Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed including an inner part including a sheet of material having an inner side, an outer side opposite the inner side, a front waist region, and a rear waist region, wherein the front waist region is connected with the rear waist region to form a waist opening and two leg openings; an outer part including an absorbent material, the outer part being separate from the inner part and adapted to be worn over the outer side of the inner part such that the inner part can be worn independently of the outer part; and an opening in the sheet of material of the inner part for allowing bowel movement waste to pass through the opening so that the inner part cooperates with the outer part in use to collect and retain bowel movement waste between the inner and outer parts.

Abstract: A converting line comprises a first unit at a first region of the converting line and a second unit at a second region of the converting line. The first unit is positioned in series with the second unit. The converting line further comprises a third unit at a third region of the converting line and a fourth unit at a fourth region of the converting line. The first, second, third, and fourth units are configured to each perform at least one function. The third unit is positioned in parallel with the first unit, the second unit, or the fourth unit. The converting line further comprises a controller configured to activate at least one of the units based a received product order. The converting line is configured to produce a first product different from a second product during a single run of the converting line.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper. The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet with apertures large enough for low-viscosity fecal material to pass through to a fecal material storage element. The fecal material storage element immobilizes the fecal material in position for dewatering, so that the solid components of the fecal material are separated from the liquid components of the fecal material and the liquid components can be absorbed by an absorbent core. This arrangement provides for easier cleaning of the wearer when the soiled disposable absorbent article is removed. The fecal material storage element may extend beyond one or more edges of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A rotary cutting apparatus comprises a frame and a die roll defining a first longitudinal axis and comprising a cutting member. The die roll is rotatably connected with the frame and configured to rotate about the first longitudinal axis. The rotary cutting apparatus further comprises a bearer ring connected with the die roll and an anvil roll defining a second longitudinal axis and comprising an outer radial surface. The anvil roll is rotatably connected with the frame and is configured to rotate about the second longitudinal axis. The bearer ring of the die roll is in contact with the outer radial surface. The rotary cutting apparatus further comprises a reconditioning member comprising an abrasive surface engaged with the outer radial surface of the anvil roll. The outer radial surface of the anvil roll moves relative to the abrasive surface.

Abstract: A wearable article useful for facilitating toilet training. The wearable article includes a temperature change element providing a cool/wet signal when wetted which causes discomfort to the wearer. The temperature change element comprises a temperature change substance disposed on an impermeable material in order to maximize the thermal signal provided to the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to converting lines for manufacturing absorbent articles. The converting lines include a plurality of process equipment converting modules connected with each other along a machine direction (MD). Adjacent converting modules may be releasably connectable to each other with converting module couplers. The converting modules may also have substantially identical dimensions, wherein each converting module defines the same or substantially the same MD length, CD width, and height. The converting modules may also be sized to be received within a standard shipping container. The converting lines may includes a plurality of accessory service modules supported by respective converting modules and connected with each other along the machine directions. The accessory service modules may also be adapted to be received within standard shipping containers.

Abstract: A process for making a corrugated stretch laminate comprising the steps of providing a first carrier web having a first surface and a second surface; applying a first elastomeric composition in a fluid or molten state to the first surface of the carrier web to form at least one first elastic member; incrementally stretching in a first direction at least a portion of the carrier web to form a stretch composite preform; elongating the stretch composite preform in the first direction; joining a first substrate to the elongated stretch composite preform; and allowing the elongated stretch composite preform to recover to form said corrugated stretch laminate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for manufacturing absorbent articles, and more particularly, apparatuses and methods utilizing multiple processing stations for processing absorbent articles and being configurable to move along various predetermined travel paths defined by radii that may be constant or variable. Particular embodiments of apparatuses and methods of manufacture include a processing wheel having a plurality of processing stations which orbit around a rotation axis. The processing stations may be configured to perform various types of operations associated with the manufacture of absorbent articles while the processing stations orbit around the rotation axis. The processing wheel can be configured to adjust the path along which the processing stations orbit as the processing wheel rotates around the rotation axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses herein may provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to an advancing substrate. The fluid application apparatus may include a slot die applicator and a substrate carrier. The substrate carrier may include one or more pattern elements and may be adapted to advance the substrate past the slot die applicator as the slot die applicator discharges adhesive onto the substrate. In operation, the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier; the substrate carrier advances the substrate past the slot opening of the slot die applicator. In turn, the substrate is intermittently compressed between the slot die applicator and the pattern surface of the pattern element. As the substrate is intermittently compressed, adhesive discharged from the slot die applicator is applied onto the substrate in an area having a shape substantially the same as a shape defined by the pattern surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable pant-type garments. Examples of such disposable pant-type garments include disposable underwear, adult incontinence products, disposable pull-on diapers and training pants, and disposable panties for menstrual use.

