Abstract: An article includes a distinctive refastenable adhesive taping system. The article comprises an outer cover which has waistband sections positioned at opposite ends thereof and has an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections. The outer cover includes a securing zone which is located at a first of the waistband sections and which provides a landing surface appointed for receiving adhesion of one or more adhesive tabs thereon. The securing zone has a selected peak tensile strength and a selected rigidity value. An adhesive tab is located at at least one lateral side edge of a second of the waistband sections for securing the waistband sections around a wearer. The tab includes a backing layer and an adhesive layer, and, when adhered to the landing surface, has a 180.degree. peel adhesion value which is less than the peak strength of the securing zone.

Abstract: A method for forming a zoned distribution of particulate material within a fibrous web includes a conveying step for providing a gas entrained supply of the particulate material and a segregating step centrifugally directing at least a portion of the particulate material into an accumulation region. A transferring step 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 step provides a flow of a selected fibrous material into the web forming chamber, and a directing step controls the intermittent flow of particulate material from the delivery conduit into the forming chamber.

Abstract: An article having a refastenable tape system comprising a flexible substrate having a tear strength, and an adhesive tape member having a peel adhesion value which is greater than the tear strength of the substrate when the tape member is adhered to a first major surface of the substrate. A reinforcement layer composed of a hot melt adhesive is bonded to a second major surface of the substrate located opposite to the first major surface. The reinforcement layer exhibits an elongation-at-break of at least about 100%. The substrate and the reinforcement layer thereby provide a composite tear strength greater than the peel adhesion value of the tape member, and provide a composite elongation-at-break of at least about 100%.

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.

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: A distinctive method and apparatus for forming a substantially continuous filament of a thermoplastic work material and for imparting a swirling motion thereto comprises a body member which has a work material supply passage and a gas supply passage formed therein. An outlet nozzle section connects to the body member and has a substantially conically tapered shape. The nozzle section has a nozzle extrusion passage formed therein in communication with the work material supply passage. A housing member operably connects to the body member to delimit a substantially annular gas transfer zone in fluid communication with the gas supply passage and to delimit a substantially annular gas outlet passage arond the nozzle section. The housing member includes an exit section having inner wall surfaces which substantially parallel the conically tapered shape of the nozzle section. The inner wall surfaces are in a selected spaced relation from the nozzle section to define the gas outlet passage.

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 apparatus for forming an absorbent body includes a forming chamber, and a fiber delivering mechanism for providing a flow of fibrous material within the forming chamber. A forming layer, which is located in the forming chamber and is movable therein, receives deposit of the fibrous material thereon. A conduit mechanism supplied a flow of dispersed bodies of high-absorbency material, which enter the forming chambers and intermix with the flow of fibrous material thereon. A regulating mechanism controls a velocity of the flow of high-absorbency material into the flow of fibrous material to thereby form a selected distribution of high-absorbency material within the fibrous material deposited onto the forming layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive absorbent article which includes a backsheet layer which delimits at least one waistband portion of the article. A substantially liquid-permeable topsheet layer is located in facing relation with an inner surface of the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body is located between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. An elastic member, which is connected to the waistband portion, is composed of an elastomeric, nonwoven fibrous web material, and is constructed and arranged to shirr the waistband portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming at least one elasticized flap section on a substantially continuous web comprises a web supplying mechanism for delivering a moving, substantially continuous web having first and second, oppositely-facing major surfaces, and having first and second side edges. An elastic supplying mechanism delivers at least one elastic member into contact with the web, and an attaching mechanism secures the elastic member to the web. A first folding mechanism bends the web along a primary foldline located inboard from the first side edge of the web to define at least one primary panel portion of the web. The folding mechanism operably moves the primary panel portion to overlie the first major web surface with the elastic member located between the primary panel portion and the first major web surface.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes a backsheet layer, a substantially liquid-permeable liner layer, and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and liner layers. The backsheet and liner layers generally define a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section of the article, with the intermediate section interconnecting the front and rear waistband sections. A resilient barrier member is located in the intermediate section of the article, and includes at least a portion which extends generally transversely along the article cross-direction. The barrier member extends toward the body of the wearer and operably inhibits the longitudinal movement of liquid or viscous waste materials between the front and rear waistband sections of the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive absorbent article which includes a backsheet layer which delimits at least one waistband portion of the article. A substantially liquid-permeable topsheet layer is located in facing relation with an inner surface of the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body is located between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. An elastic member, which is connected to the waistband portion, is composed of an elastomeric, nonwoven fibrous web material, and is constructed and arranged to shirr the waistband portion.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment comprising a stretchable outer cover (20), fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20) and an absorbent structure (22) with elastic members 56 in the crotch area causing the absorbent structure (22) to assume a cupped shape when secured on a wearer.

