Abstract: Disclosed herein are multicomponent fibers, and particularly sheath-and-core type multicomponent fibers including elastic polymers. The multicomponent fibers have at least three cross sectional elements, wherein a first cross sectional element is an outer sheath element, the second cross sectional element is an inner sheath element, and the third cross sectional element may be either a hollow element or a filled core element.

Abstract: This invention is a surge material having permanent storage properties that results in faster intake and greater saturation capacity and reduced fluid flowback. More specifically the invention is a surge material with a superabsorbent material printed on in a pattern of discrete regions. The objective of the invention is obtained by printing, or other known application process, a liquid superabsorbent precursor solution containing a crosslinkable composition onto a surge material and then curing the printed surge material to crosslink the polymers to get a surge material having discrete regions of superabsorbent material in the surge material. This invention is also useful in making an absorbent core of an absorbent article with improved strength, increased absorbency, and decreased shedding of superabsorbent material.

Abstract: There is provided a resilient, three dimensional material having fibrous texture and appearance and capable of fluid handling. It consists of a top surface and a bottom surface wherein fiber-like elements typically extend from one surface to the other forming flat to undulating surfaces characterized by a multiplicity of interconnected fluid passageways. Deformed, discontinuous film-like or encapsulated regions connect fiber-like elements and stabilize the material. The material of this invention is unique based on the three principle characteristics which are communicated in this application: 1) ff(?)<0.87, 2) SA/VV<186 cm2/cm3, and 3) caliper<0.150 inches. This material is useful for a number of purposes, such as for use as a liner for personal care products like diapers, absorbent underpants, swim wear, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products and the like.

Abstract: A nonwoven surge material for personal care products, which is a nonwoven fabric made of a homogeneous blend of large and small denier fibers. The small or first denier fiber preferably has an average denier less than 2, is at least 3 denier less than the second or larger fiber and the large or second denier fiber has an average denier between 4 and 15. The nonwoven fabric is a mixture of these fibers in amounts of from 25 to 75 weight percent of each type of fiber. The fabric may have a basis weight between 30 and 200 gsm. The first denier fiber may be a bicomponent fiber which may be a sheath/core polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber. The second denier fiber may be made from a polyester. It is also possible that the fibers have a hydrophilic treatment added to their surface to increase their hydrophilicity.

Abstract: There is provided a new nonwoven surge material for personal care products made of fibers, which is a nonwoven fabric made of a homogeneous blend of large and small denier fibers. The small or first denier fiber preferably has an average denier less than 2, is at least 3 denier less than the second or larger fiber and the large or second denier fiber has an average denier between 4 and 15. The first denier fiber may have a denier less than 1 and the second denier fiber may have a denier between 6 and 15. The nonwoven fabric is a mixture of these fibers in amounts of from 25 to 75 weight percent of each type of fiber. The fabric may have a basis weight between 30 and 200 gsm. The first denier fiber may be a bicomponent fiber which may be a sheath/core polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber. The second denier fiber may be made from a polyester. It is also possible that the fibers have a hydrophilic treatment added to their surface to increase their hydrophilicity.

Abstract: A fiber is provided wherein the fiber contains an energy receptive additive. The fiber provides rapid heating when subjected to dielectric energy such as radio frequency or microwave radiation. The energy receptive additive has a dielectric loss of between about 0.5 and 15, preferably between 1 and 15 and most preferably between 5 and 15. The fibers may be crimped, extensible or elastic.

Abstract: This invention is a surge material having permanent storage properties that results in faster intake and greater saturation capacity and reduced fluid flowback. More specifically the invention is a surge material with a superabsorbent material printed on in a pattern of discrete regions. The objective of the invention is obtained by printing, or other known application process, a liquid superabsorbent precursor solution containing a crosslinkable composition onto a surge material and then curing the printed surge material to crosslink the polymers to get a surge material having discrete regions of superabsorbent material in the surge material. This invention is also useful in making an absorbent core of an absorbent article with improved strength, increased absorbency, and decreased shedding of superabsorbent material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article for absorbing fluids and exudates, such as urine. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent garments which are configured to absorb body exudates while also helping to reduce the relative humidity in the environment of the article, to reduce skin-exudate contact and to reduced undesired skin hydration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article for absorbing fluids and exudates, such as urine. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent garments which are configured to absorb body exudates while also helping to reduce the relative humidity in the environment of the article, to reduce skin-exudate contact and to reduced undesired skin hydration.

Abstract: There is provided a new structural composite comprising a web of Z-directionally oriented fibers. The web must contain a large percentage of superabsorbent fibers and the balance of the fibers may be synthetic or natural fibers. Binder fibers are present and should be present in an amount of between 10 and 45 weight percent, more particularly about 30 weight percent. Polyethylene/polypropylene side-by-side or sheath/core bicomponent fibers are particularly well suited for this purpose. Natural fibers or synthetic fibers that are hydrophilic may also be added to the web in order to control the wettability of the web. Pulp, cotton, and Rayon are suitable for this purpose and may be present in an amount between 0 and 40 weight percent, more particularly about 20 to 30 percent. These materials are suitable for use in personal care products like diapers, training pants, incontinence products, bandages, and sanitary napkins.

Abstract: There is provided a corrugated nonwoven web where at least 40 percent of the web surface area is made from fusible fibers. The corrugated web is bonded such that no gaps are present between the folds of the web. Such webs provide comparable compression resistance and resiliency to, and greater void volume than, webs having a conventional X-Y plane fiber alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and a valving means, the valving means comprising at least one one-way valve and a connection means which permits the connection of a pumping means, wherein the valving means allows air to be distributed into one or more regions of the article. The valving means of the article allows air to be discharged into the article in a region between a wearer's skin and the product.

Abstract: There is provided a fibrous web which includes a binder and which is compressed to a density of up to about 0.3 g/cc. The web may preferably be formed by the bonded carded web process or air lay process. The binder may depend on hydrogen bonding using moisture or may be a non-aqueous solution, a powder, a fibrous binder or a conjugate fiber binder including a moisture triggerable component. Conjugate fibers may be crimped. When wetted the web of this invention should expand rapidly to greater than 80% of its uncompressed thickness and greater than 90% of its thickness when saturated if starting from the uncompressed state.

Abstract: There is provided a corrugated nonwoven web where at least 40 percent of the web surface area is made from fusible fibers. The corrugated web is bonded such that no gaps are present between the folds of the web. Such webs provide comparable compression resistance and resiliency to, and greater void volume than, webs having a conventional X-Y plane fiber alignment.

Abstract: There is provided a fibrous web which includes a binder and which is compressed to a density of up to about 0.3 g/cc. The web may preferably be formed by the bonded carded web process or air lay process. The binder may depend on hydrogen bonding using moisture or may be a non-aqueous solution, a powder, a fibrous binder or a conjugate fiber binder including a moisture triggerable component. Conjugate fibers may be crimped. When wetted the web of this invention should expand rapidly to greater than 80% of its uncompressed thickness and greater than 90% of its thickness when saturated if starting from the uncompressed state.