Abstract: An absorbent incontinence article (2) has a main part (4) composed of a front area (6) and of a rear area (8) and, lying between these in the longitudinal direction (10), a crotch area (12) that comes to lie between the legs of a user, the main part (4) comprising an absorption body (14), and with mutually separate side portions (16) which are joined to the rear area (8) and/or to the front area (6) on both sides and which extend in the transverse direction (22) across lateral longitudinal edges (20) of the main part (4) and connect the front area (6) and the rear area (8) to each other when the article is applied.

Abstract: A disposable pants-type wearing article adapted to prevent body waste from leaking out beyond the peripheries of the leg-openings when disposing of the used article. A disposable pants-type wearing article includes a front panel, a rear panel and a central panel. When the front panel and the rear panel are respectively folded with respective inner surfaces lying inside, opposite side edges of the central panel get close to each other in a midsection of a crotch region to a distance in a range of 0 to 50 mm.

Abstract: A wearing article including cover sheets used to cover front and rear ends of a liquid-absorbent structure and improved to alleviate undesirable irritation due to such cover sheets potentially experienced by the wearer. A diaper includes front and rear waist members and a liquid-absorbent structure by which the front and rear waist members are connected. The liquid-absorbent structure has front and rear ends overlapping the front and rear waist members, and front and rear cover sheets are laminated on these front and rear ends to cover them. The front and rear cover sheets are formed with bonded regions adapted to be bonded to the liquid-absorbent structure or the front and rear waist members, outside non-bonded regions lying outboard of the bonded regions and inside non-bonded regions lying inboard of the bonded regions. The inside non-bonded regions are respectively folded back along fold lines toward the wearer's body to form turnbacks.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body has multiple linear or curved fold regions with a flexural rigidity lower than average flexural rigidity and with a flexural rigidity lower than that in adjacent regions. Accordingly, there is provided an absorbent article that can change its morphology along the configuration of wear object. Absorbent article has multiple linear or curved first fold regions with a flexural rigidity lower than the average flexural rigidity of the absorbent article and with a flexural rigidity lower than that in adjacent regions, which multiple first fold regions are provided in approximately symmetric relationship with respect to the center line in the direction of width.

Abstract: In order to produce an easily removable individually packaged absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, while maintaining the surface sheet thereof in a hygienic state and avoiding the occurrence of individually-packaging failures such as bending or wrinkling of a packaging sheet on the production line, in the process of producing individually packaged absorbent articles, absorbent articles are provided at definite intervals on a band shaped sheet and a notch out satisfying the following conditions is formed at the intermediate site between each pair of the absorbent articles. [1] The notch out is formed by an outward curved cut line, which starts from the cutting-starting point in the side periphery toward the diagonally tilting direction forward in the line and shows a convex outward of the band shaped sheet, and an inward curved line which is connected to the endpoint of the outward curved cut line via a ininflexion point P and shows a convex inward of the band shaped sheet.

Abstract: An absorbent article according to the present invention includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorber. The absorber has a body unit having a foreside constricted portion and a backside constricted portion, and a pair of extension units extending outside in the widthwise direction of the absorber from the body unit. An outer region is folded toward an inner region at the side of the topsheet, and the maximum length of the inner region along the longitudinal direction of the absorber is shorter than the maximum length of the outer region.

Abstract: A fecal sample collecting device and method. The device of an embodiment includes a removable first layer, having primary and secondary apertures and a second layer having a releaseable adhesive on an inner surface that secures the first and second layers, a flap aligned with the primary aperture, and an integrally formed removable tab. The device also includes a sheet between the two layers. In a first configuration, the sheet is aligned with the primary aperture such that a sample is deposited thereon when the device is used to wipe one's anus, and the removable tab is aligned with the secondary aperture such that a second sample is deposited thereon. Subsequently, the first layer is discarded, thereby exposing the adhesive on the inner surface of the second layer. The device is placed in a second configuration by folding the inner surface upon itself. Thus, primary and secondary samples are enclosed.

