Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web is conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web of at least 30 inches of mercury and an air stream through the web of at least 500 SCFM/in.sup.2, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a Yankee dryer. The web is dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The resulting web has an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not previously found in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering. Side seal members are positioned beyond the lateral edges of the wet web and support fabrics. These seals flex into sealing contact with the opposite sealing contact surfaces upon exposure to the presurized fluid of the air press.

Abstract: A method for can drying wet webs for tissue products to preserve web bulk includes, in one embodiment, restraining a partially dewatered wet web between a pair of sheet molding fabrics. The restrained wet web is processed over a plurality of can dryers to dry the wet web, for example from a consistency of at least about 40 percent to a consistency of at least about 70 percent. The sheet molding fabrics in this embodiment protect the wet web from direct contact with the can dryers and impart an impression in the web. A can drying assembly and tissue machine for accomplishing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleanly breaking a continuously advancing cellulose web includes a transfer fabric which supports and advances the cellulose web to a wind up zone. The transfer fabric forms a closed loop and is driven at a desired speed by a drive roll. At least two spray nozzles are arranged transversely across the advancing cellulose web as it is carried on the transfer fabric. The spray nozzles are capable of emitting a liquid under high pressure against the advancing cellulose web to form perforations across the width thereof. A plurality of hollow cores are independently and sequentially moved into position at the wind up zone to receive the advancing cellulose web. The hollow cores are located downstream of the spray nozzles and each hollow core is capable of accumulating a predetermined amount of the cellulose web.

Abstract: The process friendly garments include a waste containment structure that has an absorbent core which is positioned between a wearer and a backsheet, and a cover joined to the pant structure.

Abstract: A camisole garment including an elastic system which is under tension and a ruffle which forms an edge of the elastic structure whereby the curl-over of the structure is minimized during use.

Abstract: A method for distributing a zeolite, including molecular sieve, powder having a median particle size of less than about 350 microns includes controlling the moisture content of the zeolite particles to greater than about 3 percent and thereafter refining the powder to reduce the size of agglomerated clusters.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a garment shell and at least one liquid containment beam formed of an absorbent material. The liquid containment beam has an attachment edge bonded to the garment shell so that the containment beam can lie against the garment shell and also pivot about an axis defined by the attachment edge. For comfort during use, the containment beam desirably has a width to thickness ratio of at least about 3:1. In particular embodiments, the absorbent article includes pairs of inner and outer containment beams, with the inner containment beams adapted to lie against the garment shell and the outer containment beams adapted to lie against the inner containment beams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a shorts garment from four single layer webs of fabric, each web having two side edges. Two of the four webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two webs are bonded together, defining a first composite web. The remaining two webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two remaining webs are bonded together, defining a second composite web. The first and second composite webs are aligned together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement having two layers of fabric and two top side edges and two bottom side edges. The composite webs are intermittently bonded in an alternating orientation near the center of the webs. The interior portion of fabric is removed, defining a cavity. One pair of side edges are folded and bonded together. The other pair of side edges are folded and bonded together.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent article includes providing a liquid containment beam having longitudinal ends and attachment and free edges that extend between the longitudinal ends. The attachment edge is bonded to an interior surface of the absorbent article and a bottom surface of the containment beam is adapted to lie against but be unadhered to the interior surface. The resulting containment beam can pivot about an axis defined by the attachment edge in response to lateral compression of the article, extension or contraction of elastic members, absorption of liquids, or a combination of these factors.

Abstract: A continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment wherein the fabric is cut, defining openings that serve as arm holes in the finished garment. A portion of the fabric is folded back above the openings, defining shoulder straps. The camisole garment has a body seam that may be refastenable or non-refastenable.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a generally reduced length absorbent assembly positioned between a moisture barrier and a bodyside liner. The moisture barrier and the bodyside liner extend beyond the absorbent assembly and define at least one waist region with a length dimension greater than about 10 centimeters. A moisture control layer is present in from about 25 to 100 percent of the area of the first waist region. The moisture control layer is configured to accommodate liquid that may be present in the waist region as a result of condensation or perspiration and also limit the transport of liquid from the absorbent assembly into the waist region.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes first and second liquid containment beams that are moveable relative to a moisture barrier. In particular embodiments, leakage barriers formed of a liquid impermeable material are bonded to the moveable containment beams to impede lateral movement of liquid. In other embodiments, the moisture barrier is formed of a breathable material and the leakage barriers are positioned between the containment beams and moisture barrier to minimize condensation on an exterior surface of the moisture barrier. Desiccant particles may also be included adjacent the moisture barrier to further minimize condensation.

Abstract: A disposable girl's top including a elastic system which is under tension and a ruffle which forms an edge of the elastic structure whereby the curl up of the structure is minimized.

Abstract: A garment includes a garment shell defining a first waist section, an opposite second waist section, and a crotch section therebetween. At least one loop fastening element is attached to the first waist section. A plurality of tactile position indicators are operatively associated with the loop fastening element. The wearer can properly align and secure the garment on himself or herself by identifying the location of the tactile position indicators and releasably connecting portions of the second waist section to the loop fastening element. The invention is particularly useful with disposable absorbent articles worn by adults, and may alternately be employed with tape members.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a moisture barrier, a bodyside liner bonded to the moisture barrier, and an absorbent structure disposed between the bodyside liner and moisture barrier. Elasticized bumpers which function as three-dimensional physical barriers to liquid movement are disposed in the margins of the article. The elasticized bumpers include an internal barrier structure and an elasticized cover disposed over the internal barrier structure and bonded to one of the margins. In particular embodiments, the elasticized cover is formed of a hydrophobic material, is unadhered to the internal barrier structure, and/or is comprised of elastic strands of variable degrees of power.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system that is adapted to resist pop-offs caused by clothing being applied or removed over the absorbent article. The fastening system includes an interlocking fastening component with a resilient backing structure and a plurality of engaging elements projecting from a first major surface of the backing structure. The first major surface has a concave configuration in the direction of a primary meridian, a generally perpendicular secondary meridian, or both the primary and secondary meridians. The concavity of the interlocking fastening component is characterized in terms of a bending index of the first major surface or an amount of elevation of a central portion of the first major surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system having first and second buttons bonded to an elastic strap member in respective first and second end regions. The straps are adapted to attach to a garment and maintain the garment in place during use. Reinforcement members are provided within reinforcement zones surrounding the attachment locations of each of the buttons. The reinforcement members locally stabilize the strap member near the attachment locations to minimize or eliminate rolling and twisting of the sides of the strap members during use.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system that is easy for the wearer to remove but during use is adapted to resist pop-offs caused by clothing being applied or removed over the absorbent article. The fastening system includes an interlocking fastening component with a backing substrate having a grasping section, a primary attachment section, and secondary attachment sections transversely outward from the grasping section. A plurality of upstanding engaging elements such as hooks are disposed exclusively in the primary and secondary attachment sections.