Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article has laterally opposed side margins, a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion, and an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article comprises a backsheet layer, and an absorbent retention portion superposed on the backsheet layer. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is superposed on the retention portion to sandwich the retention portion between the topsheet and backsheet layers. A leg elastic connects to each of the side margins of the article to provide elasticized, gathered leg openings. A liquid permeable surge management portion is located adjacent a major facing surface of the topsheet layer. The surge management portion has laterally opposed side edge regions thereof, longitudinally opposed end sections thereof, and an intermediate section which interconnects the end sections. An contracting mechanism is incorporated into the surge management portion, and is constructed to operate separately from the leg elastics.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have a unique elastic waist feature that improve the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. The elastic waist feature comprises an "expansive tummy panel" that is capable of expanding well-beyond the dimensions of the absorbent article set by the primary fastening system (and the original dimensions of the end edge) so as to accommodate wearers, especially large infants, with large expansile waists so as to reduce the sagging/slipping of the absorbent article. The extension forces of the elasticized waistband are lower than the extension forces of the elasticized side panels so as to accommodate such expansion. In preferred embodiments of the elastic waist feature, the elasticized waistband is formed from a stretch laminate.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have a unique elastic waist feature that improves the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a three-dimensional pant body defining a waist opening, two leg openings, and a crotch region. A containment trough formed of liquid,impermeable material has a base portion bonded to the crotch region and integral retaining walls positioned transversely outward from the base portion. The retaining walls are freestanding from the pant body and include elastic members so as to define freestanding, elasticized flaps. An absorbent structure and liner are disposed between the elasticized flaps. To retard liquid movement away from the absorbent structure, the liner is wrapped around the side edges and partly beneath the absorbent structure. Further, an inwardly-directed face of each flap has a first Wicking Value while the liner has a second Wicking Value that is at least 2 times greater than the first Wicking Value on a gram per gram basis.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having side panels that provide inflected barrier cuffs which promotes better containment and fit. The absorbent articles comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; a side panel extending laterally from each longitudinal edge of the absorbent article and having a proximal edge and a distal edge; spacing means for spacing the distal edge away from the liquid-receiving surface (topsheet) of the absorbent article; and a closing means for securing the distal edges inboard of the proximal edges in the front waist region. The distal edge of the side panel is secured inboard of the proximal edges in the front waist region and is disposed outboard of the proximal edge in the rear waist region when fitted to the wearer.

Abstract: A stretchable absorbent article, such as a diaper, a sanitary product or other absorbent member, comprises a liquid permeable layer, and a liquid impermeable elastic layer stretchably secured to the liquid permeable layer at discrete regions so as to form regions of nonsecurement between the discrete regions of securement. The liquid permeable layer forms corrugations at respective regions of nonsecurement for respectively defining channels between the liquid permeable layer and the liquid impermeable elastic layer. Absorbent material is disposed in selected ones of the channels.

Abstract: This diaper comprises at the level of each of its transverse edges, a strip of open cell foam material extending transversely with respect to the diaper and fixed between the support and upper sheets of the latter. These elastic strips are designed to come into elastic contact with the body of a user at the level of the latter's waist. The longitudinal inner and outer edges of each strip communicate respectively with the inner space of the napkin and with the outside of the latter to permit this inner space to communicate thus with the outer space through the thickness of the strips so as to permit the internal ventilation of the napkin.

Abstract: A garment with a backsheet (12), a bodyside liner (14) essentially coterminous with the backsheet (12) and forming a shape with a front waist section (18), a back waist section (20) and side sections connecting the front waist section (18) to the back waist section (20) and first and second flaps (30, 32) formed from or attached to bodyside liner (14). Flaps (30, 32) may have elastic members (40, 42, 48, 50) applied thereto, respectively, at tensions greater than, equal, less than each other. Flaps (30, 32) may be folded inwardly and respective ends thereof may be bonded to bodyside liner (14) so that edges of flaps are directed toward a centerline (38) of the garment. The flaps (30, 32) may be attached to or formed from bodyside liner (14) along lines (34, 36) which are parallel to centerline (38) or which diverge from or converge toward centerline (38). Additionally, flaps (30, 38) may have varying width and be less than full length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casing intended for an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, incontinence guard or like article. The casing (1) includes a front-part (5), a rear-part (10) and an intermediate crotch-part (22) made of flexible casing material. According to the invention, an elastic band (14, 15) is provided on each outer edge of the casing sides, at least within the crotch-part of the casing. The elastic band is attached, in a stretched state, to that side of the casing which lies nearest the skin of the user when the absorbent article is worn, by means of a narrow, elongated join. The elastic bands also include parts which extend transversely in relation to respective joins, in a direction from the joins in towards the central part of the casing.