Abstract: A wearing article having a chassis bent in a crotch region. A diaper is folded along an imaginary lateral center line so that front and rear waist regions are in contact with each other and so that front and rear upper end edges in the regions substantially have the same level with each other. In such a folded state, first folds extending in the longitudinal direction are defined in portions of gasket cuffs which are biased toward the front waist region relative to the imaginary lateral center line. The first folds are defined along lateral edges of core of a liquid absorbent structure, and the gasket cuffs being located outboard of the lateral edges are folded along the first folds onto a garment-facing side of an outer sheet. Second folds which extend in the longitudinal direction are formed in containment cuffs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article for being worn on the lower torso of a wearer. The article having leg hoops for encircling a part of the upper thigh regions, a waist hoop for encircling the waist of a wearer during use, a centre piece, two hip/thigh panels, and a further web material for being positioned on the inner thigh region of the wearer. The centre piece having a web material including a front region for being positioned in the front abdominal region of the wearer, a rear region for being positioned in the lower back region of the wearer, and a centre region for being positioned in the crotch region of the wearer. The two hip/thigh panels have web materials for being positioned on the hips of the wearer and extending downwardly into at least the upper thigh region of the wearer, being rectangularly or trapzoidally shaped.

Abstract: A method of making a resilient tampon includes the steps of providing binder fibers having an average fiber length of at least 35 mm; combining the binder fibers to form a loose fleece; activating the binder fibers; and compressing a portion of the loose fleece into a pledget after activating the binder fibers. A resilient tampon includes 70 wt % to 95 wt % absorbent fibers and 5 wt % to 30 wt % bicomponent binder fibers. The binder fibers have an average fiber length greater than 35 mm.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. The absorbent structure has end portions and a middle portion located between the end portions. The absorbent structure has at least one line of weakness disposed in one of the end portions and configured to facilitate folding of the absorbent structure in a longitudinal direction in response to a lateral compressive force. The absorbent structure has a relief for inhibiting the longitudinal folding of the absorbent structure facilitated by the at least one line of weakness from extending beyond the middle portion of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: A pant-type wearing article configured so as to prevent a lateral zone of a front waist region and an associated lateral zone of a rear waist region which should remain fastened together from being needlessly disengaged from each other. In the pant-type wearing article an outer surface of a base sheet strip constituting a front fastener component is bonded to a fixed region defined on an inner surface of a front lateral zone. The front lateral zone includes a free region to which the base sheet strip is not bonded. The free region normally takes a posture folded back in a waistline direction so that an outer surface of the front lateral zone lies inside.

Abstract: An absorbent article generally has a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting said front and back waist regions. The article comprises an outer cover stretchable in at least the lateral direction and a liner in opposed relationship with the outer cover and stretchable in at least the lateral direction. An absorbent structure is disposed between the liner and the outer cover and extends from the crotch region to at least one of the front waist region and the back waist region of the article. The article has an attachment zone and at least one non-attachment zone laterally adjacent the attachment zone. The absorbent structure is configured for improved lateral stretch distribution of the article.

Abstract: A pant-type absorbent article having a first body panel and a second body panel, the first and second body panels being interconnected by side panels. The respective side panel is formed by a bridge member having a first longitudinal edge portion attached to the first body panel and a second longitudinal edge portion attached to the second body panel, the bridge before use of the article being folded in an accordion-like fashion and can be extended and unfolded when the article is to be used so as to form the side panels of the article. In one embodiment at least one of the bridge members is refastenably attached to one body panel, wherein a first fastening member is arranged on the bridge member at or close to one longitudinal edge portion thereof and a complementary second fastening member is arranged on the respective body panel.

Abstract: An absorbent article that has a thin, conformable absorbent core where the core has at least two layers, both of which are substantially free of cellulosic fibers. The absorbent article has a Circular Bend Flexibility of less than about 15 N and an acquisition rate on the third gush of less than about 170 seconds and/or on the fourth gush of less than about 190 seconds.

