Abstract: A refastenable disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a central section including first and second side edges. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the central section and each lateral section has an outward edge. The front portion also has a first end and a second end. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. Multiple elastic strands extend transversely across the first section from the first side edge to the second side edge.

Abstract: Aborbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the front portion and each of the first and second lateral sections has an outer edge. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2.

Abstract: A refastenable absorbent article is disclosed having a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, and a central section including first and second side edges. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the central section and each lateral section has an outer edge. The front portion also has a first end and a second end. The crotch portion has a first side edge and a second side edge and first and second crotch elastics are positioned adjacent to the first and second side edges. The back portion has a first end, a second end and first and second side edges. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a refastenable mechanism. The absorbent article has a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion connects the front portion to the back portion. The front portion has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge. First and second lateral sections are releasably attached to the front portion and each of the first and second lateral sections has an outer edge. The back portion has first and second side edges and first and second ends. The back portion is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section has a length L2 measured perpendicularly from the first end of the back portion to a line drawn parallel thereto. The second section has a length L3 measured perpendicularly from the second end of the back portion to the line drawn parallel to the first end whereby a ratio L2/L3 is established which ranges from between about 0.1 to about 2.

Abstract: A method for alleviating female urinary incontinence is disclosed. The method includes providing a urinary incontinence device which has a first elongated absorbent and a second absorbent. The first and second absorbents are formed into a softwind that is compressed into an elongated pledget having an insertion end, a trailing end and a cross-sectional area. The first and second absorbents are capable of absorbing fluid and expanding the cross-sectional area of the pledget to expand farther outward to provide a supportive backdrop for a woman's urethra when inserted into a woman's vagina.

Abstract: Apparatus and method precisely preload bearings onto shafts. A swivel plate swivels up to 360° and locks a rotary shaft axially with a motor shaft. A shim and bearing adjacent the shim preload onto shaft shoulder by lock nut secured to the threaded shaft. The lock nut forces the bearing inner race to expand outwardly, preloading the bearing. A force sensor measures torque on the bearing outer race. Measured torque is monitored within a predetermined range to establish the precisely loaded bearing. The method slides a shim onto support shaft shoulder. A bearing is slid onto tapered surface, and lock nut tightened onto the threaded shaft. The lock nut expands the bearing inner race, reducing the distance between the inner and outer races and preloading the bearing. The outer race at a predetermined, constant speed has torque monitored to a predetermined range to provide a precisely preloaded bearing.

Abstract: A nonwoven web and method of preparing a novel nonwoven web of synthetic fiber are disclosed. An aqueous solution amide crosslinked synthetic precursor polymer is extruded under defined conditions through a plurality of die orifices to form a plurality of threadlines. The threadlines are attenuated with a defined primary gaseous source to form fiber under conditions of controlled macro scale turbulence and under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline, as it leaves a die orifice and for a distance of no more than about 8 cm, to increase incrementally with increasing distance from the die, while substantially maintaining uniformity of viscosity in the radial direction, at a rate sufficient to provide fiber having,the desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage. The attenuated threadlines are dried with a defined secondary gaseous source. The resulting fibers are deposited randomly on a moving foraminous surface to form a substantially uniform web.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence device is disclosed which includes a first absorbent and a second absorbent. The first absorbent has a width and the second absorbent is positioned adjacent to the first absorbent. The second absorbent has a width that is less than about 80% of the width of the first absorbent. The first and second absorbents are formed into a softwind that is compressed into an elongated pledget having a cross-sectional area. The first and second absorbents are capable of absorbing fluid and expanding the cross-sectional area of the pledget. The second absorbent causing a portion of the cross-sectional area of the pledget to expand farther outward to provide a supportive backdrop for a woman's urethra when inserted into a woman's vagina.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing body fluids discharged from a human body. The absorbent article includes an absorbent having first and second longitudinally-extending sides, first and second distally spaced ends and a garment-facing surface. The absorbent article includes a structure which interacts with an adjacent undergarment for retaining the absorbent in the crotch region of a human body. The structure includes at least two grooves or channels formed in the garment-facing surface of the absorbent which are sized and configured to receive the side edges of an undergarment. When the undergarment is pulled up around the torso of the user, the side edges of the undergarment will nest in the grooves or channels and hold the absorbent article securely in place, thereby decreasing the likelihood of leakage.

