Abstract: Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an undergarment includes moving a web of body panel material in a machine direction and cutting the web of body panel material along the machine direction to form front and rear body panel webs each having a maximum rise and a minimum rise respectively. The method further includes shifting at least one of the rear and front body panel webs in the machine direction and thereby aligning the maximum rises of the rear and front body panel webs. The method further includes centering a crotch member with the maximum rises of the rear and front body panel webs and connecting the crotch member to a garment side surface of the front and rear body panel webs. The crotch member includes a base panel having opposite side edges and at least a pair of folds extending from the side edges of the base panel.

Abstract: Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes a body chassis member elongatable in at least a first direction between at least a first condition and second condition. The body chassis member has a greater elongation when in the second condition than when in the first condition. The disposable undergarment further includes a crotch member detachably connected to the body chassis member at at least one attachment location. At least a portion of the at least one attachment location is detached as the body chassis member is elongated between the first and second conditions. In one preferred embodiment, the crotch member includes an absorbent component. Methods of using the undergarment and of instructing a user about the use of the garment are also provided.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment has an elastic inner layer having an interior surface for facing a wearer of the garment, and an exterior surface. The elastic inner layer has an elongate opening therein disposed at least within a crotch region of the garment, and is stretchable in at least a lateral direction of the garment. An outer layer of the garment is in opposed relationship with the elastic inner layer and is stretchable in at least the lateral direction of the garment. An absorbent assembly is secured to the elastic inner layer between the elastic inner layer and the outer layer and is sized larger than the opening of the elastic inner layer for underlying substantially the entire opening. The absorbent assembly is stretchable in at least the lateral direction of the garment for lateral stretching thereof in response to lateral stretching of the elastic inner layer.

Abstract: Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes a body panel and an absorbent insert having a back sheet connected to a top sheet and a retention portion disposed between the back sheet and the top sheet. At least one of the back sheet and the top sheet is stretchable and includes an elastic material. At least one of the back sheet and the top sheet is connected to the body panel. A method of using a disposable undergarment includes stretching at least one of the back sheet and the top sheet. A method of instructing a user on the use of the disposable undergarment is also provided.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes a front body panel having a pair of opposite first side edges, a first waist edge and a first crotch edge spaced from said first waist edge. A rear body panel has a pair of opposite second side edges, a second waist edge and a second crotch edge spaced from said second waist edge. The crotch edges of each of the front and rear body panel webs includes at least one peak and at least one valley. Each of the front and rear body panels have a minimum rise defined between the valley of each of the respective front and rear body panels and the first and second waist edges respectively. The valleys defining the minimum rises form at least in part leg opening portions of the front and rear body panels. The crotch edges of the front and rear body panels are spaced apart and form a gap therebetween in a non-overlapping relationship. A crotch member bridges the gap and has opposite end portions connected to the front and rear body panels respectively.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an undergarment includes moving a web of body panel material in a machine direction and cutting the web of body panel material along the machine direction to form front and rear body panel webs each having a maximum rise and a minimum rise respectively. The method further includes shifting at least one of the rear and front body panel webs in the machine direction and thereby aligning the maximum rises of the rear and front body panel webs. The method further includes centering a crotch member with the maximum rises of the rear and front body panel webs and connecting the crotch member to a garment side surface of the front and rear body panel webs. The crotch member includes a base panel having opposite side edges and at least a pair of folds extending from the side edges of the base panel.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes an extensible backsheet having opposite side regions, a liquid permeable topsheet having opposite side portions, and a retention portion having opposite side edges and an inner surface defining an area. The retention portion is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet with the inner surface facing the topsheet and with the opposite side portions of the backsheet and the topsheet extending beyond the side edges of the retention portion. The opposite side portions of the topsheet are attached to the opposite side portions of the backsheet on opposite sides of the retention portion. Less than 30% of the area of the inner surface of the retention portion is attached to the topsheet. A method for absorbing bodily exudates with an absorbent garment is also provided.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes a front body panel having a first waist edge and a first crotch edge defining a first lobe having a first profile in plan view that extends outwardly relative to the first waist edge. The first lobe has a first maximum rise along a first direction at substantially a centerline of the front body panel. A rear body panel has a second waist edge and a second crotch edge defining a second lobe having a second profile in plan view that extends outwardly relative to the second waist edge. The second lobe has a second maximum rise along the first direction at substantially a centerline of the rear body panel. The first lobe of the front body panel is aligned with the second lobe of said rear body panel. A crotch member is aligned with and overlaps the first and second lobes of the front and rear body panels respectively.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a chassis having first and second layers and an elastic core sandwiched therebetween. The chassis defines front and rear body panels each having elastic regions exhibiting a substantially permanent deformation of at least about 10% when elongated 80% for a period of 30 minutes at 37° C. and 60% relative humidity and then allowed to relax under a zero applied force. An absorbent composite is coupled to the chassis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in structure of disposable garments. The disposable garments of the invention may include an outer layer and an elastic inner layer. The elastic inner layer has an elastic inner layer perimeter and defines an opening, which may be in the form of a slit or aperture, located in an internal position to the elastic inner layer perimeter. The elastic inner layer perimeter may be bonded to the outer layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an undergarment includes moving a web of body panel material in a longitudinal machine direction, forming a cutout in the web, cutting the web of body panel material along the longitudinal machine direction and thereby forming a rear body panel web and a front body panel web, and connecting a crotch member to each of the rear and front body panel webs. The crotch member covers said cutout when connected to the rear and front body panel webs. A disposable undergarment having a cutout, and a method for the use thereof, is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disposable absorbent article incorporating a reinforcement element adjacent a crotch edge of a body panel includes moving a web of body panel material in a longitudinal machine direction, applying a plurality of reinforcement elements to an outer surface of the web and cutting the web of body panel material along the longitudinal machine direction to thereby form a rear body panel web and a front body panel web each having a terminal crotch edge and at least a portion of the reinforcement elements secured thereto. The method further includes connecting a crotch member to each of the rear and front body pane webs thereby bridging the gab between. A disposable absorbent article incorporating a reinforcement element is also provided.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a front body panel having a terminal waist edge and a terminal crotch edge and a rear body panel having a terminal waist edge and a terminal crotch edge. The terminal crotch edge of the rear body panel is longitudinally spaced from and forms a gap with the terminal crotch edge of the front body panel. An absorbent composite bridges the gap between the front and rear body panels with first and second terminal edges overlying and connected to the front and rear body panels respectively. In one embodiment, the terminal edges of the absorbent composite are the only portion of the absorbent composite connected to the front and rear body panels. In another embodiment, the absorbent composite is further connected to the front and rear body panels at first and second attachment locations proximate a longitudinally extending centerline of the absorbent composite and longitudinally spaced from the first and second terminal edges. Methods of using the absorbent garments are also provided.