Abstract: A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). At least a portion of the first end-section has been folded along or otherwise includes a first end-fold-region (64) which is substantially convex along a backsheet-side of the article. At least a portion of the second end-section has been folded along or otherwise includes a second end-fold-region (66) which is substantially convex along the backsheet-side of the article. In other aspects, the article can include a first, lengthwise-fold-region (58) in the first end-section, a second, lengthwise-fold-region (62) in the second end-section, and a third, lengthwise-fold-region (68) in the intermediate section.

Abstract: Provided is a disposable diaper, in which fastening tapes are brought into direct engagement with the surface of an outer-face back sheet made of a nonwoven fabric. The disposable diaper is enabled to adjust its size slightly according to the body shape of a baby, by improving the force of the fastening tapes to engage with the outer-face back sheet and the force to join the outer-face back sheet and a leakage-preventing sheet. The disposable diaper has its outer-face back sheet made of a nonwoven fabric prepared by an air-through method, in which fibers are thermally melted to each other at the time of manufacturing the nonwoven fabric by feeding hot air in a drum transfer process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent open-type incontinence article with attached ears, wherein the rear ears have closure elements in the peripheral region, and to the folding of the ears at high production speeds without the functionality of the closure elements being impaired and with the simultaneously use-friendly arrangement of the closure elements in the folded absorbent incontinence article. The invention also relates to a method of producing this absorbent incontinence article.

Abstract: An absorbent incontinence diaper (2) has a rear area (8), a front area (6) and an intermediate crotch area (12), first and second side edges (5), and with a main part (4) having an inner face directed towards the body and an outer face directed away from the body. Side parts (16,17) are joined to the first and second side edges (5), the side parts (16,17) having an inner face and an outer face, the side parts (17) in the rear area having closure means (32) with mechanical closure aids (31). The retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the main part are lower than the retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the side parts (16) in the front area (6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlabial pad that is worn by female wearers, placed in intimate contact and supported between the labia, which provides an interlabial pad that causes no discomfort to the female wearer in the body motions of the wearer. The interlabial pad of the present invention is characterized by having bending elements which allows the interlabial pad to follow the changes in form flexibly even when a force is exerted on the interlabial pad by the wearer's body motion.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin or an incontinence diaper, has an absorbent body having at least one fold line formed therein defining at least two segments of the absorbent body. The segments formed by the at least one fold line are generally foldable relative to each other along the at least one fold line to facilitate conformance of the absorbent article to the wearer's body. In a method of forming the absorbent body, a first cut-out from a first web material is passed through a nip along with a second web material whereby the cut-out from the first web material overlays the second web material. A fold line is then formed in the second web material at the peripheral edge of the cut-out of the first web material as the cut-out and second web material pass through the nip.

Abstract: An absorbent article, especially an incontinence pad, having a length and a width extension, the length being greater than the width, and including absorbent core material, wherein the absorbent core material forms a central portion (6) and a pair of longitudinally extending side portions (7), the flexural rigidity of the article (1) at the side portions (7) is between 3 and 20% of the flexural rigidity of the article (1) of the central portion (6) at a location opposite the side portions (7), preferably between 4 and 15%, most preferred between 4 and 10%.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and adapted to be worn in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings. The absorbent article comprises a main body portion, the main body portion comprising a liquid pervious body-facing surface, a liquid impervious garment facing surface, and an absorbent core positioned between the body-facing surface and the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article comprises at least one indicator marker visible from the body-facing surface, the indicator markers disposed to indicate proper alignment of the absorbent article with respect to undergarment-specific features such as the curved leg openings.

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). At least a portion of the first end-section (72) has been folded along or otherwise includes a first end-fold-region (58) which is substantially convex along a topsheet-side of the article (20). Additionally, the first end-fold-region (58) is substantially concave along a backsheet-side of the article. At least a portion of the second end-section (72a) has been folded along or otherwise includes a second end-fold-region (62) which is substantially convex along the topsheet-side of the article (20).

