Abstract: An absorbent article can have a target acquisition region which is the region of the absorbent article wherein initial acquisition of body exudates from the wearer of the absorbent article should occur. To identify the target acquisition region for the wearer of the absorbent article, the target acquisition region is defined by and bounded by a perimeter formed of individual embossment points. To provide the wearer of the absorbent article with the knowledge that the absorbent article will be able to capture and store their body exudates, the absorbent article has a second perimeter formed of individual embossment points positioned between the perimeter defining the target acquisition region and the edge of the absorbent core. A minimum distance between an embossment point of the first perimeter and an embossment point of the second perimeter is at least 6 mm.

Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Elasticated materials and articles comprising elasticated materials are disclosed. In an embodiment, an elasticated material may comprise a first layer, second layer, an elastomeric strand disposed between the first and second layers, and a plurality of bonds bonding the first and second layers together. The strand may have straight and arcuate portions. The bonds may comprise a first and a second bond and may be disposed on opposite sides of the strand and separated a distance less than an un-tensioned diameter of the strand. The first and second bonds may be disposed along a strand straight portion. The plurality of bonds may further comprise a third and fourth bond which are longitudinally adjacent and disposed on opposite sides of the strand and spaced apart a distance greater than the un-tensioned diameter of the strand. The third and fourth bonds may be disposed along a strand arcuate portion.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as, a garment-like absorbent article, can have a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region extending between and interconnecting the first waist region and the second waist region. Each of the first waist region and the second waist region can have an elastic material. The absorbent article can have an absorbent core wherein a portion of the absorbent core can be located in the crotch region, a portion of the absorbent core can be located in a portion of the first waist region, and a portion of the absorbent core can be located in a portion of the second waist region. Within each of the first waist region and the second waist region, an overlapping region can exist where the absorbent core is in an overlapping configuration with the elastic material within the first waist region and the second waist region.

Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front region and the back region. A non-rectangular absorbent core is located in the absorbent article wherein a portion of the absorbent core is positioned in an overlapping relationship with an elastic material located in at least one of the front region or back region. The non-rectangular absorbent core has a narrowest width dimension in the transverse direction of the absorbent article which is offset from each of the transverse axis of the absorbent article and the narrowest width of the absorbent article. Longitudinally extending elastic material located in the crotch region of the absorbent article is positioned in a spaced apart relationship to the longitudinal direction side edges of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: One example pant-like garment may comprise a front panel comprising a front garment-side layer, a front body-side layer, and one or more front chassis elastic members disposed between the front garment-side layer and the front body-side layer, and a rear panel comprising a rear garment-side layer, a rear body-side layer, one or more rear chassis elastic members disposed between the rear garment-side layer and the rear body-side layer, and one or more rear panel leg elastic members directly overlapping the one or more rear chassis elastic members in a vertical direction perpendicular to longitudinal and lateral directions. The garment may further comprise an absorbent assembly disposed between the front panel and the rear panel.

Abstract: Pant-like absorbent articles having improved chassis structures are disclosed. One pant-like garment comprises a front panel comprising a front garment-side layer, a front body side layer, and front elastic members therebetween, and a rear panel comprising a rear garment-side layer, a rear bodyside layer, and rear elastic members between the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer, a portion of the rear elastic members proximate a rear waist end edge are being uncovered by one of the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer. The garment may further comprise a rear secondary elastic member disposed overlapping the uncovered portion of the rear elastic members, and wherein one of the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer is folded over the rear panel secondary elastic member and overlaps the other one of the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer.

Abstract: Elasticated materials and articles comprising elasticated materials are disclosed. In an embodiment, an elasticated material may comprise a first layer, second layer, an elastomeric strand disposed between the first and second layers, and a plurality of bonds bonding the first and second layers together. The strand may have straight and arcuate portions. The bonds may comprise a first and a second bond and may be disposed on opposite sides of the strand and separated a distance less than an un-tensioned diameter of the strand. The first and second bonds may be disposed along a strand straight portion. The plurality of bonds may further comprise a third and fourth bond which are longitudinally adjacent and disposed on opposite sides of the strand and spaced apart a distance greater than the un-tensioned diameter of the strand. The third and fourth bonds may be disposed along a strand arcuate portion.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.