Abstract: A conformable absorbent article has a topsheet that is designed to substantially fully contact the body of the wearer to provide improved performance in managing and containing body wastes. Management and containment of body wastes are improved by several structural elements that can be utilized individually or collectively. Some of these elements are a waste-containment pocket formed between the topsheet and backsheet, an opening in the topsheet for receiving body wastes therethrough, a pair of containment flaps and a pair of side flaps, and an expandable backsheet to retain body wastes therein.

Abstract: A method for making a breathable elastomeric laminar fabric, the material produced thereby and a disposable absorbent garment incorporating the material as either an outer cover or gathers at the leg and waist openings. The method comprises the steps of sandwiching a liquid impermeable elastomeric film or nonwoven carrier sheet between a pair of nonwoven facing sheets while the carrier sheet is in at least a partially stretched condition and bonding the facing sheets together through the carrier sheet at spaced apart sites, simultaneously forming breathable apertures while laminating the carrier and facing sheets together at the spaced apart sites. Creped facing sheets may also be used and bonded together while the film is in a partially stretched or unstretched condition.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprises a breathable elastomeric nonwoven laminar outer cover, resiliently stretchable preferably in a cross-body direction from about 20% to about 200%, including a pair of leg openings, front and rear waist sections together defining a waist opening, a crotch section situated between the leg openings and front and rear panels separated by the crotch section. An absorbent insert structure, substantially superposable on the front and rear panels and the crotch section, includes a liquid impermeable barrier and a liquid permeable bodyside liner, with an absorbent composite disposed therebetween. Longitudinally opposed ends of the absorbent insert are attached to the waist sections, integrating the insert into the outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprises an elastomeric nonwoven outer cover, including a pair of leg openings, front and rear waist sections fastenable with one another defining a waist opening, a crotch section situated between the leg openings and opposed front and rear panels separated by the crotch section. An absorbent insert structure is superposable on the outer cover and has opposed longitudinal ends thereof attached to the waist sections in selected waist attachment zones. An elastic integration member has upper and lower borders respectively attached to an associated one of the longitudinal ends and an associated waist section, allowing the upper border of the elastic member to stretch independently with the outer cover in the cross-body direction while the lower border of the member remains fixed with the insert.