Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cutting discrete fastening elements (15A-15D) out of a web (15) of fastening element material and attaching the cut-out fastening elements to a web (3) of surface layer material. The method comprises the following steps: sequences of four parallel-trapeziform fastening elements (15A-15D) are cut out of a web (15) of fastening element material, after which the first and fourth fastening elements on the one hand and the second and third fastening elements on the other hand are attached to a web (3) of surface layer material so that the first (15A) and fourth (15D) fastening elements on the one hand and the second (15B) and third (15C) fastening elements on the other hand are attached to successive absorbent articles in the process line.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided having a back waist portion with a fibrous outer surface and two lateral ends, a front waist portion with a fibrous outer surface and two lateral ends adjacent the lateral ends of the back waist portion, two prefolded nonwoven connectors each connecting two adjacent ends of the back waist portion and the front waist portion, and a hook fastener prefastened to one of said nonwoven connectors such that the prefastened hook is pre-engaged with the outer fibrous surface of the front waist region. Each nonwoven connector may be folded n times wherein n is an integer of front 2 to 30. The front and back lateral edges may be folded over the top surface of said article, and secured in place by a securement means.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, a pants-type diaper, an incontinence protector or a pants-like sanitary napkin, having a front part, a rear part and an intermediate central part. The article includes an absorbent body enclosed between an inner, liquid-permeable sheet and a liquid-impermeable outer sheet, and fastener devices for releasably connecting side-portions of the front and rear parts. The fastener devices are made of a renewable material. The fastener devices are welded to at least one of the sheets of the article and the fastener devices and the sheets are made of a material having a glass transition temperature which lies between 50-60° C. and a melting point which lies between 140-180° C., preferably between 150-175° C.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for products, for example, an absorbent article such as infant training pants, in which the mechanical fastening system is a hook-and-loop type fastening system on the garment in which the loop material is a nonwoven material laminate which has been post bonded after the laminate has been constructed.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided having a back waist portion with a fibrous outer surface and two lateral ends, a front waist portion with a fibrous outer surface and two lateral ends adjacent the lateral ends of the back waist portion, two prefolded nonwoven connectors each connecting two adjacent ends of the back waist portion and the front waist portion, and a hook fastener prefastened to one of said nonwoven connectors such that the prefastened hook is pre-engaged with the outer fibrous surface of the front waist region. Each nonwoven connector may be folded n times wherein n is an integer of front 2 to 30. The front and back lateral edges may be folded over the top surface of said article, and secured in place by a securement means.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a pair of rear wings that 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: In a method and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment the fastening components are aligned in at least partially overlapping relationship with each other and engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The fastening components are then flexed at the engagement seam to generate a shear stress at the seam to thereby promote increased engagement between the fastening components. In another embodiment, the fastening components are delivered in a predetermined direction to a nip and then drawn into the nip at a speed greater than the speed at which the fastening components are delivered to the nip. The fastening components are passed through the nip generally to squeeze the fastening components together at the engagement seam for promoting enhanced engagement between the fastening components.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article defines a first side portion, a second side portion, and a longitudinal centerline between the side portions. The absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent insert which is connected to the outer cover. The outer cover comprises a first side panel which is located in the first side portion of the absorbent article and a second side panel which is located in the second side portion of the absorbent article. An edge of the first side panel is connected to an edge of the second side panel to provide a seam which extends along the longitudinal centerline between the side portions of the absorbent article. The opposite waist regions on each side panel are configured to encircle the legs of the wearer and releasably engage together about the hips of the wearer. The disposable absorbent article has an aesthetically pleasing garment-like appearance and is readily refastenable about the hips of the wearer.

Abstract: Disclosed are diapers, and particularly baby diapers, which are made and provided to the user of such products in a substantially flat condition and are formed into a three dimensional garment by the diaper user and maintained in this position by means of a closure system. The closure system consists of a tape type closure system with a designated zone on the diaper where the tape type closures are to be attached. Preferably the closure system comprises a mechanical interlocking system known as hook loop fastening system or as Velcro™ closure systems.

Abstract: A dual fastening device suitable for pull-up and cinch use with absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a first fastening member and a second member.

