Abstract: Absorbent articles suitable for use as diapers or other hygiene products are provided. The absorbent articles have one or more closure system features including dual elasticity, rear closure, and the use of co-adhesives for the fasteners. Products according to the invention may provide any of several benefits, including a high level of comfort in use, resistance to tampering by the wearer, and relatively quiet attachment and detachment of the closures.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing fastener ears for absorbent articles and other garments includes the step of cutting a wave-shaped pattern along the longitudinal axis of an elongated strip of material. The wave-shaped cutting pattern is substantially centered along the strip and divides the strip into a first web and a second web. Each web has a series of ear shapes, with each ear shape having a wave crest portion. Each wave crest portion has a first edge with a convex curvature. The method also includes the step of cutting each of the ear shapes out of its respective web to form a plurality of fastener ears. A fastener ear formed by such method is also contemplated.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a chassis having an anterior portion and a crotch portion and a belt coupled to the chassis. The belt has end portions extending outwardly beyond side edges of the chassis. The end portions of the belt are configured to be fastened between the crotch portion and the anterior portion, and the belt is configured to draw the crotch portion toward the anterior portion of the chassis about a body portion of a wearer to limit sag and leakage at the crotch portion of the chassis.

Abstract: A surface cleaning pad is provided comprising a pad body including a primary portion and a secondary portion contiguous with the primary portion. An attachment member is coupled to the primary portion of the pad body, whereby the attachment member is configured for releasable attachment to a primary surface of a cleaning implement. An attachment member is coupled to the secondary portion of the pad body, wherein the attachment member is configured for releasable attachment to a secondary surface of a cleaning implement. The primary portion and the secondary portion of the pad body are each configured to be independently positioned against a soiled surface.

Abstract: An economical and disposable cleaning tool which may be prepared by a simplified manufacturing process involving a reduced number of steps. The cleaning tool includes a cleaning pad and a handle, the cleaning pad having a pocket for receiving the a handle. The cleaning pad may be provided with a top sheet and a fiber bundle. The top sheet is folded over and bonded to provide a cleaning portion and a back portion, and the fiber bundle is disposed on the cleaning portion. The cleaning portion and the back portion of the folded sheet are bonded together forming the pocket for a handle to be disposed therein. The handle may include a hinge to enable the handle to be repeatedly folded over for convenient storage or easily extended for use.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided including a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The diaper includes large rectangular fasteners that stretch in only one direction. At least one longitudinally extending, elasticized inner leg gather is disposed with the topsheet. The inner leg gather includes at least one elastic member for distributing elastic contractile forces. The inner leg gather is joined to the topsheet along a front tackdown zone and a back tackdown zone. The elastic members and tackdown zones extend in a manner sufficient to provide enhanced fit, functionality and waste containment. The unidirectional stretch fasteners and leg gathers are sized in relationship to each other to enable a complete encircling of each leg to form a better leg gasket for waste containment and fit.

Abstract: A protective undergarment is provided according to exemplary aspects of this invention. The undergarment includes a waist portion adapted to encircle the waist of a user. The undergarment also includes a crotch portion having an end segment extending from the waist portion, a central segment, and a terminal end segment attachable to the waist portion. The terminal end segment of the crotch portion extends substantially perpendicular to the waist portion.

Abstract: A surface cleaning pad comprising a pad body and an attachment surface associated with the pad body and positioned to face a cleaning implement is provided. The attachment surface comprises a substantially hydrophilic portion and a substantially hydrophobic portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the improved prevention of leakage of body exudates from a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, by providing a pair of standing leg cuffs on both sides of the absorbent core of the article. The cuffs are preferably ribbon cuffs attached to the diaper or fashioned from the top sheet of the diaper.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an economical and disposable cleaning tool which may be prepared by a simplified manufacturing process involving a reduced number of steps. The cleaning tool comprises a cleaning pad and a handle, the cleaning pad having a pocket for receiving the handle. The cleaning pad may be provided with a top sheet and a fiber bundle. The top sheet is folded over and bonded to provide a cleaning portion and a back portion, and the fiber bundle is disposed on the cleaning portion. The cleaning portion and the back portion of the folded sheet are bonded together forming the pocket for the handle to be disposed therein. The handle may include a hinge to enable the handle to be repeatedly folded over for convenient storage or easily extended for use.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for demonstrating an absorbent product. The apparatus includes a torso-shaped manikin on which an absorbent product can be donned. An inlet is positioned on the manikin to receive synthetic urine, a first outlet is positioned on the manikin to correspond to male anatomy, and a second outlet is positioned on the manikin to correspond to female anatomy. A passageway is positioned in the manikin to direct synthetic urine from the inlet toward the first and second outlets. A method and kit are also provided for demonstrating the absorbent product.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed that provides improved leakage protection. Also disclosed are methods for using and preparing absorbent articles having improved leakage protection, methods for designing articles having improved leakage protection, and methods of measuring and determining the performance index of an absorbent article. The absorbent article having improved leakage protection has a 3 variable urine only leakage performance index (PI3UL) of less than about 3.0, the PI3UL being determined in accordance with the following equation (1): PI3UL=0.046(Tc)?2.94(MS100)?0.772(AUL)??(1) where Tc is the total capacity in grams, MS100 is the percent utilization of the core upon insult with 100 ml of 0.9 wt % saline solution, and AUL is the front pad absorbency under load, expressed in grams of 0.9 wt % saline solution absorbed per gram of pad material.