Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Suzanne Marie Schmoker

Mary Anne Bruemmer-Prestley

Sarah Jane Marie Freiburger

Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins

Nefetari Edris Bordain

Kimberly Marie Downs

Sohyun Sara Park

Paul William Christoffel

Christopher Peter Olson

Paul Theodore Van Gompel

Marcille Faye Ruman

David Arthur Fell

Cindy Lou Price

Sarah Jane Freiburger

Russell Evan Thorson

Andrew Thomas Hammond

Kyle Mark Barriger

Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung

Russell Joseph Brumm

Lori Sue Schutkoske

Keith Joseph Renard

Ellen Elizabeth Pelky

Michael Donald Sperl

Mary Jo Meyer

Daniel Mark Duhm

Brian Keith Rhodes

Julie Ann Paveletzke

Jesse Paul Sorenson

Donald Joseph Sanders

Kimberly Louise Ellefson

Harold Norbert Heller

Brent Charles Otis

Paul Hasler

David Fleger Bishop

Jerome Steven Veith

Jeffery Michael Tabor

Cynthia H Hendren

Melanie J Milslagle

Denise Marie Bell Murie

Sandra Ann Richlen

Donald Joesph Sanders

Michael Douglas Sperl

Jesse P Sorenson

An absorbent article has a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent assembly positioned between the back sheet and the top sheet. The absorbent article includes a fluid intake layer positioned between the absorbent assembly and the top sheet. The fluid intake layer has a rearward-facing arch located in a back portion of the fluid intake layer. The fluid intake layer has an opening. The absorbent article includes a first lateral stiffener and a second lateral stiffener extending along a majority of the longitudinal side edges of the fluid intake layer. The absorbent article includes a first flexure, a second flexure, and a third flexure in a rear portion of the absorbent article.

Absorbent article with body conforming structure

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 thong-style absorbent article can have a waist region, a back extension extending from a back waist portion of the waist region, and a chassis extending between a front waist portion of the waist region and the back extension. The chassis can have a generally triangular shape and a pair of containment features positioned at the longitudinal direction side edges of the chassis. An exudate management system can be positioned between the pair of containment features and can have a first exudate management component and a second exudate management component. In various embodiments, the absorbent article can be adjustable in size and positioning about the wearer to provide for improved fit of the absorbent article and reduced leakage of exudate from the absorbent article.

Thong-style absorbent article

A refastenable disposable garment defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a first waist region contiguous with a first waist edge. The first waist region defines first and second side edges transversely spaced apart and defines first and second surfaces. The first waist region is elastomeric proximal both the first and second side edges. The garment can include a second waist region and a crotch region that interconnects the first and second waist regions. The garment comprises non-extensible, relatively rigid first and second fastening components attached to the first surface of the first waist region adjacent the first and second side edges, respectively. The first waist region defines first and second flange portions transversely outward of the first and second fastening components, respectively. Each flange portion is transversely curled toward the second surface. A process for making such an article is also disclosed.

Refastenable disposable garment having a curled edge, and process for making same

An absorbent article can have an improved attachment to a wearer's undergarment and can maintain proper placement in the undergarment of the wearer. The absorbent article can produce less waste for the wearer of the absorbent article. The absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer, and a pair of opposing wings. The absorbent article can have a mechanical garment attachment which can maintain the placement of the absorbent article within the wearer's undergarment.

Absorbent article with mechanical garment attachment

Absorbent article

Apparatus and methods for manufacturing personal care absorbent articles. Such personal care absorbent article includes a fastening area in the front portion for receiving fastener material thereon. First and second fault lines are formed on opposing sides of the fastening area leaving uncut web portions at the fault lines during selected manufacturing operations, thus to support machine direction stresses on the front portion web, and subsequently trimming away such uncut web portions of the fault lines. Fastener material is applied over the first and second fault lines, thus bridging the fault lines. The fastener material is releasably secured to the fastening area, non-releasably secured to the front portion outwardly of the respective fault lines, and unsecured to the front portion between the fastening area and the fault lines thus to support a re-fastening feature of such personal care absorbent articles.

Method of assembling personal care absorbent article

Apparatus and methods for manufacturing personal care absorbent articles. Such personal care absorbent article includes a fastening area in the front portion for receiving fastener material thereon. First and second fault lines are formed on opposing sides of the fastening area leaving uncut web portions at the fault lines during selected manufacturing operations, thus to support machine direction stresses on the front portion web, and subsequently trimming away such uncut web portions of the fault lines. Fastener material is applied over the first and second fault lines, thus bridging the fault lines. The fastener material is releasable secured to the fastening area, non-releasable secured to the front portion outwardly of the respective fault lines, and unsecured to the front portion between the fastening area and the fault lines thus to support a re-fastening feature of such personal care absorbent articles.

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Oshkosh, WI, United States of America

Suzanne Marie Schmoker