Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent body enclosed between a liquid-permeable outer sheet and a liquid-impermeable outer sheet, a front part facing forwards when the article is worn, and a rear part. The absorbent body tapers rearwardly to the end of the rear part from a section of greatest width situated in said front part. The article includes flexible outwardly projecting flaps which extend on respective sides of the absorbent body and have outer edges that are inclined relative to the longitudinal symmetry axis at an angle such that the distance between the outer sides of said flaps and the axis decreases in a direction towards the rear end of the article. At least two adhesive strings are applied to at least one of the flaps on the side thereof which, in the unfolded state of the flap, lies on the same side of the article as the liquid-impermeable outer sheet.

Abstract: A disposable article having a sensor that predicts an impending event such as an elimination of bodily waste. The article may also include an actuator that performs a responsive function when the sensor predicts the impending event.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a central region which is selectively stretchable in the longitudinal direction, and two end regions adjacent to the central region which are selectively stretchable in the lateral direction. When employed as a garment, such as a disposable diaper or pant-like absorbent garment, the central region provides selective longitudinal (front-to-back) stretching in the crotch area of the wearer, and the two end regions provide selective lateral (side-to-side) stretching in the front and back waist areas of the wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The back portion has a first end, a second end and first and second side edges. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section is extendable in at least one direction and has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2. First and second fasteners are positioned and secured adjacent to one of the first and second side edges of the back portion and are secured thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable absorbent articles like baby diapers, adult incontinence articles and in particular to sanitary napkins or pantiliners. According to the present invention the articles are provided with an apertured backsheet for breathability. At least one of the breathable layers of the backsheet comprises a resilient, three dimensional web which consists of a liquid impervious polymeric film having apertures. The apertures form capillaries which are designed such that the backsheet provides an increased barrier to liquid passage out of the article and maintains water vapor permeability when the web is exposed to compressive pressure.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined with at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet; and a thermally activatable adhesive capable of adhering of the absorbent article to the skin of the wearer during use. The thermally activatable adhesive is preferably activated at temperatures in the range of about 30° C. to about 60° C.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability or may include materials which provide improved air exchange after being wetted. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes outwardly projecting, flexible flaps which extend beyond respective sides of an absorbent body along a tapering part of the body and have outer longitudinal edges which in the unfolded state of the flaps are inclined relative to the longitudinal symmetry axis (A—A) of the article at an angle &agr; such that the distance between the outer sides of the flaps and the longitudinal symmetry axis of the article decreases in a direction towards the rear end of the article. The angle (&agr;) is larger than the angle (&bgr;) at which a first imaginary line inclined to the longitudinal symmetry axis, and passing through the outer limitation point of the absorbent body in its widest part and the outer transversal limitation point of the rear end of the absorbent body.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. The fastening components have interior corners near the leg openings and disposed toward the longitudinal and transverse center of the absorbent article that are recessed to avoid possible irritation of the wearer's skin.

Abstract: A sanitary absorbent article is provided which has a generally rectangular main body and two positioning tabs laterally extending from the main body for use in securing the article to an undergarment of a user. The tabs, when folded, provide upstanding barriers that extend along the longitudinal edges of the main body to prevent leakage of menstrual fluid.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one fit panel, a pair a primary fasteners and an integral waist size adjustment mechanism. The fit panel is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent chassis and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the fit panel and are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to provide the disposable absorbent article. The waist size adjustment mechanism may include a secondary fastener tab which is integral with the fit panel.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article aiming at improved skin aeration by combining the benefits of an absorbent core providing good rewet performance and of using backsheet materials, which where covering the core area, provide vapor permeability, and which have even higher vapor permeability in the chassis region(s) surrounding the core region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reducing the build up or accretion of adhesive, alone or in combination with other materials, on the surfaces of equipment used to ultrasonically treat a workpiece (e.g., ultrasonically bonding various components or pieces to one another.) Thus the invention encompasses composites, absorbent products, and methods of making said composites and products where an adhesive composition having certain identified properties is used to reduce the build up or accretion of the adhesive on ultrasonic bonding equipment. In one embodiment of the invention, a composite includes an adhesive having a capillary-viscosity value of about 7 Pas.sec or greater and a Shore-OO-Hardness value of about 65 or greater, whereby the relative accretion value is less than about 1, and more particularly less than about 0.5.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, containing cuffs with a skin care composition disposed thereon. The skin care composition disposed on the cuffs is transferable to the wearer's skin by normal contact and/or wearer motion and/or body heat. The cuffs are at least partially assembled using an oil resistant adhesive that is both material friendly and process friendly.

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent thong-shaped pantiliner. The pantiliner is in the form of a generally planar pad having a longitudinal central axis and a generally wedge-shaped periphery including first and second generally concave longitudinal extending sides interconnecting a top end and a bottom end. The pad includes a fluid-pervious top sheet an absorbent core and a fluid impervious back sheet that are bonded together along a first set of non-linear, parallel lines and second set of linear parallel lines. The first set of lines have portions extending generally along each side and the top and bottom end of the pad. The first set of lines also has a fourth portion extending generally along the bottom end of the pad. The second set of lines are located adjacent the bottom end of the pad and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first set of parallel lines merge with the second set of parallel lines adjacent the bottom end of the pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence guard, or a panty-liner, which article has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and also exhibits two side edges (9, 10), a front edge (11) and a rear edge (12), a front portion (6) and a rear portion (7), and a crotch portion (8) situated between the front portion (6) and the rear portion (7), which article furthermore exhibits a liquid-impervious surface (2) and a liquid-impervious surface (3). At least within the front portion (6) and the crotch portion (8), the article exhibits high bending stiffness against bending along transversely extending bending lines, whereby the front portion (6) and the crotch portion (8) of the article exhibit high shape permanence during use of the article.

Abstract: An absorbent article with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, at least one elastic member (14) being arranged with prestressing in the crotch area (8) of the article, extending essentially in the transverse direction of the article. The elastic member (14) is arranged between the liquid-permeable surface layer (2) of the article and its absorption body (4) on a first surface of the absorption body (4). A shaping element (16) which is rigid to bending in the transverse sense of the article is arranged on a second surface of the absorption body (4), the shaping element (16) counteracting contraction of the elastic member (14).

Abstract: The invention provides a sanitary absorbent article, such as a feminine protection device, having a fibrous, liquid permeable body-facing cover layer, and an absorbent system, which exhibits particular rewet characteristics when subjected to mechanical stress. The sanitary absorbent article has a thickness of less than or equal to 5 mm, a capacity of at least 18 grams, a rewet potential of less than or equal to 0.8 grams, and a flexural resistance of less than 700 g.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the front portion and each of the first and second lateral sections has an outer edge. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2.