Abstract: A composite substrate for use as a coversheet on disposable articles such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, disposable bed pads, nursing pads, finger dressings, and incontinent diapers, or the like. The cover sheet comprises an inner layer of polyethylene thermoplastic film secured to and between the inner surfaces of a top layer and a bottom layer of nonwoven polypropylene fibrous webs, by means of a pair of, one of which being a heated embossed roll applied to at least one of the outer surfaces of the fibrous web. The heat from the heated roll causes the film to melt in discrete areas forming apertures therein without substantially affecting the fibrous webs. As the film melts, it contacts fibers in the substantially unaffected adjacent fibrous web layers, causing the film and webs to be secured to each other at least at the peripheral edges of the discrete apertured areas, leaving a matrix of fibers covering the apertured areas.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having elasticized waterproof crotch seals formed from waterproof elastic strips secured to the backing sheet and the absorbent pad and under such tension as to eliminate transverse pleats in the crotch area while minimizing the size of the crotch seals about the legs of an infant.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having elasticized crotch seals and an elasticized waist seal formed from elastic members secured to the backing sheet. The elastic members physically intersect each other and are under such tension so as to provide an initial stretching of the elastic members extending substantially at right angles to each other thereby maximizing the comfort of an infant wearing the disposable diaper while maintaining a boat-like shape before application on an infant with the ears in a raised position. The elastic members may be spaced from the edge of the pad or may overlie the front or back surface of the pad to minimize leakage.

Abstract: A disposable product, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin or underpad, provided with a water impervious lower layer, an absorbent pad and a top sheet. The top sheet contains 0.1 to 0.6% by weight of a surfactant. The surfactant may be applied by spraying, printing, roller coating, etc., on the entire surface or, preferably, in limited areas such as in the central areas of the top sheet, or pay be line or spot printed thereon to improve fluid penetration, while retaining optimum fluid wetback and fluid retention characteristics. The top sheet is a hydrophobic sheet of excellent fluid penetration but resists fluid wetback.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising an absorbent pad or dual absorbent pads positioned between a top sheet and a waterproof backing sheet without the presence of wadding sheets to increase the suppleness of the diaper. A binder is sprayed between said pad or the lower of the dual pads and the backing sheet, the binder penetrating the material of the pad to stick the pad to the backing sheet to render the pad highly tear resistant.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having elasticized crotch seals formed from elastic members secured to the backing sheet within 3/4 inch of the absorbent pad and entirely overlying the ears of the contoured pad to assure such tension as to minimize transverse pleats in the crotch area.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a top sheet, an absorbent pad assembly and a water impervious backing sheet. The absorbent pad assembly includes one or more absorbent pads at least one of which is treated with a water spray to vary the density thereof increasingly from top to bottom. The absorbent pad assembly may have a lower wadding sheet integrally stabilized to the pad treated with the water spray.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a backing sheet of fluid impervious material, a fluid pervious cover sheet, and a first pad adjacent the cover sheet comprising a loosely formed fibrous mass. A separate second pad may be positioned intermediate the first pad and the backing sheet, with the second pad comprising a mass of fibers having compressed regions extending throughout a substantial part of the second pad. A polymer coating in the target area extends at least most of the width of the pads and extends between the third and the sixth tenth of the length of the pads. The polymer may be present on the top surface of the first pad (i.e. surface adjacent cover (top) sheet) and/or between the first and second pad and/or on the bottom or back surface of the second pad. Where only one pad is used, the polymer may be present on both the top and bottom surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having cushioned elasticized leg hold edges formed from elastic members secured between the backing sheet and the absorbent pad or mounted directly in the absorbent pad and adapted to overcome leakage through the leg hold edges while cushioning so as not to make indentations or marks on the infant's skin.

Abstract: A disposable panty and method of making the disposable panty wherein two panels are positioned so that the facing sheets of each face each other. The panels include absorbent pads between said facing sheets and outer backing sheets. Pairs of elasticized strips are disposed along the sides of said panels, one pair cooperating to form a waistband. The panels are attached to each other along the end edges and at a location medial the end edges and adjacent the other pair of elasticized strips to form thigh bands defining crotch seals.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having cushioned elasticized leghold edges formed from elastic members secured between the backing sheet and the absorbent pad or mounted directly in the absorbent pad and adapted to overcome leakage through the leg hold edges while cushioning so as not to make indentations or marks on the infant's skin.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin assembly comprising a pair of absorbent pads with a mounting sheet or strip therebetween. The bottom absorbent pad is optionally used on days of severe menstration and is attached to the upper absorbent pad by adhesive on the mounting sheet or strips. The mounting sheet has a plurality of openings therein through which fluid can pass. When only one pad is used, the mounting sheet or strips has a peelable waterproof thin sheet adhesively secured thereto.

Abstract: An absorbent article for placement against a wearer to capture body fluids comprising, an absorbent pad comprising a mass of fibers, and particles of plastic material fused to fibers in the pad to increase the integrity and resiliency of the fibrous mass. The article has sheet means covering a front and back surface of the pad.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising, a fluid pervious top sheet, a backing sheet of fluid impervious material, and an absorbent pad intermediate the top and backing sheets. The pad has a fluid receiving region adjacent a central portion of the pad and a hydrocolloid material at a location spaced from the fluid receiving region, with the fluid receiving region being substantially free of the hydrocolloid material.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having a front surface, a fluid pervious top sheet covering at least a portion of the front surface of the pad, and a perforated film of thermoplastic material intermediate the sheet and pad. The film is heated to enlarge the perforations and fuse the film to the sheet and pad.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having opposed surfaces, and at least one side edge. The diaper has a tape fastener comprising a folded tape strip having opposed front and back surfaces, first and second sections, and a connecting section intermediate the first and second sections. The first section is attached to a surface of the pad assembly adjacent the side edge, and the second section has adhesive on a surface releasably attached to one of the first and connecting sections.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having a pair of side edges, and an absorbent pad having a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The pad assembly has a fluid impervious backing sheet covering a back surface of the pad and having at least one end section extending past one end edge of the pad and defining an end edge of the pad assembly, with the end section extending between the side edges of the pad assembly. The pad assembly has a fluid pervious top sheet covering a front surface of the pad, and a separate segment of fluid impervious material overlying the end section of the backing sheet and extending substantially between the side edges of the pad assembly.

Abstract: A tape fastener for a disposable diaper having opposed surfaces and opening means extending through an absorbent pad of the diaper. The tape fastener has a pressure-sensitive tape strip having a first portion secured to one surface of the diaper with adhesive on the first portion being exposed through the opening means. The fastener also has a release sheet having at least a portion attached to the first portion of the tape strip by the adhesive exposed through the opening means.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, and pockets for retaining a hydrocolloid material in association with the pad.

Abstract: An absorbent pad such as a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin, bandage or the like for use in contact with the skin for absorbing body fluids and having a mass of material including a solid, finely-divided mixture of a hydrolyzed starch polyacrylonitrile graft copolymer in acidic form comprised of 0.6 to 2 parts by weight of hydrolyzed grafted polyacrylonitrile in acidic form per part by weight of starch and a non-irritating and non-toxic water-soluble basic material, the relative proportion of base to copolymer being from 1:4 to 1:1 by weight.