Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying the physical characteristics of a web which involves passing the web between at least one pair of interengaged rolls to incrementally stretch the web, and then withdrawing the incrementally stretched web from between the rolls under tension. A web modified according to the disclosed method has desirable breathability and liquid impermeability, as well as extensibility and a soft, cloth-like textured surface. One embodiment of the present invention provides a breathable web comprising a microporous film exhibiting an MVTR of at least about 2000 g/m2/24hr, a dynamic impact value of less than about 10 g/ m2, a bubble pressure at least about 45 psi, and an air flow of at least about 2 liters/m2/s.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid transport member with significantly improved liquid handling capability, which has at least one bulk region and a wall region that completely circumscribes said bulk region, and which comprises a membrane port region and an open port region, whereby the bulk region has an average fluid permeability kb which is higher than the average fluid permeability kp of the membrane port region.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article substaining low vapor phase moisture in the space as enclosed between the article and the wearer in use, such as can be evaluated by measuring relative humidity on a laboratory mannequin, such can be achieved by combining high performance, low rewet absorbent comes with breathable backsheet materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a stable skin care composition disposed on its skin-contacting surface. The skin care composition is readily transferable to the skin via normal contact, wearer motion, and/or body heat. Importantly, the skin care composition contains at least one skin care ingredient imparting visible skin benefits to the skin upon transfer to the skin and at least one rheological agent for stabilizing the composition such that agglomeration, stratification and/or settling of the composition are minimized. The present invention also relates to a process for making the absorbent articles having a stable skin care composition disposed thereon.

Abstract: A film which is water-flushable and biodegradable that is particularly useful as a backsheet for disposable absorbent articles, and in particular flushable interlabial catamenial products. The film comprises: (1) a relatively thin water-impervious biodegradable layer to maintain the integrity of the film during use and to minimize or prevent aqueous liquids from penetrating through the film; (2) a relatively thick substantially water-soluble layer adjacent the water-impervious layer to cause the film to lose integrity after the film is flushed; and (3) a relatively thin substantially water-permeable layer adjacent the water-soluble layer to control the rate at which water and other aqueous liquids contact, dissolve and disintegrate the water-soluble layer.

Abstract: A device of oil removal and transport comprising a bulk material having an inlet region and an outlet region, which is in liquid communication with a reservoir. A membrane is hermitically sealed to or about the inlet region, wherein the membrane is liquid permeable and has an average pore size not greater than 100 micrometers. The invention also relates to a method of oil removal and transport using this device.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, containing cuffs and a topsheet with one or more skin care compositions disposed thereon. The skin care compositions are transferable to the wearer's skin by normal contact and/or wearer motion and/or body heat. The skin care compositions disclosed in the present invention are selected to maintain and/or improve the skin health of the wearer upon transfer during use, for example, to provide a skin protective barrier or a therapeutic benefit; to minimize the abrasion between the cuffs and skin in the area where the cuffs contact the wearer's skin, resulting in less skin irritation; to improve BM clean up on the skin, or to improve the barrier properties of the cuffs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apertured web formed from a polymeric film having permanent hydrophilicity which is suitable for use as a topsheet in an absorbent article. One embodiment of the present invention is a multi-layer polymeric film having a first layer, a second layer, and at least one intermediate layer between the first and second layers, where one of the first or second layers is a block copolymer of a polyether and another polymer and the other layer is a hydrophobic layer as defined herein. Methods of producing such webs are also disclosed. The present invention also pertains to absorbent articles which preferably include a topsheet in accordance with the present invention, a backsheet secured to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article aiming at improved skin aeration by combining the benefits of an absorbent core providing good rewet performance and of using backsheet materials, which, where covering the core area, provide high vapour permeability.

Abstract: Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 50 to 100% by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a Dynamic Gelling Rate of at least about 0.18 g/g/sec; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 25 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) when the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is in the form of particles, a mass median particle size of at least about 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article aiming at improved skin aeration by combining the benefits of an absorbent core providing good rewet performance and of cloth-like backsheet materials, which provide high vapor permeability.

Abstract: A low stress relaxation elastomeric material comprises a block copolymer having an elasotmeric soft block portion and thermoplastic hard block portions, at least one vinylarene resin and mineral oil. The elasotmeric material may be used in a film comprising an elastomeric layer and at least one substantially less elastomeric skin layer. The skin layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer such as polyolefins. The film exhibits desired elastic and stress relaxation properties at body temperature. The film is useful in forming a macroscopically-expanded, three-dimensional elastomeric web.

