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 of 0.025 inches (0.064 cm.) which impart a stain resistant character to the topsheet. In addition, a border having a channel therein encircles the absorbent core.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus for making a thermoplastic film embossed with tapered bosses having perforations in the tips of each boss through use of a metallic pattern roll and a heated perforating roll. The apparatus and method allow a film having tapered bosses with decreased cross-sectional areas leading to a perforation to be formed without use of expensive vacuum forming methods.The invention discloses a film 10 being heated by a heating means 14 to a deformable state and being embossed on an embossing surface 16 of embossing roll 13 under pressure from the silicone rubber surface 33 of first pressure roll 15. The flm on the apex, 262 of the cone 26 on embossing surface 16 is removed to perforate the cone by perforating roll 17, which is a resilient hollow metal tube heated from a radiant heater mounted on the inside of the hollow metal tube. The perforated film is then embossed a second time by the action of a second embossing roll 18 and then rewound onto a rewind roll.

Abstract: An improved method of making imprinted paper on a Yankee dryer type papermaking machine wherein a substantial length portion of a loop of imprinting fabric post-wraps an arcuate sector of the Yankee dryer immediately after a pressure roll-Yankee dryer nip, and by being tensioned imposes radially inwardly acting compressive loading on a corresponding length portion of the web disposed between the fabric and the dryer surface. This enables, for instance, improved Yankee dryer speed, improved web tension and edge control of the paper when creped off the Yankee dryer, reduced use of adhesive on the Yankee dryer surface, improved fiber transfer efficiency, and reduced energy consumption per ton of paper made.

Abstract: A layered paper and method of making it, which paper is characterized by having a soft, relatively untextured smooth velutinous surface defined by a multiplicity of relatively flaccid papermaking fibers having unbonded free end portions of substantial length, and which surface is subjectively discernible by humans as being extremely soft and smooth. Exemplary embodiments include tissue paper, and tissue paper products comprising one or more plies of such paper. The method includes wet laying a layered web which has a relatively low bond surface layer comprising at least about 60% relatively short papermaking fibers, drying the web without imparting substantial texture thereto, breaking sufficient papermaking bonds in the surface layer to generate a velutinous surface having an FFE-Index of at least about 60 and preferably at least about 90, and calendering the dried web as required to provide said surface layer with an HTR-Texture of about 1.0 or less, and more preferably about 0.

Abstract: The present invention involves compositions of super absorbent polymers which absorb many times their weight in water and aqueous fluids. Super absorbent polymers in the prior art have effectively absorbed many times their weight of water, however, they become slimy to the touch or become so fluid as to migrate away from their point of application.The absorbent composition of the current invention absorbs substantial amounts of water without becoming slimy and migrating out from its applicator, as in absorbent articles. The absorbent composition of the current invention comprises a copolymer of acrylic acid cross-linked with a first cross-linking component comprising a monomer having at least two vinyl groups and a second cross-linking component comprising an ionic divalent cation. In the current invention, this composition can be mixed with cellulose fibers to enhance wicking.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus and method to make a thermoplastic film embossed with tapered bosses having perforations in the tips of each boss through use of a metallic pattern roll and a heated perforating roll. The apparatus and method allow a film having tapered bosses with decreased cross-sectional areas leading to a perforation to be formed without use of expensive vacuum forming methods.The invention discloses a film 10 being heated by a heating means 14 to a deformable state and being embossed on an embossing surface 16 of embossing roll 13 under pressure from the silicone rubber surface 33 of first pressure roll 15. The film on the apex of the cone 26 on embossing surface 16 is removed to perforate the cone by perforating roll 17, which is a resilient hollow metal tube heated from a radiant heater mounted on the inside of the hollow metal tube. The perforated film is then embossed a second time by the action of a second embossing roll 18 and then rewound onto a rewind roll.

Abstract: A method of and 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, then 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: A disposable absorbent brief having substantially straight parallel elastic members on either side of the crotch and separate means to secure the brief to the wearer's thighs and to the wearer's waist, said brief being especially adapted for use by wearers having adult leg configurations. The securement means which forms a thigh seal is placed within an anchoring region of the brief comprising the area between the edge of the brief and two line segments which lie transversely outward of the elastic member and which form angles of about 90 and about 140 degrees, respectively, in the plane of the diaper with respect to the elastic member. The apex of these angles is at one functional endpoint of the elastic member.

Abstract: Papermachine clothing, for instance, a loop of imprinting fabric, is disclosed which is so woven that a top-surface-plane thereof is defined by coplanar crossovers of filaments of at least two sets of filaments (i.e., warp and shute filaments) and so that sub-top-surface crossovers are distributed in a predetermined pattern throughout the clothing. Specific weaves are disclosed wherein the top-surface crossovers act corporately to define a top surface comprising a bilaterally staggered array of wicker-basket-like cavities which cavities each span at least one sub-top-surface crossover. Such clothing is particularly useful for making soft, absorbent paper of relatively low density, and relatively isotropic stretch properties when creped.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an improved absorbent means that can be used in a catamenial device.The improved absorptive means comrpises a foam means having an absorbency improvement means at least arrayed on the surface of the foam means wherein the absorbency improvement means is adherent to the foam, hydrophilic, and has a high surface area. The foam means is preferably cut into small blocks made of hydrophilic polyester foam or hydrophilic polyurethane foam. Absorbency improvement means is preferably cellulose fibers.A tampon incorporating the improved absorbent means has overwrap 11 containing an aggregate absorbent body 12 comprising foam blocks coated with fibrous material 16 and ancillary absorbent material 17. The overwrap 11 is sealed by a side seam 13 and knotted at one end with a withdrawal string 15.

