Abstract: An article comprises a stretchable absorbent composite (30) that includes a quantity of superabsorbent particles (32) which are operatively contained within a matrix of elastomeric polymer fibers (34). In particular aspects, the composite article can include at least about 60 wt % of the superabsorbent particles and not more than about 40 wt % of the elastomeric polymer fibers, based on a total weight of the composite. In other aspects, the composite article can provide a high stretchability. Additional aspects can provide a low shake-out. Particular configurations can, for example, provide a stretchability value of at least about 30%. Additional aspects can include a configuration that provides a shake-out value of not more than about 2%. In further aspects, the absorbent composite can include superabsorbent particles having a coating of treatment-material that is thermally processible. Additional aspects can include a treatment-material which is water soluble.

Abstract: A limited use, disposable article (20), comprises a matrix-substrate (22), and an electrically-conductive region (24) of a separately provided, electrically-conductive material that has been operatively applied to the matrix-substrate from a viscous configuration of the electrically-conductive material. The matrix-substrate includes a first matrix-region (26), and at least a second matrix-region (28). At least the second matrix-region (28) can include a treatment that provides for an operative formation of a selected resistivity in the electrically-conductive region. The first matrix-region (26) has a high resistivity, and the electrically-conductive region (24) is positioned operatively adjacent the second matrix-region (28). The electrically-conductive region (24) has a low resistivity, as determined when the electrically-conductive region is positioned operatively adjacent the second matrix-region and configured for its intended use.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The absorbent article (40) may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection or both. The absorbent article (40) has an absorbent (66) which may include one of various means formed on at least the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for accumulating articles (28) can include a dispensing of the articles with a rotating, metering drum (40) for movement to a first conveyor (50). The metering drum (40) has an entry end (86) and an exit end (88), and in a particular aspect, the metering drum (40) can be configured such that a rotation of the metering drum overcomes a static friction which would inhibit a movement of the articles (28) downstream through the metering drum. In another aspect the metering drum (40) can include at least one lug member (90) which is positioned and attached inside the metering drum at the exit end (88) of the metering drum. In further aspects, a ramp member (43) can be configured to extend an operative distance into the volume of the metering drum, and can be spaced away from an inside wall surface of the metering drum by a selected offset distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and process (20) for forming an embossed web or other article can include moving a target, composite web (26) along an appointed machine-direction (22) at a selected web speed, and operatively contacting the target web (26) with a rotary embossing device (38) to thereby form a non-linear embossment region (82) in at least a selected embossment portion of the target web (26). For example, the web speed can be at least a minimum of about 1.9 m/sec. In a particular aspect, the embossing device (38) can include an outer peripheral surface (42) having a lateral cross-direction (24) and a circumferential-direction (40), and can include a non-linear embossing member (44) located on the outer surface (42). In another aspect, the embossing member (44) can be configured to include a selected traversing occurrence along the circumferential-direction (40) of the embossing device (38). In a further aspect, the embossing member (44) can be configured to include a selected lateral traversing distance (50).

Abstract: A package (20) of articles comprises a bottom panel (24), and a top panel (26). The top panel is operatively positioned and joined with the bottom panel (24) to provide a closed package. The top panel (26) is appointed to face toward a user, and a plurality of personal care articles (22) are contained in the package (20). The package (20) includes an opening mechanism (34) which provides access to the articles (22), and each article includes a liquid-permeable topsheet layer (36), and a backsheet layer (38). A data layer (42) is operatively joined to the article (22), and is intended to be selectively repositioned prior to using the article, to enable full functionality of the article. Data indicia (44) are located on the data layer (42) and configured to communicate a message to the user. The message can be related to at least one of motivating the user, entertaining the user, educating the user, and inspiring the user.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a liquid permeable bodyside cover, a liquid permeable garment side liner and an absorbent core enclosed by the cover and the liner. The absorbent article also has a pair of fringes formed by joining the cover to the liner. The pair of fringes extend laterally outward from the absorbent core and are capable of being biased upward to form a pair of upstanding side walls when placed in an undergarment. The pair of upstanding side walls form a pair of reservoirs located adjacent to the absorbent core. The pair of reservoirs are capable of retaining body fluid that has run off of the cover until the body fluid can be absorbed by the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively orienting an article (28) can include a selective indexing of a movable carriage (94) between a first carriage position and at least a second carriage position, thereby providing a selected face-alignment of a datum surface (74) of the article. In particular aspects, the first carriage position can be configured to provide for a first, twist displacement of the article, and the second carriage position can be configured to provide for a second, twist displacement of the article with the second twist displacement directionally opposite to the first twist displacement. In another aspect, the movable carriage can include an indexing wheel (120). In a further aspect, at least one set of twist-belts (66) can be connected to the carriage (94).

