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 secondary topsheet. The secondary topsheet 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: A disposable diaper having an inflatable component is disclosed. The inflatable component comprises an inflatable spacer, a gas evolving material, and a port for receiving an activating material. The port can comprise a gas impermeable, liquid permeable membrane, an adhesive closure, or a mechanical closure. The inflatable spacer maintains a fecal void space intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet of the diaper.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener having a textured fastening surface so as to have a relatively high shear resistance and a desired peel resistance. The pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener comprises a backing web having bulbous surface aberrations projecting from a first surface of the backing web and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive coated over and bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the bulbous surface aberrations of the backing web. The present invention also relates to a fastening system using the pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener of the present invention.

Abstract: A unitary disposable garment, such as disposable training pants, having a high degree of stretch in the cross-machine direction and fitting a broad range of wearer sizes. The unitary disposable garment is manufactured from a chassis and has a waist opening, two leg openings and a pair of side seams which join the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis. The unitary disposable garment preferably has an absorbent assembly, i.e. an absorbent insert, secured to the inner layer of the chassis. The chassis from which the unitary disposable garment is manufactured, has four elasticized ear flaps; each ear flap is elasticized by securing an elastomeric element thereto and mechanically stretching the ear flap and the elastomeric element such that the ear flap is elastically extensible in the direction of initial stretching. The front portion of the chassis is then joined to the rear portion of the chassis on each side of the disposable garment by a seam.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, and the like, that have elasticized waistbands with a dual tensioning fastening system that improves the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. The dual tension fastening system comprises a primary fastening system and a waist closure system. The waist closure system forms a waist closure that anchors a portion of the end edge of the absorbent article and that dynamically maintains/creates lateral tensions through the elasticized waistband so as to improve the fit and containment characteristics of the diaper by reducing gapping, sagging, and roll-over of the elasticized waistband. The absorbent article additionally preferably comprises a pair of elasticized side panels disposed in the second waist region.

Abstract: Fibrous cellulose material useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as paper towels, facial tissues, and toilet tissue are disclosed. The paper products contain a chemical softening composition comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compound include dialkyldimethylammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, and polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000.

Abstract: A disposable garment manufactured from a fusion-slit chassis having a pair of seams. The seams are formed by folding the chassis in the crotch portion so that the longitudinal side regions of the front portion and rear portion are superposed to form seaming areas; each seaming area is treated with ultrasonic energy sufficient to sever the material of the seaming area in a first area while simultaneously bonding the material of the seaming area in a marginal area adjacent the first area to form a flangeless seam which extends from the disposable garment 1/16" or less, preferably 1/32" or less, and in a preferred embodiment will form a splice between the front portion and rear portion of the chassis. The seaming area will consist of layers of polymeric material and in a preferred embodiment will consist of nonwoven webs of 100% polypropylene fibers.

Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have improved dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone. The waistband flexural hinge zone is predisposed to allow the panel zones to flexurally bend about a defined axis or zone and is resilient to provide a restoring force/moment that returns the panel zones to their preceeding in-use configuration, especially when the elasticized waistband has been pretensioned by a closure system.

Abstract: A unitary disposable absorbent article such as a catamenial pad or incontinent pad is provided with an elasticized side flap by operatively associating an elastic member on both the upper surface and the lower surface of the side flap. The elastic member is preferably joined to the inner surface of the side flap as well as the outer surface of the side flap by folding it about the distal edge of the side flap. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic member comprises an elastomeric laminate of an elastomeric layer and a coverstock layer, with the coverstock layer being on the outside of the product, so that the sanitary napkin is provided with soft longitudinal edges which contact the wearer during use. In addition, the elastomeric laminate provides relatively low tension that while raising the side flaps of the product to be a barrier against lateral leakage, also maintain the product in a shape which does not encourage fluid run-off or leakage at the ends of the pad as well as providing a bunching benefit.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a unique elastic waist feature improving the dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone. The waistband flexural hinge zone is predisposed to allow the panel zones to flexurally bend about a defined axis or zone and is resilient to provide a restoring force/moment that returns the panel zones to their preceeding in-use configuration, especially when the elasticized waistband has been pretensioned by a closure system.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles such as a diaper or a sanitary napkin having a fastening system comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener having a textured fastening surface. The pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener comprises a backing web having bulbous surface aberrations projecting from a surface of the web and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive coated over and bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the bulbous surface aberrations of the backing web. When the fastening system of the present invention is affixed to a diaper, the overlapping portions of the diaper are maintained in contact with each other while the fastening system prevents separation of the overlapping waist portions because it is able to resist the wearer-generated peel forces encountered during wear and the shear stress encountered when the diaper is worn.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article, and particularly a sanitary napkin, having a flexure-resistant deformation element, the sanitary napkin having a body surface which has a convex upward configuration when the sanitary napkin is worn. Primarily without relying on lateral compressive forces of the wearer's labia, the sanitary napkin of the present invention relies on the lateral compressive forces of the wearer's thighs in order to form or maintain a convex upward configuration when the sanitary napkin is worn. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation element has a means for inducing the body surface of the sanitary napkin to have a convex upward configuration when the sanitary napkin is worn.

