Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article such as a diaper, training pant, feminine hygiene product, or an incontinence product includes a stabilized first absorbent layer and a second absorbent layer that contains a superabsorbent and absorbent fibers treated with a non-fugitive densification agent.

Abstract: A latent material having various controlled shrinkage tensions and patterns and a method of making the same. The materials include polymer materials that are capable of absorbing microwave energy. Different degrees of shrinkage of the material may be controlled to create different tensions in the material. Additionally, various stereo and three-dimensional patterns may be generated on the material. These materials may be used in the formation of personal care articles. The materials are made by incorporating a polymer material onto the film, wherein the polymer material is capable of turning microwave energy into heat. Upon exposure to microwave radiation, the heat will cause the latent material to shrink. The use of different types and amounts of polymer materials will result in a latent material having different tensions and patterns.

Abstract: A tissue product containing a multi-layered paper web that has at least one outer layer formed from a blend of pulp fibers and synthetic fibers is provided. A polymer latex is also applied to the outer layer of the tissue product. It is believed that the polymer latex and synthetic fibers can fuse together to have a synergistic effect on the strength of the tissue product. In addition, the resulting tissue product can be soft and produce low levels of lint and slough.

Abstract: An absorbent binder composition is provided which is capable of crosslinking after application to a substrate, in the absence of radiation, at a temperature of about 120° C. or less. The absorbent binder composition includes about 15 to about 99.8% by mass monoethylenically unsaturated polymer units, about 0.1 to about 20% by mass polyacrylate ester units having an alkoxysilane functionality, and about 0.1 to about 75% by mass of polymer units selected from polyolefin glycols and polyolefin oxides. The absorbent binder composition can be prepared using a template polymerization process, with the preformed polyolefin glycol or polyolefin oxide serving as a template polymer.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface of an elastomeric article is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a treatment, providing an elastomeric article with an exposed surface, placing the article and the substrate into a tumbling apparatus, and tumbling the article with the substrate so that the treatment is transferred from the substrate to the exposed surface.

Abstract: An absorbent personal care device, such as an interlabial pad, tampon, sanitary pad or liner, or incontinence product adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent to the vaginal epithelium for systemic and topical treatment, the tampon including absorbent material and a formulation including a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is a botanical. The botanical may be, but is not limited to, Agnus castus, aloe vera, comfrey, calendula, dong quai, black cohosh, chamomile, evening primrose, Hypericum perforatum, licorice root, black currant seed oil, St. John's wort, tea extracts, lemon balm, capsicum, rosemary, Areca catechu, mung bean, borage seed oil, witch hazel, fenugreek, lavender, soy, heath, cranberries, blueberries, azaleas, red onion skin, short red bell peppers, long red bell peppers, beet root extract, capsanthin, whortleberry, lingenberry, chokeberry, sweet rowan, rowanberry, seabuckhrouberry, crowberry, strawberries, or gooseberries.

Abstract: Hot-melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions of amorphous polyalphaolefin and crystalline polypropylene have improved bond strength over the amorphous polyalphaolefin alone. The adhesive compositions improve dynamic shear strength, dynamic peel strength, as well as static peel strength. The adhesive compositions are particularly suitable for use in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method of providing a series of types of pant-like garments and corresponding information to consumers. The series includes two or more pant-like garments, each of the garments corresponding to a stage of toilet training. Each of the garments in the series may differ from one another in terms of absorbent capacity, size, and/or features. The information provided to the consumer helps the consumer discern which garment from the series is most appropriate for a child in a specific stage of the toilet training process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating articles (28) includes inputting a plurality of individual articles to deliver the articles from an article supply source (26) onto an inclined slide (42) having a guide surface. In particular aspects, the articles are regulated with a guide member (44), and directed to a first conveyor (50).

