Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Dale Arthur Peterson

Allen Todd Leak

David W Heyn

Daniel Robert Schlinz

Michael Donald Sperl

David Louis Zenker

Carl Gerard Rippl

Gordon Allen Shaw

Thomas Allan Eby

Jeffrey Lawrence McManus

Hoa La Wilhelm

Paul Windsor Estey

Alan Francis Schleinz

James Martin Kaun

Sandra Marie Rogers

Gregory Todd Sudduth

Diane Michele Underhill

Jerome James Workman, Jr

Paula Kay Zoromski

Karen Hargett Bean

Jean Feyen Niemeyer

Steven Walter Moster

Jennifer Marie Bauerle

Kristeen Elaine Good

An absorbent garment has a garment chassis, a pair of inner containment flaps and a pair of outer containment flaps. The inner and outer containment flaps are arranged on the garment chassis to inhibit leaking of body exudates from the garment during wear. In one embodiment, the inner containment flaps each have an elastic tension as determined by an elastic tension test which is substantially equal to an elastic tension of each outer containment flap as determined by the same test. In another embodiment, the inner containment flaps each have a height which is substantially equal to a height of each outer containment flap.

Absorbent garment with dual containment flaps

An absorbent structure and method for making the absorbent structure including an absorbent core made from a matrix of fibers, wherein the matrix is reinforced with a stretchable reinforcing member, such as scrim. The absorbent matrix may be secured to the web of scrim with the scrim in a stretched condition. When the web of scrim is in an unstretched condition, the web of scrim partially gathers the absorbent core to form rugosities on the core. The reinforcing member can have a non-uniform transverse width to conform to the shape of the absorbent core. The absorbent structure can have multiple layers of reinforcing members. The reinforcing member has strands arranged in a pattern to facilitate stretching. A first set of strands can cross a second set of strands at junction in a non-orthogonal relationship.

Absorbent article having a stretchable reinforcement member

An absorbent article, such as the shown diaper (10), has a front waistband portion (14), a back waistband portion (12) and an intermediate portion (16) interconnecting said front and back waistband portions. The article includes a backsheet member (30), a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28), and an absorbent body (32) sandwiched between the topsheet layer (28) and backsheet member (30). The backsheet member includes an air permeable, polymer sheet layer (96), and a first, outward nonwoven fibrous web (94) attached to or otherwise operatively joined with a major facing surface (78) of the polymer sheet layer (96) at a plurality of individual, spaced apart thermal bonds (98). The outward nonwoven web (94) includes a plurality of fibers having substantially unbonded lengths which extend substantially continuously between at least an adjacent pair of the bonds, and the substantially unbonded fiber lengths are arched away from an outward surface of the thermal bonds by arch heights (60) which provides a distinctive embossing element depth value. In addition, the fibers of the outward nonwoven web can have a selected denier, and the outward nonwoven web (94) can have a selected basis weight.

Absorbent article with visually and tactilely distinctive outer cover

An absorbent article (10) has a front waistband portion (14), a back waistband portion (12) and an intermediate portion (16). The article comprises a flexible backsheet member (30), and a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28). An absorbent body structure (32), with a retention portion (48), is sandwiched between the backsheet member (30) and the topsheet layer (28), and a wetness indicator (40) visually shows a presence of liquid in selected areas of the article. The wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a polymer sheet layer (96). Desirably, The wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a backsheet laminate material having a fibrous nonwoven web (94) attached to a polymer sheet layer (96). The indicator section of the backsheet member (30) includes a plurality of translucent windows (98) which are arranged in an area pattern and are formed by a selected thermal treatment of the polymer sheet layer (96). In particular arrangements, the translucent windows (98) can be arranged in an area pattern and can be formed by a bonding of the fibrous nonwoven web (94) to the polymer sheet layer (96) in the backsheet laminate material. A layer of contrast material (44) may be attached to the article at an operative location which is interposed between an intended wearer of the article and the indicator section of the backsheet member (30). In particular arrangements, the contrast layer (44) can have a first appearance through the translucent windows (98) when the contrast material is dry, and can have a visually different second appearance through the translucent windows (98) when the contrast material is wetted with water or other aqueous liquid.

Absorbent article with wetness indicator

An absorbent article includes a substantially liquid impermeable, vapor permeable composite backsheet, a liquid-permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and topsheet. The composite backsheet includes a polymeric film of relatively low basis weight and a nonwoven facing layer which enhances the strength of the composite backsheet and a provides a clothlike feel to the composite backsheet.

Absorbent article having a composite breathable backsheet

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Dale Arthur Peterson