Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article such as an incontinent pad that is both comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing large volumes of bodily liquids without leakage. Such an absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core includes a material which expands when wetted. The backsheet includes at least one pleat which is tacked with a liquid soluble adhesive such that when the liquid soluble adhesive is wetted the adhesive dissolves allowing the pleat to expand as the absorbent core expands. The pleats may extend in any direction, but preferably extend either substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article or substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A coextruded, multilayer polymeric film having a core layer including a surfactant and at least one outer layer is placed on a forming structure. The forming structure moves in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the multilayer film and carries the multilayer film in that direction. A fluid pressure differential is applied across the thickness of the multilayer film along the direction of movement of the forming structure. The fluid pressure differential is sufficiently great to cause the multilayer film to conform with the forming structure forming a formed polymeric web. The formed polymeric web is exposed to a temperature which is sufficiently great enough to allow the surfactant in the core layer to migrate to the outer layer to form a surfactant treated formed polymeric web.

Abstract: A web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually distinct regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article contains a liquid pervious topsheet, having a basis weight ranging from 10 to 40 g/yd.sup.2 and comprising a body with at least the upper portion thereof comprising nonwoven fabric prepared by forming a web comprising a homogeneous admixture of from 1 to 50% by weight of melt blown fibers and from 99 to 50% by weight of 1.2 to 5 denier staple synthetic fibers and hydroentangling the fibers to form a fabric, with or without the formation of apertures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously supplying thermoplastic webbing to an application apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, first and second webs of thermoplastic material are held stationary and heat spliced together upstream in a line operation while a downstream segment of the thermoplastic webbing is continuously supplied to an application apparatus downstream in the operation. The heat splicing step is carried out by bringing together first and second opposable splicer clamps to form an overlapping area between the first and second webs and applying a heat impulse to the overlapping area to bond the webs together.

Abstract: An improved top opening, rectangular flexible bag for containing a stack of highly compressed flexible articles. The bag has front and back panels, two side panels and top and bottom panels, all of which are connected together to form an internal compartment for containing the stack under high compression. The stack is arranged within the bag in such a way that the side panels are under tension. The line of weakness defines the entire top portion of the bag which can be easily removed, thus exposing the entire contents of the bag for easy removal. The improvement to the bag is that the line of weakness is applied to the front and back panel of the bag simultaneously, thus providing perfect alignment of the lines of weakness where they intersect the side seals of the bag. The bag is further improved with a notch where the line of weakness intersects the side seal, thus significantly reducing the force to initiate the tear through the bead of plastic created by the side seal.

Abstract: A resilient three-dimensional plastic web exhibiting reduced skin contact area and a fiber-like appearance and tactile impression. The web has a multiplicity of apertures therein, each being defined by a multiplicity of intersecting fiber-like elements interconnected to one another in the plane of a first surface of the web. Each of the fiber-like elements exhibits a substantially uniform generally upwardly concave-shaped cross-section along its length. The cross-section comprises a pair of convergent substantially linear portions which intersect one another at an end to form a vertex in the plane of the first surface of the web. This vertex reduces the skin contact area of the web providing a more comfortable feel for the user when the web is employed as a wearer contacting topsheet on an absorbent article. Furthermore, the web provides a substantially non-glossy visible surface as there is almost no substantially planar portion in its uppermost surface to reflect incident light to the viewer's eye.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided for achieving improved interproximal cleaning without increasing gum irritation. The bristles of the toothbrush have a generally "V" shaped side profile. In addition, the exposed ends of all of the bristles are properly end rounded. The dimensions and shape of the "V" shape fall within a certain range, as does the stiffness of the bristles. These characteristics allow the bristles to penetrate into the interproximal areas with enough force to effectively clean these areas without causing irritation to the user's gums.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a laminate material. The laminate material includes a first sheet and a second sheet spaced apart from one another by spacers to define a capillary zone for the capillary movement of fluid between the first and second sheets. The spacers connect the first sheet and the second sheet together to form the laminate material.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, adult incontinence device which has absorbent components comprised of blends of different types of fibers is provided. The absorbent components are arranged in structures that provide improved core integrity and liquid processing. The absorbent article preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer overlying the absorbent core. The absorbent core comprises a blend of cellulosic fibers, absorbent gelling material, and fibers such as crimped synthetic fibers that form liquid stable bonds with adjacent layers. The acquisition layer also comprises at least some fibers that form liquid stable bonds with adjacent layers. The fibers that form liquid stable bonds in the absorbent core and the acquisition layer are bonded to liquid stable components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin having a transversely segmented absorbent core. The core is divided into a plurality of independent segments, each able to move in the Z-direction without constraints from such movement imposed by adjacent segments. Each segment may be disconnected from the adjacent segment, or connected to the adjacent segment by an isthmic connection registered with the longitudinal centerline of the sanitary napkin or by two isthmic connections, one registered with each longitudinal side edge of the core.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, adult incontinence device which has absorbent components comprised of blends of different types of fibers is provided. The absorbent components are arranged in structures that provide improved core integrity and liquid processing. The absorbent article preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer overlying the absorbent core. The absorbent core comprises a blend of cellulosic fibers, absorbent gelling material, and fibers such as crimped synthetic fibers that form liquid stable bonds with adjacent layers. The acquisition layer also comprises at least some fibers that form liquid stable bonds with adjacent layers. The fibers that form liquid stable bonds in the absorbent core and the acquisition layer are bonded to liquid stable components.

