Abstract: A distinctive apparatus and method for applying an elastic strand onto a moving substrate along a selected curvilinear path includes a transporting mechanism for moving the substrate along a selected substrate path and a supplying mechanism for supplying the elastic strand along a selected elastic path. An oscillating mechanism selectively changes a positioning of the elastic strand and includes a slidably movable guide which moves in a direction essentially transverse to said substrate path. The elastic strand slidably travels along the guide which positions the elastic strand such that the elastic strand is selectively applied to the substrate along the curvilinear path. A bonding mechanism selectively applies adhesive in an arrangement which selectively secures the elastic strand to the substrate. A rotatable nip roll contacts the elastic strand and the substrate to press the elastic strand onto the substrate along the curvilinear path.

Abstract: A tissue package containing a stack of tissues, commonly referred to as a pocket pack, has a resealable opening which is positioned over an exposed edge of the top tissue of the stack, thereby providing easier dispensing and opening of the tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compressively resistant and resilient fibrous nonwoven web which is suitable for a wide variety of uses including, but not limited to, a portion of a personal care absorbent product which is located on the side of the absorbent core of the product which faces the wearer. The nonwoven web can include bicomponent fiber and has a thickness of 2.5 mm or greater at a pressure of 68.9 pascal, a specific volume of 14 cc/g or greater at a pressure of 6,895 pascal, and a Frazier air permeability of 100 cubic meters per square meter per minute or greater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the surface modification of cellulose fiber and the resulting product, sulfonated cellulose. Cellulose is first oxidized, preferably with sodium metaperiodate (NaIO.sub.4), to form dialdehyde oxycellulose, which is then reacted with sodium bisulfite (NaHSO.sub.3) to produce sulfonated cellulose. Sulfonation of the cellulose fiber significantly increases the dry and wet tensile strength as well as the wet strength:dry strength ratio, making this modified cellulose fiber extremely useful in a wide variety of paper products requiring a combination of good strength in both wet and dry applications.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes a backsheet layer, and an absorbent structure superposed on the backsheet layer. The absorbent structure includes particles of high absorbency material, and a liquid permeable topsheet layer is superposed on the absorbent structure to sandwich the absorbent structure between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. A fibrous face sheet layer is incorporated in the article for restraining a movement of the high absorbency material from selected regions of the absorbent structure. The face sheet layer has a Frazier Porosity value of at least about 150 cubic feet per minute per square foot of surface area (cfm/ft.sup.2), and has not more than about 100 pores (per 31.37 cm.sup.2 of surface area) with a pore size greater than about 300 micrometers.

Abstract: There is provided a protective barrier apparel fabric comprised of an at least three layer laminate. The first layer being of elastomeric meltblown thermoplastic polymer web, the second layer of a liquid impermeable film and the third layer of liquid permeable material, where the layers are bonded together. The elastomeric meltblown layer may be stitchbonded prior to incorporation into the laminate and/or may be saturated with a latex composition prior to incorporation into the laminate. The laminate provides good MVTR and protection against blood strikethrough.

Abstract: A low basis weight substrate is printed by a folded substrate, dual-sided printing process. The substrate is folded to present two printing surfaces. The folded substrate is then passed through a printing station to have an ink pattern printed on one surface, and then is reversed to have a second pattern printed on the second printing surface. Any ink striking through one of the surfaces is collected by the other surface of the printed substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling an inner tube into a hollow outer tube is disclosed for forming a tampon applicator. The apparatus includes a first member configured to mate with the outer tube and a second member configured to mate with the inner tube. A vacuum is intermittently supplied to the first and second members to hold the inner and outer tubes in coaxial alignment. The apparatus also includes a push rod which is designed to contact and move the inner tube off of the second member and into the outer tube. The movement of the push rod is activated by a control mechanism which can reciprocally move the push rod a predetermined distance at a set time to permit the inner tube to be inserted into the outer tube. The control mechanism also enables the push rod to be separated the inner tube after the two tubes are assembled.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent composite including a web formed from a mixture of fibrous material and particulate absorbent material. The web contains from about 15 to about 30 weight percent water. The described absorbent web is capable of containing relatively large quantities of particulate absorbent materials while maintaining an acceptable degree of flexibility.

