Abstract: Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that includes superabsorbent particles containing a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more.

Abstract: A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method generally includes traversing a bundle of the fibers over one or more draw bars that are in contact with a fluidic medium (e.g., water). In certain embodiments, for example, the draw bar(s) are submerged in the fluidic medium. The fluidic medium is lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer.

Abstract: Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.

Abstract: A polymeric material having a multimodal pore size distribution is provided. The material is formed by applying a stress to a thermoplastic composition that contains first and second inclusion additives dispersed within a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. Through the use of particular types of inclusion additives and careful control over the manner in which such additives are dispersed within the polymer matrix, the present inventors have discovered that a unique, multimodal porous structure can be achieved.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.

Abstract: Superabsorbent particles having a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers are provided. The superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less.

Abstract: A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method includes traversing a bundle of the fibers through a multi-stage drawing system that includes at least a first fluidic drawing stage and a second fluidic drawing stage. The first drawing stage employs a first fluidic medium having a first temperature and the second drawing stage employs a second fluidic medium having a second temperature. The first and second temperatures are both lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer, and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.

Abstract: Stretchable elastic laminates having an improved cloth-like appearance, as well as methods of preparing the laminates, are disclosed herein. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to methods of preparing tissue-elastic laminates with uniform tissue fractures as the laminate is stretched 50%, or even 100%, or more in at least one of the machine direction (MD) or cross direction (CD).

Abstract: A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method generally includes traversing a bundle of the fibers over one or more draw bars that are in contact with a fluidic medium (e.g., water). In certain embodiments, for example, the draw bar(s) are submerged in the fluidic medium. The fluidic medium is lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer.

Abstract: A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method includes traversing a bundle of the fibers through a multi-stage drawing system that includes at least a first fluidic drawing stage and a second fluidic drawing stage. The first drawing stage employs a first fluidic medium having a first temperature and the second drawing stage employs a second fluidic medium having a second temperature. The first and second temperatures are both lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer, and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.

Abstract: A polymeric material having a multimodal pore size distribution is provided. The material is formed by applying a stress to a thermoplastic composition that contains first and second inclusion additives dispersed within a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. Through the use of particular types of inclusion additives and careful control over the manner in which such additives are dispersed within the polymer matrix, the present inventors have discovered that a unique, multimodal porous structure can be achieved.

Abstract: An electronic discriminating device incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array, a controller, and a signaling device that may indicate the presence of urine and/or bowel movement is disclosed. In particular, the electronic discriminating device can discriminate between an insult of urine only and an insult containing bowel movement. The device can then generate different alerts based on the type of insult. The electronic discriminating device may also emit a signal at or near the opening of an absorbent article or transmit the alert wirelessly to a radio, computer device, or smartphone.

Abstract: Stretchable elastic laminates having an improved cloth-like appearance, as well as methods of preparing the laminates, are disclosed herein. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to methods of preparing tissue-elastic laminates with uniform tissue fractures as the laminate is stretched 50%, or even 100%, or more in at least one of the machine direction (MD) or cross direction (CD).

Abstract: A visually-coordinated absorbent product includes an absorbent article component including a garment side outer cover and a body side liner, wherein the article component has at least a first and second visual characteristic, and wherein the first visual characteristic is different from the second visual characteristic. The absorbent product also includes a first packaging component including at least first and second visual characteristics, wherein first and second visual characteristics of the absorbent article are coordinated to the first and second visual characteristics of the packaging component, and wherein at least a portion of one of the garment side outer cover and the body side liner is configured with the article component first visual characteristic and at least a portion of one of the garment side outer cover and the body side liner is configured with the article component second visual characteristic.

Abstract: A visually-coordinated absorbent product includes an absorbent article component including a garment side outer cover and a body side liner, wherein the article component has at least a first and second visual characteristic, and wherein the first visual characteristic is different from the second visual characteristic. The absorbent product also includes a first packaging component including at least first and second visual characteristics, wherein first and second visual characteristics of the absorbent article are coordinated to the first and second visual characteristics of the packaging component, and wherein at least a portion of one of the garment side outer cover and the body side liner is configured with the article component first visual characteristic and at least a portion of one of the garment side outer cover and the body side liner is configured with the article component second visual characteristic.

Abstract: An absorbent article incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array that may indicate the presence of a body exudate is disclosed. In particular, the absorbent article includes at least a non-contact electronic sensor array that may include one or more gas sensors, a controller and a signaling device. The signaling device is capable of alerting a user (wearer or caregiver) that an insult of urine or bowel movement has occurred. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the non-contact electronic sensor array, controller and signaling device to an absorbent article.

Abstract: There is provided a method for promoting hygiene and reducing illness in a resident care location. The method collects data from a resident care location by testing common areas and personal areas within the resident care location, uses data specific to each resident, uses this data to develop tasks for the caregiver(s), measures and scores compliance with the tasks, and provides feedback for improved compliance with the tasks.

Abstract: An absorbent article incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array that may indicate the presence of a body exudate is disclosed. In particular, the absorbent article includes at least a non-contact electronic sensor array that may include one or more gas sensors, a controller and a signaling device. The signaling device is capable of alerting a user (wearer or caregiver) that an insult of urine or bowel movement has occurred. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the non-contact electronic sensor array, controller and signaling device to an absorbent article.

Abstract: An electronic discriminating device incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array, a controller, and a signaling device that may indicate the presence of urine and/or bowel movement is disclosed. In particular, the electronic discriminating device can discriminate between an insult of urine only and an insult containing bowel movement. The device can then generate different alerts based on the type of insult. The electronic discriminating device may also emit a signal at or near the opening of an absorbent article or transmit the alert wirelessly to a radio, computer device, or smartphone.