Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue paper product, said soft tissue product comprising one or more plies of a tissue paper; and a chemical softening composition deposited on at least one outer surface of a dried or overdried tissue web, said chemical softening composition comprising a dispersion of a softening active ingredient in a vehicle, wherein said dispersion has a liposomal liquid crystalline structure; an electrolyte, and a bilayer dirupter.

Abstract: An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least on second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article having a fecal management member intended to handle fluids including in particular high viscosity fluids such as feces and menses. The fecal management member includes a plurality of fibers oriented in the z-direction which lead to improved fluid transportation in the z-direction and is positioned intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet of the disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: Disclosed are thin until wet materials that are suitable for use as acquisition members for absorbent articles (e.g., diapers, catamenial products, and adult incontinence devices). Preferred materials according to the present invention are either: 1) fibrous assemblies that utilize wet strength means to stabilize the material or 2) compressed regenerated cellulosic sponges so that, when the material is saturated with an aqueous fluid, it has an expanded wet density of between about 0.04 grams/cm3 and about 0.4 grams/cm3 and an expanded capillary desorption height of less than about 25 cm and a temporary binding means that helps maintain the material at a compressed dry density between about 0.06 grams/cm3 and about 1.2 grams/cm3 until the material is exposed to an aqueous fluid. The ratio of the compressed dry density to the expanded wet density is also greater than about 1.5:1. A suitable process for making the materials and absorbent structures using the materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A garment or undergarment, such as an absorbent article, having a first region, a second region opposed to the first region and a garment material extending through at least a portion of the first region. The garment material has a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface has been mechanically modified to form a plurality of surface protrusions integrally from the garment material. The garment further includes a landing zone having a plurality of fibrous loops located at least partially in the second waist region and adapted to engage with the surface protrusions of the first region to provide a closure mechanism for holding the first region and the second region in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: A mask for use in a process for curing a photosensitive material. The mask comprises a structure having a top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side, and a pattern of transparent regions and opaque regions, wherein the opaque regions comprise at least first opaque regions having a first opacity and second opaque regions having a second opacity different from the first opacity. The opaque regions can comprise a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a pattern formed by a plurality of discrete areas, or any combination thereof. The opaque regions can comprise a gradient opacity that gradually changes in at least one direction. The mask can have a three-dimensional topography comprising, for example, a pattern of protrusions extending from the bottom side of the mask and/or the top side of the mask. The protrusions can form a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a discrete pattern, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and apparatus (38) for the manufacture of disposable absorbent cores from a continuous web (40), wherein a plurality of first and second core elements (40a, 40b) are cut from the same continuous web (40). The object of the invention is achieved by rotating each of first and second core elements (40a, 40b) about axes perpendicular to the plane of the core element and subsequently combining a first core element (40a) and a second core element (40b) in proximal relationship to form the absorbent core. Preferably each of the first and second core elements (40a, 40b) are rotated through 90° in mutually counter-rotating directions.

Abstract: A papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing element and a resinous framework joined together. The resinous framework is formed by a plurality of resinous beads which mutually contact or cross-over. Super-knuckles extending outwardly from the reinforcing element are formed at points of contact. A preferred continuous process for making the belt comprises extruding, in a pre-selected pattern, a plurality of beads of a resinous material onto the forming surface thereby forming the resinous framework thereon, joining the resinous framework and the reinforcing element together, and then solidifying the resinous framework. The resinous material may comprise at least two chemically-active materials capable of cross-linking upon contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provide for dynamically bonding plural workpiece layers together. The apparatus comprises: a first assembly including a rotatable element having an outer circumferential portion adapted to engage one of the workpiece layers; a second assembly including an anvil roll adapted to engage another of the workpiece layers and defining with the rotatable element a nip for receiving the workpiece layers; a drive mechanism for effecting rotation of the rotatable element and the anvil roll; and servo motor apparatus for applying a predefined force to at least one of the rotatable element and the anvil roll so as to bias the rotatable element and the anvil roll together.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, adapted to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer. The diaper includes side panels and fastener elements for assembling the diaper about the body of the wearer. The outer surface of the diaper and the side panels or fastener tabs include indicia that complement each other and are provided to facilitate the proper and symmetrical application of the diaper to the wearer for maximum comfort and for optimal functioning of the diaper as a waste retention vehicle without leakage between the diaper and the legs of the wearer.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles comprising the application of discrete web panels (40a, 40b) to a receiving web (1), wherein a plurality of first web panels (40a) and second web panels (40b) are cut from the same continuous web (40), and wherein the process comprises the steps of: cutting the continuous web (40) to form at least a first web panel (40a) and a second web panel (40b); rotating the second web panel (40); and applying the first web panel (40a) and the second web panel (40b) to the receiving web (1).

