Abstract: An elastic material that lowers extension tension over a given range without a significant impact on the retractive tension or stress relaxation. The elastic laminate includes a first set of elastic members attached to one or more substrates while the elastic members are stretched, and a second set of elastic members or an elastic film attached to the one or more substrates while the elastic members or film are stretched to a different extent than the first set of elastic members. Both the substrate(s) and one of the sets of elastic members or film are gathered when the other set of elastic members or film is relaxed. Also included is a method of making the differentially-stretched elastic laminate.

Abstract: A non-woven substrate having a vibrant graphic applied thereto is made by feeding to a printing apparatus a non-woven substrate having a fibrous non-woven web formed at least in part of polyolefin fibers. An ink composition having a viscosity in the range of about 28 seconds to about 35 seconds as determined using a Zahn #2 cup and including at least one solvent having an evaporation rate relative to n-butyl acetate of less than 0.8 is supplied to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus is operated to apply the ink composition to the fibrous non-woven web while the fibrous non-woven web is in a generally dry condition to form a graphic thereon having a thickness of less than or equal to about 5 microns. The ink composition is then allowed to dry on the fibrous non-woven web.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the articles exhibit stretch not only in the lateral direction but also in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the articles have a biaxial stretch ratio, which refers to a ratio of stretch along the hip circumference of the article to the amount of stretch in the longitudinal direction, that is from about 1.0 to about 2.5, and particularly from about 1.1 to about 1.5. Absorbent articles made in accordance with the present invention are capable of accommodating a relatively large size range of wearers. The articles also exhibit improved fit and prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles have a percentage of stretch in the lateral direction at the widest portion in the front region of the article and/or in the back region in the range of from about 25% to about 150%. Additionally, at least about 70% of the above stretch resides in a first edge zone and in a second edge zone of the chassis. The first edge zone and the second edge zone are separated by a middle zone. The middle zone, which has the same length as each edge zone, is stretchable, but to a lesser extent than the edge zones. Through this construction, the absorbent article exhibits improved fit and appearance. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.

Abstract: A non-woven substrate having a vibrant graphic thereon, wherein a fibrous non-woven web is constructed at least in part of polyolefin fibers. A graphic is applied to the fibrous non-woven web and has a thickness of less than or equal to about 5 microns. At least a portion of the graphic has a dominant primary color of magenta having a color density of at least about 0.6 as determined by a Color Density Test. In another embodiments, at least a portion of the graphic has a dominant primary color of black having a color density of at least 0.7; at least a portion of the graphic has a dominant primary color of cyan having a color density of at least 0.7; and/or at least a portion of the graphic has a dominant primary color of yellow having a color density of at least about 0.5.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles have a percentage of stretch in the longitudinal direction from the midpoint of the crotch region to a front waistband and/or to a back waistband in the range of from about 5% to about 30%. Additionally, about 80% of the above stretch resides in a front waist zone and/or in a back waist zone. Through this construction, the absorbent article exhibits improved fit and appearance. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.

Abstract: An elastic laminate capable of being rolled for storage and unwound from a roll when needed for use, includes an elastic layer selected from the group consisting of an array of continuous filament strands, an array of continuous filament strands with meltblown deposited on the continuous filament strands, and a film; a gatherable facing layer bonded to only one side of the elastic layer; and either an adhesive that demonstrates a relatively short open time deposited between the elastic layer and facing layer, or such adhesive and a postbonding adhesive or nonblocking agent, or a nonblocking agent layer deposited on the elastic layer on a side opposite to the facing layer.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a stretchable substrate and an absorbent composite comprising a layer of adhesive composition in contact with the stretchable substrate. A layer of particulate superabsorbent material is applied to and held by the adhesive composition. The absorbent composite is secured to the substrate by the adhesive composition. The stretchable substrate has a recovery in at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal directions of the article as determined by an Elongation and Recovery Test, and the absorbent article has a recovery in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction as determined by the Elongation and Recovery Test that is at least about 60 percent of the recovery of the substrate in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: In a substrate having a graphic and a method for applying the graphic thereto, a non-phosphorescent material is applied to the substrate to define a non-phosphorescent region of the graphic and a phosphorescent material is applied to the substrate to define a phosphorescent region of the graphic. At least a portion of the non-phosphorescent region and at least a portion of the phosphorescent region are in overlapping relationship with each other so as to define an overlapping region of the graphic. When the overlapping region is exposed to light sufficient to cause phosphorescence of the phosphorescent region the at least a portion of the phosphorescent region phosphoresces to render the overlapping region visible in the absence of light. In another embodiment, the graphic has a non-photoluminescent region in overlapping relationship with a photoluminescent region.