Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a first side panel, a second side panel, and an intermediate side panel. The first side panel is disposed in a first waist region, and the second side panel is disposed in a second waist region. Both the first and second side panels extend outward from a first longitudinal edge. The first side panel has a first stretchable width, and the second side panel has a second stretchable width. The intermediate side panel is joined to the second side panel thereby forming a non-refastenable seam and is joined to the first side panel thereby forming a refastenable seam. A gap disposed between the first side panel and non-refastenable seam having a gap width between about 1 percent to about 40 percent of the first stretchable width plus the second stretchable width.

Abstract: A fastening system has a first fastening member and a second fastening member. The first member has a retaining element and a substrate element. The retaining element includes a proximal edge and a distal edge and is attached to the substrate element along a line of attachment. The second fastening member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion, and an elongated opening disposed between the inboard and outboard portions. The elongated opening is configured such that at least part of the retaining element is capable of passing through the elongated opening when the retaining element is in a first orientation and when the retaining element is in a second orientation.

Abstract: A preferential bend structure may have a first face and an opposing second face. The preferential bend structure may comprise at least a base layer and an auxiliary layer, wherein a first deforming force applied to the first face results in a first deflection and a second deforming force applied to the second face results in a second deflection which is equal to the first deflection, and wherein the second deforming force is not equal to the first deforming force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a chassis defining a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and back waist region. The article includes a fastening system that includes one or more fastening devices, each having at least one tab member configured to releasably connect to a slot member when, for instance, fastening the article to the body of the wearer. A variable stiffness member is associated with at least a portion of the fastening device that, in response to a predetermined external stimulus, reduces its stiffness to correspondingly reduce the stiffness of the fastening device.

Abstract: A tab and slot closure system has a tab member, a slot member, and an anti-pop open device. The tab member has a tab element which has a first region and a second region. The first region includes a proximal edge, and the second region includes a distal edge. The tab element is attached to the substrate element along a line of attachment. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion, and a slot disposed between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The anti-pop open device is disposed on either the tab member or the slot member and reduces the likelihood of the tab member unintentionally disengaging the slot member when the tab and slot closure system is fastened.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The backsheet has a physical variation along at least one axis, wherein said physical variation defines a first backsheet zone and a second backsheet zone, and at least one elastomeric element having at least one primary direction of stretch, said elastomeric element at least partially overlapping and joined to first and/or second backsheet zone, wherein a relaxed pathlength of said elastomeric element in the primary direction of stretch is less than a total pathlength of said backsheet in the region of overlap. The physical variation is a measurable difference as measured by a physical property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, thickness and density.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The backsheet has a physical variation along at least one axis, wherein said physical variation defines a first backsheet zone and a second backsheet zone, and at least one elastomeric element having at least one primary direction of stretch, said elastomeric element at least partially overlapping and joined to first and/or second backsheet zone, wherein a relaxed pathlength of said elastomeric element in the primary direction of stretch is less than a total pathlength of said backsheet in the region of overlap. The physical variation is a measurable difference as measured by a physical property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, thickness, density and tensile modulus.