Abstract: A stretch laminate for an absorbent article. The stretch laminate includes a nonwoven substrate and an elastomeric film joined to the nonwoven substrate by a plurality of bonds. These bonds may be ultrasonic bonds or some combination of mechanical bonds, including ultrasonic bonds. The plurality of bonds form a bond pattern including a plurality of bond site clusters. Each of the bond site clusters includes a first bond having a longest bond dimension (D) and a second bond adjacent to the first bond. The Bond Separation Angle between the first bond and the second bond is from 0° up to and including 35° and the Bond Separation Distance between the first and second bond is less than 2.1D. Further, the bond site clusters may have a cluster dimension of less than about 5 mm and/or a cluster separation distance of at least about 2.

Abstract: A stretch laminate for an absorbent article. The stretch laminate includes a nonwoven substrate and an elastomeric film joined to the nonwoven substrate by a plurality of bonds. These bonds may be ultrasonic bonds or some combination of mechanical bonds, including ultrasonic bonds. The plurality of bonds form a bond pattern having a percent relative standard deviation greater than about 30% according to the Inter-Bond Measurement Test.

Abstract: A stretch laminate for an absorbent article. The stretch laminate includes a nonwoven substrate and an elastomeric film joined to the nonwoven substrate by a plurality of bonds. These bonds may be ultrasonic bonds or some combination of mechanical bonds, including ultrasonic bonds. The plurality of bonds form a bond pattern including a first bond having a longest bond dimension (D) and a second bond adjacent to the first bond. When the Bond Separation Angle between the first bond and the second bond is from 0° up to and including 35°, the Bond Separation Distance between the first and second bond is at least 2.1 D and less than 4.1 D. Further, when the Bond Separation Angle between the first bond and the second bond is greater than 35° and 90° or less, the Bond Separation Distance between the first and second bond is at least 1.3 D and less than 2.1 D.

Abstract: An array including at least two absorbent articles produced by the same manufacturer and/or sold under the same brand name is provided. Each absorbent article has side members made with an ultrasonically bonded laminate. The ultrasonically bonded laminates in the absorbent articles are different, and thereby are distinguishable, by two or more features selected from: ultrasonic bond shape, ultrasonic bond pattern, presence of frangible bonds, elastic film basis weight, first nonwoven primary bond pattern, and first nonwoven basis weight. At least one dimension of the first absorbent article may also be different than at least one dimension of the second absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a first and second waist region and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions. The absorbent article includes a chassis having a topsheet, backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. A laminate may be joined to the chassis. The laminate is an ultrasonically bonded laminate having a bond pattern. The bond pattern includes a plurality of discrete, primary ultrasonic bonds and a plurality of secondary ultrasonic bonds. The primary bonds may permanently attach the one or more layers of the laminate and the secondary bonds may releasably attach the one or more layers of the laminate. The releasable bond may release one or more layers of the laminate when the laminate is extended in the stretch direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a box of one or more absorbent articles, the box comprising pairs of opposed side walls, pairs of opposed top flaps foldably connected to corresponding side walls, pairs of opposed bottom flaps foldably connected to corresponding side walls, and a weakened area defined by an external weakened line at one of first opposed side walls. The weakened area comprises a first section and a second section divided by an internal weakened line, and an adhesive tape having a tape width and a tape end, and covering adjacent edges of the second opposed top flaps to seal top of the box. The adhesive tape extends along a portion of the one of first opposed side walls in such a way that the adhesive tape covers part of the second section so as not to cover the internal weakened line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a box of one or more absorbent articles, the box comprising pairs of opposed side walls, pairs of opposed top flaps foldably connected to corresponding side walls, pairs of opposed bottom flaps foldably connected to corresponding side walls, and a weakened area defined by an external weakened line at one of first opposed side walls. The weakened area comprises a first section and a second section divided by an internal weakened line, and an adhesive tape having a tape width and a tape end, and covering adjacent edges of the second opposed top flaps to seal top of the box. The adhesive tape extends along a portion of the one of first opposed side walls in such a way that the adhesive tape covers part of the second section so as not to cover the internal weakened line.

