Abstract: The application is directed toward a process for forming an electret filter medium.

Abstract: A growth adjustable diaper for newborn babies is adjustable in length by use of a foldable absorbent panel at the front edge of the diaper and comprises an elastic member positioned between the foldable panel and a topsheet.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermally bonded spunbond web of thermoplastic filaments and a nonwoven fabric laminate comprising an internal layer of meltblown thermoplastic microfibers sandwiched between two layers of spunbond thermoplastic filaments. The spunbond web and the spunbond layers of the fabric laminate consist of thermoplastic filaments which are formed from a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and an effective amount of a nucleating agent. The layers are bonded by thermal spot bonding. In the preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is polypropylene with a melt-flow rate of at 230 .degree. C. of or greater than 12 grams per ten minutes. Also in the preferred embodiment, the nucleating agent constitutes from about 0.1 to 0.3 percent by weight of the mixture of polypropylene and nucleating agent.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing and retaining human exudate. The article includes an absorbent having a first surface facing the body of a user and a second surface aligned approximately opposite to the first surface. A liquid-impermeable baffle is positioned adjacent to at least the second surface of the absorbent while a fluid-permeable cover is positioned adjacent to at least the first surface of the absorbent. A deodorizing mixture is positioned within the article and is positioned to remain dry for a substantial period of time. The mixture is an anhydrous, non-buffer blend of at least basic and pH neutral odor absorbing particles.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a retention portion for storing absorbed liquids, and a distinctive surge management portion. The surge management portion, which has a selected basis weight, is constructed to rapidly uptake and temporarily hold at least three (3) successive surges of liquid directed into the target zone of the article and then release each of the surges to the retention portion. The retention portion desorbs each input of liquid from the surge management portion and stores the liquid. Particular functional and structural parameters can further characterize the surge management portion of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A structure for selectively absorbing an oily contaminant from an aqueous environment comprising a plurality of sheets of nonwoven oleophilic fibers arranged in superposition to form a generally rectangular parallelpiped shape, the configuration may be maintained in shape and has a major surface formed by sheet edges so that when contacting an oily containment, the contaminant is selectively absorbed into the structure through wicking action. These structures may be combined to form booms or the like and stacked in a particular configuration for easy storage, transportation and deployment.

Abstract: A package, which can be substantially hexahedral, is composed of a flexible polymer material and contains a plurality of articles. The package includes a front face wall, a back face wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and two oppositely located end walls. A plurality of stacks of the articles are contained within the package, and the article stacks arranged to extend in a generally parallel, side-by-side configuration with each stack including a multiplicity of the articles. Each of the stacks is aligned along an appointed stacking direction of the package, and each of the stacks has opposed facing ends thereof contacting opposed walls of the package. A designated opening mechanism extends across a selected primary opening wall of the package and extends across at least a portion of each of a pair of oppositely located, complementary opening walls of the package.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a surgical stockinette for covering and encasing a body extremity such as an armor leg to isolate and protect the extremity during surgery. The stockinette has a generally tubular-shape and is made from a composite material defining a length and a width with the length being longer than the width. The stockinette defines an interior surface and an exterior surface with the tubular-shaped structure defining an open end and a closed end separated by the length. The interior and exterior surfaces are joined circumferentially to one another along substantially the entire length of the tubular-shaped structure. The interior surface is formed from a fibrous material and the overall structure is liquid impervious and circumferentially expandable from a first circumference to a second and larger circumference. Due to the materials and nature of construction, the stockinette of the present invention provides a form-fitting design which is easy to don and remove.

Abstract: A method is provided for bonding an adhesive to a polyolefin foam, and preferably a non-crosslinked polyethylene foam. The foam is useful as a liquid-impervious backing in a disposable absorbent article, such as a panty liner, a sanitary napkin, a diaper, a adult incontinent garment, a training pant, and the like. The adhesive is applied to a substrate which is then brought into intimate contact with one side of the foam's surface. Optionally, heat and pressure may be applied to enhance bonding.

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising a fibrous web of cellulosic material, a first complex forming material present within said web and a second complex forming material present within said web. When wetted, the first and second complex forming materials form a complex thereby providing the fibrous web of cellulosic material with improved integrity.

Abstract: Registration inspection of composite products during the fabrication of a series of such products is accomplished by making a two-dimensional image of a product and analyzing the image to determine the location of at least one component in the machine direction and the location of at least one component in the transverse direction. The thus determined locations are compared to the desired locations for the respective components in the composite article, and feedback control signals are utilized to adjust the fabrication process so that the components will be at the desired locations in subsequent products. When a component is outside of its acceptable position, the article can be removed from the fabrication line without further processing. The invention is particularly useful with fabrication lines for the production of absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, incontinence devices, sanitary napkins, and the like.

