Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes an absorbent body composed of a substantially hydrophilic material which is capable of absorbing a selected liquid. A liquid permeable topsheet layer composed of a substantially hydrophobic material is superposed in facing relation with said absorbent body and has an effective average pore size therein. A liquid permeable transport layer is located between the topsheet layer and the absorbent body, and is composed of a material which is less hydrophilic than the absorbent body and has an effective average pore size therein which is smaller than the pore size of the topsheet layer.

Abstract: A technique for adhering individual patches of substrate material to spaced-apart regions of a moving web layer comprises a transporting mechanism for moving the web layer and a supplying mechanism for providing a selected substrate material. An applicating mechanism deposits a selected coating of hotmelt adhesive onto the substrate material, and a regulating mechanism automatically maintains a selected cross-directional registry between the substrate material and the deposited coating of adhesive. The coated substrate is cooled, and a directing mechanism engages the coated substrate to feed it to a separating mechanism at a selected rate. The separating mechanism segments the coated substrate into individual patches. A phasing mechanism provides a selected spatial segregation between the individual patches, and an assemblying mechanism adhesively secures the segregated patches onto selected spaced regions of the moving web layer.

Abstract: A fibrous web comprising fibers which have been differentially cooled to provide a crimped fiber conformation thereto and then thermally relaxed to a sufficient degree to at least partially decrimp the fibers and increase the loft and decrease the density of the web. Also disclosed is a process for forming a web of such type, comprising the steps of forming a web of fibers, bonding the fibers to form a bonded web, differentially cooling the fibers to provide a crimped fiber conformation thereto, and thermally relaxing the fibers to a sufficient degree to at least partially decrimp the fibers and increase the loft and decrease the density of the web, wherein the differential cooling step preferably is carried out prior to bonding of the fibers to form the bonded web and the thermal relaxing step is carried out after bonding of the fibers to form such web.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming an integral laid fibrous web from multiple fiberizable components, characterized by generally discrete homogeneous compositional zones therein. The system comprises a housing having in its outer surface (i) inlet slot(s) for introduction of fiberizable materials into the housing and (ii) a discharge slot generally laterally coextensive with and translationally spaced from the inlet slot(s), for discharge of fiberized materials from the housing. A translatable body is positioned in the housing for translation therein, having a plurality of blades on its outer surface. The outer surface of the translatable body and the housing have a space therebetween wherein the blades travel during translation of the translatable body. First and second fiberizable components are fed to inlet slot(s) wherein the respective fiberizable components are at least partially laterally isolate relative to each other during the feeding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive absorbent garment which comprises a backsheet having waistband portions at each longitudinal end thereof, and intermediate portion interconnecting the waistband portions, and marginal portions along each lateral side edge of the backsheet. A liquid permeable liner sheet is located in facing relation with the backsheet, and an absorbent body is located between the backsheet and liner sheet. The absorbent body delimits waistband sections at each longitudinal end thereof, delimits an intermediate section interconnecting the waistband sections, and delimits a marginal contour at each lateral side edge of the absorbent body. Each marginal side contour has at least one collapsible notch section formed therein. A fastening mechanism is connected to the garment for securing the garment on a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus for forming a fibrous web, and includes a fibrous supply mechanism for providing fibers of web material. The fibers are deposited onto a foraminous web forming layer which may optionally have a pocket recess formed therein. A foraminous spacing mechanism supports the web forming layer while allowing a substantially unrestricted gas flow from a region immediately adjacent to and downstream from the web forming layer. A gas flow regulating layer has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough, and is fixedly positioned in adjacent facing relation with the foraminous spacing means. The regulating layer provides a selected pattern of gas flow through the web forming layer. The regulating layer, the foraminous spacing mechanism and the gas flow regulating layer are constructed to form an installable and replaceable assembly, and a flow forcing mechanism provides a flow of gas through the web forming layer.

Abstract: A laminated fibrous web comprising: a first fibrous layer; and a second fibrous layer bonded to and of lower density than the first fibrous layer; wherein fibers in the second fibrous layer are less bonded to one another, than fibers in the first fibrous layer are bonded to one another; and wherein the first and second fibrous layers are less bonded to each other than fibers in the first fibrous layer are bonded to one another.

Abstract: An article, which includes a refastenable adhesive tape fastening system, comprises an adhesive tape tab which has a peel force value of at least about 11.7 N, and a substrate layer which is composed of a nonwoven synthetic polymer material. The substrate layer has a matte finish, and has a tensile load capacity which is substantially unable to prevent tearing thereof when the tape tab is peeled from adhesive contact with the substrate layer. A reinforcement layer has a first major surface bonded to the substrate layer, and has a second major surface which is appointed for adhesive bonding with the adhesive tape tab. The reinforcement layer also has a matte finish and a yield tensile strength of at least about 15 MPa. The reinforcement layer and substrate layer thereby form a composite, reinforced substrate having a composite tensile load capacity capable of withstanding the peeling removal of the adhesive tape tab substantially without tearing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective garment which comprises a base sheet member having a neck opening aperture formed in a selected neckband section thereof. A neck elastic member is located in an overlying relation with a selected portion of the neckband section and is positioned at least partially adjacent to the neck opening aperture. An attaching mechanism secures the elastic member to the neckband section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for forming a fibrous web. In accordance with the invention, a distributor housing delimits a fiberizing zone, and a delivery mechanism supplies a fiberizable material into the fiberizing zone. A moveable striking mechanism located in the fiberizing zone contacts the fiberizable material to initially separate the material into individual fibers. A discharging mechanism exits the fibers from the fiberizing zone into a web forming zone and toward a foraminous web forming layer. A gas delivering mechanism forces a stream of gas into the fiberizing zone to entrain the fibers therein and to eject a moving stream of the gas and fibers through the discharging mechanism into the web forming zone. The gas-fiber stream moves at a velocity sufficient to draw an induced supplementary gas flow past the discharging mechanism and toward the foraminous forming layer.

