Abstract: A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76). The article has been operatively connected in facing relation with a wrap member (98), and the article has been folded about a first, laterally extending supplemental-fold-region (64). The article and a corresponding section of the wrap member have been folded about a second, laterally extending supplemental-fold-region (66). A preliminary-folded article (82) and a corresponding, preliminary-folded wrap member have been provided after the article has been folded about both the first and second supplemental-fold-regions. The preliminary-folded article and wrap member have also been folded along a laterally extending, composite-fold-region (96a) of both the preliminary-folded article and wrap member, to provide a composite-folded, wrapped article (114).

Abstract: Packaging is provided in which to supply personal care products to a consumer, wherein at least a portion of the packaging is adapted to be reused by the consumer. The packaging includes a storage bin having a storage bin bottom and a reclosable cover, and a removable bin enclosure adapted to overlie a portion of the storage bin and to be removable from the storage bin by the consumer, wherein the bin enclosure includes product-identifying graphics, and wherein the storage bin includes non-product-identifying graphics and is substantially free of product-identifying graphics. Product-identifying graphics can include product type, product size, and product count. Non-product-identifying graphics can include seasonal graphics, graphics adapted to make the storage bin appear to be a household object, or can be related to a cause.

Abstract: Packaging is provided in which to supply disposable personal care products to a consumer, wherein at least a portion of the packaging is adapted to be reused by the consumer. The packaging includes a storage bin having a storage bin bottom and a reclosable cover and defining an interior space and a vertical perimeter, a removable bin enclosure disposed to encircle a portion of the vertical perimeter, wherein the bin enclosure includes product-identifying graphics, and an inner package disposed in the interior space, the inner package including a plurality of disposable personal care products. The removable bin enclosure can be a removable sleeve adapted to secure the reclosable cover to the storage bin bottom. The removable bin enclosure can also be a film overwrap, and the inner package and overwrap can be biodegradable.

Abstract: An array of packages adapted for transporting and selling personal care products is provided. The array includes a first package including first removable product-identifying graphics and a plurality of first personal care products disposed within a first storage bin, the first storage bin including a first design and being substantially free of product-identifying graphics. The array also includes a second package including second removable product-identifying graphics and a plurality of second personal care products disposed within a second storage bin, the second storage bin including a second design and being substantially free of product-identifying graphics, wherein the second design is different from and complementary to the first design. The first and second personal care products can be different sizes of the same product, different products, the same product but adapted to be sold at differently-branded retailers, or different combinations of personal care products.

Abstract: A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) which is contiguous with and interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet layer (26), and a backsheet layer (28) which is operatively connected to the topsheet layer (26). The article has been folded about a first, supplemental-fold-region (64) and a second, supplemental-fold-region (66) to provide a preliminary-folded article (82). The preliminary-folded article has been operatively enclosed in a wrap member (98), and the preliminary-folded article and wrap member have been folded along a composite-fold-region (96a) to provide a composite-folded, wrapped-article (114).

Abstract: A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) which is contiguous with and interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet layer (26), and a backsheet layer (28) which is operatively connected to the topsheet layer (26). The article has been folded about a first, supplemental-fold-region (64) and a second, supplemental-fold-region (66) to provide a preliminary-folded article (82). The preliminary-folded article has been operatively enclosed in a wrap member (98), and the preliminary-folded article and wrap member have been folded along a composite-fold-region (96a) to provide a composite-folded, wrapped-article (114).

Abstract: Packaged garments having pre-fastened, refastenable seams tucked in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like absorbent garments. Prior to packaging the garment, the refastenable seams are pre-fastened and tucked into the garment such that any resilient fastening components lie flat in a plane parallel to a plane in which front and back waist portions of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the resilient fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.

