Abstract: Absorbent products having integral belt means for retaining the absorbent product in a position to absorb body fluids are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a napkin is provided wherein straps are cut from the material of the napkin. These straps are then tied around the body of the user when the napkin is applied. The straps are flexible enough to allow them easily to be tied to each other on the side. The straps may or may not be retained by the waistband of an undergarment. Alternatively, a second embodiment is provided wherein long flap-like straps extend longitudinally away from the transverse ends of the absorbent product. These straps are then engaged by the elastic waistband on an undergarment, to retain the napkin in place. Methods of manufacturing absorbent products are also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system that is adapted to resist pop-offs caused by clothing being applied or removed over the absorbent article. The fastening system includes an interlocking fastening component with a resilient backing structure and a plurality of engaging elements projecting from a first major surface of the backing structure. The first major surface has a concave configuration in the direction of a primary meridian, a generally perpendicular secondary meridian, or both the primary and secondary meridians. The concavity of the interlocking fastening component is characterized in terms of a bending index of the first major surface or an amount of elevation of a central portion of the first major surface.

Abstract: A menstrual underpants (12) comprising a garment (14) configured with a front portion (16), a rear portion (18), a crotch area (20), having two leg openings (22) and a waist opening (24), so as to be worn about a lower torso of a woman (26). Provision is made for engaging opposite ends (29) of an absorbent pad (30). A facility (32) is for securing the engaging structure (28) to the crotch area (20) of the garment (14). The absorbent pad (30) will be held in place at the crotch area (20) and not move up and down, while edges of the absorbent pad (30) will not curl up, to allow the woman (26) to have more comfort, when wearing the garment (14).

Abstract: A disposable undergarment waistband and method of forming a waistband are provided which preferably include providing a first elongate layer of non-woven material having a first predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of elongate elastic strips are positioned to overlie a first portion of the upper surface of the first non-woven layer. A second elongate layer of non-woven material preferably is also provided having a second predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of the second elongate layer is positioned to overlie the plurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of the first portion of said first non-woven elongate layer. The second predetermined width of the second non-woven layer preferably is narrower than the first predetermined width of the first non-woven layer. The upper surface of at least a second portion of the first elongate layer preferably is folded to overlie and to be secured to the upper surface of the second elongate layer.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) has a front waistband portion (12), a back waistband portion (14) and an intermediate portion (16) which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article includes a backsheet layer (30), an absorbent retention portion (48) superposed on the backsheet layer (30), and a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28) superposed on the retention portion (48) and connected to sandwich the retention portion between the topsheet and backsheet layers. At least one elasticized side panel (58) is connected to a lateral end region (40) of the back waistband portion (14) of the article. The side panel (58) is constructed with a flap fastener (74) for interconnecting with the article to thereby form an assembled bridge flap (180), which extends about a wearer's body and provides a bodyside surface for contacting the wearer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment for use as a baby diaper and the like includes a pair of differentially stretchable ear members wherein each differentially stretchable ear member comprises a stretchable inner ear portion and a stretchable outer ear portion. A first fastening mechanism on each ear is releasably fastenable to the front of the article, and second fastenable members on the outermost portions of each stretchable ear are fastenable together at the front of the diaper when worn.

Abstract: There is provided a laminate material having stretchability and recovery, breathability and barrier properties, and being made from a nonwoven elastomeric web having at least one web of textile material discontinuously adhesively bonded to each side thereof. The laminate material is free of an elastomeric film, the elastomeric web is substantially flat when the laminate is unstretched, and the nonwoven elastomeric web provides recovery to the laminate. The nonwoven elastomeric web is preferably a web of meltblown elastomeric fibers and the other webs may be knits, wovens or scrim materials. These laminates are well suited for infection control products, personal care products and garments.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system that is easy for the wearer to remove but during use is adapted to resist pop-offs caused by clothing being applied or removed over the absorbent article. The fastening system includes an interlocking fastening component with a backing substrate having a grasping section, a primary attachment section, and secondary attachment sections transversely outward from the grasping section. A plurality of upstanding engaging elements such as hooks are disposed exclusively in the primary and secondary attachment sections.

Abstract: A puppy training diaper including a reusable harness member and a disposable, absorbent liner member. The harness member includes a stretchable, flexible, impermeable member to which the disposable absorbent liner members are releasable secured with an adhesive.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having side panels that provide inflected barrier cuffs which promotes better containment and fit. The absorbent articles comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; a side panel extending laterally from each longitudinal edge of the absorbent article and having a proximal edge, a distal edge and a fold intermediate the distal edge and the proximal edge; spacing means for spacing the distal edge away from the liquid-receiving surface (topsheet) of the absorbent article; and a closing means for securing the distal edges inboard of the proximal edges in the front waist region. The fold of the side panel is secured inboard of the proximal edges in the front waist region and is disposed outboard of the proximal edge in the rear waist region when fitted to the wearer.

