Abstract: Prefastened absorbent articles (20) may include a singular fastening mechanism that includes an oversized fastener (60), to provide stability between the front waist region and the back waist region and to maintain the prefastened configuration. The prefastened absorbent articles can include a multiple property fastener (60) that has at least one engagement zone (65) and at least one non-abrasive zone (67).

Abstract: A pant-like, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of releasable joints and a pair of proportional fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between and connect the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a permanent joint. Each of the opposed side panels further defines a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is releasably attached to the side edges of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide the releasable joints.

Abstract: A pant-like, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, at least one releasable joint and at least one folded fastenery. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a permanent joint. At least one of the opposed side panels further defines a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is releasably attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide a releasable joint.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one fit panel, a pair a primary fasteners and an integral waist size adjustment mechanism. The fit panel is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent chassis and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the fit panel and are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to provide the disposable absorbent article. The waist size adjustment mechanism may include a secondary fastener tab which is integral with the fit panel.

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A pant-like, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, at least one line of weakness and at least one fastener. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a front permanent joint. The opposed side panels further define a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide a back permanent joint.

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: The invention relates to prefastened absorbent articles (20) including one or more of several improvement features. The articles can be made to be prefastened by having a singular fastening mechanism that includes an oversized fastener (60). The articles of the invention can include a multiple property fastener (60) that has at least one engagement zone (65) and at least one non-abrasive zone (67).

Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles includes a substrate formed by a bodyside liner and an outer cover. Fastening tabs are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. The fastening tabs include friction zones that, when the tabs are mounted to the article, provide substantially no securement to the article, and securing zones that secure the respective fastening tabs to the outer cover at a front portion of the article. The friction zones prevent surface-to-surface radial shifting or bending of the front portion with respect to the fastening tabs of the article during regular usage. In one embodiment, a tab substrate provides a mounting surface for a friction element and a securing element which form the respective friction zone and securing zone. In another embodiment, the friction element functions as a substrate supporting the securing element.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles which include an outer cover, an absorbent chassis, an adjustable belt and belt loops are described. The adjustable belt is located in one waist region of the absorbent article and includes a fastener on each of it's opposed end portions. The belt loops are located inward from and adjacent to each of the fasteners on the adjustable belt and the longitudinal ends of the belt loops are attached to the absorbent article to slidably contain the adjustable belt between the belt loops and the waist region. The fasteners on the adjustable belt are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article. Desirably, the adjustable belt and belt loops are located on an inner surface of the absorbent article such as the bodyfacing surface of the outer cover or the bodyside liner. The absorbent article may also include fasteners on the belt loops to provide another pair of fasteners.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. An extensible layer replaces at least one of the tissue layers of the absorbent pad. The extensible layer can be secured to an extensible bodyside liner or an extensible outer cover. The extensible layer is adhesively secured to the inner surface of the outer cover or the bodyside liner. In embodiments where the outer cover is extensible in a cross-direction and/or a longitudinal direction, the extensible layer is extensible in the same directions and moves with the outer cover. Absorbent core is not physically secured to the extensible layer. Thus the extensible layer has free mobility with respect to the absorbent core when the outer cover is extended, without deleterious effect on the absorbent core, or the absorbent pad as a whole. Therefore, tearing of the absorbent pad and damage to, or release, of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad is prevented.

Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles includes a substrate formed by a bodyside linear and an outer cover. Fastening tabs are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. The fastening tabs include friction zones that, when the tabs are mounted to the article, provide substantially no securement to the article, and securing zones that secure the respective fastening tabs to the outer cover at a front portion of the article. The friction zones prevent surface-to-surface radial shifting or bending of the front portion with respect to the fastening tabs of the article during regular usage. In one embodiment, a tab substrate provides a mounting surface for a friction element and a securing element which form the respective friction zone and securing zone. In another embodiment, the friction element functions as a substrate supporting the securing element.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. The absorbent pad includes an absorbent core enveloped by a first layer and a second barrier layer. The first layer and the second barrier layer are secured to each other outwardly of a perimeter of the absorbent core. A deformable third layer is disposed in the absorbent article between the first layer and an outer cover. The deformable layer is adhesively secured to the inner surface of the outer cover. There is no significant securement between the deformable layer and the first layer. In embodiments where the outer cover is extensible in a cross-direction and/or a longitudinal direction, the deformable layer deforms during extension of the outer cover, but such deforming has no significant harmful effect on the first layer. Therefore, damage to the first layer, the second barrier layer, or the absorbent pad, and concomitant release of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad, is avoided.

Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles including a substrate formed by a bodyside liner and an outer cover. Fastening tabs, including securing elements, are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. First alignment indicia are located on the front portion of the substrate. Second alignment indicia are optionally located on the respective fastening tabs. In use, a user aligns the fastening tabs with the first indicia on front portion, preferably aligning second indicia with the first indicia, and secures the tabs thereto. In this manner, the personal care article is properly fitted to the wearer, with the fastening tabs a predetermined distance from the front edge of the personal care article. The first indicia can comprise e.g. lines extending across the width of the personal care article, or outlines of the distal edges of the fastening tabs. Second indicia can comprise lines extending across at least a portion of the lengths of the fastening tabs.

Abstract: A method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article includes forming a continuous web of interconnected absorbent articles each of which includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the side edges of the article in one of the waist regions of the article. The method also includes cutting the continuous web of interconnected articles into discrete absorbent articles which are folded about a fold line extending in a lateral direction through the crotch region of the article thereby positioning the waist regions of the article in a facing relationship. The waist regions are then releasably bonded together. The method further includes folding the primary fasteners over and onto the opposite waist region to releasably engage the opposite waist region to provide the prefastened absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. A release agent is applied to one of the outer surface of the absorbent pad and the inner surface of the outer cover. The release agent prevents at least a portion of the outer cover from adhering to the absorbent pad. In embodiments where the outer cover is extensible in a cross-direction and/or a longitudinal direction, the release agent prevents the absorbent pad from resisting mobility of the outer cover. Thus the absorbent pad has substantially no adhesion to the outer cover where the release agent is applied. Therefore, tearing of the absorbent pad and damage to, or release, of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad during extension of the outer cover, is prevented. The release agent can be a silicon-active agent or a powder material having properties that prevent adhesion between adhesive and a forming tissue of the absorbent pad, or the outer cover.