Abstract: Disclosed are non-wood pulps having a fiber length greater than about 1.70 mm and a Very Long Fiber (VLF) content of about 0.50% or less. The fibers are readily dispersible in water and useful in the formation of fibrous sheets, particularly wet-laid sheets and more particularly wet-laid tissue sheets having a relatively low basis weight. In addition of having a relatively long fiber length and a low VLF content, the pulps may also have a Dispersivity Index of about 2.00 or less, which is indicative of a relatively narrow fiber length distribution. The pulps may be prepared from plants of the family Asparagaceae by mechanical pulping and more preferably by a chemi-mechanical pulping process using an alkaline and hydrogen peroxide where the plant biomass is cut to size prior to pulping.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet-laid tissue product comprising regenerated cellulose fibers that can provide 25 percent or less of the total weight of the wet-laid tissue product. The regenerated cellulose fibers can have a linear density of less than about 1.5 dtex and a fiber length of less than 6.0 mm. The wet-laid tissue product can provide improvements in softness at a given strength. The products may also have improved wet physical properties when regenerated cellulose fibers are presented, such as improved wet tensile strength and wet burst. The improvement in wet physical properties does not come at the expense of dispersibility, as the products are readily dispersible and, in some instances, have improved dispersibility compared to similar products prepared entirely from conventional wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a through-air dried tissue product comprising regenerated cellulose fibers that can provide 25 percent or less of the total weight of the through-air dried tissue product. The regenerated cellulose fibers can have a linear density less than about 1.5 dtex and a fiber length of less than 6.0 mm. The through-air dried tissue product can provide improvements in softness at a given strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet-laid tissue product comprising regenerated cellulose fibers that can provide 25 percent or less of the total weight of the wet-laid tissue product. The regenerated cellulose fibers can have a linear density of less than about 1.5 dtex and a fiber length of less than 6.0 mm. The wet-laid tissue product can provide improvements in softness at a given strength. The products may also have improved wet physical properties when regenerated cellulose fibers are presented, such as improved wet tensile strength and wet burst. The improvement in wet physical properties does not come at the expense of dispersibility, as the products are readily dispersible and, in some instances, have improved dispersibility compared to similar products prepared entirely from conventional wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a through-air dried tissue product comprising regenerated cellulose fibers that can provide 25 percent or less of the total weight of the through-air dried tissue product. The regenerated cellulose fibers can have a linear density less than about 1.5 dtex and a fiber length of less than 6.0 mm. The through-air dried tissue product can provide improvements in softness at a given strength.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liquid permeable liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover for absorbing liquid body waste. A flow control layer is disposed between the liner and the absorbent body. The flow control layer is adapted to retard the flow of liquid body waste penetrating the liner toward the absorbent body. The flow control layer has a plurality of apertures for permitting at least some of the liquid body waste that passes through the liner to flow past the flow control layer toward the absorbent body without migrating laterally outward around lateral side edges of the flow control layer.