Abstract: An improved absorbent article includes a layer of absorbent material which has a length, a width and a thickness. Particles of superabsorbent material are distributed within the absorbent material layer, and these superabsorbent particles are disposed to form a substantially continuous, non-step-wise, positive concentration gradient of superabsorbent through at least a portion of the thickness of the absorbent layer.

Abstract: An improved disposable absorbent garment includes a covering sheet member having a waistband section at each longitudinal end thereof and an intermediate section interconnecting the waistband sections. An absorbent body is superposed in facing relation on the covering sheet member, and has a notch section formed into at least one terminal, longitudinal edge thereof. An elastomeric member is attached to at least one of the covering sheet member waistband sections adjacent to the absorbent body notch section for shirring the waistband of the garment.

Abstract: A method for applying one or more curved composite elastic strips to a gatherable base material to elasticize portions of the base material comprises elongating a first strip of elastic material and joining a second strip of less elongated material to the elongated first strip in a longitudinally extending and laterally off-set relationship thereto to form a tensioned composite strip of elastic material. The second strip of material is sufficiently flexible in the plane of the composite strip and is sufficiently resistant to compression so that, upon release of the tensioning forces, the composite strip will curve laterally, i.e., in its own plane. The tensioned composite strip is adhered to the base material and in one mode of operation the tensioned forces are released only after adhering the composite strip to the base material. In such case, the base material is displaced somewhat by curving of the tensioned composite strip and may be pleated or otherwise rendered more readily displaceable.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for forming a laid fibrous article includes a foraminous forming surface for depositing thereon of fibers under the influence of a pressure differential imposed on the surface, wherein the improvement comprises the provision of a concavely contoured portion of the forming surface to yield a non-stepwise gradation in basis weight of the laid fibrous article. The concavely contoured surface portion is bounded by walls defining angles of from about 45.degree. to 68.degree., whereby the laid fibrous article is readily removable from the forming surface, which may comprise the cylindrical surface of a rotating drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for activating heat shrinkable ribbon on disposable garments and other articles in which the ribbon is absorbent of electromagnetic radiation and is bombarded by infrared rays for a time long enough to activate and shrink the ribbon. Heated convection air may be directed past the infrared radiators toward the ribbon to cool the radiators and maintain a desired spectral distribution of the radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming an elasticized portion of an article having a thermally-elasticizable strip along a marginal portion in which heated air is directed towards the strip at at least two different angles relative to the plane of the strip and at a velocity sufficient to cause oscillation of the marginal portion bearing the thermally-elasticizable strip; these conditions are maintained for a dwell time long enough to render the strip elastic when cooled to ambient conditions.

Abstract: A protective bib garment includes a base sheet member which has lengthwise extending side edges and longitudinal end portions. A catcher member connects to the base sheet member and extends transversely thereacross to form a catcher pocket. The catcher pocket has lateral side edges connected to the side edges of the base sheet member and has a fold portion connected to one longitudinal end portion of the base sheet member to provide an expandable, transversely extending multiple-V fold section therewith. A fastening mechanism holds the garment on a wearer.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a nozzle having an orifice for depositing a stream of molten metal onto a casting region of a moving chill surface. A conditioning shoe is located generally upstream from the nozzle in a direction opposite to the direction of chill surface movement to delimit a conditioning chamber. The conditioning chamber communicates directly with the nozzle orifice and borders at least three sidelines of the chill surface casting portion. A shield for minimizing an intrusion of ambient atmosphere into the conditioning chamber and for deflecting an entrained gas boundary layer carried along by the chill surface is cooperatively connected to the conditioning shoe. Gas control provides a selected, low density atmosphere, such as a partial vacuum, within the conditioning chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective garment which comprises a base sheet member having a neck opening formed in a selected neckband section thereof. A layer of elastomeric material is bonded and laminated to at least a portion of the neckband section to provide an elastic strap which spans across the neck opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for taking up and winding a strip of material which is advancing at a selected velocity from a moving casting surface. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a take-up web supply mechanism for supplying a flexible, take-up web, and a winding mechanism, which has a reel for taking up and concentrically winding the strip and take-up web thereon in a laminated configuration. A connection mechanism connects the take-up web to the reel, and a reel drive mechanism rotates the reel to provide a peripheral velocity at a winding surface on the reel that substantially matches the velocity of the advancing strip. A directing mechanism directs the advancing strip onto the take-up web for transport to a winder nip region between the take-up web and the winding surface of the reel means to initiate winding.