Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising first and second surge management layers and an absorbent layer located between said first and second surge management layers. The first surge management layer comprises synthetic polymeric fibers and the second surge management layer comprises hydrophilic fibers. The density of the absorbent layer is greater than the density of the first and second surge management layers.

Abstract: A diaper or absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent between the topsheet and backsheet, and an elevating device for spacing the topsheet above the absorbent to form a pocket-like shape. The topsheet can have an opening and the absorbent can have a hole therein, both of which receive and isolate waste material from the wearer.

Abstract: A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, which web is capable of both interfiber and intrafiber liquid transportation. The web includes shaped fibers, which fibers define a notch, which notch defines an angle alpha such that .alpha.<180.degree.-2.theta. wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and the shaped fiber. The nonwoven web further includes high-absorbency material in fluid communication with said nonwoven web in an area wherein intrafiber liquid transport occurs.

Abstract: A feminine guard product capable of absorbing urine applied to said product in relatively small amounts at a relatively low velocity or in relatively large amounts at a relatively high velocity and menses. The feminine guard comprises an outer shell which defines a basin having a volume, an absorbent structure present in said basin, an acquisition layer comprising hydrophilic fibers and present in said basin, and a body side liner having a passage volume of 40 percent and being attached to the outer shell and covering the basin.

Abstract: A stretchable absorbent garment having a fluid-pervious inner layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent structure located between said inner and outer layers, and at least two generally parallel elastomeric strands stretch bonded to the garment along its length such that when in a relaxed state, all of the above described elements are reduced in length.

Abstract: A porous structure of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material which porous structure possesses improved free swell capacity and is able to demonstrate said improved free swell capacity when in contact with an absorbent material such as a cellulosic fibrous web. Also disclosed is a method of making such a porous polymeric structure. The method comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water suspension, wherein the water phase contains a water-soluble monomer and a crosslinking agent and the oil phase is a volatile organic compound having a boiling point greater than the boiling point of water. The monomer present in the water phase is polymerized to form a polymeric material having dispersed therein the oil phase. The resultant polymeric material is then dried at a temperature above the boiling point of water, such that the volatile organic compound volatilizes thereby forming pores in the polymeric material, which pores have a diameter of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising a fibrous web of cellulosic material, a first complex forming material present within said web and a second complex forming material present within said web. When wetted, the first and second complex forming materials form a complex thereby providing the fibrous web of cellulosic material with improved integrity.

Abstract: Registration inspection of composite products during the fabrication of a series of such products is accomplished by making a two-dimensional image of a product and analyzing the image to determine the location of at least one component in the machine direction and the location of at least one component in the transverse direction. The thus determined locations are compared to the desired locations for the respective components in the composite article, and feedback control signals are utilized to adjust the fabrication process so that the components will be at the desired locations in subsequent products. When a component is outside of its acceptable position, the article can be removed from the fabrication line without further processing. The invention is particularly useful with fabrication lines for the production of absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, incontinence devices, sanitary napkins, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure containing a fibrous matrix having a dual Z-directional gradient wherein the concentration of high-absorbency material decreases from a first planar surface of the fibrous matrix to the opposed second planar surface, while the density of the fibrous matrix increases from said first major planar surface to the second planar surface. Also disclosed is an absorbent article containing such an absorbent structure.

Abstract: A porous structure of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material which porous structure possesses improved free swell capacity and is able to demonstrate said improved free swell capacity when in contact with an absorbent material such as a cellulosic fibrous web. Also disclosed is a method of making such a porous polymeric structure. The method comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water suspension, wherein the water phase contains a water-soluble monomer and a crosslinking agent and the oil phase is a volatile organic compound having a boiling point greater than the boiling point of water. The monomer present in the water phase is polymerized to form a polymeric material having dispersed therein the oil phase. The resultant polymeric material is then dried at a temperature above the boiling point of water, such that the volatile organic compound volatilizes thereby forming pores in the polymeric material, which pores have a diameter of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: A polymeric composition specifically adapted to absorb blood and other proteinaceous fluids and having repeating units, said polymeric composition comprising pendant neutralized carboxyl groups (salts) and pendant carboxyl groups. The polymeric composition is characterized in that the ratio of pendant neutralized carboxyl groups to pendant carboxyl groups is within the range of from about 1:9 to about 9:11, at least about 20 mole percent of the repeating units comprise a pendant neutralized carboxyl group or a pendant carboxyl group, and at least about 50 percent of the pendant neutralized carboxyl groups have been neutralized with a potassium or lithium base.

