Abstract: A system and a method for providing feedback control of the deposition of superabsorbent particles into an absorbent core at a specified rate are disclosed herein. A control system, such as a programmable logic control device, is used to receive feedback related to the operation of one or more elements of a vibratory feeder. Based on the feedback, the control system adjusts one or more elements of the vibratory feeder to synchronize the operation of the elements of the vibratory feeder. Particularly, the control system can be adapted to synchronize the deposition rate of superabsorbent particles into the absorbent core with the line speed of the absorbent core during ramp-up and ramp-down periods.

Abstract: An absorbent garment having standing leg gathers with improved leak containment capabilities, a method of making the absorbent garment, and a method of determining the leak containment capability of a standing leg gather are disclosed herein. In a first aspect, a method of determining a Leg Gasketing Index is disclosed herein and includes elongating a section of a standing leg gather and measuring the resulting elastic contractile force. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an absorbent garment including standing leg gathers having a mean Total Leg Gasketing Index over three elongation cycles of at least about 4.75 kg*mm.

Abstract: An absorbent article including one or more images disposed thereon and a method for making the same are provided according to the present invention, wherein an ultrasonic assembly is used to impart sufficient energy to a deformed web to either partially or fully melt the web either in the deformed areas, or non-deformed areas to thereby form an image. The method can be used to print graphics directly on an absorbent article after its formation, or it can be used to print graphics on an appliquélayer that is subsequently placed on a predetermined portion of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core located between the topsheet and backsheet. The absorbent core is formed from a folded laminate having an upper layer, a lower layer and a central fibrous layer that are bonded together and together assist to maintain the dry and wet integrity of the core. The fibrous layer includes about 50 to 95 percent by weight superabsorbent polymer and about 5 to 50 percent by weight stabilization additives. The upper and lower layers may be tissue, airlaid fluff pulp or synthetic non-woven fibrous layers. Folding the thin absorbent laminate provides an absorbent core that can handle large doses of urine, by providing a central channel having a free volume for temporary liquid storage and increasing the surface area of the laminate available for liquid absorption. The garment thus formed is thin, lightweight and economical.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for forming an absorbent garment and an absorbent composite core. The absorbent composite core preferably is comprised of at least four layers, whereby two of the layers are outer layers, (an upper layer and a lower layer), one of the inner layers is a central fibrous layer containing a mixture of tow fibers and SAP, and the other inner layer is at least one layer selected from an acquisition layer, a distribution layer, an additional fibrous layer optionally containing SAP, a wicking layer, a storage layer, a dryness layer, a softness layer, or combinations and fragments thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing cutout material that is at least partially severed from a web has a vacuum passage for drawing a vacuum, and a vacuum inlet plate connected to the vacuum passage. The vacuum inlet plate has an inlet edge defining at least part of an opening into the vacuum passage. The inlet edge has first and second angled edge portions that converge at first and second angles relative to the machine direction, respectively, to meet at a vertex portion. The vertex portion constitutes the rearmost portion of the inlet edge relative to the machine direction.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment comprising a topsheet, a back-sheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet is disclosed. The absorbent core is formed from a folded laminated comprising three layers, including an upper layer, a lower layer and a central fibrous layer including from about 50 to about 95 percent by weight superabsorbent polymer and about 5 to about 50 percent by weight stabilization additives. The upper and lower layers comprise tissue, airlaid fluff pulp synthetic non-woven fibrous layers. The central fibrous layers is adhesively bonded to both the upper and lower layers, all layers together assisting to maintain the dry and wet integrity of the absorbent core. Folding of the thin absorbent laminate provides an absorbent core that can handle large doses of urine.

Abstract: The garment of the present invention has a waist region for fitting around a wearer's waist and a crotch region that extends between the wearer's legs. Shaping elastics are attached to the garment in one or more regions to cause the wearer's body to take on a more desirable shape, and may improve the comfort of the garment. Thus equipped, the garment may also provide physically therapeutic benefits to a wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent product comprising a topsheet, a secondary absorbent layer, a primary absorbent layer and a backsheet is disclosed. The topsheet preferably is apertured and has a relatively high loft while also having a relatively low open area. The topsheet aids in the fluid flow through the topsheet to the secondary absorbent layer. The secondary absorbent layer absorbs the fluid and acts as a holding reservoir until the primary absorbent layer can absorb the fluid held in the secondary absorbent layer. The absorbent product has been shown to have improved rewet characteristics.

Abstract: A method for applying a fluid filament to a strand useful for bonding elastic strands to an absorbent garment is described. The strand is oscillated as it moves along an isolated path past a fixed fluid filament dispenser. The strand captures substantially all of the fluid filament, and at least partially all sides of the strand are coated with the filament. The filament coated strand may then be bonded to one or more substrates in some embodiments.

