Abstract: A dispenser adapted for dispensing from a table top and convertible to dispensing from a conventional rolled product fixture is provided. The dispenser has a housing having a compartment configured to hold sheets therein and a dispensing opening. The housing is configured to be positioned on a table top for dispensing sheets therefrom. The housing including arms which permit the housing to be coupled to a fixture. The arms are masked when the dispenser is positioned for dispensing from a table top. The arms are readily releasable to permit the housing to be releasably coupled to a fixture in a bathroom.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided which is adapted for dispensing from a table top and it is convertible to dispensing from a conventional rolled product fixture. The dispenser includes a housing having a compartment configured to hold sheets. The housing also has a dispensing opening. The housing is configured to be positioned on a table top for dispensing sheets therefrom, and the housing includes a sling which permits the housing to be coupled to a conventional rolled product fixture. The sling is masked when the dispenser is positioned for dispensing from a table top. The sling is readily releasable to permit the housing to be coupled to a fixture in a bathroom.

Abstract: An absorbent article (20) includes a first pad section (26), and a smaller second pad section (28) which is operatively joined to the first pad section. The first pad section (26) includes a first body-side cover (30), a first backsheet (32), a first absorbent body (34) located between the first cover and the first backsheet, and a first garment-attachment mechanism (36) located on a garment-side surface of the first backsheet (32). The second pad section (28) includes a second body-side cover (38), a second backsheet (40), a second absorbent body (42) located between the second cover and the second backsheet, and a second garment-attachment mechanism (44) located on the garment-side surface of the second backsheet (40). In a desired arrangement, the first pad section (26) can overlap at least a portion of the second pad section (28), and at least a portion of the first garment-attachment mechanism (36) can operatively attach the first pad section (26) to the second pad section (28).

Abstract: Combined information exchanges systems and methods suitable for use in connection with a manufacturing production line constructing a composite product. Some of the disclosed combined systems and methods include relating inspection data, such as product (or process) attribute data, to data from other manufacturing-related systems. Also disclosed are combined systems and methods for linking product (or process) attribute data obtained during the manufacturing process with one or more data sources including raw material data, process setting data, product quality data, and/or productivity data. Also disclosed are combined systems and methods for identifying manufacturing set point changes and automatically implementing such changes and automated web steering changes based on data from one or more inspection systems.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting system for an apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a dispenser, a mounting assembly, a backing plate, and arms. The dispenser has the ability to be mounted to a surface by applied pressure or by conventional fastening. The mounting assembly may securely yet removably hold the dispensing apparatus to the surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reaction vessel constructed of a flexible material including at least two reactant chambers containing two isolated reactants. The reactant chambers and reactants are separated by a frangible seal which opens under pressure, allowing the reactants to mix and react. The reaction produces a desired reactive effect on the environment surrounding the reaction vessel and any articles in that environment. A package in combination with a reaction vessel can be used to cause a reactive effect on an article within the package. The reactive effect can include a temperature change of the article or foaming a material to coat the article.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus is provided for pre-screening a material for use in an absorbent article. The evaluation apparatus includes a simulated body part having a simulated skin substrate. The material is placed on or near the simulated skin substrate, and a predetermined amount of simulated physiological fluid is insulted into the material at a pre-measured location. After a predetermined time, the simulated skin substrate is removed from the body part and fluid loss measurements are taken.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of placing elasticized areas in a nonwoven web construction such as may be suitable for the waistbands or leg openings of disposable absorbent pant garments, cuffs on sleeves of medical garments, or the like. A web, or webs, of extendible nonwoven material which make up the substrate for the elasticized area are printed with an elastic adhesive in its fluid or semi-fluid and untensioned state to provide a tensioning force against distension of the web during wearing of the garment for conformable, well fitting, elasticized cuff areas and may further be used to reinforce biaxially extendible web components such as the backsheet web.

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

Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that includes front and back panels each having a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is extensible and retractable and the second zone is non-extensible and non-retractable. The disposable absorbent article also has a waistband integrally formed in the first zone that has extensible regions separated by non-extensible regions. The waistband is constructed such that a greater force is required to extend it than is required to extend the remaining extensible portion of the first zone in both the front and back panels. The disposable absorbent article also includes an absorbent assembly and the front and back panels are secured together by a pair of seams to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A disposable pant-like undergarment is disclosed having stretchable front and back panels. An elastic band is secured to at least one of the front and back panels. The elastic band has a retracted length less than the retracted length of the panel to which it is secured. An absorbent assembly including a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween, is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the front panel to overlap the back panel. A pair of seams joins the front panel, the back panel and the elastic band together at their side edges to form a pant-like undergarment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The elastic band creates a snug fit at the waist opening.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article and method of forming the article are disclosed. The article has front and back panels, each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the first and second side edges of the front panel to align with the first and second side edges of the back panel, respectively. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.

Abstract: A blown film process for producing low gauge, latent elastic films with high cross-direction orientation includes preferentially regulating the temperature gradient of the film along the expansion length. The regulation of temperature along the bubble profile allows more effective “down gauging” of the film and improved melt strength of the hot film. The choice of raw materials is an important element in producing cross-direction-oriented, low gauge, latent elastic films. The method of this invention can be carried out as either a multiple-bubble process or a single-bubble process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a nonwoven web that has substantially continuous synthetic fine fiber includes preparing an aqueous amide crosslinked polymer solution. The solution is extruded through a die having a plurality of orifices to form a plurality of threadlines. The threadlines are then attenuated with a primary gaseous source under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline to increase incrementally with increasing distance from the die, at a rate sufficient to provide fibers having a desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating articles (28) include conveying a plurality of individual articles with a stacking conveyor (96) In particular aspects, the vacuum conveyor (96) can be arranged with an elbow configuration to substantially avoid an undesired encircling or surrounding of a substantially fixed portion of cooperating downstream equipment, and the stacking conveyor (96) can have a plurality of holding members (112) that project away from an article-side surface of the stacking conveyor. In another aspect, the method and apparatus can include a turning mechanism which forms the desired elbow configuration. A further aspect can include a transfer system (98) which can cooperate with a vacuum system (100) to load the articles (28) into downstream packaging equipment. Still another aspect can include a storage buffer mechanism (104) which provides an area upon which to stage at least one article-set (70).

Abstract: Textile materials, including paper webs, treated with a polyvinylamine polymer and a second agent that interacts with the polyvinylamine polymer is disclosed. The second agent added with the polyvinylamine polymer can be, for instance, a polymeric anionic reactive compound or a polymeric aldehyde-functional compound. When incorporated into a paper web, the combination of the polyvinylamine polymer and the second agent provide improved strength properties, such as wet strength properties. In an alternative embodiment, the polyvinylamine polymer and the second polymer can be applied to a textile material for increasing the affinity of the textile material for acid dyes.

Abstract: An absorbent swimwear garment having an antimicrobial agent based on hydantoin chemistry for the purpose of eliminating or reducing the level of bacteria in swim water. During initial product use, the absorbent swimwear garment is able to contain urine and bowel movements, similar to ordinary diapers and training pants. When the swimwear garment is submersed in swim water, particularly chlorinated or brominated water, the antimicrobial agent is stabilized and is thereby able to eliminate E. coli and other fecal bacteria from the swim water.

Abstract: A body powder is disclosed. The body powder includes a topical anti-fungal agent in combination with at least two excipients. One excipient is a boron nitride particulate material coated with a silicone compound. The other excipient is a fragrance molecularly entrapped within a cyclodextrin compound.