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.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong, and imparting an azimuthal angle to the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an improved internal reinforcement strip comprising a paper (i.e., cellulosic) material. The disposable absorbent article has an adhesive tape fastening system preferably comprising tape tabs disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge and a landing member for refastenably adhering to the tape tabs. The landing member consists of a portion of the external surface of the backsheet. An internal reinforcement strip comprising a paper material is positioned so as to correspond with at least the landing zone. The reinforcement strip is joined to the internal surface of the backsheet. The use of paper for the material of the reinforcement strip provides a low cost yet effective reinforcement of the landing zone and an excellent substrate for printing of indicia that will aid in proper positioning of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing tape tab stock that may be used to produce tape tabs for use with disposable absorbent articles, as well as a method for manufacturing tape tab stock that can be produced on-line and concurrently with the disposable absorbent article to which the tape tabs are joined. The first step in the process 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 backing substrate is then slit in a direction parallel to the machine direction and the release surface of a release substrate is placed in contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive, forming a laminate comprising the backing substrate and the release substrate. The release substrate preferably covers the entire surface of the backing substrate upon which pressure sensitive adhesive has been applied.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of one-piece tape tabs to be used with disposable absorbent articles. The first step is to provide a backing substrate upon which the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the tape tab can be applied. Once the backing is provided, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to regions of one side of the backing substrate. The backing substrate is then slit in a direction parallel to the machine direction forming tape tab stock that is preferably fed directly to the taper unit of the absorbent article manufacturing line. The taper unit cuts the tape tab stock comprising the pressure-sensitive adhesive into individual tape tabs, each having a fixed end and releasable end. The fixed end of each tape tab is joined to the chassis of an absorbent article by means of mechanically bonding the fixed end to the absorbent article.

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: 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: The invention is a hook fastening material for use with a complementary loop fastening material, which hook fastening material has from about 1600 to about 2500 prongs per square inch and is substantially non-abrasive and non-irritating to human skin. In one embodiment the hook fastening material has prongs with an engaging means at an angle of about 90.degree. to about 160.degree. relative to the extension of the perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. In another embodiment the hook fastening material is formed on a compressible substrate. In still another embodiment the hook fastening material has prongs made of an ethylene vinyl acetate based polymer or a polyethylene based polymer. Methods for making such hook fastening materials and articles of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated loop fastening material for a refastenable mechanical fastening system, the loop fastening material being capable of engaging a complementary hook fastening material.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the meshes of a deposting member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the prong, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A female component is provided for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component comprises a nonwoven web secured to a backing. The nonwoven web has characteristics that are specifically suited for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. The nonwoven web has a basis weight of between about 6 and about 42 grams/meter.sup.2. The nonwoven web may comprise, among other types of nonwovens, a carded web with fibers between about 2.5 cm. and about 13 cm. long, or a spunbonded web with continuous length fibers. The denier of the fibers should be between about 0.5 and about 15. The total area occupied by any bonds between the fibers comprising the nonwoven web is less than about six percent of the total area of the web. The nonwoven web is secured to the backing, preferably autogeneously.

Abstract: A process for making a refastenable mechanical fastening system comprising the steps of providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a diameter of between about 0.008 inches to about 0.040 inches; providing a molten thermally sensitive material having a storage modulus less than about 5000 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at the application temperature and a storage modulus of at least about 1.times.10.sup.6 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at a temperature no more than 40.degree.

Abstract: The invention is an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, comprising a main body portion which is divided into a first half and a second half by a principle transverse centerline, and an oriented hook fastening material joined to the first half and second half of the main body portion. The oriented hook fastening material is oriented in a direction having a vector component perpendicular to the principle transverse centerline of the main body portion. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the disposable absorbent article will have side flaps joined to the main body portion and an oriented hook fastening material joined to the side flaps. In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the disposable absorbent article will have a combination of a pressure sensitive adhesive and an oriented hook fastening material joined to the main body portion.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong, and imparting an azimuthal angle to the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbant garment, specifically a diaper.

Abstract: An improved process for forming a mechanical fastening prong and the prongs produced thereby. The prongs are produced by deposition of a heated, thermally sensitive material onto a substrate, which is transported at a differential velocity relative to the heated material being deposited to form the prongs. Also, the transported substrate may be drawn away from the point of deposition at an angle. By varying the velocity differential between the substrate and the heated, thermally sensitive material as it is deposited and by varying the angle between the substrate and the point of deposition of the heated thermally sensitive material, the fastening characteristics, particularly the shear strength, of the fastening system formed of these prongs may be advantageously modified.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, having an improved tape fastener system is disclosed. The improved tape fastener system comprises a mechanical fastening means, initial adhesive securement means, and a reserve/protected adhesive securement means. The mechanical fastening means provide for effective side closure of the absorbent article, whereas the initial adhesive securement means provides a convenient initial disposal mechanism by which the absorbent article may be folded or rolled up into a configuration for disposal, secured in the disposal configuration, and thrown away. If the initial disposal adhesive becomes contaminated or insufficient for securing the absorbent article in its disposal configuration, the reserve/protected adhesive is available for use, with only minimal additional effort.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for dynamically mechanically bonding together a plurality of laminae, at least one of which comprises thermoplastic material: for example, polyethylene. In one aspect of the invention the laminae are forwarded in face to face relation through a pressure biased nip between a patterned nip defining member and an opposing nip defining member (e.g., a relief patterned cylinder and an anvil cylinder) which members are independently driven to maintain a predetermined surface velocity differential between them. In another aspect of the invention which is particularly useful at intermediate and higher line velocities--preferably for line velocities of about 300 feet or more per minute and, more preferably, for line speeds of about 450 feet or more per minute--the nip defining members may be operated with equal surface velocities.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for dynamically mechanically bonding together a plurality of laminae, at least one of which comprises thermoplastic material: for example, polyethylene. In one aspect of the invention the laminae are forwarded in face to face relation through a pressure biased nip between a patterned nip defining member and an opposing nip defining member (e.g., a relief patterned cylinder and an anvil cylinder) which members are independently driven to maintain a predetermined surface velocity differential between them. In another aspect of the invention which is particularly useful at intermediate and higher line velocities--preferably for line velocities of about 300 feet or more per minute and, more preferably, for line speeds of about 450 feet or more per minute--the nip defining members may be operated with equal surface velocities.

Abstract: A method for forming a disposable absorbent article having portions which are elastically extensible in at least the cross-machine direction.