Abstract: A pant-like, prefastened, disposable absorbent article having side seams which include a front ear passively bonded to a back ear, wherein the front ear is releasable from the back ear desirably without tearing or damaging the back ear. The tearable front ear has a basis weight less than a basis weight of the back ear.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to adhesive compositions comprising selected ratios of crystalline and amorphous polymers. In some versions of the invention, polymers capable of existing in different configurations (e.g., a polymer such as polypropylene which can exist in an atactic, syndiotactic. or isotactic configuration) are used to prepare adhesives of the present invention. As an example, a selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of a conventional hot-melt adhesive. The adhesive compositions of the present invention are suitable for use in the preparation of laminated disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: A protective glove is provided made substantially from a laminate material. The laminate material includes a plurality of elastic strands. A first nonwoven web is attached to the plurality of elastic strands so that in a relaxed state of the elastic strands and the first nonwoven web at least one wrinkle is formed in the first nonwoven web. A second nonwoven web is also provided and is attached to the plurality of elastic strands so that in a relaxed state of the elastic strands and the second nonwoven web at least one wrinkle is formed in the second nonwoven web. The elastic strands, first nonwoven web and second nonwoven web form a laminate that is stretchable and permeable to liquid. A method of manufacture of a protective glove is also provided.

Abstract: Spirally wound single-ply web products having a chemical additive applied to at least one surface exhibit desirable roll bulk characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single-ply tissue web formed according to various processes. Once formed, the web is subjected to a shear-calendering device that increases the Fuzz-On-Edge properties of the web and preserves the bulk of the web when wound. The shear-calendered web then has a chemical additive applied to at least one surface by a non-compressive application method helping to maintain the Fuzz-On-Edge properties of the web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of wipes for use in a wipes dispenser. The stack includes a plurality of wipes, each wipe of the plurality of wipes formed from a portion of a common material. Each wipe includes a leading edge portion with a pleat-like zone located along at least a portion of a length of the leading edge portion and the pleat-like zone is distinct from an adjoining main portion of each wipe. Each wipe is folded upon itself at least once and each wipe is positioned relative to adjacent wipes to form the stack of wipes.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a cellulosic paper product is provided. The process comprises forming an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers; introducing sodium bicarbonate into the aqueous suspension; depositing the aqueous suspension onto a sheet-forming fabric to form a wet web; and dewatering and drying the wet web. The process of the present invention provides cellulosic paper products exhibiting a reduced malodor upon re-wetting.

Abstract: Paper towels are produced by printing a binder material, such as certain latex binders, onto one side of a basesheet and creping the binder-treated sheet. The resulting products have exceptional wipe dry properties and a unique pore structure and wicking properties.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a body's bio-readings and environmental information in which such bio-readings are generated is disclosed. Conventional bio-reading sensor technology may be used in combination with technology for receiving information from electronic tags associated with items in a body's environment. Such technology may include RFID smart tags associated with items in an environment. Such smart tags store information describing the item associated with the smart tag. An RFID smart tag reader may be provided for retrieving item description information stored in such smart tags. The combination of bio-reading data and environmental data provide a power tool in evaluating behavioral and environmental variables that affect a body's bio-readings.

Abstract: A process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. The process may include the step of partially dewatering a tissue web, subjecting the web to at least one deflection against a fabric, such as a coarse fabric, and then creping the web. During the process, after being dewatered, the tissue web is transferred from a transfer conveyor to the fabric using a pneumatic force, such as a suction force. In order to prevent liquids from rewetting the tissue web as the tissue web is being transferred to the fabric, the transfer conveyor is made from a material that inhibits or prevents liquids from flowing into the tissue web. For instance, in one embodiment, the transfer conveyor may comprise a felt comprised of small capillary materials. The felt may have an intake rate, for instance, of less than about 150 ?L/s when wet, may have a mean free pore size of less than about 20 microns, and may have a minimum pore size of less than about 5 microns.

Abstract: A component management system can comprise one or more software tools that streamline creation and adjustment of documents that indicate parts stocking requirements for manufacturing assets. The manufacturing assets may comprise machines, sub-assemblies, and the like, while the components comprise parts, tools, and other equipment used to maintain operation of the manufacturing assets. The component management system can be used to enhance authorization processes by handling authority to stock documents online. Furthermore, by interfacing with an enterprise resource planning system, such as SAP, component and inventory management can be made more efficient and flexible. For instance, simulations of future versions of the installed component base can be used to generate component forecast documents useful for proactive component management.

