Abstract: A disposable absorbent articles having breathable side panels. The disposable absorbent article preferably comprises a containment assembly including a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, an inner surface and an outer surface. The backsheet has a garment-facing surface, a body-facing surface, a central region and an outer region. The backsheet preferably further includes at least three distinct zones, a pair of apertured zones comprising apertures and a non-apertured zone. The apertured zones preferably include at least a portion of the outer region of the backsheet and extend laterally outwardly form each of the longitudinal edges. The non-apertured zone preferably comprises the central region and is juxtaposed the outer surface of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A nonwoven that is exceptionally soft yet sufficiently strong for use in absorbent articles is disclosed. The soft, strong nonwoven includes fibers comprising polyethylene, at least a portion of which are consolidated. The soft, strong nonwoven has a cross-machine direction tensile strength of at least about 300 g/in and a cross-machine direction elongation at break of at least about 40%.The soft, strong nonwoven is preferably formed by permanently stretching an inelastic base nonwoven in the cross-machine direction. The preferred base nonwoven has certain properties which allow it to have sufficient strength after stretching, while being exceptionally soft, such that the resultant permanently stretched, soft, strong nonwoven is particularly suitable for use as a topsheet or a back sheet component in disposable absorbent articles.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article that effectively prevents the leakage of body fluids beyond its confines. The article of the present invention comprises a body having a fluid-impermeable backsheet, an intermediate, fluid-absorbing core, and a fluid-permeable topsheet. A pair of leg cuff assemblies is attached to the body. Each assembly comprises a cuff standing portion and a cuff base portion. The assemblies are composed of two hydrophobic nonwoven layers. A first layer is composed of a spunbonded web and a second layer is composed of a meltblown fiber. The first layer extends from the free, unattached end of the cuff standing portion to the distal edge of the article defining the leg opening. The second layer is provided where needed and in weights as needed to provide maximum assembly hydrophobicity with a minimum use of material. This construction allows the cuff assemblies to form fluid-impermeable dams which prevent passage of body fluid beyond the article along its leg hole sides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refastenable fastening device including female fastening component preferably comprising a base web and an engaging layer. The base web comprises a structural elastic-like film (SELF) web and is joined to the engaging layer which comprises a plurality of filaments or a nonwoven web. The SELF web exhibits an elastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of added elastic materials. The SELF web includes a strainable network having at least two distinct regions comprised of the same material composition. The first region is oriented substantially parallel to an axis of elongation such that it will undergo a molecular-level deformation in response to an applied axial elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the elongation axis before a substantial portion of the second region undergoes any substantial molecular-level deformation.

Abstract: A method for making a disposable garment with de-elasticed elastic members in the crotch area of the garment is disclosed using means for de-elasticing the elastic members such as macerators, chemicals, selective laser beams, heat, and freezing.

Abstract: An improved adaptor and protector for same which is removably sealing an opening of the adaptor located at an end of a tubular member. The adaptor has a longitudinal passageway for receiving a cannula. An upper end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a first end of the passageway for receiving the cannula. A lower end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a second end of the passageway adapted for receiving an injection site wherein the diameter of the first end is larger than the diameter at the second end. A middle portion intermediate the first end and the second end has a tapering interior diameter for directing the cannula to the injection site and further having an exterior surface with gripping surfaces. The tapering interior diameter of the middle portion of the adaptor includes guiding members to direct the cannula or other injection devices. The adaptor may also be provided with a protector removably sealing an opening located at an end of the adaptor.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, having flaps and zones of differential extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down along the edges of crotch of the wearer's undergarments is provided.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin assembly comprises a plurality of thin, substantially planar, individual sanitary napkin units which are arranged in a stack so that their planar faces are adjacent. Each individual napkin unit is removably attached to the one or two individual, units which are adjacent to it. Each individual napkin unit comprises a sheet or layer for receiving, absorbing, and containing; body fluids secreted by the user, and a water-proof barrier sheet or layer for precluding, leakage of absorbed fluids to adjacent units or to the user's clothing. Thin adhesive-tape strips (or other suitable attachment media) are used to permanently attach the fluid-receiving layer to the barrier layer. Similar tape strips (or other suitable attachment media) are used to removably attach individual napkin units to adjacent units, and to removably attach the assembly to an interior portion of the user's undergarment.

