Abstract: Elasticized absorbent articles containing weakened elasticized portions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A method comprises applying a first amount of adhesive to a first portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, applying a second amount of adhesive to a second portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, covering the elastic strand with either the first surface of the first web of material or a first surface of a second web of material to form an elasticized web. The elasticized web comprises a heavy bonding region and a light bonding region, wherein the heavy bonding region comprises a greater area density of adhesive than the light bond region. Finally, the method may further comprise partially weakening the waist panel elastic strand at least at one location within the second region.

Abstract: A refastenable disposable garment defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a first waist region contiguous with a first waist edge. The first waist region defines first and second side edges transversely spaced apart and defines first and second surfaces. The first waist region is elastomeric proximal both the first and second side edges. The garment can include a second waist region and a crotch region that interconnects the first and second waist regions. The garment comprises non-extensible, relatively rigid first and second fastening components attached to the first surface of the first waist region adjacent the first and second side edges, respectively. The first waist region defines first and second flange portions transversely outward of the first and second fastening components, respectively. Each flange portion is transversely curled toward the second surface. A process for making such an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbent articles and methods of manufacturing absorbent articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassis comprising an elasticated front waist panel, and elasticated rear waist panel material, and an absorbent insert coupled to the front and rear waist panels. The front waist panel may comprise a garment facing web, a body facing web, and a plurality of elastomeric strands disposed between the garment facing web and the body facing web. The front waist panel may further comprise a first front panel adhesive region comprising a first adhesive but not a second adhesive and a second front panel adhesive region comprising the second adhesive but not the first adhesive. The rear waist panel may comprise the same components and adhesive regions as the front waist panel. An absorbent insert may also be coupled to the front waist panel and the rear waist panel.

Abstract: Elasticized absorbent articles containing weakened elasticized portions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A method comprises applying a first amount of adhesive to a first portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, applying a second amount of adhesive to a second portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, covering the elastic strand with either the first surface of the first web of material or a first surface of a second web of material to form an elasticized web. The elasticized web comprises a heavy bonding region and a light bonding region, wherein the heavy bonding region comprises a greater area density of adhesive than the light bond region. Finally, the method may further comprise partially weakening the waist panel elastic strand at least at one location within the second region.

Abstract: A refastenable disposable garment defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a first waist region contiguous with a first waist edge. The first waist region defines first and second side edges transversely spaced apart and defines first and second surfaces. The first waist region is elastomeric proximal both the first and second side edges. The garment can include a second waist region and a crotch region that interconnects the first and second waist regions. The garment comprises non-extensible, relatively rigid first and second fastening components attached to the first surface of the first waist region adjacent the first and second side edges, respectively. The first waist region defines first and second flange portions transversely outward of the first and second fastening components, respectively. Each flange portion is transversely curled toward the second surface. A process for making such an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A refastenable disposable garment defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a first waist region contiguous with a first waist edge. The first waist region defines first and second side edges transversely spaced apart and defines first and second surfaces. The first waist region is elastomeric proximal both the first and second side edges. The garment can include a second waist region and a crotch region that interconnects the first and second waist regions. The garment comprises non-extensible, relatively rigid first and second fastening components attached to the first surface of the first waist region adjacent the first and second side edges, respectively. The first waist region defines first and second flange portions transversely outward of the first and second fastening components, respectively. Each flange portion is transversely curled toward the second surface. A process for making such an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article includes feeding a first web of material in a machine direction, feeding a second web of material in the machine direction, the second web being spaced from the first web by a gap, attaching an absorbent assembly to the first web and the second web such that the absorbent assembly spans the gap between the first and second webs, forming a partial cut line through the second web, folding the first web into face-to-face relationship with the second web after forming the partial cut line, and cutting the first and second webs after folding the first web into face-to-face relationship with the second web to separate the absorbent article from the first and second webs. The partial cut line defines at least one finger tab on the absorbent article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is presenting having multiple components and including an inspection region subject to inspection using infrared radiation, wherein the inspection region includes a junction of two components; and a printed graphic in the inspection region, wherein the ink used to print the graphic includes no carbon black colorant such that the printed graphic is substantially transparent to infrared radiation. In addition, a disposable absorbent article having multiple components includes a printed graphic in an inspection region subject to inspection using infrared radiation, the printed graphic including black ink having no carbon black colorant such that the printed graphic is substantially transparent to infrared radiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article includes feeding a first web of material in a machine direction, feeding a second web of material in the machine direction, the second web being spaced from the first web by a gap, attaching an absorbent assembly to the first web and the second web such that the absorbent assembly spans the gap between the first and second webs, forming a partial cut line through the second web, folding the first web into face-to-face relationship with the second web after forming the partial cut line, and cutting the first and second webs after folding the first web into face-to-face relationship with the second web to separate the absorbent article from the first and second webs. The partial cut line defines at least one finger tab on the absorbent article.

