Abstract: An absorbent article has a moisture barrier and an absorbent assembly disposed on the moisture barrier. In one embodiment, fecal containment members of the absorbent article are positioned transversely outward of the absorbent assembly between the absorbent assembly and each longitudinal side edge of the article. The fecal containment members have a wet compression recovery of at least about 85 percent and a mean pore size of at least about 1.5 millimeters.

Abstract: A garment includes a garment shell defining a first waist section, an opposite second waist section, and a crotch section therebetween. At least one loop fastening element is attached to the first waist section. A plurality of tactile position indicators are operatively associated with the loop fastening element. The wearer can properly align and secure the garment on himself or herself by identifying the location of the tactile position indicators and releasably connecting portions of the second waist section to the loop fastening element. The invention is particularly useful with disposable absorbent articles worn by adults, and may alternately be employed with tape members.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a moisture barrier, a bodyside liner bonded to the moisture barrier, and an absorbent structure disposed between the bodyside liner and moisture barrier. Elasticized bumpers which function as three-dimensional physical barriers to liquid movement are disposed in the margins of the article. The elasticized bumpers include an internal barrier structure and an elasticized cover disposed over the internal barrier structure and bonded to one of the margins. In particular embodiments, the elasticized cover is formed of a hydrophobic material, is unadhered to the internal barrier structure, and/or is comprised of elastic strands of variable degrees of power.

Abstract: A pop-up tissue dispenser is provided for improved removal of a top tissue from a clip of tissues located within a carton. In one embodiment, a visually distinctive tissue has primary and secondary folds and a visual indicator disposed adjacent the secondary fold. Except for the presence of the visual indicator, the visually distinctive tissue is substantially identical to the other, substantially visually uniform tissues in the clip. In another embodiment, the visually distinctive tissue and the other tissues form a color interface that is visible through the carton opening prior to the removal of any tissues from the carton.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system that is adapted to resist pop-offs caused by clothing being applied or removed over the absorbent article. The fastening system includes an interlocking fastening component with a resilient backing structure and a plurality of engaging elements projecting from a first major surface of the backing structure. The first major surface has a concave configuration in the direction of a primary meridian, a generally perpendicular secondary meridian, or both the primary and secondary meridians. The concavity of the interlocking fastening component is characterized in terms of a bending index of the first major surface or an amount of elevation of a central portion of the first major surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system having first and second buttons bonded to an elastic strap member in respective first and second end regions. The straps are adapted to attach to a garment and maintain the garment in place during use. Reinforcement members are provided within reinforcement zones surrounding the attachment locations of each of the buttons. The reinforcement members locally stabilize the strap member near the attachment locations to minimize or eliminate rolling and twisting of the sides of the strap members during use.

Abstract: A toilet training aid is in the form of a pad that creates a noticeable, distinct feeling during urination. In particular embodiments, the pad may provide the wearer with a temperature change sensation, a wet sensation, a dimensional change sensation, or some combination thereof to signal that urination is occurring. The toilet training aids are desirably attached to a garment by a consumer, thus enabling the consumer to select the type of accompanying garment and the particular time that is best suited to toilet training.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a training pant includes a moisture barrier, an absorbent assembly, and a temperature change member. The temperature change member includes a temperature change substance that provides a possible total energy change of from about 6 to about 30 cal/cm.sup.2 to assist the wearer in recognizing that urination has occurred.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a moisture barrier and an absorbent assembly disposed on the moisture barrier. In one embodiment, fecal containment members of the absorbent article are positioned transversely outward of the absorbent assembly between the absorbent assembly and each longitudinal side edge of the article. The fecal containment members have a wet compression recovery of at least about 85 percent and a mean pore size of at least about 1.5 millimeters.

Abstract: A shaped absorbent garment is formed of a shell having an absorbent core positioned between a bodyside liner and a backing sheet. The absorbent core is inwardly folded between a forward terminal point and a rearward terminal point. The forward and rearward terminal points are spaced apart along the central, longitudinal axis of the shell. The shaped absorbent garment includes a narrow crotch section with a vertically-extending channel, and front and rear pockets.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent article includes the steps of providing a continuous carrier web having opposite side edges and disposing a continuous absorbent web on the continuous carrier web between the side edges Continuous strands of an internal barrier material are disposed on the continuous carrier web with one of the strands being located between the absorbent web and each of the side edges. The continuous carrier web, absorbent web and strands of internal barrier material forming a continuous in-process composite structure which is transversely cut to form a plurality of individual, in-process composite structures. Each individual, in-process composite structure includes an absorbent structure and a pair of internal barrier structures disposed on a carrier sheet. The method also includes disposing the individual, in-process composite structures on a continuous moisture barrier web, and providing a pair of continuous covers.

