Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with microencapsulated phase change material (microPCM) particles that are embedded in and/or coated onto a layer of the absorbent article that includes a resilient sheet of an open-cell foam. The foam layer is disposed such that it is in contact with or is in proximity to the user. The microPCM particles absorb heat generated during use of the absorbent article to reduce the contact temperature on the inside of the absorbent article and improve the comfort of the user. To maximize comfort, the phase change temperature of the microPCM particles may be an average normal body temperature.

Abstract: A flexible absorbent pad has a dry thickness of between 2 mm and 10 mm and a difference in flexural-resistance between the dry state and the wet state of an absorbent center zone of the absorbent pad of less than 100 grams-force. The absorbent core of the pad may include an airlaid, a foam, or a fibrous staple filament. The absorbent core of the absorbent pad may be corrugated, such as with flexure hinges, in which case adhesive is applied to the backsheet of the absorbent pad in a pattern that leaves the flexure hinges devoid of adhesive so that the backsheet is attached to the absorbent core in a manner that does not impede the flexing of the flexure hinges.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with microencapsulated phase change material (microPCM) particles that are embedded in and/or coated onto a layer of the absorbent article that includes a resilient sheet of an open-cell foam. The foam layer is disposed such that it is in contact with or is in proximity to the user. The microPCM particles absorb heat generated during use of the absorbent article to reduce the contact temperature on the inside of the absorbent article and improve the comfort of the user. To maximize comfort, the phase change temperature of the microPCM particles may be an average normal body temperature.

Abstract: A flexible absorbent pad has a dry thickness of between 2 mm and 10 mm and a difference in flexural-resistance between the dry state and the wet state of an absorbent center zone of the absorbent pad of less than 100 grams-force. The absorbent core of the pad may include an airlaid, a foam, or a fibrous staple filament. The absorbent core of the absorbent pad may be corrugated, such as with flexure hinges, in which case adhesive is applied to the backsheet of the absorbent pad in a pattern that leaves the flexure hinges devoid of adhesive so that the backsheet is attached to the absorbent core in a manner that does not impede the flexing of the flexure hinges.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, adult incontinent device, and the like having fused layers is provided. The absorbent articles preferably comprises a liquid pervious thermoplastic apertured film topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core, and a fibrous acquisition web of spunlaced nonwoven fibers. The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet and backsheet which are joined at least about a portion of the periphery of the absorbent article and the topsheet is fused to the acquisition web at discrete points of attachment. The acquisition web is positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core.

Abstract: An apertured polymeric film web having a first surface, a second surface generally parallel to and spaced apart from said first surface, and a plurality of fluid passageways extending between the first surface and the second surface to place the first surface and the second surface in fluid communication with one another. The web is formed of a polymeric film comprising at least one bulk modified layer, the bulk modified layer comprising a substantially homogeneous, stabilized dispersion comprising a comparatively low surface energy material in a polymeric material. The comparatively low surface energy material, referred to herein as a hydrophobic additive, imparts hydrophobicity to the web's first surface, thereby promoting enhanced effectiveness in transporting fluid away from the first surface of the web, particularly when used in combination with a hydrophilic adhesive applied to the web's second surface in a topsheet system of the present invention.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, adult incontinent device, and the like having fused layers is provided. The absorbent articles preferably comprises a liquid pervious thermoplastic apertured film topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core, and a fibrous acquisition web. The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet and backsheet which are joined at least about a portion of the periphery of the absorbent article and the topsheet is fused to the acquisition web is a folded sheet which has a double z-folded cross-sectional configuration, which at discrete points of attachment. The acquisition web is positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid previous fibrous, preferably nonwoven, web having a first surface and a second surface. The web comprises a hydrophilic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of individual, preferably whitened, brightened, and/or opacified, fibers associated with one another. The web includes a plurality of surface energy gradients defined by the boundaries of discontinuous, spaced regions of the web which are located on the first surface which exhibit a different surface energy than an adjacent portion of the web. The regions comprise depositions of a preferably whitened, brightened, and/or opacified low surface energy material randomly distributed over the first surface. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web is formed of shaped fibers of substantially non-circular cross-section, preferably a trilobial or delta cross-section, which include whitening, brightening, and opacifying agents within the fiber material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have undergarment covering components (or "side wrapping elements") that automatically wrap the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side wrapping elements have at least one zone of extensibility and at a region therein that is stiffer than the zone of extensibility.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a generally thin, flexible sanitary napkin with a topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core is provided. The absorbent article has a means for directional fluid distribution such as a fluid directing strip positioned between the topsheet and absorbent core, and an absorbent strip positioned between the topsheet and fluid directing strip. The relationships between the sizes of the fluid directing strip and the absorbent strip are such that the width of the fluid directing strip is greater than that of the absorbent strip and the length of the absorbent strip in greater than that of the fluid directing strip, so that bodily exudates may be directed toward the ends of the absorbent core even when the sanitary napkin assumes a body-conforming shape or is otherwise distorted during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have undergarment covering components (or "side wrapping elements") that automatically wrap the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side wrapping elements have at least one zone of extensibility and at a region therein that is stiffer than the zone of extensibility.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a generally thin, flexible sanitary napkin with a topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core is provided. The absorbent article has a means for directional fluid distribution such as a fluid directing strip positioned between the topsheet and absorbent core, and an absorbent strip positioned between the topsheet and fluid directing strip. The relationships between the sizes of the fluid directing strip and the absorbent strip are such that the width of the fluid directing strip is greater than that of the absorbent strip and the length of the absorbent strip in greater than that of the fluid directing strip, so that bodily exudates may be directed toward the ends of the absorbent core even when the sanitary napkin assumes a body-conforming shape or is otherwise distorted during use.