Abstract: Disclosed are fast blooming surfactants that are suitable for inclusion in film compositions that will subsequently treated with a low surface energy material to create a surface energy gradient between the underlying polymeric structure of the film and spaced apart microscopic depositions of the low surface energy material. The surfactants have a permeation rate of less than 240 hours, a surface tension in an aqueous solution at a concentration that is greater than the critical micelle concentration that lies between the critical surface tension of the underlying polymeric structure of the web material and the critical surface tension of the low surface energy depositions; and an HLB between about 6 and about 16. Preferred surfactants also have a weight loss on heating to 250° C. that is less than about 20%. More preferred surfactants have a hydrophobic chain that is substantially saturated.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a breathable microporous film is disclosed. The breathable microporous film is made by stretching a mixture of a thermoplastic resin and inorganic fillers at least in one direction. At least a part of the breathable microporous film is deformed such that Z number specified by equation (1) is 3.0 or above, wherein MS: average material strain at break of breathable microporous film; AS: average applied strain for deformation; N: neck down prevention coefficient; &sgr;MS: standard deviation of material strain at break; &sgr;AS: standard deviation of applied strain.

Abstract: An apertured polymeric film web having a first surface, a second surface generally parallel to and spaced apart from said first surface, and a plurality of fluid passageways extending between the first surface and the second surface to place the first surface and the second surface in fluid communication with one another. The web is formed of a polymeric film comprising at least one bulk modified layer, the bulk modified layer comprising a substantially homogeneous, stabilized dispersion comprising a comparatively low surface energy material in a polymeric material. The comparatively low surface energy material, referred to herein as a hydrophobic additive, imparts hydrophobicity to the web's first surface, thereby promoting enhanced effectiveness in transporting fluid away from the first surface of the web, particularly when used in combination with a hydrophilic adhesive applied to the web's second surface in a topsheet system of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are absorbent polymer compositions useful in the absorption of body fluids such as urine, menses and the like. In particular, the invention relates to mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions having excellent absorbency performance properties in terms of absorbent capacity under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi and/or 1.4 psi. Certain mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions of the present invention have excellent absorbency properties not only for a synthetic urine with a composition and ionic strength that is typical of young infants but also for a high ionic strength synthetic urine that has a composition and ionic strength that is typical of the urine of older infants and toddlers. The invention also relates to absorbent members comprising the mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions, and absorbent articles comprising the absorbent members.

Abstract: Biodegradable and/or compostable polymers are made from isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene or like conjugated dienes and a crosslinking agent having a cleavable linking group such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. These polymers can be used to make absorbent foams that are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, as well as other biodegradable articles such as films, and latexes useful as binders and adhesives.

Abstract: Porous, absorbent macrostructures having improved fluid handling capabilities that include inter-particle bonded aggregates, and are useful in absorbent articles, such as diapers, adult incontinence pads and sanitary napkins, are disclosed. The inter-particle bonded aggregates of these macrostructures are made from mixtures of particulate absorbent polymers having different fluid handling properties, different shapes, or both. These macrostructures can be made from a wider variety of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers without sacrificing desired fluid handling properties, and without being prone to gel blocking.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a breathable fluid impervious backsheet. The disposable absorbent article preferably includes a fluid pervious topsheet, a breathable, fluid impervious backsheet secured to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The breathable, fluid impervious backsheet exhibits substantially zero dynamic fluid transmission when subjected to an impact energy of about 1000 joules/m2, and exhibits a mass vapor transmission rate of at least about 2000 g/m2/24 hr.

Abstract: A wipe comprising a high internal phase inverse emulsion disposed in a discontinuous pattern on a substrate. The pattern provides areas coated with the emulsion and areas free of the emulsion. Preferably the emulsion is disposed so that the surface area to volume ratio of the emulsion is minimized. The emulsion locally expresses water during use upon the application of pressure to the wipe. The water is useful for cleaning. The discontinuous pattern of the emulsion provides regions of the substrate which are wetted during use and regions which may remain dry. The wetted regions transfer water to the surface to be cleaned. The dry regions then remove the water from the surface for more efficacious cleaning.