Abstract: A continuous, multi-phase process for microaperturing and microembossing a substantially continuous web of substantially planar polymeric film to conform with the image of multiple forming structures, each having a patterned forming surface with a multiplicity of fine-scale apertures and an opposed surface. Each forming structure is open from the apertures in the forming surface to its opposed surface. The web of film has an indefinite length, a first surface, a second surface and a thickness. The thickness is the distance between the first surface and the second surface. The process includes at least two sequential forming phases, one of which involves aperturing of the web of film to coincide with fine-scale apertures in the first forming structure and another of which involves conformance of the web of film to the profile of the fine-scale apertures in the second forming structure.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a fluid pervious topsheet, a fluid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet includes a fluid pervious nonwoven material having a patterned network of fluid impervious areas deposited thereon. Bodily fluid deposited on the topsheet is transported through the fluid pervious nonwoven material portion of the topsheet, thereby wetting the nonwoven material while the fluid impervious areas remain dry. The dry fluid impervious areas contrast visually with the wetted nonwoven material portion of the topsheet. This structure provides a topsheet that is perceived as soft and fibrous prior to the discharge of bodily fluids thereon and clean and dry after bodily fluids have been deposited thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching an elastic member in cross machine direction and combining the elastic member, while held in tension, with a moving substrate web. A web of unstretched material, having elasticity across the direction of metering, is fed onto a first rotating drum at a speed slower than the surface speed of the drum. A cutter roll severs a portion of the unstretched material from its leading edge. Vacuum grippers in a drum slot beneath the elastic member support the ends of the member when it is cut from the web. Sealing dies are mounted to the surface of the vacuum grippers below the ends of the elastic member. As the first drum rotates further, the vacuum grippers are cammed axially outward within the slot to stretch the elastic member. Meanwhile, a substrate web is metered onto a second drum which rotates at the same surface speed as the first drum. The second drum rotates against the first drum but in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A package for multiple articles such as trigger sprayers. The articles are placed adjacent each other and secured against an upright backing member. The backing member has an aperture formed by cutting and folding a flap of the backing member material. The aperture serves as a finger hole for carrying the package while the flap serves as a spacer for separating the adjacent articles. In one embodiment a shrinkband is wrapped around the articles and the backing member to secure the articles to the backing member with the uppermost edge of the shrinkband remaining below the finger hole. In an alternative embodiment a shrinkwrap encases the articles and backing member to secure the articles to the backing member. An access hole may be cut in the shrinkwrap around the finger hole in the backing member if use of the finger hole for handling the package is desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tensioned garter and bonding it to a substrate while holding the garter in a predetermined shape. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment mandrels having a perimeter of the desired garter shape are mounted to a rotating drum. Tensioned elastic ribbons are progressively wrapped, sealed, and cut around the mandrels to form individual tensioned garters which cling to the side walls of the mandrels. In another embodiment each mandrel has a top surface. The upper portion of a garter has sufficient elastic tension to cause it to fold over the mandrel top surface to form a garter flange thereon. A substrate is then engaged with the garter flange and an external sealing means seals the flange to the substrate, using the mandrel top surface as an anvil. In still another embodiment the mandrel top surface has a raised outer rim.

Abstract: The present invention provides absorbent articles, especially sanitary napkins, containing a fluid transport layer. In-use, the transport layer directs menses to a storage layer, thereby minimizing product failure and staining of undergarments. The transport layer can protrude into, or through, a topsheet to provide very aggressive transport of vaginal discharges. Preferably, the transport layer is a layer of fibers having external capillary channels.