Abstract: A partially unwound roll is moved for splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and the united web is rewound. The torque transmitting means include side clamping mechanisms engaging only the end surfaces of the parent rolls. In one aspect, an automated off-line apparatus and method splice tissue webs from different parent rolls in a finishing unit, and substantially continuous impacts on each web during unwinding splice the webs together. In one aspect, an apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and through drying the web to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 percent, and a substantially uniform density.

Abstract: A novel article and method are disclosed for reducing malodor in disposable products for the absorption of body fluids. An effective amount of pentitol is applied to a disposable absorbent material, prior to its use. In one aspect, the invention provides a water-swellable, water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material. In one aspect, the pentitol is compositionally part of the absorbent structure or is coated on the absorbent material present in the absorbent structure. The pentitol preferably is located in the area of insult, i.e., that area of the absorbent product to be exposed to the body fluid intended to be absorbed. The pentitol in the novel article and method of the present invention is effective in preventing malodor.

Abstract: Chemical additives can be adsorbed on cellulosic papermaking fibers at high levels with a minimal amount of unadsorbed chemical additives present in the papermaking process water. A method includes treating a fiber slurry with an excess of the chemical additive, allowing sufficient residence time for adsorption to occur, filtering the slurry to remove unadsorbed chemical additives, and redispersing the filtered pulp with fresh water. Filtrate from the thickening process contains unadsorbed chemical additive and it is not sent forward in the process with the chemically treated fibers. The method can be employed to make improved paper products.

Abstract: A method of forming a urinary incontinence device for alleviating female urinary incontinence is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a resilient member and a non-absorbent. The resilient member has a side edge and the non-absorbent has a first surface and a side edge. The resilient member is positioned adjacent to the first surface of the non-absorbent. The side edge of the resilient member is aligned with the side edge of the non-absorbent. The resilient member and the non-absorbent are then rolled into a softwind having a non-uniform cross-sectional configuration. The softwind is compressed into a pledget having a uniform cross-sectional configuration. A withdrawal string is then secured to the pledget to form a urinary incontinence device.

Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide and a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment, three layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.

Abstract: Absorbent articles of the present invention are specifically adapted for the adult male anatomy. The articles include a moisture barrier, a liner bonded to the moisture barrier, and an absorbent assembly sandwiched therebetween. The moisture barrier is gathered along each of its side edges between forward and rearward terminal points. The moisture barrier is gathered along its back end by an elasticized back pouch member. The back pouch member includes a flange section and a pouch section. The pouch section includes a substantially fixed edge portion, an elasticized gathered movable edge portion, a substantially liquid impermeable pouch barrier layer, a pouch fabric layer, and a plurality of separate laterally extending pouch elastic members sandwiched between the pouch barrier layer and the pouch fabric layer. In particular embodiments, a retaining member is bonded to the liner and defines therebetween a compartment having a volume, and a cover formed of a liquid impermeable material is bonded to the liner.

Abstract: A high bulk tissue web is made by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto a forming fabric to form a web, drying the web, winding the dried web to form a plurality of large diameter parent rolls wound on a core, and transporting the parent rolls to an unwind stand having torque transmitting clamping means for engaging opposite end surfaces of the parent rolls. A backing plate is connected to and rotatable with an unwind shaft connected to an electric drive. An inflatable bladder is mounted on the backing plate. The clamping means engage a first parent roll by inflating the bladder such that the opposite end surfaces of the roll are sandwiched between the side clamping mechanisms for partially unwinding the first parent roll using a variable speed drive operably associated with the clamping means.

Abstract: A method of filling an upright facial tissue carton with a plurality of tissue and a support member is disclosed. The carton has a top wall, four sidewalls and a bottom wall. The top wall has an aperture formed therein through which the tissue can be withdrawn. The method includes assembling a plurality of tissues into a clip of tissue having a first surface and a second surface. A support member is placed adjacent to the second surface of the clip of tissue. The clip of tissue and the support member are both folded into an inverted U-shaped configuration. The carton is then opened and the inverted U-shaped configuration is inserted such that the first surface of the clip of tissue is positioned adjacent to the aperture. The carton is then closed and sealed to form a filled upright facial tissue carton.