Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An absorbent core is encased in a homogeneous outer wrap which may be either unitary or integral. The outer wrap has a specified combination of caliper, apex opening as measured by the maximal diagonal, and a ratio of the apparent caliper to the maximal diagonal of the largest apex opening which impart an ability of the outer wrap to function both as a topsheet portion and as a backsheet portion without the necessity of providing a barrier within the article.

Abstract: A surface wiping implement is disclosed which is capable of effectively drying a surface. The surface wiping implement has an absorbent core encased in a non-collapsible cloth-like outer layer. The porosity, thickness, and liquid retention characteristics of the outer layer permit rapid penetration of primary drops of liquid into the absorbent core, while secondary drops of liquid are strongly attracted to and held at the interstices of the outer layer. The combined effects of the core and the outer layer remove liquid from the surface and prevent a redepositing of the removed liquid, thus permitting the surface wiping implement to remove all but the very small droplets of liquid which will evaporate in 15 seconds or less without spotting, streaking, or filming the surface.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is disclosed having a textured topsheet of thermoplastic material. The topsheet is manufactured from a thermoplastic sheet surface of which is imparted with a multiplicity of nubbles. The nubbles do not substantially alter the macroscopic profile of the film, but do impart a more clothlike tactile impression and reduced gloss to the film.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having improved strike-through and rewet characteristics is disclosed. The disposable absorbent article has an embossed and perforated thermoplastic film interposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The topsheet, likewise, is embossed. The combination of the embossed topsheet and the embossed and perforated thermoplastic film permit liquid to rapidly penetrate the topsheet while preventing liquid in the absorbent core from flowing from the absorbent core back to the topsheet.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An apertured formed film topsheet having a layer of fibers affixed to the inner surface thereof overlays an intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries. The apertured formed film topsheet has a specified combination of caliper, percent open area and percent of apertures having an equivalent hydraulic diameter less than or equal to 0.025 inches (0.064 cm.) which impart a stain resistant character to the topsheet.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An apertured formed film topsheet having a layer of fibers affixed to the inner surface thereof overlays an intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries. The apertured formed film topsheet has a specified combination of caliper, percent open area and percent of apertures having an equivalent hydraulic diameter less than or equal to 0.025 inches (0.064 cm.) which impart a stain resistant character to the topsheet.

Abstract: An improvement in the embossing of a thermoplastic textile, in particular the topsheet of an absorbent structure such as a diaper, which improves the high load caliper of the textile. The knobs and depressions of the mated embossing rolls used to emboss the textile have side walls which define a small angle with respect to a radius of the embossing roll. The preferred embossing knobs and depressions each define a frustum with a rhombic base and land, with the longer diagonal of the rhombus aligned in the machine direction of the embossing roll. The resulting embossed textile has stronger bosses, and thus maintains a greater caliper under load, than is observed in the prior art embossed textile.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An apertured formed film topsheet having a layer of fibers affixed to the inner surface thereof overlays an intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries. The apertured formed film topsheet has a specified combination of caliper, percent open area and percent of apertures having an equivalent hydraulic diameter less than or equal of 0.025 inches (0.064 cm.) which impart a stain resistant character to the topsheet. In addition, a border having a channel therein encircles the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for texturing a running ribbon of thermoplastic sheet material or film. The apparatus causes a ribbon of such film to be forwarded from a supply such as a roll of thermoplastic material, then about a circumferentially extending portion of a rotating texturing cylinder, and then downstream where the textured film may be further processed or where it may be wound on a spool to form a roll thereof. The texturing cylinder comprises a tubular member having a coating of spheroidal particles adhered to the surface thereof. While the film is in contact with the texturing cylinder, it is both heated and urged against the texturing cylinder, causing the film to assume the textured image of the texturing cylinder. The apparatus may further control tension in the film both upstream and downstream of the texturing cylinder at predetermined constant levels.

Abstract: A compact dispensing package for sheet-like products having an improved stack support member with outwardly projecting protuberences. The stack support member is formed from a cardboard blank having essentially the same unfolded length as the sheet-like product contained in the dispensing package, but having a folded length greater than the sheet-like product. The increased length provides better stability for the bundle of sheet-like product during shipping and storage of the compact dispensing package.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for dispensing strand materials which are stored on a spool, reel, or similar storage apparatus. The strand dispensing device includes a lever actuated, self-contained mechanical brake arrangement having a disk positioned between a plurality of opposed brake pads which are normally urged against the disk by a plurality of springs, thereby preventing rotation of the disk. The disk is connected to the storage apparatus so that the storage apparatus will not rotate unless the disk rotates. A lever actuated wedge separates the brake pads when tension is applied to the strand material, releasing the disk and permitting rotation of the disk and the storage apparatus. When the tension on the strand material is released, the springs urge the brake pads against the disk preventing unwanted unwinding of the strand material.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for cleansing the skin with improved effectiveness. A soft, flexible web having a low density wiping zone works in concert with a lipophilic cleansing emollient to remove soil from the skin with improved effectiveness. The lipophilic cleansing emollient reduces dehydration of the soil and weakens the soil-skin adhesive forces while the low density wiping zone of the web entraps and thus removes the soil from the skin.

Abstract: Sanitary tissue products which are laminates formed from two dissimilar paper webs. When a web of low density, high bulk process paper is united with a web of conventional paper, a product possessing absorbency softness, flexibility, and bulk properties similar to those of a product comprising two webs of the low density, high bulk process paper is produced. Variations taught by the invention include the use of two paper webs having different creping characteristics to form the laminated sanitary tissue. The teachings of the invention can be extended to other products such as paper towels.