Abstract: A paperboard packaging material includes a top layer including non-wood fibers blended with wood fibers, wherein the non-wood fibers are 5% to 100% of the top layer; a back layer including non-wood fibers blended with wood fibers, wherein the non-wood fibers are 5% to 100% of the back layer; and a middle layer disposed between the top and back layers. The middle layer can include 5% to 100% non-wood filler fibers. The non-wood filler fibers can be wheat straw. The non-wood fibers can be bamboo.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles have a percentage of stretch in the lateral direction at the widest portion in the front region of the article and/or in the back region in the range of from about 25% to about 150%. Additionally, at least about 70% of the above stretch resides in a first edge zone and in a second edge zone of the chassis. The first edge zone and the second edge zone are separated by a middle zone. The middle zone, which has the same length as each edge zone, is stretchable, but to a lesser extent than the edge zones. Through this construction, the absorbent article exhibits improved fit and appearance. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the articles exhibit stretch not only in the lateral direction but also in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the articles have a biaxial stretch ratio, which refers to a ratio of stretch along the hip circumference of the article to the amount of stretch in the longitudinal direction, that is from about 1.0 to about 2.5, and particularly from about 1.1 to about 1.5. Absorbent articles made in accordance with the present invention are capable of accommodating a relatively large size range of wearers. The articles also exhibit improved fit and prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.

Abstract: An elastic laminate capable of being rolled for storage and unwound from a roll when needed for use, includes an elastic layer selected from the group consisting of an array of continuous filament strands, an array of continuous filament strands with meltblown deposited on the continuous filament strands, and a film; a gatherable facing layer bonded to only one side of the elastic layer; and either an adhesive that demonstrates a relatively short open time deposited between the elastic layer and facing layer, or such adhesive and a postbonding adhesive or nonblocking agent, or a nonblocking agent layer deposited on the elastic layer on a side opposite to the facing layer.

Abstract: A method of concurrently providing a series of types of pant-like garments and corresponding information to consumers. The series includes two or more pant-like garments, each of the garments corresponding to a stage of toilet training. Each of the garments in the series may differ from one another in terms of absorbent capacity, size, and/or features. The information provided to the consumer helps the consumer discern which garment from the series is most appropriate for a child in a specific stage of the toilet training process.

Abstract: A simplified elastic laminate is made from nonwovens and is especially suitable for side panels of training pant garments or the like. A plurality of thermoplastic adhesive elastomeric fibers are located between first and second facing webs. The fibers have an elastic core and adhesive surfaces. The facing webs, with the elastomeric fibers between them, are calendered together thus adhering the facing webs together via contact adhesion with the elastomeric fibers.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonically bonding thermoplastic materials, for example melt-compatible thermoplastic materials, wherein the thermoplastic materials are preheated prior to entering an ultrasonic bonding means, thereby substantially increasing an ultimate bond strength established between the materials during the ultrasonic bonding process.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminate that includes at least one facing layer laminated to an elastomeric layer. The facing layer or layers may be nonwoven web(s) made up of thermoplastic filaments formed from a random copolymer or a random copolymer blend. The invention further includes an ultrasonically bonded seam formed by ultrasonically bonding the elastomeric laminate to a substrate, and the method therefor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastening tab including a manufacturer's bond end, attached to a disposable absorbent product, and a user's end. The user's end includes a mechanical fastener component and is configured to have a disengagement ratio of at least 1.5:1.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonically bonding thermoplastic materials, for example melt-compatible thermoplastic materials, wherein the thermoplastic materials are preheated prior to entering an ultrasonic bonding means, thereby substantially increasing an ultimate bond strength established between the materials during the ultrasonic bonding process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A method of concurrently providing a series of types of pant-like garments and corresponding information to consumers. The series includes two or more pant-like garments, each of the garments corresponding to a stage of toilet training. Each of the garments in the series may differ from one another in terms of absorbent capacity, size, and/or features. The information provided to the consumer helps the consumer discern which garment from the series is most appropriate for a child in a specific stage of the toilet training process.

Abstract: A simplified elastic laminate is made from nonwovens and is especially suitable for side panels of training pant garments or the like. A plurality of thermoplastic adhesive elastomeric fibers are located between first and second facing webs. The fibers have an elastic core and adhesive surfaces. The facing webs, with the elastomeric fibers between them, are calendered together thus adhering the facing webs together via contact adhesion with the elastomeric fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A composite elastic material includes a layer of ribbon-shaped elastomeric elements disposed in machine direction alignment and point bonded to an extensible layer which may be a gatherable layer or a stretchable layer. A layer of meltblown elastomeric fibers may be bonded to the layer of elastomeric ribbon-shaped elements before bonding to the extensible layer. The elastic composite has excellent cohesion, controlled breathability to air and water vapor, an opaque appearance, and is easy to cut and convert to end use products such as garments, pads, diapers, and personal care products where elasticity is desired.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for use as the hook component of a hook-and-loop fastener. The laminate comprises a first extensible substantially non-elastic layer and a second layer comprising a nonwoven material. The nonwoven material is prebonded by a number of first spaced-apart bond sites to form first bonded and first unbonded areas. The second layer is attached to the first layer by a plurality of second spaced-apart bond sites to form a bulked laminate having a plurality of second bonded and second unbonded areas. The second bonded and second unbonded areas together define a surface area of said bulked laminate with said second bonded areas covering from about 5 to about 20 percent of the surface area. At least 50 percent of the second bonded areas have an area of less than about 4 square millimeters and have a density of greater than about 2 bonds per square centimeter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a loop material suitable for use on a disposable garment. The process includes the following steps. Forming a woven loop material having a lubricating material thereon. The lubricating material is present on the woven loop material in an amount effective to assist in the formation of the woven loop material. The woven loop material is rinsed with a liquid to form a rinsed loop material. The rinsing process causes the amount of lubricating material on said woven loop material to be reduced. Finally, the rinsed loop material is attached to the disposable garment. A disposable absorbent garment including the rinsed loop material is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.