Abstract: A transdermal delivery system for the modulated administration of drugs is described. The drug delivery device comprises a backing; a drug reservoir containing the drug, a plasticizer-type enhancer, a solvent-type enhancer, and optionally, a gelling agent; a non-rate-controlling membrane; and an adhesive layer containing a plasticizer-type enhancer. This drug delivery system is particularly useful for the administration of tolerance-inducing drugs, for example, vasodilators, such as isosorbide dinitrate.

Abstract: A panty liner comprising a primary liquid-retaining component in the form of a unitary sheet of non-woven fabric. A liquid-impervious barrier layer is affixed to the sheet of non-woven fabric to prevent body exudate absorbed therein to egress through a garment facing side of the panty liner. The invention also extends to a method and to an apparatus for manufacturing the panty liner.

Abstract: A diaper containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition reduces the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up, and improves skin softness. The lotion composition comprises a liquid polyol polyester and an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or paraffin wax to immobilize the liquid polyol polyester on the surface of the diaper topsheet. The polyol polyester(s) remains at or near the skin surface, providing the desired BM cleaning and/or therapeutic benefits.

Abstract: The surface of a surgically-implantable prosthetic device is impacted with particles of the same material as the device to form the surface into a desired pattern of roughness.

Abstract: Thermally bonded absorbent structures for catamenial products, in particular catamenial pads, that provide improved ability in acquiring, distributing and storing aqueous body fluids, especially menstrual fluids, as well as better fit and comfort for the user of the products. These structures comprise an optional thermally bonded secondary topsheet, a thermally bonded absorbent core having a relatively higher capillary suction primary fluid distribution layer, an optional but preferred relatively lower capillary suction secondary distribution layer, a storage layer having absorbent gelling material, and an optional fibrous "dusting" layer. These thermally bonded absorbent structures are particularly useful with catamenial pads having a primary fluid pervious topsheet selected from apertured formed film topsheets and high loft nonwoven topsheets.

Abstract: A valve for use in a blood vessel, internal to the blood vessel itself, in contact with a blood stream, has a bent flexible wire mesh (1) with elasticity and plasticity so as to be collapsible and implantable remotely at a desired site. The wire mesh (1) is bent into three turns, two end ones (6, 6') and a central one (5), in such a way as to confine a tubular space. The central turn (5) is located at an angle relative to the end turns (6, 6') and mounts a monocusp sail-like valving element (2). A special catheter (12) is used to collapse the flexible wire mesh (1), to implant it remotely at the desired site, and to restore the wire mesh (1) to its original three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article having a rewet barrier. The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a fibrous acquisition layer positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core, and a rewet barrier positioned between the fibrous acquisition layer and the absorbent core. The rewet barrier is an apertured, macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional polymeric web having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment. The absorbent composite includes means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractable level of less than about 13 weight percent; a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds; or a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110. The superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of the containment means and the superabsorbent material. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent garment including an outer cover, a body-side liner, and an absorbent composite such as that described above.

Abstract: A garment with a backsheet (12), a bodyside liner (14) essentially coterminous with the backseat (12) and forming a shape with a front waist section (18), a back waist section (20) and side sections connecting the front waist section (18) to the back waist section (20) and first and second flaps (30, 32) formed from or attached to bodyside liner (14). Flaps (30, 32) may have elastic members (40, 42) applied thereto respectively. Flaps (30, 32) may be folded inwardly and respective ends thereof may be bonded to bodyside liner (14) so that edges of flaps are directed toward a centerline (38) of the garment. The flaps (30, 32) may be attached to or formed from bodyside liner (14) along lines (34, 36) which are parallel to centerline (38) or which diverge from or converge toward centerline (38). Additionally, flaps (30, 38) may have varying width and be less than full length.

Abstract: An absorbent garment method of manufacture includes supplying a three-dimensional pant body defining a waist opening, two leg openings, and a crotch region. A containment trough formed of liquid impermeable material has a base portion bonded to the crotch region and integral retaining walls positioned transversely outward from the base portion. The retaining walls are freestanding from the pant body and include elastic members so as to define freestanding, elasticized flaps. An absorbent structure and liner are disposed between the elasticized flaps. To retard liquid movement away from the absorbent structure, the liner is wrapped around the side edges and partly beneath the absorbent structure. Further, an inwardly-directed face of each flap has a first Wicking Value while the liner has a second Wicking Value that is at least 2 times greater than the first Wicking Value on a gram per gram basis.

Abstract: Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 60 to 100% by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article which includes a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article releasably secured to one another. The first and second absorbent articles are releasably secured to one another by at least one periphery securement member that is positioned along and extends outwardly from a portion of the periphery of the second absorbent article.