Abstract: A tissue carton especially adapted for use in automobiles is disclosed. The carton contains a pre-folded (such as c-folded or v-folded) interfolded clip of tissues which dispenses in a pop-up fashion. The tissues are dispensed through the upper edge of the carton. The carton is thin and wide to fit in a variety of locations within an automobile. The carton can also be provided with a hook-and-loop fastener to affix the carton to a convenient surface within the vehicle.

Abstract: A distinctive article has first and second waistband sections, and an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections. The article comprises a backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body interposed between the backsheet and topsheet layers. At least one adhesive tape member connects to the first waistband section. The tape member has a factory-bond section for connecting the tape member to the first waistband section, and a user-bond section for securing the article on a wearer. The user-bond section connects to a finger tab which includes a non-securing grasping section thereof. In particular embodiments, the grasping section can comprise a layer of absorbent material.

Abstract: A thin soft film material having fibers and/or particulates embedded therein is disclosed. A process for effecting such embedding utilizing hydrosonics is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite elastic necked-bonded material including at least one necked material joined to at least one elastic sheet. The composite elastic necked-bonded material is stretchable in a direction generally parallel to the direction of constriction or necking of the necked material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a composite elastic necked-bonded material by extruding a film of substantially molten elastomer through a die tip; depositing the extruded elastomeric film onto a tensioned, necked material within from about 0.1 to about 1 second of exiting the die tip to form a multilayer material; and then immediately applying pressure to the multilayer material to bond the tensioned, necked material to the elastomeric film.

Abstract: Multicomponent polymeric strands including a polymer blend of a butene polymer, a polyolefin other than butene, and up to 10% by weight of ethylene in polymeric form. The blend is in one side or the sheath of the multi-component strands. Fabric made with such strands is also disclosed and has enhanced softness properties. Composite materials including the foregoing fabric bonded to both sides of an inner meltblown layer and garments and other articles made with the fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses flushable compositions and flushable products, such as flushable personal hygiene articles, flushable medical, hospital and surgical supplies, and flushable household wipes and packaging material that have sufficient wet tensile strength for their intended use, particularly prolonged or extended use, in the presence of body waste fluids, but which disintegrate and disperse in the presence of ordinary tap water so as to be flushable in a conventional toilet and disposable in municipal or private sewage systems without obstructing or clogging the toilet or sewage system.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: Generally stated, the present invention provides a distinctive absorbent article comprising a backsheet layer, and a topsheet layer which is disposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer. An absorbent body is interposed between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. The absorbent body includes a retention portion which comprises a matrix of substantially hydrophilic fibers having a distribution of high-absorbency particulate material therein. The hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency particles can be provided in a fiber-to-particle weight ratio within the range of about 70:30 to about 30:70. A surge management layer, comprising bicomponent fibers having a denier of not more than about 3 d, is located adjacent at least one major, facing surface of the topsheet layer, and can cooperate with the article components to provide for a liquid Penetration Rate index of not less than about 2.67 ml/sec.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable protective coverall formed from a high strength barrier fabric, the coverall being composed of a body portion having a neck opening in a shoulder line at its top; two sleeve portions extending from the body portion in which each sleeve portion has an inner edge and an outer edge; and two leg portions extending from the body portion. The outer edge of each sleeve portion extends upward from the shoulder line at an angle ranging from about 10.degree. to about 90.degree. and the inner edge of each sleeve extends upward from the body portion below the shoulder line so that arm movement is permitted without significant pulling or stressing of other portions of the coverall. The high strength barrier fabric can be a laminate containing at least one nonwoven web and at least one film layer. Desirably, the film layer has a thickness of at least about 1 mil and has a peak energy of at least 6 inch.cndot.pounds force per square inch in both the machine and cross-machine directions.