Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacterial isolates identified by their 16S rRNA DNA, that cause periodontal disease in companion animals, and vaccines comprising such bacteria. Also provided are methods for treating and preventing periodontal disease and kits for detecting and treating periodontal disease kits for detecting and preventing periodontal disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacterial isolates identified by their 16S rRNA DNA, that cause periodontal disease in companion animals, polynucleotide sequences contained therein, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotide sequences and vaccines comprising such bacteria, polynucleotides, or polypeptides. Also provided are methods for treating and preventing periodontal disease and kits for detecting and treating periodontal disease kits for detecting and preventing periodontal disease. In addition, methods for assessing the efficacy of a vaccine against periodontal diseases in an animal are provided.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a void space for receiving bodily exudates comprises a spacer including an opening in communication with the void space and a body for maintaining at least a portion of the void space. The spacer includes an alignment guide which aids in keeping the spacer opening in a desired configuration for receiving and containing bodily exudates.

Abstract: A disposable garment having a consumer-activated component that is expandable to improve the fit and function of the garment. The expandable component includes a compressed, resilient, expansible member disposed within a sealed, air-impermeable envelope. The expandable component can be activated so that the component expands in a direction toward the body of the wearer of the garment by the application of a tensile force on the garment to expose an opening in the envelope, to thereby admit air into the envelope and allow the compressed expansible element to expand to its substantially uncompressed condition.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable training pants, pull-up diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper holders, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, having extensible side panel features that improve the dynamic fit of the diaper around the legs and waist of the wearer. Such absorbent articles include a containment assembly including a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and extensible side panels, each including a waist panel and a thigh panel disposed along each longitudinal edge of the containment assembly in the first waist region. The waist panel and the thigh panel are operatively associated so that the waist panel has a primary direction of extensibility in one direction and the thigh panel has a primary direction of extensibility in a different direction.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a chassis having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface. The disposable absorbent article also includes a fold down waist feature disposed in the rear waist region which extends longitudinally outwardly from the rear waist edge of the core and includes at least one ear flap extending laterally outwardly from one of the longitudinal edges of the core. A fastening system for joining a portion of the front waist region and a portion of the rear waist region is provided. The fastening system preferably includes a first fastening element disposed on the inner surface of the side panel, a second fastening element disposed on the outer surface of the side panel and a third fastening element disposed on the garment facing surface of the chassis in the front waist region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core having a pair of opposed longitudinal edges. The absorbent article includes a leg cuff extending at least laterally outwardly from each opposed longitudinal edge. Each leg cuff has a proximal edge, a distal edge and an elasticized region disposed between the proximal edge and the distal edge. The elasticized region has an inner edge, an outer edge and a width. The proximal edge of each leg cuff extends generally longitudinally along and adjacent to at least a portion of one of the opposed longitudinal edges and the distal edge of each of said leg cuffs is disposed laterally outwardly from the proximal edge. Each leg cuff includes an inner bond disposed adjacent at least a portion of the proximal edge of each leg cuff. An outer bond is spaced laterally outwardly from the inner bond, the spacing between the inner bond and said outer bond defining a leg cuff base width.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refastenable fastening device including female fastening component preferably comprising a base web and an engaging layer. The base web comprises a structural elastic-like film (SELF) web and is joined to the engaging layer which comprises a plurality of filaments or a nonwoven web. The SELF web exhibits an elastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of added elastic materials. The SELF web includes a strainable network having at least two distinct regions comprised of the same material composition. The first region is oriented substantially parallel to an axis of elongation such that it will undergo a molecular-level deformation in response to an applied axial elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the elongation axis before a substantial portion of the second region undergoes any substantial molecular-level deformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core having a pair of opposed longitudinal edges. The absorbent article includes a leg cuff extending at least laterally outwardly from each opposed longitudinal edge. Each leg cuff has a proximal edge, a distal edge and an elasticized region disposed between the proximal edge and the distal edge. The elasticized region has an inner edge, an outer edge and a width. The proximal edge of each leg cuff extends generally longitudinally along and adjacent to at least a portion of one of the opposed longitudinal edges and the distal edge of each of said leg cuffs is disposed laterally outwardly from the proximal edge. Each leg cuff includes an inner bond disposed adjacent at least a portion of the proximal edge of each leg cuff. An outer bond is spaced laterally outwardly from the inner bond, the spacing between the inner bond and said outer bond defining a leg cuff base width.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a waist pocket cuff is disclosed. The pocket cuff has first and second portions separable along a predetermined line of weakness. The predetermined line of weakness can comprise a line of spaced apart perforations.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist future; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible future that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a waist pocket cuff is disclosed. The pocket cuff has first and second portions separable along a releasable seam. The releasable seam can be formed by overlapping portions of the first and second portions of the pocket cuff. In one embodiment the releasable seam includes a mechanical fastener for securing together the first and second portions of the pocket cuff. In another embodiment the releasable seam comprises an adhesive fastener.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a waist pocket cuff is disclosed. A gluteal groove spacer is disposed on the pocket cuff to reduce leakage of fecal material along the wearer's gluteal groove. The pocket cuff can have an open edge which extends between open edge ends joined to the distal edges of barrier cuffs. The pocket cuff and gluteal groove spacer are spaced apart from the topsheet by elastic members associated with the barrier cuffs and the pocket cuff.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.

Abstract: A diaper having a transverse partition. The transverse partition is upstanding from the topsheet and presents an abrupt discontinuity out of the plane of the diaper. The partition obstructs fecal material deposited in the rear portion of the diaper from migrating to the front portion of the diaper. The transverse partition has areas of relatively greater and relatively lesser effective heights. This may be accomplished by providing blocking members on the distal edge of the partition.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a waist pocket cuff is disclosed. The pocket cuff has an open edge having an apex. The open edge extends between ends joined to the distal edges of barrier cuffs. The open edge is elastically biased to form the open edge apex along the longitudinal centerline of the disposable diaper.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a diaper. The diaper has dual upstanding inner and outer barrier leg cuffs, and preferably gasket cuffs. The inner barrier leg cuffs are liquid pervious, while the outer barrier leg cuffs are liquid impermeable. The inner barrier leg cuffs are preferably spaced apart from one another sufficient to allow urine and fecal material to be deposited therebetween. Each outer barrier leg cuff is preferably spaced properly from the inner barrier leg cuff so as to allow the leg cuffs to function independently, yet maintain a proper target area for the deposition of urine and fecal material.