Abstract: Absorbent articles having a unique elastic feature improving the dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. The elastic feature preferably comprises an elastomeric member and a segment of the backsheet; a portion of the backsheet segment coincides with at least a portion of the elastomeric member; this portion of the backsheet segment being mechanically prestrained. Mechanical prestraining of the backsheet segment improves not only the extension of the elastomeric member, but also the heat-shrink contraction of preferred elastomeric members.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body portion and a pair of flaps joined to the main body portion. The flaps are folded over the garment side of the main body portion such that the flap adhesives and the central pad adhesives can be covered by a single release liner. The flaps may or may not be used while the absorbent article is being used, i.e., the absorbent article may be used by wrapping the flaps around the edges of the crotch region and securing the flap adhesives to the underside of a user's panty; alternatively, the flaps may be left in their folded configuration on the garment side of the main body portion and the flap adhesives may be secured, along with the central pad adhesive, to the inner crotch region of the panty.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having an inflatable component is disclosed. The inflatable component comprises an inflatable spacer, a gas evolving material, and a port for receiving an activating material. The port can comprise a gas impermeable, liquid permeable membrane, an adhesive closure, or a mechanical closure. The inflatable spacer maintains a fecal void space intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet of the diaper.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent foam materials suitable for use as or in the absorbent cores of absorbent articles, such as diapers which absorb and retain aqueous body fluids. Such foam materials comprise hydrophilic, flexible open-celled structures which are preferably prepared by polymerizing high internal phase (HIPE) water-in-oil emulsions. Such foam materials have a pore volume of from about 12 to 100 mL/g, and a capillary suction specific surface area of from about 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2 /g. These materials also exhibit a resistance to compression deflection such that a confining pressure of 5.1 kPa produces after 15 minutes a strain of from about 5% to 95% compression when the material is saturated at 37.degree. C. to its free absorbent capacity with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. Sufficient interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed when the mass average particle size of the resultant polymeric composition has been increased by at least about 25% over the mass average particle size of the precursor particles. The resultant polymeric composition provides improved structural integrity, an increased acquisition rate, and minimal gel blocking properties.

Abstract: This invention is a mild personal cleansing bar formulation which lends itself to faster processing comprising: from about 20% to about 50% lathering mild synthetic surfactant and from abut 5% to about 50% of magnesium soap; wherein the ratio of said lathering mild synthetic surfactant to said soap is from about 10:1 to about 0.4:1; said bar having a pH of from about 6.5 to about 8.5 in a 1% aqueous solution at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: Lipids are removed from spent coffee grounds using certain lipophilic solvents or series of solvents. The resulting defatted spent coffee grounds contain less than about 2% lipids. The defatted spent coffee grounds act as an adsorbent for bitter coffee flavors and burnt coffee aromas. This adsorbent can be added to roast ground coffee, preferably low quality or dark roasted coffee, to reduce burnt aromas and bitter flavors associated with the corresponding brewed coffee or coffee extract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single lamina tissue paper having visually discernible, large scale patterns made during the drying step of the papermaking process. Particularly, the tissue is made on a blow through drying belt having a pattern of alternating knuckles and deflection conduits. This pattern produces a like pattern of regions in the paper having alternating values of crepe frequencies, opacities and elevations. The differences in these values produces a visually discernible pattern.

Abstract: The present invention presents improved packages for single-use, disposable folded towels, and more particularly to single- and multi-towel packages which provide for readily grasping a defined portion of the towel upon opening the package and automatic unfolding of the towel upon removal from the package without a separate unfolding step requiring additional consumer action. Single-towel embodiments are disclosed which provide for complete unfolding of the towel by the use of: (a) an opening bearing a particular geometrical relationship to the dimensions of the folded towel; or (b) a flexible bar within the package to provide unfolding of the towel in the longitudinal direction. A multi-towel embodiment which provides for the advantageous dispensing features and convenience of an improved single-towel package while providing the added capability of multi-towel transportation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined package comprising a container and a mascara applicator. The applicator includes a hollow shaft having a longitudinal axis extending from the handle. A rod having a brush affixed at one end reciprocates within the hollow shaft. The rod has a first position and a second position such that when the handle of the applicator is secured to the container the rod reciprocates to the first position extending the hinge beyond the hollow shaft such that the brush is substantially non-aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. Upon removal of the applicator from the container the rod reciprocates to the second position causing the hinge to retract within the hollow shaft, thereby substantially aligning the brush with the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. This combined package allows the user to stir the product within the container when both attaching and removing the applicator to and from the container.

