Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, incontinent device, or the like. The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core that lies between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article further includes a pair of longitudinally extending bands of web material positioned on the body surface of the topsheet on each side of a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article and joined to at least one of the topsheet and the backsheet in a longitudinally elastically elongated state. The bands of web material include first and second regions which are visibly distinct from each other. The first region has at least two substantially planar portions and the second has a plurality of rib elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent body for use in diapers or like articles. The invention is characterized in that the absorbent body includes a first layer of fluff, a first superabsorbent mixed in the fluff layer and having a high degree of cross-linking, and in that the absorbent body includes a second layer which contains a second superabsorbent having a higher liquid absorbency than the first superabsorbent.

Abstract: A bone marrow collection kit is provided comprising a collection container for receiving a bone marrow containing fluid having a body that defines an interior and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and including a prefilter that extends from the outlet opening into the interior of the collection container so that fluid must flow through the prefilter to exit the collection container through the outlet opening. A first inline filter member is coupled to the outlet opening of the collection container, the first inline filter member having a flexible plastic body that defines an interior, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the interior including a filter so constructed and arranged that fluid that enters the inlet opening must flow through the filter to exit the first inline filter member through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A disposable diaper (1) includes a liquid permeable topsheet (2); a liquid impermeable back sheet (3); an absorbent member (4) interposed between the topsheet and bottom sheet; a fastening tape (10) for securing the diaper (1); and a release tape (30) to which an adhesive surface of the fastening tape is to be adhered. A tensile load of the back sheet (3) at 3% elongation in the transverse direction of the diaper falls within the range of 100 to 300 g/cm. A bulk softness of the back sheet (3) is 55 g or less. A peel strength required to peel the fastening tape (10) from the back sheet at 180.degree. is 400 g/cm or less. The time required until the fastening tape (10) and the back sheet (3) are peeled from each other under a load of 500 g is 10 minutes or longer. An outer surface of the back sheet (3) is not provided with a target tape.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free-formed prongs joined to an embassey or raised substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging element projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto the embossed or raised portion of a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the embossed or raised substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging element of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: For use in combination with an incontinence garment, a protection device includes a generally planar deflection shield formed of a moisture impervious material. The deflection shield is of sufficient length to extend from above the penis shaft downwardly to the approximate level of the scrotum of the male. The deflection shield includes a clearance aperture permitting the penis shaft to extend through the deflection shield to assure urine is deflected away from the scrotum of the male. The deflection shield includes a sack-like structure extending from a lower portion of the deflection shield adapted to at least partially enclose the scrotum of the male. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a lower portion of the deflection shield is directly attached to the incontinence garment.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, is provided with first and second flexible bending axes separating front and rear portions of the article from a central portion. Each of the bending axes is created by a notch formed in the longitudinally extending sides of the article. A fluid pervious cover layer forms the body facing surface of the article. A transversely extending slit is formed in the portion of the cover within each of the notches. A fluid impervious barrier layer forms the garment facing surface of the article. A pleat is formed in the portion of the barrier extending between the edges of each of the slits. The notches, slits and pleats allow the front and rear portions of the article to freely bend upward into contact with the use's body and prevent lateral compression in the central portion of the article from being transmitted to the front and rear portions so as to undesirably increase the stiffness of the article in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin or panty liner especially for use with G-string and thong type undergarments. The panty liner includes an absorbent core having first and second portions. The opposed sides of the second portion flare continuously from the sides of the first portion so that the second portion has, at all points along its length, a transverse width greater than that of the first portion. A casing surrounds the absorbent core. One flap extends laterally from the casing adjacent the first portion of the absorbent core. Another flap extends laterally from the casing adjacent each of the opposed sides of the second portion of the absorbent core. An adhesive strip is secured to each of the flaps for attachment to an undergarment.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin including a plurality of absorbent pad components detachably adhered one to another to form a singular sanitary napkin. Each absorbent pad component formed as a first outer layer, a second centrally disposable layer, and a third layer. Included is a first adhesive strip adapted to detachably adhere a single bottommost of the absorbent pad components to a crotch portion of a feminine undergarment. Also included are additional adhesive strips which affix supplementary absorbent pad components upon the single bottommost of the absorbent pad components. The plurality of absorbent pad components is numerically greater than two. Lastly, an excess of absorbent filler material is included. The excess of absorbent filler material is to enthicken the single bottommost of the absorbent pad components and is capable of enhancing absorption capabilities.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as pantiliners, panty liners, and incontinence pads are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as pantiliners, that can have portions thereof removed or otherwise manipulated to change, and particularly reduce, the dimensions of the absorbent article so that they can fit a variety of panty sizes and styles. In a preferred embodiment, the pantiliner is adjusted in size by tearing the absorbent article along one or more perforation lines and removing the portions of the absorbent article that lie outboard of the perforation lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent disposable article, such as a sanitary napkin, a panty protector, or a diaper. The article includes at least two generally flat, flexible bodies which include absorbent material and which, in a packaging state, can lie against one another with first flat sides which are intended to face toward the wearer when the article is in use. Two neighboring bodies of the article are mutually joined along a first common edge which forms a folding line around which the bodies can be folded out from their packaging state and which includes an arcuate section which, in the packaging state of the article, is arched toward a second opposing edge of the bodies.

