Abstract: A thin nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article (e.g., sanitary napkin) is provided. The film contains a first ethylene polymer having a density of about 0.94 g/cm3 or less, second ethylene polymer having a density of greater than 0.94 g/cm3, and nanoclay having an organic surface treatment. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of the components used to form the film, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the properties of the film can be significantly improved.

Abstract: A thin nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article is provided. The film contains an ethylene polymer, a nanoclay having an organic surface treatment, and a compatibilizer that includes an olefin polymer containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of the components used to form the film, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the modulus and tensile strength of the film can be significantly improved without having an adverse impact on its ductility.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region. The front and back waist regions are permanently attached or releasably attachable to each other by an article fastening system to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article is configurable from the wear configuration to a disposal configuration. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one of the sides of the article and extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of a length Lp of one of the sides. A tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The attachment region has a first surface attached to one of the sides of the article and a second surface that defines part of the article fastening system.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable bodyside liner for facing the wearer, an outer cover for facing away from the wearer, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. A primary fastening system is provided for securing the article in a wear configuration having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings spaced from the waist opening. A secondary fastening system comprises a pair of tabs having a fastener region selectively attachable to the article and an attachment region defining a portion of the primary fastening system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven substrate comprising a fibrous web defining a surface; and a layer of a benefit agent wherein said benefit agent is selected from an additive composition, an enhancement component and combinations thereof; wherein said benefit agent is frothed and bonded to the fibrous web surface through a creping process and wherein said nonwoven substrate demonstrates improvements selected from enhanced tactile feel, enhanced printing, a decrease in hysteresis, an increase in bulk, an increase in elasticity/extensibility, an increase in retractability, a reduction in rugosities and combinations thereof when compared to an untreated substrate.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises a first crotch elastic member adjacent a first crotch edge and a second crotch elastic member adjacent a second crotch edge, each crotch elastic member extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each crotch elastic member having a front terminal point and a rear terminal point. In one embodiment, at least one of the terminal points of the first crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the first crotch elastic member, and at least one of the terminal points of the second crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the second crotch elastic member. In another embodiment, front end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members or rear end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members converge transversely inward toward each other.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region. The front and back waist regions are permanently attached or releasably attachable to each other by an article fastening system to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article is configurable from the wear configuration to a disposal configuration. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one of the sides of the article and extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of a length Lp of one of the sides. A tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The attachment region has a first surface attached to one of the sides of the article and a second surface that defines part of the article fastening system.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable bodyside liner for facing the wearer, an outer cover for facing away from the wearer, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. A primary fastening system is provided for securing the article in a wear configuration having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings spaced from the waist opening. A secondary fastening system comprises a pair of tabs having a fastener region selectively attachable to the article and an attachment region defining a portion of the primary fastening system.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region. The front and back waist regions are permanently attached or releasably attachable to each other by an article fastening system to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article is configurable from the wear configuration to a disposal configuration. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one of the sides of the article and extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of a length Lp of one of the sides. A tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The attachment region has a first surface attached to one of the sides of the article and a second surface that defines part of the article fastening system.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a central absorbent assembly having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region interconnecting the front and back waist regions. Front side panels extend outward from the front waist region and back side panels extend outward from the back waist region. The article includes a pair of tabs. Each tab has an attachment region attached to one of the front side panels and the back side panels, and a tab region extending transversely outward from the attachment region and being releasably attachable to the other one of the front side panels and the back side panels. The one of the front side panels and the back side panels to which the attachment region of the tab is attached has a first stiffness and at least a portion of the tab region has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with stretch direction properties are disclosed, having at least three stretch zones. A first edge zone and a second edge zone are separated by a middle zone. The middle zone, which may the same length as each edge zone, has different stretch-direction characteristics than the edge zones. The middle zone may stretch in a single direction, whereas the edge zones may stretch in a different single direction or in bi- or multi-axial directions. The flaps may be created from the edge zones. Through this construction, the absorbent article exhibits improved fit and appearance.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region. The front and back waist regions are permanently attached or releasably attachable to each other by an article fastening system to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article is configurable from the wear configuration to a disposal configuration. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one of the sides of the article and extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of a length Lp of one of the sides. A tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The attachment region has a first surface attached to one of the sides of the article and a second surface that defines part of the article fastening system.

Abstract: An absorbent article has front and back waist regions that define transversely opposite sides each extending a length Lp from a waist opening to a leg opening of the article. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one side of the article and extending a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp of the side. A tab region of the tab extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least a disposal configuration of the article. The greatest length La of the attachment region is substantially greater than the greatest distance Dt that the tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region. The greatest length La of the attachment region is in the range of about 35 percent to 100 percent of the length Lp of the side of the article.

Abstract: An improved mechanical fastening system that includes a male component and a female component is disclosed. The female component is adapted for releasable engagement with the male component, and the female component comprises a fibrous web, wherein the fibrous web comprises a layer of elastomeric fibers. A disposable absorbent article employing the improved mechanical fastening system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to reduce the noise produced by movement of a substrate is disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes applying a noise-reducing coating material at an add-on rate of at least about three grams per square meter to a target region of a first surface of a substrate so as to substantially completely coat the target area, wherein the noise-reducing coating material comprises a polymeric material. Also disclosed is a reduced-noise composite material that can be employed in a disposable personal care device. The reduced-noise composite material can include a substrate layer which defines a first surface having a surface area and a target area, and a noise-reducing layer which substantially completely coats the target region. The noise-reducing layer has a basis weight of at least about three grams per square meter. Also disclosed is a reduced-noise disposable personal care device, which may in particular embodiments be a disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises a first crotch elastic member adjacent a first crotch edge and a second crotch elastic member adjacent a second crotch edge, each crotch elastic member extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each crotch elastic member having a front terminal point and a rear terminal point. In one embodiment, at least one of the terminal points of the first crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the first crotch elastic member, and at least one of the terminal points of the second crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the second crotch elastic member. In another embodiment, front end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members or rear end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members converge transversely inward toward each other.

Abstract: An absorbent article for personal wear has front and back waist regions that are one of permanently attached and releasably attachable to define transversely opposite sides each extending a length Lp from a waist opening to a leg opening of the article. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one side of the article and extending a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp of the side. A tab region of the tab extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The greatest length La of the attachment region of the tab is substantially greater than the greatest distance Dt that the tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region. The greatest length La of the attachment region is in the range of about 35 percent to 100 percent of the length Lp of the side of the article.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a central absorbent assembly having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region interconnecting the front and back waist regions. Front side panels extend outward from the front waist region and back side panels extend outward from the back waist region. The article also includes a pair of tabs. Each tab has an attachment region attached to one of the front side panels and the back side panels, and a tab region extending transversely outward from the attachment region and being releasably attachable to the other one of the front side panels and the back side panels. The one of the front side panels and the back side panels to which the attachment region of the tab is attached has a first stiffness and at least a portion of the tab region of the tab has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting pooling of fluid in disposable or non-disposable absorbent articles is provided. The apparatus includes an object that has at least one surface area onto which pooling may occur. A fluid delivery apparatus is present and is used for introducing fluid onto the surface area of the object. Also, a sensor is present and is used for indicating the presence of pooling on the surface area of the object.