Abstract: A method of making an improved superabsorbent polymer foam having a morphology to provide improved absorptive properties is disclosed. The foam preferably comprises a superabsorbent polymer formed from a substantially water-soluble, unsaturated monomer having neutralized carboxyl groups and a substantially water-soluble internal crosslinking agent. The monomer and crosslinking agent are expanded in the presence of a substantially water-insoluble blowing agent and a suitable solvent and reacted to form a superabsorbent polymer foam having substantially continuous, intercommunicating channels substantially throughout the foam and a relatively high surface area to mass ratio.Absorbent products, members and articles containing the foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: A female component is provided for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component comprises a nonwoven web secured to a backing. The nonwoven web has characteristics that are specifically suited for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. The nonwoven web has a basis weight of between about 6 and about 42 grams/meter.sup.2. The nonwoven web may comprise, among other types of nonwovens, a carded web with fibers between about 2.5 cm. and about 13 cm. long, or a spunbonded web with continuous length fibers. The denier of the fibers should be between about 0.5 and about 15. The total area occupied by any bonds between the fibers comprising the nonwoven web is less than about six percent of the total area of the web. The nonwoven web is secured to the backing, preferably autogeneously.

Abstract: Disclosed are nonaqueous shortening compositions containing reducing sugars. The reducing sugars are substantially uniformly suspended throughout the nonaqueous shortening composition. The composition can be used as butter or margarine substitutes in baking or cooking where the cooking progress is monitored by surface browning of food. The composition contains from about 90 to 99.5% by weight of an edible lipid and from about 0.25 to 5% by weight of a reducing sugar.

Abstract: A process for making a refastenable mechanical fastening system comprising the steps of providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a diameter of between about 0.008 inches to about 0.040 inches; providing a molten thermally sensitive material having a storage modulus less than about 5000 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at the application temperature and a storage modulus of at least about 1.times.10.sup.6 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at a temperature no more than 40.degree.

Abstract: Disclosed are oral compositions which provide a pleasant feel to the mouth and have improved stability.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the meshes of a deposting member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the prong, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample/trial size package for cosmetic stick-form products, such as deodorants. The package is especially adapted for use with the fill/invert method of manufacture. The product is secured within the package in a fixed position throughout its use. The package has a base for holding the product. The base comprises an enclosed body, a closed bottom and an open top. The base further includes a stalk axially oriented within it. The stalk defines a trough along the inside perimeter of the base between the stalk and the body. Lastly, the package has a cap for sealing the open top of the base when the package is not in use.

Abstract: Porous, absorbent macrostructures that, upon contacting liquids such as water or body exudates (e.g., urine), swell and imbibe such liquids, and are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed. These porous macrostructures comprise bonded absorbent particles that are surface crosslinked with cationic, preferably polymeric, amino-epichlorohydrin adducts.

Abstract: A consumer product passage incorporating a mixing chamber for mixing air and liquid. Consumer packages of the present invention are capable of providing excellent spray qualities at typical consumer product flow rates (e.g., less than about 1.0 cubic centimeters per second) while simultaneously maintaining relatively low air to liquid ratios (e.g., less than about 0.06:1 on a mass basis) and relatively low pressures (e.g., less than about 50 psi). The package of the present invention also offers significant environmental and safety advantages. For example, it does not depend upon dissolved propellants; and it permits the use of water in place of volatile solvents as thinning agents since high surface tension fluids are actually sprayed better. Several packages of the present invention are illustrated, including a standard aerosol version, pump and spray versions, and a finger pump version.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, is disclosed that has components which may separate in the Z-direction with relation to other components of the article when the absorbent article is worn. The sanitary napkin of the present invention comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a liquid pervious spacing structure for moving the topsheet away from the core. The spacing structure is generally positioned between the topsheet and the core. The spacing structure has a longitudinal centerline, and opposed lateral sides which may move inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline when the spacing is compressed from the sides. This results in at least a portion of the spacing structure moving the topsheet apart from the absorbent core. In an alternative embodiment, the sanitary napkin of the present invention also has an absorbent core which separates from the backsheet of the sanitary napkin.