Abstract: Method for the deposition of a uniform layer of dry fibers on a foraminous forming surface which comprises passing the fibers through a perforated wall having zones of different aperture sizes in order to provide an even cross-direction basis weight profile.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a panty liner type of feminine napkin having an absorbent pad and a fluid permeable cover which is coterminous with the absorbent pad at each of the longitudinal ends. The process involves adhering the wrap to the pad with a water-based emulsion adhesive, selectively moistening the pad and compressing the coterminous longitudinal ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus especially adapted to produce a ply separable web requiring substantially less energy input for drying. The apparatus comprises a headbox having at least three stock flow channels, the outer channels being adapted to convey conventional aqueous stock solutions, with at least one inner channel adapted to convey airborne fibers. The resulting web, having a significant portion of the fibers in a dry state, requires less energy to dry, and the distinct layers provide shear zones therebetween which permit ply separation upon creping. Different fiber types may be provided in different layers depending upon product attributes desired, and the products may be conventionally dried or may be throughdried. An alternative embodiment requires the mixing of airborne fibers with an aqueous solution adjacent to or within the headbox, producing only surface wetting of the fibers and reduced interfiber bonding.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon having as the absorbent element a resiliently compressible hydrophilic foam member, including foam-fiber composites, enclosed in an elongate, closed-end sleeve of fluid-permeable sheet material, assembled in a manner to improve withdrawal characteristics after use. The foam member is made up of an oblong rectangular strip of resiliently compressible hydrophilic polyurethane foam curled or rolled up along its length into a shape which proximates that of a hollow right cylinder in which the ends of the curled up foam strip forming the cylinder are in contact or overlap but are free of attachment to each other. The approximate cylindrical shape of the foam member is maintained by confinement inside one end of a loosely-fitting sleeve. The long axis of the sleeve coincides with the axis of the foam cylinder and the sleeve length is substantially greater than the length of the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming nonwoven webs by spinning filaments into a quench chamber where they are contacted with a quenching fluid, then utilizing the quench fluid to draw the filaments through a two-dimensional nozzle spanning the full machine width, and collecting the filaments as a web on a porous surface. In contrast with the prior art, low motive fluid pressures can be used, and a non-eductive drawing means utilized to minimize air turbulence and the resulting filament entanglement in the drawing means while maintaining substantially constant cross machine filament distribution. The apparatus and process reduce problems relating to filament breakage and spreading and result in increased productivity and improved web formation. Other advantages include the ability to continuously spin highly pigmented polymer filaments and reduced hazards associated with high noise levels.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided in which the pressure sensitive adhesive means utilized for attachment of the napkin are separated from each other by a pattern of nonpressure sensitive adhesive which may be similar to the pattern of the pressure sensitive adhesive positioned on the garment facing side of a sanitary napkin but is from two to ten times greater in thickness.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided in which the pressure sensitive adhesive means utilized for attachment of the napkin is covered by a pattern of nonpressure sensitive adhesive which is selectively positioned over the pattern of the pressure sensitive adhesive located on the garment facing side of a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: A tampon having a series of parallelly aligned fibers is fused to a withdrawal string positioned transversely near one end of the fibers. The aligned fibers are then rolled in a jelly roll configuration in a manner which allows the free end of the withdrawal string to be centrally positioned at the bottom of the tampon at the inner end of the jelly roll.

Abstract: A tampon having an absorbent matrix with a superabsorbent material as a core is provided. The superabsorbent material is at least partially surrounded by a water dispersible coating and both the core and coating are surrounded by nonsuperabsorbent absorbents.

Abstract: Method for improving fiber throughput in a system for forming an air-laid web of dry fibers wherein individualized fibers and soft fiber flocs are separated from aggregated fiber masses by means of mechanical action in a system employing a plurality of fiber disintegrating rotors mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane about vertical axes and disposed over a generally planar sifting screen wherein the sifting screen comprises a plurality of closely spaced, elongated, narrow slots.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having body-shape conforming inwardly arcuate recesses along its longitudinal axis is provided. The napkin has pressure sensitive adhesive means equidistantly recessed along each inwardly arcuate edge.