Abstract: A hook and loop fastener for flat structures, particularly for textile products, having a hook part and an interlocking part, the interlocking part being made of a nonwoven composite having worked-in, textured, polymeric threads, the nonwoven composite being used as support for the textured threads, and the textured threads forming the loops for the hooks.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper has a pair of tape fasteners to hold the diaper in a rolled up state. The tape fasteners are provided in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges of a rear waist region so as to extend in a longitudinal direction. The tape fasteners have lower end portions bonded to the diaper by bonding zones extending in a waist-surrounding direction in the vicinity of peripheral edge portions of respective leg-openings. The bonding zones extend obliquely inward in the waist-surrounding direction from the transversely opposite side edge portions of the rear waist region toward the upper end portions of the respective tape fasteners.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper that includes a pair of tape fasteners which are adapted to hold the diaper in a rolled-up state. The tape fasteners are provided at transversely opposite side edges of a rear waist region so as to extend along the side edges in a longitudinal direction. Each of the tape fasteners has an upper end portion lying adjacent a waist-opening and a lower end portion lying adjacent an associated leg-opening. The upper end portions of the tape fasteners are bonded to the diaper by bonding zones which extend obliquely inward in a waist-surrounding direction from the transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region toward the lower end portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A brief for incontinent adults for containing body waste during water therapy and aquatic activities comprising a multi-layer fabric having an inner absorbent layer, impermeable central layer and a structural outer layer, said brief having Velcro side seams whereby said brief can be positioned on a human body and adjusted for snug conforming fit.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable pant-type absorbent article is provided having multifold fastening system with hook and loop fasteners. The absorbent article such as, e.g., a diaper, has back waist portion, a front waist portion and nonwoven connectors which connect the back waist portion and the front waist portion. A hook fastener strip is provided on the surface of one of the nonwoven connectors, and a loop fastener is provided on the other nonwoven connector, or on the inside surface of front waist portion such that when the front waist portion and the back waist portion are overlapped the hook and loop fasteners are engaged together. The nonwoven connectors are folded n times, wherein n is an even integer of 2 to 10, and are secured by a securement means such as a glue or hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A disposable diaper that includes a pair of wings formed with a nonwoven fabric. Each of the wings is formed on its circumferentially outer edge with fastener sections each including a male member as a component of so-called mechanical fastener. The fastener sections are folded back onto inner surface of the wing so that only a portion of hooks constituting the male member are releasably engaged with the component fibers of the nonwoven fabric protruding toward the hooks.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that comprises a main body having a first main body waist portion, a second main body waist portion and a crotch region disposed between the first and second main body waist portions. The main body has orthogonal longitudinal and lateral axes. The absorbent article further comprises a pair of side panels, each side panel connecting the first main body waist portion to the second main body waist portion. The first main body waist portion, the second main body waist portion and the side panels collectively define a waist opening edge and two leg opening edges. Each side panel is formed from a first side portion extending laterally outward from the first main body waist portion and a second side portion extending laterally outward from the second main body waist portion.

Abstract: A product includes front fastening members, which have first regions connected to them, and back fastening members, which have second regions connected to them, with the front or back fastening members being able to receive and co-operate with the other of the front or back fastening members, respectively, and a first fastening ability being exhibited between the front and back fastening members, and the front fastening members or the back fastening members have a first extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, and the other of the front fastening members or the back fastening members, respectively, have a second extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, and exhibiting an extent ratio there between, the first regions can receive and co-operate with the back fastening members, exhibiting a second fastening ability, and/or the second regions can receive and co-operate with the front fastening members, exhibiting a third fastening ability.

Abstract: A pant diaper or diaper whose side edges are joined to form a pants-like shape with the help of strips provided with interacting hook and loop devices respectively that extend along the long edges of the front and rear sections. The edges of the strips that face the legs are covered by a band of soft and flexible material.

Abstract: A disposable pant-type absorbent article is provided having multifold fastening system with hook and loop fasteners. The absorbent article such as, e.g., a diaper, has back waist portion, a front waist portion and nonwoven connectors which connect the back waist portion and the front waist portion. A hook fastener strip is provided on the surface of one of the nonwoven connectors, and a loop fastener is provided on the other nonwoven connector, or on the inside surface of front waist portion such that when the front waist portion and the back waist portion are overlapped the hook and loop fasteners are engaged together. The nonwoven connectors are folded n times, wherein n is an even integer of 2 to 10, and are secured by a securement means such as a glue or hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive process and apparatus (20) for forming an article. The technique of the invention includes a providing of a first panel layer (22), and a positioning of a second panel layer (28) onto the first panel layer (22). An inboard portion (24) of the first panel layer (22) is attached to an inboard portion (30) of the second panel layer (28), and a side region (36) of a tab web (34) is attached to the inboard portion (24, 30) of at least one of the first and second panel layers (22, 28) to provide a first assembly web (48). A fastening mechanism (40) is attached to the tab web (34), and an outboard portion (26, 32) of at least one of the first and second panel layers (22, 28) is folded to provide a folded layer (44) and a protruding layer (46). A protruding layer portion (56) of a panel assembly (50) is attached to a first waistband portion (62) of an article segment (60), and the article segment (60) is transversely folded to provide a folded article segment.

