Abstract: Absorbent interlabial devices are disclosed. Preferably, the absorbent interlabial device has a liquid pervious topseet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The device preferably also has a grasping tab joined to the backsheet. The tab preferably has at least a first zone and a second zone where the stiffness of the first zone is greater than the stiffness of the second zone. Preferably, the tab is made up of multiple layers. These layers are preferably laminated to each other in the first zone and are not laminated to each other in the second zone.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has a plate-like member which is and flexible and substantially non-stretchable and attached to an end flap in a rear waist region and extends in a transverse direction of the diaper. The plate-like member has stiffness higher than that of the end flap so that shrinkage and/or distortion of the end flap can be restrained by the plate-like member.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner or an incontinence pad, includes a first absorbent part and a second part, which each have a substantially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and two end portions. The two parts are mutually joined solely at their end portions. The second part is curved in the longitudinal direction and has high resistance to flexure along flexure lines parallel to the article's transverse direction both in a wet and dry condition, while the first part in a non-influenced condition has a lesser extension in a longitudinal direction than the second part and comprises at least one elastically extensible region in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having improved sustained fit on the body, improved appearance through the period of use, and improved comfort for the wearer. The absorbent article has a containment assembly, a waist feature and a diagonal support member feature disposed so as to lie in the diagonal support zone of the wearer's body when the article is worn. The diagonal support member is designed to support the article from the small of the back, over the hip, and to the lower abdomen. The diagonal support member is distinct from the waist feature, which is designed to provide only enough circumferential tension to hold itself in position on the body. The absorbent article has a garment-like high-waisted appearance, gentle tension around the waist to avoid discomfort and/or pressure marking, good leakage protection, good sustained fit, and easy application and removal.

Abstract: A self-adhesive garment closure for a garment includes a pair of opposed cooperating fastener elements, each having an exposed layer of self-adhesive material exhibiting strong adhesion to itself while remaining relatively tack-free to other materials. At least one of the fastener elements has a layer of foam material beneath the self-adhesive material, such as for increased bending stiffness. In some cases, such as for pull-up diapers, the self-adhesive closure is non-releasable once secured. Some closures also have cooperating hook-and-loop elements.

Abstract: A pull-on disposable diaper has front and rear waist regions placed upon each other along their respective side edges and bonded together at outer bonding zone intermittently arranged along these side edges. A plurality of sheet materials forming the respective side edges of the front and rear waist regions are bonded together along an inner bonding zones vertically extending inside each of the outer bonding zone. The inner bonding zone prevents transversely opposite side edges of the diaper from being torn in a circumferential direction thereof, when the transversely opposite side edges of the diaper are torn off vertically of the diaper.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrogel-forming polymeric material including a first compound which is a superabsorbent polymer and a second compound present in the first as a dispersed phase including an elastomeric material effective to increase the fracture resistance of the superabsorbent. The material is prepared from a first compound including carboxylic-functional polyelectrolytes in combination with a crosslinkers reactive with carboxyl or carboxylate groups and an effective amount of a second compound including an aqueous dispersion of a rubbery material. In one preferred embodiment, the fracture resistant polymer is prepared from monomer/crosslinker solution mixed with latex.

Abstract: Product, which product is absorbent or can act as a support for an absorbent product, with the product being provided with front fastening members, which have first regions connected to them, and back fastening members, which have second regions connected to them, with the said front or back fastening members being able to receive and co-operate with the other of the said front or back fastening members, respectively, and a first fastening ability thereby being exhibited between the said front and back fastening members, and the said front fastening members or the said back fastening members have a first extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, and the other of the said front fastening members or the said back fastening members, respectively, have a second extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, with an extent ratio being exhibited, the said first regions can receive and co-operate with the said back fastening members, exhibiting a second fastening ability, and/or the said second regi

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 disposable diaper has a pair of rear wings and the wings partially extend outward in a circumferential direction to form fastener sections. The wings are formed on inner surfaces thereof with a plurality of fine depressions. The number of these depressions per unit area on the inner surfaces of the respective rear wings is less in regions adapted to be engaged with the male members of the respective fastener sections as these fastener sections are folded back onto the inner surfaces of the respective rear wings than in the remaining region.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, is disclosed which has a stabilizing element having a length and a width sufficient to conform to the longitudinal dimensions of a wearer's labia majora. The stabilizing element provides the article with enhanced resistance to bunching and inward collapse due to lateral compressive forces imparted by a user's thighs. The stabilizing element is resistant to wet collapse so that a central absorbent portion of the article maintains contact with the perineal area of the user.

Abstract: An adult brief garment for use in controlling incontinence is provided. The brief has a chassis which includes a front portion, back portion and an interposed crotch portion. The chassis consists of a fluid-impervious, cloth-like laminate along the central region of the chassis and hydrophobic, cloth-like, nonwoven side panels at each side of the central region. An liquid absorbent core is positioned over the central region. Plural fastening tapes are applied to the side panels at the back portion of the chassis. The front portion of the chassis includes soft, flexible landing zones for releasable receipt of the tapes to hold the brief in place. Each landing zone takes up a substantial portion of its associated side panel and contiguous portions of the central region of the chassis and each includes a myriad of small (e.g., micro-sized) apertures or holes therein for breathability, e.g., to allow moisture vapor to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) such as a sanitary napkin, having an elongate absorbent core (12) delimited by an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16), a pair of opposed longitudinal edge portions (18, 20) terminating in longitudinal edges (22, 24), and a pair of opposed transverse edges (26, 28). The core has a first end portion (30), a second end portion (32) and a mid portion (34) located between the end portions. The article further includes a liquid permeable topsheet (36) extending over the upper surface (14) and a liquid impermeable sheet (38) covering the longitudinal edge portions (18, 20) of the absorbent core (12). A strip of generally hydrophobic resilient material (40) is placed between the liquid impermeable sheet (38) and the absorbent core (12) along each longitudinal edge portion (18, 20) of the absorbent core in at least the mid portion (34) to thereby increase the flexure resistance of the article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article for wearing in an undergarment, such as a sanitary napkin, pantiliner, or incontinence pad is described. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, and a stiffening feature. The stiffening feature places the absorbent article in an initially stiffened condition during placement of the article in an undergarment. After the article is subjected to the forces exerted by the body of the wearer, the stiffening feature no longer provides an increased initial stiffness and the article becomes more flexible.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent member interposed between the topsheet and the back sheet. While worn, the absorbent article forms a front waist body portion located at the front waist of a wearer and a rear waist body portion located at the rear waist of a wearer. The rear waist body portion has at each side thereof a fastening member for fastening the absorbent article, wherein the back sheet is made up of laminated sheeting composed of a finely porous resin film and nonwoven fabric. The fastening member is formed of a male sheet member of a mechanical fastener and designed to be brought into direct contact with the surface of the nonwoven fabric constituting the back sheet. The above-mentioned absorbent article has a good fit on a wearer, exhibits excellent leakproofness and breathability while worn, and has an excellent texture.

Abstract: A spacer for use in a disposable absorbent article. The spacer is symmetric about a longitudinal axis and has two transversely oriented springs generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The transversely oriented springs have different spring rates, so that transverse compression caused by the wearer's thighs may be readily accommodated, yet the spacer remain open to receive fecal material. The spacer may be advantageously used in a disposable absorbent article having a void space between the topsheet and the core, and maintain this void space under the weight of the wearer.