Abstract: Disclosed is a dual laminae tissue laminate having the laminae adhesively joined. The laminae are joined by a water dispersible, and preferably water soluble, hot melt adhesive. The adhesive is applied to one of the laminae in a longitudinally oriented stripe. The stripe is deposited either ina spiral pattern or, preferably, in a melt blown pattern. This stripe provides the advantage that softness is not compromised and that the tissue laminate may be easily disposed, without concern that the adhesive, or the laminate, will not break down in the presence of water.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent structures containing individualized, crosslinked fibers. The individualized, crosslinked fibers preferably 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 between about 0.5 mole % and about 10.0 mole % crosslinking agent react to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. Also preferably, the absorbent structures have actual dry densities greater than their corresponding equilibrium wet densities, and expand upon wetting. The absorbent structures may also contain hydrogel-forming material.

Abstract: Absorbent polymeric macrostructures that are porous and comprise an interparticle crosslinked aggregate having a circumscribed dry volume greater than about 10.0 mm.sup.3. The interparticle crosslinked aggregrate comprises a multiplicity of precursor particles of substantially water-soluble, 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. Because of the particulate nature of the precursor particles, the macrostructure has pores between adjacent precursor particles. The pores are interconnected by intercommunicating channels such that the macrostructure is liquid permeable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a perforator blade for core wound paper products, such as toilet tissue and paper towels. The perforator blade has a relatively narrow notch width and a relatively narrow tooth width. As the notch width and tooth width of the perforator blade are decreased, the total notch width, which is the aggregate of the width of each notch across the total width of the perforator blade, is similarly decreased.A perforator blade according to the present invention provides very high perforation bond strengths, joining superimposed plies in face-to-face relation, without unduly increasing the tensile strength of the lands bridging adjacent sheets of the core wound paper product. Also, individual tooth flexibility is increased according to the present invention resulting in enhanced perforator blade life and perforation bond quality.

Abstract: Tissue paper having a soft, silky, flannel-like tactile feel through incorporation of an effective amount of a chemical additive such as, for example, a polysiloxane. Preferably, less than about 2% of such a chemical additive on a dry fiber weight basis, is incorporated in the tissue paper: more preferably, only about 0.3% or less is so retained. Tissue paper embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a quantity of surfactant material to enhance softness and/or surface smoothness and/or wettability control; and/or a quantity of a binder material such as starch for linting control. For example, embodiments which would otherwise manifest a significant reduction in wettability due to incorporated chemical additives may further comprise sufficient surfactant to at least partially offset the reduction of wettability induced by the chemical additive: e.g., for tiolet tissue embodiments to be sufficiently wettable to be handled in contemporary sewage handling and disposal systems.

Abstract: An improved releasably securable fastening system for attaching to a complementary receiving surface is disclosed. The fastening system features an engaging means in the form of a hook-shaped tine. The engaging means is longitudinally spaced away from, or above, a substrate by an upstanding shank. The engaging means forms an included angle, relative to the perpendicular from the plane of the substrate, which is greater than 180.degree. so that the engaging means has a reentrant segment. The reentrant segment of the engaging means provides for more effective securing of the fastening system to a receiving surface. An engaging means having an included angle greater than 180.degree. provides improved resistance to forces which cause separation of the engaging means from the receiving surface.

Abstract: A process for improving the life of papermaking belts containing a cured photosensitive polymeric resin is disclosed. The process includes the use of a resin-swelling solvent (e.g., isopropyl alcohol) to deliver an effective amount of chemical compounds capable of slowing down the degradation rate of the photosensitive polymeric resin in the papermaking belt. The solvent delivery technique makes it possible to deliver useful quantities of chemical compounds to the resin containing papermaking belts that would not normally be possible to add because of their low direct solubility in the polymeric resin and/or process incompatibility. Preferably, the chemical compounds are antioxidants (e.g., hindered phenols) which inhibit or retard oxidation of the cured resin and its ensuing degradative effects.