Abstract: A refastenable absorbent garment comprises a front body panel comprising a pair of side portions defining opposite side edges and a landing portion extending between said side portions, wherein the landing portion and each of the side portions are separated by a line of weakness. A rear body panel comprises opposite side edges that are joined to the opposite side edges of the front body panel to form a side seam. A hook-type fastener member comprises a carrier member secured to the side portions of the front body panel in front of the side seam and a plurality of hooks extending from the carrier member, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of hooks are engaged with the landing portion. A method for making the absorbent garment, and for securing the absorbent garment to a user, also are provided. In another aspect, an absorbent garment comprises a body panel having a length and a fastening member comprising at least two engagement portions releasably engaging the body panel.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a refastenable absorbent garment includes moving a continuous body panel web in a machine direction and successively fixedly securing a plurality of discrete fastener pieces, spaced along the machine direction, to the body panel web. Each of the fastener pieces comprises a first and second end also spaced along the machine direction. The method further includes successively cutting said body panel web and each of the fastener pieces along a cross direction between the first and second ends of each of the fastener pieces and thereby forming a plurality of discrete body panels each comprising opposite side edges and a plurality of pairs of fastener members fixedly secured to one of the plurality of body panels and a next successive body panel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article in the form of a pants-type diaper or a sanitary panty starts from a flat blank which includes an elongated absorbent body (5) enclosed between two casing sheets (2, 9) which at opposing front and rear end parts of the absorbent body have side parts which extend laterally beyond the body on opposite sides thereof. The method includes the step of folding the blank about a transverse axis so that the end edges of the side parts lie edge-to-edge. The front and rear side parts of the blank which oppose one another in the folded state of the blank are joined together by a releasable and refastenable fastener (20).

Abstract: An absorbent garment having a fastener assembly with enhanced flexibility is obtained by providing fastener assemblies with at least one, and preferably a plurality of slits. The slits may have linear portions, curved portion or combination thereof. The degree of flexibility may be varied by the number, type, position and orientation of the slits.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system in which at least the loop material is stretchable and in some embodiments is elongated before it is brought into engagement with the hook material and is then allowed to contract on the hook material while in other embodiments the loop material is shrunk as it is placed in engagement with the hook material.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system in which at least the loop material is made of a laminate with a facing having a bond density of greater than 225 points per square inch.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant diapers is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system in which the loop material comprises an oriented nonwoven material.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system on the garment in which the loop material is a multi-directional stretchable nonwoven material.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system utilizing multi-directional stretchable nonwoven materials that function well with low shear strength.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a garment having opposite waist regions separated by a crotch region. At least one of the waist regions includes an expansion panel adapted to elongate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the garment. The absorbent article also includes a pair of elastomeric strap members that are adapted to attach to the waist regions.

Abstract: A selectively releasable, interengaging fastening system that may be used for a variety of articles such as, for example, shoes, garments, disposable absorbent products such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence products and the like. The fastening system includes a first fastener component that can constitute at least a first portion of an article. The first fastener component includes an engagement section having a plurality of substantially non-isotropic engagement members such that the engagement section has an axis of substantially maximal engagement. The fastening system also includes a cooperating fastener component that may constitute at least a second portion of an article such that the first and second portions of the article are capable of being joined by movement of the respective components together generally along an attachment direction into an overlapping and interengaging configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides a diaper with a mechanical fastening system comprising an outer cover, at least one single piece of flexible material with an active fastening surface, a first waist region, a second waist region opposite the first waist region wherein the active fastening surface of the at least one single piece of flexible material provides an at least one fastener and the outer cover defines an inside surface and an outside surface such that in use, the active fastening surface of the at least one fastener anchors to the outside surface of the outer cover in the first waist region and the at least one fastener fastens the outside surface of the outer cover in the second waist region thereby forming a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A pant-like, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, at least one releasable joint and at least one folded fastenery. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a permanent joint. At least one of the opposed side panels further defines a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is releasably attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide a releasable joint.

Abstract: A fastener tab for securing absorbent garments is provided. The fastener tab has a first elastic region that extends laterally outward from a waist region of the garment, a second elastic region that extends laterally outward from the first elastic region, and a grip that is attached to an outboard portion of the second elastic region. The second elastic region has a greater stretch resistance than the first elastic region. In another embodiment of the invention, the fastener tab has a substantially inelastic region interposed between the first elastic region and the second elastic region.

