Abstract: Resilient polyester foam materials. Acyl halide, polyol, and polyhydroxy cross-linking agent are reacted in the presence of alkali metal carbonate to prepare the resilient polyester foams. A process similar to that used in the one-shot preparation of polyurethane foams is used. Preferred reactants are adipyl chloride, quadrafunctional polyol based on pentaerythritol, propoxylated pentaerythritol cross-linking agent, and sodium carbonate. The resilient polyester foams find use in products such as catamenial tampons.

Abstract: Sanitary tissue products which are laminates formed from two dissimilar paper webs. When a web of low density, high bulk process paper is united with a web of conventional paper, a product possessing absorbency softness, flexibility, and bulk properties similar to those of a product comprising two webs of the low density, high bulk process paper is produced. Variations taught by the invention include the use of two paper webs having different creping characteristics to form the laminated sanitary tissue. The teachings of the invention can be extended to other products such as paper towels.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a continuous elastic ribbon is fed to a diaper web assembly station in a stretched condition. While traveling to the assembly station, an adhesive is applied to discrete lengths of the elastic ribbon at regularly spaced intervals. Simultaneously, discrete absorbent core segments as well as webs of moisture-impervious backsheet material and moisture-pervious topsheet material are fed to the diaper web assembly station. At the station, the stretched elastic ribbon is adhered to the moisture-impervious backsheet web in the discrete areas of the elastic which are covered by adhesive at predetermined points along the length of said web. After the adhesive has set up, the assembled web and the elastic contained therein is severed in its unadhered areas, whereupon the unadhered end portions become relaxed and inactive without affecting the functionality of the adhered portions in the ultimate assemblage.

Abstract: Flexible, light-stable polyurethane foam. Aliphatic diisocyanates are reacted with polyether polyols and polyfunctional cross-linking agents in the presence of water, a metal catalyst and a strong base catalyst. The polyether polyols must have an equivalent weight of at least 2,000 while the cross-linking agent must have at least three primary hydroxyl groups and have an equivalent weight of less than 100. The strong base catalyst must be present at from about 3.8 .times. 10.sup.-4 to about 1.25 .times. 10.sup.-3 equivalents per 100 parts polyether polyol.

Abstract: Foams (as for example polyurethane foam) catamenial tampons which have been treated with surfactant. Catamenial tampons of this invention exhibit improved humid expansion characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the catamenial tampons comprise particles of lubricated polyurethane foam which have been treated with surfactant and which are contained within a fluid permeable overwrap. The invention includes a process for making the above described catamenial tampons.

Abstract: Absorptive devices, such as disposable diapers, presenting a dry surface feel to the user. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a substantially planar, moisture absorbent layer is disposed between a soft and bulky, wearer contacting, moisture-pervious topsheet and a moisture-resistant backing sheet to form a disposable diaper. The topsheet preferably comprises an integral structure containing a multiplicity of depressed areas which intimately contact the uppermost surface of a substantially planar, moisture absorbent layer, while the non-depressed areas of the topsheet contact the wearer's skin in-use.

Abstract: An interconnected web of disposable diapers containing a pair of continuous, stretched strands of elastic aligned generally parallel to the direction of web travel, is folded along its length from a substantially flat condition to produce a C-shaped, transverse cross-section by means of a conventional board and guide folder. The C-folded web is maintained under tension during the longitudinal folding operation to keep the continuous elastic strands in a stretched condition, and the web is cut transverse to the direction of web travel without releasing the tension in either the individual diapers cut from the web or in the advancing web. Means are provided for transversely folding the individual diapers cut from the web about their midpoints while maintaining the elastic strands associated therewith in a stretched condition and the diaper under positive control.

Abstract: A wet-laid composite, soft, bulky and absorbent paper structure is prepared from two or more layers of furnish which are preferably comprised of different fiber types. The layers are preferably formed from the deposition of separate streams of dilute fiber slurries, the fibers typically being relatively long softwood and relatively short hardwood fibers as used in tissue papermaking, upon one or more endless foraminous screens. The layers are subsequently combined to form a unitary web, and the layered, unitary web is dewatered by the application of fluid forces. The moist, layered web is thereafter transferred to an open mesh drying/imprinting fabric. The application of a fluid force to the web creates patterned discrete areas of fibers numbering from about 100 to about 3600 per square inch of projected surface area on the side of the web which contacts the drying/imprinting fabric.

Abstract: A low-density, soft, bulky and absorbent paper sheet exhibiting a diamond-shaped pattern in its surface after creping, said paper being characterized by having a cross-directional stretch of from about 2 to about 6 percent, as well as improved softness, surface feel and drape, said paper sheet being particularly suitable for use in tissue, toweling and sanitary products. The aforesaid paper sheets are produced by impressing a dot-dash knuckle pattern, wherein the long axis of the dash impressions is aligned parallel to the machine direction of papermaking, using the back side of a monofilament, polymeric fiber, semi-twill fabric of selected coarseness, the knuckle imprint area of which constitutes between about 20 and about 50 percent of the total fabric surface area, as measured in the plane of the knuckles, on an uncompacted paper web at selected fiber consistencies, induced by thermal predrying, prior to final drying and creping.

Abstract: In a carton employing a turned-under lip along at least a portion of its periphery, an easily openable, non-resealable tab is provided for securing the carton lid to the body of a carton. The tab provides an easy open feature, secures the lid to the body of the carton, provides visual assurance that the carton has not been pilfered and eliminates the cost, nuisance and disposal problems normally associated with prior art overwrap materials and tear-out zippers. The tab requires a very low opening force which is highly reproducible. In addition, the tab is unaffected by minor carton damage. The tab is formed as an integral portion of the carton lid, is easily produced on standard packaging equipment, and, in a particularly preferred embodiment, requires no additional packaging material other than that required to form the carton lid.

Abstract: A disposable pad comprising an absorbent substrate having incorporated therein adipic acid in a quantity sufficient to inhibit ammonia formation and concommitant diaper rash.

Abstract: A disposable diaper combining improved softness and sufficient strength to resist in use tearing and shredding in a single structure, thereby producing better compliance and fit when the structure is applied to the wearer, and hence improved comfort as well as better containment of waste fluids deposited thereon. In a preferred embodiment, a disposable diaper of the present invention employs an air laid absorbent cellulosic core reinforced by the application of a hydrophobic resin at relatively low levels of solids addition to one side thereof with subsequent drying, curing and calendering to the desired overall density. With sufficient strength built into the resin treated surface of the absorbent core structure, the unreinforced surface of the absorbent core can be adhered directly to a soft, waterproof backsheet, thereby producing a unique softness, texture and hand.

Abstract: A multi-ply absorbent wiping product having a relatively inextensible center ply bonded to highly extensible outer plies to provide superior wet bulk caliper and impression, wet strength and absorption characteristics. The central ply is comprised of wet strength, cellulosic tissue paper having less than about 10 percent stretch. Both sides of the central ply are imprinted with a suitable polymer resin in a regulated pattern covering between about 15 and about 55 percent of the total surface on each side of the central ply. An outer ply of wet strength, highly extensible, creped cellulosic tissue paper is adhered to each of the opposite surfaces of the central ply by feeding the layers between the nip of a pair of synchronously driven, hard-surfaced embossing rolls having a mating pattern of embossments thereon.