Abstract: A system and process for unwinding materials in forming absorbent articles is described. The system includes an unwind device in association with a festoon. The festoon is for accumulating a determined length of material. The amount of material contained in the festoon is increased or decreased depending upon the rate at which a roll of material is unwound in relation to the rate at which the first material is fed into a downstream process. In order to minimize the capacity of the festoon and in order to minimize tension swings in the festoon, the festoon includes a plurality of drive devices associated with selected guide rolls contained in the festoon. The drive devices can accelerate and/or decelerate the guide rolls in response to rate increases or decreases occurring at the unwind device in relation to the downstream process speed. In one embodiment, each of the guide rolls is controlled independently of the remaining guide rolls in the festoon.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to adhesive compositions comprising selected ratios of crystalline and amorphous polymers. In some versions of the invention, polymers capable of existing in different configurations (e.g., a polymer such as polypropylene which can exist in an atactic, syndiotactic. or isotactic configuration) are used to prepare adhesives of the present invention. As an example, a selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of a conventional hot-melt adhesive. The adhesive compositions of the present invention are suitable for use in the preparation of laminated disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: The present invention is an aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation. The aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation comprises from about 14% to about 75% by weight of the formulation of water, from about 25% to about 60% by weight of the formulation of a powder, from about 0.05% to about 1% by weight of the formulation of a polymeric emulsifier, from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of the formulation of a low molecular weight silicone wherein the low molecular weight silicone has an average molecular weight of about 10,000 or less, and from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the formulation of a high molecular weight silicone wherein the high molecular weight silicone has an average molecular weight of about 100,000 or greater. The aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation may have an optical uniformity index of about 0.1 or less. The aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation may have an extensive uniformity index of about 300 or greater.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.

Abstract: Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensor for indicating the presence of a body fluid are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles include at least two conductive elements that form an open circuit within the article. Each conductive element is connected to a conductive pad member that has sufficient surface area in order to facilitate connection to a signaling device. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the pad members to a signaling device. In particular, although the absorbent articles are disposable, the signaling device is intended to be used with multiple absorbent articles. Therefore, a simple and efficient method of connecting the signaling device to the pad members provides various advantages. In one particular embodiment, for instance, the pad members comprise a conductive loop-type material that is attached to a corresponding conductive hook-type material on the signaling device.

Abstract: A silicone elastomer having hydrophilic properties is provided. The elastomer is a copolymer that is formed from a crosslinkable silicone composition, the silicone composition comprising an organopolysiloxane component and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component. For example, the silicone composition may comprise: i) an organopolysiloxane having the following general formula: wherein, each R2 is individually selected from unsubstituted and substituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; each R3 is individually selected from unsubstituted and substituted alkenyl groups containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; x?1; and y?0 and is an integer that is selected so that the organopolysiloxane contains an average of at least two alkenyl groups per molecule; ii) an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid; iii) a silicon hydride crosslinking agent; and iv) a platinum-based catalyst.

Abstract: A fabric dewatering apparatus for use after a fabric cleansing apparatus in a paper machine including: an endless wicking substrate disposed for rotation about a dryer roll; the endless wicking substrate and the fabric brought into surface contact as the fabric traverses at least a portion of the dryer roll's circumference; and a wicking substrate dewatering apparatus disposed along the wicking substrate's travel path after the dryer roll.

Abstract: A panel of a material is transported in operative proximity to an air knife having a nozzle and a curved Coanda surface, such that the panel is folded over the curved Coanda surface as the material is transported in a machine direction. The panel can be folded to a variety of angles and can comprise a refastenable fastening component. Air knives are employed in various methods for folding garment side panels and forming prefastened garments, such as refastenable pants.

Abstract: Electrical monitoring devices may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition shortly after the diaper has been soiled. The devices may produce a visual, an audible, or an electronic signal. These electrical monitoring devices have been powered by batteries, specifically small coin cell batteries. The power that is supplied by batteries dissipates over time requiring that the batteries be periodically replaced.