Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a body panel having a terminal waist edge, at least first and second layers terminating at the terminal waist edge and at least one elastic element disposed between the first and second layers. The body panel has at least first and second adhesive regions. The first adhesive region is defined by the at least one elastic element, which is strand coated with a first adhesive. The second region is defined by a control coating of a second adhesive applied between the first and second layers. In one embodiment, the first region has a greater sensory softness than the second region. In one embodiment, the body panel, in an unstretched condition, has a surface softness with a can deviation of coefficient of friction less than about 0.020 in the first adhesive region.

Abstract: A method that includes conveying a moving web for use as a body panel on a web stability control module is disclosed. A fastener assembly is supplied that may be used to attach and connect portions of the moving web. Prior to attaching the fastener assembly to the moving web, a detection system is utilized to determine if there is a product defect on the fastener assembly. If no product defect is detected, the moving web is cut at a cutting station to completely separate a leading portion of the moving web and a trailing portion of the moving web. Then, the fastener assembly is attached to the moving web at a fastener assembly attachment station such that the leading portion and trailing portion remains bridged together. If a product defect is detected, then the moving web is not cut, and the discrete disposable absorbent undergarment is discarded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a pre-fastened adjustable pant-like disposable absorbent undergarment including a fully or partially severed front body panel is disclosed. The method includes first providing a discrete undergarment moving longitudinally in a machine direction. A first panel and second panel are separated in a z-direction to allow for a transport support structure to be passed through a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. While on the transport support structure, the first panel is cut to define a first portion of the front panel and a second portion of the front panel. Finally, the first portion of the front panel and the second portion of the front panel may be joined together with a fastener assembly that connects the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: Generally, a pre-fastened adjustable pant-like disposable absorbent undergarment including a fully severed front body panel and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a moving web for use as a body panel and first forming a first cut on the moving web at a first cutting station to define a leading portion of the moving web and a trailing portion of the moving web connected at the first cut. The moving web then passes through an attachment assembly station to bridge the connected leading portion and trailing portion together with a fastener assembly that extends over the first cut. Finally, the moving web is then passed through a second cutting station to provide a second cut through both the moving web and fastener assembly and intersecting with the first cut to completely separate the leading portion and trailing portion of the moving web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a pre-fastened adjustable pant-like disposable absorbent undergarment including a fully severed front body panel is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a moving web and first creating an altered area on the moving web at an altering station to define a leading portion of the moving web and a trailing portion of the moving web connected at the altered area. The moving web then passes through a fastener attachment station to bridge the connected leading portion and trailing portion together with a fastener assembly that extends over the altered area. Finally, the moving web is then passed through a web breaking station to completely separate the leading portion and trailing portion of the moving web at the altered area, such that the leading portion and trailing portion remained bridged together by the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A method to incorporate leg elastic members into pant-like disposable absorbent garments, and garments made thereby. In particular embodiments, the method includes supplying elastomeric film laminate first and second body panel webs spaced apart from each other. A continuous first leg elastic member is attached to the first body panel web, and a continuous second leg elastic member is attached to the second body panel web. A continuous leg elastic covering web is attached to both the first body panel web and the second body panel web so as to sandwich the first and second leg elastic members between the leg elastic covering web and the respective body panel web, thereby creating a composite web. In particular embodiments, the present invention can provide an efficient and process friendly technique to cover and hold in place leg elastic members in a pant-style disposable garment that employs elastomeric film laminates.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a body panel having a terminal waist edge, at least first and second layers terminating at the terminal waist edge and at least one elastic element disposed between the first and second layers. The body panel has at least first and second adhesive regions. The first adhesive region is defined by the at least one elastic element, which is strand coated with a first adhesive. The second region is defined by a control coating of a second adhesive applied between the first and second layers. In one embodiment, the first region has a greater sensory softness than the second region. In one embodiment, the body panel, in an unstretched condition, has a surface softness with a mean deviation of coefficient of friction less than about 0.020 in the first adhesive region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite garment web is disclosed. The method can include attaching elastic members to an elastomeric web, and optionally covering the elastic members with a covering web. One or more of the elastic members define an oscillating pattern. The method embodiment further comprises longitudinally slitting the composite chassis web to split it into body panel webs, and thereafter a bridging panel, such as an absorbent composite, is attached to the body panel webs to bridge the gap therebetween. During the slitting operation, one, both, or none of the elastic members may be slit by the slitter. If a covering panel is present, it may be slit by the slitter. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a plurality of pant-like disposable absorbent garments.

