Abstract: A disposable wearable absorbent article having a hook and loop fastening system that comprises a nonwoven female fastening material and a male fastening material with a plurality of bidirectional micro-sized hooks, each having a cap and at least one arm. The height of each hook and cap may be defined relative to the overall thickness of the female fastening material. Caps may have a vertical engagement effective area that has: (a) at least two sides that are substantially parallel; (b) a width-to-thickness aspect ratio from 1 to 2; and (c) an area from 40,000 to 120,000 ?2. Caps may have an overall recessed width and a deepest recessed depth that is defined relative to the overall fiber cross-sectional dimension.

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 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: Wearable disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, having elastically extensible fastening members (also sometimes known as fastening “ears”) with particular features, extending from a chassis or main portion of the articles, are disclosed. The fastening members may be highly extensible and have an overall geometry characterized by greater length nearer the chassis or main portion and lesser length nearer the distal end. Examples disclosed may have a fastener zone having a Stiffness of at least about 1,500 N/m, and shape and dimensional characteristics, that help avoid problems of buckling and/or flipping of edges of the fastening members, dishing of fastener components, and fastening member tearing, while the articles are applied and worn.

Abstract: A wearable article having an outer backsheet is disclosed. The outer backsheet may be formed of at least two layers of material, including an outward-facing layer formed at least in part of multicomponent fibers. The multicomponent fibers may have a polyolefin fiber component and a non-polyolefin fiber component.

Abstract: An article, including disposable articles and durable articles, includes one or more shaped thermoplastic members, which can be at least partially impregnated into one or more fibrous substrates forming a composite material of the article having regions of breathability, elasticity, and/or stiffening to provide desired functions of the article. The shaped thermoplastic members have a profiled thickness and/or basis weight providing variation in material properties. A percent variation of the profiled thickness of the thermoplastic member can vary from about 5% to about 95%. A process for manufacturing the composite material of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that includes a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and second waist region, a waist edge in the first waist region, at least one waistband in the first waist region adjacent the waist edge, at least one fastener in the second waist region, and a waist assembly in the first waist region, wherein the waist assembly has a Corrugation Regularity greater than about 75%.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that includes a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and second waist region, a waist edge in the first waist region, at least one waistband in the first waist region, at least one fastener in the second waist region, and at least one discrete landing zone in the first waist region, the discrete landing zone comprising an lateral inboard edge, wherein the discrete landing zone and the waistband overlap to form an overlap region in the first waist region, and wherein the waistband does not overlap the lateral inboard edge of the discrete landing zone.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that includes a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and second waist region, a waist edge in the first waist region, at least one waistband in the first waist region adjacent the waist edge, and at least one fastener in the second waist region, wherein the first waist region has a resiliency of greater than about 5 mJ and a stiffness of less than about 10 N.

Abstract: Wearable disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, having elastically extensible fastening members (also sometimes known as fastening “ears”) with particular features, extending from a chassis or main portion of the articles, are disclosed. The fastening members may be highly extensible and have an overall geometry, characterized by greater length nearer the chassis or main portion and lesser length nearer the distal end. Examples disclosed may have a fastener zone having a Stiffness of at least about 1,500 N/m, and shape and dimensional characteristics, that help avoid problems of buckling and/or flipping of edges of the fastening members, dishing of fastener components, and fastening member tearing, while the articles are applied and worn.

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: The invention refers to a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, a pant or a sanitary napkin. The disposable absorbent article further comprises a structure which is able to elongate and simultaneously convert from a flat configuration into an erected configuration. The structure consists of non-extensible and non-elastic materials.

Abstract: The invention refers to a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, a pant or a sanitary napkin. The disposable absorbent article further comprises a structure which is able to elongate and simultaneously convert from an initial flat configuration into an erected configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a chassis defining a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and back waist region. The article includes a fastening system that includes one or more fastening devices, each having at least one tab member configured to releasably connect to a slot member when, for instance, fastening the article to the body of the wearer. A variable stiffness member is associated with at least a portion of the fastening device that, in response to a predetermined external stimulus, reduces its stiffness to correspondingly reduce the stiffness of the fastening device.

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: The present invention provides an article to be worn about a wearer including a surface fastening system having a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system has a first surface fastening element and a second surface fastening element. The first fastening element is joined to the article, and the second fastening element is disposed so as to be generally in a face to face relationship with the first fastening element when the surface fastening system is in a fastened configuration. The surface fastening system has a peel resistance in a direction other than the primary direction of load bearing greater than or equal to about 1000 grams.

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: Wearable disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, having elastically extensible fastening members (also sometimes known as fastening “ears”) with particular features, extending from a chassis or main portion of the articles, are disclosed. The fastening members may be highly extensible and have an overall geometry characterized by greater length nearer the chassis or main portion and lesser length nearer the distal end. Examples disclosed may have a fastener zone having a Stiffness of at least about 1,500 N/m, and shape and dimensional characteristics, that help avoid problems of buckling and/or flipping of edges of the fastening members, dishing of fastener components, and fastening member tearing, while the articles are applied and worn.

Abstract: A subassembly may comprise rear and front continuous belt webs, folded discontinuous fastening web(s), a plurality of fastening elements directly or indirectly refastenably joining the front and rear belts together.

Abstract: A method for making a refastenable article may comprise the steps of: (1) conveying a first belt web comprising a first nonwoven layer and a first pre-strained elastic element along a machine direction; (2) conveying a second belt web comprising a second nonwoven layer and a second pre-strained elastic element along a machine direction; (3) conveying a continuous fastening web comprising a first fastening tab member along the machine direction; (4) folding the first fastening tab member; (5) cutting the fastening web into discrete webs; (6) rotating the discrete fastening web; (7) directly or refastenably joining the discrete fastening web to one of the belt webs; (8) joining the first and second belt webs to a chassis comprising a core; (9) folding the article over a lateral axis, such that the first and second belt webs generally overlap; (10) refastenably joining the first and second belt webs; and (11) cutting through the discrete fastening web to form multiple refastenable absorbent articles.