The Procter Gamble Company

Michael T Huber

David William Cabell

David J Goulait

Karl Patrick Ronn

Donald Carroll Roe

Kimberly A Dreier

Dean Jeffrey Daniels

Sheila S Rodriguez

John Carroll Molander

Frank Heinrich Bakes

Josef Heinz Weber

Robert J Jezek, Sr

Markus Robert Schaefer

The present invention relates to a means of reproducibly and consistently folding the ear panels on disposable absorbent articles in order to simplify and accelerate the diaper opening process for the user, reduce the risk of potential injury to the end user and wearer caused by clipped ear panels, and create for packaging purposes, a more aesthetically satisfying arrangement in the disposable diaper pack. In another aspect of the invention, a method for the making of a disposable absorbent diaper, which incorporates the folding of the ear panels, is outlined.

Disposable absorbent article with folded ear panels and method of making same

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique side panel improves the overall fit of the absorbent article as well as reducing the red marking of the wearer's skin. Such absorbent articles include a chassis assembly preferably having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; a pair of side panels joined to the chassis assembly; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The side panels have a low extension force leg zone and a high extension force waist zone.

Absorbent article with multiple zone side panels

Absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, having two waist regions and a crotch region are provided. The absorbent articles comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a pair of longitudinally extending barrier cuffs. The barrier cuffs are formed from a lateral extension of the topsheet and the backsheet in at least the crotch region of the absorbent article using material that is normally discarded when the crotch area is formed. A cuff area is defined by pairs of laterally opposed cuts in the lateral extension of the topsheet and the backsheet. The cuff area is then folded and joined to the topsheet or other underlying structure to form the barrier cuff and an optional gasketing cuff.

Absorbent article having integral barrier cuffs and process for making

A method for assembling a multi-piece absorbent article. A chassis is fed to a first assembly station at a first velocity. An ear web is fed to a second assembly station at a second velocity which is less than the first velocity. An adhesive tape substrate is fed to the second assembly station at a third velocity which is less than the second velocity. The adhesive tape substrate is cut into individual tape tabs. The individual tape tabs are bonded to the ear web at the second assembly station. The ear web having the individual tape tabs bonded thereto is then fed to the first assembly station where it is cut into individual ear pieces which are then bonded to the chassis to form a multi-piece absorbent article.

Method for assembling a multi-piece absorbent article

Reduced cost absorbent articles comprising improved tape tabs. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a one-piece tape tab joined to each of the ear flaps of the absorbent article. At least a portion of the absorbent article adjacent the end of the tape tab which is permanently joined to the ear flap is mechanically manipulated so as to provide a release surface for storing the fastening end of the tape tab. This embodiment eliminates the need for an added release agent or material, and thus, reduces the overall cost of manufacturing the absorbent article.

Disposable absorbent articles having improved tape tab fasteners

A method for the manufacture of one-piece tape tabs to be used with disposable absorbent articles. The first step is to provide a backing substrate upon which the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the tape tab can be applied. Once the backing is provided, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to regions of one side of the backing substrate. The backing substrate is then slit in a direction parallel to the machine direction forming tape tab stock that is preferably fed directly to the taper unit of the absorbent article manufacturing line. The taper unit cuts the tape tab stock comprising the pressure-sensitive adhesive into individual tape tabs, each having a fixed end and releasable end. The fixed end of each tape tab is joined to the chassis of an absorbent article by means of mechanically bonding the fixed end to the absorbent article. The mechanical bonding not only joins the fixed end of the tape tab to the absorbent article, but also forms a region on the outwardly facing surface of the fixed end of the tape tab that acts as a release surface for the pressure-sensitive adhesive. In preferred embodiments, an area of the absorbent article adjacent to the fixed end of the tape tab is also subjected to mechanical bonding. The mechanical bonding forms a region on the surface of the absorbent article that acts a release surface for the pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the releasable end of each tape tab.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Michael T Huber