Abstract: An absorbent article including an absorbent chassis and a pair of back ears. The absorbent chassis includes a liquid impermeable outercover and an absorbent body disposed on said outercover. A least a portion of each back ear is substantially flush with the chassis back waist edge.

Abstract: A package containing an article. The article includes a first article texture and a second article texture. The package includes a plastic packaging material having an outer surface. Further the first article texture and the second article texture are non-similar and at least a portion of the outer surface has a packaging texture that is a simulant of the first article texture and at least a portion of the outer surface has a packaging texture that is a simulant of the second article texture.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover in generally opposed relationship with the liner. An absorbent body disposed therebetween includes a non-woven absorbent structure having a length, a width and a thickness. The absorbent structure is constructed of absorbent fibers and binder fibers activatable to form inter-fiber bonds within the absorbent structure, with the binder fibers being multi-component fibers in which at least one binder fiber component has a melt temperature that is lower than a melt temperature of at least one other binder fiber component. The width of the absorbent structure is non-uniform along its length prior to activation of the binder fibers. In another embodiment, the absorbent structure is of unitary construction and the concentration of binder fibers therein is non-uniform along at least one of the length, the width and the thickness of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween. The absorbent body includes a non-woven absorbent structure of unitary construction. The absorbent structure is constructed of absorbent fibers and binder fibers activated to form inter-fiber bonds within the absorbent structure, and has a length, a width, a thickness and a permeability throughout the absorbent structure of greater than about 20 square microns. In another embodiment, the absorbent structure has an outer surface and a core, the absorbent structure having less than about five times more oxidation at its outer surface than at its core. In another embodiment, the binder fibers have an energy receptive additive in the range of about 2 to about 40 weight percent and a dielectric loss factor of at least about 0.5.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween. The absorbent body includes a non-woven absorbent structure having a length, a thickness, a width and opposite side edges generally defining the width of the structure. The thickness of the absorbent structure is non-uniform along at least one of the length and the width of the absorbent structure and the opposite side edges of the absorbent structure are substantially uncut along the length of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is of unitary construction of absorbent fibers and binder fibers activated to form inter-fiber bonds within the absorbent structure. In another embodiment, the width of the absorbent structure is non-uniform along the length of the absorbent structure and the opposite side edges of the absorbent structure are substantially uncut along the length of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) of the type for laminating two elastomeric fibrous web materials (14,16) together by ultrasonic bonding includes a continuously moving web transport support (12) for transporting at least two overlaid webs (14,16) through the apparatus (10). An ultrasonic horn (18) transmits ultrasonic energy to bond the webs (14,16) together into a laminate. An anvil underlies the ultrasonic horn (18). A vacuum mechanism (24) draws the webs (14,16) against the web transport support (12) for perfecting bonding and to prevent rippling and tearing of the webs (14,16) against the horn (18) and the web transport support (12) during the ultrasonic bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stretching a continuously moving elastomeric web in a cross machine direction includes a pair of rotatable, cylindrical rims which are located adjacent the elastomeric web. A supporting mechanism is connected to the cylindrical rims to guide the rims for rotation about their axes. The axes of the cylindrical rims are oriented to position the rims at a close spacing at a first location and a far spacing at a second location. The far spacing is substantially greater than the close spacing relative to the elastic web path. A gripping means is located on the cylindrical rims such that, as the rims are rotated by a driving means, the gripping means receives the elastomeric web and holds the elastomeric web as it is stretched in the cross machine direction. The driving means is connected to the cylindrical rims. In addition, each cylindrical rim may have a center opening therethrough defined by its inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A conformable absorbent article has a topsheet that is designed to substantially fully contact the body of the wearer to provide improved performance in managing and containing body wastes. Management and containment of body wastes are improved by several structural elements that can be utilized individually or collectively. Some of these elements are a waste-containment pocket formed between the topsheet and backsheet, an opening in the topsheet for receiving body wastes therethrough, a pair of containment flaps and a pair of side flaps, and an expandable backsheet to retain body wastes therein.

Abstract: A fluid-operated stabilizing apparatus receives an article having loose, wrinkled overlapping surfaces and by use of fluid flow control devices directs flows of fluid to the overlapping surfaces to fluidly shake the surfaces to smooth out wrinkles and any folded portions thereof, and then to align and hold the surfaces for subsequent treatment, such as bonding together. A method is also provided for smoothing and aligning the overlapping surfaces for subsequent treatment.

Abstract: Continuous strips of a first material, e.g., elastic strips, are continuously supplied to flexible strip supports in a supply zone while the strip supports are in a linear configuration. The strip supports are carried on respective transfer members which are mounted on a rotatable support so that individual transfer members follow a closed (orbital) path upon rotation of the support. The continuous strips are cut into discrete strips adhered to respective flexible strip supports whose configuration, and that of the discrete strips adhered thereto, is then changed to a desired curvilinear configuration. The transfer members are then brought into transfer contact in a transfer zone with a moving web of second material, which may comprise the backing sheet of a disposable diaper construction, and the curvilinear strips are transferred to the web.

Abstract: Continuous strips of a first material, e.g., elastic strips, are continuously supplied to flexible strip supports in a supply zone while the strip supports are in a linear configuration. The strip supports are carried on respective transfer members which are mounted on a rotatable support so that individual transfer members follow a closed (orbital) path upon rotation of the support. The continuous strips are cut into discrete strips adhered to respective flexible strip supports whose configuration, and that of the discrete strips adhered thereto, is then changed to a desired curvilinear configuration. The transfer members are then brought into transfer contact in a transfer zone with a moving web of second material, which may comprise the backing sheet of a disposable diaper construction, and the curvilinear strips are transferred to the web.