Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that comprises a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the back waist region, a front waist end edge, a back waist end edge, a longitudinal axis extending from a mid-point of the front waist end edge to a mid-point of the back waist end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, a second longitudinally extending side edge, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. A portion of the front waist region and a portion of the back waist region are joined in a surface to surface relationship to form a pant comprising a first permanent side edge seam and a laterally opposed second permanent side edge seam. The first and second permanent side edge seams define an initial waist opening circumference and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described, which permit a simple, rapid manufacture of an end of an optical fiber bundle. According to the method a metallic sleeve is placed on an end section of the bundle, the end section with the sleeve on it is positioned in a shaping tool without pressing the sleeve and then pressure is exerted on the sleeve exclusively in a radial direction by press jaws of the shaping tool. In the optical fiber bundle made by the method the outer optical fibers (4?) of the optical fiber bundle (1) are embedded at least partially in the sleeve material. The apparatus for making the end of the bundle (1) with the sleeve (10) has a shaping tool (20) including at least two radially movable press jaws (22a-22f) that substantially surround the sleeve (10).

Abstract: An absorbent product comprises a seal along one or more edges. The seal may be formed using a cohesive or selective adhesive. The seal prevents contamination of the wearer-facing surface of an individual absorbent product without requiring an overwrap or other individual unit packaging. The absorbent product may also comprise one or more removable trim regions for sealing and shaping the absorbent product.

Abstract: An absorbent product comprises a backsheet having a first lateral end edge, a second lateral end edge, a first longitudinal side edge, and a second longitudinal side edge. The absorbent product further comprises a first longitudinal line of weakness laterally inboard of the first longitudinal side edge, a second longitudinal line of weakness laterally inboard of the second longitudinal side edge, a first lateral line of weakness longitudinally inboard of the first lateral end edge, and a second lateral line of weakness longitudinally inboard of the second lateral end edge. The absorbent product also comprises a topsheet connected with the backsheet, an absorbent article, the absorbent article having an outer perimeter defined by the first and second longitudinal lines of weakness and the first and second lateral lines of weakness, and a removable trim region.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve new methods for using disposable absorbent articles having replaceable absorbent core components as a swim pant. Non-removable absorbent core components may be disposed in a chassis of the disposable absorbent article. The absorbent article may also include replaceable absorbent core components adapted to be selectively disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. Embodiments of such absorbent articles can be configured for use as a swim pant or diaper with relatively low absorbency by removing the replaceable absorbent core component. Removal of the replaceable core component may be done without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer. In addition, embodiments of the absorbent articles can be reconfigured for use as a high absorbency diaper by reinstalling a replaceable absorbent core component without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer.

Abstract: Step-index optical waveguides are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass which entirely surrounds the core class. A fiber-optic cable for conducting electromagnetic radiation, contains at least one bundle of individual fibers which encompass the step-index optical waveguides that are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass that entirely surrounds the core glass on the circumferential wall thereof. These step-index optical waveguides provide great transmission capacity for transmitting data while keeping the transfer characteristics sufficiently durable. Furthermore, the fiber-optic cable is resistant against physical and chemical environmental influences and be protected against radical ambient chemicals.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted in place of the removed component without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated. Additional replaceable absorbent core components may also be incorporated.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component and having longitudinally disposed regions of liquid permeability and liquid impermeability on the same surface. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated.

Abstract: Methods for communicating the relevance and benefits of a diaper product comprising a wearable structure and a replaceable component, to members of a market segment. Particular examples comprise the steps of: providing a tangible medium containing visual content comprising one or more photographic images of an adult, a child and a diaper product in at least partial view, and, either, the adult appearing to be engaged in the act of changing the replaceable component while the child is wearing the wearable structure, or, the diaper appearing to include a wearable structure and a removable or replaceable component; and causing the visual content to be made available for viewing by members of the public.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core. The chassis may also comprise a water-impermeable backsheet and laterally opposing side flaps. Each of the side flaps may have a longitudinally extending first elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent to its proximal edge. The chassis may also comprise a second elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent the side edge of the chassis. The chassis may further comprise a first activation pattern in the front waist region and/or the back waist region, but the crotch region of the chassis may not be activated or may, alternatively, comprise a second activation pattern which is different from the first activation pattern. The article may further comprise at least one abdominal stretch panel attached to the interior surface or the exterior surface of the chassis in the front waist region or the back waist region.

Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core. The article may also comprise a chassis formed by a web comprising at least one continuous layer that forms a portion of a water-impermeable backsheet and a portion of laterally opposing side flaps. The chassis may further comprise a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region between the waist regions, laterally opposing side edges extending between the front waist edge and the back waist edge, an exterior surface, and an interior surface to which the absorbent assembly is attached. The attachment of the absorbent assembly may be shaped. The chassis may further comprise a continuously activated region disposed in one or both of the front and back waist regions of the article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a web that may be folded over at a first fold line forming a first hem, folded over at a second fold line forming a second hem, and folded over at a third fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a first side flap. The web may be folded over at a fourth fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a second side flap. A closure member may be disposed in at least one of the front and back waist regions. The closure member may maintain waist and leg openings of the absorbent article in a closed configuration to form a pant. An abdominal stretch panel may be attached to the interior surface or the exterior surface of at least one of the web and/or absorbent assembly in the front waist region or the back waist region and may have a circumferentially extending longitudinally distal edge disposed at or adjacent to the respective waist end edge.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a chassis comprising side edges. The side edges of the chassis may comprise folded side edge segments disposed in the front and back waist regions and cut side edge segments disposed in the crotch region. The chassis may further comprise a barrier attachment zone disposed between a side edge of the absorbent assembly and the side edge of the chassis. The barrier attachment zone may extend continuously from the front waist region through the crotch region to the back waist region and may form an area of attachment between the side flaps and the backsheet. The chassis may also comprise an elastic gathering member disposed between the side barrier attachment zone and the side edge of the chassis.

Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise a web comprising at least one continuous layer that forms a portion of a backsheet and a portion of laterally opposing side flaps. The web may be folded laterally inward to form the side flaps. The article may further comprise an exteriorly viewable first design field disposed on a surface of a backsheet, interiorly viewable second and third design fields disposed on a surface of first and second side flaps, respectively, viewable fourth and fifth design fields disposed on a surface of first and second abdominal stretch panels, respectively, and an absorbent assembly.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.

Abstract: Step-index optical waveguides are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass which entirely surrounds the core class. A fiber-optic cable for conducting electromagnetic radiation, contains at least one bundle of individual fibers which encompass the step-index optical waveguides that are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass that entirely surrounds the core glass on the circumferential wall thereof. These step-index optical waveguides provide great transmission capacity for transmitting data while keeping the transfer characteristics sufficiently durable. Furthermore, the fiber-optic cable is resistant against physical and chemical environmental influences and be protected against radical ambient chemicals.

Abstract: In order to achieve an increased reliability in respect of failure in optical networks, the invention provides a passive star coupler comprising a multiplicity of at least three optical waveguides as arms of the star coupler, which are combined at one end, and comprising, adjacent to the combined end, a reflective light mixer in the form of a common individual optical waveguide section with a light reflector, which reflects light which is guided through one of the optical waveguides and passes through the adjacent common individual optical waveguide section back into the common individual optical waveguide section, such that the light is split between the individual optical waveguides and is forwarded through the latter.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly in combination with abdominal stretch panels extending circumferentially around the waist of the wearer. The chassis includes a water-impermeable backsheet that may be folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The chassis may include an extensible formed web material. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow unattached portions of the chassis to extend laterally. Frangible tear lines and/or tear locator lines may be formed to facilitate removal of the article from the wearer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described, which permit a simple, rapid manufacture of an end of an optical fiber bundle. According to the method a metallic sleeve is placed on an end section of the bundle, the end section with the sleeve on it is positioned in a shaping tool without pressing the sleeve and then pressure is exerted on the sleeve exclusively in a radial direction by press jaws of the shaping tool. In the optical fiber bundle made by the method the outer optical fibers (4?) of the optical fiber bundle (1) are embedded at least partially in the sleeve material. The apparatus for making the end of the bundle (1) with the sleeve (10) has a shaping tool (20) including at least two radially movable press jaws (22a-22f) that substantially surround the sleeve (10).