Abstract: An absorbent article intended for use as a urine-collecting insert in a diaper or an incontinence guard includes an inner casing layer (2) of liquid permeable material, which when the article is worn lies nearest the body of the wearer, an outer liquid permeable casing layer (3) and an absorbent pad (4) located between the casing layers. The outer casing layer (3) has a lower liquid permeability than the inner casing layer (2), such that liquid absorbed by the article is able to pass through the outer casing layer and absorbed by the diaper or incontinence guard, relatively slowly and in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: A closure system for anchoring the absorbent article on the wearer. The closure system provides a primary line of tension around the wearer that fits predominantly within the low motion zone to enhance the dynamic fit and to anchor the absorbent core in place so that it will not slip/slide during use. The primary line of tension established by the closure system is disposed at an angle on the wearer. In preferred embodiments, the closure system is provided with tape tabs of a specified design, to allow the wearer to easily form the "angled" primary line of tension about the wearer. The closure system is also provided with a landing member designed to enhance the opportunity for the user to establish this primary line of tension equally each time the closure system is used.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, that have an elastic leg feature that provides dynamic fit around the leg of the wearer. Such absorbent articles comprise a liquid previous topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and an elastic leg feature comprising an elasticized leg cuff and elasticized thigh panels. The elasticized leg cuff is positioned in at least the center leg zone of the elastic leg feature, and comprises one or more elastic members operatively associated in an elastically contractible condition so that the leg cuff is elastically contractible in generally the longitudinal direction. The elasticized thigh panels comprise a stretch laminate that is mechanically stretched so that the elasticized thigh panel is capable of expanding beyond the original planar state of the absorbent article in at least one direction at an angle from the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the flat manufacture of three-dimensional articles, in particular absorbent disposable articles. According to the invention, a plurality of narrow, flexible absorbent bodies (1.sub.a -1.sub.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a unique elastic feature improving the dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic feature preferably comprises an elastomeric member and a segment of the backsheet; a portion of the backsheet segment coincides with at least a portion of the elastomeric member; this portion of the backsheet segment being mechanically prestrained. Mechanical prestraining of the backsheet segment improves not only the extension of the elastomeric member, but also the heat-shrink contraction of preferred elastomeric members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber based non-pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive composition and disposable diapers of the two or three ply type that are constructed using the adhesive. The rubber based non-pressure sensitive hot melt of the present invention comprises:(A) from about 15% to about 39% of A-B-A or A-B-A-B-A-B multi-block copolymer wherein polymer blocks A are styrene blocks and polymer blocks B are butadiene blocks or hydrogenated butadiene blocks and wherein said polymer blocks A comprise from about 15 parts to about 60 parts per 100 parts polymer;(b) from about 50% to about 75% by weight of one or more compatible tackifying resins having a composite Ring and Ball softening point from about 25.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C.;(c) from about 2.5% to about 10% by weight of one or more waves; and(d) from about 0.1% to about 1.5% by weight of one or more antioxidant type stabilizers.

Abstract: Water resistant films and coatings are prepared by treating films or coatings of water soluble or dispersible grafted proteins prepared with monoethylenically unsaturated monomers at above 40.degree. C. and/or with at least one compound which is a hardener for proteins, and are useful as compostable packaging materials or as outer layers of diapers.

