Abstract: The invention relates to a patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a plurality of spunbonded crimped fibers bonded together at a plurality of bonding points, wherein all fibers of the patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet are spunbonded crimped fibers and wherein the configuration of the fibers within the sheet is inhomogeneous and varies according to a preferably regular pattern. The invention further relates to a method for forming such patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet from a flat spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet starting material. Still further, the invention relates to such flat spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet starting material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a plurality of spunbonded crimped fibers bonded together at a plurality of bonding points, wherein all fibers of the patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet are spunbonded crimped fibers and wherein the configuration of the fibers within the sheet is inhomogeneous and varies according to a preferably regular pattern. The invention further relates to a method for forming such patterned spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet from a flat spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet starting material. Still further, the invention relates to such flat spunbonded nonwoven fabric sheet starting material.

Abstract: A waistband structure for an absorbent article is disclosed. The waistband structure extending across at least one of the front and back waist regions and is composed of a filler material and a waistband material positioned over the filler material. The waistband structure may be bonded to at least one of the front and back waist regions via a bond pattern. The bond pattern may vary position in the longitudinal direction and have at least one peak and one valley across the respective waist region. Typically, a distance between the peak and the valley in the bond pattern is between 5 and 100 mm. The bond pattern results in a z-directional height of the waistband structure varying on the respective waist region.

Abstract: An elastic barrier flap for an absorbent article includes a web configured to define a gap and a plurality of elastic members captured by the web. The plurality of elastic members is symmetrically arranged about the gap defined by the web. The web and plurality of elastic members are adapted to inhibit the transverse flow of body exudates released by a wearer of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method includes moving an absorbent composite in a machine direction, severing the composite at a first cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a second cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a third cut oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the machine direction, and separating the composite along the first cut, the second cut, and the third cut into discrete absorbent articles.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fit system having fasteners and friction elements. The fasteners are located in the front waist area and the back waist area and are adapted to fasten the article about the waist of a wearer to define a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, and a pair of overlap regions. The friction elements are located in the overlap regions and are adapted to provide friction between the front waist area and the back waist area in the overlap regions. The friction elements have an upper portion oriented towards the waist opening and a lower portion oriented towards the leg opening. The upper portion and the lower portion have different concentrations of surface treatment, thicknesses, and/or surface areas.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fit system having fasteners and friction elements. The fasteners are located in the front waist area and the back waist area and are adapted to fasten the article about the waist of a wearer to define a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, and a pair of overlap regions. The friction elements are located in the overlap regions and are adapted to provide friction between the front waist area and the back waist area in the overlap regions. The friction elements have an upper portion oriented towards the waist opening and a lower portion oriented towards the leg opening. The upper portion and the lower portion have different concentrations of surface treatment, thicknesses, and/or surface areas.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles have a waistband that encompasses a pair of opposing side panels and a waist region of the article. The side panels are attached to longitudinal edges of a chassis and are configured to extend around a person's waist. The side panels are attached to fastening devices for fastening the absorbent article to a wearer. In accordance with the present invention, the side panels and the waist region are both elastic. In order to improve fit and comfort, the stretch properties of the side panels are matched with the stretch properties of the waist region. For example, elongation of the side panels can be matched to elongation of the waist region or, alternatively, displacement of the side panels can be matched to the displacement of the waist region for a given range of forces.

Abstract: An absorbent article can have a discrete portion formed from a web of material. The discrete portion can have any shape as desired. The absorbent article can have a second discrete portion which can also have any shape as desired. The shape of the second discrete portion can be the same as or different from the shape of the first discrete portion.

Abstract: An elastic barrier flap for an absorbent article includes a web configured to define a gap and a plurality of elastic members captured by the web. The plurality of elastic members is symmetrically arranged about the gap defined by the web. The web and plurality of elastic members are adapted to inhibit the transverse flow of body exudates released by a wearer of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A waistband structure for an absorbent article is disclosed. The waistband structure extending across at least one of the front and back waist regions and is composed of a filler material and a waistband material positioned over the filler material. The waistband structure may be bonded to at least one of the front and back waist regions via a bond pattern. The bond pattern may vary position in the longitudinal direction and have at least one peak and one valley across the respective waist region. Typically, a distance between the peak and the valley in the bond pattern is between 5 and 100 mm. The bond pattern results in a z-directional height of the waistband structure varying on the respective waist region.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid pervious body side liner, a liquid impervious outer cover, and an absorbent core located between the body side liner and the outer cover. The absorbent core includes a first absorbent portion, a second absorbent portion, and a channel portion. The channel portion extends the entire length of the absorbent core. The first absorbent portion, the second absorbent portion, and the channel portion all lie in the same plane. The channel portion completely separates the first absorbent portion from the second absorbent portion and the channel portion is a stabilized, high-loft material with permanent thermal bond points.

Abstract: A method includes moving an absorbent composite in a machine direction, severing the composite at a first cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a second cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a third cut oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the machine direction, and separating the composite along the first cut, the second cut, and the third cut into discrete absorbent articles.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fit system having fasteners and friction elements. The fasteners are located in the front waist area and the back waist area and are adapted to fasten the article about the waist of a wearer to define a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, and a pair of overlap regions. The friction elements are located in the overlap regions and are adapted to provide friction between the front waist area and the back waist area in the overlap regions. The friction elements have an upper portion oriented towards the waist opening and a lower portion oriented towards the leg opening. The upper portion and the lower portion have different concentrations of surface treatment, thicknesses, and/or surface areas.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.