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a first ear and a first fastening member. The absorbent article can also include a plurality of folds. The plurality of folds can arrange the fastening member in an overlaid relationship with said inner surface on said absorbent chassis.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. The absorbent structure has end portions and a middle portion located between the end portions. The absorbent structure has at least one line of weakness disposed in one of the end portions and configured to facilitate folding of the absorbent structure in a longitudinal direction in response to a lateral compressive force. The absorbent structure has a relief for inhibiting the longitudinal folding of the absorbent structure facilitated by the at least one line of weakness from extending beyond the middle portion of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: Absorbent structures are disclosed which may be incorporated into liquid absorbent products, such as diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and the like. The absorbent structures are made from a fibrous material and include a pair of opposing lateral flaps. The lateral flaps are folded onto the fibrous web. By folding the lateral flaps onto the fibrous web, greater basis weight areas may be formed on the absorbent structure. By varying the width of the lateral flaps, the basis weight differential may be increased and decreased. The lateral flaps also form the widest portion of the web material for facilitating folding during a continuous process.

Abstract: Folded fibrous structures, more particularly, folded sanitary tissue products, especially in rolled form, are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent incontinence article (9) having a main part (20), made up of a front region (22), of a rear region (24) and of a crotch region (26) which is located therebetween, as seen in the longitudinal direction (48), and ends up between a user's legs, wherein the main part (20) comprises an absorbent body (28), and having rear material portions (34a, 34b), which are attached to the rear region (24), and having front material portions (35a, 35b), which are attached to the front region (22), wherein the rear and front material portions (34a, 34b, 35a, 35b) extend in the transverse direction (38) beyond lateral longitudinal peripheries (40a, 40b) of the main part (20), wherein rear and front material portions (34a, 34b, 35a, 35b) connect the front region (22) and the rear region (24) to one another in the use state of the article (9), wherein the rear and front material portions (34a, 34b, 35a, 35b) have an inside (33), which in the use state faces the body, and an outside (31), which

Abstract: In a disposable diaper, the crotch region is divided by a front folding guide and a rear folding guide into a front section, a rear section and an intermediate section. The crotch region is provided on the side of its inner surface with a pair of contracting members extending in a longitudinal direction and spaced from each other. Front portions of the respective contracting members are fixed to the inner surface of the diaper in positions anterior to a line bisecting a longitudinal dimension of the intermediate section, while rear portions of the respective contracting members are fixed to the inner surface of the diaper in positions posterior to the intermediate section, so that intermediate portions of the respective contracting members may be spaced from the inner surface of the diaper and elastically contractible in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Folded disposable pants which include an outer wear sheet of pants shape and an absorbent main body adhered to a skin-contacting surface side in the outer wear sheet, wherein elastic members are added at least to circumferences of a waist opening and a leg opening. The folded disposable pants are formed by folding back a crotch part of the disposable pants over a center pants part on the upside of the crotch part, folding back a left lateral part and a right lateral part of the pants over the center pants part, and then folding back an upper pants part in which the left and the right lateral parts of the pants are overlapped with each other, over a downside part thereof.

Abstract: A method of package folding a disposable sanitary article and article thereof having a front part, a rear part, a crotch part therebetween, and a belt including two parts. Each of the two belt parts can be extended in a cross-direction outwardly from the respective outer end portion of each side portion of the rear part. The belt is arranged on the rear part with the belt parts overlapping each other. Fastening elements for releasably fastening the front part to the belt are arranged on each side portion of the front part. The article is folded so that the folded article attains a rectangular shape and a desired size. As a first step in the package folding, the front and rear parts are folded towards each other so that the fastening elements on the front part are attached to one of the overlapping belt parts arranged on the rear part.

Abstract: A wearing article configured so as to prevent bodily fluids from staying in the proximal side edges of the cuffs and thereby to restrict development of skin troubles such as diaper rashes due to such staying bodily fluids. The wearing article includes a chassis having an inner sheet lying on a side facing a wearer's body and an outer sheet lying on a side facing away from the wearer's body and a liquid-absorbent structure is sandwiched between these inner and outer sheet. The liquid-absorbent structure is formed with highly absorbent regions having a higher bodily fluid absorption capacity than that of a remaining region. The highly absorbent regions include front regions lying on the side of a front end and rear regions lying on the side of a rear end. The highly absorbent regions are formed by increasing a thickness of a liquid-absorbent core. Leakage-barrier cuffs are formed on the side of the inner sheet facing the wearer's body.