Abstract: Disposable articles that mitigate environmental problems when charged into solid waste landfills have a moisture barrier layer in the form of a compostible flexible sheet composed of 20-80% by weight unvulcanized, uncured C4-C6 alkadiene elastomer, e.g., natural rubber, 5-20% of modifier, e.g., casein, dextrose, starch or mixtures thereof, 1-40% filler, e.g., titanium dioxide or fibrous clay, 0-30% wax, e.g., carnauba wax, 0-40% styrene resin, e.g., polystyrene, 0-10% additive, e.g., bis-steramide, and 0-20% yeast. Typically, the sheets have a thickness of about 1 to 10 mils and an ultimate tensile strength of at least 200 grams per inch of width.

Abstract: An elastomeric nonwoven absorbent web is provided. The web comprises a nonwoven fibrous matrix of elastomeric melt-blown small diameter fibers and absorbent staple fibers or absorbent particulate material, wicking staple fibers, and bulking staple fibers dispersed throughout the matrix. This web is particularly useful in an absorbent elastomeric wound dressing. The wound dressing has a fluid permeable, compliant, low adherency wound contacting layer, an intermediate conformable, fluid-absorbent element, i.e., the elastomeric nonwoven absorbent web, and a soft, compliant cover layer.

Abstract: Body member conformable disposable articles and processes for their preparation are described. A preferred embodiment is a disposable absorbent article comprising a flexible, elastic, moisture impermeable backing film, an absorbent layer superposed thereon and a moisture permeable topsheet joined to the backing film along the edges of the topsheet. A portion of at least one longitudinal edge of the backing film has been folded upon itself and heat sealed together at the fold so that when the backing film is laid flat the aforementioned longitudinal edge will be in stretched condition, thus conferring body member conformability to the article.

Abstract: A disposable diaper in which the backing sheet is a porous, vapor-permeable, liquid-impermeable film made by mixing 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin with from 28 to 200 parts by weight of filler and from 10 to 70 parts by weight of a liquid or wax-like hydrocarbon polymer, molding the mixture to form a film and then stretching the film uniaxially or biaxially so that its dimension after stretching is more than 1.2 times as large as its dimension prior to stretching.

Abstract: A surgical buttressing pledget for use with a suture wherein the pledget comprises a mat of continuous microfibers, wherein said microfibers consist essentially of a segmented urethane polymer.

Abstract: A dental method and apparatus for swiftly performing gingival retraction and conditioning in which a mass of moldable coherent plastic, preferably thixotropic, is lightly pressure molded both into and around the gingival trough of a prepared tooth to apply substantially balanced forces around the gingival flap which maintain the gingival trough without distortion. The moldable mass is rendered hydrosorbent at least on its surface by intimately bonded absorbent fiber, enabling it to absorb all the liquids and debris which would normally preclude the material from flowing into the trough. To effect a slight enlargement of the trough and to prevent prolapse in the case of very narrow troughs a preliminary bead of flowable thixotropic material can be injected into the trough to transmit light lateral outward pressure on the flap when pressed into the trough by the moldable absorbent mass.

Abstract: Styrene-butadiene block copolymers are used as hot melt bonding agents in the formation of disposable laminates by using multi-line adhesive application.

Abstract: A method of making a hydrophobic membrane comprising stabilizing a hydrophobic latex binder by admixture with a fugitive, heat decomposable, hydrophilic surfactant which upon heating yields a hydrophobic residue; applying the latex thus stabilized to a hydrophobic web or substrate of non-woven fibers and then heating the coated web to decompose the surfactant to provide a dry hydrophobic web containing the hydrophobic residue of the surfactant.

Abstract: A nether garment of the bifurcated underwear type having mounted on the crotch segment rearwardly of the central portion thereon a pair of spaced parallel pockets. The pockets are configured to receive pads or blocks of suitable cushiony material capable of supporting the garment wearer's body in certain desired areas. The pocketed pads or blocks tend to relieve or restrict pressure that would normally be applied to the areas of the wearer's body located between said pads or blocks.

Abstract: An elasticized waist diaper in which a layer of elastic material is positioned in an opening in the waist area of a diaper. The elastic layer is located such that it forms a portion of the waist edge of the diaper. The elastic layer may be formed from the same piece of elastic material as is used for the diaper leg elastic.