Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region, the front waist region having a front fastener and an outermost surface, the absorbent article further including a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The absorbent article also includes an absorbent assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover; and a gripper handle disposed in the front waist region and extending from the outermost surface, wherein the outermost surface is one of the outer cover and the front fastener.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) can include a fastening system including a primary fastening system (82) and a secondary fastening system (84). The primary fastening system (82) can include at least one primary first fastening component (86) and at least one primary second fastening component (88). The secondary fastening system (84) can include a first secondary first fastening component (96) and at least one secondary second fastening component (98). The absorbent article (10) can also include a pocket (64) disposed in the front waist region (12) such that at least one primary first fastening component (86) is configured to engage the pocket (64) when engaging the at least one primary second fastening component (88) in the fastened condition of the absorbent article (10) and the first secondary first fastening component (96) can engage the at least one secondary second fastening component (98) in the fastened condition.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) can include a fastening system including a primary fastening system (82) and a secondary fastening system (84). The primary fastening system (82) can include at least one primary first fastening component (86) and at least one primary second fastening component (88). The secondary fastening system (84) can include a first secondary first fastening component (96) and at least one secondary second fastening component (98). The absorbent article (10) can also include a pocket (64) disposed in the front waist region (12) such that at least one primary first fastening component (86) is configured to engage the pocket (64) when engaging the at least one primary second fastening component (88) in the fastened condition of the absorbent article (10) and the first secondary first fastening component (96) can engage the at least one secondary second fastening component (98) in the fastened condition.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) can include a pocket (64) disposed in the front waist region 12. The pocket (64) can include a first side edge (70), a second side edge (72), an upper lateral edge (74), and a lower lateral edge (76). The pocket (64) can be closed with respect to the absorbent assembly (36) at least at the first side edge (70) and the second side edge (72) and can be open with respect to the absorbent assembly (36) at least at the lower lateral edge (76). The pocket (64) can be configured such that it has improved accessibility for a caregiver.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region, the front waist region having a front fastener and an outermost surface, the absorbent article further including a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The absorbent article also includes an absorbent assembly including a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover; and a gripper handle disposed in the front waist region and extending from the outermost surface, wherein the outermost surface is one of the outer cover and the front fastener.

Abstract: A method of making disposable absorbent garments includes providing an elastomeric body panel and an absorbent assembly having an absorbent core. The method includes stretching the elastomeric body panel in the transverse direction, attaching side margins of the absorbent assembly to the stretched elastomeric body panel at attachment regions, and relaxing the body panel so as to induce folds in the absorbent assembly. A center region of the absorbent assembly between the attachment regions is minimally attached to the stretched elastomeric body panel to reduce bunching of the absorbent core. A garment made thereby is also disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are provided. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties can prevent too much tension in the front leg area of the garment. The outer cover is constructed such that the front leg zone has a tension of less than about 1200 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction, and each of the front waist zone, the front crotch zone, the back crotch zone, the back leg zone, and the back waist zone of the outer cover has a tension of greater than about 1500 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction. Methods of making such an absorbent article are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making disposable absorbent garments includes providing an elastomeric body panel and an absorbent assembly having an absorbent core. The method includes stretching the elastomeric body panel in the transverse direction, attaching side margins of the absorbent assembly to the stretched elastomeric body panel at attachment regions, and relaxing the body panel so as to induce folds in the absorbent assembly. A center region of the absorbent assembly between the attachment regions is minimally attached to the stretched elastomeric body panel to reduce bunching of the absorbent core. A garment made thereby is also disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are provided. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties can prevent too much tension in the front leg area of the garment. The outer cover is constructed such that the front leg zone has a tension of less than about 1200 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction, and each of the front waist zone, the front crotch zone, the back crotch zone, the back leg zone, and the back waist zone of the outer cover has a tension of greater than about 1500 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction. Methods of making such an absorbent article are also provided.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a disposable garment having shaped leg elastic members and may include pleats or folds in the waist region of the garment. The shaped leg elastic members are shaped by a cutting step.

Abstract: A disposable garment for wearing about the lower torso employs pleats or folds in the waist region of the garment allowing the hip region to expand. The pleats are secured in a bond zone at the waist. An absorbent assembly is attached at the waist region and is free to expand at the hip region of the garment.

Abstract: A method of producing an intermittently elastic web. The method includes providing a first longitudinally extending web having a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and an intermediate portion located between the first and second lateral edges. The method also includes joining a first elastic element to the intermediate portion in a longitudinally extending wave shape, the wave shape having wave crests and wave troughs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for forming a composite web having selected discrete pocket regions which are distributed on a carrier layer and contain high-absorbency material. The invention includes a pattern chamber having opposed side walls, an entrance end wall and an exit end wall. A particulate supplying mechanism provides particles of high-absorbency material into the pattern chamber, and a web supplying mechanism provides a gas permeable carrier layer. A foraminous forming mechanism moves the carrier layer through the pattern chamber, and the forming mechanism includes a pattern of openings which are formed therethrough and are arranged to provide for a selected pattern of the discrete pocket regions. A vacuum supplying mechanism provides a selected level of relatively low gas pressure at an underside region of the forming mechanism to produce a selected gas-flow through the carrier layer and the foraminous forming mechanism to form the pocket regions.