Abstract: An absorbent article having front, crotch and rear portions and an absorbent core of unitary construction. The core has a first region with two legs extending in the longitudinal direction of the article through at least parts of the crotch portion towards endings in the rear portion. A maximum distance between facing sides of the legs in the transverse direction is, in the crotch portion, located at a position in the longitudinal direction corresponding to a crotch point. Furthermore, the facing sides of the legs converge backwards such that a distance between them is reduced from the maximum distance to a minimum distance in the rear portion. In addition, the core has a second region surrounding the first region and the average density of the core is lower in the second region than in the first region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a hygienic band having a three-dimensional structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The hygienic band is inserted naturally along a corresponding curved surface of a user's body to be in close contact with the body, thus improving her dressing style without affecting her health, and preventing menstrual blood from leaking along the curved surface of the body. The hygienic band has a pad having an absorbent layer and a cover. A rear folded part is provided at a central region on a rear portion of the pad, and has first and second folded surfaces, each having the shape of a triangle which is inclined such that a rear portion thereof is higher. When she wears the hygienic band, the rear folded part protrudes inwards in the shape of a triangular pyramid and is inserted to be in close contact with a curved surface of her body.

Abstract: A nursing pad has a first folding portion, which serves as a folding axis that allows the nursing pad to be folded therealong, provided such that it passes near an apex of the nursing pad, and extends up to the perimeter thereof. Furthermore, the nursing pad includes a fastening element, which allows the nursing pad to be fastened to the wearer's clothing, provided to a portion other than the first folding portion and the linear portion orthogonal to the first folding portion.

Abstract: A simple disposable pant-like garment includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis, which can be extensible, includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly can be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that can contain superabsorbent particles contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.

Abstract: A sanitary device having an absorbent pad with a pocket on one end and on the other end an opening with a pair of petals extending outward therefrom. By holding and marginally squeezing the pocket, the pocket will open and the petals will separate. A penis can be inserted into the pocket using the petals a converging guide. Penile excretions can the be absorbed in the absorbent pad before discarding it. Further embodiments include absorbent pads fabricated from feminine pads and alternative closure elements.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin (101) has a liquid-permeable top sheet (102), a liquid-impermeable back sheet (103), and an absorber (104) mounted between the top sheet (102) and the back sheet (103) and capable of absorbing bodily fluid. The sanitary napkin (101) also has insertion holes (107) provided on opposite sides in the lateral direction (W) of the sanitary napkin (101) so as to extend in the longitudinal direction (L) of the sanitary napkin (101), and long members (106) are inserted through the insides of the insertion holes (107). Each of the insertion holes (107) has an opening (108) located on the front end side (Fr) and also has a fixing portion (112) located on the rear end side (Ba). The long members (106) each have a long portion (111) inserted through the inside of the insertion holes (107) and also have a draw-out portion (109) led out from the openings (108) to the outside of the insertion holes (107). The rear ends of the long portion (111) are fixed to the fixing portion (112).

Abstract: A method (1) includes: a step (S10) of conveying the wearing article (1) in such a manner that a front waistline portion (10) and a back waistline portion (20) extend in a conveyance direction (MD) of the wearing article (1); a step (S20) of changing the conveyance direction (MD) of the wearing article (1) by 90 degrees; a step (S30) of folding a flap portion (70) toward the front waistline portion (10), while conveying the wearing article (1); a step (S40) of folding the wearing article (1) along a middle portion, which is located in the middle between the front waistline portion (10) and a crotch portion (30) in the front-to-back direction of the wearing article (1), in such a manner that the front waistline portion (10) and the crotch portion (30) face each other.