Abstract: An improved absorbent product, such as a disposable diaper type garment having a wetness indicator disposed between a translucent cover member and an absorbent member. The improvement relates to providing a flexible pH-change/color-change wetness indicator coating on a surface portion of the product which is visible through the cover member, and which retains sharp edge definition of the coated surface portion when wetted; for instance, by urine. The coating is preferably applied in the form of a stripe to a portion of the inwardly facing surface of a backsheet of a disposable diaper. Such a coating comprises a solid-solid mixture (e.g., solution) of a pH-change/color-change type material dispersed in a matrix of adhesive material which coating is sufficiently flexible to not substantially impair the flexibility of the product, and which coating is sufficiently adhesive and flexible to remain on the coated surface portion through a normal period of use of the product.

Abstract: A compact dispensing package for sheet-like products having an improved stack support member with outwardly projecting protuberences. The stack support member is formed from a cardboard blank having essentially the same unfolded length as the sheet-like product contained in the dispensing package, but having a folded length greater than the sheet-like product. The increased length provides better stability for the bundle of sheet-like product during shipping and storage of the compact dispensing package.

Abstract: An improved process to produce a novel tissue which becomes ply-separable during the papermaking process. In a first embodiment of the invention a two-layered stratified web is formed, having a first layer comprised of a relatively low consistency slurry of long papermaking fibers and a second layer comprised of a high consistency slurry of relatively short papermaking fibers. In a second embodiment of the invention, a stratified web having three layers is formed, comprised of well-bonded layers separated by an interior barrier layer. These improved tissue products need not be creped from a creping roll with a doctor blade in order to exhibit ply-separability, and they may be creped in a single step to form a finished product which is creped all the way through.

Abstract: An improved disposable diaper of the type having a relatively high elongation to tensile force property, an absorbent pad, and tape-tab fasteners coated with a peelable adhesive. The backsheet is reinforced by coating the mother's bond region thereof with a material having high tensile strength and a low elongation to tensile force property relative to the backsheet material. The coating may be continuous or patterned and may be disposed on either the outwardly facing surface or the inwardly facing surface of the mother's bond region of the backsheet. When applied to the inwardly facing surface, the coating material may be adhesive material and may secure the backsheet to the pad assembly of the diaper. The reinforcement of the backsheet improves the resistance of the backsheet to stretching and tearing when subjected to tensile forces during fastening and wearing, and to peeling forces when the tape-tab fasteners are being peeled open. Thus, the fasteners are refastenable.

Abstract: An improved cooking bag in which, for instance, food can be uniformly cooked by microwave energy in a microwave oven without having to adjust the level of power or stir or reposition the food as is now commonly practiced due to microwave energy being unevenly distributed in contemporary microwave cooking apparatus. The improved bag is of the type having microwave energy moderating wall portions which comprise arrays of complemental-shape microwave reflective areas of electrically conductive material such as aluminum foil, and substantially microwave transparent areas.

Abstract: Wet-laid paper having, when creped, improved bulk, softness, and flexibility; a relatively large cross-machine-direction to machine-direction stretch ratio; and improved burst to total tensile strength ratio. The paper is characterized by an array of uncompressed zones which are in staggered relation in both the machine direction and the cross-machine direction; and by having each uncompressed zone defined by a picket-like discontinuous lineament of compacted fibrous material. The invention also includes a process for making the paper through the use of an imprinting fabric which is configured to precipitate the requisite compacting of the picket-like lineaments prior to final drying and creping of the paper.

Abstract: Discoloration of dicarboxylic acid chlorides having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, especially those made by reacting the corresponding dicarboxylic acid with phosphorus trichloride, is inhibited by the addition of a dicarboxylic acid thereto. Addition of a dicarboxylic acid to a dicarboxylic acid chloride which has already discolored precipitates impurities and thus clarifies the dicarboxylic acid chloride. The clarified dicarboxylic acid chlorides are useful as starting materials to make polyester foam materials.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for uniformly debossing and perforating a ribbon of thermoplastic sheet material or film through the use of vacuum in combination with a flash heating source such as a flow of hot air. 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 debossing-perforating cylinder, and then downstream where the debossed and perforated film may be further processed or where it may be wound on a spool to form a roll thereof. The debossing-perforating cylinder comprises a perforated tubular member through which a plurality of independently adjustable levels of vacuum can be applied from within the cylinder to circumferentially spaced sections of the film in contact with the exterior surface of the perforated tubular member. The apparatus further causes a virtual curtain of hot air to be directed radially inwardly towards a predetermined zone of the perforated tubular member.

Abstract: Soft, absorbent, bulky paper web useful in tissue, towel, sanitary, and like products. The web is formed by supplying an aqueous furnish which includes thermomechanically defibrated pulp in admixture with chemically defibrated pulp to a foraminous surface such as a Fourdrinier wire, transferring the moist web to an imprinting fabric, thermally drying the web without mechanical compression to a consistency of from about 30 percent to about 98 percent, imprinting the pattern of the fabric into the thermally predried web, and finally drying the web. The resulting web has relatively high tensile strength at relatively low density. Also, the strength properties of the web are significantly improved if the thermomechanically defibrated pulp is made from wood chips which have been soaked in chemical solutions prior to defibrating and then treated with ozone after defibrating.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for cleansing the skin with improved effectiveness. A soft, flexible web having a low density wiping zone works in concert with a lipophilic cleansing emollient to remove soil from the skin with improved effectiveness. The lipophilic cleansing emollient reduces dehydration of the soil and weakens the soil-skin adhesive forces while the low density wiping zone of the web entraps and thus removes the soil from the skin.