Abstract: 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: Cellulosic pulps of selected fiber morphology are disclosed having a coarseness less than a threshold coarseness level. The threshold coarseness level is a function of average fiber length. The cellulosic pulps are especially useful for producing paper structures such as tissue paper. A method for producing the cellulosic pulps is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.

Abstract: A process for impregnating a resin into a substrate to form a web. The resin is impregnated into one side of the web, so that the other side remains exposed. This arrangement allows the exposed side of the web to be dispersible in water, while the impregnated side is water resistant. The impregnation may occur in zones and comprise one material or two or more materials. The resulting web is useful as a backsheet in disposable absorbent articles wherein it is desired to have a barrier that is impermeable to body fluids, yet flushable for disposal.

Abstract: A unitary disposable absorbent article, particularly a catamenial pad or incontinent pad, having stabilizer members along the longitudinal side edges to enable the pad to assume a configuration conforming closely to the perineal area of the human body thereby more readily intercepting bodily discharges and providing a barrier to side soiling. The absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a central absorbent panel; a pair of side wall panels extending outwardly from and along the side borders of the central absorbent panel; and an axis of flexural bending joining each side wall panel to the central absorbent panel.

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. The garment comprises an outer layer having at least a portion of its periphery joined to at least a portion of the periphery of the inner layer of the chassis so that the outer layer can blouse away from the central area at selected portions. The 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: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, and the like, that provide dynamic fit about the wearer by the use of elasticized hip panels. Such absorbent articles comprise a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; elasticized side panels positioned in the side panels of the back waist region; and an elasticized hip panel positioned in the central region of the back waist region. The elasticized hip panel comprises a stretch laminate comprising one or more elongatable components and an elastic hip panel member that are mechanically stretched to allow expansion of the stretch laminate beyond the original planar state of the diaper in the lateral direction.

Abstract: Tissue paper having an enhanced bulk and tactile softness through incorporation of an effective amount of a polyhydroxy compound and an oil is disclosed. Preferably, from about 0.05% to about 2.0% of the polyhydroxy compound, on a dry fiber weight basis, and from about 0.05% to about 2.0% of an oil, on a dry fiber weight basis, are incorporated in the tissue paper. These nonionic compounds have high rates of retention when applied to wet tissue paper webs according to the process described herein. Tissue embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a quantity of strength additive, such as starch, to increase paper strength.

Abstract: Tissue paper products comprising a two component chemical softener composition and binder materials, either permanent or temporary wet strength binders, and/or dry strength binders are disclosed. The two component chemical softening composition comprises a quaternary ammonium compound and a polysiloxane compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polysiloxanes include amino-functional polydimethyl polysiloxanes wherein less than about 10 mole percent of the side chains on the polymer contain an amino-functional group.

Abstract: Absorbent foam materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: Pull-on garments provided with a continuous belt in the front region and the back region to distribute the forces generated during use in order to better fit the pull-on garment on the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the pull-on garment comprises a chassis layer comprising a continuous sheet that defines a front region, a back region, and a crotch region; a first belt layer joined to the chassis layer in the front region; a second belt layer joined to the chassis layer in the back region; elastic panel members positioned between the belt layers and the chassis layers which laminate is mechanically stretched to form elastically extensible stretch laminates in both the front region and the back region in the side panels; and seams joining the front region to the back region so as to form the leg openings and waist openings. The continuous chassis layer and belt layers thus form the continuous belt of the pull-on garment.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having an absorbent core with three longitudinally oriented trisections, a central trisection flanked by two outboard trisections. The absorbent core is formed of a single layer of tissue. The single layer of tissue is folded on itself to provide a two-ply thickness at each of the outboard trisections and a single thickness at the central trisection. The two plies of the outboard trisections are preferably adhered together. Absorbent gelling materials are disposed in each of the outboard trisections. The central trisection is substantially free of absorbent gelling materials. The sanitary napkin also preferably comprises a secondary topsheet intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The secondary topsheet is also substantially free of absorbent gelling materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a pulsed stream of discrete particles of absorbent material. The apparatus comprises a particle metering apparatus for providing a stream of particles having a predetermined mass flow rate, an ejector having an acceleration air nozzle for accelerating the stream of particles, at least one deceleration air nozzle; and valving for alternately directing air through the acceleration and deceleration nozzles. The apparatus can be used to form a fibrous web having a predetermined variation in basis weight of absorbent material along the length of the web.

Abstract: A belt for through-air drying a cellulosic fibrous structure. The belt comprises two layers, a web contacting first layer and a machine facing second layer. The yarns of the first layer are substantially transparent to actinic radiation, and the yarns of the second layer are substantially opaque to actinic radiation. The two layers are joined together by either adjunct tie yarns or integral tie yarns. The tie yarns are substantially transparent to actinic radiation. The resulting belt has a backside texture caused by opaque yarns which shield actinic radiation. The opaque yarns are limited to the second layer, and do not tie the second layer to the first layer.

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 porosity of at least about 0.15; (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); (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm; and (d) optionally, but preferably, a Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g. 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: Disclosed is a process for making reduced odor individualized, crosslinked fibers which includes the steps of providing cellulosic fibers, contacting the fibers with a solution containing a C.sub.2 -C.sub.9 polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent, mechanically separating the fibers into substantially individual form, drying the fibers and reacting the crosslinking agent with the individualized fibers to form intrafiber crosslink bonds. The individualized cellulosic fibers are then contacted with a strong alkaline solution and strong oxidizing agent to reduce the odor and increase the brightness. Preferably, the crosslinking agent is citric acid, and preferably, between about 1.0 weight % and about 12.0 weight % of the crosslinking agent reacts to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. Preferably, the alkaline solution is an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, and preferably, about 0.09 weight % of the sodium hydroxide, on a dry fiber weight basis, is applied to the crosslinked fibers.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a periphery and including a fluid pervious topsheet, a fluid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet and an absorbent core having a periphery positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet. The sanitary napkin also includes a fluid pervious masking member positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The masking member is disposed along the periphery of the sanitary napkin and covers the periphery of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a waist pocket cuff is disclosed. The pocket cuff has first and second portions separable along a releasable seam. The releasable seam can be formed by overlapping portions of the first and second portions of the pocket cuff. In one embodiment the releasable seam includes a mechanical fastener for securing together the first and second portions of the pocket cuff. In another embodiment the releasable seam comprises an adhesive fastener.

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 wrapping elements comprising overlapping components that automatically wrap the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps.