Abstract: Soft, absorbent paper webs and processes for making them. In the process, an aqueous dispersion of the papermaking fibers is formed into an embryonic web on a first foraminous member such as a Fourdinier wire. This embryonic web is associated with a second foraminous member known as a deflection member. The surface of the deflection member with which the embryonic web is associated has a macroscopic monoplanar, continuous, patterned network surface which defines within the deflection member a plurality of discrete, isolated deflection conduits. The papermaking fibers in the web are deflected into the deflection conduits and water is removed through the deflection conduits to form an intermediate web. Deflection begins no later than the time water removal through the deflection member begins. The intermediate web is dried and foreshortened as by creping. The paper web has a distinct continuous network region and a plurality of domes dispersed throughout the whole of the network region.

Abstract: Disposable diapers provided with breathable leg cuffs. Disposable diapers comprise a topsheet, an absorbent element, and a backsheet. The leg cuff of a disposable diaper is that part of the diaper which fits about the wearer's leg. Extensions of the backsheet can be used to form cuffs which are frequently elasticized. In the present invention the cuffs are formed of a material which allows passage of vapor ("breathes") while tending to retard the passage of liquid. Apertured thermoplastic films are examples of such materials. Certain advantages accrue in cuffs which are permeable to vapor in their distal portions and impermeable in the portions adjacent the absorbent element. If the disposable diaper has a breathable backsheet, the cuffs are constructed to be more permeable to vapor per unit area in their breathable portions than is the backsheet.

Abstract: A dual dispensing mode carton for, for example, a stack of interfolded sheets of facial tissue. The carton has a dispensing opening which is configured and disposed to enable substantially droop-free pop-up dispensing of one sheet at a time with improved sheet to sheet stand-up height uniformity as successive sheets are withdrawn from the carton; and group mode dispensing of a plurality of sheets simultaneously without having to disassociate them from each other. A dispensing package is also provided which comprises such a dispensing carton having a stack of interfolded sheets disposed therein.

Abstract: A two-ply nonwoven fabric laminate comprises a first-ply of synthetic fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2 ; and a second ply of fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2. The inner surfaces of the first and second plies are adhered at their interface by a flexible, soft latex binder. The binder is adhered to substantially all fibers exposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second plies. The binder is present in the first ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness, and is present in the second ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness.

Abstract: A disposable diaper, or similar article, with elastic side-bands, is folded to bring the elastics into a curvilinear shape, thereby improving fit around the legs.

Abstract: A waste-containment garment comprising a disposable, elasticized waste-containment insert secured inside an over-garment such as a conventional reuseable diaper, or a disposable diaper, or overpants, or the combination of a reuseable diaper covered with overpants. The insert comprises an absorbent core and a liquid impervious backsheet. Preferably, it also includes a liquid pervious, hydrophobic topsheet. The insert has a width less than one-half the midsection girths of intended users and, preferably, the absorbent core has front and back waist portions which have widths of from about fifteen to about thirty-five percent of the midsection girths of intended users or, nominally, about one-quarter of the midsection girth of an average size intended wearer.

Abstract: A disposable, elasticized waste-containment insert for use inside an over-garment such as a conventional resuseable diaper, or a disposable diaper, or overpants, or the combination of a reuseable diaper covered with overpants. The insert comprises an absorbent core and a liquid impervious backsheet. Preferably, it also includes a liquid pervious, hydrophobic topsheet. The insert has a width less than one-half the midsection girths of intended users and, preferably, the absorbent core has front and back waist portions which have widths of from about fifteen to about thirty-five percent of the midsection girths of intended users or, nominally, about one-quarter of the midsection girth of an average size intended wearer.

Abstract: A package wherein a compressed array of resilient articles and a convertible support panel are disposed in a constraining enclosure such as, for example, a bag made of thermoplastic film. The convertible support panel preferably functions as the bottom wall of the package to enhance stackability of such packages; and is convertible into a tray for displaying the array of expanded articles upon removal of the constraining enclosure. The method of unpackaging includes the steps of removing the convertible support panel from the package while maintaining the array of articles constrained by the constraining enclosure; erecting the convertible support panel to convert it into a display tray; placing the constrained array in the tray; and removing the constraining enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for making airlaid articles such as discrete absorbent cores for catamenial napkins and disposable diapers and the like. Apparatus embodying the invention preferably comprises a laydown drum having a plurality of formation cavities having foraminous bottom walls, which cavities are circumferentially spaced around the perimeter of the drum. The apparatus also preferably includes means for directing a high velocity stream of air-entrained matter such as, for example, fibers or particulate matter, substantially radially towards a relatively short circumferential span of the perimeter of the drum; and a hood having sufficient circumferential span of the drum to enable excess entrainment air to be drawn by vacuum through the foraminous bottom walls of substantially empty cavities, and to enable recirculation of the excess scarfed fibers.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin comprises a central absorbent pad and flaps extending from each longitudinal edge of the central absorbent pad. The body of each flap contains a flexible axis about which the flap can fold on itself. The sanitary napkin preferentially bends at the line of juncture between each flap and the longitudinal edge of the central absorbent pad. When the sanitary napkin is in a panty for use, each flap bends upwardly at the lines of juncture between the flaps and the longitudinal edges of the central absorbent pad to form the base of a wall. This wall extends to the flexible axis in the body of the flap which is folded around the edge of the crotch portion of the panty. The sanitary napkin of the present invention provides effective protection to the user during the menstrual period by preventing body and clothing soiling while being comfortable to wear.

Abstract: A two-ply nonwoven fabric laminate comprises a first-ply of synthetic fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2 ; and a second ply of fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2. The inner surfaces of the first and second plies are adhered at their interface by a flexible, soft latex binder. The binder is adhered to substantially all fibers exposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second plies. The binder is present in the first ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness, and is present in the second ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for unwinding a roll of web material which is prone to blocking: for example, an elastomeric film which, while rolled, is prone to having the convolutions of the roll stick together. The apparatus induces a sufficiently high rate of strain in a short span adjacent the roll to effect continuously peeling the outermost convolution from the roll. Additionally, the apparatus is of such a geometry that, in the event blocking precipitates circumferential shifting of the point of web separation from the roll, the stripping angle is increased. This, in turn, increases the effectiveness of the rate of strain induced peeling force on the web whereby more positive peeling occurs.

Abstract: The apparatus forms multi-stack arrays of compressible, generally flat articles--for example, elongate catamenial napkins--on a receiving platform disposed adjacent a stack forming apparatus by pushing one stack against the back wall of the receiving platform, and then pushing successively formed stacks into adjacent relation with the last stack pushed onto the receiving platform. This is done with a stack pusher, and controlling the lengths of its successive strokes as required. Upon moving each stack into its respective position on the receiving platform, it is individually compressed to reduce the height of the stack to about the height of the carton into which the array is to be loaded as a unit. An array pusher then pushes the array orthogonally with respect to the direction of pushing the stacks onto the receiving platform to displace the array as a unit into a carton through a loading funnel.

Abstract: A composite waste-containment garment comprising a disposable, elasticized waste-containment insert secured by means integral with the insert inside a non-elasticized over-garment such as a conventional reuseable diaper, or a disposable diaper, or overpants, or the combination of a non-elasticized reuseable diaper covered with an outer-garment such as overpants having elasticized leg cuffs. The insert comprises an absorbent core and a liquid impervious backsheet. Preferably, it also includes a liquid pervious, hydrophobic topsheet. The insert has a width less than one-half the midsection girths of intended users and, preferably, the absorbent core has front and back waist portions which have widths of from about fifteen to about thirty-five percent of the midsection girths of intended users, or about one-quarter the midsection girth of nominally sized intended wearer.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as urine. A liquid permeable topsheet is affixed to a liquid impermeable backsheet encasing an absorbent core therebetween. A liquid impermeable barrier member overlays a segment of the absorbent core and is affixed at one end to the backsheet. The topsheet has compacted portions which are affixed to the barrier member.

Abstract: A disposable waste-containment garment such as a disposable diaper, an external incontinent protection garment for adults (e.g. adult incontinent briefs), an external catamenial, or a disposable liner for either a disposable diaper or an incontinent brief. The garment, which may be elasticized by, for example, having elasticized leg cuffs and waistbands, comprises an absorbent core comprising substantially unbonded fibers disposed between a liquid permeable lamina and a liquid impermeable backsheet, and the liquid permeable lamina and the absorbent core are bonded together in face to face relation with an open pattern of adhesive: preferably a fine scale reticulated network of filaments of pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive having a weight of from about one-half (1/2) milligram to about three (3) milligrams per square inch (from about 0.8 to about 4.7 grams per square meter) but, more preferably, from about one-and-three-tenths (1.3) milligrams to about two-and-three-tenths (2.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing water or other liquids from webs of such porous materials as fibrous paper webs coursing through a papermaking machine without substantially compacting the webs. The web which may be coherent or perforate passes over a sector of a cylinder having preferential-capillary-size pores through its cylindrical-shape porous cover. Preferably, the porous cover comprises hydrophilic material which is substantially non-resilient and which renders the surfaces of the porous cover wettable by the liquid of interest. A portion of the interior of the cylinder may be subjected to a controlled level of vacuum to effect pneumatically augmented capillary flow of liquid from the web; and another portion of the cylinder may be subjected to pneumatic pressure for expelling the transferred liquid outwardly through a portion of the porous cover which is not in contact with the web.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as menses. The disclosed article is disposable and has a wrapper associated therewith. The wrapper overlays one major surface of the article and by folding the article and sealing the wrapper, an individually packaged disposable absorbent article is provided.

Abstract: A waste-containment garment comprising a relatively narrow, disposable, absorbent body having elasticized leg cuffs, and reuseable side-bridging fastener fitments for securing the absorbent body on a wearer. The absorbent body comprises an absorbent core and a liquid impervious backsheet. Preferably, it also includes a liquid pervious, hydrophobic topsheet. The absorbent body has waistband regions having total widths of less than the midsection girths of intended users and, preferably, the absorbent core has front and back waistband regions which have individual widths of from about fifteen to about forty-five percent of the midsection girths of intended users or, nominally, about one quarter of the midsection girth of an average size intended wearer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding together a plurality of juxtaposed webs which are subject to being ultrasonically bonded together to form a laminate as the webs are being driven forward at a relatively high velocity. The regions of the webs to be bonded are subjected to progressively increasing compressive forces while simultaneously being subjected to ultrasonic energy as they traverse an elongate portion of a predetermined path at a predetermined velocity. After the regions are ultrasonically bonded they may be subjected to another compression prior to the bonds becoming fully set upon cooling. The method may be practiced in an apparatus which includes an ultrasonic horn and an anvil which are configured and disposed to define a bonding passageway having an elongate convergent portion; and the apparatus may include a pressure roll biased towards the anvil adjacent the downstream end of the passageway.