Abstract: A system and process for inspecting an underlying edge of a composite article, such as a disposable absorbent article. The article has first and second panels in at least partially opposed, overlapping engagement with each other. The process and system determine whether the panels of the article are present and/or properly positioned. Also disclosed is a process and system for detecting whether one or more components are present and/or properly positioned in the composite article by use of infrared radiation. Also disclosed is a process and system for defining a window in an image of the article, scanning the defined window to determine a position of the edge and redefining the window in the event that the edge is not located within the defined window during scanning of the defined window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of achieving selectively elasticized zones on nonwoven web substrates, such as may be suitable for the waistbands of disposable absorbent pant garments, cuffs on sleeves of medical garments, or the like. A web, or webs, of nonwoven material which make up the substrate for the elasticized area are provided to be inherently extendable in the transverse, or lateral, direction of the material web at the time the elastic material is affixed to the substrate. If the elastic material is affixed in an untensioned state, a flat waistband without gathering of the substrate may be had for a very efficient seal against the skin of the wearer. If the elastic material is affixed to the substrate in a tensioned state, a waist band with gathering of the substrate may be had to allow for two-stage expansion via the gathers and the expansion of the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of co-extruding a first component and a second component. The first component has a recovery percentage R1 and the second component has a recovery percentage R2, wherein R1 is higher than R2. The first and second components are directed through a spin pack to form a plurality of continuous, molten fibers. The molten fibers are then muted through a quenching chamber to form a plurality of continuous cooled fibers. The coiled fibers are then routed through a drawing unit to form a plurality of continuous, solid linear fibers. Each of the solid fibers is then stretched by at least 50 percent before it is allowed to relax. The relaxation step forms the linear fibers into a plurality of continuous 3-dimensional fibers each having a coiled configuration over at least a portion of its length. The continuous 3-dimensional, coiled fibers are then deposited onto a moving support to form a web.

Abstract: An absorbent article which minimizes or avoid component bonding within the interior area thereof is provided to improve or increase the independence of the components which constitute the article.

Abstract: A method of extending the therapeutic duration of a thermal therapy product is disclosed. The method includes selecting a thermal therapy product to provide a benefit to a user, selecting a phase change material, incorporating the phase change material into a flexible thermal therapy sleeve, and placing the thermal therapy product into the thermal therapy sleeve.

Abstract: In a method for alerting the wearer of an absorbent article to the wearer's release of liquid body waste to the article, a flow control layer is placed between a liner and an absorbent body of the article to substantially retard the flow of liquid body waste from the liner to the absorbent body. Liquid body waste is pooled adjacent the liner whereby the pooled liquid body waste flows back through the liner and contacts the wearer's skin to thereby alert the wearer to the release of liquid body waste.

Abstract: A method involves retrofitting conventional injectors with needles having magnetostrictive portions and wound coils configured and disposed so as to subject the magnetostrictive portions of the needles to ultrasonically oscillating magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing fine denier multicomponent thermoplastic polymer filaments incorporating high melt-flow rate polymers. Multicomponent filaments are extruded such that the high melt-flow rate polymer component is substantially surrounded by one or more low melt-flow rate polymer components. The extruded multicomponent filament is then melt-attenuated with a significant drawing force to reduce the filament diameter and form continuous, fine denier filaments.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an endless non-woven tissue making fabric having a three-dimensional texture suitable for use as a fabric for producing three-dimensional fibrous webs. The endless non-woven tissue making fabric comprises a plurality of substantially parallel adjoining sections of non-woven material. Each section of non-woven material has a width substantially less than the width of the non-woven tissue making fabric. Each section of non-woven material may be joined to at least one other adjoining section of non-woven material. The non-woven tissue making fabric has a machine direction, a cross-machine direction, a tissue contacting surface and a tissue machine contacting surface. The tissue contacting surface comprises solid matter at a plurality of heights such that the tissue contacting surface of the non-woven tissue making fabric has an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.2 mm in regions of solid matter on the tissue contacting surface.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for accumulating selected articles can include an inputting of a plurality of individual articles (28) from an article supply source (26). Each article can have at least a first major facing surface (30), a first article dimension (32) extending along a first article direction, a second article dimension (34) extending along a second article direction which differs from the first article direction, and an article edge region (36). Each article can be directed to a first conveyor (50), and in a particular aspect, the first article dimension of each article can be aligned along a selected machine-direction (22). Another aspect can include an identifying of an article-set (70) which contains a selected, predetermined number of the articles. Further aspects can include a forming of at least one article-set which contains the selected number articles arranged in a stack or other arrangement suitable for packaging; and a moving of the article-set into a package.