Abstract: A disposable pant garment is made from a web by joining front and back side panels attached to the garment chassis. The side panels have diagonal edges in order to result in side seams on the garment which run diagonally on the garment side. This diagonal side seam provides superior fit and releasability, especially in the case of refastenable side seams such as may be used for training pants. One or more of the side panels may be constructed from a plurality of pieces.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pant having fluid handling characteristics useful for encouraging toilet training. The pant has a limited absorbent capacity of between about 30 grams and about 400 grams, which contributes to a slow fluid intake, pooled fluid, and delayed fluid lock-up in the absorbent pad. The pant also has considerable fluid distribution, resulting in a large area of wetness. Each of these fluid handling characteristics provides awareness to a wearer of the filled status of the pant.

Abstract: A process for making prefastened and refastenable garments includes providing a plurality of discrete articles with mating fastening components disposed in the waist regions. First fastening components are separated from one another by an initial transverse distance. The waist region containing the first fastening components is modified to transversely displace these fastening components to a post displacement distance that is not equal to the initial distance. The process allows for convenient alignment of the fastening components to form refastenable seams.

Abstract: An absorbent pant garment having a leg opening shape and fastener placement that, together, minimize the likelihood of fastener pop-opens during use. The garment includes a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist end edge and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pant having fluid handling characteristics useful for encouraging toilet training. The pant has a limited absorbent capacity of between about 30 grams and about 400 grams, which contributes to a slow fluid intake, pooled fluid, and delayed fluid lock-up in the absorbent pad. The pant also has considerable fluid distribution, resulting in a large area of wetness. Each of these fluid handling characteristics provides awareness to a wearer of the filled status of the pant.

Abstract: An absorbent composite material composed of a fibrous absorbent material and a binding agent, the binding agent binding at least a portion of the fibers of the fibrous absorbent material. The fibrous absorbent material is preferably selected from the group consisting of fluff pulp, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, and combinations thereof. The material suitable for use as an absorbent in personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, and adult incontinence garments.

Abstract: A quantitative method of evaluating swimwear for underwater leakage using a mechanical test mannequin, a water tank, a fluorescent bowel movement simulant, and a fluorescence meter. More particularly, a swimwear garment is applied to the mannequin, the fluorescent bowel movement simulant is inserted into the swimwear garment, the mannequin and the swimwear garment are submersed into water within the water tank, and a motion mechanism attached to the mannequin moves the mannequin up and down, thereby simulating typical water play movements. The fluorescence meter can be used to quantitatively determine the amount of leakage of the fluorescent bowel movement simulant from the swimwear garment.

Abstract: Packaged garments having pre-fastened, refastenable seams tucked in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like absorbent garments. Prior to packaging the garment, the refastenable seams are pre-fastened and tucked into the garment such that any resilient fastening components lie flat in a plane parallel to a plane in which front and back waist portions of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the resilient fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.

Abstract: A disposable pant garment is made from a web by joining front and back side panels attached to the garment chassis. The side panels have diagonal edges in order to result in side seams on the garment which run diagonally on the garment side. This diagonal side seam provides superior fit and releasability, especially in the case of refastenable side seams such as may be used for training pants. One or more of the side panels may be constructed from a plurality of pieces.

Abstract: A quantitative method of evaluating swimwear for underwater leakage using a mechanical test mannequin, a water tank, a fluorescent bowel movement simulant, and a fluorescence meter. More particularly, a swimwear garment is applied to the mannequin, the fluorescent bowel movement simulant is inserted into the swimwear garment, the mannequin and the swimwear garment are submersed into water within the water tank, and a motion mechanism attached to the mannequin moves the mannequin up and down, thereby simulating typical water play movements. The fluorescence meter can be used to quantitatively determine the amount of leakage of the fluorescent bowel movement simulant from the swimwear garment.

Abstract: A process for making prefastened and refastenable garments includes providing a plurality of discrete articles with mating fastening components disposed in the waist regions. First fastening components are separated from one another by an initial transverse distance. The waist region containing the first fastening components is modified to transversely displace these fastening components to a post displacement distance that is not equal to the initial distance. The process allows for convenient alignment of the fastening components to form refastenable seams.