Abstract:
Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles have a percentage of stretch in the lateral direction at the widest portion in the front region of the article and/or in the back region in the range of from about 25% to about 150%. Additionally, at least about 70% of the above stretch resides in a first edge zone and in a second edge zone of the chassis. The first edge zone and the second edge zone are separated by a middle zone. The middle zone, which has the same length as each edge zone, is stretchable, but to a lesser extent than the edge zones. Through this construction, the absorbent article exhibits improved fit and appearance. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.
Abstract:
An absorbent structure has a macro absorbent structure with a plurality of aggregate clusters intermixed therein. The aggregate clusters have a periphery, an interior, and thermoplastic binder fibers. The thermoplastic binder fibers have thermoplastic binder fiber ends. The thermoplastic binder fiber ends are located at the periphery of the aggregate clusters. The interior of the aggregate clusters are substantially free of thermoplastic binder fiber ends. The macro absorbent structure and the aggregate clusters may also include thermoplastic binder fibers, staple fibers, superabsorbent particles and the like. A method of making absorbent structures includes a first absorbent structure, dividing the first absorbent structure to create aggregate clusters, providing a stream of the aggregate clusters, providing polymeric fibers, merging the aggregate cluster stream and polymeric fiber stream into a single product stream, and making a second absorbent structure. The method may further include staple fibers, superabsorbent particles, and the like.
Abstract:
An absorbent article is provided for personal wear about a wearer's waist. The article includes a pair of front side panels attached to the front waist region and a pair of back side panels attached to the back waist region, and is configurable from a wear configuration to a disposal configuration in which the article is generally compacted for disposal. The article also includes a disposal tab having an attachment region with an attachment width and a tab region with a gripping width, the attachment region attached to one of the front or back side panels, the tab region being attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article, wherein the attachment width is substantially equal to the gripping width.
Abstract:
An absorbent article is provided for personal wear about a wearer's waist. The article includes a pair of front side panels attached to the front waist region and a pair of back side panels attached to the back waist region, and is configurable from a wear configuration to a disposal configuration in which the article is generally compacted for disposal. The article also includes a disposal tab having an attachment region with an attachment width and a tab region with a gripping width, the attachment region attached to one of the front or back side panels, the tab region being attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article, wherein the attachment width is substantially equal to the gripping width.
Abstract:
Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the articles exhibit stretch not only in the lateral direction but also in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the articles have a biaxial stretch ratio, which refers to a ratio of stretch along the hip circumference of the article to the amount of stretch in the longitudinal direction, that is from about 1.0 to about 2.5, and particularly from about 1.1 to about 1.5. Absorbent articles made in accordance with the present invention are capable of accommodating a relatively large size range of wearers. The articles also exhibit improved fit and prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.
Abstract:
Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles have a percentage of stretch in the longitudinal direction from the midpoint of the crotch region to a front waistband and/or to a back waistband in the range of from about 5 % to about 30 %. Additionally, about 80 % of the above stretch resides in a front waist zone and/or in a back waist zone. Through this construction, the absorbent article exhibits improved fit and appearance. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.