Abstract: An absorbent composite has a low capacity region and a high capacity region in planar relationship to the low capacity region, where the high capacity region comprises between 1% and 10% by weight elastomeric polymer fibers and between 60% and 98% by weight superabsorbent material with respect to that region, and where the low capacity region comprises at least 10% by weight elastomeric polymer fibers and less than 10% by weight superabsorbent material. In some embodiments, the absorbent composite can further comprise additional regions. The regions are substantially joined by intermingling of the elastomeric polymer fibers between the regions, to form a generally unitary, stratified absorbent composite. The absorbent composite can be utilized in an absorbent article, the result of which is an absorbent article that exhibits improved performance as well as greater comfort and confidence among the user.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an outercover, liner and absorbent core that are each stretchable or extensible. The article has a thickness of about 4 mm or less, and a bending stiffness of less than about 6 N-mm. The tension in the waist elastic, flap elastics and/or leg elastics may be modified to accommodate the addition of a more flexible absorbent core. The bending stiffness of the fasteners may be reduced to further accommodate the improved flexibility of the overall article.

Abstract: A reversible fastening system allows an absorbent article to be fastened in a first condition, with a pair of first fasteners engaging the garment facing surface of a first waist region. Alternatively, the absorbent article may be fastened in a second condition, with a pair of second fasteners engaging the garment facing surface of a second waist region. The first condition can be generally viewed as the “reverse” of the second condition.

Abstract: Disposable garments having a first pair of positioning indicia and second pair of positioning indicia. The first pair of indicia located symmetrically about the longitudinal centerline, the second pair of indicia located substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal centerline. The first pair of indicia located closer to the longitudinal centerline than the second pair of indicia. The first pair of indicia has a length in a longitudinal direction. The second pair of indicia has a length in a longitudinal direction and the longitudinal length of the first pair of indicia is less than the longitudinal length of the second pair of indicia.

Abstract: A single package containing at least two different types of disposable absorbent articles that differ from one another in terms of absorbent structures, and having an appearance that is visibly distinguished from one another. A method of providing a single package of at least two different types of disposable absorbent articles is also described. A method of forming disposable absorbent articles includes forming at least two different types of absorbent articles on a single product line, each type of absorbent article having an absorbent structure that differs from the absorbent structure of at least one other absorbent article type on the product line. The method further includes creating a visual distinction between the different types of absorbent articles, and packaging the different types of absorbent articles in a single package.

Abstract: In a method of evaluating a product worn on a body, a computer based body sub-model of at least a portion of the body is created. A computer based product sub-model of the product is created, at least one parameter of which is variable as a function of fluid loading of the product. A computer based interaction model is also created to define instructions as to how the body sub-model and the product sub-model interact and to further define instructions corresponding to a fluid loading of the product. The body sub-model, the product sub-model and the interaction model are combined in a use model to simulate interaction between the body sub-model and the product sub-model in response to fluid loading of the product. The use model is evaluated to determine the performance of at least one product feature of the product in response to fluid loading of the product.

Abstract: Absorbent structures suitable for incorporation into disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, non-woven absorbent structures having a unitary construction and comprising absorbent fibers, a portion of the absorbent structure having discontinuous absorbent zones that define channels. The absorbent structures having the discontinuous absorbent zones demonstrating an enhanced flexibility.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent diaper has an outer cover, a bodyside liner, and an absorbent core positioned between the outer cover and the bodyside liner. A lofty, resilient, liquid permeable lofty spacer layer is positioned between the absorbent core and the outer cover and in liquid communication with the absorbent core. The absorbent core can be made from standard airformed materials which may have a combination of reduced surface area, narrow crotch width and a permeability level which may permit free liquid run off during insult to the garment. The lofty spacer layer has a high void volume and is also made of economical materials and desirably has a width in the crotch region greater than a width of the absorbent core in the crotch region to provide distribution of the free liquid run off underneath the absorbent core, allowing for reduction of the width of the absorbent core in the crotch region to provide an economical diaper with improved fit and leakage while reducing reliance on a gasketing system.

Abstract: An absorbent structure can include a matrix of fibers, wherein the matrix is reinforced with a reinforcing member, such as scrim. The scrim is secured to the fibrous matrix by entanglement of fibers with the scrim and entanglement of fibers in the matrix from opposite sides of the scrim with each other. The scrim layer can be restricted to a longitudinally extending, medial region of the absorbent. In a particular arrangement, the scrim has a cross-directional width dimension which is less than a narrowest width dimension of the fibrous matrix. The scrim can be located between two, opposed, major surfaces of the fibrous matrix. The scrim has a reduced stiffness in the cross direction which promotes fit and comfort of the absorbent structure as incorporated into a disposable absorbent garment.

Abstract: An absorbent structure and method for making the absorbent structure including an absorbent core made from a matrix of fibers, wherein the matrix is reinforced with a stretchable reinforcing member, such as scrim. The absorbent matrix may be secured to the web of scrim with the scrim in a stretched condition. When the web of scrim is in an unstretched condition, the web of scrim partially gathers the absorbent core to form rugosities on the core. The reinforcing member can have a non-uniform transverse width to conform to the shape of the absorbent core. The absorbent structure can have multiple layers of reinforcing members. The reinforcing member has strands arranged in a pattern to facilitate stretching. A first set of strands can cross a second set of strands at junction in a non-orthogonal relationship.