Abstract: Embossing a web between unmatched male and female embossing elements, wherein the sidewall slope of the female element is different than the sidewall slope of the male element, provides an embossed web having markedly improved embossing pattern definition and, in the case of roll products, greater roll bulk at equivalent roll firmness. The unmatched male and female embossing elements are preferably made by laser engraving rubber embossing rolls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a synthetic fecal fluid composition which is useful with respect to the development of personal care devices such as diapers, training pants and incontinence garments which serve to collect and contain fecal matter. The synthetic fecal fluid composition of the present invention has a greater ability to retain liquid thereby improving its simulation of the actual material. As a result, this material is an improvement over prior materials which dewatered too quickly and therefore acted as poor supplements for use in the testing and development of personal care products. the composition contains a mixture of approximately 70 to 90% by weight of liquid such as water and approximately 10 to 30% by weight of solids including both water-soluble and water-insoluble components.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure containing a fibrous matrix having a dual Z-directional gradient wherein the concentration of high-absorbency material decreases from a first planar surface of the fibrous matrix to the opposed second planar surface, while the density of the fibrous matrix increases from said first major planar surface to the second planar surface. Also disclosed is an absorbent article containing such an absorbent structure.

Abstract: A porous structure of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material which porous structure possesses improved free swell capacity and is able to demonstrate said improved free swell capacity when in contact with an absorbent material such as a cellulosic fibrous web. Also disclosed is a method of making such a porous polymeric structure. The method comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water suspension, wherein the water phase contains a water-soluble monomer and a crosslinking agent and the oil phase is a volatile organic compound having a boiling point greater than the boiling point of water. The monomer present in the water phase is polymerized to form a polymeric material having dispersed therein the oil phase. The resultant polymeric material is then dried at a temperature above the boiling point of water, such that the volatile organic compound volatilizes thereby forming pores in the polymeric material, which pores have a diameter of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high wicking liquid absorbent composite suitable for a wide number of uses including personal care products and the process for making the same. The composite is made from a relatively uniform mixture of from about 5 to about 20 percent fine wettable fiber, from about 3 to about 30 percent pulp fibers, from about 50 to about 90 percent superabsorbent and from 0 to about 10 percent binder, the percentages being on a dry weight basis. The mixture is compressed into a composite having a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 grams per cubic centimeter and a vertical wicking height of at least about 10 centimeters in one hour. The process involves forming a sheet comprising 50 to 90 percent fine wettable fiber and 10 to 50 percent pulp fiber on a dry weight basis. The sheet is then fiberized into a plurality of individual fibers within an air stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is an abrasion resistant fibrous nonwoven structure composed of (1) a matrix of meltblown fibers having a first exterior surface, a second exterior surface, and an interior portion; and (2) at least one other fibrous material integrated into the meltblown fiber matrix so that the concentration of meltblown fibers adjacent each exterior surface of the nonwoven structure is at least about 60 percent, by weight, and the concentration of meltblown fibers in the interior portion is less than about 40 percent, by weight. This fibrous nonwoven structure provides useful strength and low-lint characteristics as well as an abrasion resistance that is at least about 25 percent greater than that of homogenous mixture of the same components. The fibrous nonwoven structure of the present invention may be used as a moist wipe.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon is disclosed for absorbing menstrual fluid. The tampon includes a compressed pledget having a major and a minor radius of curvature. Zones of different density fibers are arranged adjacent to each radius of curvature and the zones can extend substantially the entire length of the pledget. The pledget is constructed of absorbent fibers which are enclosed by a cover. A withdrawal string is attached to the pledget and facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina. The absorbent is compressed into an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped pledget having a zone of high density fibers and a zone of low density fibers. After compression, the low density fibers will expand and form a curved tampon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid evacuation system which is particularly well-suited for removing liquids from the site of a surgical procedure. In one configuration the system is in the form of a pad which can be placed directly on a patient or used in conjunction with a surgical drape. The pad is connected to a vacuum source and as fluids flow across the top surface of the pad, they are drawn down into a fluid receiving chamber and then removed via a suction line. As a result, fluids present during a surgical procedure are taken completely away from the operating site. In another configuration, the system is in the form of a suction rail which operates in the same fashion but can be molded or formed into a particular shape and then attached to a surgical drape in the expected path of fluid run-off.

Abstract: The throughdryability of dewatered, but wet, sheets made from papermaking fibers can be significantly increased by subjecting an aqueous suspension of the fibers at high consistency to elevated temperatures with sufficient working of the fibers. Such a treatment is particularly effective for improving the efficiency of throughdrying processes used in the manufacture of certain products, such as tissues and paper towels, made from furnishes having a significant amount of secondary or recycled fibers.