Abstract: A wearable absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent core assembly. At least a portion of the outer cover is joined to the absorbent core assembly over at least a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The overall lateral width of the second attachment area is less than the overall lateral width of the first attachment area. At least a portion of the second attachment area is disposed in a hip region of the article. The first attachment area is disposed longitudinally outboard from the second attachment area.

Abstract: A wearable absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent core assembly. At least a portion of the outer cover is joined to the absorbent core assembly over at least a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The overall lateral width of the second attachment area is less than the overall lateral width of the first attachment area. At least a portion of the second attachment area is disposed in a hip region of the article. The first attachment area is disposed longitudinally outboard from the second attachment area.

Abstract: A wearable absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent core assembly. At least a portion of the outer cover is joined to the absorbent core assembly over at least a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The overall lateral width of the second attachment area is less than the overall lateral width of the first attachment area. At least a portion of the second attachment area is disposed in a hip region of the article. The first attachment area is disposed longitudinally outboard from the second attachment area.

Abstract: A wearable absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent core assembly. At least a portion of the outer cover is joined to the absorbent core assembly over at least a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The overall lateral width of the second attachment area is less than the overall lateral width of the first attachment area. At least a portion of the second attachment area is disposed in a hip region of the article. The first attachment area is disposed longitudinally outboard from the second attachment area.

Abstract: An absorbent core structure having at least one acquisition region, at least one distribution region, and at least one storage region. The acquisition region being constructed from a fibrous material. The acquisition region having a relatively low density from about 0.018 g/cc to about 0.20 g/cc. The distribution region being constructed from said fibrous material. The distribution region being consolidated to have a relatively medium density from about 0.024 g/cc to about 0.45 g/cc. The distribution region being in fluid communication with said acquisition region. The storage region being constructed from said fibrous material. The storage region being consolidated to have a relatively high density from about 0.030 g/cc to about 0.50 g/cc. The storage region being in fluid communication with said distribution region. A portion of the fibrous material being formed into at least one peak and at least one valley and then subsequently folded in order to form said absorbent core structure.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent core structure includes meltspinning at least one layer of fibrous material. A first amount of superabsorbent material is deposited on the layer of fibrous material. A first portion of the layer of fibrous material is folded over the first amount of superabsorbent material. A second amount of superabsorbent material is deposited on the layer of fibrous material. A second portion of the layer of fibrous material is folded over the second amount of superabsorbent material. Additional embodiments involve rolling the fibrous material and/or densifying one of the layers relative to the other.

Abstract: An absorbent core structure having at least one acquisition region, at least one distribution region, and at least one storage region. The acquisition region being constructed from a fibrous material. The acquisition region having a relatively low density from about 0.018 g/cc to about 0.20 g/cc. The at least one distribution region being constructed from the fibrous material. The distribution region being consolidated to have a relatively medium density from about 0.024 g/cc to about 0.45 g/cc. The distribution region being in fluid communication with the acquisition region. The at least one storage region being constructed from the fibrous material. The storage region being consolidated to have a relatively high density from about 0.030 g/cc to about 0.50 g/cc. The storage region being in fluid communication with the distribution region.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent core structure includes meltspinning at least a first layer of fibrous material having a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions. A superabsorbent material is deposited between the respective first and second portions of the first layer. The first portions of the first layer are moved with respect to the second portions of the first layer so as to at least substantially encapsulate the deposited superabsorbent material between the respective first and second portions.

Abstract: An absorbent core structure having at least one acquisition region, at least one distribution region, at least one storage region. The acquisition region being constructed from a fibrous material. The acquisition region having a relatively low density from about 0.018 g/cc to about 0.20 g/cc. The at least one distribution region being constructed from the fibrous material. The distribution region being consolidated to have a relatively medium density from about 0.024 g/cc to about 0.45 g/cc. The distribution region being in fluid communication with said acquisition region. The storage region being constructed from the fibrous material. The storage region being consolidated to have a relatively high density from about 0.030 g/cc to about 0.50 g/cc. The storage region being in fluid communication with the distribution region. The fibrous material may be folded to form said absorbent core structure. The fibrous material may be rolled to form the absorbent core structure.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent core structure includes meltspinning at least one layer of fibrous material. At least one valley is formed separating at least two peaks in substantially parallel rows in the layer of fibrous material. A first portion of the first layer of fibrous material is folded over a second portion of the first layer of fibrous material. A least part of the first layer of fibrous material is densified.

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing disposable absorbent articles from bulk starting polymeric materials including virgin and on-line recycled polymeric materials. The production line includes a continuous process that links the steps of forming the webs with the steps of converting the webs into disposable absorbent articles. The production line recycles non-woven materials produced on the production line back into the production process of producing disposable absorbent articles. The recycling operations can also include a spun-bonded recycling and a melt-blown recycling. The production line can be a single-product-lane operation or a multiple-product-lane operation.

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing disposable absorbent articles from bulk starting polymeric materials including virgin and on-line recycled polymeric materials. The production line includes a continuous process that links the steps of forming the webs with the steps of converting the webs into disposable absorbent articles. The production line recycles non-woven materials produced on the production line back into the production process of producing disposable absorbent articles. The recycling operations can also include a spun-bonded recycling and a melt-blown recycling. The production line can be a single-product-lane operation or a multiple-product-lane operation.

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing disposable absorbent articles from bulk starting polymeric materials including virgin and on-line recycled polymeric materials. The production line includes a continuous process that links the steps of forming the webs with the steps of converting the webs into disposable absorbent articles. The production line recycles non-woven materials produced on the production line back into the production process of producing disposable absorbent articles. The recycling operations can also include a spun-bonded recycling and a melt-blown recycling. The production line can be a single-product-lane operation or a multiple-product-lane operation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing disposable fluid-handling articles including absorbent articles (e.g., baby diapers, adult incontinence articles, feminine hygiene articles, baby swim diapers, dining bibs, wound dressing) and benefit-component-delivering articles (e.g., wash cloth, body wipes, body wraps, pet grooming articles, cleaning and polishing articles) are disclosed. The present invention can combine the web-forming technology with the web-converting technology into a continuous process for making a disposable fluid-handling article, wherein two or more of the components of the fluid-handling article are formed on the converting line from extruded polymeric materials. Thus, the new method and apparatus can reduce or eliminate the need for continuous webs of fabrics, films, foams, elastics, etc. that have been transported from web producers in a packaged form, e.g., wound rolls and festooned boxes.