Abstract: A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path of perforations or scoring defining a hood opening structure, is disclosed. The hood opening structure may be configured to open proximate the fold noses of the articles for easy tactile identification, grasping and withdrawal of individual ones thereof, and may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening. The package, and printed commercial artwork and product information on the package surfaces, may be configured such that the fold noses are disposed at the apparent bottom of the package, for improved standing stability when the package is shelved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a box of one or more absorbent articles, the box comprising pairs of opposed side walls, pairs of opposed top flaps foldably connected to corresponding side walls, pairs of opposed bottom flaps foldably connected to corresponding side walls, and a weakened area defined by an external weakened line at one of first opposed side walls. The weakened area comprises a first section and a second section divided by an internal weakened line, and an adhesive tape having a tape width and a tape end, and covering adjacent edges of the second opposed top flaps to seal top of the box. The adhesive tape extends along a portion of the one of first opposed side walls in such a way that the adhesive tape covers part of the second section so as not to cover the internal weakened line.

Abstract: A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path of perforations or scoring defining a hood opening structure, is disclosed. The hood opening structure may be configured to open proximate the fold noses of the articles for easy tactile identification, grasping and withdrawal of individual ones thereof, and may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening. The package, and printed commercial artwork and product information on the package surfaces, may be configured such that the fold noses are disposed at the apparent bottom of the package, for improved standing stability when the package is shelved.

Abstract: A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path of perforations or scoring defining a hood opening structure, is disclosed. The hood opening structure may be configured to open proximate the fold noses of the articles for easy tactile identification, grasping and withdrawal of individual ones thereof, and may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening. The package, and printed commercial artwork and product information on the package surfaces, may be configured such that the fold noses are disposed at the apparent bottom of the package, for improved standing stability when the package is shelved.

Abstract: A package containing a plurality of disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path defining a hood opening structure is disclosed. The hood may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening.

Abstract: A package formed of flexible polymeric film and having a line of weakness to facilitate opening of the package and to demarcate a package base and a package hood is disclosed. The package hood may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening.

Abstract: A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of a flexible polymeric film defining a cuboid package having top and bottom surfaces and rear, front, first and second side walls. One or more folding tabs are provided proximal the top surface and extending along a width of one or both of the first and second side walls. Each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to the length of the folding tab and comprises a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film.

Abstract: A package containing a plurality of disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path defining a hood opening structure is disclosed. The hood may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening.

Abstract: A package containing a plurality of disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path of perforations or scoring defining a hood opening structure is disclosed. The hood may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having front and rear augmented waistband zones having a specified size and stiffness is disclosed. For relatively thinner, less bulky diapers of currently marketed designs, providing augmented waistband zones is believed to reduce mental and physical effort for the caregiver in application of the diaper. The augmented waistband zones provide a robust-feeling structure proximate the waist edges, which the caregiver may grasp at front and rear to adjust the diaper on the wearer. Caregiver perception of a need to reach deeper into the diaper structure to grasp it at a thicker area to tug at it is believed to be reduced.

Abstract: A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path of perforations or scoring defining a hood opening structure, is disclosed. The hood opening structure may be configured to open proximate the fold noses of the articles for easy tactile identification, grasping and withdrawal of individual ones thereof, and may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening. The package, and printed commercial artwork and product information on the package surfaces, may be configured such that the fold noses are disposed at the apparent bottom of the package, for improved standing stability when the package is shelved.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having front and rear augmented waistband zones having a specified size and stiffness is disclosed. For relatively thinner, less bulky diapers of currently marketed designs, providing augmented waistband zones is believed to reduce mental and physical effort for the caregiver in application of the diaper. The augmented waistband zones provide a robust-feeling structure proximate the waist edges, which the caregiver may grasp at front and rear to adjust the diaper on the wearer. Caregiver perception of a need to reach deeper into the diaper structure to grasp it at a thicker area to tug at it is believed to be reduced.

Abstract: A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of a flexible polymeric film defining a cuboid package having top and bottom surfaces and rear, front, first and second side walls. One or more folding tabs are provided proximal the top surface and extending along a width of one or both of the first and second side walls. Each folding tab has a height of between about 10 mm and about 50 mm in a direction perpendicular to the length of the folding tab and comprises a higher bending stiffness than the flexible polymeric film.