Abstract: There is provided a laminate of nonwoven fabrics for barrier applications which has improved ratios of barrier and strength to weight, of softness to strength and of vapor transmission to barrier. The laminate has a meltblown layer sandwiched between spunbond layers to produce an SMS laminate. The meltblown and spunbond layers may have between 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent of a fluorocarbon and the meltblown layer preferably between 5 and 20 weight percent polybutylene. The laminate also may have pigments if desired. Such laminates are useful for garments.

Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a three-dimensional pant body defining a waist opening, two leg openings, and a crotch region. A containment trough formed of liquid,impermeable material has a base portion bonded to the crotch region and integral retaining walls positioned transversely outward from the base portion. The retaining walls are freestanding from the pant body and include elastic members so as to define freestanding, elasticized flaps. An absorbent structure and liner are disposed between the elasticized flaps. To retard liquid movement away from the absorbent structure, the liner is wrapped around the side edges and partly beneath the absorbent structure. Further, an inwardly-directed face of each flap has a first Wicking Value while the liner has a second Wicking Value that is at least 2 times greater than the first Wicking Value on a gram per gram basis.

Abstract: A fastening component for releasable engagement with a complementary fastener includes a substrate and a first fastener formed of a flexible fabric. An adhesive substance is disposed between and bonded to the first fastener and the substrate. The adhesive substance has a first zone with a first basis weight greater than zero, and a second zone with a second basis weight at least about 1.5 times greater than the first basis weight.

Abstract: A disposable article, such as a diaper, for absorbing and containing urine and other body exudates has an absorbent insert pad that may be flushed in a toilet. The article preferably includes a backing sheet and a bodyside liner that are substantially coterminous. In one embodiment of the invention, a secondary absorbent body, which is disposed between the backing sheet and the bodyside liner, has a pocket formed therein. The absorbent insert pad is positioned against the bodyside liner and located generally within the pocket. A cover is releasably attached to the bodyside liner to maintain the insert pad within the pocket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a surface-crosslinked, modified polysaccharide having improved absorption properties. The method involves forming a mixture of water and a crosslinking agent, adding a generally water-soluble, modified polysaccharide to said mixture wherein the surface of the polysaccharide becomes crosslinked, and drying the modified polysaccharide. Also described is a surface-crosslinked, modified polysaccharide having improved absorption properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are a number of processes for forming a liquid-impermeable sheet having a fibrous cloth-like surface. In one embodiment the process includes the steps of: (1) forming a sheet having first and second fibrous surfaces; and subjecting the sheet to pressure and a z-gradient temperature differential sufficient to melt the fibers of the first surface and form the melt into a liquid impermeable skin without significantly altering the fibers of the second surface.

Abstract: In the manufacture of soft tissue products such as facial and bath tissue, a creping adhesive composition comprising from about 0.05 to about 20 dry weight percent of an ethoxylated acetylenic diol has been found to reduce skulch, improve creping blade life, and improve crepe quality. The creping adhesive composition is particularly useful for creping throughdried tissue webs.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent product which includes a chemically reactive means having an end point adapted to provide a visual indication of the presence of a substance in mammalian bodily excrement, wherein the chemically reactive means is adapted to: (A) to provide the visual indication as a result of interacting with the mammalian bodily excrement; (B) the end point of the chemically reactive means is adapted to be reached within a period of time which begins with the first insult of the chemically reactive means by the substance and ends when the disposable absorbent product is discarded; and (C) the chemically reactive means is adapted to have a stable end-point, such that the visual indication remains valid within a period of time which begins when the end point is reached and ends no sooner than when the disposable absorbent product is discarded. If desired, the chemically reactive means can be adapted to provide a visual indication of the approximate concentration of the substance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a fibrous web having improved strength characteristics which, in the presence of water, rapidly disintegrates when subjected to standardized agitation testing. The web includes a plurality of fibers joined together by a binder. The binder makes up from about 0.20 to about 15 percent of the dry weight of the web. The binder is formed from a blend of from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water dispersible, high molecular weight amorphous polyester having one or more ionic substituents attached thereto; from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of an elastomeric latex emulsion; from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a xerogellant; and from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of a plasticizing agent. The fibrous web is useful in the formation of disposable diapers and feminine care products which may be flushed down the toilet.

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 method and apparatus for forming a layer structure, such as an airlaid fibrous web, include a supplying mechanism for providing a stream of particulate material, such as fibers. Also included is a substantially endless, foraminous forming belt which has an appointed outward surface and a minimum thickness of at least about 3/16 inch. A selected contour is formed into the outward surface of the belt at selected locations, and the contour is distributed along a lengthwise machine-direction of the forming belt. The forming belt is configured to flex along a thickness direction thereof, and to recoverably bend and substantially straighten when traveling along a selected belt path circuit. A conveying mechanism moves the forming belt past the supplying mechanism along a forming path section of the belt circuit which is substantially straight, and moves the forming belt along a return path section of the belt circuit which includes curved portions therein.

Abstract: A method for forming thinned areas in a thin sheet material. The method includes the steps of (1) placing the thin sheet material on a pattern anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is generally less than the thickness of the sheet material; (2) conveying the sheet material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a fluid is applied to the sheet material; and (3) subjecting the sheet material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the fluid is applied to the sheet material to area thin the sheet material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil. In some embodiments, the thinned areas may be micro areas.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven web for use as a barrier layer in an SMS fabric laminate. The web is formed at commercially acceptable polymer melt throughputs (greater than 3 PIH) by using a reactor granule polyolefin, preferably polypropylene, that has been modified by the addition of peroxide in amounts ranging from up to 3000 ppm to reduce the molecular weight distribution from an initial molecular weight distribution of from 4.0 to 4.5 Mw/Mn to a range of from 2.2 to 3.5 Mw/Mn. Also the addition of peroxide increases the melt flow rate (lowers viscosity) to a range between 800 up to 5000 gms/10 min at 230.degree. C. The resulting web has an average fiber size of from 1 to 3 microns and pore sizes distributed predominantly in the range from 7 to 12 microns, with a lesser amount of pores from 12 to 25 microns, with virtually no pores greater than 25 microns, and with the peak of the pore size distribution less than 10 microns.

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: An absorbent article is provided with inversely related basis weight and density gradients for absorbing and retaining body liquids. A central target area of the absorbent article has an average higher basis weight and a lower average density than end areas. Superabsorbent material is selectively disposed within the article.

Abstract: A nonwoven fiber and fabric are provided wherein the fabric has comparable strength characteristics to conventional fabrics yet is softer. The fibers are are a blend of a high crystallinity polypropylene polymer and a random block copolymer of polypropylene and polyethylene. The fabric of this invention may be laminated to other spunbond layers, meltblown nonwoven fabrics or films.The nonwoven fabric of this invention may be used in products such as, for example, garments, personal care products, medical products, protective covers and outdoor fabrics.

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 disposable article, such as a diaper, for absorbing and containing urine and other body exudates has an absorbent insert pad that may be flushed in a toilet. The article preferably includes a backing sheet and a bodyside liner that are substantially coterminous. In one embodiment of the invention, a secondary absorbent body, which is disposed between the backing sheet and the bodyside liner, has a pocket formed therein. The absorbent insert pad is positioned against the bodyside liner and located generally within the pocket. A cover is releasably attached to the bodyside liner to maintain the insert pad within the pocket.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent article with a tissue-wrapped absorbent core wherein the tissue is made from a specifically designed thermoplastic fibrous nonwoven web which is particularly well-suited to trapping and retaining particulate material such as superabsorbent particles. The invention has particular application in conjunction with personal care products such as diapers, training pants, incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, bandages and the like.

Abstract: Low basis weight nonwoven fibrous web, which can be incorporated into personal care articles, has an ink printed thereon and has an average wet crockfastness value of at least about 4 or greater. A method is provided for making the ink-printed web.