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, multiple 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: An absorbent article is disclosed which is designed to be secured to an undergarment. The undergarment includes a crotch protion with a pair of side edges. The absorbent article includes a liquid permeable cover, a liquid-impermeable baffle and an absorbent enclosed by the cover and the baffle to form a pad. The pad has first and second raised longitudinally-extending sides, each with a vertically oriented outer surface. The pad also has a garment-facing surface. The absorbent article also includes a pair of flaps which cooperate with one another to extend around the crotch portion of the undergarment and overlap one another. Each of the flaps has a proximal edge and a distal edge. The proximal edges are affixed to one of the vertically oriented outer surfaces and each of the distal edges extend downwardly and inwardly around the crotch portion of the undergarment. The pair of flaps are secured together by an attachment.

Abstract: A meltblown web having meltblown fibers and particles is provided. The particles are embedded in and retained by one or more meltblown fibers as a result of surface penetration of the particles into one or more meltblown fibers. The surface penetration of any particle into one or more meltblown fibers is generally slight thus leaving a substantial amount of the surface area of any particle available for interaction with any medium to which the web is exposed.

Abstract: A method of making fiber bundles and fibrous structures. The efficacy of a fiber bundle in handling complex fluids may be improved by subjecting an aqueous suspension of fibers at high consistency to elevated energy input with sufficient working of the fibers. The fibrous structures prepared according to the methods herein include at least one fiber bundle and at least one debonding agent. The fiber bundle includes at least one particulate material consisting essentially of entangled fibers.

Abstract: Superabsorbent-containing composites containing at least one particle of a superabsorbent material covered with at least a first layer of at least one particle of at least one coating material. The superabsorbent materials are desirably stiff-gelling superabsorbent materials. The superabsorbent-containing composites of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in sanitary napkins, diapers and other disposable absorbent articles that handle complex fluids.

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: Superabsorbent-containing composites prepared in a fluidized bed coating apparatus according to the process of the present invention contain at least one particle of a superabsorbent material covered with at least a first layer of at least one particle of at least one coating material. The superabsorbent-containing composites prepared in a fluidized bed coating apparatus according to the process of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in sanitary napkins, diapers and other disposable absorbent articles that handle complex fluids.

Abstract: The method includes sliding a first shim onto the support shaft until it abuts a shoulder. The first shim has a predetermined thickness. A bearing is then slid onto the tapered surface and a lock nut is tightened onto the threaded portion of the shaft. As the lock nut contacts the inner race of the bearing it causes the inner race to contact the first shim and also to radially expand outwardly, thereby preloading the bearing. The outer race of the bearing is then connected to a motor and the motor is operated at a predetermined, constant speed. The torque required to rotate the outer race of the bearing is measured and compared to a predetermine torque range to determine if the bearing is precisely preloaded.

Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.

Abstract: A method of forming a meltblown web having meltblown fibers and particles is provided. The particles are heated to a temperature approximating that of the meltblown fibers as they are being extruded. As a portion of any heated particle impacts the skin of one or more solidifying meltblown fibers, that portion of any heated particle penetrates into one or more solidifying particles. Although a portion of any particle becomes embedded in and retained by one or more meltblown fibers, such surface penetration is generally slight desirably leaving a substantial amount of surface area of any particle available for interaction with any medium to which a web may be exposed.

Abstract: A novel knife apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material. The knife can be formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter. The knife includes a first cutting member having a first end, and second and third cutting members joined to the first end of the first cutting member. The second and third cutting members are arranged relative to one another to form an arcuate section which intersects with the first cutting member to form a non-symmetrical configuration having a cutting edge knife thickness in the range of about 0.003 inches to about 0.005 inches. A unique knife profile enables two adjacently arranged articles to be cut simultaneously from a sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least a portion of the outer peripheries of the two articles.

Abstract: A novel knife apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material. The knife can be formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter. The knife includes a first cutting member having a first end, and second and third cutting members joined to the first end of the first cutting member. The second and third cutting members are arranged relative to one another to form an arcuate section which intersects with the first cutting member to form a general non-symmetrical configuration. A unique knife profile enables two adjacently arranged articles to be cut simultaneously from a sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least a portion of the outer peripheries of the two articles.

Abstract: An individually wrapped absorbent article, such as a catamenial device, is disclosed. The absorbent article has first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides and first and second major surfaces. The second major surface has a garment attachment adhesive secured thereto. The absorbent article is enclosed by a wrapper having first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides and first and second major surfaces. The first major surface of the wrapper is releasably affixed to the garment attachment adhesive such that the first end of the absorbent article at a minimum is flush with the first end of the wrapper. When so attached, the second end of the wrapper will extend beyond the second end of the absorbent article and the first and second sides of the wrapper will extend laterally outward from the first and second sides of the absorbent article, respectively. An attachment device is secured to the second major surface of the wrapper approximate the first end.

Abstract: A novel knife apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material. The knife can be formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter. The knife includes a first cutting member having a first end, and second and third cutting members joined to the first end of the first cutting member. The second and third cutting members are arranged relative to one another to form an arcuate section which intersects with the first cutting member to form a general wishbone configuration. The heavy duty knife and cutting method of the present invention employ a cutting edge knife thickness in the range of about 0.003 inches to about 0.005 inches. A unique knife profile enables two adjacently arranged articles to be cut simultaneously from a 1.5 sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least a portion of the outer peripheries of the two articles.

Abstract: A stain protection article and method are disclosed for providing protection against side leakage around a feminine care absorbent article. A pair of stain resistant strips have a stain protection sheet member aligned along a comfort cuff member shaped to accommodate the inside leg of a user. A garment-attachment adhesive on the stain resistant strips attaches to a crotch portion of an undergarment. The stain protection comfort cuff members are composed of an elastic barrier adhesive (EBA) material. The stain resistant strips article and method of the present invention further include providing a feminine care absorbent article completely separate from the pair of stain resistant strips and holding the feminine care absorbent article prior to use in a combination package formed from the first stain resistant strip and the second stain resistant strip. In one embodiment, the first stain resistant strip and the second stain resistant strip have arcuate shaped ends.

Abstract: Novel apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a sheet material by a rotary die cutter. A die shaft has an outer circumference and at least two die shaft bores having coaxial counterbores. The counterbores relieve stresses imposed by a die cutting insert. A knife formed about an outside periphery of the die cutting insert has a cutting edge and first and second side walls aligned at an angle of at least 15 degrees. The die cutting insert is removably attached at the inside periphery to the die shaft outer circumference. At least two threaded bolts sized to die cutting insert apertures secure the die cutting insert to the die shaft bores. Stresses are relieved in the internal metal of the die shaft as each insert is mounted, interchangeably and repeatedly, for cutting layered absorbent articles in large numbers and with multiple replacement of cutting die inserts without machining all of the die surfaces to keep the nip constant.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided having an adhesive on the bodyfacing surface for securement of the article to the wearer. The adhesive has a rheological property tan &dgr; at 20° C. ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.6 at a frequency of about 0.1 radian per second and a tan &dgr; ranging from about 0.1 to about 1.7 at a frequency of about 1000 radians per second. Preferably the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.