Abstract: A core for compressed core wound paper products such as toilet tissue and paper toweling is disclosed. The core is selectively cut and scored to form folding tab portions that fold radially inward when the core is in a generally flattened configuration. Upon rerounding of the core to a generally cylindrical configuration, the folding tab portions can be unfolded to form circular arcs conforming to the core inner and outer surfaces. The folding tab portions enable the core to reround to a generally cylindrical configuration that resists reflattening.

Abstract: A spacer for use in a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The spacer has an outer cover and a plurality of discrete elements enclosed by the outer cover. The discrete elements can move relative to one another within the outer cover. Relative movement of the discrete elements permits the spacer to plastically deform in response to flexural loading, while maintaining a fecal void space in the absorbent article under compressive loading.

Abstract: Chemical softening compositions are provided comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyldimethylammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, and polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000.The chemical softening compositions are prepared by first mixing the polyhydroxy compound into the quaternary ammonium compound at a specific temperature range wherein the polyhydroxy compound is miscible with the quaternary ammonium compound and then diluting the mixture with water at an elevated temperature to form an aqueous vesicle dispersion suitable for treating fibrous cellulosic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying of a cellulosic fibrous structure having constant basis weight and/or density or multiple regions varying in basis weight and/or density. Such a cellulosic fibrous structure may have a nonuniform moisture distribution prior to drying by the disclosed method and apparatus. An equally or more uniform moisture distribution is achieved by providing a micropore medium in the air flow path which has a greater flow resistance than the interstices between the fibers in the cellulosic fibrous structure web. The micropore medium is the limiting orifice in the air flow used in the drying process. The micropore medium may be executed in a laminate of plural laminae, each of successively increasing or decreasing pore size. This arrangement provides the advantage that minimal sagging or deformation of each lamina into the next coarser lamina occurs and lateral air flow between the micropore medium and the cellulosic fibrous structure is reduced.

Abstract: A topsheet for use in a disposable absorbent article. The topsheet is divided into three trisections disposed in a particular arrangement along the longitudinal axis of the disposable absorbent article. The front trisection has no elastic extensibility. The central trisection has elastic extensibility in the transverse direction. The rear trisection has elastic extensibility in the longitudinal direction. If desired, the topsheet may be further provided with an aperture for communicating fecal material through the topsheet into a void space in the disposable absorbent article. An exemplary disposable absorbent article is also included in the disclosure.

Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent products such as paper towels, napkins, and facial tissues, and processes for making the webs. The tissue paper webs comprise papermaking fibers, a biodegradable quaternized amine-ester softening compound, a wetting agent, and a permanent 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 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: 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 biodegradable quaternized amine-ester softening compound, a wetting agent, 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 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: A core for compressed core wound paper products adapted for rotation on a spindle. The core is deformable from a generally rounded configuration to a generally flattened configuration for transportation and storage. The core includes tab portions that are deformable to extend radially inward of core inner and outer surfaces to reduce core to spindle clearance when the core is rounded for use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making soft tissue paper which includes providing a dry tissue web and then applying a sufficient amount of a polysiloxane softener compound to the dry web. The softener application process includes the steps of diluting a polysiloxane compound with a suitable solvent, applying the diluted polysiloxane solution to a heated transfer surface, evaporating the solvent from the dilute solution to form a film, and then contacting the dry tissue web with the heated transfer surface. Preferably, the tissue web is dried to a moisture level below its equilibrium moisture content before application of the polysiloxane material. The process may further include the steps of applying an effective amount of a surfactant material to enhance softness and/or wettability control; and/or an effective amount of a binder material such as starch, for linting control, and/or to contribute tensile strength to the tissue paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making soft tissue paper which includes providing a dry tissue web and then applying a sufficient amount of a chemical papermaking additive from a thin film to the dry web. The chemical papermaking additives are added to the surface of the tissue paper to enhance properties of the paper such as strength, softener, absorbency, and/or aesthetics. The chemical papermaking additive application process includes the steps of diluting the chemical papermaking additive with a suitable solvent, applying the diluted chemical solution to a heated transfer surface, evaporating the solvent from the dilute solution to form a film, and then transferring the film to the tissue by contacting the dry tissue web with the heated transfer surface. Preferably, the tissue web is dried to a moisture level below its equilibrium moisture content before application of the papermaking additive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cellulosic fibrous structure having multiple regions distinguished from one another by basis weight. The structure is a paper having an essentially continuous high basis weight network, and discrete regions of low basis weight which circumscribe discrete regions of intermediate basis weight. The cellulosic fibers forming the low basis weight regions may be radially oriented relative to the centers of the regions. The paper may be formed by using a forming belt having zones with different flow resistances. The basis weight of a region of the paper is generally inversely proportional to the flow resistance of the zone of the forming belt, upon which such region was formed. The zones of different flow resistances provide for selectively draining a liquid carrier having suspended cellulosic fibers through the different zones of the forming belt.

