Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for making an absorbent article can include a delivering of a first contoured web-strip (30a) from a first production supply (38) of contoured web-strip material, with the first contoured web-strip (30a) presenting a primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. At least a second contoured web-strip (30b) can be delivered from a second production supply (40) of the contoured web-strip material, with the second contoured web-strip (30b) also presenting the primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. In a particular aspect, the first and second contoured web-strips (30a and 30b) have been produced from a web (22) of absorbent material which has been divided to provided at least two web-strips (30) having a substantially nested configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for making an absorbent article can include a delivering of a first contoured web-strip (30a) from a first production supply (38) of contoured web-strip material, with the first contoured web-strip (30a) presenting a primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. At least a second contoured web-strip (30b) can be delivered from a second production supply (40) of the contoured web-strip material, with the second contoured web-strip (30b) also presenting the primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. In a particular aspect, the first and second contoured web-strips (30a and 30b) have been produced from a web (22) of absorbent material which has been divided to provided at least two web-strips (30) having a substantially nested configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an article (94) includes a moving of a forming surface (22) through an operative forming chamber (24) along a forming path length (40). A first fibrous stratum (26) of fiber material (96) can be deposited onto the forming surface (22), and the first fibrous stratum (26) can have a first stratum thickness (28). A first quantity of a first superabsorbent material (30) can be directed to form a selected combination with the first fibrous material to provide a first superabsorbent-containing stratum. A second fibrous stratum (32) of fibrous material can be deposited to overlie the first fibrous stratum (26), and the second fibrous stratum (32) can have a second stratum thickness (34). A second superabsorbent material (36) can be directed to form a selected combination with the second fibrous material to provide a second superabsorbent-containing stratum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing particulate material (30, 36) in an airlaid fibrous web (94) includes a moving of a forming surface (22) through a forming chamber (24), and a laying of a fibrous material (96) onto the forming surface to form the fibrous web. The particulate material is delivered into the forming chamber with an arcuate curved nozzle (86) which is positioned within the forming chamber at a location spaced from the forming surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as the shown diaper (10), has a front waistband portion (14), a back waistband portion (12) and an intermediate portion (16) interconnecting said front and back waistband portions. The article includes a backsheet member (30), a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28), and an absorbent body (32) sandwiched between the topsheet layer (28) and backsheet member (30). The backsheet member includes an air permeable, polymer sheet layer (96), and a first, outward nonwoven fibrous web (94) attached to or otherwise operatively joined with a major facing surface (78) of the polymer sheet layer (96) at a plurality of individual, spaced apart thermal bonds (98).

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) has a front waistband portion (14), a back waistband portion (12) and an intermediate portion (16). The article comprises a flexible backsheet member (30), and a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28). An absorbent body structure (32), with a retention portion (48), is sandwiched between the backsheet member (30) and the topsheet layer (28), and a wetness indicator (40) visually shows a presence of liquid in selected areas of the article. The wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a polymer sheet layer (96). Desirably, The wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a backsheet laminate material having a fibrous nonwoven web (94) attached to a polymer sheet layer (96).