Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing body fluids is provided having an absorbent core positioned between a fluid-permeable cover and a fluid-impermeable baffle. The absorbent core includes a central, longitudinal flexure axis which substantially extends the length of the absorbent core. The central, longitudinal axis generally divides the absorbent core into first and second longitudinal members having an outer boundary and wherein the first member has a second flexure axis and the second member has a third flexure axis. Flanking the outer boundary of the first and second members are a third and a fourth longitudinal absorbent members, respectively. The third and fourth absorbent members are positioned so that, when said absorbent article is subjected to lateral compressive forces, the first and second members preferentially bend convexly upward, and said absorbent core generally acquires a “W” shaped configuration.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for intermittently creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing work piece segments, in a nip. The work piece segments are up to about 0.25 inch thick. The apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus supporting an anvil, and horn support apparatus supporting an ultrasonic horn. The ultrasonic horn and anvil are collectively mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and anvil can be brought together to define the nip. The frame, anvil support apparatus, and horn support apparatus collectively are sufficiently rigid that the horn and anvil can be brought together with interference levels of about 0.000 to about 0.008 inch at a raised bonding portion in combination with defining sufficient nip pressure to develop ultrasonic bonds in work piece segments passing through the nip. The method comprehends bringing a back-up roll, mounted above the ultrasonic horn, into engagement with the ultrasonic horn, to directly support the horn.

Abstract: Method and apparatus comprising a novel ramped anvil roll for cooperating with a rotary ultrasonic horn and creating ultrasonic bonds in a work piece passing between the anvil roll and ultrasonic horn. A relatively smaller radius portion of the anvil roll extends about a first portion of the circumference, and a relatively larger-radius raised bonding element extends about a second portion of the circumference. An outer surface at at least one of a front and rear end portion of the raised bonding element defines a transition gradient between the raised operating surface and the relatively smaller radius portion. The transition gradient defines a modified sinusoidally-shaped curved loading surface including an inflection locus, the curved loading surface representing a relatively constantly changing angle as measured against respective radii of the anvil roll in combination with advancing along the corresponding portion of the circumference.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing foundry sand mixes, using a pre-mix tank to pre-mix water and particulate bond material to make a water/bond slurry, then feeding the slurry to a mullor or other foundry sand mixer. The slurry is received in the mullor/mixer, mixed with return sand, and then discharged for use in making foundry molds. Preferably, the particulate bond material is added to the pre-mix tank as a falling stream of such particles, and a disperse spray of water is projected onto the particles with sufficient gentleness to not deleteriously distract the particles from their downward path.

Abstract: A bone support assembly comprising a support plate, bone fasteners, and a bone fastener cover assembly. The support plate comprises a fixed base portion comprising base apertures, and a slot portion comprising slot-shaped apertures. The bone fasteners are disposed in ones of the base apertures and the slot-shaped apertures, the bone fasteners and the support plate, in combination, being adapted and configured for holding the support plate to bone material. The bone fastener cover assembly comprises a cover plate, and at least one cover plate fastener effective to fasten the cover plate to the support plate. The cover plate and support plate, in combination, accommodate both longitudinal and transverse sliding movement of the cover plate along the top surface of the support plate to thereby cover and uncover ones of the apertures, having bone fasteners therein, while the cover plate is attached to the support plate.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device comprises attachment component, seat, seat fastener, and saddle. The attachment component secures the fixation device to bone. The seat comprises an inner seat surface, an outer seat surface, a brace canal along the inner seat surface, and a channel or lip at the outer seat surface. The seat fastener has a cooperating lip or channel at an inner surface. The saddle is between a brace member and the seat fastener. The channel and cooperating lip of the seat and seat fastener cooperatively engage the seat to the seat fastener, whereby tightening the lip and channel to each other compresses the saddle between the seat and seat fastener, thereby to lock the brace member to the seat. The cooperative engagement between lip and channel is preferably achieved by rotating the seat fastener approximately 90 degrees with respect to an axis which extends perpendicular to the brace fastener.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making an absorbent pad for use in an absorbent article utilize a forming device for forming material into an absorbent core, a supply device for supplying a containment layer against the first surface of the absorbent core and spray apparatus for spraying fibers of molten resin onto the second surface of the absorbent core. The fibers form a stabilization layer on the absorbent core that increases the integrity of the absorbent core. The spray apparatus includes a nozzle having a resin aperture for exhausting resin therefrom and multiple gas apertures for exhausting gas therefrom to provide a random pattern to the fibers of molten resin as the fibers are sprayed onto the second surface. Resin can also be sprayed onto first and second portions of the containment layer extending outwardly from edges of the absorbent core so the containment layer and the stabilization layer encompass the absorbent core.

Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to accumulating limited lengths of such continuous webs and to controlling tension in such continuous webs during the processing operation. Both tension control and limited accumulations are achieved in a festoon system by connecting a corresponding festoon to actuator or the like, sensing variables such as position, tension, velocity, and acceleration parameters related to the web and the festoon, and providing active force commands, in response to the sensed variables, to cause translational movement, generally including a target acceleration, in the upper festoon rolls to control tension disturbances in the web while providing limited accumulation of a length of the web. In some applications of the invention, the festoon control system is used to attenuate tension disturbances.

Abstract: Bonding apparatus and methods for creating up to full-width ultrasonic bonds in an advancing web. The bonding apparatus comprises a first nip, defined by, in combination, a first set of bonding elements comprising a first rotary ultrasonic horn and a first rotary anvil, and first engagement apparatus bringing the first horn and first anvil into effective bonding engagement with each other. The first horn and anvil being supported from support structure and rotating in common with each other thereby to convey the web through the first nip. The bonding apparatus also comprises a second nip, defined by a second set of bonding elements comprising second separate and distinct horn and anvil, and second engagement apparatus bringing the second horn and second anvil into effective bonding engagement with each other.

Abstract: A personal care article for preventing exudates from contacting the body of a user comprises a substrate including an extensible bodyside liner layer, and an aperture support structure limiting extensibility of the bodyside liner layer along the length of the aperture support structure. One support band of an aperture support structure runs through the gluteal fold between the buttocks of a user. The aperture support structure positions an aperture in the bodyside liner layer in the gluteal fold of a user, in alignment with the anus, so that fecal material enters a containment receptacle upon leaving the anus. In another embodiment, the personal care article can include a comfort stretch layer comprising an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive located between a bodyside liner layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: Methods of changing from manufacture of pant-type refastenable personal care articles of a first size to manufacture of such pant-type refastenable personal care articles of a second different size. A method of the invention comprises defining in the workpiece, at at least one side edge of the respective workpiece, a length of material defined in the machine direction, wherein activity, or inactivity, of such length of material, in combination with other elements of the workpiece, determines the size of the pant-type refastenable personal care article being so produced, whereby the length of material so defined can be activated and thereby incorporated into the personal care article to correspondingly produce a relatively larger size such personal care article, or inactivated and thereby excluded from the personal care article to correspondingly produce a relatively smaller size personal care article.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of fabricating absorbent articles. In a method of the invention, a bodyside liner, an absorbent core, and an outer cover are joined to form an absorbent article web sausage. Leg cut-outs are cut on opposing sides of the web sausage, and a waist opening is cut in a central region of the web sausage. Adhesive is applied to one of (i) a waist piece material and (ii) the web sausage about the waist opening; and also to one of (iii) extensible leg cuff material and (iv) the web sausage adjacent the leg cut-outs. A waist piece is severed from waist piece material, and is placed. over the waist opening and secured to the web sausage. Leg cuffs are severed from the leg cuff material, and are placed over the leg cutouts and secured to the web sausage. The waist piece and leg cut-outs are preferably stretched to a dimension representing about 5% to about 95% of stretch-to-stop dimensions when bonded to the web sausage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing foundry sand mixes, using a pre-mix tank to pre-mix water and particulate bond material to make a water/bond slurry, then feeding the slurry to a mullor or other foundry sand mixer. The slurry is received in the mullor/mixer, mixed with return sand, and then discharged for use in making foundry molds. Preferably, the particulate bond material is added to the pre-mix tank as a falling stream of such particles, and a disperse spray of water is projected onto the particles with sufficient gentleness to not deleteriously distract the particles from their downward path.