Abstract: A method of making a flangeless seam for a disposable article including the following steps: A first member of the disposable article is provided. An electromagnetic field responsive member is provided on the first member. The first member is folded about the electromagnetic field responsive member providing opposing first proximal and first distal portions of the first member, the electromagnetic field responsive member being disposed at least partially between the opposing first proximal and first distal portions. A second member of the disposable article is provided in a folded configuration juxtaposed at least a portion of the first member to form a laminate including the first member and the second member. An electromagnetic field is applied across at least a portion of the laminate to heat the electromagnetic field responsive member to a temperature which joins at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of the second member.

Abstract: A method for making a bulky web. A web is fed in a first direction. The web is subjected to incremental stretching in a direction perpendicular to the first direction to provide a bulky web. The bulky web is then stabilized to provide a stabilized bulked web, Optionally, the bulky web may be gathered after it has been subjected to incremental stretching.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent structure to be used in an absorbent article such as a diaper, a training pant, an adult incontinence absorbent article, a bed mat, or the like, and the respective absorbent article. The absorbent structure of the present invention is able to rapidly acquire urine even against gravity as is quantified by the liquid drip off test defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as for use in hygienic applications, which has an ultimate fluid storage region, and a fluid distribution region positioned between the ultimate storage region and the garment oriented surface of the article, which is in fluid communication with the ultimate fluid storage region, whereby the ultimate fluid storage region comprises material which has a Capillary Sorption Desorption Capacity at 100 cm (CSDC 100) of at least 10 g/g. Further, the liquid distribution layer comprises material having a Capillary Sorption Absorption Height at 30% of its maximum capacity (CSAH 30) of at least 25 cm. The total article provides a reduced tendency for rewetting. Particularly suitable distribution material for the present invention can be foam materials, preferably polymeric foam derived from high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions.

Abstract: An absorbent article having improved fit and comfort. The absorbent core is designed such that fluid is moved substantially from the crotch region to the waist regions. Preferred absorbent covers have an acquisition region, a distribution region, and a storage region.

Abstract: A disposable article to be fitted to a wearer comprising a biosensor including at least one bio-recognition element. The biosensor is adapted to detect a target biological analyte in bodily waste or on the wearer's skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for improving skin condition by repeatedly applying lotion-treated absorbent articles to a wearer. When applied with sufficient frequency, the skin in the area covered by lotion-treated absorbent articles shows improvement in skin smoothness, relative to skin covered by untreated absorbent articles that do not comprise a skin care composition. The present invention also relates to methods for assessing skin smoothness in the area covered by an absorbent article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue paper product having two outer surfaces, the soft tissue paper product comprising one or more plies of a tissue paper having a total wet tensile strength of at least about 200 g/in; and a chemical softening composition deposited on at least one outer surface of said tissue, said chemical softening composition comprising a polysilicoxane-polyalkyleneoxide copolymer comprising greater than about 30% by weight of polyethyleneoxide macromonomer; wherein the copolymer has a surface tension of less than about 40 mN/m, has a Ross Miles foam height of less than about 60 mm, and has an HLB of greater than about 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article which combines a hydrophobic topsheet with a good liquid acquisition performance. The absorbent article of the present invention comprises a topsheet, a backsheet, a liquid storage structure intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and a liquid handling structure intermediate the topsheet and the liquid storage structure. The topsheet of the present invention has a liquid retention of less than 150 mg for a test liquid having a surface tension of 33 mN/m. The liquid handling structure of the present invention has a basis weight to uncompressed caliper ratio of less than 100 grams per square meter per millimeter. The topsheet of the present invention may comprise a fiber coating such as fluoropolymers in order to lower the contact angle of the topsheet.