Abstract: Methods and tooling for making three-dimensional substrates and/or apertured substrates are provided. The three-dimensional substrates and/or apertured substrates may be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers and pants, for example. The methods and tooling may be used on an absorbent article manufacturing line.

Abstract: Three-dimensional laminates and methods for making the same are provided. The three-dimensional laminates may be apertured and may have welds between various substrates. The three-dimensional laminates may be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers and pants, for example, as topsheets, as topsheets and acquisition layers, or as outer cover materials, for example. The three-dimensional laminates may be produced on an absorbent article manufacturing line.

Abstract: Methods and tooling for forming performance zones in substrates are provided. The methods and tooling for forming performance zones in substrates may be for use on an absorbent article manufacturing line.

Abstract: Three-dimensional laminates and methods for making the same are provided. The three-dimensional laminates may be apertured and may have welds between various substrates. The three-dimensional laminates may be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers and pants, for example, as topsheets, as topsheets and acquisition layers, or as outer cover materials, for example. The three-dimensional laminates may be produced on an absorbent article manufacturing line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses herein provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns, to an advancing substrate. The fluid applicator comprises a slot die applicator and a substrate carrier. The slot die applicator comprises a plurality of applicator channels, each applicator channel being controlled by a switching valve, and wherein the switching valves are independently switchable.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent diapers are provided with improved comfort, fit and liquid transportation. The absorbent core of the disposable absorbent diapers includes at least one absorbent structure having a substrate layer and an absorbent layer with channels.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a pair of leg cuffs (32) with an raised section (34) and an absorbent core (28) comprising at least one channel (26, 26?) at least partially oriented in the longitudinal direction (80) of the article. The article has crotch width (Wd) before use as measured between the proximal edges of the leg cuffs at the level of the crotch point of from to 70 mm to 200 mm, and a Relative Crotch Width Reduction (RCWR) of at least 30 mm/kg.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring, at high speed and in a very effective and accurate manner, particulate material from a feeder into reservoirs of a moving endless surface, e.g. a drum, by use of a pressure means, e.g. a specific three-dimensional plate, for applying pressure onto said particulate material present between said plate and said moving endless surface, and then transferring the particulate material with said moving endless surface with reservoirs to a substrate; the apparatus and method being particularly useful for the production of absorbent structures for absorbent articles.

Abstract: Absorbent structures for absorbent articles are provided, comprising an absorbent layer with absorbent material containing superabsorbent polymer particles supported by a supporting sheet, and having first and a second substantially longitudinal channel that are free of said superabsorbent polymeric particles, and that comprises one or more adhesive material to immobilize said absorbent material. The channels can provide improved fit and/or liquid acquisition/transportation, and/or improved performance.

Abstract: Absorbent cores for disposable absorbent articles are provided. The absorbent cores each comprise at least two absorbent structures comprising a substrate layer and an absorbent layer, of which one absorbent structure comprises channels and one is free of channels.

Abstract: A substantially planar absorbent core (28) comprising a core wrap (16, 17) enclosing an absorbent material (60), the absorbent core having a longitudinal axis (80) and comprising a front region (81), a back region (83) and a middle region (82), each region having an equal length (L/3) along the longitudinal axis, wherein the absorbent material is substantially free of cellulose fibers and forms a pattern of absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises on each side of the longitudinal axis at least one longitudinally-extending curved area (601a, 601b) in the middle region of the core, and at least one longitudinally-extending straight area (602a, 602b) in the front region and/or back region of the core.

Abstract: A substantially planar absorbent core includes a core wrap enclosing an absorbent material that is substantially free of cellulose fibers and forms a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The core further comprises at least a pair of curved longitudinally-extending channel-forming areas substantially free of absorbent material, through which the top side of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side of the core wrap along a core wrap bond. Each of the longitudinally-extending channel-forming areas are longitudinally flanked internally by a first flanking absorbent material area and externally by a second flanking absorbent material area, the first and second flanking absorbent material areas following the curvature of the channel-forming area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an unbonded, absorbent, fibrous structure, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing of a first fibrous material in the form of a fibrous sheet (10); b) defiberizing the sheet (10) of first fibrous material to form a roughly graded material (16); c) mixing the roughly graded material (16) with a second material (26) to form a mixture; and d) air-laying the mixture on a foraminous carrier (50) to form the unbonded, absorbent, fibrous structure.

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising a planar substrate, an auxiliary glue applied on the substrate, an absorbent material comprising from 80% to 100% by weight of superabsorbent particles deposited on the substrate on an absorbent material deposition area comprising a pattern of absorbent material land areas separated by absorbent material-free junction areas, wherein the deposition area can be notionally divided in eight deposition zones of equal length along the longitudinal direction. A fibrous thermoplastic adhesive layer immobilizes at least some of the absorbent material. The absorbent material is profiled along the longitudinal direction so that at least one of the eight deposition zones is a zone of lower absorbent material amount and the auxiliary glue is absent, or present at a level of at least 50% by weight lower than the average amount of auxiliary glue in at least one of these zones of lower absorbent material amount.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for depositing particulate material in a predetermined pattern onto a moving surface is disclosed. A particulate material may be fed under gravity from a hopper to a discharge zone containing a feed opening. A gas may be supplied, by a gas supply assembly, under pressure to the bulk of particulate material within the hopper discharge zone. The particulate material may be transferred through the feed opening to the surface of a transfer device, which contains a pattern of particulate-receiving recesses. The transfer device may rotate to a deposition zone and transfer the particulate material to a carrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention is method for forming a sandwich structure having a pattern of particulate material enveloped between a carrier material and a cover material. The method allows accurate forming of pre-determined pattern at high production speed. Such a method is particularly useful in the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles, such as baby diapers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying absorbent gelling material (AGM) granules by indirect printing onto an carrier layer for use in an absorbent article, particularly diaper for babies or adults, training pants, pull-up diapers (diaper pants), sanitary napkins, panty liners or the like. These articles typically comprise the carrier layer with the AGM particles together with further layers, making up the complete article.

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising a planar substrate, an auxiliary glue applied on the substrate, an absorbent material comprising from 80% to 100% by weight of superabsorbent particles deposited on the substrate on an absorbent material deposition area comprising a pattern of absorbent material land areas separated by absorbent material-free junction areas, wherein the deposition area can be notionally divided in eight deposition zones of equal length along the longitudinal direction. A fibrous thermoplastic adhesive layer immobilizes at least some of the absorbent material. The absorbent material is profiled along the longitudinal direction so that at least one of the eight deposition zones is a zone of lower absorbent material amount and the auxiliary glue is absent, or present at a level of at least 50% by weight lower than the average amount of auxiliary glue in at least one of these zones of lower absorbent material amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying absorbent gelling material (AGM) granules by indirect printing onto an carrier layer for use in an absorbent article, particularly diaper for babies or adults, training pants, pull-up diapers (diaper pants), sanitary napkins, panty liners or the like. These articles typically comprise the carrier layer with the AGM particles together with further layers, making up the complete article.

Abstract: An absorbent core includes a core wrap enclosing an absorbent material, and one or more channels extending from the crotch region to the back region. The core wrap is at least partially sealed. The absorbent core has a Wet Compression Force of about 5N or less.