Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article includes directing a web of side panel material and a waist elastic material separate from the web of side panel material to travel. The waist elastic material is bonded to the web of side panel material. The web of side panel material having the waist elastic material bonded thereto is cut to form a side panel having a waistband portion. The side panel having the waistband portion is attached to a chassis.

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: 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 of manufacturing an absorbent article includes directing a web of side panel material and a waist elastic material separate from the web of side panel material to travel. The waist elastic material is bonded to the web of side panel material. The web of side panel material having the waist elastic material bonded thereto is cut to form a side panel having a waistband portion. The side panel having the waistband portion is attached to a chassis.

Abstract: An absorbent article has first and second waist regions that define transversely opposite sides extending a length Lp from a waist opening to a leg opening. A disposal tab has an attachment region extending a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp. The article includes a primary fastening system for releasably attaching the first and second waist regions. The article further includes a disposal tab having an attachment region in the second waist region that extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp. The disposal tab includes a tab region that extends transversely outward from the attachment region and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration. The disposal tab comprises a fastening component in the tab region and a base substrate that is releasably attachable to a hook material of the primary fastening system.

Abstract: Facetted impression elements are disclosed. The impression elements can be located, for instance, on an anvil roll and may be used during an embossing or bonding process. The impression elements include at least two chamfered surfaces that at least partially surround the top surface. The chamfered surfaces are at an angle to the top surface that lower and reduce drag that may occur between the impression element and a sheet of material as the impression element enters and exits the sheet. In one embodiment, the impression element includes a first chamfered surface having an angle of from about 5° to about 40° and a second chamfered surface having an angle of from about 40° to about 70°.

Abstract: An absorbent article for personal wear has first and second waist regions that are one of permanently attached and releasably attachable to define transversely opposite sides each extending a length Lp from a waist opening to a leg opening of the article. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one side of the article and extending a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp of the side. The article includes a primary fastening system for releasably attaching the first waist region to the second waist region, and the primary fastening system includes a hook material permanently attached to the first waist region. The article further includes a disposal tab having an attachment region permanently attached to one of the sides of the article in the second waist region and which extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp of such side.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper includes a backsheet layer, a substantially liquid-permeable liner layer, and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the liner. The backsheet and liner layers generally define a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, and an intermediate section, with the intermediate section interconnecting the front and rear waistband sections. The liner includes a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal upstanding ridges located at least in the intermediate section to provide barriers to transverse migration of body exudates. The upstanding ridges are formed by providing a plurality of laterally spaced apart and alternating longitudinally adhered liner portions and unadhered liner portions. Elastic members are located subjacent the unadhered portions and include a front end, a rear end, and a central portion disposed between the front and rear ends.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that is comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing liquid and solid body exudates without leakage. The absorbent article may be a diaper that includes a backsheet layer, a substantially liquid-permeable liner layer, and an absorbent core located between the backsheet and the liner. The backsheet generally defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, and an intermediate section, with the intermediate section interconnecting the front and rear waistband sections and disposed between laterally opposed side margins. The backsheet layer has at least one pleat adjacent each side margin that defines an expanded volume when the pleat expands, the expanded volume being greater than the volume when the pleat is unexpanded. The pleat is accessible to body exudates that pass through or around the absorbent core.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article, including a pair of containment flaps, which containment flaps are particularly well suited for use on an absorbent article having a relatively narrow crotch. Specifically, the containment flaps include a proximal edge and a distal edge. The proximal edge is adhered to a bodyside liner of the absorbent product with the distal edge being adhered to the bodyside liner at a point outboard of the proximal edge. Alternatively, the proximal edge and distal edge are adhered to the bodyside liner in a manner to form a C-fold in the containment flap. The C-fold may be inboard or outboard facing.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a lateral width, a longitudinal length, longitudinally extending side margins, a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion, and an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article comprises a backsheet layer and an absorbent retention portion superposed on the backsheet layer. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is superposed on the retention portion to sandwich the retention portion between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. An elasticizing means form elasticized gathers at leg opening portions of the article. The elasticizing means include a front set of laterally opposed, longitudinally extending leg elastic members located in the article side margins in at least the intermediate portion of the article. The front elastic members are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the article length and have a selected offset toward the front waistband portion of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure containing a fibrous matrix having a dual Z-directional gradient wherein the concentration of high-absorbency material decreases from a first planar surface of the fibrous matrix to the opposed second planar surface, while the density of the fibrous matrix increases from said first major planar surface to the second planar surface. Also disclosed is an absorbent article containing such an absorbent structure.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes a backsheet layer which has a width dimension and a length dimension, and which includes a front waistband section, a back waistband section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the front and back waistband sections. An absorbent body is superposed on the backsheet layer, and an intermediate transfer layer, which is liquid permeable, is disposed in facing relation with the absorbent body to generally sandwich the absorbent body between the backsheet and transfer layer. The transfer layer has an appointed bodyside, inner surface, and a bodyside liner layer is located on the inner surface of the transfer layer. The bodyside liner comprises a bonded carded web which has a basis weight within the range of about 15-40 gsm and is composed of bicomponent fibers having a fiber denier within the range of about 1.0-3.0 dpf. The bodyside liner is constructed to provide for a Penetration rate index of at least about 1.