Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods providing a printer interface in a global communications environment for a shipping management system resident on a server computer device remote from a user client computer device, that creates an image of a shipping label with dimensionally accurate symbologies, such as a bar code label, for display on a remote display device and for printing on a remote printing device, such as a laser printer, configured with the remote user client computer device. The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods providing a printer interface that recognizes the graphic resolution for each printer, including laser printers, configured with each of a plurality of remote user client computer devices, wherein the printer interface communicates with each remote user client computer device over a global communications network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a fine granularity alerting mechanism for alerting customers of the status of an order are provided. With the apparatus and methods, a customer selects a supplier of a good or service and places an order with the supplier. Upon submitting the order to the supplier, a session between the supplier and the customer is initiated such that the customer may be provided with one or more alerts of the current status of the customer's order. The one or more alerts may be periodic or may be based on the occurrence of one or more certain events. The alerts may include an estimated time of travel from a customer's current location to a location at which the order is to be completed along with an estimated time of completion of the order.

Abstract: The present invention permits a data related to a destination used in an order reception operation of a goods delivery service to be acquired from an address information stored in an address information file retained in a portable electronic terminal, thus leading to utilization of the address information stored in the address information file as the data related to the destination used in the order reception operation of the goods delivery service. Thereby, a manual input of addresses, etc., in a product sales data processing system can be saved. Accordingly, a store with installation of the sales data processing system will achieve shortening of operation time, improvement of work efficiency, and reduction of mistakes, and a customer who owns the portable electronic terminal will be able to enjoy enhancement of the convenience and serviceability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a personal item return service to an owner of a personal item that is subject to confiscation before the owner is admitted through a security checkpoint and into a secure area downstream of the security checkpoint. The security checkpoint can be located at a transportation center (airport, bus or train) or any entrance to a secure area at a building or sports arena. The owner can purchase from a vending machine or kiosk a container having sufficient pre-paid postage based on the size or weight of the item, and mail the item to a destination selected by the owner. The service is located adjacent to the security checkpoint so that the owner need not lose his/her place in the security line.

Abstract: The invention system is an automated system for creating, storing and using registration and itinerary records to provide security to participants. The system automatically monitors itinerary records and prompts the initiation of security response actions such as a telephone call to a participant provided contact person if a participant fails to cancel an itinerary prior to a stated itinerary completion time. The system is also able to receive payment and maintain a current payment status for the participant until a set time of expiration or until the participant fails to cancel an itinerary prior to a stated itinerary completion time.

Abstract: A method that enables a carrier to find the address of a missing person. The carrier accomplishes the foregoing by receiving the name of a missing person; receiving a list of parties that the missing person is likely to receive mail from or send mail to; scanning mail faces that have been deposited with the carrier by a sender; determining if the scanned mail includes the name of the missing person and a party appearing on the list of parties; producing a list of scanned names and addresses that include the name of the missing person and the party appearing on the list of parties; delivering the list to a party that is permitted by law to receive the list regarding the missing person; and reviewing the delivered list to determine if the missing person is the recipient or sender of mail that is likely to be the missing person.

Abstract: A body fluids absorbent article including an absorbent structure that includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed therebetween. The topsheet is divided into a first absorbent surface zone and a second absorbent surface zone. The first absorbent surface zone has no gathers and is formed with a plurality of liquid-passages extending therethrough. The second absorbent surface zone is formed with a plurality of gathers extending longitudinally of the absorbent structure. Compressed grooves extend along boundary lines of the first and second absorbent surface zones in transversely opposite side regions of the body facing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface structural body; a backing sheet; an absorbent core disposed between the surface structural body and the backing sheet. The surface structural body is formed by stacking bundles of continuous filaments into at least two layers and partially fixing the continuous filaments of the respective layers together. The individual continuous filaments extend over the entire length of the respective layers. The layers include: a lower layer positioned adjacent to the absorbent layer; and an upper layer positioned away from the absorbent layer and having a smaller width than that of the lower layer. The upper layer is located exclusively at a center portion or laterally opposite side portions of the lower layer.

