Abstract: A surface fastener having a first substrate sheet having on its front surface hook-shaped engaging elements and on its rear surface a low-adhesion adhesive double coated tape to an outer surface of which a backing sheet is adhered, and a second substrate sheet having on its front surface loop-shaped engaging elements and on its rear surface an adhesive layer to an outer surface of which a peel paper is adhered. For attaching the surface fastener to a paper diaper, the adhesive layer of the second substrate sheet is adhered to a front covering portion of the diaper, while the adhesive double coated tape of the first substrate sheet is adhered to an attachment strip of a hip covering portion of the diaper after the backing sheet is peeled off.

Abstract: A discrete superabsorbent layer is adhered to the lower surface of a fibrous absorbent structure using a water-based polymeric binder is disclosed. The advantages are that a superabsorbent roll good can be prepared for later conversion into disposable absorbent products. The use of the water-based polymeric binder prevents particles of superabsorbent from becoming dislodged from the structure during handling and processing.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a continuous feed spun bonded laminate having improved elastic properties measured at body temperature. The laminate comprises at least one first and second nonelastic layers between which is sandwiched at least one elastic layer, the elastic layer being comprised of a triblock polystyrene-poly(ethylene/propylene)-polystyrene (“SEPS”) copolymer having a number average molecular weight of about 81,000 g/mol. The weight percent of styrene is approximately 18% and the weight percent of ethylene/propylene is approximately 82%. The molecular weight increase in the EP block, while holding the molecular weight of the styrene block constant, increases the entanglement density, polymer chain persistence length and the relaxation time. The resulting laminate load decay rate and load loss measurements over a period of 12 hours at body temperature showed marked improvement over known CFSBL product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article designed and configured to fit between the labia. The article employs a plurality of stacked, flexible elements and provides improved fit and article retention, improved collection of bodily fluids and solids typically left unabsorbed by conventional interlabial products, ability to deliver various additives such as medicaments to the tissue surrounding the labia, and an adjustable placement depth to meet consumers varying physical and psychological needs.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composed of thermoplastic fiber comprising at least two resin components A and B and having a cross section where the component A forms a branching fiber in which a plurality of strands extend radially from the center to the outside and the component B forms a fine fiber which connects to and protrudes from the branching fiber; split branch fibers of the conjugated fiber; and split fibers of the fine fibers, and an absorbent article using the non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric of the present invention has an excellent hand feeling and sufficient bulkiness, and it is suitable for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and pads for incontinence or the like.

Abstract: A multi-tiered feminine pad consisting of multiple pad layers which have an absorption layer disposed on top of an impermeable material wherein the multiple pad tiers are secured together in a manner which allows removal of successive pad tiers while leaving the remaining pad tiers intact.

Abstract: A liquid-pervious cover layer for an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a panty-liner, a diaper, or the like, which comprises a liquid-pervious carrier layer against which individual hydrophobic fibers, detached from each other and each exhibiting two fiber ends, are attached with one fiber end against the carrier layer, with an attachment angle &agr; between the carrier layer and each individual fiber. The cover layer exhibits fiber-free regions for facilitating liquid transfer through the cover layer. The invention further includes an absorbent article provided with the cover layer, and a method of manufacturing the cover layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising at least one cationic ion-exchange hydrogel-forming polymer and at least one anionic ion-exchange hydrogel-forming polymer, wherein the composition exhibits improved absorbency characteristics relative to comparable mixtures of the hydrogel-forming polymers in their neutralized state. Also disclosed are mixed-bed ion-exhange compositions having improved Performance Under Pressure values relative to prior mixed-bed compositions, which alleviate detrimental gel blocking incurred with these prior systems. Also disclosed are absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region comprising a mixed-bed ion-exchange hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer composition in a concentration of from about 60 to 100% by weight.

Abstract: Pull-on garments provided with a continuous belt in the front region and the back region to distribute the forces generated during use in order to better fit the pull-on garment on the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the pull-on garment comprises a chassis layer comprising a continuous sheet that defines a front region, a back region, and a crotch region; a first belt layer joined to the chassis layer in the front region; a second belt layer joined to the chassis layer in the back region; elastic panel members positioned between the belt layers and the chassis layers which laminate is mechanically stretched to form elastically extensible stretch laminates in both the front region and the back region in the side panels; and seams joining the front region to the back region so as to form the leg openings and waist openings. The continuous chassis layer and belt layers thus form the continuous belt of the pull-on garment.

