Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for softening an absorbent tissue and tissue structures softened using the composition. The composition includes an effective amount of a softening active ingredient; a vehicle in which the softening active ingredient is dispersed; an electrolyte dissolved in the vehicle; and a bilayer disrupter. The electrolyte and the bilayer disrupter cooperate to cause the viscosity of the composition to be less than the viscosity of a dispersion of the softening active ingredient in the vehicle alone. Preferably, the softening active ingredient is a quaternary ammonium compound with the formula: (R1)4−m—N+—[(CH2)n—Y—R3]mX− the vehicle is water, the electrolyte is calcium chloride, and the bilayer disrupter is a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: Described are absorbent members useful in the containment of body liquids such as urine. These absorbent members comprise at least one osmotic absorbent (preferably a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer) and a high surface area material, and have a high capillary suction capacity. For purposes of the present disclosure, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of the member's ability to uptake liquid at high capillary heights, which are generally encountered when the member is positioned in an absorbent article. In particular, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of a member's capillary sorption absorbent capacity, which is measured in accordance with the Capillary Sorption method described in the Test Methods section.

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: The present invention is an absorbent structure with an ultimate fluid storage member, comprising superabsorbent material at a relatively high concentration whereby the superabsorbent material has a good Performance under Pressure performance as well as a good Saline Flow conductivity. Further, the absorbent structure comprises a non-woven wrap sheet comprising small diameter fibers, which is in direct fluid communication with said storage member, and which has low strike-through times in a repeated modified strike through test.

Abstract: An absorbent article contains at least one fluid storage member and at least one fluid distribution member. The fluid distribution member has an improved fluid handling property especially under sub-saturation conditions. Such members exhibit, at 50% of their saturation capacity, an increased permeability of at least about 14% of one at saturation. The fluid storage member has a higher Capillary Sorption Absorbency Height than the fluid distribution member.

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: The present invention is an absorbent structure to be used in absorbent articles, having at least a first region for acquisition/distribution of fluid and a second region for storage of fluid. The first region can contain materials which have a relatively high capillary desorption pressure, as the materials in the second region exhibit a sufficiently high capillary absorption pressure so as to still efficiently drain the first region. The first region material has a Capillary Sorption Desorption Height (CSDH 90) of more than 40 cm and the second region material satisfies at least one of following requirements: (a) an absorption capacity of at least 15 g/g at 35 cm in the capsorption test; (b) an absorption capacity of at least 15 g/g at 0 cm in the capsorption test and an absorption efficiency of at least 55% at 40 cm; (c) a Capillary Sorption Absorption height at 50% of its capacity at 0 cm absorption height (CSAH 50) of at least 35 cm in the capsorption test.

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 vapor permeability, and which have even higher vapor permeability in the chassis region(s) surrounding the core region.

Abstract: This application relates to flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses. This application particularly relates to methods particularly suitable for continuously curing high internal phase emulsions to form such foams.

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: The present invention is directed to an antimicrobial hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer comprising a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer, and an antimicrobial comprising a 1-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone derivative represented by the formula (I); wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having 1-17 carbon atoms, alkenyl group having 2-17 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl group having 5-8 carbon atoms, bicycloalkyl group having 7-9 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl-alkyl group wherein the alkyl group has 1-4 carbon atoms and the cycloalkyl group may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, aryl group, aralkyl group with an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, aryl-alkenyl group with the alkenyl group having 2-4 carbon atoms, aryloxyalkyl or arylmercaptoalkyl group with the alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, benzhydryl group, phenylsulfonylalkyl group with the alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, furylalkenyl group with the furyl or alkenyl group having 2-4 carbon atoms, wherein the above-mentioned ary

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: This application relates to microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses produced from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). This application particularly relates to oxidatively stable emulsifiers used to stabilize the HIPE and the foams produced from such HIPEs.

Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an absorbent core with a crotch region and at least one waist region, whereby said crotch region has a lower ultimate fluid storage capability than at least one waist region. The article further has an improved fluid handling performance such as an acquisition rate of at least 0.6 ml in the fourth gush.

Abstract: The present invention is a high capillary suction storage absorbent member comprising an agglomerate of particulate hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer and particulate high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam. In another aspect of the invention the agglomerate of particulate hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer and particulate high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam is disclosed. The absorbent member is useful in the containment (e.g., storage) of body liquids such as urine. In one embodiment, the storage absorbent member comprises the agglomerate. In another embodiment, the absorbent member comprises the agglomerate adjacent to at least one sheet, strip or piece of high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft, textured, multi-ply tissue paper product. The tissue paper product has at least one ply of multi-region construction with a first region that is raised above a second region. The ply of multi-region construction is orientated so that its raised region is directed toward the exterior of the tissue paper product. A chemical softening composition is surface applied to at least a portion of the raised region of the ply comprising the multi-ply tissue paper product. The chemical softener preferably includes an effective amount of a softening active ingredient; a vehicle in which the softening active ingredient is dispersed; and an electrolyte dissolved in the vehicle. The electrolyte causes the viscosity of the composition to be less than the viscosity of a dispersion of the softening active ingredient in the vehicle alone.

Abstract: An interlabial absorbent structure is disclosed. The interlabial absorbent structure comprises a pair of absorbent panels that are sufficiently flexible such that the panels can, at least partially, conform to the walls of a wearer's interlabial space. The panels are joined by an isthmus which is positioned furthest into a wearer's interlabial space when the interlabial absorbent product is worn. Alternative embodiments of the isthmus are also described which direct bodily fluids that are deposited thereon along the longitudinal length of the interlabial absorbent structure.

Abstract: Described is a method of forming and curing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) into shaped three dimensional foam implements. In general the method uses the steps of: providing a HIPE, depositing the HIPE into a mold cavity having a predetermined three dimensional shape, curing the HIPE in the mold cavity to form a HIPE foam, and stripping the HIPE foam from the mold cavity to form the three dimensional foam implement. The molded implements are widely useful as components in absorbent articles, toys, insulation, and other uses where a combination of low density and tridimensional shape are desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin having flaps folded over the topsheet. This arrangement helps to maintain the topsheet in a sanitary condition and is more convenient for the wearer than a configuration having the flaps folded over the backsheet. The flaps may be maintained in this folded arrangement by a unitary release strip which bridges the flaps and covers any adhesive used to attach the flaps to the undergarment. If desired, the release paper may further wrap the longitudinal side margins of the sanitary napkin to additionally cover adhesive disposed on the central portion of the backsheet. If desired, the flaps may be folded over the topsheet, overlap each other and be adhesively joined to the other flap.

Abstract: Described are implements made from a durable HIPE foam material. The HIPE foam has a Toughness Index of at least 75 where the Toughness Index relates properties related to durability (e.g., density, tan[&dgr;] height, glass transition temperature, and abrasion resistance) into a single composite descriptor thereof. Exemplary implements include: wipes, toys, stamps, art media, targets, food preparation implements, plant care implements, and medical wraps.