Abstract: The invention comprises an absorbent garment and a method for making an absorbent garment. An absorbent garment is provided comprising elastic side belts attached at an angle to the main body of the garment to provide a better fit to the user. Adjustment strips preferably are affixed to the elastic side belts and to the main body of the garment to allow the user to repeatedly adjust the garment while the garment is being worn. A method for making the absorbent garment also is disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes a backsheet, a liner sheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The backsheet and liner sheets are shaped to form a pair of spaced-apart leg openings with a front waist area, a rear waist and a central crotch area. A pair of ribbons are disposed in opposing curved contours along at least the front and rear areas of the garment and optionally extend through the crotch area of the garment to form a generally oval-shaped exudate containment region about the crotch area of the garment. Each ribbon is fastened to the garment along one longitudinal ribbon edge to form free ribbon edges which rise from the garment to provide a raised barrier.

Abstract: An absorbent article including one or more graphics thereon and a method for making the same are provided according to the present invention, wherein the reference markers used to cut the graphics are not included on the final absorbent article. Further, a variety pack of absorbent articles and method for making the same are provided, wherein each absorbent article in the pack includes a graphic thereon which differs from the graphics on the other absorbent articles in the pack.

Abstract: An absorbent article that provides leakage protection and/or skin protection, as well as methods for using and preparing the absorbent article and novel compositions and composites for use in the absorbent article, is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a permeable topsheet; a substantially impermeable backsheet; an absorbent core positioned between said permeable topsheet and said substantially impermeable backsheet; and a hydrophobic composition selectively disposed on the absorbent article to contain leakage. The hydrophobic composition is disposed at one or more leak protection zones.

Abstract: Absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence products, training pants, sanitary napkins, and the like, providing unexpectedly superior absorbency and methods of preparing the absorbent articles are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a substantially non-wicking layer disposed between a substantially impermeable backsheet and a permeable topsheet, said substantially non-wicking layer comprising foam having a density of no greater than about 0.01 g/cc and a compressional rigidity at about 10% strain of at least about 4 kPa.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a diaper having a pocket structure which includes a breakage-resistant hydrophobic topsheet and an apertured portion of proper size which is surrounded by a strengthened inner periphery and provides an improved leakage protection effect. The present invention is further directed to a method of manufacturing such diaper which enables economical and simplified process operation. A diaper is,provided wherein an absorbent body is interposed between a liquid impermeable backsheet and an apertured hydrophobic topsheet to form side, front and rear end portions of the diaper. The hydrophobic topsheet includes two separate sheets each having alternating concave portion and convex portions defined by a wavy side edge. The two sheets are arranged to face to each,other so that the convex portions thereof partially overlay each other at front and rear end portions of the diaper to form pocket portions.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body having a front waist portion, a rear waist portion, a waist hole, two leg holes and a pair of elastic leakage protective members is disclosed. The elastic leakage protective members cooperate with the respective leg holes. The elastic leakage protective members cover at least part of the respective openings of the leg holes. Each of the elastic leakage protective members may have edge portions that form a pocket for holding body exudates.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided which includes a pH control agent in an amount sufficient to maintain prolonged natural skin pH. The pH control agent can be applied in conjunction with a surfactant. Generally, the pH control agent and optional surfactant can be added to the topsheet, absorbent core, and/or any tissue layer included in the absorbent article. Particularly preferred pH control agents include citric acid and sodium citrate.

Abstract: A stretch-activated elastic composite includes a non-woven fabric having a potential elongatability of higher than 100% in a predetermined direction, and an elastically recoverable, elastic sheet. The elastic sheet in its unstretched state is partially bonded to the non-woven fabric in its unelongated state. The elastic composite exhibits, per unit width of 5 cm, (1) a stress of lower than 1000 g at 30% stretch, (2) a stress of higher than 400 g at 100% stretch, (3) a breaking point of higher than 400 g and (4) an elastic limit of higher than 200%. The elastic composite after being stretched at a rate of lower than 200% exhibits, per unit width of 5 cm, (1) a stress of lower than 500 g at 30% stretch and (2) a stress of higher than 100 g at 100% stretch. The elastic composite after three repeated cycles of 150% stretching and relaxing exhibits an elastic recovery rate of higher than 60%.

Abstract: A sintered porous composite sheet, comprising an A/B-component layer in which the A-component layer is easily fusible and the B-component layer has a relatively higher thermal stability as compared with the A-component layer. The layers are superposed and sintered. The A-component layer comprises a hydrophilic material, the B-component layer comprises a hydrophobic material, and the A-component and B-component may include a common material comprising an easily fusible material. The porous composite sheet is air and moisture permeable, and is readily adaptable for use in sanitary and medical applications.