Abstract: An apparatus and process for making the fibrous structure, having three four, and more regions. The process is similar to known papermaking techniques, but comprises the additional steps of applying a differential pressure to selected regions of the fibrous structure which are not coincident with the regions of the fibrous structure defined by the apparatus in prior steps of the papermaking process. The selective application of noncoincident differential pressure to selected regions of the fibrous structure may result in densification or dedensification of such regions.

Abstract: Strong, soft, and low dusting tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent sanitary products such as bath tissue, facial tissue, and absorbent towels are disclosed. The tissue papers comprise fibers such as wood pulp and a non-cellulosic, water insoluble particulate filler such as kaolin clay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins worn by women. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as thin sanitary napkins, that are stretchable, especially in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A diaper containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition reduces the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up, and improves skin softness. The lotion composition comprises a liquid polyol polyester and an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or paraffin wax to immobilize the liquid polyol polyester on the surface of the diaper topsheet. The polyol polyester(s) remains at or near the skin surface, providing the desired BM cleaning and/or therapeutic benefits.

Abstract: A multi-region paper structure having a transition region interconnecting relatively thinner regions is disclosed. The paper structure comprises a first region, a patterned second region, a third region, and transition region. The transition region interconnects the patterned second region with a background matrix. The background matrix comprises the first region and the third region. The first region comprises a plurality of discrete protuberances dispersed throughout the third region. The first and second regions are disposed at different elevations, and each has a thickness less than a thickness of the transition region. An apparatus and process for making the paper structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diaper containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition reduces the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up, and improves skin softness. The lotion composition comprises a solid polyol polyester and an emollient to improve the lubricity of the solid polyol polyester. The polyol polyester(s) and emollient remains at or near the skin surface, providing the desired BM cleaning or therapeutic benefits.

Abstract: Thermally bonded absorbent structures for catamenial products, in particular catamenial pads, that provide improved ability in acquiring, distributing and storing aqueous body fluids, especially menstrual fluids, as well as better fit and comfort for the user of the products. These structures comprise an optional thermally bonded secondary topsheet, a thermally bonded absorbent core having a relatively higher capillary suction primary fluid distribution layer, an optional but preferred relatively lower capillary suction secondary distribution layer, a storage layer having absorbent gelling material, and an optional fibrous "dusting" layer. These thermally bonded absorbent structures are particularly useful with catamenial pads having a primary fluid pervious topsheet selected from apertured formed film topsheets and high loft nonwoven topsheets.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a waist pocket cuff is disclosed. The pocket cuff has first and second portions separable along a predetermined line of weakness. The predetermined line of weakness can comprise a line of spaced apart perforations.

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 60 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 Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

Abstract: Described herein is a multiple layer absorbent core having a front ear section, a crotch section and a back ear section, wherein the machine direction length of the crotch section equals the combined machine direction length of the front ear section and the back ear section, the angle and radii forming the transition from the crotch width to the ear width being equal, the core being suitable for use in an absorbent article, and a method for manufacturing such multiple layer absorbent core.

Abstract: A loop fastening material having an elastomeric backing joined with a nonwoven web. The backing preferably comprises an elongated orientation, a relaxed orientation and a path of response along which the backing contracts from its elongated orientation to its relaxed orientation. The nonwoven web preferably comprises filaments that are secured to each other at fixed regions by inter-fiber bonds forming a nonwoven web bonding pattern comprising nonwoven web bonding pattern elements. Between the fixed regions, the nonwoven web preferably comprises unsecured regions. The nonwoven web is preferably joined with the backing while the backing is in its elongated orientation. Construction bonds forming a construction bond pattern join the nonwoven web with the backing. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the construction bond pattern intersects with at least two points of each nonwoven web bonding pattern element.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is disclosed having an absorbent core comprising a central core segment and two side core segments. The sanitary napkin also includes a lifting member for displacing the central core segment relative to the side core segments.

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: A disposable absorbent article for wearing about a wearer's lower torso is provided. The disposable absorbent article comprises: a chassis; an absorbent assembly joined to the chassis; and seams joining the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis so as to form two leg openings and a waist opening. A bloused outer layer has a pattern imprinted thereon such that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly joined thereto is substantially unnoticeable to a viewer thereby providing a very garment like appearance to the absorbent article.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine which receives a strip or strips of material, rotates the strip or strips, and transfers the strip or strips to sheet material. The machine comprises a plurality of tables including first and second adjacent tables, and a conveyor connected to the tables for moving the tables sequentially through first and second zones and through at least one turning zone which is between the first and second zones, the adjacent tables when in the first zone having an initial orientation and having adjacent edges which are closely spaced. The turning zone includes a mechanism for moving the tables along an arcuate path and thereby separating the adjacent edges, and another mechanism for rotating the tables to a second orientation while the adjacent edges are separated, and the adjacent tables when in the second zone have the second orientation and have adjacent edges which are closely spaced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have longitudinal side edge components that naturally wrap the sides of a wearer's panties which provide an alternative to conventional side flaps.

Abstract: A limiting orifice through-air-drying apparatus for papermaking or other absorbent embryonic webs. The apparatus has a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is maintained at a differential pressure less than the breakthrough pressure, while the second zone is maintained at a differential pressure greater than the breakthrough pressure. The residence time of the embryonic web to be dried with the apparatus is maintained at preferably less than 35 milliseconds on the first zone. Using the dual zone system described above, the overall energy required to run the apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: A limiting orifice through-air-drying apparatus for papermaking or other absorbent embryonic webs. The apparatus has a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is maintained at a differential pressure less than the breakthrough pressure, while the second zone is maintained at a differential pressure greater than the breakthrough pressure. The residence time of the embryonic web to be dried with the apparatus is maintained at preferably less than 35 milliseconds on the first zone. Using the dual zone system described above, the overall energy required to run the apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: A diaper having an inflatable component and a pump is disclosed. The pump has a pump chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a resilient chamber wall. The resilient chamber wall is deformable to displace air from the pump chamber to the inflatable component. A check valve provides unidirectional flow from the pump to the inflatable component.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a diaper. The diaper has dual upstanding inner and outer barrier leg cuffs, and preferably gasket cuffs. The inner barrier leg cuffs are liquid pervious, while the outer barrier leg cuffs are liquid impermeable. The inner barrier leg cuffs are preferably spaced apart from one another sufficient to allow urine and fecal material to be deposited therebetween. Each outer barrier leg cuff is preferably spaced properly from the inner barrier leg cuff so as to allow the leg cuffs to function independently, yet maintain a proper target area for the deposition of urine and fecal material.