Abstract: A method for forming an undergarment comprises providing a web, cutting the web to form a pre-form, the pre-form comprising the first and the second transverse edges and two longitudinal edges, each longitudinal edge having two waist sections and a crotch section located intermediate the waist sections, a sealing area being located adjacent and inboard of each waist section, and transferring the pre-form to a processing wheel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate registration feature detections and substrate speed control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate speed. As such, the controller may be programmed to track registration features on substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for detecting and rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line. In particular, the systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate inspection results and measurements from an absorbent article converting process. As such, the systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control a reject system on converters of absorbent articles. In some embodiments, the controller will reject only defective absorbent articles without the need to reject non-defective absorbent articles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring an article from a first carrier moving at a first speed to a second carrier moving at a second speed is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member comprising a track comprising an arcuate portion, and a carrier member configured to be moved relative to the track. The carrier member comprises a surface configured to receive the article from the first carrier in a receiving zone and deposit the article onto the second carrier in an application zone, an aperture in the surface, and a passage in fluid communication with the aperture. The apparatus further comprises a vacuum manifold in fluid communication with the passage. The carrier member is configured to be moved relative to the vacuum manifold. The apparatus also comprises a linear motor operably engaged with the carrier member and configured to move the carrier member relative to the track.

Abstract: This invention relates to nonwoven fabrics with advantageous characteristics and the method to produce these fabrics. Advantageously, the fabrics of the subject invention have increased thickness (loft) compared to conventional nonwoven fabrics and have high air permeability and open space while maintaining softness and strength at the same basis weight.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve imaging equipment for viewing and/or monitoring substrates and components used to manufacture disposable absorbent articles as well as other types of articles and products. More particularly, the apparatuses and methods discussed herein relate to mounting, supporting, and aligning various types of vision systems, which may include a camera and a light source.

Abstract: Disposable pant like garments are disclosed. Pant like garments of the present invention generally comprise a main absorbent portion and a pair of side portions. One or more sections of the pant-like garments are provided with one or more cohesive areas which allow for cohesive fastening and refastening of portions of the garment. The cohesives chosen may have the same properties or may be of the selective adhesive type. Pant like garments may be provided with cohesive fasteners and not other types of refastening means. In other variations, cohesive fasteners may be supplemented with one or more frangible bonds. Also disclosed are side portions having cohesive areas which may be converted in use from an abutting facing relationship to an overlapping facing relationship. Multiple cohesive areas of varying types for providing differential bond properties during use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminate for use in an absorbent article can have a first plurality of elastomeric strands and a second plurality of elastomeric strands bonded to a first substrate. The first plurality of elastomeric strands can be bonded to the first substrate in a first orientation while the second plurality of elastomeric strands is joined to the first substrate in a second orientation. The first and second orientations can be different such that the elastomeric laminate can accommodate tension forces which act on the laminate from different axes. Optionally, a second substrate or a third plurality of elastomeric strands may be added to the elastomeric laminate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method by which a material may be placed onto a moving web in a transverse orientation. At least two assemblies, which carry either a first and a second web or a single web, periodically overlap each other in an alternating fashion such that a material may be placed upon their respective carried webs in a transverse manner. The first and second assemblies translate in a direction of web movement in order to modify the velocity of the web carried upon the assembly. Thus, with the velocities of the assemblies capable of being varied, the material may be placed in a transverse manner upon the moving web along with various other orientations.