Abstract: A refastenable diaper is provided with a securing zone on the diaper outer cover of a peak strength of less than 2750 grams/inch. A refastenable adhesive taping system for the diaper includes an adhesive fastening tape comprising a flexible backing and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive permanently combined to said flexible backing and adapted to be applied to and released from the securing zone to fasten and open the diaper. The adhesive exhibits a 180.degree. peel adhesion of the tape to the securing zone that is less than the peak strength of the securing zone. The adhesive is selected to be within a specified rheological window, that is, have a maximum tan delta, or (tan delta).sub.max, of from 1.5 to 2.5 at 20.degree. C., reached at a frequency, or (w).sub.max, of greater than 500 rad/sec.

Abstract: An individually wrapped sanitary napkin in which a napkin includes a napkin body and a pair of wings extending from transversely opposite side edges of the napkin body. The napkin body is folded longitudinally thereof in a three layer overlapping relationship and the wings are also folded onto a top surface of the napkin body. Release sheets are releasably bonded onto adhesive zones provided on back surfaces of the napkin body and the wings, respectively. A wrapping sheet is also folded together with the napkin body so as to wrap the napkin body as well as the wings, wherein the respective release sheets are fixedly bonded to an inner surface of the wrapping sheet so that the wrapping sheet and the release sheet can be peeled off in the form of an integrated strip-like sheet from the napkin when removing the napkin from the wrapping sheet.

Abstract: A disposable panty shield has a thin, highly absorbent pad having a body-contacting surface, an absorbent layer, a liquid barrier, an adhesive layer, and a release layer to protect the positioning adhesive prior to use wherein the panty shield has been densified by fusing all pad layers together in a manner such that the interstitial space between the individual fibers in the densified areas is not sufficient to readily allow fluid to flow through, and the liquid barrier has a contoured surface. The adhesive layer is attached to the liquid barrier such that the adhesive follows the contour of the liquid barrier.

Abstract: A feminine menstrual hygiene product has an absorbent pad. The pad is in a folded condition. The pad is folded longitudinally and transversely and then folded diagonally presenting an interlabial insert and orthogonally opposed panels. The pad is tacked to retain the absorbent pad in the folded condition. The interlabial insert is positionable fully within the vestibule of a wearer to occlude menstrual fluids. The pad is covered by a hydrophobic web overlying the interlabial insert and opposed panels and an impermeable membrane underlying the opposed panels.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper including first stretchable side flaps extending over transversely opposite outer zones of the diaper and second stretchable side flaps functioning as liquid-barriers each having a proximal edge and a distal edge arranged so as to define an exposed zone of a topsheet along each of transversely opposite side edge surfaces of a liquid-absorbent core and thereby, if a quantity of liquid excretions gets over the distal edge of the second side flaps, it can be absorbed by the liquid-absorbent core through the exposed zones.

Abstract: An incontinence article is manufactured by providing a formable, liquid impermeable moisture barrier material, an absorbent assembly, and a liquid permeable liner material. At least the moisture barrier, and desirably a composite structure including the moisture barrier, absorbent assembly and liner, are heated to the softening point of the moisture barrier. The composite structure is conformed such as by vacuum forming to the shape of a mold surface. Afterward, a shaped structure is recovered wherein the liner is bonded to the moisture barrier with the absorbent assembly sandwiched therebetween. The shaped structure, which may also include a retaining member and a cover, is adapted to fit the male anatomy and address urine-specific incontinence. The shaped structure includes a central portion and an ungathered peripheral wall outward of the central portion.

Abstract: A nonwoven, stain resistant facing for absorbent articles is disclosed. The facing material is in the form of a nonwoven fabric including hydrophobic staple fibers bonded with an absorbent adhesive. The fabric is formed in such a manner as to have a plurality of apertures. The fibers of the fabric and the cured adhesive are coated with a fluorochemical repellant.

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

Abstract: Non-perforated tear lines for removal and evacuation of contents of disposable undergarments such as training pants. Non-perforated tear lines include a series of bond sites which are shaped, sized, spaced and arranged to provide a zone of weakness to permit severance of nonelasticized portions as well as elastic disposed in the waistband, the body of the pant, and the elastic leg bands for complete removal. Bond sites are formed by displacing a portion of material such that a thickened outer edge defines a weakened area of reduced thickness. Thus, elastic in the waistband may be disposed continuously 360 degrees around the wearer's waist, and elastic in the leg bands may be disposed continuously 360 degrees around the wearer's legs. In addition, improved pants having elasticized ear flaps in the body of the pants can be conveniently removed from the wearer.