Abstract: A pant-like garment having an elastomeric film laminate front panel and back panel. A front leg elastic member disposed adjacent the front panel leg edge. A back leg elastic member disposed adjacent the back panel leg edge. The absorbent garment having a leg elastic covering panel which extends between and interconnects the front panel to the back panel such that the front leg elastic member is sandwiched between the leg elastic covering panel and the front panel and such that the back leg elastic member is sandwiched between the leg elastic covering panel and the back panel. The length of the leg elastic covering panel is less than the garment length. An absorbent composite is attached to the leg elastic covering panel and a pair of side seams connects the front region to the back region to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is presenting having multiple components and including an inspection region subject to inspection using infrared radiation, wherein the inspection region includes a junction of two components; and a printed graphic in the inspection region, wherein the ink used to print the graphic includes no carbon black colorant such that the printed graphic is substantially transparent to infrared radiation. In addition, a disposable absorbent article having multiple components includes a printed graphic in an inspection region subject to inspection using infrared radiation, the printed graphic including black ink having no carbon black colorant such that the printed graphic is substantially transparent to infrared radiation.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric laminate having targeted elastic properties for use in personal care articles is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method comprises providing first and second nonwoven webs; providing a core layer of elastomeric material under tension; sandwiching the core layer between the first and second nonwoven webs; bonding the core layer to at least one of the first and second nonwoven webs; providing an elastomeric film ribbon web under tension; sandwiching the elastomeric film ribbon web between the first and second nonwoven webs; and fusing the elastomeric film ribbon web to the first and second nonwoven webs. In particular embodiments, the core layer of elastomeric material is an elastomeric film web core layer. In particular embodiments, the elastomeric film ribbon web, the core layer, or both is/are bonded to the first and second nonwoven webs solely by fusing, without the use of adhesive.