Abstract: Disposable diapers provided with breathable leg cuffs. Disposable diapers comprise a topsheet, an absorbent element, and a backsheet. The leg cut of a disposable diaper is that part of the diaper which fits about the wearer's leg. Extensions of the backsheet can be used to form cuffs which are frequently elasticized. In the present invention the cuffs are formed of a material which allows passage of vapor ("breathes") while tending to retard the passage of liquid. Apertured thermoplastic films are examples of such materials. Certain advantages accrue in cuffs which are permeable to vapor in their distal portions and impermeable in the portions adjacent the absorbent element. If the disposable diaper has a breathable backsheet, the cuffs are constructed to be more permeable to vapor per unit area in their breathable portions than is the backsheet.

Abstract: Personal cleansing compositions comprising alkali metal soap and nonionic guar gum-fatty acid-alkali metal hydroxide complex and exhibiting improved physical properties, lather properties, and mildness. The toilet bars comprise alkali metal soap and from about 0.5 to about 8% by weight nonionic guar gum, which guar gum is provided as a pre-reacted complex prepared by suspending one part by weight guar gum in from about 1 to about 12 parts by weight molten fatty acid and reacting with the suspension from about 0.03 to about 0.2 part by weight alkali metal hydroxide per each part by weight coconut fatty acid.

Abstract: A solidified fat in the form of flakes for use in making piecrust dough has a solids content index profile within the range defined in FIG. 3. The fat comprises triglycerides of saturated and unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Such flakes of fat may be used in making a pastry composition comprising pastry making flour, premeasured amount of the flakes and a sufficient amount of a liquid fat for coating at least portions of the flakes to promote adherence of flour to the flakes in making a pastry dough.

Abstract: A carrier bag of heat-sealable plastic film has a front panel joined along side edges by weld lines to a rear panel. The top ends of the panels are joined by an inwardly foldable gusset which is integral in one piece with the panels. The gusset is joined at the ends to the weld lines such that when the bag is in expanded position, the gusset opens to form a top panel of the bag with inner triangular gussets at the ends thereof lying adjacent double-layer triangular film portions joined through the apexes thereof by the weld lines. A cut-out handle for the bag is formed in one of these double-layer triangular portions. The handle may be further reinforced by joining the two film layers of the double-layer portion by means of a V-shaped weld line having the apex on a side edge weld line and extending upwardly on each side of the cut-out handle.

Abstract: This invention relates to homogeneous liquid laundry detergent compositions containing a mixture of anionic and nonionic synthetic detergents, fatty acid soap, polycarboxylate builder, solvent, and water. Improved odor and safety are obtained by omitting C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 monohydric alcohols which have been used in prior art compositions of this type, and using polyols exclusively for the solvent.

Abstract: Pulps having a tactile sense of softness which are made from hardwoods and processes for making such pulps. The process comprises the steps of: providing hardwood chips having specified sizes; introducing the chips into a digester; removing substantially all the free oxygen from the chips within the digester; providing a cooking liquor comprising from about 0.4% to about 3% ammonia and from about 9% to about 14% sulphur dioxide; completely submerging in cooking liquor all the chips within the digester; sulfonating the lignin within the chips at a temperature of less than about 110.degree. C.; rapidly increasing the temperature to an appropriate hydrolysis temperature; hydrolyzing the lignin sulfonation products at a temperature of from about 140.degree. to about 155.degree. C. at a pH from about 2 to about 3; and rapidly reducing the temperature of the system following the hydrolysis. Pulps made by this process were made into useful tissue paper webs having enhanced softness properties.

Abstract: Personal cleansing compositions comprising alkali metal soap and guar gum-coconut fatty acid-sodium hydroxide complex and exhibiting improved physical properties, lather properties, and mildness. The toilet bars comprise alkali metal soap and from about 0.5 to about 8% by weight guar gum, which guar gum is provided as a pre-reacted complex prepared by suspending one part by weight guar gum in from about 1 to about 12 parts by weight molten coconut fatty acid and reacting with the suspension from about 0.03 to about 0.2 part by weight sodium hydroxide per each part by weight coconut fatty acid.

Abstract: An improved process for making disposable diapers, and the like, having hook-and-loop fastening systems, and disposable diapers made by the improved process. The loop structure of the hook-and-loop fastening system used in this invention is substantially free of article attachment adhesive and comprises loop elements affixed to a support structure. The loop elements are deformed when the loop structure is wound onto a parent roll. At least a portion of the deformed loop elements are restored to essentially their original, undeformed, state after the loop structure is unwoundfrom the parent roll. The restoration is accomplished by contacting the loop elements with a mechanical restoration device which comprises either a brush or a scarfing surface. The brush preferably has a plurality of bristles having an average free length greater than about three times the average undeformed height of the loop elements and an average bending modulus less than the average modulus of elasticity of the loop elements.