Abstract: An apparatus for segmenting a continuous running web into a stream of discrete articles by cutting the web transversely at uniformly longitudinally spaced intervals; and which apparatus may also effect U-folding of each of the discrete articles. The apparatus is of the type which includes a flight of longitudinally spaced, web engaging friction plates which provide cutter access to the web through spaces intermediate adjacent friction plates. The apparatus further includes a constant clearance infeed nip which is formed in part by the spaced friction plates of the flight passing over a circumferential portion of an infeed roll having circumferentially spaced, radially extending lugs, and which lugs are configured and disposed to engage the web by extending through the spaces intermediate the spaced friction plates. Alternatively, the flight of friction plates may be integrated into a unitary apertured conveyor belt; and the cutter may be integrated into such a constant clearance nip.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic bonding apparatus for pattern bonding juxtaposed laminae with a pattern of discrete bonds defined by a multiplicity of discrete pattern protuberances disposed on an anvil as the laminae are forwarded in the machine direction while fixedly associated with the discrete pattern protuberances. In such apparatus having the tip of an ultrasonic transducer biased towards its anvil surface, the discrete pattern protuberances are so configured and disposed on the anvil in its machine direction to obviate cobblestoning of the transducer with respect to the anvil as a patterned portion thereof is moved past the transducer tip; and/or the discrete pattern protuberances are so configured and disposed transverse the apparatus to precipitate wear--preferably even wear--of the tip of the ultrasonic transducer of the apparatus along the entirety of a line-of-contact portion thereof.

Abstract: Compound sanitary napkins comprising a primary menstrual pad and a panty protector joined by union means having limited extent. The primary menstrual pad comprises an absorbent core and, optionally, a pad overwrap and, also optionally, a fluid barrier. The panty protector comprises an absorbent element and a moisture barrier and, optionally, a protector overwrap and, also optionally, adhesive attachment means. The two constituents are joined at their corresponding ends, with the absorbent element of the panty protector interposed between the moisture barrier of the panty protector and the primary menstrual pad, by the union means in such a manner that the two are free to move relative to one another along essentially their entire common length. In use, the compound sanitary napkin is secured to the user's undergarments (as by the optional adhesive attachment means) in such a position that the primary menstrual pad is interposed between the panty protector and the user's body.

Abstract: A bib having a neck-accommodating aperture defined by a segmented perimetric edge: i.e., a segmented neck-aperture perimeter. The neck-accommodating aperture is generally oval-shape and the sheet material from which the bib is constructed has a plurality of bifurcations such as slits or notches which extend generally radially outwardly from the perimetric edge of the neck-accommodating aperture. Each pair of adjacent bifurcations define a portion of bib material which is attached to the parent bib material along only a proximal-end-defining line and which portion is designated a petal. The petals are readily conformable to a range of neck sizes and will, due to inherent resilience of the bib material, maintain a comfortable fit even during infant neck contortions. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal end portions of such petals are doubled under and have their distal ends secured adjacent their proximal ends to obviate raw cut edges of such portions from contacting users' necks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding together a plurality of juxtaposed webs which are subject to being ultrasonically bonded together to form a laminate as the webs are being driven forward at a relatively high velocity. The regions of the webs to be bonded are subjected to progressively increasing compressive forces while simultaneously being subjected to ultrasonic energy as they traverse an elongate portion of a predetermined path at a predetermined velocity. After the regions are ultrasonically bonded they may be subjected to another compression prior to the bonds becoming fully set upon cooling. The method may be practiced in an apparatus which includes an ultrasonic horn and an anvil which are configured and disposed to define a bonding passageway having an elongate convergent portion; and the apparatus may include a pressure roll biased towards the anvil adjacent the downstream end of the passageway.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for bonding together juxtaposed webs which are subject to being ultrasonically bonded together such as, for example, thermoplastic films or non-woven thermoplastic webs or elastomeric films to form a laminate as the webs are being driven forward at a relatively high velocity. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic horn and a power-rotated anvil cylinder which define a bonding passageway therebetween, and a rotatable pressure roll which is biased towards the anvil adjacent the downstream end of the bonding passageway to apply a predetermined level of compressive force to the bonded regions of the laminate issuing from the passageway before the bonds in the bonded regions become fully set upon cooling.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as urine. An absorbent core is encased in an outer covering layer. Leakage resistant members are affixed at each segment of the diaper from which leakage is to be reduced. The leakage resistant member has a facing sheet having compacted portions affixed to a backing sheet. The leakage resistant members may be elasticized by providing a separate elastic element or by using an elastic material for the backing sheet.

Abstract: Absorptive devices comprising a facing element, a support element, an absorbent core, and a backsheet. The facing element is a body fluid permeable, unbonded, carded web of resilient, hydrophobic fibers which has been affixed to the supporting element through the means of spaced apart regions of bonding. The supporting element is a body fluid permeable planer sheet compatible with and affixed to the facing element. The absorbent core must absorb and retain body fluids while the backsheet must be impermeable to such fluids. The four elements are superimposed one upon another in the order mentioned and are united in that position to form devices such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming a cyclically contoured and densified air-laid fibrous web having alternately spaced relatively high basis weight narrow regions and relatively low basis weight wide regions. This web can be severed by spaced transverse cuts into uniform, contoured articles such as fibrous absorbent cores for disposable diapers having relatively thick, narrow and absorbent crotch areas; and relatively thin waistband regions. The apparatus comprises means for producing such a web without stepwise basis weight gradients. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an air-laying drum having an endless lay down surface which is partially masked to define a plurality of alternately spaced relatively wide areas and relatively narrow areas.