Abstract: A compact, low shipping volume paper product comprising a compression loaded, core-wound roll of paper and a compression constraining element; and concomitant method of making such a paper product. The roll comprises a length of paper which is wound on a tubular core, and which roll may have an obround or parallelopipedal shape due to being unidirectionally compressively loaded after winding; and then constrained against expanding by a suitable constraining element. Preferably, the roll is sufficiently compressively loaded to completely flatten the core. In another aspect of the invention, the roll may be further compressed by applying a compressive loading that is substantially greater than that needed to cause the core to become flat; and, some of that high compressive loading may be relieved before the constraining element is applied or secured.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, having barrier leg cuffs. The barrier leg cuffs have a distal edge which is spaced from the proximal edge so as to provide a barrier against leakage. The barrier leg cuff has a portion affixed to the diaper so that the spacing between the barrier leg cuffs is increased in selected portions to reduce irritation of the genetalia and to provide a larger area to receive bodily discharges.

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 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 at least partially composed of elastic panels. The elastic panels register the passageway with the anal opening to minimize the size of the passageway and prevent unnecessary exposure of the skin to the solid waste materials.

Abstract: A cellulose fiber-reinforced structure useful for building and construction made from a composition including a water-curable, inorganic binder capable of setting to form a matrix and pulped softwood fibrous material having enhanced levels of summerwood fibers.

Abstract: A separable fastening device is provided for releasably fastening a first surface to a second surface. The separable fastening device comprises a first fastening element of high static vinyl material which is attached to the first surface, and a second fastening element of high static vinyl attached to the second surface. When the first fastening element and the second fastening element are placed against each other in a face-to-face relationship, the attractive forces between the first and second fastening elements form a separable bond between the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A two piece garment for collecting bodily discharges is disclosed. The garment has a belt and a disposable assembly which are detachable and reattachable. The belt is intended to be reused, while the disposable assembly is intended to be discarded when soiled. The two components are attached to one another by hook and loop type fastening material, providing for adjustment to fit a wide range of wearer sizes.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article with a mechanical fastening system having disposal members so as to provide convenient disposal of the absorbent article. The mechanical fastening system preferably comprises a tape tab having a first fastening element, a landing member comprising a second fastening element mechanically engageable with the first fastening element, and a disposal member for allowing the absorbent article to be secured in a configuration that provides convenient disposal of the absorbent article. The disposal member preferably comprises a second fastening element affixed to the backing surface of at least one of the tape tabs so that the first fastening element of the opposite tape tab will mechanically engage the second fastening element of the disposal member so as to secure the absorbent article in its disposal configuration.

Abstract: Tissue paper having an enhanced tactile sense of softness through incorporation of an effective amount of a noncationic surfactant is disclosed. Preferably, less than about 2.0% of the noncationic surfactant, on a dry fiber weight basis, is incorporated in the tissue paper: more preferably, only about 1.0% or less is so retained. Tissue paper embodiments of the present invention may further contain a quantity of a binder material, such as starch, for linting control, and to increase paper strength.

Abstract: A paper structure having both high opacity and improved tensile strength through the incorporation of expanded fiber and an opacifying mineral pigment, such as titanium dioxide, is disclosed. The addition of expanded fiber to the paper structure makes it possible to increase the opacity of the paper through the use of the conventional mineral pigments without adversely affecting the paper's tensile strength. These opacified paper structures are especially useful for producing high quality, strong, light weight printing and writing papers which require material pigments for enhanced opacity.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener having a textured fastening surface so as to have a relatively high shear resistance and a desired peel resistance. The pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener comprises a backing web having bulbous surface aberrations projecting from a first surface of the backing web and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive coated over and bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the bulbous surface aberrations of the backing web. The present invention also relates to a fastening system using the pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making soft tissue paper which includes the steps of wet-laying cellulose fibers to form a web, applying to the wet web, at a fiber consistency level of from about 10% to about 80%, a noncationic surfactant, and then drying and creping the web to form the finished tissue paper. The process may further include the steps of applying an effective quantity of a binder material, such as starch, to the wet web for linting control, and to contribute tensile strength to the tissue paper.

Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent article such as a diaper provided with an absorbent core; a liquid impervious backsheet; a first barrier cuff disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge of the absorbent article and each having a first proximal edge and a first distal edge; a spacing means for spacing the first distal edge of each of the first barrier cuffs away from the liquid-receiving surface of the absorbent article; and a second barrier cuff disposed adjacent at least one and preferably adjacent each of the end edges of the absorbent article and having a second proximal edge and a second distal edge, the distal edges of the barrier cuffs overlapping at corner points to form a containment pocket. The spacing means preferably comprises a spacing elastic member that extends longitudinally along the first distal edge beyond the second distal edges.