Abstract: A patterned nonwoven fabric comprising polymeric strands which include a primary polymeric component and are bonded together without the use of compression, but instead with a heat activated adhesive polymeric component which adheres the respective primary components together. The fabric has an embossed pattern of densified areas separated by high loft areas. Preferably, the strands are continuous, crimped, multicomponent filaments. Also preferably, the nonwoven fabric is laminated to a liquid barrier film to form an outercover material for products such as personal care absorbent articles, and the like. Methods for making these materials are also encompassed.

Abstract: An absorbent garment method of manufacture includes supplying 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 garment with a backsheet (12), a bodyside liner (14) essentially coterminous with the backseat (12) and forming a shape with a front waist section (18), a back waist section (20) and side sections connecting the front waist section (18) to the back waist section (20) and first and second flaps (30, 32) formed from or attached to bodyside liner (14). Flaps (30, 32) may have elastic members (40, 42) applied thereto respectively. Flaps (30, 32) may be folded inwardly and respective ends thereof may be bonded to bodyside liner (14) so that edges of flaps are directed toward a centerline (38) of the garment. The flaps (30, 32) may be attached to or formed from bodyside liner (14) along lines (34, 36) which are parallel to centerline (38) or which diverge from or converge toward centerline (38). Additionally, flaps (30, 38) may have varying width and be less than full length.

Abstract: A dual substrate, single-pass printing process prints a high basis weight substrate and a low basis weight substrate. Ink striking through the low basis weight substrate is collected and absorbed by the high basis weight substrate. The printed substrates are then separated and rewound for subsequent transport and handling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter medium, which contains an electretized nonwoven web of crimped fibers selected from the group consisting of spunbond filaments and staple fibers, wherein the nonwoven web has a Frazier permeability equal to or greater than about 100 ft.sup.3 /min/ft.sup.2 and a density between about 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.095 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: There is provided a protective laminate having barrier properties which has a first outer layer having liquid repellency through the use of an internal, low surface tension liquid repellency additive and a bulky second outer layer having liquid absorbency through the use of an internal wetting agent, where the layers are bonded to form a laminate. When the laminate is used as part of a garment, the absorbent layer goes against the wearer.

Abstract: An improved-strength, polymer-reinforced paper which includes fibers, of which at least about 30 percent on a dry weight basis are eucalyptus fibers; and from about 15 to about 60 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the fibers, of a latex binder.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus provide a technique for forming a fastener system. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a supply mechanism for providing along a machine-direction a first web of material having a medial portion thereof. A first assembly mechanism attaches a second web of material to the medial region of the first web along the machine direction to provide a web laminate, and a first parting mechanism separates the web laminate into at least a first laminate section and a second laminate section. Each laminate section includes a portion of the first web and a portion of the second web, and each laminate section has an edge region thereof. A directing mechanism spaces apart the first and second laminate sections, and a delivery mechanism locates a securement web of fastening material between the first and second laminate sections. The securement web has a first side region and a second side region thereof.

Abstract: A garment, such as a surgical gown, having a liquid impervious sleeve and a liquid retentive/impervious cuff is provided. The sleeve may be formed from a fibrous web secured to a liquid impervious film. The cuff may be formed from a liquid retentive layer and a liquid impervious layer. The cuff may be made elastic by securing an elastic layer between the liquid retentive layer and the liquid impervious layer. In another embodiment, the cuff may include inner and outer liquid retentive layers, wherein the liquid impervious layer and the elastic layer are captured therebetween.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article has a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion and an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article comprises a backsheet layer, and an absorbent retention portion superposed on the backsheet layer. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is superposed on the retention portion and connected to sandwich the retention portion between the topsheet and backsheet layers. A laterally extending bridge flap is configured to extend over a body-facing surface of at least one waistband portion of the article. The bridge flap has an elasticized, laterally extending, substantially fixed edge region attached to the at least one waistband portion of the article; an elasticized, laterally extending movable edge region positioned longitudinally inboard of the substantially fixed edge region; and longitudinally extending, substantially fixed side edge regions at laterally opposed side ends thereof.

