Abstract: A heating apparatus at the end of a diaper production line composed of a series of radiant energy sources. These radiant energy sources are controlled so as to emit differing concentrations of radiant energy. The sources are controlled so as to emit radiant energy more absorbent by diaper polymer backing sheets in the first section of the heater and more absorbent by heat-shrinkable diaper elastics in the downstream portion of the heater. Further, the temperature of the heaters is preferably controlled to the desired infrared range by blowing hot air past the heaters and onto the diapers so as to provide conductive transfer and at the same time control the infrared radiant energy that is provided by the heaters.

Abstract: The invention is generally accomplished by providing an incontinent garment or feminine pad having an indicator thereon to aid in proper placement of the pad onto the body of the wearer.The invention in preferred form provides a sanitary napkin configured for partial labial disposition within the vestibule of the wearer, and for at least partially occluding said vestibule respecting fluid flow therefrom, said napkin comprises a fluid-absorbent body having a posterior region including a raised profile for projection within the vestibule intermediate the labia majora inwardly bounding the same from a position posteriorly remote from the clitoris and extending to the rearwardmost aspect of said vestibule, and anterior region merging with said posterior region and for generally external disposition about the vulvar region over said labia majora and spaced from said clitoris with a visual and/or tactile indicator located in the area of the pad that is to be placed immediately below the vestibule of the wearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for fastening refastenable garment such as diaper or incontinent garment in which a tape and polymer backing material for the garment are provided such that tape may be removed after refastening to the diaper without tearing of the polymer material. The system of the invention utilizes a polypropylene tape material that is embossed on the outer surface and smooth on the adhesive-carrying surface. The adhesive on the tape is a semihard adhesive that provides high adhesion values to the polymer that nevertheless may be peeled free for removal of the tape and subsequent refastening. The polymer forming the outer backing if the diaper is a relatively thick, embossed polymeric sheet. In the refastenable system of the invention the strength and adherence of the tape to the strong, embossed polymer backing sheet is controlled so as to achieve secure fastening with release of the adhesive from the embossed sheet without tearing.

Abstract: The invention generally provides for formation of meltblown material containing wood fiber on to a continuous foraminous belt. During formation a polymer and wood fiber first layer is applied to a moving belt from at least one bank of meltblown forming apparatus. This first layer does not contain superabsorbent. The belt carrying the first layer passes beneath at least one further source of meltblown fiber into which superabsorbent is added along with the wood fibers. This provides at least one additional layer integrally connected to the first-formed layer and having superabsorbent properties. The first layer acts to aid in trapping of any superabsorbent which is not immediately entangled in the meltblown and wood fibers and prevents it passing through the forming belt.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided which minimizes the probability of side staining or side leakage by using embossed channels which are located adjacent to the longitudinal edges of the napkin. These embossed channels are activated during use by the thighs, allowing the sides of the napkin to fold upwards during use, thus forming an occlusive container.

Abstract: Inner and outer convolutely wound cardboard tubes of a tampon applicator are formed with a different number of ply windings.

Abstract: A fiberizer for disintegrating fibrous sheets and a method of fiberizing using a rotor having peripheral teeth arranged within bands which extend transversely around the rotor axis is disclosed. The tooth pattern in each band is circumferentially extending and shaped approximately in a sinusoidal wave on the rotor periphery extending in the direction of rotation, and providing a substantially sinusoidal distribution of impacts against a sheet fed to an anvil in the form of simple harmonic motion along a cross direction impact line adjacent the anvil and thus transversing impacts within adjacent strips of the sheet corresponding to the bands. Individual points along the width of the fibrous sheet are periodically impulsively loaded by the impacts when they are at a period of highest response, i.e.

Abstract: The invention is generally accomplished by providing a pad that has an impermeable backing member, an overlaying permeable member and an absorbent coform layer therebetween. The pad is provided with a quilted pattern by permanent adhering compression of the pad in narrow areas, forming a lined pattern. The pad further may be heated to shrink the coform and provide a pleasing puckered surface.

Abstract: The present invention involves a folding apparatus for folding a flexible sheet during the manufacture of an article such as a diaper or personal incontinence pad. Briefly, the apparatus comprises at least one folding board. The folding board, in turn, comprises four panels which are joined by three hinges for allowing the board to bend along three specified fold lines. The first hinge allows the board to bend between the first and second panel along a first centrally-located fold line which extends from the leading edge of the folding board to the trailing edge. The second hinge allows the board to bend between the first and third panel along a second fold line which extends from the leading edge to one of the sides edges of the board. The third hinge allows the board to bend between the second and fourth panel along a third fold line which extends from the leading edge to the other side edge of the board.