Abstract: Apparatus for texturing a running ribbon of thermoplastic sheet material or film. The apparatus causes a ribbon of such film to be forwarded from a supply such as a roll of thermoplastic material, thence about a circumferentially extending portion of a rotating texturing cylinder, and then downstream where the textured film may be further processed or where it may be wound on a spool to form a roll thereof. The texturing cylinder comprises a tubular member having a coating of spheroidal particles adhered to the surface thereof. While the film is in contact with the texturing cylinder, it is both heated and urged against the texturing cylinder, causing the film to assume the textured image of the texturing cylinder. The apparatus may further control tension in the film both upstream and downstream of the texturing cylinder at predetermined constant levels.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an improved brief or panty and method of making the same that has porous fabric panels and elastic members that are elastic in all directions. The panty lies flat against the body of the wearer and the fabric panel does not gather adjacent the elastic members.The panty has an hourglass-shaped panel (10) and an elastic member (11) having hourglass exterior margin (21) and interior margin (22) overlying and bonded to the exterior margin of the fabric panel (10). A functional crotch portion (20) is interposed between the elastic member (11) and the panel (10).The panty is manufactured by forming an hourglass-shaped panty blank (10) of elastic material having front (19) and rear (18) panel portions; forming an elastic border member (11) from elastic material; superimposing the border member (11) on the hourglass margin of the panty blank (10) and bonding it thereto; and securing corresponding transverse edges of the front (19) and rear (18) panel portions.

Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent products such as paper towels, and processes for making the webs. The process comprises the steps of forming an aqueous papermaking furnish from paper pulp, at least one specified quaternary ammonium compound and at least one specified nonionic surfactant. The quaternary ammonium compounds are trimethylalkyl, trimethylalkylene, methylpolyoxyethylene alkyl and methylpolyoxyethylene alkylene quaternary ammonium compounds. The nonionic surfactants are ethylene oxide adducts of fatty alcohols and fatty acids. The second and third steps in the basic process are the deposition of the papermaking furnish onto a foraminous surface such as a Fordrinier wire and removal of the water from the deposited furnish.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An absorbent core is encased in a homogeneous outer wrap which may be either unitary or integral. The outer wrap has a specified combination of caliper, apex opening as measured by the maximal diagonal, and a ratio of the apparent caliper to the maximal diagonal of the largest apex opening which impart an ability of the outer wrap to function both as a topsheet portion and as a backsheet portion without the necessity of providing a barrier within the article.

Abstract: Disposable diapers provided with a two-element breathable backsheet. The two elements are a vapor pervious, relatively liquid impervious outer sheet and a liquid impervious inner panel. An absorbent core is the third necessary element of the disposable diaper. The inner panel is placed between the outer sheet and the absorbent core in the crotch region of the disposable diaper. There is no requirement that the inner panel be affixed to the outer sheet in any manner other than to insure the maintenance of their relative orientations during use. The disposable diaper can be provided with an optional topsheet disposed on the absorbent core on the side opposite the breathable backsheet.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is disclosed having a textured topsheet of thermoplastic material. The topsheet is manufactured from a thermoplastic sheet surface of which is imparted with a multiplicity of nubbles. The nubbles do not substantially alter the macroscopic profile of the film, but do impart a more clothlike tactile impression and reduced gloss to the film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An apertured formed film topsheet having a layer of fibers affixed to the inner surface thereof overlays an intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries. The apertured formed film topsheet has a specified combination of caliper, percent open area and percent of apertures having an equivalent hydraulic diameter less than or equal to 0.025 inches (0.064 cm.) which impart a stain resistant character to the topsheet.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having improved strike-through and rewet characteristics is disclosed. The disposable absorbent article has an embossed and perforated thermoplastic film interposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The topsheet, likewise, is embossed. The combination of the embossed topsheet and the embossed and perforated thermoplastic film permit liquid to rapidly penetrate the topsheet while preventing liquid in the absorbent core from flowing from the absorbent core back to the topsheet.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a composition of thermoplastic rubber which can be extruded into fibers and films with exceptional strength and good elasticity. Current formulations of some thermoplastic rubbers cannot be extruded into fibers or films with the accompanying strength and elasticity.Compositions of the current invention comprise 20 to 50% by weight of one of a group of fatty acids or fatty alcohols containing from about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms and 80 to 50% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of A-B-A block copolymers, where B is poly(ethylenebutylene) and A is a thermoplastic polymer which is phase incompatible with B.This composition of matter results in a thermoplastic rubber composition that is easily extrudable into fibers or films. Extruded fibers of the current composition can be made into elastic fabrics, elastic bands for clothing or made into nonwoven structures for use in elastic bandages or wrapping.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An apertured formed film topsheet having a layer of fibers affixed to the inner surface thereof overlays an intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries. The apertured formed film topsheet has a specified combination of caliper, percent open area and percent of apertures having an equivalent hydraulic diameter less than or equal to 0.025 inches (0.064 cm.) which impart a stain resistant character to the topsheet.

Abstract: An improvement in the embossing of a thermoplastic textile, in particular the topsheet of an absorbent structure such as a diaper, which improves the high load caliper of the textile. The knobs and depressions of the mated embossing rolls used to emboss the textile have side walls which define a small angle with respect to a radius of the embossing roll. The preferred embossing knobs and depressions each define a frustum with a rhombic base and land, with the longer diagonal of the rhombus aligned in the machine direction of the embossing roll. The resulting embossed textile has stronger bosses, and thus maintains a greater caliper under load, than is observed in the prior art embossed textile.