Abstract: A method for making uncreped throughdried tissues is disclosed in which the dried tissue sheet is fully supported by a fabric up to the reel. This method eliminates the open draw between the throughdryer and the reel and thereby eliminates sheet breaks normally associated with such open draws. In addition, the machine direction strength of the sheet can be reduced since the added strength is not needed to traverse the open draw normally present in current processes. Reducing the MD strength in turn enables the production of more square, less stiff sheet, which improves the tactile properties of the product.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a first, liquid-permeable carrier layer and at least a second carrier layer. A carrier attaching mechanism secures together the carrier layers to provide substantially attached zones and a multiplicity of substantially unattached zones thereof. The substantially unattached zones provide a plurality of pocket regions, and high-absorbency material is located within the pocket regions to provide an absorbent laminate having a laminate length and a laminate width. A selected plurality of the pocket regions can, for example, be configured with an elongate shape having a major axis length and a relatively shorter minor axis width. The selected plurality of elongate pocket regions is included within a dispersed pocket array having a non-contiguous, labyrinth configuration of pockets.

Abstract: The addition of a relatively small amount of a cationic silicone to the aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers in the wet end of the tissue making process provides improved tactile properties (softness) to the resulting tissue.

Abstract: A method for making uncreped throughdried tissues is disclosed in which the dried tissue sheet is fully supported by a fabric up to the reel. This method eliminates the open draw between the throughdryer and the reel and thereby eliminates sheet breaks normally associated with such open draws. In addition, the machine direction strength of the sheet can be reduced since the added strength is not needed to traverse the open draw normally present in current processes. Reducing the MD strength in turn enables the production of more square, less stiff sheet, which improves the tactile properties of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) of the type for laminating two elastomeric fibrous web materials (14,16) together by ultrasonic bonding includes a continuously moving web transport support (12) for transporting at least two overlaid webs (14,16) through the apparatus (10). An ultrasonic horn (18) transmits ultrasonic energy to bond the webs (14,16) together into a laminate. An anvil underlies the ultrasonic horn (18). A vacuum mechanism (24) draws the webs (14,16) against the web transport support (12) for perfecting bonding and to prevent rippling and tearing of the webs (14,16) against the horn (18) and the web transport support (12) during the ultrasonic bonding.

Abstract: An absorbent article having at least one flap for attachment to the undergarment of a wearer is disclosed. The absorbent article includes biasing means for disposing the flap in an outward direction relative to the undergarment facing side of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymer-reinforced paper which includes preparing an aqueous suspension of fibers, at least about 50 percent, by dry weight, of which are cellulosic fibers; distributing the suspension on a forming wire; removing water from the distributed suspension to form a paper; and treating the paper thus formed with a polymer-reinforcing medium which contains a bulking agent to give the polymer-reinforced paper. The treatment of the paper is adapted to provide in the polymer-reinforced paper from about 15 to about 70 percent, by weight, of bulking agent, based on the dry weight of the cellulosic fibers in the paper. Alternatively, the bulking agent can be added to a polymer-reinforced paper after it has been formed. In certain embodiments, the bulking agent is a polyhydric alcohol. In other embodiments, the bulking agent is a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 to about 1,500.

Abstract: A surgical gown sleeve formed from a liquid impermeable elastic necked-stretched laminate is disclosed. The elastic necked-stretched laminate may include an elastic layer captured between two necked-stretched spunbond layers. The disclosed elastic necked-stretched laminate may also be incorporated in a variety of products, such as stockinettes, shoe covers and foot covers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a durable, launderable hydroentangled composite that is highly suitable for skin-contacting uses. The composite is a hydrogentangled composite which is pattern bonded. The composite contains two filamentous web layers containing crimped continuous filaments and a cellulosic layer containing cellulosic fibers, and the cellulosic layer is disposed between the filamentous web layers. The composite fabric is launderable as demonstrated by the fact that the composite loses less than about 2% of its opacity, based on the initial opacity of the composite, when subjected to one laundering cycle in accordance with the ASTM 2724-87 washing and drying procedure. Additionally provided is a process for producing the composite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process using an electric field for contacting a substantially neutrally charged material, that is responsive to an electric field, with a substrate. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product, including the electrically responsive material, that is intended for the absorption of body fluids, prepared by the process.