Abstract: A structure for absorbing and transporting a liquid. The structure includes a masking layer having from 0 to about 90 weight percent shaped fibers and a distribution layer having from 100 to about 10 weight percent shaped fibers.

Abstract: A threadlike or ribbonlike elastic strand is provided with a substantially continuous filament of adhesive helically wrapped around the elastic strand. The elastic strand is suitable for use in disposable absorbent products such as diapers and adult incontinent products. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for making such adhesive-wrapped elastic strands.

Abstract: An absorbent or other article including a tensioning system for joining portions of the article together. The system includes a plurality of hook members attached on one portion of the article, and a plurality of loop members attached to a loop panel wherein the loop panel may be intermittently attached to the article.

Abstract: A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, which web is capable of both interfiber and intrafiber liquid transportation. The web includes shaped fibers, which fibers define a notch, which notch defines an angle alpha such that .alpha.<180.degree.-2.theta. wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and the shaped fiber. The nonwoven web further includes high-absorbency material in fluid communication with said nonwoven web in an area wherein intrafiber liquid transport occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising first and second surge management layers and an absorbent layer located between said first and second surge management layers. The first surge management layer comprises synthetic polymeric fibers and the second surge management layer comprises hydrophilic fibers. The density of the absorbent layer is greater than the density of the first and second surge management layers.

Abstract: A generally hydrophobic polyolefin article is provided with a modified surface by contacting said generally hydrophobic polyolefin with a copolymeric material while said polyolefin is at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. The copolymeric composition includes a generally hydrophobic moiety and a modifying moiety. Also disclosed is a method for imparting the modified surface to a generally hydrophobic polyolefin which method involves contacting a generally hydrophobic polyolefin with a copolymeric material while said generally hydrophobic polyolefin is at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. In one preferred embodiment, the generally hydrophobic polyolefin is contacted with said copolymeric composition immediately after said polyolefin has been extruded and while said polyolefin is undergoing die swell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, carboxyalkyl polysaccharide having improved absorption properties. The method involves forming a solution of carboxyalkyl polysaccharide and water, recovering the carboxyalkyl polysaccharide from the solution and heat-treating said recovered carboxyalkyl polysaccharide. Also, described is a carboxyalkyl polysaccharide having improved absorption properties.

Abstract: A polymeric composition specifically adapted to absorb blood and other proteinaceous fluids and having repeating units, said polymeric composition comprising pendant neutralized carboxyl groups (salts) and pendant carboxyl groups. The polymeric composition is characterized in that the ratio of pendant neutralized carboxyl groups to pendant carboxyl groups is within the range of from about 1:9 to about 9:11, at least about 20 mole percent of the repeating units comprise a pendant neutralized carboxyl group or a pendant carboxyl group, and at least about 50 percent of the pendant neutralized carboxyl groups have been neutralized with a potassium or lithium base.

Abstract: A generally hydrophobic polyolefin article is provided with a modified surface by contacting said generally hydrophobic polyolefin with a copolymeric material while said polyolefin is at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. The copolymeric composition includes a generally hydrophobic moiety and a modifying moiety. Also disclosed is a method for imparting the modified surface to a generally hydrophobic polyolefin which method involves contacting a generally hydrophobic polyolefin with a copolymeric material while said generally hydrophobic polyolefin is at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. In one preferred embodiment, the generally hydrophobic polyolefin is contacted with said copolymeric composition immediately after said polyolefin has been extruded and while said polyolefin is undergoing die swell.