Abstract: A body fluid absorbent inner panel including a topsheet, a backsheet, a core disposed therebetween and a pair of liquid-barrier side sheets longitudinally extending on the outer surface of the topsheet wherein a male type face fastener adapted to be anchored on the inner surface of an outer member serving to hold the inner panel is bonded to the lower surface of the backsheet and the barrier-side sheets extend from transversely opposite side edges of the inner panel on the lower surface of the backsheet and joined to the backsheet and the face fastener so as to cover transversely opposite ends of the face fastener.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is provided which includes a chassis having a front portion, a rear portion, a crotch portion, a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, and a pair of ear portions integral to the backsheet. Each ear portion has proximal, distal, first connecting and second connecting edges. The first and second connecting edges connect the distal to the proximal edges. The proximal edge is integral to the topsheet. Each ear portion has an elastic layer having first and second edges where the first edge and second edge are secured to the backsheet. The elastic layer has a central portion not secured to the backsheet. The ear portion has a tearable portion extending from the first to the second connecting edges and extends along the central portion of the elastic layer. A fastener joined to each of the elastic layers secures the disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A diaper is provided which includes a chassis having front, rear, and crotch portions. The chassis includes a topsheet, backsheet, core and pair of ears. Each ear includes a topsheet, backsheet and proximal, distal, first connecting, and second connecting edges. The first connecting and second connecting edges connect the distal to proximal edges. The proximal edge is integral to the chassis. Each ear has an elastic layer sandwiched between its topsheet and backsheet. Each elastic layer has first and second edges which are secured to the ear topsheet and backsheet. The elastic layer has a central portion not secured to either the ear topsheet or backsheet. Each ear topsheet and backsheet has perforations. The tearable portion is adjacent to the central portion. Each ear may be pulled away from the chassis causing the ear topsheet and backsheet to tear at the perforations thereby exposing the elastic layer.

Abstract: A prefastened disposable absorbent article includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the opposed side edges in one the waist regions of the article. The primary fasteners overlap and releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to provide the prefastened absorbent article. The prefastened disposable absorbent article further includes at least one secondary fastener and a belt which are configured to provide a pretensioned waistband and are capable of elongating to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to further conform the waist regions of the article to a wearer's body after the article has been pulled on over the hips of the wearer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface sheet; a backing sheet; and an absorbent layer located between the surface sheet and the backing sheet. The backing sheet includes a liquid impermeable base sheet and a layer of continuous filaments individually extending along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article and stacked on an outer surface of the base sheet. The base sheet and the continuous filament layer are partially fixed.

Abstract: A dual fastening device suitable for pull-up and cinch use with absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a first fastening member and a second member.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The back portion has a first end, a second end and first and second side edges. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section is extendable in at least one direction and has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2. First and second fasteners are positioned and secured adjacent to one of the first and second side edges of the back portion and are secured thereto.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent shield for men which arranged to be worn in an undergarment to trap and collect small amounts of leaking urine. The shield has a flexible chassis and a pair of side-by-side adhesive stripes on it to releasably mount it within the undergarment. The adhesive stripes are initially covered by a removable release strip until the shield is ready for use. The chassis includes a front portion arranged to be located over the penis and contiguous lower abdominal region and a crotch portion arranged to be located in the crotch and between the legs. The chassis is made up of an outer cover, an inner liner and a liquid absorbent core interposed therebetween. The chassis is a very thin planar flexible structure having a modified T-shaped periphery including an upper transverse portion forming the upper portion of the chassis and a downwardly extending longitudinal portion forming the crotch portion of the chassis.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an elastomeric side panel that is suitable for use in or on a disposable absorbent article. The elastomeric side panel is formed from an elastomeric material that has multidirectional stretch features enabling it to stretch in the longitudinal and lateral directions. The side panel has a first waist edge and a crotch edge that are substantially parallel to one another while in the relaxed condition. A fastening device is associated with the elastomeric side panel. A disposable absorbent article including the elastomeric side panel, a method of making the article, and a method of applying the article to a user, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. The fastening components have interior corners near the leg openings and disposed toward the longitudinal and transverse center of the absorbent article that are recessed to avoid possible irritation of the wearer's skin.

Abstract: An integral pull-up type absorbent article such as a diaper is provided which has improved hook and loop fasteners for more effective fluid leak prevention. The diaper comprises a coversheet, a backsheet, a waist region having a front waist portion and a back waist portion each having a lateral portion terminating at a lateral edge, a strip of loop material at each lateral edge of the front waist portion and a tape tab with a folded portion having a hook surface at each lateral edge of the back waist portion, wherein when said back waist portion is folded over said front waist portion, each of the hook material engages a correspondingly aligned loop strip. In one embodiment the outer surface of the front waist region may itself be made of loop material for engagement with the hook fastener.