Abstract: An interlabial absorbent structure is disclosed. The interlabial absorbent structure comprises a pair of absorbent panels that are sufficiently flexible such that the panels can, at least partially, conform to the walls of a wearer's interlabial space. The panels are joined by an isthmus which is positioned farthest into a wearer's interlabial space when the interlabial absorbent product is worn. Alternative embodiments of the isthmus are also described which direct bodily fluids that are deposited thereon along the longitudinal length of the interlabial absorbent structure.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a main body and a supplemental member, the main body being formed on its inner surface in its transversely middle zone with a cavity adapted to receive excretion, for example, feces. The cavity is defined by a pair of side walls spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the transversely middle zone of the main body and extending longitudinally of the main body, and a top wall extending between distal edges of the respective side walls. The top wall is formed with openings adapted to guide feces and urine, respectively, and elastic members are secured to the supplemental member in the proximity of upper edges of the respective side walls so as to be operatively associated with a crotch region of the diaper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable absorbent article having a length and a width. The disposable absorbent article defines a first and second waist portion and a first and second longitudinal marginal portion. The disposable article includes the components of a backsheet layer, a topsheet layer, and an absorbent structure located between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. The article includes at least one elasticized area formed from an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive, a first component and a second component, said first and second components being adhered to one another by said elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An absorbent sheeted material containing a layer of a foamed hydrogel-forming polymer having superabsorbent properties coated on the surface of a sheeted fibrous absorbent material suitable for use in disposable absorbent products and methods of making thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A waist belt for supporting disposable-type absorbent articles (7), such as incontinence guards or diapers which comprise a front part, a rear part and an intermediate crotch part, wherein the belt can be fastened to the rear part of the article and when fastened to the rear part of the article comprises two front portions (3, 4) which project out laterally from mutually opposing side edges of the rear part of the article and which can be fastened together through the medium of mechanical fastener elements (12, 14) to form a waist band and which taper towards their respective ends over at least a substantial part of their lengths. Each of the front portions includes first fastener elements (12, 13) which are disposed on the outside of the belt, i.e. that side which faces outwardly in relation to the wearer's body in use, and which extend at least over essentially the whole of the tapering portions of the front portions (10, 11) along the longitudinal symmetry lines thereof.

Abstract: In a disposable diaper, a topsheet covering a top surface of a liquid-absorbent core is folded along side edges of the core so as to cover a bottom surface of the core. On the bottom surface of the core, the topsheet is bonded to a backsheet along zones respectively spaced from side edges of the core towards a center line of the diaper. Elastic members provided in association with leg-openings are secured to the backsheet in vicinity of the respective side edges of the core.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like, that have components that are bonded for improved integrity and an unbonded window on their body-facing side for improved acquisition are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a topsheet that is fused to an underlying liquid pervious or absorbent layer at a plurality of individual bonded areas. The absorbent articles have an unbonded window that is substantially free of bonded areas, which is surrounded by region of the absorbent article that contain bonded areas.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are absorbent polymer compositions useful in the absorption of body fluids such as urine, menses and the like. In particular, the invention relates to mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions having excellent absorbency performance properties in terms of absorbent capacity under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi and/or 1.4 psi. Certain mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions of the present invention have excellent absorbency properties not only for a synthetic urine with a composition and ionic strength that is typical of young infants but also for a high ionic strength synthetic urine that has a composition and ionic strength that is typical of the urine of older infants and toddlers. The invention also relates to absorbent members comprising the mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions, and absorbent articles comprising the absorbent members.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) has a longitudinal direction (26), a lateral, transverse direction (24), an article front portion (14), an article back portion (12), and an intermediate portion (16) interconnecting the front and back portions. The article includes an elastomerically stretchable backsheet member (30), a liquid-permeable topsheet layer (28), and an elastomerically stretchable retention portion (48) sandwiched between the backsheet member (30) and the topsheet layer (28). The topsheet layer can be elastomerically stretchable, and the absorbent article (10) can also provide a selected combination of physical properties, such as a composite-article elongation-at-peak-load value which is at least about 50 percent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a package containing absorbent articles and inserts. The package includes at least one first absorbent article having a predetermined absorbent capacity, and at least one insert. When the insert is joined with the absorbent article, either before being placed in the package or by the caretaker before being placed on the wearer, the insert and the first absorbent article together form a combined absorbent article having an absorbent capacity which is greater than the absorbent capacity of the first absorbent article.

Abstract: A disposable insert for use with an adult diaper, said insert having a webbed “T” configuration and a plurality of absorbent pads or batts, one of which is positioned at the lower end of the “T” configuration such that when the insert is placed on the patient wide portion across the patient's abdomen and narrow portion positioned through the patient's crotch, fluid tending to puddle is absorbed without leakage. The insert may be applied to the patient with very little, if any, lifting of the patient required.