Abstract: A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an effervescent agent is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an effervescent agent which releases gas upon being contacted by urine. The effervescent agent may be in the form of a compound containing a substantially inert gas, or may be a combination of compounds that, upon being contacted by urine, produce a gas.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a liner, an outer cover and an absorbent body therebetween for absorbing liquid body waste penetrating the liner. In one embodiment, the absorbent body has an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer has a lower absorbent capacity per unit weight than the outer layer. A flow control layer between the inner layer and the outer layer at least retards the flow of liquid body waste from the inner layer to the outer layer to facilitate a prolonged feeling of wetness to the wearer. In another embodiment, a surge layer lies between the liner and an absorbent body. A flow control layer between the liner and the surge layer, or between the surge layer and the absorbent body, at least retards the flow of liquid body waste through the surge layer toward the absorbent body.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liner, an outer cover and an absorbent body therebetween for absorbing liquid body waste penetrating the liner. A flow control layer having lateral side edges is positioned between the liner and the absorbent body, with at least a portion of each lateral side edge of the flow control layer spaced laterally inward from lateral side edges of the absorbent body. The flow control layer is at least in part liquid impermeable to retard the flow of liquid body waste penetrating the liner toward the absorbent body whereby at least a portion of the liquid body waste that penetrates the liner is directed by the flow control layer to migrate laterally outward toward the lateral side edges of the flow control layer for subsequent flow around the flow control layer toward the absorbent body.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liquid permeable liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover for absorbing liquid body waste. A flow control layer is disposed between the liner and the absorbent body. The flow control layer is adapted to retard the flow of liquid body waste penetrating the liner toward the absorbent body. The flow control layer has a plurality of apertures for permitting at least some of the liquid body waste that passes through the liner to flow past the flow control layer toward the absorbent body without migrating laterally outward around lateral side edges of the flow control layer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises a liner, an outer cover and an absorbent body therebetween for absorbing liquid body waste penetrating the liner. In one embodiment, the absorbent body comprises an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer has a lower absorbent capacity per unit weight than the outer layer. A flow control layer between the inner layer and the outer layer at least retards the flow of liquid body waste from the inner layer to the outer layer to facilitate a prolonged feeling of wetness to the wearer. In another embodiment, a surge layer lies between the liner and an absorbent body. A flow control layer between the liner and the surge layer, or between the surge layer and the absorbent body, at least retards the flow of liquid body waste through the surge layer toward the absorbent body.

Abstract: A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an effervescent agent is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an effervescent agent which releases gas upon being contacted by urine. The effervescent agent may be in the form of a compound containing a substantially inert gas, or may be a combination of compounds that, upon being contacted by urine, produce a gas.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.

Abstract: In a method for alerting the wearer of an absorbent article to the wearer's release of liquid body waste to the article, a flow control layer is placed between a liner and an absorbent body of the article to substantially retard the flow of liquid body waste from the liner to the absorbent body. Liquid body waste is pooled adjacent the liner whereby the pooled liquid body waste flows back through the liner and contacts the wearer's skin to thereby alert the wearer to the release of liquid body waste.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liner, an outer cover and an absorbent body therebetween for absorbing liquid body waste penetrating the liner. A flow control layer having lateral side edges is positioned between the liner and the absorbent body, with at least a portion of each lateral side edge of the flow control layer spaced laterally inward from lateral side edges of the absorbent body. The flow control layer is at least in part liquid impermeable to retard the flow of liquid body waste penetrating the liner toward the absorbent body whereby at least a portion of the liquid body waste that penetrates the liner is directed by the flow control layer to migrate laterally outward toward the lateral side edges of the flow control layer for subsequent flow around the flow control layer toward the absorbent body.

Abstract: In a method for alerting the wearer of an absorbent article to the wearer's release of liquid body waste to the article, a flow control layer is placed between a liner and an absorbent body of the article to substantially retard the flow of liquid body waste from the liner to the absorbent body. Liquid body waste is pooled adjacent the liner whereby the pooled liquid body waste flows back through the liner and contacts the wearer's skin to thereby alert the wearer to the release of liquid body waste.

Abstract: Airlaid paper wiping products are disclosed having improved wipe dry characteristics in conjunction with softness properties. The wiping products are formed from an airlaid nonwoven web containing pulp fibers. The pulp fibers, in one embodiment, may include low coarseness softwood fibers, such as low coarseness softwood fibers. A bonding material may be applied to one or both sides of the nonwoven web. The wiping product can be used as a paper towel, industrial wiper, and the like.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article for personal wear has a generally liquid permeable liner adapted for contiguity with the wearer's skin, and an outer cover. An absorbent body lies between the liner and the outer cover for absorbing liquid body waste. A surge layer lies between the liner and the absorbent body for receiving liquid body waste penetrating the liner and for subsequently releasing liquid body waste to the absorbent body. The surge layer has an inner surface, an outer surface generally facing the absorbent body and an opening extending from its inner surface toward its outer surface. A flow control layer between the liner and the absorbent body at least retards the flow of liquid body waste from the surge layer opening to the absorbent body to facilitate a prolonged feeling of wetness against the wearer's skin upon the release of liquid body waste into the article.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.

Abstract: A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.