Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.

Abstract: A wearable article with an extensible fastening member having a fastener proximate its end is disclosed. The fastening member may be highly extensible, and may have construction features and shape characteristics that affect distribution of force components when the fastener is in use, and reduce the chances of buckling or flipping of the fastening member along its edges, and the chances that the edges of the fastener will be lifted away from a surface to which it is attached. The fastener and material forming an accompanying landing zone on the article may be selected to form a fastening combination having performance attributes that provide further resistance to unintended pop-off under wearing conditions.

Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminate is extensible in a first direction and has a first laminate surface; a second laminate surface substantially opposite the first laminate surface; and a laminate thickness, T, extending between the first and second laminate surfaces. A pre-SELFed coverstock layer forms the first laminate surface. The pre-SELF coverstock layer has a primary activation pattern, wherein the primary activation pattern includes SELF-specific land areas that extend in the first direction and one or more activation thicknesses. Each activation thickness is less than the laminate thickness, T. The elastomeric laminate also has an elastomeric layer joined to the pre-SELFed coverstock layer. The elastomeric layer forms the second laminate surface. The elastomeric laminate may be a zero strain laminate, a gathered laminate, or a hybrid gathered laminate.

Abstract: A method for forming an elastomeric laminate includes the steps of providing a first coverstock material; SELF'ing the first coverstock material to create a pre-SELFed coverstock layer having a primary activation pattern comprising SELF-specific land areas; providing an elastomeric layer; and joining the elastomeric layer to the pre-SELFed layer at zero relative strain, such that the elastomeric layer and pre-SELFed coverstock layer are joined at one or more bonding sites.

Abstract: A method for folding a fastener during a high speed manufacturing process and maintaining the fastener in a folded configuration throughout the high speed manufacturing process. The method includes obtaining an article that has a foldable fastener and moving the article in the machine direction during the high speed manufacturing process. The foldable fastener has first and second opposing surfaces, a web and at least one engaging member joined to the web. The method includes applying a frangible bonding agent to a first portion of the first surface of the fastening system; folding the fastening system such that the frangible bonding agent contacts a second portion of the first surface of the fastening system; and allowing the frangible bonding agent to cool at a temperature of less than 60° C.

Abstract: A fastening system comprising a nonwoven web material operable to fastenably engage a fastening component is disclosed. The nonwoven web material may comprising multicomponent fibers having a polyolefin component and a polyamide component, and a machine direction bias. The nonwoven web material may bear an impressed pattern of thermal bonds having an average frequency along any line that can be identified in the machine direction, of at least 0.5 bonds per cm.

Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article that includes a frangible bonding agent for maintaining the absorbent article in a predetermined configuration. The frangible bonding agent may be disposed on a fastening system in order to maintain one or more portions of the fastening system in a particular position during manufacturing but still provide an easy-to-open fastener when used by a consumer.

Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article that includes a frangible bonding agent for maintaining the absorbent article in a predetermined configuration. The frangible bonding agent may be disposed on a fastening system in order to maintain one or more portions of the fastening system in a particular position during manufacturing but still provide an easy-to-open fastener when used by a consumer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.

Abstract: A stretch laminate having enhanced texture, and method for its manufacture is disclosed. The stretch laminate may include two nonwoven layers sandwiching an elastic member, the elastic member having been incorporated into the laminate in a pre-strained condition such that z-direction ruffles in the nonwoven materials are imparted to the laminate when it is in a relaxed condition. At least one of the nonwoven layers may be incrementally stretched or SELFed, adding a pattern of ridges and valleys to the material that combines with the ruffles, further enhancing loft and texture of the laminate.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis that includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and a leg gasketing system and a waist gasketing element. The leg gasketing system may include an inner cuff and an outer cuff; the inner cuff may include an inner cuff folded edge and an inner cuff material edge and the outer cuff may include an outer cuff folded edge and an outer cuff material edge such that the web of material is folded laterally inward to form the outer cuff folded edge and folded laterally outward to form the inner cuff folded edge. When tested by the Blowout Method Test as described herein, the disposable absorbent article has a Blowout Percent Leakage of less than about 9.0%.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis that includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and a leg gasketing system and a waist gasketing element. The leg gasketing system may include an inner cuff and an outer cuff; the inner cuff may include an inner cuff folded edge and an inner cuff material edge and the outer cuff may include an outer cuff folded edge and an outer cuff material edge such that the web of material is folded laterally inward to form the outer cuff folded edge and folded laterally outward to form the inner cuff folded edge. The leg gasketing system may also include a pocket. When tested by the Blowout Method Test as described herein, the disposable absorbent article has a Blowout Percent Leakage of less than about 9.0%.

Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a disposable absorbent article configured to be placed on the body of a wearer to mimic swaddling characteristics. The disposable absorbent article may include a chassis having a tuck flap and two ears or side panels. The two ears extend in opposing lateral directions from a first waist region, and the tuck flap extends in a longitudinal direction from a second waist region. Other chassis embodiments may include two additional ears extending in opposing lateral directions from the second waist region. The chassis is adapted to fit a wearer by wrapping the two ears around a wearer's waist, passing the second waist region between a wearer's legs, and folding and/or tucking the tuck flap over the ears. Embodiments of the chassis may be constructed with manually formed or pre-formed tuck flaps that may also be stretchable.

Abstract: A fastening member has an inboard end and an outboard end. The fastening member comprises a base substrate comprising a panel region disposed adjacent to the inboard end and an end region disposed adjacent to the outboard end. The end region comprises a fastening element zone having a first stiffness and an intermediate zone having a second stiffness. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent to an interface between the panel region and the end region. The fastening member comprises a fastening element disposed in the fastening element zone and joined to the base substrate and a bonding agent disposed intermediate the fastening element and the base substrate. The bonding agent comprises a molten polymer.

Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.