Abstract: An incontinence article is manufactured by providing a formable, liquid impermeable moisture barrier material, an absorbent assembly, and a liquid permeable liner material. At least the moisture barrier, and desirably a composite structure including the moisture barrier, absorbent assembly and liner, are heated to the softening point of the moisture barrier. The composite structure is conformed such as by vacuum forming to the shape of a mold surface. Afterward, a shaped structure is recovered wherein the liner is bonded to the moisture barrier with the absorbent assembly sandwiched therebetween. The shaped structure, which may also include a retaining member and a cover, is adapted to fit the male anatomy and address urine-specific incontinence. The shaped structure includes a central portion and an ungathered peripheral wall outward of the central portion.

Abstract: A toilet training aid is in the form of a pad that creates a noticeable, distinct feeling during urination. In particular embodiments, the pad may provide the wearer with a temperature change sensation, a wet sensation, a dimensional change sensation, or some combination thereof to signal that urination is occurring. The toilet training aids are desirably attached to a garment by a consumer, thus enabling the consumer to select the type of accompanying garment and the particular time that is best suited to toilet training.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an outer cover, a bodyside liner, and an absorbent assembly disposed between the bodyside liner and outer cover. At least one of the bodyside liner and outer cover form side marginal portions which extend beyond the absorbent assembly. Elastic members of the absorbent article have a width dimension extending between opposite inner and outer edges, an inner zone adjacent the inner edge, and an outer zone adjacent the outer edge. The elastic members are elasticized over substantially the entire width dimension. The outer zone of each of the elastic members is bonded to one of the side marginal portions, and the inner zone of each of the elastic members forms a freestanding leg cuff.

Abstract: A disposable article, such as a diaper, for absorbing and containing urine and other body exudates has an absorbent insert pad that may be flushed in a toilet. The article preferably includes a backing sheet and a bodyside liner that are substantially coterminous. In one embodiment of the invention, a secondary absorbent body, which is disposed between the backing sheet and the bodyside liner, has a pocket formed therein. The absorbent insert pad is positioned against the bodyside liner and located generally within the pocket. A cover is releasably attached to the bodyside liner to maintain the insert pad within the pocket.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a moisture barrier formed of a formable, liquid impermeable material. The moisture barrier defines a basin having a width dimension, a length dimension greater than the width dimension, and a volume. The basin includes a floor having corrugations formed therein parallel to the width dimension. The absorbent article also includes an absorbent assembly disposed within the basin and a liner formed of a liquid permeable material bonded to the moisture barrier and sandwiching the absorbent assembly therebetween. The corrugations permit the absorbent article to bend inwardly, for example to conform to the shape of the wearer, without bunching the moisture barrier along the portions facing the wearer and without substantially stretching or deforming the floor of the moisture barrier.

Abstract: An absorbent garment method of manufacture includes supplying a three-dimensional pant body defining a waist opening, two leg openings, and a crotch region. A containment trough formed of liquid impermeable material has a base portion bonded to the crotch region and integral retaining walls positioned transversely outward from the base portion. The retaining walls are freestanding from the pant body and include elastic members so as to define freestanding, elasticized flaps. An absorbent structure and liner are disposed between the elasticized flaps. To retard liquid movement away from the absorbent structure, the liner is wrapped around the side edges and partly beneath the absorbent structure. Further, an inwardly-directed face of each flap has a first Wicking Value while the liner has a second Wicking Value that is at least 2 times greater than the first Wicking Value on a gram per gram basis.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes first and second liquid containment beams that are moveable relative to a moisture barrier. In particular embodiments, leakage barriers formed of a liquid impermeable material are bonded to the moveable containment beams to impede lateral movement of liquid. In other embodiments, the moisture barrier is formed of a breathable material and the leakage barriers are positioned between the containment beams and moisture barrier to minimize condensation on an exterior surface of the moisture barrier. Desiccant particles may also be included adjacent the moisture barrier to further minimize condensation.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a garment with a tape fastener that provides for the display of printed information only when the garment is not being worn. The garment has opposite inner and outer surfaces and first and second waistband sections. The tape fastener, which is bonded to the first waistband section, includes an interior tape member and an exterior tape member. The interior tape member is bonded to the inner surface, and in one embodiment, contains the printed information. The exterior tape member includes a factory-bond section, which is bonded to the first waistband section, and a user-bond section, which is formed of a transparent material and includes an adhesive surface adapted to releasably engage the interior tape member. The printed information will not show through clothing when the garment is being worn.

Abstract: Absorbent articles of the present invention are specifically adapted for the adult male anatomy. The articles include a moisture barrier having a length measured between front and back ends of less than about 46 centimeters. A liner is bonded to the moisture barrier sandwiching an absorbent assembly therebetween. The moisture barrier is gathered along each of its side edges between forward and rearward terminal points. The forward terminal points are spaced from the front end of the moisture barrier by at least about 7 centimeters, and the rearward terminal points spaced from the back end of the moisture barrier by less than about 5 centimeters. Elasticized containment flaps disposed on the liner extend longitudinally toward the front end to a position at least about 16 centimeters from the back end of the moisture barrier. The moisture barrier is also gathered along its back end.