Abstract: A pant-like garment having an elastomeric film laminate front panel and back panel. A front leg elastic member disposed adjacent the front panel leg edge. A back leg elastic member disposed adjacent the back panel leg edge. The absorbent garment having a leg elastic covering panel which extends between and interconnects the front panel to the back panel such that the front leg elastic member is sandwiched between the leg elastic covering panel and the front panel and such that the back leg elastic member is sandwiched between the leg elastic covering panel and the back panel. The length of the leg elastic covering panel is less than the garment length. An absorbent composite is attached to the leg elastic covering panel and a pair of side seams connects the front region to the back region to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A method to incorporate leg elastic members into pant-like disposable absorbent garments, and garments made thereby. In particular embodiments, the method includes supplying elastomeric film laminate first and second body panel webs spaced apart from each other. A continuous first leg elastic member is attached to the first body panel web, and a continuous second leg elastic member is attached to the second body panel web. A continuous leg elastic covering web is attached to both the first body panel web and the second body panel web so as to sandwich the first and second leg elastic members between the leg elastic covering web and the respective body panel web, thereby creating a composite web. In particular embodiments, the present invention can provide an efficient and process friendly technique to cover and hold in place leg elastic members in a pant-style disposable garment that employs elastomeric film laminates.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric laminate having targeted elastic properties for use in personal care articles is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method comprises providing first and second nonwoven webs; providing a core layer of elastomeric material under tension; sandwiching the core layer between the first and second nonwoven webs; bonding the core layer to at least one of the first and second nonwoven webs; providing an elastomeric film ribbon web under tension; sandwiching the elastomeric film ribbon web between the first and second nonwoven webs; and fusing the elastomeric film ribbon web to the first and second nonwoven webs. In particular embodiments, the core layer of elastomeric material is an elastomeric film web core layer. In particular embodiments, the elastomeric film ribbon web, the core layer, or both is/are bonded to the first and second nonwoven webs solely by fusing, without the use of adhesive.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric laminate having targeted elastic properties for use in personal care articles is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method comprises providing first and second nonwoven webs; providing a core layer of elastomeric material under tension; sandwiching the core layer between the first and second nonwoven webs; bonding the core layer to at least one of the first and second nonwoven webs; providing an elastomeric film ribbon web under tension; sandwiching the elastomeric film ribbon web between the first and second nonwoven webs; and fusing the elastomeric film ribbon web to the first and second nonwoven webs. In particular embodiments, the core layer of elastomeric material is an elastomeric film web core layer. In particular embodiments, the elastomeric film ribbon web, the core layer, or both is/are bonded to the first and second nonwoven webs solely by fusing, without the use of adhesive.

Abstract: A refastenable disposable garment defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a first waist region contiguous with a first waist edge. The first waist region defines first and second side edges transversely spaced apart and defines first and second surfaces. The first waist region is elastomeric proximal both the first and second side edges. The garment can include a second waist region and a crotch region that interconnects the first and second waist regions. The garment comprises non-extensible, relatively rigid first and second fastening components attached to the first surface of the first waist region adjacent the first and second side edges, respectively. The first waist region defines first and second flange portions transversely outward of the first and second fastening components, respectively. Each flange portion is transversely curled toward the second surface. A process for making such an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric laminate having targeted elastic properties for use in personal care articles is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method comprises providing first and second nonwoven webs; providing a core layer of elastomeric material under tension; sandwiching the core layer between the first and second nonwoven webs; bonding the core layer to at least one of the first and second nonwoven webs; providing an elastomeric film ribbon web under tension; sandwiching the elastomeric film ribbon web between the first and second nonwoven webs; and fusing the elastomeric film ribbon web to the first and second nonwoven webs. In particular embodiments, the core layer of elastomeric material is an elastomeric film web core layer. In particular embodiments, the elastomeric film ribbon web, the core layer, or both is/are bonded to the first and second nonwoven webs solely by fusing, without the use of adhesive.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite garment web is disclosed. The method can include attaching elastic members to an elastomeric web, and optionally covering the elastic members with a covering web. One or more of the elastic members define an oscillating pattern. The method embodiment further comprises longitudinally slitting the composite chassis web to split it into body panel webs, and thereafter a bridging panel, such as an absorbent composite, is attached to the body panel webs to bridge the gap therebetween. During the slitting operation, one, both, or none of the elastic members may be slit by the slitter. If a covering panel is present, it may be slit by the slitter. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a plurality of pant-like disposable absorbent garments.

Abstract: A component management system can comprise one or more software tools that streamline creation and adjustment of documents that indicate parts stocking requirements for manufacturing assets. The manufacturing assets may comprise machines, sub-assemblies, and the like, while the components comprise parts, tools, and other equipment used to maintain operation of the manufacturing assets. The component management system can be used to enhance authorization processes by handling authority to stock documents online. Furthermore, by interfacing with an enterprise resource planning system, such as SAP, component and inventory management can be made more efficient and flexible. For instance, simulations of future versions of the installed component base can be used to generate component forecast documents useful for proactive component management.