Abstract: There is provided an intake/distribution layer for personal care products which is a co-apertured distribution layer and a transfer delay layer between them. The co-apertured distribution and transfer delay layer can serve to store liquid and release it to an absorbent core in a personal care product at a rate at which the core can absorb. This ability to accept irregular and large flow rates makes the layer of this invention particularly well suited for “gush” management. The distribution layer is preferably an airlaid fabric and the transfer delay layer is preferably a spunbond fabric and they are co-apertured using a pin density of preferably about 2.5 pins/cm2.

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 personal care absorbent article having an absorbent core that has been treated in a manner, or is made from materials, that inhibit the transfer of liquid through the structure in the target area. The distribution layer above the core could likewise be treated in a manner that discourages Z-directional fluid movement. A separate transfer delay layer is avoided, thereby simplifying manufacture and reducing costs.

Abstract: There is provided an absorbent system for personal care products which may be transversely divided into about an equally sized center zone, two intermediate zones and two end zones where the ratio of the amount of liquid stored in the center zone to the amount of liquid stored in at least one of the end zones 30 minutes each of three insults of 80 ml according to a MIST Evaluation Test after less than 5:1. Such an absorbent system may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: A film cover for use in absorbent materials such as feminine care products, surgical drapes, fenestration reinforcement, absorbent pads and the like including a polymeric film having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface and forming a plurality of apertures, at least a portion of which have an aperture region having a higher wettability than a portion of the top planar surface of the polymeric film.

Abstract: There is provided a feminine hygiene pad comprising a cover adjacent a capillarity fabric having regions of high and low capillarity, which is adjacent a retention layer. In a preferred embodiment, a creped spunbond layer is used as the cover material and a co-apertured intake/distribution layer and transfer delay layer are the capillarity fabric. Combining these improvements into an integrated absorbent system allows the successful achievement of variable flow management and a successful balance between intake and cover desorption properties. The result is improved multiple intake performance and a clean and dry cover surface during use.

Abstract: A multilayer material suitable for use as a cover or topsheet for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary pads, adult incontinence garments, training pants and the like having a top layer and a bottom, where the top layer forms a plurality of apertures and contacts the bottom layer in land areas disposed between the apertures. The bottom layer has a permeability substantially equivalent to, or higher than, the top layer.

Abstract: There is provided an absorbent system for personal care products which may be transversely divided into about an equally sized center zone, two intermediate zones and two end zones where the ratio of the amount of liquid stored in the center zone to the amount of liquid stored in at least one of the end zones 30 minutes after each of three insults of 80 ml according to a MIST Evaluation Test is less than 5:1. Such an absorbent system may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: There is provided a surge material for personal care products which is a wettable web of fibers of 30 microns in diameter or less where the web has a permeability between about 250 and 1500 Darcys, a capillary tension between about 1.5 and 5 cm, and which maintains that permeability and capillary tension over the life of the web. Its preferred that the web have a density between about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.07 g/cc.

Abstract: There is provided a surge material for personal care products which is a wettable web of fibers of 30 microns in diameter or less where the web has a permeability between about 250 and 1500 Darcys, a capillary tension between about 1.5 and 5 cm, and which maintains that permeability and capillary tension over the life of the web. Its preferred that the web have a density between about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.07 g/cc.

Abstract: A multifunctional material is provided for use in personal care products. The multifunctional material has a permeability between 100 and 10000 Darcys and a capillary tension between about 2 and 15 cm. Structures containing this multifunctional material can have a runoff rate of less than 25 ml per 100 ml insult, over its life. The multifunctional material should have between about 30 and 75 weight percent of a slow rate superabsorbent, between 25 and 70 weight percent of pulp and from a positive amount up to about 10 percent of a binder component. The material preferably has a density between about 0.05 and 0.5 g/cc. The material has a liquid pass through function which desorbs a surge material across time frames consistent with user conditions and releases the liquid for distribution to remote storage locations. The material, when combined with the intake and distribution materials, defines a composite structure for use in personal care products.