Abstract: This invention relates to a method and several exemplary apparatus for capillary dewatering of foam materials. The apparatus may include felt which is applied to an exposed face of the foam material, or a double felt arrangement applied to two opposed surfaces of the foam material. The apparatus may provide a temperature differential between the two exposed surfaces of the foam material. An alternative embodiment utilizes a roll having a capillary dewatering medium. The capillary dewatering medium may be maintained at a vacuum either above or below the breakthrough vacuum of the capillaries. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly useful for dewatering foams having relatively fine open capillaries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft, low density paper product made using papermaking fibers and a cationic temporary wet strength resin. Such paper products have a density less than about 0.6 grams per cubic centimeter, a basis weight is between about 10 and about 65 grams per square meter, a dry strength less than about 500 grams per inch (197 grams per centimeter), a ratio of an initial wet strength to the dry strength greater than about 0.15:1, and a ratio of a thirty minute wet strength to the initial wet strength less than about 0.4. Methods for producing such paper products are also disclosed. The paper products may be produced either as homogeneous structures or as multi-layered structures and may be either creped or uncreped.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified cellulosic fibers having a dry zero span tensile index that is substantially less than the dry zero span tensile index of the corresponding unmodified cellulosic fibers. Fibers having reduced dry zero span tensile may provide fibrous structures having improved hand feel compared with fibers prepared from unmodified fibers. In particular, such modified fibers provide fibrous structures with improved flexibility, which is perceived as improved softness. The reduced dry zero span tensile is preferably achieved by reacting the fibers with one or more cellulase enzymes and one or more debonders. The invention also relates to a fibrous structure having a density of not more than about 0.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric foam materials obtained using monomers based on silicon and/or germination. The copolymerization of silicon- or germanium-based monomers provide foams that have low glass transition temperatures and low densities. These foams also exhibit relatively high yield stress values, which make the foams suitable for absorption of fluids, particularly aqueous fluids such as urine and menses (when the foams are rendered hydrophilic). The foams have a variety of other uses, including insulation applications.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are absorbent materials useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine. In particular, the invention relates to absorbent polymer compositions having excellent absorbency performance properties in terms of absorbent capacity under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi, as well has excellent integrity in the swollen state. The invention further relates to absorbent members comprising these absorbent polymer compositions, and to absorbent articles comprising the absorbent members.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, having an improved topsheet that provides improved skin comfort as well as superior fluid handling characteristics. Such absorbent articles comprise a main body portion preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The main body portion has longitudinal edges and lateral edges. The topsheet has a central zone and a pair of end zones extending laterally outwardly from and contiguous with the central zone. The topsheet comprises a nonwoven outer layer and an apertured thermoplastic film layer. The nonwoven outer layer has an opening positioned in the central zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles which provide improved protection against skin overhydration. A particularly preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention comprises a body contacting surface having a skin care composition thereon that, when at least a portion of the composition is transferred to a wearer's skin by normal body motion or body heat, the material is effective in providing a skin condition benefit and a liquid impermeable, breathable backsheet having a mass vapor transmission rate value (MVTR) of at least about 1300 g/m.sup.2 /24 hr and an absorbent core having a post acquisition collagen rewet method value (PACORM) with a PACORM:MVTR ratio is less than 0.05 mg/(g/m.sup.2 /24 hr).

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing bodily fluids which has incorporated therein an odor control material for decreasing bodily odor which material comprises a zeolite having an average particle size (distribution by weight in sieve analysis) of at least 200 um. The zeolite may optionally be mixed with an absorbent gelling material and/or activated carbon.

Abstract: The invention refers to methods for assessing absorbent structures (10) for their fluid handling ability by using materials (110) having a moisture pick up ability which is very close to the one of human skin. This is achieved by using materials (110) which do not function based on capillary transport for moisture, but which comprise as an essential element swellable but non-soluble materials in a film form. Such materials (110) can be based on proteins, Glycin, Prolin, 4-hydroxyprolin, naturally occurring sugars, glycerin, sorbit and collagen. A particularly preferred material is a film material comprising collagen. To simulate a baby's weight upon the absorbent structure (10), a load (16) may be utilized therewith.

Abstract: The invention provides a water swellable, water-insoluble polymer comprising units derived from a diallylic quaternary ammonium salt monomer cross-linked by a suitable polyfunctional vinyl compound, at least a substantial proportion of the function groups being in basic form. The invention also provides a process for the production of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer which comprises polymerising a diallylic quaternary ammonium salt monomer and a suitable polyfunctional vinyl compound as cross-linking agent by cationic polymerisation in an aqueous phase using a free radical catalyst and polymers obtainable thereby. The water absorbent polymers are superabsorbents having improved water absorption properties particularly in respect of saliva solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a superabsorbent material which comprises a combination of (1) a cationic superabsorbent in which from 20 to 100% of the functional groups are in basic form, and (2) a cationic exchanger in which from 50 to 100% if the functional groups are in acid form. The combination is particularly effective as a superabsorbent for electrolyte containing solutions such as menses and urine.