Abstract: The invention is generally accomplished by providing a sheet of cover material, folding the sheet such that one portion to become the front extends up to a line slightly below the edge of the portion to become the back. The flap of the back portion extending above the front is coated with adhesive; the disposal container is formed by sealing the sides of the folded sheet. Outward of the seal lines that form the container are placed tear lines such as perforation lines. The object to be wrapped then is placed onto the exterior side of the front of the container, and the container is wrapped around the object and sealed with the adhesive strip on the flap to form a package. The ends of the package are then sealed. The package may be opened by tearing at the perforations and unrolling the container by releasing the adhesive flap to recover the wrapped article.

Abstract: The invention provides an efficient method and apparatus for applying linear segments of elastic to a base material transverse to the direction the base material is moving in a production line. This object is obtained by providing an apparatus with means for sequentially and repeatedly gripping an elastic strip, pulling that elastic strip across the base material, and then releasing the elastic strip. At about the same time the elastic strip is released, it is cut to size. Also at this same time, the elastic strip is brought into contact with the base material. Preferably, the elastic strip is brought into contact with the base material by virtue of rotation of the gripping, pulling and releasing means.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally hourglass-shaped sanitary napkin with a cellulose fluff insert for absorption that is outwardly bulging on the baffle side to create a thicker region near the center of the sanitary napkin. The baffle or fluid-impervious layer wraps around the absorbent cellulose fluff insert to form a well thereby maintaining fluid within its borders to afford increased protection from fluid leakage.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin as provided with a multilayer absorbent, the top layer of which is designed to transfer fluid rapidly from the cover to secondary layers. The top layer contains at least 60% thermoplastic fiber and is oriented 90.degree. from the axis of deposition of the web from which it was derived.

Abstract: A combination sanitary napkin and interlabial pad is provided by forming an absorbent layer which tapers at one end and folding the layer over on itself to form a double layer with the top layer designed, due to its reduced width, to engage the labia of the user. The upper layer is moveable with respect to the bottom absorbent layer.

Abstract: A pair of sanitary napkins is provided each with an absorbent layer and a fluid permeable baffle with adhesive for garment attachment attached thereto. These napkins are put in abutting relationship with a release liner coated on both sides positioned between the adhesive coated bottom surfaces of the respective napkins.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for slitting of continuous webs into ribbons. The apparatus is composed of a series of cutters, preferably of the crush-cutter type that are slidably mounted on a support such as rail or series of rails. The cutters are each provided with a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket on each cutter is adapted to receive two individual adjustment devices. The adjustment devices are provided to individually and rigidly connect each adjacent cutter. In the preferred system, the individual adjustment devices are threaded studs with a center adjustment nut that is turned to bring the cutters closer or provide greater distance between them. Adjustment of any single stud leads to movement of the whole series of cutters as the individual devices between the other cutters will maintain their distance between adjacent cutters, and the cutters will slide upon the mounting rails.

Abstract: A shipping package for dispensing industrial size meltblown microfiber wipers therefrom. The wipers are folded in alternating opposite directions and joined to the next wiper by a plurality of perforated teeth forming a substantially continuous web of separable wipers. Two such webs are interfolded in a particular manner, i.e., a first web superposed over a second web but having the second web lagging the first web by at least one and one-half segments of a folded wiper. The package includes dispensing port for initiating breakage of the perforation teeth joining a lead wiper to a trailing wiper as a lead wiper is being dispensed. Also the dispensing port includes structure for opposing adherence of microfibers from wiper segments of one web to microfibers from wiper segments of the other web as the lead wiper is being dispensed from the carton and is being removed from the interfolded web.

Abstract: A creping adhesive comprises an admixture of an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer and a high molecular weight thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Tissue dispensing system for dispensing a stack of interleaved facial tissues from a wall mounted type dispensing cabinet employs a plastic overwrap package of facial tissues having a perforated opening which automatically adheres a front face of the package to a slot in the cabinet to provide inproved tissue dispensing. As each tissue is dispensed, tensile forces are applied to the front face of the package along defined lines by the edges of the tissue passing past the corners of the opening in the package causing the front face of the package to bend into a truncated, hip-roof shaped structure having the truncated end depending from the slot in the cabinet.

Abstract: A novel magenta developer system is provided which employs a 2,9-dimethylquinacridone pigment and a resin toner in combination with a carrier coated with resin containing copper tetra-4-(octadecylsulfonomido) phthalocyanine. Thus, a magenta developer is provided for the first time which is capable of employing a coated conventional carrier, thereby simplifying the color electrophotographic process. Color electrophotographic process employing this developer are also disclosed.