Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a first, liquid-permeable carrier layer and at least a second carrier layer. A water sensitive attaching mechanism secures together the carrier layers to provide substantially attached zones and substantially unattached zones thereof. The substantially unattached zones provide a plurality of pocket regions, and a high absorbency material is located within the pocket regions to provide an absorbent laminate. A secondary attaching mechanism secures together the carrier layers along selected secondary attachment regions and provides a substantially water-insensitive connection therebetween. The secondary attachment regions are substantially restricted to locations spaced from the pocket regions.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a retention portion for storing absorbed liquids, and a distinctive surge management portion. The surge management portion, which has a selected basis weight, is constructed to rapidly uptake and temporarily hold at least three (3) successive surges of liquid directed into the target zone of the article and then release each of the surges to the retention portion. The retention portion desorbs each input of liquid from the surge management portion and stores the liquid. Particular functional and structural parameters can further characterize the surge management portion of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A distinctive method for contouring a fibrous web includes the steps of (a) providing a fibrous web which defines an interconnected series of appointed article segments along a length dimension of said web, and (b) conveying said web at a selected speed along an appointed machine direction. The method also includes the step of (c) removing predetermined quantities of fibers from selected regions of said fibrous web with a moving, outer peripheral scarfing surface, which is movable along a selected movement direction. The scarfing surface is constructed to provide each of the article segments with a selected contoured basis weight which varies along the length dimension of said segment in a selected correspondence with a predetermined scarfing pattern. The scarfing pattern is provided by the outer peripheral scarfing surface and is variably patterned along the movement direction of the scarfing surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a first, liquid-permeable carrier layer and at least a second carrier layer. A carrier attaching mechanism, such as a water-sensitive adhesive, secures together the carrier layers to provide substantially attached zones and a multiplicity of substantially unattached zones thereof. The substantially unattached zones provide a plurality of pocket regions, and a high-absorbency material is located within the pocket regions to provide an absorbent laminate. Matrix fibers are dispersed within the high-absorbency material in the pocket regions, and the matrix fibers are present in a selected amount which, in particular aspects of the invention, can be within the range of about 0.1-10 weight percent, as determined with respect to the total weight of the absorbent material contained in the pockets.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a first, liquid-permeable carrier layer and at least a second carrier layer. A water sensitive attaching mechanism secures together the carrier layers to provide substantially attached zones and substantially unattached zones thereof. The substantially unattached zones provide a plurality of pocket regions, and a high absorbency material is located within the pocket regions to provide an absorbent laminate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a disposable diaper in which the waistband is closed by a mechanical fastener. A second fastener means is included and positioned on the article to enable rolling or folding the garment after use and thereby secure it in a neat bundle for disposal. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical fastener is comprised of hook tabs at the rear waistband which engage a patch of loop material adhesively bonded on the front waistband. The second fastener means of the disclosed embodiments utilizes the tabs which engage a compatible component on the garment placed in the same half portion with the tabs.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of adhesive fastener assemblies includes the step of providing a substantially continuous web of substrate material along a selected, longitudinal machine-direction (132). The substrate web has a laterally extending cross direction (134) which is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction, and has laterally opposed, longitudinally extending side edge regions (142 and 144) thereof. A selected fastening means, such as a layer of primary adhesive (54), is positioned and applied onto a major facing surface (186) of the substrate web (140). A first longitudinally extending web of stiffening material (154) is attached to the major surface of the substrate web (140) at a location which is proximate a first side edge region (142) of the substrate web. A second longitudinally extending web of stiffening material (156) is attached to the major surface of the substrate web (140) at a location which is proximate the second side edge region (144) of the substrate web (140).

