Abstract: An embossed paper laminate having two laminae. The laminae are embossed so that each embossed site of one lamina is adhesively joined to the nonembossed region of the other lamina. The laminate is made by two close tolerance pattern rolls juxtaposed to form a nip. Each pattern roll has radially extending protuberances which contact the periphery of the other pattern roll intermediate its protuberances. The laminae are fed through the nip in face-to-face relationship and are embossed and adhesively joined to the other lamina by the radially extending protuberances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spindle for use with compressed core wound paper products such as toilet tissue and paper towels. One end of the spindle is generally circular and adapted to fit onto a conventional dispenser. The second end of the spindle also adapted to fit onto a conventional dispenser and is wedge-shaped for inserting into the core of a compressed core wound paper product and has an edge which is generally orthogonal the longitudinal axis of the spindle. The second end of the spindle may comprise another edge, which is not encountered until the spindle is partially inserted into the compressed core wound paper product. The second edge allows for expansion of the compressed core wound paper product to a generally circular cross section.

Abstract: A cellulosic fibrous structure, such as paper. The fibrous structure has at least three intensively distinct regions. The regions are distinguished from one another by intensive properties such is basis weight, density and projected average pore size, or thickness. In one embodiment, the fibrous structure has regions of two basis weights, a high basis weight region and a low basis weight region. The high basis weight region is further subdivided into low and high density regions so that a fibrous structure having three regions is produced.A second embodiment is a four region fibrous structure. Two of the regions have generally equivalent relatively high basis weights and two of the regions having generally equivalent relatively low basis weights.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed which includes an ink reservoir, an anilox roller partially submerged in the ink reservoir, and a baffle having an array of flow restrictors submerged in the ink in the reservoir. The baffle dissipates flow energy in the ink reservoir generated by rotation of the anilox roller. In one embodiment the flow restrictors comprise parallel pegs. In a second embodiment the flow restrictors comprise parallel bristle tufts.

Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent products such as napkins, facial tissues, and sanitary tissues, and processes for making the webs. The tissue paper webs comprise papermaking fibers, a quaternary ammonium compound, a polyhydroxy plasticizer, and a temporary wet strength resin. The process comprises a first step of forming an aqueous papermaking furnish from the above-mentioned components. The second and third steps in the basic process are the deposition of the papermaking furnish onto a foraminous surface such as a Fourdrinier photo-polymer wire and removal of the water from the deposited furnish. An alternate process involves the use of the furnish containing the aforementioned components in a papermaking process which will produce a pattern densified fibrous web having a relatively high bulk field of relatively low fiber density in a patterned array of spaced zones of relatively high fiber density.

Abstract: Disclosed are individualized, crosslinked fibers, and process for making such fibers. The individualized, crosslinked fibers have a C.sub.2 -C.sub.9 polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent reacted with the fibers in the form of intrafiber crosslink bonds. Preferably, the crosslinking agent is citric acid, and preferably, between about 0.5 mole % and about 10.0 mole % of the crosslinking agent reacts to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. The individualized, crosslinked fibers are useful in a variety of absorbent structure applications.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, having an improved tape fastener system is disclosed. The improved tape fastener system comprises a mechanical fastening means, initial adhesive securement means, and a reserve/protected adhesive securement means. The mechanical fastening means provide for effective side closure of the absorbent article, whereas the initial adhesive securement means provides a convenient initial disposal mechanism by which the absorbent article may be folded or rolled up into a configuration for disposal, secured in the disposal configuration, and thrown away. If the initial disposal adhesive becomes contaminated or insufficient for securing the absorbent article in its disposal configuration, the reserve/protected adhesive is available for use, with only minimal additional effort.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a top sheet and an absorbent core associated with the topsheet is disclosed. The topsheet and associated core are decoupled from the backsheet of the sanitary napkin so that the topsheet and backsheet may be separated in the Z-direction. The sanitary napkin has a joined transverse edge connecting the top sheet and backsheet and forming a hinge to facilitate the Z-direction separation. The sanitary napkin further controls the amount of separation of the topsheet and associated core from the backsheet. A preferred way to control the amount of separation of the topsheet and associated core from the backsheet is longitudinally oriented pleats.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a sanitary napkin having a body surface and a garment surface and being comprised of an absorbent means underlayed by a liquid barrier means, wherein the sanitary napkin is relatively highly flexible and has a capacity great enough to handle medium to high menstrual flows, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitary napkin comprises, from the body surface down, an apertured formed film topsheet, an apertured nonwoven wipe acquisition sheet, a wet-laid tissue, a superabsorbent core, and a barrier sheet. Preferably, the central width of the absorbents is at least about 6.5 centimeters and the caliper of the napkin as a whole is less than about 2.6 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the napkin has laterally extending flaps which drape over the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch and are attachable to the garment side of the wearer's panties.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for dynamically mechanically bonding together a plurality of laminae, at least one of which comprises thermoplastic material: for example, polyethylene. In one aspect of the invention the laminae are forwarded in face to face relation through a pressure biased nip between a patterned nip defining member and an opposing nip defining member (e.g., a relief patterned cylinder and an anvil cylinder) which members are independently driven to maintain a predetermined surface velocity differential between them. In another aspect of the invention which is particularly useful at intermediate and higher line velocities--preferably for line velocities of about 300 feet or more per minute and, more preferably, for line speeds of about 450 feet or more per minute--the nip defining members may be operated with equal surface velocities.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, having a liquid impervious backsheet, a urine pervious liner, and absorbent core intermediate the backsheet and liner is disclosed. The liner has a passageway to allow communication of solid waste materials to the core, thereby isolating such waste from the skin of the wearer. The liner is longitudinally contracted by elastic strands disposed longitudinally nonadjacent the passageway, improving the fit of the article to the wearer without sacrificing leakage protection and allowing various sections of the article to assume independent functions.

Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent garment, such as a disposable diaper or an incontinent brief, having a chassis means and an improved fastening system in a waist portion of the chassis means. The fastening system comprises a laterally displaceable elastic member, which is affixed to the chassis means, and a fastening means, such as a refastenable tape, joined to said elastic member. Thus, the fastening means, rather than being affixed to the garment in a fixed relation, is instead laterally displaceable in relation to the balance of the garment. The improved fastening system provides the garment with a better fit, improved adjustability, and the capability of being able to be pulled on or off the wearer without unfastening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article such as an incontinent pad that is both comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing large volumes of body liquids rapidly without leakage, especially a subsequent gush of liquid. Such an absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, a layered expandable absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, at least two resilient shaping members, an acquisition channel, a liquid acquisition zone and at least two liquid impervious shelves. The present invention also relates to an absorbent article provided with an expandable overwrap having an expansion means for allowing the overwrap to expand when the absorbent core swells when wetted.The overwrap of the absorbent article is provided with an expansion means for permitting the overwrap to expand as the absorbent core swells when it is wetted.

Abstract: An absorbent pad having a densification pattern comprising relatively low density tuft regions which are separated and surrounded by channels. The channels further comprise storage regions and transport regions wherein one of said storage regions or said transport regions separate and surround the other of said storage regions or said transport regions. The transport regions have a density greater than the density of the storage regions which, in turn, have a density greater than the tuft regions.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of forming, from a single column of fibers, an airlaid fibrous web having a multiplicity of components.

Abstract: An improvement in paper converting rewinders in which bulk rolls of paper are converted into consumer product rolls of paper such as tear-separable multi-sheet rolls of toilet tissue or paper towels. In such rewinders of the type which include a perforator cylinder, and a bedroll/chop-off roll combination, changes in sheet length and/or sheet count commonly require changing one or more of such rotating, paper contacting machine elements. The present invention enables broad changes in both sheet length and sheet count in such rewinders without changing either the perforator cylinder or the bedroll or the chop-off roll. The invention also enables adjustments to assure true cross machine direction orientation of inter-sheet lines of perforation throughout the range of adjusting sheet length and/or sheet count per product roll.

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: An absorbent article such as a pantiliner provided with at least one ventilation area which allows the passage of vapor to provide cooling and drying effects so that the pantiliner is more comfortable to wear. The pantiliner is made up of a core, a relatively vapor pervious outer layer and a liquid impervious barrier layer interposed between the layer and the core. The barrier layer is essentially the same length as the pantiliner, but is a smaller transverse width in the end regions of the pantiliner so that at least one ventilation area is formed. The pantiliner can also be provided with an optional topsheet and an optional wicking layer.

Abstract: A waste-containment garment such as a disposable diaper or a disposable diaper insert which is fitted with integrally protected adhesive fasteners which do not extend outwardly from the edges of the garment. Each adhesive fastener comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive means disposed on an outer surface of the garment and an adhesive-release means disposed adjacent thereto on the same outer surface of the garment. Preferably such means are disposed on corner areas of the garment, and the garment is folded to associate each adhesive means in face-to-face adhered relation with its adjacent adhesive-release means until immediately prior to use of the garment. To use the garment, each adhesive means is peeled from its associated adhesive-release means so that it may be used for its intended purpose: e.g., to secure a diaper insert inside a diaper or overpant or the like; or to secure the back corners of a disposable diaper to the adjacent front corners of the disposable diaper.