Abstract: A see-thru engineering instrument has markings defining sets of longitudinal reference lines along its length. The reference lines are disposed inwardly of the side edges, and define segmentation patterns distinct to each set, distinguishing lines of the respective sets from each other. Lines of respective sets are preferably interposed each between respective lines of ones of another set or sets. Line segments in a single instrument, of the like illustrated, can define discrete measurable distances of any one, up to all, of {fraction (1/16)}, ⅛, {fraction (3/16)}, ¼, ½, ¾, {fraction (13/16)}, ⅞ and {fraction (15/16)} inch. The back surface of the instrument preferably has a matte finish. The width of the instrument is greater than 3 inches, preferably about 4 inches. The length is greater than 12 inches, preferably about 13 inches. The thickness is preferably about {fraction (1/16)} inch. The length/width ratio is at least {fraction (2/1)}.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an outer cover and a bodyside liner. A fecal retaining structure having at least one aperture is mounted in the rear portion of the absorbent article. The retaining structure has at least one, preferably multiple, apertures sized to retain exudates from a typical bowel movement and to displace such exudates from the skin of the user. The fecal retaining structure preferably has a surface layer on the outer surface which contacts the body of the user. The surface layer has a slick surface that assists in moving fecal material into the apertures. An absorbent core may be mounted in the absorbent article, especially in the front portion of the absorbent article.

Abstract: This invention pertains to fabricating composite personal care article products on a fabrication line, and sensing assembly quality characteristics of such personal care article products so fabricated, using infrared image sensing apparatus, and signal processing apparatus for processing the infrared energy so sensed, to fabricate visual displays of the composite images sensed by the infrared sensing apparatus. By using infrared imagery, and sensing the various temperatures of elements being placed and worked on the fabrication line, elements of the personal care articles which are hidden from visual observation can be sensed by sensing the infrared radiation emitted from such articles. Elements which are available for visual observation can likewise be sensed where temperature of such elements is suitable for detection, by infrared-sensitive receptors.

Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles includes a substrate formed by a bodyside liner and an outer cover. Fastening tabs are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. The fastening tabs include friction zones that, when the tabs are mounted to the article, provide substantially no securement to the article, and securing zones that secure the respective fastening tabs to the outer cover at a front portion of the article. The friction zones prevent surface-to-surface radial shifting or bending of the front portion with respect to the fastening tabs of the article during regular usage. In one embodiment, a tab substrate provides a mounting surface for a friction element and a securing element which form the respective friction zone and securing zone. In another embodiment, the friction element functions as a substrate supporting the securing element.

Abstract: Manifold pipe assemblies and exhaust manifold assemblies, optionally in combination with internal combustion engines, for receiving hot gases from such heat source, and conveying such hot gases from the heat source toward a lower temperature environment. Such manifold pipe assembly comprises a manifold pipe defining a gas path for conveying hot gases from an inlet end to an outlet end, a jacket pipe encompassing the manifold pipe along a portion of the length of the manifold pipe. The jacket pipe has a second inlet end disposed toward the inlet end of the manifold pipe, and a second outlet end disposed toward the outlet end of the manifold pipe. The jacket pipe is closed about the manifold pipe at the second inlet end, to form a closed cooling chamber between the manifold pipe and the jacket pipe. An inlet pipe conveys cooling liquid into the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A personal care article including a resiliently stretchable outer cover and a substantially nonelastomeric grasping panel attached to the front portion of the article. The outer cover is resiliently stretchable in at least the cross-direction to conform to the body of a wearer. The grasping panel has a sufficient stiffness to allow a user to properly fasten a fastening apparatus onto a landing zone. The stiffness of the grasping panel is sufficient to prevent roll-up or wrinkling of the grasping panels or the front portion of the personal care article. The stiffness of the grasping is not too large such that the comfort of the wearer is compromised. In one embodiment the absorbent structure is secured to the outer cover by extendible attachment elements and the bodyside liner is not secured to the outer cover. In another embodiment the bodyside liner is extensible in at least the cross-direction and secured about the periphery to the outer cover.

Abstract: A machine and process are disclosed for bonding an elastic member to a moving substrate web while the elastic member is in an un-stretched condition. The machine provides for upwardly folding a moving substrate web along a longitudinal centerline while maintaining the side edge regions of the web in a flat un-folded or un-gather condition. An elastic member is applied to the moving web while the elastic member is un-stretched, applying the first and second end regions of the elastic member to the respective first and second side edge regions of the moving web. The end regions of the elastic member are next bonded to the side edges of the web, leaving the remainder of the elastic member un-bonded to the web. The web is then un-folded or un-gathered to its first normal width, stretching the bonded elastic member. At least a portion of the remainder of the elastic member previously un-bonded to the web is then bonded to the web, and the stretched elastic member is allowed to relax.