Abstract: Lightweight, pattern bonded, generally continuous filament web having physical, aesthetic, and functional attributes particularly desirable for liner material for disposable absorbent products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, and the like. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a continuous filament polypropylene web is formed and pattern bonded by heat and pressure producing a high frequency of high density bond areas. This bonded web is then subjected to hot embossing in a gross pattern producing permanent web deformation and increasing the web effective thickness. In use the nonwoven web of the invention provides a very soft, flexible web having a pleasing appearance and yet retaining strength properties making it very effective at low basis weights for applications such as liners for disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and the like.

Abstract: Improved low linting, low sodium ion content, wettable nonwoven wiper is provided through the use of a treatment involving a mixture of wetting agents. The wiper of the invention maintains the excellent wiping and low linting characteristics of nonwoven wipers while greatly reducing the amount of sodium ions present in the wiper and avoiding contamination problems especially prevalent in wipe applications for the electronics industry. Specifically, the combined wetting agent treatment includes a mixture of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate such as Aerosol OT and a nonionic surfactant such as alkyl phenoxy ethanol (Triton X-100). The preferred mixtures are about 25 to 75% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate with a ratio of about 40 to 60 preferred and about 50/50 especially preferred. The result is a wiper having essentially the desired wettability of those made with 100% sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate wetting agent and yet having only about half the sodium ion content.

Abstract: A heat-set radially compressed tampon is made by radially compressing a prehumidified tampon pledget having absorbent fibers subjecting the compressed pledget to microwave heating.

Abstract: An elastic leg disposable diaper is provided which, when worn, forms an absorbent pocket with planar sides in the crotch area. The pocket has flex regions in the crotch area of the diaper which define a bottom crotch profile and elastic edges which encircle the leg of the baby and semirigid absorbent-containing planar sides extending upward from the flex regions to the elastic edges. The diaper at its lowest profile in the crotch area is either planer or upwardly arcuate when the baby is standing. The stiffness of the sides is generally correlative of a Taber stiffness value of at least seven gm-cms for the absorbent material located thereon.

Abstract: A tampon having a pledget consisting of two rectangular layers of absorbent material which have been overlaid along an edge of each of the layers and then folded along a line bisecting the angle formed by the juncture between the layers. The pledget thus produced has both inner and outer absorptive layers and a containment pocket formed of absorptive material in the fold area.

Abstract: Suspension system intended primarily for disposable items such as incontinent pads, disposable diapers, and the like but having other uses as well. The garment is intended to be worn about the crotch area and generally is rectangular in shape although various fold configurations in the crotch area may be utilized for improved comfort and fit. The suspension system includes two elastic strips of generally similar construction and having dimensions selected in accordance with the invention to provide the self-centering and improved comfort and fit features. The ends of the elastic strips are provided with buttons or other fastening means intended to cooperate with means provided in the garment material so that, in use, the elastic provides a vertical vector of force maintaining the garment snugly in place. Preferably the straps in use form an angle in the range of from 25.degree. to 45.degree. from horizontal when viewed from a standing frontal position.

Abstract: A sanitary device, e.g. a sanitary napkin is provided which has an absorbent matrix and a fluid impervious baffle. Part of the fluid impervious baffle is a heat fusible sheet which is adhered to the absorbent component by fusing. The absorbent component may have heat fusible material interspersed therein and may have a fluid pervious upper layer which is essentially coterminous with or wraps about the absorbent component or the absorbent component and baffle combination. When a fluid pervious wrap is used, it is preferred that the wrap be fusible and also be fused to the baffle. The fusing is preferably accomplished in random sites across the surface of the sanitary appliance, e.g. by embossing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming non-woven webs by separating fibers from a compacted sheet or sheets of the fibers utilizing a lickerin. The method and apparatus include provision for attaining substantially individual fibers from a compressed sheet of short papermaking fibers such as wood pulp or cotton linters, and also fibers from a compacted sheet of longer fibers such as rayon, and blending the long and short fibers together into a non-woven web in the continuous operation of the lickerin and associated equipment. For the purpose of obtaining the short (1/4 inch and less) papermaking cellulosic fibers of wood pulp or the like the nose of the feed bar for the compacted short fibers is spaced a considerable distance from the working circumference of the lickerin such that the compacted sheet tip vibrates and the feed of the sheet of short fibers is substantially radially of the lickerin.