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: 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: Disposable absorbent articles having a primary fastening system and a secondary fastening system, wherein the primary fastening system comprises at least a first component and at least a second component and the first component interlocks with the second component; and the secondary fastening system is located on at least a portion of the primary fastening system; wherein the secondary fastening system comprises a secondary fastening member having a first surface and a protective portion configured to cover at least a portion of the first surface.

Abstract: A structurally optimized component comprising a fastening member having a middle section and an end section, wherein either the middle section comprises an inner slot leg region, an outer slot leg region, and an interior low mass slot leg region or the end section comprises a slot reinforcement having an inner reinforcement region, an outer reinforcement region, and an interior low mass reinforcement region.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming thermoplastic material using rotary forging. A volume of a thermoplastic material is delivered. The thermoplastic material is transported between a first rotating forging device and a second rotating forging device. The first forging device defines a first forging region in its surface, which receives the thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is at or above a forging temperature and flows into the first void region and shapes a core element from the thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is substantially solidified into the core element. Then, the core element is transferred from the first rotating forging device.