Abstract: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: The combination of a absorbent article such as an incontinence protector, a diaper or the like, and a waist belt for supporting the absorbent article. The waist belt and absorbent article have coacting hook members and apertures thereon by which the diaper and the waist belt are releasably secured to each other.

Abstract: A two piece garment for collecting bodily discharges is disclosed. The garment has a belt and a disposable assembly which are detachable and reattachable. The belt is intended to be reused, while the disposable assembly is intended to be discarded when soiled. The two components are attached to one another by hook and loop type fastening material, providing for adjustment to fit a wide range of wearer sizes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to disposable underpants including an underpant body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a longitudinal undercrotch portion, and front and rear end portions positioned at opposing ends of the longitudinal undercrotch portion and transverse thereto. A sanitary napkin member is positioned over the longitudinal undercrotch portion and extends substantially a length of the longitudinal undercrotch portion, the sanitary napkin including front, rear, and longitudinal edges. The sanitary napkin member is secured to the longitudinal undercrotch portion of the underpant body on the inner surface thereof and only along the rear and longitudinal edges of the sanitary napkin. An increased density of material is provided within the underpant body at the rear end portion thereof and coextensive with the longitudinal undercrotch portion, thus resisting tearing of the rear end portion during flexing of the disposable underpants.

Abstract: A stretchable absorbent garment having a fluid-pervious inner layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent structure located between said inner and outer layers, and at least two generally parallel elastomeric strands stretch bonded to the garment along its length such that when in a relaxed state, all of the above described elements are reduced in length.

Abstract: An attachment system for securing a garment to a wearer includes attachment pads on front and back waist sections of the garment. A pair of straps extend between the front and back waist sections. In one embodiment, the straps releasably engage adapter elements, which in turn releasably engage some attachment pads. In another embodiment, the straps releasably engage some attachment pads directly and releasably engage buckle-type fasteners, which in turn releasably engage other attachment pads.

Abstract: Diapers, incontinence pants or baby training pants with two leg openings that each have an upper end portion and a lower end portion, a crotch portion between the lower end portions, a plurality of elastic members surrounding each leg opening, the plurality of elastic members adjacent the upper end portion of each leg opening exerting less tension or being spaced further apart than the plurality of elastic members adjacent the lower end of each leg opening.

Abstract: A pleated, adjustable strap member is useful in securing a garment to a wearer. The strap member has first and second strap ends and can be attached to the garment adjacent the strap ends. The strap member also includes an elastic region and a pleated region, both located between the strap ends. The pleated region includes at least one Z-fold that is maintained with a releasable bond.

Abstract: Here is disclosed an arrangement of elastic surrounding respective leg-openings of garments such as disposable diaper, wherein the elastic surrounding each of the leg-openings comprises a plurality of first elastic members and a plurality of second elastic members; the first elastic members are positioned substantially along a front half of the leg-opening while the second elastic members are positioned substantially along a rear half of the leg-opening; the first and second elastic members have their tensile stress gradually decreasing from their longitudinally inner ends toward their longitudinally outer ends; and the first and second elastic members have their inter-member spacings gradually enlarged from their longitudinally inner ends toward their longitudinally outer ends (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A diaper comprises a rectangular disposable chassis assembly capable of absorbing and containing bodily wastes, including front, crotch and rear portions and a liquid-previous liner and liquid-impermeable barrier formed together about a liquid-absorbing core. A reusable elasticized cloth belt is removably retained by the chassis assembly, holding the diaper in place against the body during use. When fastened about a wearer, the belt provides a line of support extending transversely across the body of the core in the front portion of the chassis assembly corresponding to the lower abdominal region of the wearer. The belt cinches to snugly position the chassis assembly for absorbing discharged wastes. Preferably, the core contains a lower pledget with hydrogel that swells outwardly against the belt. Breathable elasticized leg cuffs extend along the side margins of the chassis assembly.

Abstract: A two piece garment for collecting bodily discharges is disclosed. The garment has a belt and a disposable assembly which are detachable and reattachable. The belt is intended to be reused, while the disposable assembly is intended to be discarded when soiled. The two components are attached to one another by hook and loop type fastening material, providing for adjustment to fit a wide range of wearer sizes.

Abstract: The invention is a self-adjusting suspension system which is incorporated into the structure of a perineal shield. A flexible strand is provided at corner locations on the perimeter of the shield. A separate waistband portion has one or more elastic tensioning strips which are slidably connected by followers to the flexible strands at the corners. The follower divides the flexible strand into two directed segments, one to each side of the follower. Each directed segment is oriented towards the adjacent corner location on that side of the follower and secured to the perimeter of the shield. When tension is applied to the followers so that the flexible strands are also placed in tension, the followers slide along the strands until the tensions in the strands to each side of the followers are equal and the tension around the perimeter of the shield is approximately uniform. Substantially no tension is directed towards the midspan of the shield.

Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent garment, such as a disposable diaper or incontinent brief, having an integral belt segment on each side of the garment. The integral belt segments, in association with a receiving or attachment means, are intended to hold or suspend the garment about the lower torso of the wearer.

Abstract: A stretchable, knitted, panty-type holder for disposable or reuseable absorbent wound dressings or pads for babies or adults has a generally hour-glass shape with a back waistband portion and front waistband portion. The front waistband portion has at least one opening formed in each end thereof, and the back waistband portion has at least one ribbed or enlarged portion formed near the ends thereof. When applied to the body of a patient with an absorbent pad placed therein, the back waistband portion, which has a free end extending beyond the enlargements therein, is brought around the waist and passed through the opening in the adjacent end of the front waistband portion until the enlargement is secured adjacent the opening, whereupon the free end of the back waistband portion is tucked inside the holder between the body of the patient and the inside of the holder.

Abstract: Disclosed are pants formed of a rectangular piece of flexible material. The pants include two elongated elements extending along the longitudinal edges of the piece, provided with elastics which are in stretched conditions and are integral by at least their ends with longitudinal ends of the piece in order to form two elastic belt elements for the slip-shaped pilch.

Abstract: An adjustable diaper has a generally rectangular body portion of a flexible, sheet-like material. The diaper has a front part with two pairs of openings which are elongated in the direction parallel to the sides of the body portion. The openings of each pair are near one side of the body portion and are the same distance from the one side. The openings of each pair are spaced-apart in a direction extending from the front end of the body portion so the openings coincide when the body portion is folded parallel to the front end between the openings of each said pair. A pair of strap members extend from each side of the body portion near the back end and include hook and loop fasteners for releasably securing each strap member to the back part of the body portion when each strap member extends through at least one of the openings and is doubled back to the back part of the body portion.

Abstract: A disposable underpant (10, 10') comprising a front panel (11) and rear panel (12) joined together along side seams (13) to provide a three-dimensional garment having a pair of elasticized leg openings (14) and an elasticized waist opening (15), and including a bodyside liner (16), outer cover (17) and absorbent batt (18) therebetween, in which the outer cover (17) has an inner layer (30) of plastic material and an outer layer (31) of nonwoven fibrous material.

Abstract: A disposable underpant (10, 10') comprising a front panel (11) and rear panel (12) joined together along side seams (13) to provide a three-dimensional garment having a pair of elasticized leg openings (14) and an elasticized waist opening (15), and including a bodyside liner (16), outer cover (17) and absorbent batt (18) therebetween, in which the outer cover (17) has an inner layer (30) of plastic material and an outer layer (31) of nonwoven fibrous material.

Abstract: A disposable diaper for incontinent adults comprising an absorbing pad covered by a liquid-impermeable external sheet (3) and a non-woven liquid-permeable inside sheet (4). This diaper is provided with four longitudinal folding lines, whereby it can be folded into several superposed levels (7a, 7b, 7c) when in the position of usage. Stretched elastic cords (13a) and (13b) are inserted between the sheets (3) and (4) near and parallel to the longitudinal edges. Prior to use two elastic belts (14a, 14b) are fixed on the same longitudinal edge (9a), one in the front zone (12) and the other in the rear zone (11) so as to clamp the cord (13a). The diaper has improved hermeticity and facilitates its emplacement by the user.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a disposable therapy diaper which incorporates non-woven, hypo-allergenic materials including an absorbent layer and incorporates shaping, reservoir and attachment means, to serve as a device for containment of incontinent body wastes during phototherapy, such as hyperbilirubenemia phototherapy of premature infants, so that a desirably large percentage of the phototherapy recipient's skin surface is exposed to the therapeutic photoradiation, while the excess body wastes produced during such phototherapy are contained with minimal skin irritation to the phototherapy recipient.

Abstract: A waste-containment garment comprising a relatively narrow, disposable, absorbent body having elasticized leg cuffs, and reuseable side-bridging fastener fitments for securing the absorbent body on a wearer. The absorbent body comprises an absorbent core and a liquid impervious backsheet. Preferably, it also includes a liquid pervious, hydrophobic topsheet. The absorbent body has waistband regions having total widths of less than the midsection girths of intended users and, preferably, the absorbent core has front and back waistband regions which have individual widths of from about fifteen to about forty-five percent of the midsection girths of intended users or, nominally, about one quarter of the midsection girth of an average size intended wearer.

Abstract: A male sanitary device which accommodates the anal orifice and lies in the fold between the nates. It is held in the front by an annular member which encircles the external genitalia and it is supported in the back by an appendange or rear member which may be secured to an article of clothing or belt.