Abstract: The present invention provides an article to be worn about a wearer including a surface fastening system having a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system has a first surface fastening element and a second surface fastening element. The first fastening element is joined to the article, and the second fastening element is disposed so as to be generally in a face to face relationship with the first fastening element when the surface fastening system is in a fastened configuration. The surface fastening system has a peel resistance in a direction other than the primary direction of load bearing greater than or equal to about 1000 grams.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for producing and packaging consumer products into different packages is disclosed. The system includes one or more supplying means for providing the consumer products, and a multiplicity of packaging means for packaging the consumer products into different packages. The system further includes one or more conveying means for conveying the consumer products from the supplying means to the packaging means. The conveying means forms a continuous path linking the supplying means with the packaging means. The continuous path includes a multiplicity of receptors capable of accepting, carrying, and discharging the consumer products. Further, the system includes one or more stacking means for arranging the consumer products into separate stacks of products prior to packaging.

Abstract: The present invention is a disposable absorbent article having a backsheet and a fecal management member joined to the backsheet. The fecal management member includes a backing and a sheet of fibers. The sheet of fibers have anchor portions in the backing at spaced bonding locations and have arcuate portions of the sheet projecting from the backing between bonding locations. The sheet of fibers includes additional fibers which are joined to at least some of the arcuate portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inkjet printing of tone and/or color images at a high efficiency production of hygienic articles. The method provides a reliable system of combining inkjet-printing operations with converting operations on a converting line producing hygienic articles having tone and/or color print images. The method utilizes at least two-inkjet print heads capable of switching between the print heads during malfunctions or maintenance procedures of one of the print heads to provide production continuity at a minimum production loss of hygienic articles.

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing disposable absorbent articles from bulk starting polymeric materials including virgin and on-line recycled polymeric materials. The production line includes a continuous process that links the steps of forming the webs with the steps of converting the webs into disposable absorbent articles. The production line recycles non-woven materials produced on the production line back into the production process of producing disposable absorbent articles. The recycling operations can also include a spun-bonded recycling and a melt-blown recycling. The production line can be a single-product-lane operation or a multiple-product-lane operation.

Abstract: A web speed metering device to which a moving web is fed at a constant web infeed speed and from which the web periodically exits at a different speed that is correlated with the timing of a downstream operation performed on the moving web. The metering device is a rotatable member that is non-axisymmetric and that has a cross-sectional shape having a centroid that is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable member to change the web output speed as the web exits from the metering device. The metering device allows a web to be fed to a downstream cutting device and enables the web output speed to be regulated so that the web as it leaves the metering device can be cut transversely by a non-instantaneous cut that takes place over a predetermined machine-direction distance, such as a chevron-shaped cut.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registration system and a method useful for controlling and correcting the phase and position of simultaneously advancing webs having pre-printed objects spaced at a pitch length characterized by a pitch variation to a target web. Also disclosed are consumer products, such as disposable absorbent articles including the preprinted objects which were previously included in the webs phased before combining with a target web by utilizing the instant registration system. The pre-printed objects may include pre-printed, pre-bonded, pre-applied, pre-cut, or pre-glued objects or elements of disposable absorbent articles or registration marks produced on a separate independent process not control-linked to the instant registration method. The registration marks may be visible or normally invisible to the human eye.

Abstract: A garment or undergarment, such as an absorbent article, having a first region, a second region opposed to the first region and a garment material extending through at least a portion of the first region. The garment material has a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface has been mechanically modified to form a plurality of surface protrusions integrally from the garment material. The garment further includes a landing zone having a plurality of fibrous loops located at least partially in the second waist region and adapted to engage with the surface protrusions of the first region to provide a closure mechanism for holding the first region and the second region in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registration system and a method useful for controlling and correcting the phase and position of simultaneously advancing webs having pre-printed objects spaced at a pitch length characterized by small but significant pitch variation to a target web. Also disclosed are consumer products, such as disposable absorbent articles including the preprinted objects which were previously included in the webs phased before combining with a target web by utilizing the instant registration system. The pre-printed objects may include pre-printed, pre-bonded, pre-applied, pre-cut, or pre-glued objects or elements of disposable absorbent articles or registration marks produced on a separate independent process not control-linked to the instant registration method. The registration marks may be visible or normally invisible to the human eye.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and apparatus (38) for the manufacture of disposable absorbent cores from a continuous web (40), wherein a plurality of first and second core elements (40a, 40b) are cut from the same continuous web (40). The object of the invention is achieved by rotating each of first and second core elements (40a, 40b) about axes perpendicular to the plane of the core element and subsequently combining a first core element (40a) and a second core element (40b) in proximal relationship to form the absorbent core. Preferably each of the first and second core elements (40a, 40b) are rotated through 90° in mutually counter-rotating directions.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles comprising the application of discrete web panels (40a, 40b) to a receiving web (1), wherein a plurality of first web panels (40a) and second web panels (40b) are cut from the same continuous web (40), and wherein the process comprises the steps of: cutting the continuous web (40) to form at least a first web panel (40a) and a second web panel (40b); rotating the second web panel (40); and applying the first web panel (40a) and the second web panel (40b) to the receiving web (1).

Abstract: A method for making a longitudinal fold in a web, including the steps of: (1) providing a web-supporting device; (2) providing a folding belt disposed adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device; (3) providing the web which is superimposed onto a web-contacting surface of the web-supporting device such that a first longitudinal edge of the web extends laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device and at least partially onto the folding belt; and (4) folding the first longitudinal fold of the web by twisting the folding belt around its longitudinal axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of rotation of the folding belt extends parallel to the longitudinal fold line of the web.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent article such as a feminine hygiene pad, and adult incontinence article or a baby diaper having a minimised tendency for creating negative skin occlusion which might create over-hydration of the skin by exhibiting a low Breathability Value as impacted by the vapour permeability of backsheet materials and the respective areas as covered by such materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a series of discrete hygienic articles. The apparatus includes a supply means, at least one manipulation means, a reception means spatially separated from the supply means, a manufacturing path segment extending from the supply means to the manipulation means and continuing to the reception means and a transportation system. The transportation system includes a plurality of independent transportation means for transportation of at least one discrete hygienic article along the manufacturing path segment and a guide means to guide all of the transportation means.

Abstract: A method for pre-fastening disposable absorbent articles having a slot-and-tab fastening system during manufacturing of the pre-fastened disposable articles, such as diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, adults incontinence pads and the like.