Abstract: A method to incorporate leg elastic members into pant-like disposable absorbent garments, and garments made thereby. In particular embodiments, the method includes supplying elastomeric film laminate first and second body panel webs spaced apart from each other. A continuous first leg elastic member is attached to the first body panel web, and a continuous second leg elastic member is attached to the second body panel web. A continuous leg elastic covering web is attached to both the first body panel web and the second body panel web so as to sandwich the first and second leg elastic members between the leg elastic covering web and the respective body panel web, thereby creating a composite web. In particular embodiments, the present invention can provide an efficient and process friendly technique to cover and hold in place leg elastic members in a pant-style disposable garment that employs elastomeric film laminates.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a graphic adapted to convey a signal enabling a user to distinguish between the back portion and front portion of the disposable absorbent article is disclosed. In one version of the invention, the graphic is composed of a colored hot-melt adhesive. The colored hot-melt adhesive may be of many shapes, sizes, colors, and may be disposed on the article at a variety of locations. Furthermore, a second graphic may also be disposed on the article.. In another version of the invention, the graphic is composed of a colored film or colored nonwoven web.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed which includes a chassis having an inner surface and an outer surface. The chassis also has a front region and a back region joined together by a pair of side seams to form a unitary article with a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. An absorbent is secured to the inner surface of the chassis. The disposable absorbent article also includes a waistband which extends along at least a portion of the back region proximate the waist opening. The article further includes a removable indicium positioned on the waistband which provides a visual indicator.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an absorbent core. The method includes depositing a mixture of superabsorbent and fiberized pulp onto a carrier sheet and then wrapping the carrier sheet around the mixture to form an absorbent strip. The absorbent strip is cut into a plurality of absorbent members. Surge members are intermittently secured to a continuous bodyside liner and both are then attached to a bottom surface of the absorbent members. Elastic members are aligned on the continuous bodyside liner adjacent to each of the absorbent members. A continuous outer cover is secured over the elastic members and to a top surface of each of the absorbent members while being joined to the continuous bodyside liner to form an absorbent core web. The absorbent core web is then severed to form individual absorbent cores.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a body panel having a terminal waist edge, at least first and second layers terminating at the terminal waist edge and at least one elastic element disposed between the first and second layers. The body panel has at least first and second adhesive regions. The first adhesive region is defined by the at least one elastic element, which is strand coated with a first adhesive. The second region is defined by a control coating of a second adhesive applied between the first and second layers. In one embodiment, the first region has a greater sensory softness than the second region. In one embodiment, the body panel, in an unstretched condition, has a surface softness with a mean deviation of coefficient of friction less than about 0.020 in the first adhesive region.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter for forming a non-linear line of perforations in a strip of material is disclosed. The rotary die cutter includes a rotatable anvil roll and a rotatable knife roll. The knife roll has a peripheral surface with at least one knife formed thereon. The knife has a non-linear configuration. The knife extends across at least about half of the width of the knife roll and has a plurality of land areas each separated by a notch. The knife roll is coaxially aligned with the anvil roll to form a nip therebetween through which the strip of material can pass. For each rotation of the die cutter, the knife will pass through the strip of material and be brought into direct contact with the anvil roll and form a non-linear line of perforations in the strip of material.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating the refastenable absorbent garment includes a web perforator adapted to perforate a base web in a cross direction and a construction drum positioned downstream of the web perforator and adapted to receive the perforated base web. A landing material cutter is adapted to cut a landing material and fastener material in the cross direction. A landing member rotator is positioned adjacent the construction drum and downstream of the landing material cutter. The landing member rotator is adapted to separate successive pieces of the landing material with the fastener material attached thereto at the cross direction landing material cut, rotate the pieces of landing material with the fastener member attached thereto and apply the piece of landing material and fastener material to the base web on the construction drum.

Abstract: A method for weakening a portion of a web includes moving a web in a machine direction between at least a first location and a second location, wherein the second location is positioned downstream of the first location, forming a line of weakness in the web at the first location, wherein the web has a first tensile strength across the line of weakness, and weakening the line of weakness at a second location, wherein the web has a second tensile strength across the line of weakness after the line of weakness is weakened at the second location and wherein the first tensile strength is greater than the second tensile strength.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating the refastenable absorbent garment includes a web perforator adapted to perforate a base web in a cross direction and a construction drum positioned downstream of the web perforator and adapted to receive the perforated base web. A landing material cutter is adapted to cut a landing material and fastener material in the cross direction. A landing member rotator is positioned adjacent the construction drum and downstream of the landing material cutter. The landing member rotator is adapted to separate successive pieces of the landing material with the fastener material attached thereto at the cross direction landing material cut, rotate the pieces of landing material with the fastener member attached thereto and apply the piece of landing material and fastener material to the base web on the construction drum.

Abstract: A method for assembling a refastenable absorbent garment includes moving a landing material in a machine direction, wherein the landing material has opposite lateral side edges, moving a fastener material in a machine direction, wherein the fastener material comprises a refastenable portion and a base portion, and removeably attaching the refastenable portion of the fastener material to at least one of the side edges of the landing material. The method preferably further includes successively cutting the landing material with the fastener material removeably attached thereto along a cross direction and thereby forming a plurality of landing members with a fastener member removeably attached thereto and successively rotating each of the plurality of landing members with the fastener members removeably attached thereto. The method further includes successively attaching each of the landing members to the base web and attaching the base portion of the fastener member to the base web.

Abstract: A method for weakening a portion of a web includes moving a web in a machine direction between at least a first location and a second location, wherein the second location is positioned downstream of the first location, forming a line of weakness in the web at the first location, wherein the web has a first tensile strength across the line of weakness, and weakening the line of weakness at a second location, wherein the web has a second tensile strength across the line of weakness after the line of weakness is weakened at the second location and wherein the first tensile strength is greater than the second tensile strength. In another aspect, a method includes moving a web through a nip, wherein the nip is defined by first and second moveable members. The first moveable member comprises at least one insert member and the second moveable member comprises at least one recess shaped to receive the insert member.

Abstract: A method for assembling a refastenable absorbent garment includes moving a landing material in a machine direction, wherein the landing material has opposite lateral side edges, moving a fastener material in a machine direction, wherein the fastener material comprises a refastenable portion and a base portion, and removeably attaching the refastenable portion of the fastener material to at least one of the side edges of the landing material. The method preferably further includes successively cutting the landing material with the fastener material removeably attached thereto along a cross direction and thereby forming a plurality of landing members with a fastener member removeably attached thereto and successively rotating each of the plurality of landing members with the fastener member removeably attached thereto.