Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an absorbent core with a crotch region and at least one waist region, whereby said crotch region has a lower ultimate fluid storage capability than at least one waist region. The article further has an improved fluid handling performance such as an acquisition rate of at least 0.6 ml in the fourth gush.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that includes a sensor adapted to detect one or more specific health and/or nutrition markers in feces. The device may also signal the caretaker of the occurrence or quantity of the marker. In preferred embodiments, the device includes a diagnostic panel having at least two sensors. The sensors are adapted to detect different target biological analytes in bodily waste or on the wearer's skin. Preferably, the device of the present invention includes a diagnostic panel adapted to determine the cause of a particular disease state, such as diarrhea, and to signal the caretaker, the wearer, or an actuator of the occurrence.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a support member comprising a top sheet, a backsheet, or an absorbent core, and a translational operative member for enhancing the capacity for containing bodily waste. The translational operative member is capable of being moved from one region of the article to another or within a region via a translating device. The translating device comprises a moisture sensitive element capable of expanding or contracting when wetted.

Abstract: Disposable articles for treating objects such as surfaces, devices, persons, contaminants, and the like or for treating substances disposed on, in, or in proximity to such objects having a responsive system. The responsive system may respond continuously or discontinuously. A continuous responsive system of the present invention further includes a feedback control loop. A discontinuous responsive system of the present invention may include either a feedback control loop or an open loop.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article aiming at improved skin aeration by combining the benefits of an absorbent core providing good rewet performance and of cloth-like backsheet materials, which provide high vapor permeability.

Abstract: The present invention is a high capillary suction storage absorbent member comprising an agglomerate of particulate hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer and particulate high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam. In another aspect of the invention the agglomerate of particulate hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer and particulate high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam is disclosed. The absorbent member is useful in the containment (e.g., storage) of body liquids such as urine. In one embodiment, the storage absorbent member comprises the agglomerate. In another embodiment, the absorbent member comprises the agglomerate adjacent to at least one sheet, strip or piece of high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam material.

Abstract: A disposable garment having a consumer-activated component that is expandable to improve the fit and function of the garment. The expandable component includes a compressed, resilient, expansible member disposed within a sealed, air-impermeable envelope. The expandable component can be activated so that the component expands in a direction toward the body of the wearer of the garment by the application of a tensile force on the garment to expose an opening in the envelope, to thereby admit air into the envelope and allow the compressed expansible element to expand to its substantially uncompressed condition.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding a chemical functional additive for making a disposable paper product comprises a supply port and a distribution channel in fluid communication with the supply port. The distribution channel terminates with at least one discharge mouth having a passage cross-section therethrough. The discharge mouth comprises an entry orifice having an entry open area Ae, an exit orifice having an exit open area Ax, and a discharge distance defined between the entry orifice and the exit orifice. The exit open area Ax is greater than the entry open area Ae. This ensures that contaminants would pass through the discharge mouth, whereby plugging thereof is substantially avoided. Preferably, the passage cross-section of the discharge mouth continuously and gradually increases from the entry orifice to the exit orifice.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article comprises a liquid previous topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet combined with the topsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and a barrier cuff having a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge being joined to the topsheet and the distal edge being away from the top surface of the topsheet. The barrier cuff comprises a single layer web having a water resistance value of at least 150 mm H2O, and an average bending force value of less than about 25 mg cm2/cm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary apparatus suitable for processing and working a web or sheet of materials such as plastic films, non-woven substrates, metal foils, paper, diaper cores and the like. Such apparatus includes counter-rotating anvil and tool rolls through which the web or sheet of material to be worked is fed. The tool roll includes at least one processing tool for working the web or sheet of material. The force of the tool on the web or sheet being worked is regulated by a force applied to the processing tool or the anvil surface of the anvil roll by a force-transmitting chamber which includes a fluid. The force applied is adjusted by altering the pressure of the fluid within the force-transmitting chamber.

