Abstract: An absorbent article (10) has a longitudinal direction (26) and a lateral direction (24). The article includes a backsheet layer (30), a liquid-permeable topsheet layer (28), and an absorbent body (32) sandwiched between the backsheet layer (30) and topsheet layer (28). A surge management member (46) is joined between the topsheet layer (28) and the absorbent body (32), and the surge management member (46) includes at least a first nonwoven fabric layer (52). In particular aspects, the article (10) can be bent around a wearer's body contours with a reduced tendency to form a transverse channel crease (76) along the cross-direction of the surge management member, particularly when the surge member (46) is curved through the wearer's crotch region.

Abstract: A fiber is provided wherein the fiber contains an energy receptive additive. The fiber provides rapid heating when subjected to dielectric energy such as radio frequency or microwave radiation. The energy receptive additive has a dielectric loss of between about 0.5 and 15, preferably between 1 and 15 and most preferably between 5 and 15. The fibers may be crimped, extensible or elastic.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as the shown diaper (10), has a front waistband portion (14), a back waistband portion (12) and an intermediate portion (16) interconnecting said front and back waistband portions. The article includes a backsheet member (30), a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28), and an absorbent body (32) sandwiched between the topsheet layer (28) and backsheet member (30). The backsheet member includes an air permeable, polymer sheet layer (96), and a first, outward nonwoven fibrous web (94) attached to or otherwise operatively joined with a major facing surface (78) of the polymer sheet layer (96) at a plurality of individual, spaced apart thermal bonds (98).

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent core located between a bodyside liner and an outer cover. A leg cuff is mounted to a base structure of the absorbent article in the crotch portion thereof. The leg cuffs are partially stretched when attached to respective longitudinal side portions near the crotch portion of the absorbent article. An outboard edge of the leg cuffs is generally unattached to the base structure of the absorbent article and can be stretched beyond the length of that portion of the base structure along which the leg cuffs are mounted. The leg cuffs may be mounted at an angle of between 5 and 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. The leg cuffs extend outwardly toward the rear portion of the absorbent article and inwardly in the front portion when mounted at an angle.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) which includes a backsheet layer (30) having a pair of laterally opposed and longitudinally extending side margins (20). Each side margin has an outwardly concave, terminal side edge contour 15 located at appointed leg opening regions (17) in an intermediate portion (16) of the side margin. Each concave side edge contour (15) has a selected longitudinal extent along a length dimension (26) of the article (10). A liquid permeable topsheet layer (28) is connected in a superposed facing relation to the backsheet layer (30), and an absorbent body (32) is sandwiched between the topsheet layer (28) and the backsheet layer (30). A separately provided gusset-flap composite member (19) is connected to at least one of the backsheet and topsheet layers along each of the leg opening regions (17). The gusset-flap member (19) provides a leg gusset section (142) and a containment flap section (144).

Abstract: An absorbent article has a moisture barrier and an absorbent assembly disposed on the moisture barrier. In one embodiment, fecal containment members of the absorbent article are positioned transversely outward of the absorbent assembly between the absorbent assembly and each longitudinal side edge of the article. The fecal containment members have a wet compression recovery of at least about 85 percent and a mean pore size of at least about 1.5 millimeters.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a moisture barrier and an absorbent assembly disposed on the moisture barrier. In one embodiment, fecal containment members of the absorbent article are positioned transversely outward of the absorbent assembly between the absorbent assembly and each longitudinal side edge of the article. The fecal containment members have a wet compression recovery of at least about 85 percent and a mean pore size of at least about 1.5 millimeters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distinctive absorbent article which includes a pair of stretchable leg containment gaskets. The leg containment gaskets include a bodyfacing surface which extends along a width of the leg containment gaskets and which is adapted to be in a contacting relationship with a wearer's body when in use. An outboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets is attached to the longitudinal side portions of the absorbent article along an attached width. An inboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets remains unattached from said longitudinal side portions in at least the crotch portion of the absorbent article along an unattached width. The attached width of each of the leg containment gaskets in the crotch portion of the absorbent article is at least about 30 percent of the width of the leg containment gasket. The absorbent article may also include a pair of stretchable waist containment gaskets.