Abstract: An apertured film cover for an absorbent article is disclosed. The cover has an additive combination comprising a diol and a surfactant applied thereto. The additive combination provides surprisingly improved fluid transfer across the cover. It can also provide a benefit by reducing frictional forces during the manufacture of a tampon.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet and an absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is located between the topsheet and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is made of a three dimensional apertured film that defines a large void volume space between the acquisition distribution layer and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer provides high void volume for lateral spillage during repeated insult moments because the topsheet, which is in contact with the user, is held away from dispersing fluid that is unabsorbed by saturated core material. The void volume space provides a pathway for unabsorbed fluid to flow over the top plane of saturated core regions to unsaturated regions of the core material for absorption. The void volume space allows this migration of fluid to occur without the fluid coming into contact with the topsheet, thereby avoiding a feeling of wetness for a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles including skin care compositions. The skin care compositions of the invention are stable on the bodyside liners of absorbent articles despite not containing an immobilizing agent. Surprisingly, the skin care compositions of the invention even demonstrate less migration away from the bodyside liner than do other compositions that contain so-called “immobilizing agents”. The compositions of the invention possess physical properties, such as melting points, viscosities and hardnesses, comparable to compositions containing immobilizing agents, making them suitable for use on absorbent articles.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced to provide a thin absorbent layer having high permeability in the thickness direction but low permeability in the plane due to the barrier material.

Abstract: A dispersible absorbent product comprises a mechanically weakened fibrous web. The dispersible absorbent product can absorb a sufficient amount of fluid without becoming overloaded and suffering from leakage, and is dispersible using a standard toilet. The mechanically weakened regions of the web enhance the dispersibility of the product. Additionally, the dispersible absorbent products may be pre-moistened with a composition. The pre-moistened products are stable in storage, easily dispersible down a toilet, and deliver cleaning, conditioning, and like benefits. Methods of making such dispersible absorbent products are also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a center line (29) running in the longitudinal direction, a center line running in the transverse direction, two side edges (9, 10) running in the longitudinal direction, two end edges (11, 12) running in the transverse direction, and including a liquid-permeable surface layer (2), a liquid-tight surface layer (3), a side barrier pocket (40, 41) arranged along each side edge (9, 10) and having an opening directed towards the longitudinal center line, and an absorption body (4) enclosed between the surface layers (2, 3). The absorption body (4) includes at least one intermediate storage part (22-25) and a liquid transfer part (26). The intermediate storage part (22-25) is arranged along a side edge (9, 10), in direct contact with the liquid transfer part (26), and inside a side barrier pocket (40, 41).

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface layer formed of continuous filaments individually extending over the entire length of the surface layer, the continuous filaments including at least heat-fusible continuous filaments; a backing sheet; and a fibrous absorbent core located between the surface layer and the backing sheet and containing heat-fusible fibers. Between the surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core, disposed is an absorbent sheet which is formed of superabsorbent polymer to have a plurality of through passages. The surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core are partially fusion-bonded to each other via the through passages formed in the absorbent sheet for retaining the absorbent sheet between the surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface member; a backing sheet; and an absorbent layer interposed between the surface member and the backing sheet. The surface member includes an upper layer located at a liquid-receiving side surface and a lower layer located adjacent to the absorbent layer. The upper layer is formed of first continuous filaments. The lower layer is formed of second continuous filaments. The first and second continuous filaments individually extend over the entire length of the surface member. Hydrophilicity of the lower layer is higher than that of the upper layer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a training pant includes wetness indicating graphics that provide an interactive training aid. The interactive graphics can include a permanent character graphic and one or more active object graphics, which “appear” or “disappear” from view in response to exposure to urine or the environment. The interactive graphics can also include a story line in which the permanent character graphic is illustrated performing an activity involving the active object graphic. The wetness indicating feature and the graphic story line allow the caregiver to interact with the child in an educational and motivational manner to enhance the toilet training process.

Abstract: An elastic sided curved absorbent pad is provided with soft side edges providing efficient leakage protection without irritation. The pad has elasticized side panels which comprise at least two layers of non-woven material mounted between a cover and baffle, projecting beyond the side edges of the cover and the baffle, giving the panel soft, free outer distal edges and one or more elastic members inboard from the free distal edge. The layers of non-woven material and the elastic member are bonded together, except for the distal edges which are not bonded. This provides a lace-like appearance and feel.

Abstract: An absorbent garment having a pant-like configuration is constructed with strategically placed leg elastic, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing, finished look at the leg openings. Such strategic placements include securing the leg elastic to an outer cover and folding the outer cover over the elastic; or placing the elastic between a liquid-permneable body side liner and the outer cover and folding the outer cover over the elastic and securing the outer cover to the body side liner; or folding the outer cover more than once around the elastic. In any case, the distance between the leg elastic is nearly equal to the width dimension of the outer cover of the finished product. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the finished product eliminates the chance of exposing the leg elastic to the user. In an alternate embodiment, portions of the outer cover can extend laterally beyond an absorbent layer, thereby serving as seamless leak guards.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a napkin body comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween and a pair of wings at both side edges of the napkin body. The wings comprise a portion of the backsheet extending transversely outward from a middle zone of the side edge of the napkin body and a reinforcing member bonded to an upper surface of the backsheet's portion. Elastically stretchable and contractable cover sheets are bonded to an upper surface of the napkin body.