prevent movement of superabsorbent material from the absorbent cores through the attachment region.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of fastener components comprises providing a composite web which includes a web of hook material. The hook material includes a hook base layer which has first and second longitudinally extending side sections and has a plurality of hook elements which are integrally formed with the base layer and extend away from a base plane of the hook base layer. The hook elements are configured to operably engage a selected, cooperating loop material to provide an operative fastening, and the web of hook material has an extending section of carrier web material attached to extend laterally outboard from each of the side sections of the web of hook material. Each section of carrier web material has an extending web of panel material attached to extend laterally outboard from each section of carrier web material.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of fastener components comprises providing a composite web which includes a web of hook material. The hook material includes a hook base layer which has a longitudinally extending medial section located between first and second, laterally opposed, longitudinally extending side sections of the web of hook material. Each of the side sections has a plurality of hook elements which are integrally formed with the base layer and extend away from a base plane of the hook base layer, and the hook elements are configured to operably engage a selected, cooperating loop material to provide an operative fastening. The medial section has a relatively lower density of the hook elements per unit area, as compared to the side sections. The web of hook material has an extending section of carrier web material attached to extend laterally outboard from each of the side sections of the web of hook material.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus (20) technique for intermittently applying a component (22) onto a moving substrate (26). The method and apparatus can include a conveyor (28) configured to provide the moving substrate (26) at a selected substrate speed, and a transporter (30) configured to deliver a component web (24) at a selected component web speed which differs from the substrate speed. A rotatable applicator roll (32) has an appointed rotational direction (36), and an outside applicator surface (34). The applicator roll is configured to be rotated at a rate which provides to the applicator surface (34) a surface speed which is substantially equal to the substrate speed. At least one deceleration carriage (40) is assembled to rotate with the applicator roll (32) and is configured to receive and hold a selected portion of the component web (24).

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article comprises a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover member having a length and a width. The outer cover provides a rear waistband portion and a front waistband portion, and has a layer of polymer film material on an outer surface of the front waistband portion of the outer cover. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is provided for contacting a wearer's skin, and an absorbent body is interposed between the outer cover and the topsheet layer. The absorbent body has a length and width which are smaller than the outer cover length and width, thereby providing end margins and side margins of the outer cover. An adhesive fastening mechanism adheres to the film layer to secure the front and rear waistband portions of the outer cover about the wearer. An elastic member is connected to provide elasticized gathers along a cross-direction of the rear waistband portion of the outer cover.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a longitudinal length dimension, a lateral cross-dimension, a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion, an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions, and a pair of laterally opposed elasticized side margins. The article has a backsheet layer, and a liquid permeable topsheet layer connected in superposed relation to the backsheet layer. An absorbent body is sandwiched between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer, and an elasticized, waist pocket member is connected to at least one of the backsheet and topsheet layers along at least one end margin of the article. The waist pocket member includes an extending flange section and an extending pocket section. The pocket section of the waist pocket member includes a substantially fixed edge portion secured to the article, and an elasticized, gathered moveable edge portion, which is longitudinally spaced from the fixed edge portion.

Abstract: A distinctive technique for making a microporous film includes a stretching of a layer composed of a polymer material and at least about 5 wt % of a particulate filler material. The particulate filler material has been distinctively treated with an operative amount of surface-active material having a HLB value of not less than about 6. Desirably, the stretching includes a biaxial stretching of the polymer layer.

Abstract: An article (20) has a front waistband section (38), a back waistband section (40), an intermediate section (42) interconnecting the front and back waistband sections, a longitudinal direction (86), a cross-direction (88) and a laterally extending line (100) which is longitudinally centered in the article (20). At least a first fit panel (36) is connected to an inside surface (66) of at least one of the waistband sections (38, 40), and the fit panel has a direction-dependent coefficient of friction value along a basis line (54) of the fit panel. A first coefficient of friction value is exhibited when sliding on the fit panel along the basis line in a first, inward basis direction (62) generally toward the lateral line and a different second coefficient of friction value is exhibited when sliding on the fit panel along the basis line in a second, outward basis direction (64) which is opposite the first basis direction (62).

Abstract: A porous fiber includes a distinctive configuration of voids therein to achieve advantageous levels of wettability, liquid penetration and mechanical properties. The fiber has a denier of not more than about 50, and a percent elongation at break of not less than about 30%. The fiber can also have a tensile strength at break of not less than about 200 MPa.

Abstract: A distinctive technique for making porous fiber includes a stretching of a substantially continuous fiber while the fiber is in an operative association with an effective quantity of surface-active material. The fiber can be produced from a source material which includes a thermoplastic, orientable material and at least about 0.35 weight percent (wt %) of a supplemental material. In particular configurations of the invention, the fiber may be contacted with a first quantity of surface-active fluid and at least a separate, second quantity of surface-active fluid. In other configurations, the fiber may be subjected to an additional incremental stretching.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus (20) for forming a composite fibrous web (22) includes a web supply (24, 25), which provides at least two appointed fiber layer sections (26, 28) of desired fiber material. Each of the layer sections (26, 28) has a selected composition. A fiberizer (30) disintegrates each of the fiber layer sections (26, 28) into individual, laterally adjacent fiber streams (32, 33) while substantially maintaining a lateral separation of the fiber streams while the fiber streams (32, 33) are moving through the fiberizer (30). A directing channel (34) delivers the fiber streams (32, 33) from the fiberizer (30) to a forming chamber (40). The forming chamber (40) is configured to substantially maintain the separation of the fiber streams.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of fastener components comprises providing a composite web which includes a web of hook material. The hook material includes a hook base layer which has first and second longitudinally extending side sections and has a plurality of hook elements which are integrally formed with the base layer and extend away from a base plane of the hook base layer. The hook elements are configured to operably engage a selected, cooperating loop material to provide an operative fastening, and the web of hook material has an extending section of carrier web material attached to extend laterally outboard from each of the side sections of the web of hook material. Each section of carrier web material has an extending web of panel material attached to extend laterally outboard from each section of carrier web material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an elasticized article includes a delivering mechanism for supplying a substrate web having a longitudinal direction and a lateral cross-direction. A first connecting mechanism attaches an inboard elastic member to said substrate web, and a second connecting mechanism attaches an outboard elastic member to the substrate web, with the outboard elastic member located laterally outboard of the inboard elastic member. A dividing mechanism separates away a portion of the substrate web and a portion of the outboard elastic member to thereby provide a set of elastics which are arranged in a staggered overlapping relation.

Abstract: A distinctive composite article has a longitudinal, length dimension and a lateral, width dimension. The article includes a flexible outer shell portion having a shell length and a shell width. At least a portion of a flexible drape layer is substantially affixed to the shell portion, and the drape layer has a drape width which is larger than the shell width. Additionally, the drape layer may have a drape length which is larger than the shell length. The drape layer includes a first laterally extending fold line, a first longitudinally extending fold line and at least a second longitudinally extending fold line. The longitudinally extending fold lines provide for a laterally-folded drape width which is not more than the shell width. The drape layer may also include at least a second laterally extending fold line, and the laterally extending fold lines may also provide for a longitudinally-folded drape length which is not more than the shell length.