Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) energy. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) energy. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) energy. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: The present invention can provide a monitoring method and system for signaling a predetermined status in an article (20) having a monitored portion (22). The monitoring system includes an interrogator (30) which is located in an operative proximity to the article, and is configured to provide input energy with a predetermined input frequency. A status signaling device (24) is located at the monitored portion (22) of the article. The status signaling device includes a sensor (26) which can indicate a change of state that occurs when the monitored portion (22) of the article (20) changes from a first condition to a different, second condition. A passive transponder (28) is in an operative communication with the sensor (26). In a particular aspect of the invention, the transponder can be an electronic transponder.

Abstract: The present invention can provide a distinctive article (20) having a monitored portion (22), and a status signaling device (24) for communicating a change in status of the monitored portion. The status signaling device includes a sensor (26) which can indicate a change of state that occurs when said monitored portion (22) of the article (20) changes from a first condition to a different, second condition. A passive electronic transponder (28) can be cooperatively connected with the sensor (26). The transponder (28) can be configured to receive electromagnetic input energy which has been provided to the transponder at a predetermined input frequency, and can be configured to respond with operative indicator data when the monitored portion (22) is in the second condition.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent garment article generally delimits a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section which interconnects the front and rear waistband sections. The article has a substantially fluid-impermeable backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer, positioned in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body located between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. The absorbent body includes a distinctive humidity transfer region which is advantageously configured to exhibit relatively low moisture retention. A vapor permeable panel is connected to the backsheet layer at one or more waistband sections of the article, and is arranged in an overlying registry with the humidity transfer region of the absorbent body.

Abstract: An absorbent or other article including a tensioning system for joining portions of the article together. The system includes a plurality of hook members attached on one portion of the article, and a plurality of loop members attached to a loop panel wherein the loop panel may be intermittently attached to the article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable absorbent article having a length and a width. The disposable absorbent article defines a first and second waist portion and a first and second longitudinal marginal portion. The disposable article includes the components of a backsheet layer, a topsheet layer, and an absorbent structure located between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. The article includes at least one elasticized area formed from an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive, a first component and a second component, said first and second components being adhered to one another by said elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent core located between a bodyside liner and an outer cover. A leg cuff is mounted to a base structure of the absorbent article in the crotch portion thereof. The leg cuffs are partially stretched when attached to respective longitudinal side portions near the crotch portion of the absorbent article. An outboard edge of the leg cuffs is generally unattached to the base structure of the absorbent article and can be stretched beyond the length of that portion of the base structure along which the leg cuffs are mounted. The leg cuffs may be mounted at an angle of between 5 and 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. The leg cuffs extend outwardly toward the rear portion of the absorbent article and inwardly in the front portion when mounted at an angle.

Abstract: A diaper outer cover of a layered nonwoven material having an outer meltblown fiber layer of a meltblown material having an average basis weight in the range of about 1 g/m.sup.2 to about 7 g/m.sup.2 disposed on an inner nonwoven material layer, preferably a spunbond web.

Abstract: An absorbent or other article including a tensioning system for joining portions of the article together. The system includes a plurality of hook members attached on one portion of the article, and a plurality of loop members attached to a loop panel wherein the loop panel may be intermittently attached to the article.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a garment facing surface which includes a first zone of vapor permeability which defines a water vapor transmission rate of from about 100 to about 2500 g/sq.m/24 hr and a second zone of vapor permeability which defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3000 g/sq.m/24 hr. The article may include a substantially liquid impermeable, vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid-permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet, an absorbent body located between the backsheet and topsheet, and a vapor permeable barrier layer located between the absorbent body and the backsheet. The barrier layer is smaller in size than the backsheet. In such a configuration, the first zone of vapor permeability comprises the portion of the backsheet which overlays the barrier layer and the second zone of vapor permeability comprises the portion of the backsheet which extends beyond the barrier layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distinctive composite absorbent core and an absorbent article incorporating the same. The absorbent core comprises at least one absorbent portion and at least one porous resilient portion. The porous resilient portion is located adjacent the absorbent portion and has a wet compression recovery of at least about 85 percent. The porous resilient portion may have a basis weight of from about 50 to about 250 grams per square meter and a density of not more than about 0.050 grams per cubic centimeter. In a particular aspect, the porous resilient portion has a mean pore size of at least about 1.50 millimeters. In a particular aspect, the absorbent article incorporates the absorbent core and has an absorbent core crotch width dimension which may be no more than about 6.35 centimeters. In another particular aspect, the absorbent article also has a fluid intake rate of at least about 10 milliliters per second.

Abstract: An absorbent article which delimits a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section which interconnects the front and rear waistband sections. The article includes a substantially fluid-impermeable backsheet layer, a liquid-permeable topsheet layer positioned in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body located between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. The article further defines a humidity transfer area in at least one of the waistband sections. A humidity transfer material overlays the humidity transfer area.

Abstract: An article (20) has a front waistband section (38), a back waistband section (40), an intermediate section (42) interconnecting the front and back waistband sections, a longitudinal direction (86), a cross-direction (88) and a laterally extending line (100) which is longitudinally centered in the article (20). At least a first fit panel (36) is connected to an inside surface (66) of at least one of the waistband sections (38, 40), and the fit panel has a direction-dependent coefficient of friction value along a basis line (54) of the fit panel. A first coefficient of friction value is exhibited when sliding on the fit panel along the basis line in a first, inward basis direction (62) generally toward the lateral line and a different second coefficient of friction value is exhibited when sliding on the fit panel along the basis line in a second, outward basis direction (64) which is opposite the first basis direction (62).