Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Russell Joseph Brumm

Suzanne Marie Schmoker

Andrew Thomas Hammond

Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins

Kyle Mark Barriger

Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung

Kimberly Marie Downs

Ellen Elizabeth Pelky

Michael Donald Sperl

Andrew Mark Long

Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke

Sheng-Hsin Hu

Jason C Cohen

Russell Evan Thorson

David Fleger Bishop

John David Amundson

Walter Caswell Reade

Thomas Arthur Bett

Tim G Dollevoet

Brendon Frank Ribble

Tanakon Ungpiyakul

Julie Ann Paveletzke

John Timothy Hahn

Daniel Lee Ellingson

Jennifer L Marvin

Eric Francis Wagner

Patsy Ann Krautkramer

Christopher Martin Pieper

Susan Marie Trefethren

Cole William Poole

Shawn Timothy Lemery

Alissa Rachel Ellingson

Bradley A Colvin

Chris P Olson

Michael Douglas Sperl

Dan Westbrook

Brian C Eppstein

Sandra Kay Knight

Sandra K Walker

Adam Suttner

Sandra Knight

An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.

Absorbent article with an exudate management layer

A pant-like absorbent articles having handles on side panels of the article for ease of removal and donning of the absorbent garment is disclosed. The article includes a front waist region, a back waist region, and a chassis extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the front and back waist regions attached by at least one side panel. Formed within the side panel is at least one handle. The handle includes an aperture formed through the side panel. The handle further includes a reinforcing material operatively joined to the at least one side panel adjacent distal side edges of the aperture.

Disposable article with reinforced handle

A fluid-distributing structure includes a flexible body having a plurality of fluid reservoirs defined therein, and a plurality of directional fluid barriers. The fluid reservoirs are fluidly connected to one another by openings defined within the body. Each fluid barrier is associated with one of the openings defined in the body, and is configured to permit fluid flow through the opening in a downstream direction and inhibit fluid flow through the opening in an upstream direction.

Absorbent article including a fluid distributing structure

Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are provided. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties can prevent too much tension in the front leg area of the garment. The outer cover is constructed such that the front leg zone has a tension of less than about 1200 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction, and each of the front waist zone, the front crotch zone, the back crotch zone, the back leg zone, and the back waist zone of the outer cover has a tension of greater than about 1500 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction. Methods of making such an absorbent article are also provided.

Absorbent garments with improved fit in the front leg area

The present invention relates to a system that includes a plurality of disposable absorbent products where at least one of the disposable absorbent products includes a tag. The system further includes a reader that identifies the tags on the plurality of disposable absorbent products and plays media based on the identity of the tags. In another form, the system includes a reader that identifies the tags on the plurality of disposable absorbent products and provides information relating to one other product based on the identity of the tags. In still another form, the present invention relates to a method that includes marking a plurality of disposable absorbent products (e.g., diapers) with a tag, and providing a reader that plays media based on the identity of the tags.

System and method for identifying disposable absorbent products

Control processes control cross direction alignment of elements being assembled as work pieces on a manufacturing line fabricating preferably absorbent article products on a continuous substrate web. The method defines a manufacturing line path traversed by the work pieces, defines a reference path along the manufacturing path, and establishes the elements on the work pieces. A camera is mounted along the manufacturing line. An image window of the camera is referenced to the reference path. The camera captures full digitized visual images of work pieces. The camera is part of a vision imaging inspection and control system which inspects and evaluates images of the work pieces, including the cross-direction positions of the elements on the work pieces, against established acceptable positions relative to the reference path. When an element is out of alignment, the control system can display visual cues identifying the elements that are inconsistent with acceptable ranges. The full digitized images can be selectively stored in permanent memory, retrieved from permanent memory, and analyzed off-line. The machines are adjusted to adjust positioning of such elements, thereby directing the elements toward target positions. The invention includes step-wise computer-assisted image analysis methodology in an image analysis system linked to a computer program containing system logic, to identify problem areas of the work pieces, and to provide step-wise implementation methodology which can be implemented automatically but is sometimes implemented through human intervention, for making appropriate adjustments to the process. The invention further comprehends apparatus for implementing the above methods, including machines arrayed in a manufacturing line, control apparatus effective to control cross-direction positioning of work pieces, an image collecting system, a memory system, and an image analysis system.

Method of controlling cross-direction alignment in manufacturing process

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Menasha, WI, United States of America

Russell Joseph Brumm