Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Abstract: A strong, easy to use high flexibility, low deformation in plane engagement fastening device suitable for use with articles. The fastening device provides a preferred combination of fastenability, flexibility, load bearing, and minimal deformation. The in plane engagement fastening device simplifies and facilitates proper fastener alignment during the fastening process. The fastening device may a projectile and a receptacle. The projectile is passed into or through the receptacle to engage the fastening device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component of the present invention is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. Each zone has certain of the desired individual characteristics for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the “entanglement” zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the “spacing” zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone for providing a foundation for the entanglement and spacing zones.

Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an integral landing zone. The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with the topsheet and an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet includes a laminate of an inner web and an outer web, wherein at least a portion of the inner web is juxtaposed the garment surface of the absorbent core. The outer web includes an integral landing zone having portions mechanically prestrained to provide raised elements capable of entangling the engaging components of a complementary male fastening component. The inner web and the outer web are continuously laminated with each other except where the raised elements provide the integral landing zone.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible waist belt; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible waist belt provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. While each extensible waist belt may be constructed from a number of extensible materials, the extensible waist belt preferably comprises a structural elastic-like film web.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible waist belt; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible waist belt provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contorting fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. While each extensible waist belt may be constructed from a number of extensible materials, the extensible waist belt preferably comprises a structural elastic-like film web.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an integral landing zone. The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with the topsheet and an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet includes a laminate of an inner web and an outer web, wherein at least a portion of the inner web is juxtaposed the garment surface of the absorbent core. The outer web includes an integral landing zone having portions mechanically prestrained to provide raised elements capable of entangling the engaging components of a complementary male fastening component. The inner web and the outer web are continuously laminated with each other except where the raised elements provide the integral landing zone.

Abstract: A method for assembling a multi-piece absorbent article. A chassis is fed to a first assembly station at a first velocity. An ear web is fed to a second assembly station at a second velocity which is less than the first velocity. An adhesive tape substrate is fed to the second assembly station at a third velocity which is less than the second velocity. The adhesive tape substrate is cut into individual tape tabs. The individual tape tabs are bonded to the ear web at the second assembly station. The ear web having the individual tape tabs bonded thereto is then fed to the first assembly station where it is cut into individual ear pieces which are then bonded to the chassis to form a multi-piece absorbent article.

Abstract: Reduced cost absorbent articles comprising improved tape tabs. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a one-piece tape tab joined to each of the ear flaps of the absorbent article. At least a portion of the absorbent article adjacent the end of the tape tab which is permanently joined to the ear flap is mechanically manipulated so as to provide a release surface for storing the fastening end of the tape tab. This embodiment eliminates the need for an added release agent or material, and thus, reduces the overall cost of manufacturing the absorbent article.

Abstract: A soft web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions of the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions include a plurality of raised rib-like elements.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising: a topsheet; a backsheet joined with said topsheet; an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet; and a two-piece tape tab comprising: a backing substrate having a first surface, a second surface, a first edge and a second edge; a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on said first surface of said backing substrate; a construction adhesive disposed on said first surface of said backing substrate spaced inwardly from said second edge of said backing substrate a distance greater than or equal to about 0.5 mm, said construction adhesive joining said backing substrate with said backsheet; a release substrate having a release surface, an adhesive surface, a first end and a second end; and a permanent adhesive disposed between said adhesive surface of said release substrate and said topsheet, said permanent adhesive joining said release substrate to said topsheet.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of tape tab stock that may be used to produce tape tabs for use with disposable absorbent articles, as well as a method for the on-line manufacture of tape tabs that may be manufactured concurrently with the chassis of the absorbent article to which the tape tabs will be attached. The first step is to provide a backing substrate upon which the adhesives of the tape tab can be applied. Once the backing is provided, a pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to regions of one side of the backing substrate. (The pressure-sensitive adhesive preferably functions as the adhesive used to fasten an element of the absorbent article, such as a front waist region, to another element of the absorbent article, such as a rear waist region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component of the present invention is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. Each zone has certain of the desired individual characteristics for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the "entanglement" zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the "spacing" zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone for providing a foundation for the entanglement and spacing zones.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist future; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible future that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.