Abstract: A personal care convenience kit is disclosed which dispenses different personal hygiene components in a sequential, one at a time fashion through a single dispensing opening. The convenience kit includes a compliant package having a first dispensing opening, and at least two different personal hygiene components ordered with respect to the first dispensing opening. The compliant package can include an auxiliary dispensing opening for dispensing at least one of the different components out of sequence.

Abstract: Fibrous cellulose material useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as paper towels, facial tissues, and toilet tissue are disclosed. The paper products contain a chemical softening composition comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compound include dialkyldimethylammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, and polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000.

Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent products such as paper towels, napkins, and facial tissues, and processes for making the webs. The tissue paper webs comprise papermaking fibers, a quaternary ammonium compound, a polyhydroxy plasticizer, and a permanent 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 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 is a process for making soft tissue paper which includes the steps of wet-laying cellulosic fibers to form a web; drying the web and elevating the web temperature, creping the hot web, and applying low levels of a polysiloxane material to the hot, creped web. Preferably, the hot web is dried to a moisture level below its equilibrium moisture content before application of the polysiloxane material. The process may further include the steps of applying an effective amount of a surfactant material to enhance softness and/or wetability control; and/or an effective amount of a binder material such as starch, for linting control, and/or to contribute tensile strength to the tissue paper.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anilox printing apparatus for depositing ink onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. The apparatus has a reservoir provided with a weir so that ink may continuously overflow the top or end of the weir and be removed from the reservoir in a controlled fashion while maintaining a constant backpressure of ink in the reservoir. This arrangement provides the advantage that ink leakage and splashing caused by debris entering the nip associated with a doctor blade held against the anilox roll or by surface imperfections interfering with the seal formed by such a doctor blade are eliminated. This also provides a printing apparatus for complete coating of the periphery of the anilox roll with ink without a high pressure system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making 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. 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. The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet foreshortened relative to the backsheet. This foreshortening creates a void space between the topsheet and the backsheet. Fecal material is communicated through an aperture in the topsheet to the void space.At least two longitudinally oriented spacers are disposed in the void space to keep the void space open under the weight of the wearer's body. While the void space is open, fecal material communicated through the aperture can be transported towards the rear waistband without interuption significant obstruction, preferably isolating the fecal material from the skin of the wearer. This isolation provides for easier cleaning of the wearer when the disposable absorbent article is soiled and removed.

Abstract: A process for making soft tissue paper which includes the steps of wet-laying cellulosic fibers to form a web, applying to the wet web, at a fiber consistency level of from about 10% to about 80%, a polysiloxane material, and then drying and creping the web to form the finished tissue paper. The process may further include the steps of applying an effective amount of a surfactant material to enhance softness and/or wettability control; and/or an effective amount of a binder material, such as starch, for linting control, and/or to contribute tensile strength to the tissue paper.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as diapers or sanitary napkins incorporating particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. The polymeric compositions of the present invention may be incorporated into absorbent articles as the sole absorbent material; as an absorbent core comprising a mixture of fiber material and discrete particles of the polymeric composition; or as a laminate (a layered absorbent core) containing such polymeric compositions. The performance of absorbent articles is enhanced by the use of such polymeric compositions due to the high rate of fluid uptake and minimal gel blocking properties of the interparticle crosslinked aggregates.