Abstract: A breast milk absorbent pad includes elastically stretchable/contractible members arranged along transversely opposite side edges of the pad. Corners where one of the transversely opposite side edges and one of the longitudinally opposite end edges of a pad-chassis join are folded to a non-skin-contactable side. The breast milk absorbent pad is packed in a package with the corners folded.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes a liquid-permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and a liquid-absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The liquid-absorbent layer has a vagina-facing region on a longitudinal centerline of the sanitary napkin and side regions on both sides of the vagina-facing region. The liquid-absorbent layer has a greater thickness and a greater bending stiffness in the vagina-facing region than in the side regions to provide hinge lines along boundaries between the vagina-facing region and the side regions.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a stretchable substrate layer and an absorbent core formed directly on the substrate layer, and adhesively attached to the substrate layer. The absorbent core includes about 40-99% by weight superabsorbent particles and about 1-60% by weight adhesive fibers. The absorbent core does not prevent the substrate layer or absorbent article from stretching. The absorbent article can be a personal care absorbent article or a medical absorbent article, and is suitably stretchable or elastic in at least one direction.

Abstract: Oversized adult diapers are made on converting machinery designed for handling only components no greater than a maximum component width, while utilizing as an outer layer component of the diapers an elongate sheet-like web having a width exceeding the maximum component width of the machinery. The web is pre-formed with at least one folded pleat along a laterally outward margin of the web, such that the pleat reduces the width of the web to less than the maximum component width. The pleat is temporarily tacked to retain the pleat against unfolding while the web is handled by the machinery, but is yieldable to unfold when a diaper made with the web is donned for wearing. The pre-formed pleated web is delivered to the machinery, which is then operated in normal manner to incorporate the web into a plurality of diapers.

Abstract: A simple disposable pant-like garment includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis, which can be extensible, includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly can be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that can contain superabsorbent particles contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article having longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, a second portion and a first portion. This absorbent article has a topsheet which has a first major surface that forms a body-facing surface. In addition, the absorbent article has a backsheet which has a second major surface disposed distally from the first major surface. The second major surface of the backsheet forms a garment facing surface of the absorbent article. On the second portion of the top sheet on the first major surface, a body adhesive is applied. In the first portion of the absorbent article, a garment attachment device for attaching the absorbent article to an undergarment of a user is present.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elasticated materials comprising a stiff carrier material that is satisfactorily elasticated with one or more elastic strands with a low load force, due to the use of a specific bonding pattern, with specific bonding areas. The bonding areas are typically separate bonding areas positioned on separate intervals along the length direction of the carrier material, whereby each bonding area comprises one or more separate bonding zones, extending in the width (X) direction. The invention also relates to absorbent articles comprising this elasticated material and processes for making the elasticated material.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an absorbent core and a cover enclosing the absorbent core. The absorbent core is provided with at least two slits or grooves diverging from a crotch region of the absorbent core in a direction towards one transverse edge of the absorbent core and terminating inside the respective longitudinal edge as well as the respective transverse edge of the absorbent core. These slits or grooves form folding guides along which the article can be formed into a shape having a narrow crotch width.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene device. The absorbent core can have a first compressibility in an unaltered state, wherein at least a portion of the absorbent core that is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the absorbent core has a second compressibility in an altered state. The second compressibility can be greater than the first compressibility. The portion of the absorbent core having the second compressibility can be a portion of the absorbent core from which absorbent material has not been completely removed. The feminine hygiene device has an elastic member generally aligned with the core longitudinal axis and spanning at least a portion of the absorbent core that has a preferentially weakened zone of compression. A portion of the absorbent core that is generally aligned with the core longitudinal axis can comprise structural features selected from the group consisting of slits, corrugations, nodules, and tufts.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with waist seals are disclosed. The seals are formed from folded stacks, discrete segments, or pleated material arranged to provide a resiliently compressible seal that can be located at one or more locations within the absorbent article, e.g., along a central portion of the rear waist region of a diaper. The seals may be constructed from relatively thin materials that (through folding, stacking, pleating, etc.) can provide a resiliently compressible seal that is thick enough and appropriately shaped to conform to the wearer's anatomy well enough to provide the desired sealing. At the same, time, the continuous web material used to form the seal is preferably thin enough to be economically delivered to the manufacturing line in roll form. The seals may be provided in the form of compressed seals that expand when one or more openings are formed in a sealed cavity containing compressed resilient material.