Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding a thin elastomeric ribbon having a low coefficient to friction onto a reel is disclosed. The ribbon is fed onto a rotating reel while being traversed along the axial length of the reel to distribute the ribbon onto the reel. The nodes typically formed on the axial ends of ribbon rolls wound in this manner are eliminated by reversing the traversed direction of the ribbon short of the end cap of the reel to form a gap between the axial end of the ribbon roll and the end cap and then shifting the ribbon turns into the gap to thereby collapse the node.

Abstract: An anatomatically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprises a breathable elastomeric nonwoven outer cover wherein an elastic nonwoven web is joined to one or more gatherable nonwoven webs, including leg and waist openings and cooperating full-length fastening closures extending from the waist to each leg opening. The leg elastics extend about the outermost portions of the leg openings and are tensioned adjacent the inner thighs of the wearer. The leg elastics are routed so that they direct tensile stresses away from the leg opening, thereby reducing detrimental stress concentrations associated with the fastening closures.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting self-adjusting disposable garment with a three-section resiliently stretchable outer cover (20) with a back waist section (64) resiliently stretchable in a cross body direction (71), a front waist section (66) resiliently stretchable in a cross body direction (75) and a crotch section (68) resiliently stretchable in a vertical direction (73).

Abstract: A disposable diaper with at least one flap of fluid pervious material extending along the waist is provided. The flap provides a barrier for feces.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent slip-on undergarment that may be easily raised and lowered by the wearer during use, e.g., a training pant or incontinence pad. The garment comprising a breathable elastomeric nonwoven laminar outer cover having an absorbent insert structure attached and integrated thereto while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability of the outer cover. The outer cover has closed side panels connecting the front and rear panels and the leg and waist openings thereof, including manually separable side seams having breakable ultrasonic bonds for removing the garment from the wearer upon soiling, without removal of the wearer's outer clothing.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a stretchable outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) for absorbing and containing urine and body exudates, fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) with front waist section waist tucks (57) or (65) and/or back section waist tucks (57) or (65) which provide a straight waist appearance when worn by an infant.

Abstract: An anatomically form fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a resiliently stretchable outer cover (20) with an absorbent structure (22) retained therein. The absorbent structure (22) has a resiliently stretchable bodyside liner (42) which causes the absorbent structure (22) to assume a body conforming shape. The disposable garment also features fixed position fasteners to fasten the garment around a wearer.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a resiliently stretchable outer cover (20), stretchable in two directions (67) (69), an absorbent structure (22) and fixed position, full-length fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20).

Abstract: A garment with a backsheet (12), a bodyside liner (14) essentially coterminous with the backsheet (12) and forming a shape with a front waist section (18), a back waist section (20) and side sections connecting the front waist section (18) to the back waist section (20) and first and second flaps (30, 32) formed from or attached to bodyside liner (14). Flaps (30, 32) may have elastic members (40, 42) applied thereto respectively. Flaps (30, 32) may be folded inwardly and respective ends thereof may be bonded to bodyside liner (14) so that edges of flaps are directed toward a centerline (38) of the garment. The flaps (30, 32) may be attached to or formed from bodyside liner (14) along lines (34, 36) which are parallel to centerline (38) or which diverge from or converge toward centerline (38). Additionally, flaps (30, 38) may have varying width and be less than full length.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a two-zone resiliently stretchable outer cover (20) with a back zone (67) resiliently stretchable in a cross body direction (71), and a front zone (69) resiliently stretchable in a vertical direction (73).

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a stretchable outer cover (20), stretchable at an angle (23) from the cross body direction (25). An absorbent structure (22) is disposed within the outer cover (20) in such a way that the stretchability of the outer cover (20) is uninhibited. Fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) are attached to the outer cover (20).

Abstract: A fastener for disposable diapers having a first pair of fastener members (70,72) attached to an outer cover (20) of the disposable diaper, a second pair of fastener members (74,76) attached to the outer cover (20). The fastener members (70,72 and 74,76) have a complementary cross section for mating engagement and are releasably interlockable. Each of the fastener members (70,72,74,76) are sufficiently flexible to prevent skin irritation of a wearer and sufficiently inflexible to prevent unwanted unfastening of the fastener members during normal use. A value (E) (I), the product of the Modulus of Elasticity and the Moment of Inertia is utilized as a measure of the flexibility and inflexibility of the fastener. Each fastener member, for example, fastener member 70 has an essentially flat base portion (90) with an aperture (92) separating a pair of clasps (94,96).

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment comprising a stretchable outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) comprising a liquid permeable bodyside liner (42), a liquid impermeable barrier (44) with an absorbent composite (38) disposed therebetween, respective ends of the absorbent structure (22) disposed within pockets (29) (31) formed from sections of stretchable outer cover (20). Fixed position point-to-point fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) are attached to outer cover (20).

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a resiliently stretchable outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22), fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) and elastic members (58) (60) in the waist and elastic members (62) in the leg portions.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diaper with a stretchable outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) and fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20).

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a resiliently stretchable outer cover (20), absorbent structure (22) comprising an absorbent composite (38), a bodyside liner (42) and a liquid impermeable barrier (44), disposed within the outer cover (20) which is provided with fixed position point-to-point fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76). The bodyside liner (42) is bonded to the stretchable outer cover (20) while the stretchable outer cover (20) is in a stretched condition thereby not inhibiting its stretchability.

Abstract: An anatomatically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diaper with an outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) and full-length fasteners 70, 72, 74, 76 extending from waist opening 87 to leg openings (81). The outer cover 20 is resiliently stretchable and air permeable. The full-length fasteners 70, 72, 74, 76 are fixed position fasteners.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diaper with a stretchable outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) and fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76), elastic 60 in the front waist and/or elastic (58) in the back waist and/or leg elastics (62) in the crotch section wherein the respective ends of the elastics are anchored by the fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76).

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a stretchable outer cover (20), fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20) and a multilayered absorbent structure (22). The multilayered absorbent structure (22) has a liquid permeable bodyside liner (42), a liquid impermeable barrier (44) and an absorbent composite (38). The absorbent composite (38) can comprise a uniform composition of fluff or a mixture of a hydrogel and absorbent material. Alternately, the absorbent composite (38) can comprise a first and second layer of absorbent materials (37) (39) differing by densities or differing by pore sizes. The absorbent composite can further comprise a layer of a hydrogel (45). Further, the absorbent composite can comprise a mixture of a hydrogel and a fiber material which can be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material which may be treated with a surfactant.

Abstract: An absorbent structure designed for use in absorbent pads such as diapers is disclosed. According to a first aspect of the invention, absorbent pads are provided which comprise at least two layers of cellulosic fibers (fluff) of different densities or average pore size ranges. When the absorbent structure is incorporated in a diaper, the lower density element extends to the full length and width dimensions of the normal absorbent component of the diaper. The higher density element lies beneath at least a portion of the lower density element. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it can run as a strip from the target zone to the back waist of a diaper, it can run along a central portion extending the whole length of the diaper, or it can underlie the entirety of the lower density element.