Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper has an outer layer of a porous fabric and an inner absorbent core. A separator layer of thermally bonded nonwoven fabric is positioned between the outer layer and the core to minimize rewet by liquids. The fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the separator layer have a diameter greater than 28 microns, and at least 5 crimps per extended inch, and the fabric has a porosity of about 90-95%, to provide superior rewet properties.

Abstract: An absorbent article has an absorbent core and a liquid permeable top sheet made of polyolefin material. An acquisition layer is provided between the top sheet and the core. The acquisition layer is a nonwoven fabric made from polyolefin fibers bonded by a cured resin. The acquisition layer has a larger pore size than the top sheet and is treated with a surface active agent to render it hydrophilic.

Abstract: A patterned nonwoven fabric comprising polymeric strands which include a primary polymeric component and are bonded together without the use of compression, but instead with a heat activated adhesive polymeric component which adheres the respective primary components together. The fabric has an embossed pattern of densified areas separated by high loft areas. Preferably, the strands are continuous, crimped, multicomponent filaments. Also preferably, the nonwoven fabric is laminated to a liquid barrier film to form an outercover material for products such as personal care absorbent articles, and the like. Methods for making these materials are also encompassed.

Abstract: A tampon is disclosed which exhibits low frictional drag during insertion into and withdrawal from a woman's vagina. The tampon includes an absorbent compressed into a generally cylindrical shape and a liquid-permeable cover which surrounds at least a portion of the absorbent. The cover is treated with an aqueous solution having a viscosity of at least 50 cps at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. The solution includes a lubricant and at least about 3 percent by weight of a polymer. The polymer serving to prevent the lubricant from migrating away from the cover such that the tampon retains a sufficient amount of lubricant to facilitate comfortable withdrawal from the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses flushable compositions and flushable products, such as flushable personal hygiene articles, flushable medical, hospital and surgical supplies, and flushable household wipes and packaging material that have sufficient wet tensile strength for their intended use, particularly prolonged or extended use, in the presence of body waste fluids, but which disintegrate and disperse in the presence of ordinary tap water so as to be flushable in a conventional toilet and disposable in municipal or private sewage systems without obstructing or clogging the toilet or sewage system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-color printed nonwoven laminate and a process for producing the laminate. The laminate includes a fibrous nonwoven web facing layer and a substrate layer bonded to the facing layer by a plurality of colored adhesive inks applied in a discrete bond pattern between the facing and substrate layers. The inks must provide a cohesion strength between the layers of at least about 38,000 N/m.sup.2 and the inks must be visible through the surface or the facing layer. The laminate so produced has good delamination characteristics, is aesthetically pleasing and the printed patterns are resistant to abrasion due to the position and nature of the inks. Suitable uses include an outercover for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, bandages and the like as well as a material for use as all or a portion of an article of clothing or a surgical drape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lightweight nonwoven laminate particularly useful as a component of personal care articles, for example as a barrier cuff material for disposable diapers. Components of the laminate include at least one fine fiber layer having a basis weight in the range of from about 1.5 gsm to 26 gsm and at least one continuous filament layer having a basis weight in the range of from about 10 gsm to 30 gsm. The fine fiber component comprises at least a ratio of 5% and the layers are intermittently bonded for a total basis weight up to about 55 gsm. Desirable softness, breathability and barrier properties are obtained.

Abstract: A patterned nonwoven fabric comprising polymeric strands which include a primary polymeric component and are bonded together without the use of compression, but instead with a heat activated adhesive polymeric component which adheres the respective primary components together. The fabric has an embossed pattern of densified areas separated by high loft areas. Preferably, the strands are continuous, crimped, multicomponent filaments. Also preferably, the nonwoven fabric is laminated to a liquid barrier film to form an outercover material for products such as personal care absorbent articles, and the like. Methods for making these materials are also encompassed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a synthetic fecal fluid composition which is useful with respect to the development of personal care devices such as diapers, training pants and incontinence garments which serve to collect and contain fecal matter. The synthetic fecal fluid composition of the present invention has a greater ability to retain liquid thereby improving its simulation of the actual material. As a result, this material is an improvement over prior materials which dewatered too quickly and therefore acted as poor supplements for use in the testing and development of personal care products. the composition contains a mixture of approximately 70 to 90% by weight of liquid such as water and approximately 10 to 30% by weight of solids including both water-soluble and water-insoluble components.

Abstract: Disclosed is an odor-absorbing, non-dusting porous web material and a method of making the same. The web material includes a porous base web (for example, a fibrous base web, such as a non-woven or paper web) having distributed throughout odor-absorbing particulate (such as zeolite). Alkaline salt or alkaline earth oxide particulate, to better effect removal of acidic malodor, desirably also is distributed throughout the base web, in the final product. The odor-absorbing particulate is bound to the base web (e.g., fibers of a fibrous base web) by a binding system, containing a binding agent. The binding system, in the odor-absorbing web materials, is transparent to the odors so as not to substantially effect the ability of the particulate to absorb odor-causing material.

Abstract: An absorbent pad has a cover formed of non-woven fibrous material, which is coated with a fluorocarbon polymer and odor absorber(s). The cover sheet is apertured around a critical zone to overcome undesired surface tension effects. The method of producing the cover includes providing a water-based mixture that includes 1% by weight of a fluorocarbon composition. An odor absorbing reagent is added to the mixture which then is applied to a nonwoven web of fibrous material. The treated web is dried to remove the excess water from the mixture, and the fluorocarbon composition component is cured to form a hydrophobic coating around the reagent and to bind the reagent to the web. The drying and curing steps can be accomplished by applying a flow of air heated to a temperature in a range from about 100.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. to the web until the water has been removed.

Abstract: A breathable, multilayer, clothlike barrier especially suitable for use as an outer cover or baffle in such disposable absorbent articles as diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinent pads, which barrier has at least three layers:A. a first layer which is a porous meltblown nonwoven web having a first side and a second side;B. a second layer joined to the first side of the first layer, which second layer is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which:the film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; andthe film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; andC.

Abstract: A breathable barrier which includes:A. a first layer which is a porous sheet having a first side and a second side; andB.

Abstract: A breathable clothlike barrier which includes a defensive composite having at least two layers:A. a first layer which is a clothlike porous substrate having a first side and a second side, in which:the first layer has a nominal basis weight of at least about 10 g/m.sup.2 ;the fibers comprising the first layer have an average fiber diameter in the range of from about 0.01 to about 10 microns; andeach of substantially all of the pores at the surface of the first side of the first layer has a cross-sectional area of from about 6.times.10.sup.-16 m.sup.2 to about 2.times.10.sup.-9 m.sup.2 ; andB. a second layer joined to the first side of the first layer, which second layer is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which:the film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; andthe film has an average thickness of (a) from about 3 to about 25 microns when the basis weight of the first layer is at least about 20 g/m.sup.

Abstract: A baffle having a central zone extending along at least a portion of its length,A. the central zone being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 1 to about 3 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 50 to about 2,5000 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours,B. with the non-central zone portions of the baffle being impermeable to menses under a dead weight pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 1,500 to about 5,000 g/m.sup.2 /24/ hours;with the proviso that the water vapor transmission rate of the central zone is less than that of the non-central zone portions of the baffle.