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, and has at least one tab (94) extending from the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating articles (28) includes inputting a plurality of individual articles to deliver the articles from an article supply source (26) onto an inclined slide (42) having a guide surface. In particular aspects, the articles are regulated with a guide member (44), and directed to a first conveyor (50).

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for accumulating selected articles can include an inputting of a plurality of individual articles (28) from an article supply source (26). Each article can have at least a first major facing surface (30), a first article dimension (32) extending along a first article direction, a second article dimension (34) extending along a second article direction which differs from the first article direction, and an article edge region (36). Each article can be directed to a first conveyor (50), and in a particular aspect, the first article dimension of each article can be aligned along a selected machine-direction (22). Another aspect can include an identifying of an article-set (70) which contains a selected, predetermined number of the articles. Further aspects can include a forming of at least one article-set which contains the selected number articles arranged in a stack or other arrangement suitable for packaging; and a moving of the article-set into a package.

Abstract: A method for forming a stabilized airlaid layer (86) can include an airforming of a substantially unbonded fibrous layer (66) which includes absorbent fibers and binder-fibers. The fibrous layer (66) is exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic energy during a distinctively short activation period to activate the binder-fibers to provide the stabilized, airlaid layer (86). In a particular aspect the activation period can be not more than about 3 sec.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating articles (28) include conveying a plurality of individual articles with a stacking conveyor (96) In particular aspects, the vacuum conveyor (96) can be arranged with an elbow configuration to substantially avoid an undesired encircling or surrounding of a substantially fixed portion of cooperating downstream equipment, and the stacking conveyor (96) can have a plurality of holding members (112) that project away from an article-side surface of the stacking conveyor. In another aspect, the method and apparatus can include a turning mechanism which forms the desired elbow configuration. A further aspect can include a transfer system (98) which can cooperate with a vacuum system (100) to load the articles (28) into downstream packaging equipment. Still another aspect can include a storage buffer mechanism (104) which provides an area upon which to stage at least one article-set (70).

Abstract: A process and system for maintaining a position of a feminine-care treatment (86) includes a providing of an operative quantity of at least one feminine-care treatment material (86), and a depositing of the treatment material into a vulva-vaginal area of a recipient, female user. A maintenance article, such as provided by an interlabial device (40), is placed into an interlabial space of the user. The maintenance article (40) is configured to operatively impede an undesired movement of the treatment material (86) from the vulva-vaginal area when the interlabial device is placed in the interlabial space of the user. In a particular aspect, the maintenance article (40) can include a liquid-permeable topsheet layer (62), and a pliable core (66) which operatively joined to the topsheet layer (62).

Abstract: A process for splicing a first section of absorbent material to a second section of absorbent material to form a longer, continuous length (20) of absorbent material suitable for a substantially uninterrupted sequential in-feed to a processing machine. The process includes a placing of a trailing end (26) of a first portion (22) of absorbent material in a position that substantially overlaps a leading end (28) of a second portion (24) of absorbent material to provide an overlapped splicing region (42). The trailing end (26) of the first portion (22) is attached to the leading end (28) of the second portion (24) along at least a part of the overlapped splicing region (42) with a thermal bond that provides a splice between the first portion (22) of absorbent material and the second portion (24) of absorbent material, and in a particular aspect, the absorbent material can be configured to provide an airlaid, nonwoven absorbent material.

Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction value ranging from between 0.62 to 0.86. In one embodiment, a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive method and apparatus (20) for forming an article which includes one or more selectively configured strands of material. In particular aspects, the invention can provide a method and apparatus for wrapping a strand of material with a selected filament, and desirably, the filament can be an adhesive filament. The technique of the invention can include a moving of a strand of material (22) at a selected speed along an appointed machine-direction (34). A substantially continuous filament (24) can be directed onto the strand of material (22) along an oscillating filament path (26) to form a plurality of filament threads (28) extending from opposed lateral side regions (30) of the strand of material (22). An air stream (32) is directed to operatively wrap the filament threads (28) around the strand of material (22).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for forming a fibrous web (50) includes a movable, foraminous forming surface (22) and a substantially stationary, vacuum-commutator duct system (24) which is located substantially subjacent the forming surface (22). The vacuum-commutator duct system (24) has an entrance opening (26) that changes in configuration along a longitudinal dimension (30) of the entrance opening (26).