Abstract: An absorbent article that includes a topsheet, a backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet and an absorbent core that lies between the topsheet and the backsheet are described. A water activatable adhesive that, when activated, can adhere to a wearer's skin is also deposited on at least part of the absorbent article is also described.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy, intuitive change by aligning the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or relative to a component of the article thereby enhancing the fit and corresponding performance of the article.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined with at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet; and an adhesive capable of adhering of the absorbent article to the skin of the wearer during use or a portion of the absorbent article to itself during use. The adhesive is deactivatable by the wearer or caregiver to facilitate easy and comfortable removal of the product from the wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined with at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet; and a thermally activatable adhesive capable of adhering of the absorbent article to the skin of the wearer during use. The thermally activatable adhesive is preferably activated at temperatures in the range of about 30° C. to about 60° C.

Abstract: An article, including disposable articles and durable articles, includes one or more shaped thermoplastic members, which can be at least partially impregnated into one or more fibrous substrates forming a composite material of the article having regions of breathability, elasticity, and/or stiffening to provide desired functions of the article. The shaped thermoplastic members have a profiled thickness and/or basis weight providing variation in material properties. A percent variation of the profiled thickness of the thermoplastic member can vary from about 5% to about 95%. A process for manufacturing the composite material of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A garment or undergarment, such as an absorbent article, having a first region, a second region opposed to the first region and a garment material extending through at least a portion of the first region. The garment material has a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface has been mechanically modified to form a plurality of surface protrusions integrally from the garment material. The garment further includes a landing zone having a plurality of fibrous loops located at least partially in the second waist region and adapted to engage with the surface protrusions of the first region to provide a closure mechanism for holding the first region and the second region in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Abstract: A garment or undergarment, such as an absorbent article, having a first region, a second region opposed to the first region and a garment material extending through at least a portion of the first region. The garment material has a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface has been mechanically modified to form a plurality of surface protrusions integrally from the garment material. The garment further includes a landing zone having a plurality of fibrous loops located at least partially in the second waist region and adapted to engage with the surface protrusions of the first region to provide a closure mechanism for holding the first region and the second region in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Abstract: A disposable garment having a consumer-activated component that is expandable to improve the fit and function of the garment. The expandable component includes a compressed, resilient, expansible member disposed within a sealed, air-impermeable envelope. The expandable component can be activated so that the component expands in a direction toward the body of the wearer of the garment by the application of a tensile force on the garment to expose an opening in the envelope, to thereby admit air into the envelope and allow the compressed expansible element to expand to its substantially uncompressed condition.

Abstract: An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least on second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed.

Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an integral landing zone. The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with the topsheet and an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet includes a laminate of an inner web and an outer web, wherein at least a portion of the inner web is juxtaposed the garment surface of the absorbent core. The outer web includes an integral landing zone having portions mechanically prestrained to provide raised elements capable of entangling the engaging components of a complementary male fastening component. The inner web and the outer web are continuously laminated with each other except where the raised elements provide the integral landing zone.

Abstract: A method of making of making a disposable absorbent article including a backsheet having an integral landing zone. The method generally includes the following steps. A first web of material, preferably a nonwoven web is provided. At least a portion of the first web of material is mechanically prestrained to provide the first web with elongated, raised portions. A second web of material is provided in contact with the first web and the webs are joined except in a predetermined integral landing zone. The unjoined portion of the first web includes the portion of the first web having the elongated, raised portions which act to accept and entangle the engaging elements of a complementary male component. The backsheet having the integral landing zone is joined with a web including an absorbent core and a topsheet which is subsequently cut to form individual absorbent articles.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an integral landing zone. The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with the topsheet and an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet includes a laminate of an inner web and an outer web, wherein at least a portion of the inner web is juxtaposed the garment surface of the absorbent core. The outer web includes an integral landing zone having portions mechanically prestrained to provide raised elements capable of entangling the engaging components of a complementary male fastening component. The inner web and the outer web are continuously laminated with each other except where the raised elements provide the integral landing zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refastenable fastening device including female fastening component preferably comprising a base web and an engaging layer. The base web comprises a structural elastic-like film (SELF) web and is joined to the engaging layer which comprises a plurality of filaments or a nonwoven web. The SELF web exhibits an elastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of added elastic materials. The SELF web includes a strainable network having at least two distinct regions comprised of the same material composition. The first region is oriented substantially parallel to an axis of elongation such that it will undergo a molecular-level deformation in response to an applied axial elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the elongation axis before a substantial portion of the second region undergoes any substantial molecular-level deformation.

Abstract: A loop fastening material having an elastomeric backing joined with a nonwoven web. The backing preferably comprises an elongated orientation, a relaxed orientation and a path of response along which the backing contracts from its elongated orientation to its relaxed orientation. The nonwoven web preferably comprises filaments that are secured to each other at fixed regions by inter-fiber bonds forming a nonwoven web bonding pattern comprising nonwoven web bonding pattern elements. Between the fixed regions, the nonwoven web preferably comprises unsecured regions. The nonwoven web is preferably joined with the backing while the backing is in its elongated orientation. Construction bonds forming a construction bond pattern join the nonwoven web with the backing. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the construction bond pattern intersects with at least two points of each nonwoven web bonding pattern element.

Abstract: Absorbent articles to be fitted to wearers, such as disposable diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper holders and the like with improved fastening system and waistband features that provide sustained dynamic fit about the waist of a wearer as well as improved containment characteristics.

Abstract: An expert system is provided which can be accessed by other application programs operating within any of the available operating environments in a general purpose computer system. In this architecture, an expert system consultation subsystem provides the means for performing expert consultations. Included within the expert system subsystem is a task manager which initiates and manages a plurality of concurrent consultations. Interface programming provides the capability for the expert system consultation subsystem to communicate and pass data and commands between it and other application programs operating within the computer system. Further, means are provided to allow the expert system subsystem to access data stored on database management systems.