Abstract: A fluid absorbent article, comprising an absorbent web expandable upon fluid absorption and joined to a topsheet of fluid impervious material having a plurality of tapered passages therein, each open at its respective base and apex, and oriented with its base in the plane of the topsheet and its apex disposed in an interior portion of said absorbent web, such that fluid contacting the topsheet, surface tensionally enters the tapered passages at the bases thereof for passage therethrough to exit at the apexes thereof into the absorbent web, whereupon expansion of the absorbent web in proximity to the tapered passages compressively affects closure thereof to sealingly retain the fluid in the absorbent web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a garment article which includes a body of gatherable material, and a heat sensitive, thermally-elasticizable ribbon material which is secured to the gatherable material with a hot melt adhesive. The hot melt adhesive is disposed on a surface of the thermally-elasticizable ribbon to provide a heat recoverable, elastomeric tape. The tape is adhesively secured to the garment by the hot melt adhesive, and is activated by an application of heat to shrink and shir the gatherable material.

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, 32) may have varying width and be less than full length.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for examining a moving web composed of an interconnected plurality of articles to determine a location of a selected component thereof. The apparatus includes an indicating mechanism for providing marker data corresponding to the presence of a selected article. A metering mechanism generates gauge data corresponding to selected incremental lengths along the article in the movement direction of the web. A designating mechanism provides reference data corresponding to a selected reference point on the article, and a locating mechanism detects position data corresponding to a position of a selected component of the article. An evaluating mechanism processes the reference data, location data and gauge data to determine a spaced distance between the component and the reference point.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes a backsheet layer and an absorbent body superposed in adjacent, facing relation with the backsheet layer. An actuating member connects to the article in liquid communication with the absorbent body and is composed of a liquid-contractible material. The liquid-contractible material is capable of shrinking upon contact with an aqueous liquid while maintaining a substantially unitary configuration. An indicating mechanism is connected to the actuating member for designating a wetness condition of the absorbent body, and is translatable along a selected path in response to the shrinkage of the actuating member.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable elastomer having a first length is produced by uniaxially orienting a copolymer having hard block and elastomeric soft block polymer segments to a second length which is substantially greater than a third length at which partial permanent deformation occurs. Upon removal of the tensioning force, the stretched elastomer naturally relaxes to the third length which is substantially greater than the first length but less than the second length. Upon application of heat, the elastomer shrinks and recovers its elastic properties. The heat-shrinkable elastomer can be coextruded by conventional techniques as a core layer disposed between nonelastic outer layers or skins, and the resulting coextruded elastomer can be uniaxially tensioned as above. Articles or garments such as disposable diapers advantageously use the heat-shrinkable elastomer of the present invention as a means to shirr portions thereof, such as waistbands.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article which includes a body of material, and a heat sensitive material which is secured to the body of material with a hot melt adhesive. The hot melt adhesive is disposed on a surface of the thermally-elasticizable material to provide a heat recoverable, elastomeric tape. The tape can be adhesively secured to a selected body with the hot melt adhesive, and can then be activated by an application of heat to shrink and render the tape elastic.