Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and a method providing a high bulk tissue which is both strong and soft. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver a bonding material to the surface of a high bulk paper web such as an uncreped, through-dried web. The bonding material may be applied to the web either before, during or after the web is softened with a mechanical straining process which will decrease the web bulk by no more than 20% of the initial bulk in order to increase the web softness. The web may be softened by any of a variety of mechanical straining processes such as, for instance, microcreping, microstraining, rush transfer, or other low-compressive softening methods. The cured bonding material on the web may not only increase the bulk of the web when dry and wet, but also increase the wet resiliency and the wet strength of the web.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a plurality of nanofibers intertwined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form one or more layers is provided. The nanofibers can be any suitable type of nanofiber, including electrospun fibers. A composite material comprising a plurality of electrospun fibers intertwined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form a single layer is also provided. A composite material comprising a plurality of electrospun fibers combined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form a plurality of layers, i.e., a multi-layer material, is also provided. In some embodiments, gradients in one or more directions are produced. Embodiments of the invention also provide processes for producing the composite nanofiber material. The materials are useful for any type of disposable garment, wipe, hospital garment, face mask, sterile wrap, air filter, water filter and so forth. Materials described herein can provide strong and varying surface effects, such as wicking.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a plurality of nanofibers intertwined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form one or more layers is provided. The nanofibers can be any suitable type of nanofiber, including electrospun fibers. A composite material comprising a plurality of electrospun fibers intertwined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form a single layer is also provided. A composite material comprising a plurality of electrospun fibers combined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form a plurality of layers, i.e., a multi-layer material, is also provided. In some embodiments, gradients in one or more directions are produced. Embodiments of the invention also provide processes for producing the composite nanofiber material. The materials are useful for any type of disposable garment, wipe, hospital garment, face mask, sterile wrap, air filter, water filter and so forth. Materials described herein can provide strong and varying surface effects, such as wicking.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a predetermined position of a user wearing a disposable absorbent article are given. The methods and systems may include detecting that the user of the disposable absorbent article is in the predetermined position, wherein the predetermined position is determined to be a potentially life-threatening position. In response to determining that the user is in the predetermined position, an operation of a transmitter located on the disposable absorbent article is controlled. Movement, location and/or various biometrics of the user may also be monitored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles are also described.

Abstract: A process and method which ‘locks in’ three-dimensional texturing added to a paper web by virtue of an adhesive material which is printed onto the surface of the web is generally disclosed. The adhesive may be applied to the web either before, during, or after the web is molded to increase the surface texture. The adhesive may be applied at relatively low pressure so as to preserve surface texture without significant deformation of the web. The cured adhesive material inhibits the web from reassuming a two-dimensional state or may contribute additional texture by rising above the surface of the web. This process may not only increase the bulk of the web when dry and wet, but also increase the wet resiliency, the wet strength, and the tactile properties of the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention also provides a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention further provides fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and methods of making high internal phase emulsion foam (HIPE) and inverse high internal phase emulsion foam (I-HIPE) using super critical fluids. Such foams may be used in a wide variety of articles such as absorbent articles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a paper web with a highly textured surface and a method of forming the highly textured web. The process includes printing a viscous material onto the surface of a paper web in a pattern with a low pressure printing process. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver a viscous material to the surface of a paper web such as a tissue, an air laid web, or a fibrous nonwoven web with good control of material delivery. At some point after the viscous material is applied to the web, the material may be fibrillated into a three-dimensional structure and then cured. In various embodiments, the viscous material may be fibrillated and cured so as to provide a good scrubbing surface to the web, provide an attachment structure on the web, or provide a good contact surface against a second substrate in forming laminate products.