Abstract: An article, such as a disposable diaper, which includes a refastenable mechanical fastener system for closing and opening the waistband. The fastener comprises a hook and loop system, such as a Velcro.RTM. fastener system, developed for superior performance in fastening the waistband. The hook material of the fastener is molded of a copolymer of polypropylene which has flexural modulus of 70,00-120,00 psi; shore hardness D-40 to D-80 and the hooks are tapered base to tip, alternating hook design, of 0.04-0.05 inch caliper. The hook density in the material is about 740 hooks per inch on 40 rows to the inch on base film of 0.008-0.010 inch thickness. The loop material is a raised loop fabric of polyester fiber, two bar warp knit construction, with napped surface. The fabric is polyethylene terephthalate of basis weight in the range 1.0-3.0 ounce per square yard. The hook material is preferably mounted on the ears of the garment at the rear waistband which attaches to loop material.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a retention portion for storing absorbed liquids, and a distinctive surge management portion. The surge management portion, which has a selected basis weight, is constructed to rapidly uptake and temporarily hold at least three (3) successive surges of liquid directed into the target zone of the article and then release each of the surges to the retention portion. The retention portion desorbs each input of liquid from the surge management portion and stores the liquid. Particular functional and structural parameters can further characterize the surge management portion of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A package, which can be substantially hexahedral, is composed of a flexible polymer material and contains a plurality of articles. The package includes a front face wall, a back face wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and two oppositely located end walls. A plurality of stacks of the articles are contained within the package, and the article stacks arranged to extend in a generally parallel, side-by-side configuration with each stack including a multiplicity of the articles. Each of the stacks is aligned along an appointed stacking direction of the package, and each of the stacks has opposed facing ends thereof contacting opposed walls of the package. A designated opening mechanism extends across a selected primary opening wall of the package and extends across at least a portion of each of a pair of oppositely located, complementary opening walls of the package.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for depositing a pattern of material, such as hot-melt adhesive, onto a substrate comprises a supplying mechanism for forming a first and at least a second substantially continuous stream of the selected material, and a gas-directing mechanism for forming a plurality of gas streams. The gas streams have selected velocities and are arranged to entrain the material streams to impart a swirling motion to each of the material streams as it moves toward the substrate. A transport mechanism moves the substrate relative to the supply mechanism along a selected machine direction. A regulating mechanism controls the supplying mechanism and gas-directing mechanism to direct the material stream in a selected path toward the substrate and deposit the material in adjacent semi-cycloidal patterns on the substrate while closely controlling a selected cross-directional positioning of one or more of the deposited patterns.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for depositing a pattern of material, such as hot-melt adhesive, onto a substrate comprises a supplying mechanism for forming a first and at least a second substantially continuous stream of the selected material, and a gas-directing mechanism for forming a plurality of gas streams. The gas streams have selected velocities and are arranged to entrain the material streams to impart a swirling motion to each of the material streams as it moves toward the substrate. A transport mechanism moves the substrate relative to the supply mechanism along a selected machine direction. A regulating mechanism controls the supplying mechanism and gas-directing mechanism to direct the material stream in a selected path toward the substrate and deposit the material in adjacent semi-cycloidal patterns on the substrate while closely controlling a selected cross-directional positioning of one or more of the deposited patterns.

Abstract: A distinctive article has first and second waistband sections, and an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections. The article comprises a backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body interposed between the backsheet and topsheet layers. At least one adhesive tape member connects to the first waistband section. The tape member has a factory-bond section for connecting the tape member to the first waistband section, and a user-bond section for securing the article on a wearer. The user-bond section connects to a finger tab which includes a non-securing grasping section thereof. In particular embodiments, the grasping section can comprise a layer of absorbent material.

Abstract: A distinctive apparatus and method for selectively providing predetermined segments of web material comprises a supplying mechanism for providing the web material. A first sensing mechanism detects a reference marker on the web material to generate at least one reference marker datum which is associated with a selected web segment. A separating mechanism includes a sensor mechanism for providing at least one separation datum, and divides the web material along a separation region during a production of the web segment. A phase regulating mechanism controls a relative phasing between the reference marker detected by the first sensing mechanism and the dividing by the separating mechanism. The phasing is conducted with respect to a set reference value.

