Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, includes a chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending between the front and back waist regions. An outer cover member and a bodyside liner extend longitudinally between the front and back waist regions. An absorbent body structure is sandwiched between the outer cover member and the bodyside liner. A waistband portion includes at least one elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has a relaxed circumference wherein between about 45% to about 70% of the circumference is defined by the elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has an extended circumference for a target wearer wherein, at the extended circumference, the elastomeric portion is extended between about 10% to about 40% of its relaxed circumferential length.

Abstract: A pant-like, prefastened, disposable absorbent article having side seams which include a front ear passively bonded to a back ear, wherein the front ear is releasable from the back ear desirably without tearing or damaging the back ear. The tearable front ear has a basis weight less than a basis weight of the back ear.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, includes a chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending between the front and back waist regions. An outer cover member and a bodyside liner extend longitudinally between the front and back waist regions. An absorbent body structure is sandwiched between the outer cover member and the bodyside liner. A waistband portion includes at least one elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has a relaxed circumference wherein between about 45% to about 70% of the circumference is defined by the elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has an extended circumference for a target wearer wherein, at the extended circumference, the elastomeric portion is extended between about 10% to about 40% of its relaxed circumferential length.

Abstract: A laminate is provided that is highly conformable to the contours of a wearer's body when used in a personal care absorbent article or a medical article. The laminate is extendible in its cross direction to a width at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width upon application of a stretching force and exhibits little or no retractive force in the cross direction once they have been stretched. Elastic elements are placed to provide stretch and recovery in the machine direction of the laminate without affecting the inelasticity of the cross direction. When the garment is worn, the laminate is extendible only in one axis where needed to provide a substantially perfect fit on the wearer while the retractive force provided in a second axis of the laminate helps ensure snug fit.

Abstract: A pant-like, prefastened, disposable absorbent article having side seams which include a front ear passively bonded to a back ear, wherein the front ear is releasable from the back ear desirably without tearing or damaging the back ear. The tearable front ear has a basis weight less than a basis weight of the back ear.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a moisture barrier formed of a formable, liquid impermeable material. The moisture barrier defines a basin having a width dimension, a length dimension greater than the width dimension, and a volume. The basin includes a floor having corrugations formed therein parallel to the width dimension. The absorbent article also includes an absorbent assembly disposed within the basin and a liner formed of a liquid permeable material bonded to the moisture barrier and sandwiching the absorbent assembly therebetween. The corrugations permit the absorbent article to bend inwardly, for example to conform to the shape of the wearer, without bunching the moisture barrier along the portions facing the wearer and without substantially stretching or deforming the floor of the moisture barrier.

Abstract: A fastening component for releasable engagement with a complementary fastener includes a substrate and a first fastener formed of a flexible fabric. An adhesive substance is disposed between and bonded to the first fastener and the substrate. The adhesive substance has a first zone with a first basis weight greater than zero, and a second zone with a second basis weight at least about 1.5 times greater than the first basis weight.

Abstract: A fastening component for releasable engagement with a complementary fastener includes a substrate and a first fastener formed of a flexible fabric. An adhesive substance is disposed between and bonded to the first fastener and the substrate. The adhesive substance has a first zone with a first basis weight greater than zero, and a second zone with a second basis weight at least about 1.5 times greater than the first basis weight.

Abstract: A liquid-permeable, nonwoven web is disclosed which is useful as a bodyside liner for an absorption article, particularly baby diapers, incontinent garments and feminine care products. The nonwoven web contains at least 3 layers of thermoplastic filaments which are bonded together. The filaments have a denier of between about 3 to 15. The web has a basis weight of between about 0.5 to 1.0 ounces per square yard and a length of fiber per unit volume of between about 100 to 400 meters per cubic centimeter. A web constructed according to the above description provides good masking properties for body exudate, especially menstrual fluid, which comes in contact with it. The web also permits a rapid passage of human exudate therethrough into an adjacent absorbent where it can be retained.

Abstract: A spunbonded liner material having a heavy loading of pigment, formed of a heavier denier than normal spunbonded fiber in a lightweight fabric. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fibers are formed of polypropylene and the pigment is formed of titanium dioxide present in an amount between about 1 and about 6 percent by weight of the fabric. The fabric material further has an open area of between about 25 and about 50 percent with an average pore size of between about 15,000 and 35,000 square microns and a fiber denier of greater than 3. Masking is greater than two times conventional nonwovens.