Abstract: Absorptive pads including catamenial tampons are provided which are characterized by O.sub.2 levels sufficiently reduced so as to reduce the introduction of air into the vaginal canal with a resulting reduction in the probability of production of toxic shock syndrome exotoxin during internal use of the pads.

Abstract: A method for producing creped paper products comprising applying to a drying surface, a film-forming semi-crystalline polymer and a non-thermosetting cationic resin containing no secondary amine. The invention also comprises a method for producing creped paper products comprising applying to a drying surface a film-forming semi-crystalline polymer, a non-thermosetting cationic resin containing no secondary amines and an optional plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to a fluid-pervious web comprising a first or wearer-contacting surface and a second or garment-facing surface. The web is particularly well suited for use as a topsheet on a disposable absorbent article. The first and second surfaces are separated from one another by an intermediate portion. The first surface of the web provides a structure which exhibits a surface energy less than the surface energy of the intermediate portion. In a preferred embodiment, the web exhibits a plurality of regions of comparatively low surface energy which define surface energy gradients where they interface with higher surface energy web surfaces. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a fluid-pervious web having a plurality of small-scale surface energy gradients which are oriented and located so as to effectively transport fluid away from the first or wearer-contacting surface.

Abstract: An absorbent material with substantially improved liquid permeability such that it is not subject to gel blocking while maintaining a preferred absorbent capacity is disclosed. The absorbent material is in particulate form and is the reaction product of a water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming polymer and a polycationic polymer, the reaction forming a covalent bond between the polymers. After the reaction, the absorbent material has a Saline Flow Conductivity greater than (500-11.5.multidot.GV)(10.sup.-7) cm.sup.3 sec/g where GV is the gel volume of the absorbent material.

Abstract: A papermaking belt comprised of a resinous polymer with improved elongation. The papermaking belt of this invention is comprised of a reinforcing element and a resinous polymer wherein the resinous polymer exhibits improved elongation both at room temperature and elevated temperatures while maintaining creep resistance and without any undue loss of tensile strength. In addition to papermaking belts, the resinous polymer of this invention may also be used for other applications.

Abstract: A shaped sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin of this invention has an absorbent means, such as an absorbent core, and two flaps extending outwardly from the absorbent means. Each flap is associated with the absorbent means along a nonlinear line of juncture and each has two axes of flexibility. In use, the absorbent means is secured in the crotch of a panty and the flaps are secured about the elastic edges of the panty so that, when the panty is worn, the absorbent means is held adjacent the body while the flaps form a wall at each side of the absorbent means and seals against the body. Both the walls and the seals serve to prevent soiling of the body and clothing by menstrual fluid.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to a fluid-pervious web comprising a first or wearer-contacting surface and a second or garment-facing surface. The web is particularly well suited for use as a topsheet on a disposable absorbent article. The first and second surfaces are separated from one another by an intermediate portion. The first surface of the web provides a structure which exhibits a surface energy less than the surface energy of the intermediate portion. In a preferred embodiment, the web exhibits a plurality of regions of comparatively low surface energy which define surface energy gradients where they interface with higher surface energy web surfaces. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a fluid-pervious web having a plurality of small-scale surface energy gradients which are oriented and located so as to effectively transport fluid away from the first or wearer-contacting surface.

Abstract: A porous absorbent material that comprises a water-insoluble, water-swellable absorbent polymer. The absorbent material comprises a polyether and/or a polycation bonded to the absorbent polymer whereby the contact angle of blood on a surface of the absorbent material attains from about 0 degree to about 40 degree. Because of the improved wettability with liquids as well as the porous structure, the absorbent material can provide higher absorbent characteristics with liquids, in particular with blood.

Abstract: Multi-layered tissue paper webs comprising biodegradable chemical softener compositions and binder materials are disclosed. The multi-layered tissue webs are useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as facial tissues and/or toilet tissues. The multi-layered tissue paper products contain a biodegradable chemical softening composition, preferably comprising a mixture of an ester-functional quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. The multi-layered tissue paper webs also contain an effective amount of binder materials to control linting and/or to offset the loss in tensile strength, if any, resulting from the use of the chemical softening compositions. Preferably, the majority of the biodegradable chemical softening compositions will be disposed on the outer layers of the multi-layered tissue paper products where they are most effective at enhancing softness.