Abstract: An elastic nonwoven laminate that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven facings is provided. The nonwoven facing contains a conventional polyolefin and can also contain a polyolefin-based plastomer. The laminate is activated by grooving to decouple the nonwoven facing from the elastic film. To reduce fiber-pull out that can result due to activation by grooving, the laminate can be post-bonded at room or elevated temperatures and a specific range of pressures to compact the fibers of the facing and minimize fiber pull-out/fuzziness while not sacrificing the softness, elasticity, and feel of the laminate.

Abstract: An applicator for applying adhesive to a moving web has a housing with an interior chamber, an inlet and a discharge port. The inlet and discharge port are in fluid communication with the interior chamber. A rotor is disposed within the interior chamber of the housing. The rotor has a body and a nonlinear channel extending about at least a portion of the body. The nonlinear channel is selectively positionable for fluid communication with the inlet and the discharge port of the housing such that adhesive flowing into the housing through the inlet flows through and is directed by the nonlinear channel to the discharge port in the housing. The rotor is rotatable relative to the housing to change the position of the nonlinear channel relative to the discharge port and thereby change the location from which adhesive flows from the discharge port.

Abstract: A substrate includes a double-network polymer system including a cross-linked, covalently-bonded polymer and a reversible, partially ionicly-bonded polymer, wherein the substrate has a moisture level less than or equal to 15 percent of the total weight of the substrate, and wherein the substrate includes a latent retractive force. A method for manufacturing a substrate includes producing a double-network hydrogel including a cross-linked, covalently-bonded polymer and a reversible, ionicly-bonded polymer; elongating by force the double-network hydrogel in at least one direction; dehydrating while still elongated the double-network hydrogel to form a substantially-dehydrated double-network polymer system; and releasing the force to produce the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for operating a liquid dispenser based on the number of revolutions of the motor causing the dispensing operation and/or based on the linear distance traveled of the piston driving the dispensing pump.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is used for making a fibrous nonwoven web with uniform, directionally-oriented projections by depositing fibrous material onto a first forming surface with holes positioned above a second forming surface with both forming surfaces traveling at different speeds to one another. As the fibers are deposited onto the first forming surface, a portion of the fibers are drawn down into the holes of the first forming surface forming the projections which contact the second forming surface. Due to the speed differential between the two forming surfaces the projections are uniformly skewed in the same direction. The resultant material is particularly suited for use as a wiping material which can be more abrasive in one direction but which is softer to the touch when wiped in the opposite direction thus making it a dual purpose material.

Abstract: A bundle of a stack of at least two consumer products is disclosed. The stack has opposite front and back faces spaced apart in a depth dimension, opposite top and bottom faces spaced apart in a height dimension, and opposite first and second end faces spaced apart in a length dimension. The bundle has a dual-cap bundling member that has a first end-cap that cups the stack at the first end-face, a second end-cap that cups the stack at the second end-face, and a bridge that integrally connects the first and second end-caps and that is superposed over the top face. The dual-cap bundling member is formed from a rigid substrate. The first end-cap and the second end-cap are not connected to each other via the rigid substrate other than by the bridge.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet material dispenser and more particularly a dispenser for storing and dispensing a compact stack of folded tissue products. The compact stack of folded tissues may be secured by the tension of a pair of opposed side panels having a generally elliptical shape. The elliptically shaped side panels result in a rigid, resilient frame-work such that the dispenser has sufficient resiliency to maintain its shape even after a portion of the folded tissue products have been dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products having improved z-directional properties. The improved z-directional properties may be achieved by providing the structure with a unique three-dimensional surface topography, which increases the structure's Exponential Compression Modulus (K) and Caliper Under Load (C0). By improving both K and C0, the present inventors have also been able to provide tissue structures with relatively high Compression Energy (E), which enables the structures to be calendered at high loads without significant loss of sheet bulk or degradation of strength.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) can include a fastening system including a primary fastening system (82) and a secondary fastening system (84). The primary fastening system (82) can include at least one primary first fastening component (86) and at least one primary second fastening component (88). The secondary fastening system (84) can include a first secondary first fastening component (96) and at least one secondary second fastening component (98). The absorbent article (10) can also include a pocket (64) disposed in the front waist region (12) such that at least one primary first fastening component (86) is configured to engage the pocket (64) when engaging the at least one primary second fastening component (88) in the fastened condition of the absorbent article (10) and the first secondary first fastening component (96) can engage the at least one secondary second fastening component (98) in the fastened condition.

Abstract: A vaginal insert which can be provided in an applicator for the treatment of urinary incontinence in females. The vaginal insert can provide tension-free incontinence treating support perpendicularly to the urethra (i.e., across the urethra).

Abstract: A vaginal insert which can be provided in an applicator for the treatment of urinary incontinence in females. The vaginal insert can provide tension-free incontinence treating support perpendicularly to the urethra (i.e., across the urethra).

Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport, includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction extending in an x-y plane and a depth extending in a z-direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a diverging section having a backward end, a forward end, and a width in the y-direction, wherein the width increases from the backward end to the forward end, wherein the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section is connected to the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to form a transition section having a step decrease in width from the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section, and wherein the depth in the transition section is less than the depth in each diverging section.

Abstract: Elasticated materials and absorbent articles comprising elasticated materials are disclosed. In an embodiment, an elasticated material may comprise a first layer bonded to a second layer by first bonds and second bonds. A plurality of elastomeric strands may extend between the first layer and the second layer. A first bond and a second bond are disposed on opposite sides of a first strand and are separated by a longitudinal distance less than an un-tensioned diameter of the first strand, and a third bond and a fourth bond are disposed on opposite sides of a second strand and are separated by a longitudinal distance less than an un-tensioned diameter of the second strand. The first bond forms a first angle with respect to the first strand, the third bond forms a second angle with respect to the second strand, and the first angle is different than the second angle.

Abstract: A liquid absorbent structure is made by dry laying a fibrous web having incorporated therein a superabsorbent material, and applying an aqueous composite stabilizer to at least one surface of the web. The aqueous composite stabilizer imparts integrity to the resulting structure without substantially impairing the effectiveness of the superabsorbent material to absorb liquid while forming the absorbent structure without removing the water from aqueous composite stabilizer or drying out the absorbent structure. The absorbent composite absorbs the water from the aqueous composite stabilizer. The absorbent composite comprises about 70% by weight of a superabsorbent material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and methods for maintaining or improving hand health and hygiene. More particularly, the system and methods prevent or overcome skin damage caused by frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers and/or cleansers. The hand care system comprises an article, such as an elastomeric glove, that has a moisturizing liquid liner composition on the skin-contacting surface of the article that delivers a skin health benefit to the skin, a non-irritating hand cleanser capable of moisturizing the skin, and a moisturizing hand sanitizer.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for optically determining the amount of product used and/or remaining in a product dispenser.