Abstract: An absorbent open network has water-insoluble but water-swellable particles spaced from one another but integral with the network to provide an absorbent structure which is useful as an element in a disposable, body fluid-absorbing article, such as a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin, or the like. Also disclosed are methods for making the absorbent open network structure, and disposable diapers incorporating such absorbent structures.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has an improved tape tab fastening means in which a first tape strip has a free end and a fixed end which is attached to the diaper. A transferable tape segment is provided with an adhesive coating on both faces thereof, and one face is adhesively but releasably attached to the free end. The free end is adapted to secure the diaper about an infant by adhesive attachment via the adhesive-coated face of the transferable tape segment. There is a higher peel strength between the transferable tape segment and the diaper than between the transferable tape segment and the free end to enable the free end to be detachable from and refastenable to the transferable tape segment for repositioning the diaper about the infant. A permanently attached built-in release means is also provided.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs having a bifurcated fixed end and a free end. The fixed end has first and second anchoring legs which are integral with the free end and which are provided with adhesive coatings on opposing inner faces thereof. The fixed end is permanently attached by means of the adhesive coatings to opposing outer surfaces of the diaper facing and backing sheets which are interposed between the first and second anchoring legs. The free end of the tab has an adhesive coating on one face thereof, is releasably attached to a release region provided on the diaper inside surface, and is movable from a folded-over storage position, wherein the free end is releasably adhered to the release region, to a working position wherein the adhesive-coated free end is available for use in securing the diaper about an infant.

Abstract: Overlapping ends of metal strap, or the like, are aligned and connected without the aid of an overlying supplemental seal or fastener by means of an array of longitudinally spaced joints which form a one-way interlocking relationship. The joints comprise juxtaposed protuberances formed by slits in the strap ends, integral with the overlapping strap segments, which override each other as the interlocking relationship is formed. A protuberance in the array on one of the strap ends is formed to additionally function as an integral anti-disengagement stop. This protuberance has an upturned corner forming a protruding tongue which, upon shifting of the joined overlapping lengths of metal strap relative to each other in a direction tending to disengage the joints, abuts a portion of the protuberance in a corresponding slit of the other strap to provide a stop preventing disengagement.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs comprising an integral elongated tape segment having a fixed end attached to the backing sheet at a location spaced inwardly from the edge of the backing sheet, an adhesive-coated free working end, and a pleated central segment. Release means is carried by the backing sheet between the edge thereof and the fixed end of the tab. The free end of the tab is movable from a storage position in which the central segment is pleated and extensibly folded and the free end is releasably adhered to the release means, to an extended working position in which the central segment is in an extended position and the free end is released from the release means and is available to secure the diaper about an infant.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs comprising an elongated tape segment folded over to form a loop having an inner face and an outer face, the tabs including first and second terminal portions and a central portion integral with the terminal portions. The tape segment receives a marginal portion of the diaper backing sheet between the terminal portions and is permanently attached to the facing and backing sheets by means of adhesive coatings on both faces of the first terminal portion and the inner face of the second terminal portion.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs comprising an elongated tape segment folded over to form a loop having an inner face and an outer face, the tabs including first and second terminal portions and a central portion integral with the terminal portions. The tape segment receives a marginal portion of the diaper between the terminal portions and is permanently attached to the facing and backing sheets by means of adhesive coatings on opposing inner faces of the terminal portions.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs having a fixed end and free end. The fixed end of the tabs has an adhesive coating on both faces thereof, is interposed between the facing sheet and the backing sheet, and is permanently attached to opposing inner surfaces of the facing sheet and the backing sheet. The free end of the tab has an adhesive coating on one face thereof, is releasably attached to a release region provided on the diaper inside surface, and is movable from a folded-over storage position wherein the free end is releasably adhered to the release region to a working position wherein the adhesive coated free end is available for use in securing the diaper about an infant.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a facing sheet defining a diaper inside surface for direction toward an infant and a backing sheet defining a diaper outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs having a free end and a furcated fixed end which includes at least three integral anchoring legs. Each leg is provided with an adhesive coating on one face thereof. The fixed end is permanently attached by means of the adhesive coatings to the diaper facing and backing sheets, at least one leg being attached to the facing sheet and the remaining legs being attached to the backing sheet. The free end of the tab has an adhesive coating on one face thereof, is releasably attached to a release region provided on the diaper inside surface for such a purpose and is movable from a folded-over position, wherein the free end is releasably adhered to the release region, to a working position wherein the adhesive-coated free end is available for use in securing the diaper about an infant.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having an inside surface for direction toward an infant and an outside surface is provided with adhesive tabs, each tab having an adhesive coating on one face thereof. Each tab has a first end portion which is permanently attached to a marginal portion of the diaper outside surface by means of the adhesive coating, and an opposite end portion which is divided longitudinally into a central strip and a pair of marginal strips flanking the central strip. The marginal strips are permanently attached to a marginal portion of the diaper inside surface by means of the adhesive coating. A release layer is releasably adhered to the adhesive coating on the central strip and removable therefrom, whereby the central strip provides a securement means for fastening the diaper about an infant.