Abstract: Improved aperturing of a web can be obtained by providing pins with an extended tapered section that is substantially convex in shape. When the tapered section is longer than the penetration depth of the pins into the receiving recesses of a female roll, frictional forces in the nip between layers are reduced. Pins with extended tapered sections can be used in devices for producing apertured composite web assemblies comprising sections of absorbent matter attached to a nonwoven web or other carrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a tissue product. An aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers is deposited onto a forming fabric thereby forming a wet tissue web. The wet tissue web is transferred to a sculpted fabric having a tissue machine contacting side and a tissue contacting side. The tissue contacting side includes an upper porous member comprising a base with nonwoven elevated regions thereon. The nonwoven elevated regions comprise a first group of nonwoven raised elements and a second group of nonwoven raised elements, both raised relative to the base. The first group of nonwoven raised elements extends in at least a first direction and the second group of nonwoven raised elements extends in at least a second direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: The present invention is a sculpted fabric for the manufacture of a tissue web, having a tissue machine contacting side and a tissue contacting side. The tissue contacting side includes an upper porous member comprising a base with nonwoven elevated regions thereon. The nonwoven elevated regions comprise a first group of nonwoven raised elements and a second group of nonwoven raised elements, both raised relative to the base. The first group of nonwoven raised elements extends in at least a first direction and the second group of nonwoven raised elements extends in at least a second direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a paper product that is printed with a masking pattern. The masking pattern is such that it is not discernible on the paper product, yet is heavy enough to obscure objects which may appear behind the product to the eye of the consumer. In this manner, the consumer perceives the paper product to have a greater opacity than the product actually has, and thereby the consumer is not misled to assume the absorbency and/or strength of the paper product is less than is actually the case.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a paper web with a highly textured surface and a method of forming the highly textured web. The process includes printing a viscous material onto the surface of a paper web in a pattern with a low pressure printing process. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver a viscous material to the surface of a paper web such as a tissue, an air laid web, or a fibrous nonwoven web with good control of material delivery. At some point after the viscous material is applied to the web, the material may be fibrillated into a three-dimensional structure and then cured. In various embodiments, the viscous material may be fibrillated and cured so as to provide a good scrubbing surface to the web, provide an attachment structure on the web, or provide a good contact surface against a second substrate in forming laminate products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bicomponent strengthening system and the paper webs produced with the bicomponent strengthening system. Through use of the strengthening system, paper webs may be produced in which the strength characteristics of the web may be specifically tailored. The first component of the system comprises a polymer having at least about 1.5 m-eq primary amine functionality per gram of polymer and a molecular weight of at least about 10,000 Daltons. The second component may be either a polymeric anionic compound or a polymeric aldehyde functional compound. For example, the polyamine polymer component may be a polyvinylamine or polysaccharide having primary amine functionality. In one embodiment, the second component may be a cationic polymeric aldehyde functional compound. For example, the second component may be a cationic glyoxylated polyacrylamide. In another embodiment, the second component may be a polymeric anionic compound comprising carboxy functionality.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a disposable meltblown scrubbing product for use in household cleaning or personal care applications and an abrasive aggregate fiber which may be utilized in the scrubbing product. The meltblown web is formed primarily of polymeric fibers in a disordered or random distribution as is typical of fibers deposited in meltblown processes so as to form an open, porous structure. The aggregate fibers of the present invention generally are formed of two or more separate abrasive polymer fibers or strands which are adhered together along at least about 5 mm of the fiber length. The abrasive fibers of the meltblown web are generally greater than about 15 microns in diameter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a disposable scrubbing product for use in household cleaning or personal care applications. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a cleaning tool including a handle and a rigid base to which the scrubbing product of the present invention may be attached to form a convenient cleaning tool. The scrubbing product of the invention is a multi-layer laminate product and generally includes at least two distinct layers, an abrasive layer and an absorbent fibrous layer such as a layer tissue made from papermaking fibers, a layer of coform, an airlaid web, or combinations thereof. The abrasive layer is formed primarily of polymeric fibers in a disordered or random distribution as is typical of fibers deposited in meltblown or spunbond processes so as to form an open, porous structure. In one embodiment, the abrasive layer comprises multifilamentary aggregate fibers. In one embodiment, the absorbent fibrous layer is an uncreped, through dried paper web.