Abstract: A bag for receiving and containing a substantially stacked array of selected articles includes a flexible front panel which has two opposed side edge regions, a top edge region, and an appointed lengthwise stack direction. A flexible back panel has two opposed side edge regions and a top edge region, and is connected in facing relation to the front panel along the side edge regions thereof. A flexible top gusset connects to the top edge regions of the front and back panels. The top gusset and one or more of the front and back panels have an appointed line of frangibility extending at least partially there across along a direction which is transverse to the stack direction. The line of frangibility is entirely spaced from each of the panel side edge regions by a distance which is not less than 1/2 a width dimension of the stacked array of articles.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for applying an elastic member onto a moving substrate along a selected curvilinear location includes a transporting mechanism for moving the substrate along a selected substrate path. A rotatable nip roll contacts the elastic member to place the elastic member onto the substrate along the curvilinear location. A guiding mechanism delivers the elastic member across a free-span distance directly onto the nip roll while selectively changing a lateral positioning of the elastic member relative to a cross direction of the invention. A conveying mechanism directs the elastic member along a selected elastic path into the guiding mechanism, and an elastic supplying mechanism provides the elastic member to the conveying mechanism. In one aspect of the invention, a bonding mechanism provides an adhesive in an arrangement which secures the elastic member to the substrate along the curvilinear location.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes a backsheet layer which has a width dimension and a length dimension, and which includes a front waistband section, a back waistband section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the front and back waistband sections. An absorbent body is superposed on the backsheet layer, and an intermediate transfer layer, which is liquid permeable, is disposed in facing relation with the absorbent body to generally sandwich the absorbent body between the backsheet and transfer layer. The transfer layer has an appointed bodyside, inner surface, and a bodyside liner layer is located on the inner surface of the transfer layer. The bodyside liner comprises a bonded carded web which has a basis weight within the range of about 15-40 gsm and is composed of bicomponent fibers having a fiber denier within the range of about 1.0-3.0 dpf. The bodyside liner is constructed to provide for a Penetration rate index of at least about 1.

Abstract: There is disclosed a disposable diaper in which the waistband is closed by a mechanical fastener. A second fastener means is included and positioned on the article to enable rolling or folding the garment after use and thereby secure it in a neat bundle for disposal. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical fastener is comprised of hook tabs at the rear waistband which engage a patch of loop material adhesively bonded on the front waistband. The second fastener means of the disclosed embodiments utilizes the tabs which engage a compatible component on the garment placed in the same half portion with the tabs.

Abstract: An article, such as a disposable diaper, which includes a refastenable mechanical fastener system for closing and opening the waistband. The fastener comprises a hook and loop system, such as a Velcro.RTM. fastener system, developed for superior performance in fastening the waistband. The hook material of the fastener is molded of a copolymer of polypropylene which has flexural modulus of 70,00-120,00 psi; shore hardness D-40 to D-80 and the hooks are tapered base to tip, alternating hook design, of 0.04-0.05 inch caliper. The hook density in the material is about 740 hooks per inch on 40 rows to the inch on base film of 0.008-0.010 inch thickness. The loop material is a raised loop fabric of polyester fiber, two bar warp knit construction, with napped surface. The fabric is polyethylene terephthalate of basis weight in the range 1.0-3.0 ounce per square yard. The hook material is preferably mounted on the ears of the garment at the rear waistband which attaches to loop material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a zoned distribution of particulate material within a fibrous web includes a conveying mechanism for providing a gas entrained supply of the particulate material and a segregating mechanism for centrifugally directing at least a portion of the particulate material into an accumulation region of the apparatus. A transferring mechanism selectively directs particulate material from the accumulation region into a delivery gas stream to provide an intermittent flow volume of a selected quantity of particulate material from the accumulation region through a delivery conduit and into a web forming chamber. A fiberizing mechanism provides a flow of a selected fibrous material into the web forming chamber, and a directing mechanism controls the intermittent flow of particulate material from the delivery conduit into the forming chamber.