Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has front and back panels, each having an elastic film layer and each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has front and back panels, each having an elastic film layer and each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has front and back panels, each having an elastic film layer and each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening system for an article includes forming an oriented nonwoven loop material from a nonwoven web of substantially continuous fibers by drawing the nonwoven web using an applied force to align constituent fibers of the nonwoven web without substantial necking or gathering of the nonwoven web in a direction perpendicular to the applied force. The drawn nonwoven web is disposed on a disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: In a mechanical fastening system for an article, a first fastening component of the fastening system is constructed of an oriented nonwoven loop material. The nonwoven loop material is constructed at least part of an nonwoven web of fibers that is extensible from a relaxed configuration to an extended configuration wherein in the extended configuration a greater number of fibers of the nonwoven web are oriented in the direction in which the web is extended than in the relaxed configuration of the web. In one embodiment, the web is in its extended configuration and secured to a substrate A second fastening component of the mechanical fastening system comprises a hook material wherein the oriented nonwoven loop material of the first fastening component is adapted for releasable connection with the hook material of the second fastening component.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has front and back panels, each having an elastic film layer and each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article are disclosed. The article has front and back panels, each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the front panel to align with the back panel, respectively. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: An absorbent article can utilize a chassis design comprising a unitary inner layer and an expandable absorbent assembly attached to the inner layer, with the inner layer including elasticized portions so that the absorbent article conforms to the body of a person wearing the article. The expandable absorbent assembly can be minimally attached to the garment side of the inner layer and, in some embodiments at an aperture or opening in the inner layer that allows exudates to pass into the absorbent assembly. The article can further comprise an extensible outer layer attached to the garment side of the inner layer so that the outer layer covers the absorbent assembly and elastics, with the outer layer attached at the perimeter of at least portions of the article.

Abstract: A method of forming a waist band on an absorbent article is disclosed. The method includes forming stretchable front and back panels and attaching an elastic band to at least one of the panels. Each elastic band is cantilevered outward from a distal end of the panel to which it is attached. An absorbent assembly is also secured between the front and back panels. The method further includes folding one panel over the other panel so that the outer ends of the elastic bands are aligned approximately even to one another. The first and second side edges of the front panel, back panel and elastic bands are then joined together by a pair of seams to form an absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable pant-like undergarment is disclosed having stretchable front and back panels. An elastic band is secured to at least one of the front and back panels. The elastic band has a retracted length less than the retracted length of the panel to which it is secured. An absorbent assembly including a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween, is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the front panel to overlap the back panel. A pair of seams joins the front panel, the back panel and the elastic band together at their side edges to form a pant-like undergarment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The elastic band creates a snug fit at the waist opening.

Abstract: A method for forming either an extensible or elastic laminate includes the steps of providing an elastic layer; and extruding at least one extensible meltblown web directly upon a first surface of the elastic layer to form an elastic layer and nonwoven laminate without the use of a separate adhesive.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system utilizing multi-directional stretchable nonwoven materials that function well with low shear strength.

Abstract: A method for increasing the bond strength of ultrasonic bonds in elastomeric materials comprising elongating the elastomeric materials prior to ultrasonically bonding the materials.

Abstract: A method of forming a waist band on an absorbent article is disclosed. The method includes forming stretchable front and back panels and attaching an elastic band to at least one of the panels. Each elastic band is cantilevered outward from a distal end of the panel to which it is attached. An absorbent assembly is also secured between the front and back panels. The method further includes folding one panel over the other panel so that the outer ends of the elastic bands are aligned approximately even to one another. The first and second side edges of the front panel, back panel and elastic bands are then joined together by a pair of seams to form an absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that includes front and back panels each having a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is extensible and retractable and the second zone is non-extensible and non-retractable. The disposable absorbent article also has a waistband integrally formed in the first zone that has extensible regions separated by non-extensible regions. The waistband is constructed such that a greater force is required to extend it than is required to extend the remaining extensible portion of the first zone in both the front and back panels. The disposable absorbent article also includes an absorbent assembly and the front and back panels are secured together by a pair of seams to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article are disclosed. The article has front and back panels, each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the first and second side edges of the front panel to align with the first and second side edges of the back panel, respectively. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable pant-like undergarment is disclosed having stretchable front and back panels. An elastic band is secured to at least one of the front and back panels. The elastic band has a retracted length less than the retracted length of the panel to which it is secured. An absorbent assembly including a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween, is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the front panel to overlap the back panel. A pair of seams joins the front panel, the back panel and the elastic band together at their side edges to form a pant-like undergarment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The elastic band creates a snug fit at the waist opening.

Abstract: A disposable pant-like undergarment is disclosed which has a stretchable front panel and a stretchable back panel. An absorbent assembly having a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween is secured to an outer surface of the front and back panels. The bodyside liner is partially overlapped by the front and back panels such that a physical barrier is established between a portion of the bodyside liner and the user's skin. The absorbent assembly is folded to enable the first and second panels to overlap one another and a pair of seams are formed which join the front and back panels together to create a pant-like undergarment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: It has been found that an absorbent article having improved fit at the waist region can be made by changing the stretch properties about the waist region such that the sides stretch more than the front or back. One method of performing this function is to change the modulus of elasticity of the side regions relative to the front and back regions. For instance, by use of more elastic or stronger elastic in the front and back of the waist relative to the side of the waist, the modulus of elasticity in the front and back will be higher than at the sides of the absorbent article. If the same tension is applied uniformly to such a waist, the sides will stretch more than the front or back. This improves the absorbent article's fit because the hips of the body can curve more than the front or back waist portion, which can be relatively flat. By having the greatest stretch at the sides, they can conform to the body's increased curvature at the hips.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system utilizing multi-directional stretchable nonwoven materials that function well with low shear strength.