Abstract: A process for making a deflection member comprises steps of: providing a coating of a liquid curable material supported by a forming surface; providing a source of curing radiation; providing a mask having a pattern of transparent regions and opaque regions therein, and a pattern of a three-dimensional topography; positioning the mask in a face-to-face contact with the coating to selectively shield the coating with the opaque regions of the mask, and to form in the coating a three-dimensional pattern approximating the three-dimensional topography of the mask; curing the curable material, wherein the opaque regions of the mask at least partially shield selected areas of the coating from the curing radiation such that the selected areas are cured through at least a portion of their thickness; and then removing substantially all uncured material to leave a hardened resinous structure.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The disposable absorbent article has a first topsheet with apertures large enough for low-viscosity fecal material to pass through to a fecal material storage element. The fecal material storage element immobilizes the fecal material in position for dewatering, so that the liquid components of the fecal material are absorbed by the core and the solid components of the fecal material are separated from the liquid components. This arrangement provides for easier cleaning of the wearer when the soiled disposable absorbent article is removed.

Abstract: An interlabial absorbent structure is disclosed. The interlabial absorbent structure comprises a pair of absorbent panels that are sufficiently flexible such that the panels can, at least partially, conform to the walls of a wearer's interlabial space. The panels are joined by an isthmus which is positioned furthest into a wearer's interlabial space when the interlabial absorbent product is worn. Alternative embodiments of the isthmus are also described which direct bodily fluids that are deposited thereon along the longitudinal length of the interlabial absorbent structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article having a first waist region, an opposed second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and the second waist region. The absorbent article preferably comprises a liquid impervious backsheet material, an absorbent core and a directionally preferential waste passage member. The waste passage member has a body facing surface and an opposed garment facing surface, at least a portion of the body facing surface of the waste passage member including a soluble material capable of dissolving when contacted by bodily exudates so as to permit the bodily exudates to pass through the waste passage member in a direction generally away from the wearer's skin. At least a portion of the garment facing surface of the waste passage member includes a barrier material which resists penetration by the bodily exudates in a direction opposite from the first direction.

Abstract: A low stress relaxation elastomeric material comprises a block copolymer having an elasotmeric soft block portion and thermoplastic hard block portions, at least one vinylarene resin and mineral oil. The elasotmeric material may be used in a film comprising an elastomeric layer and at least one substantially less elastomeric skin layer. The skin layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer such as polyolefins. The film exhibits desired elastic and stress relaxation properties at body temperature. The film is useful in forming a macroscopically-expanded, three-dimensional elastomeric web.

Abstract: A disposable article to be fitted to a wearer having an external anal sphincter muscle, the external anal sphincter muscle having a basal electrical activity. The disposable article preferably comprises a sensor or sensor system operatively connected to the article wherein the sensor is adapted to detect changes in the electrical activity of the wearer's external anal sphincter muscle that correlates to an impending elimination of bodily waste and to provide a signal to the wearer, a caregiver or an element of the article notifying the wearer, caregiver or element of the article of the impending event.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding an extrudable fluid comprises a distribution channel having a discharge mouth, and a dynamic flow inducer disposed therein. The dynamic flow inducer comprises a movable member, such as, for example, a rotatable bar disposed transversely relative to the flow of the fluid through the discharge mouth. As the extrudable fluid is passing through the discharge mouth, the motion of the dynamic flow inducer retards the accumulation of contaminant and thereby prevents clogging of the extrusion die.

Abstract: Described is a method of forming and curing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) into shaped three dimensional foam implements. In general the method uses the steps of: providing a HIPE, depositing the HIPE into a mold cavity having a predetermined three dimensional shape, curing the HIPE in the mold cavity to form a HIPE foam, and stripping the HIPE foam from the mold cavity to form the three dimensional foam implement. The molded implements are widely useful as components in absorbent articles, toys, insulation, and other uses where a combination of low density and tridimensional shape are desired.

Abstract: A faecal management device. The device has a bag. The bag has an aperture defining a plane and allowing the entry of faecal material. The bag is constructed of two pieces of material joined at a seam, which may lie in a plane parallel that of the aperture. This two-piece construction advantageously allows for a bag geometry which is not long or narrow, thus providing increased comfort for the active wearer.