Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the barrier film layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a continuous detector material. A representative continuous detector material may be an optical brightener. The discrete components also include a masking block. The masking block may decrease or eliminate the detectable presence of an optical brightener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a material having a Surface Topographic Variance value of 30 micrometers or greater. The material includes a printed block having a Printed Block Sensor Value that is about three times greater than a Sensor Value for the area of the material outside of the printed block.

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: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.

Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.

Abstract: A method of forming fibers into a web includes the steps of co-extruding a first elastomeric component and a second thermoplastic component; directing the first and second components through a fiber spin pack to form a plurality of continuous molten fiber spinlines, where the first elastomeric component is present in an amount greater than about 70 percent by weight of the molten fibers and the second thermoplastic component is present in an amount of between about 10 and 30 percent by weight of the molten fibers; attenuating the spinlines and routing the plurality of molten fibers through a quench chamber to form a plurality of cooled fibers; routing the plurality of cooled fibers through a fiber draw unit, whereby the fibers are pulled downward; allowing the pulled fibers to be deposited onto a forming surface thereby forming a web wherein the fibers are relaxed; stabilizing the web; and bonding the web to produce a web demonstrating greater than about 25 percent machine direction stretch recovery.

Abstract: A method of forming 3-dimensional fibers into a web is disclosed. The 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 routed through a quenching chamber to form a plurality of continuous cooled fibers. The cooled 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: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional fiber is disclosed that is constructed from first and second components. The first component is capable of being stretched and has a recovery percentage R1. The second component is also capable of being stretched and has a recovery percentage R2, wherein R1 is higher than R2. The first and second components are combined to form a linear fiber having an initial length that can be stretched at least 50%. The stretched fiber has the ability to retract to a length of from about 5% to about 90% of the stretched length to form a 3-dimensional fiber that exhibits elongation properties of at least 250% in at least one direction from the retracted length before the fiber becomes linear. A web formed from a plurality of 3-dimensional fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a material having a Surface Topographic Variance value of 30 micrometers or greater. The material includes a printed block having a Printed Block Sensor Value that is about three times greater than a Sensor Value for the area of the material outside of the printed block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the barrier film layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a continuous detector material. A representative continuous detector material may be an optical brightener. The discrete components also include a masking block. The masking block may decrease or eliminate the detectable presence of an optical brightener.

Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) includes a backsheet layer (30), a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28), and an absorbent body (32) sandwiched between the backsheet and topsheet layers. The absorbent body (32) includes a first fibrous stratum (52) having a first quantity of absorbent fibers, a second fibrous stratum (54) having a second quantity of absorbent fibers, and at least a third fibrous stratum (56) which is located between and integrally formed with the first and second fibrous strata (52, 54). In particular aspects, the third fibrous stratum (56) includes an operative quantity of a substantially hydrophilic, wet-strength agent. In other aspects, the wet-strength agent is distributed in the third quantity of absorbent fibers to render the third fibrous stratum (56) substantially non-dispersible.

Abstract: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.

Abstract: A composite absorbent structure and method are disclosed including providing a first wicking layer having preferred liquid transport properties in a preferred contact with a second absorbent retention layer. The composite absorbent structure of the present invention provides preferred liquid transport and liquid retention properties. The composite absorbent structure has a first wicking layer in a preferred contact with the second retention layer by a novel intimate contact means effective to achieve a Contact Intimacy Ratio providing the preferred liquid transport and liquid retention functions when the first wicking layer and the second absorbent retention layer are combined together in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.

Abstract: A composite absorbent structure and method are disclosed including providing a first wicking layer having preferred liquid transport properties in a preferred contact with a second absorbent retention layer. The composite absorbent structure of the present invention provides preferred liquid transport and liquid retention properties. The composite absorbent structure has a first wicking layer in a preferred contact with the second retention layer by a novel intimate contact means effective to achieve a Contact Intimacy Ratio providing the preferred liquid transport and liquid retention functions when the first wicking layer and the second absorbent retention layer are combined together in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: An absorbent pad having elasticized side flaps is adapted to provide improved leakage performance and comfort. In one embodiment, the elastic member of each side flap is at least partly out of the plane of the absorbent assembly when the absorbent pad is in a generally flat position, and the absorbent pad has a Gurley stiffness of greater than 2000 milligrams. In another embodiment, the absorbent pad has an anti-roll back feature and an Effective Elastic Value of at least 30 millimeters.

Abstract: Paper sheets, such as creped tissue sheets used for converting into tissue products such as facial tissue and bath tissue, can be softened with by passing the sheets through one or more fixed-gap noncompactive straining nips formed between two engraved rolls having partially-engaged small straining elements of a shape which strains the sheet in all directions. The straining treatment substantially reduces the rigidity of the tissue sheet by increasing the internal bulk without substantially reducing the tensile strength. The method provides a means for making a throughdried-like tissue sheet from a wet-pressed tissue sheet.