Abstract: A disposable garment including a dual fastening system. The dual fastening system includes at least two first fasteners and at least two second fasteners, at least a portion of each second fastener being located in the front waist region and situated inboard from each longitudinal side edge of the front waist region, each second fastener being configured to engage at least a portion of the bodyfacing surface.

Abstract: Containment flaps comprising an elastic member and a resilient member are disclosed. When employed in a disposable absorbent article, the resilient member is adapted to be disposed between the elastic member and the body surface of the wearer of the disposable absorbent article. The resilient member serves to help make the containment flaps more comfortable for the wearer, and can help the flap better conform to contours associated with the body surfaces with which the containment flap comes into contact.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes a front body panel having a pair of opposite first side edges, a first waist edge and a first crotch edge spaced from said first waist edge. A rear body panel has a pair of opposite second side edges, a second waist edge and a second crotch edge spaced from said second waist edge. The crotch edges of each of the front and rear body panel webs includes at least one peak and at least one valley. Each of the front and rear body panels have a minimum rise defined between the valley of each of the respective front and rear body panels and the first and second waist edges respectively. The valleys defining the minimum rises form at least in part leg opening portions of the front and rear body panels. The crotch edges of the front and rear body panels are spaced apart and form a gap therebetween in a non-overlapping relationship. A crotch member bridges the gap and has opposite end portions connected to the front and rear body panels respectively.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disposable undergarment includes moving a web of body panel material in a longitudinal machine direction, cutting the web of body panel material along the longitudinal machine direction and thereby forming a rear body panel web and a front body panel web, each having a respective inner edge including peaks and valleys. Each of the front and rear body panel webs has a minimum rise forming at least in part leg opening portions of the front and rear body panel webs. The method further includes separating the front and rear body panel webs in a lateral cross direction, and bridging the gap between the crotch portions of the front and rear body panel webs with a crotch member, but with the crotch member not covering the valleys defining the minimum rises of each of the front and rear body panel webs. A disposable undergarment is also provided.