Abstract: The present invention is a hygiene article comprising a liquid handling member with a membrane assembly having a porous membrane, which separates a first zone which comprises a liquid receiving region from a second one, which is connected to a suction device source, whereby the membrane assembly is capable of maintaining a pressure differential between the second zone and the first zone without permitting air to penetrate from the first zone to the second zone, wherein this article further comprises a fixation means of the body adhesive type to hold the liquid receiving region in registry with liquid releasing body openings of the wearer during its intended use.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid transport member with significantly improved liquid handling capability, which has at least one bulk region and a wall region that completely circumscribes said bulk region, and which comprises a membrane port region and an open port region, whereby the bulk region has an average fluid permeability kb which is higher than the average fluid permeability kp of the membrane port region.

Abstract: An absorbent article contains at least one fluid storage member and at least one fluid distribution member. The fluid distribution member has an improved fluid handling property especially under sub-saturation conditions. Such members exhibit, at 50% of their saturation capacity, an increased permeability of at least about 14% of one at saturation. The fluid storage member has a higher Capillary Sorption Absorbency Height than the fluid distribution member.

Abstract: Absorbent article, wherein a liquid acquisition/distribution region comprises an evaporation barrier, such as an apertured film and thsu exhibits reduced evaporation away from the article in the direction towards the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles providing improved aeration between the article and the wearer's skin during use. The absorbent articles allow for convective gas/air transport therethrough by providing absorbent cores having sufficient basis capacity simultaneous with air/gas permeability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid handling member that expands upon absorption of body liquid and contracts upon desorption of the body liquid. The liquid handling member of the present invention further exhibits an 80 percent absorption time of less than 2 seconds. The present invention further provides a device for handling body liquids which comprises the liquid handling member of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid removal system for applications where there is a need for liquid removal including laboratories and workshops as well as medical applications and dental applications. The interface device of the liquid removal system of the present invention weighs less than 500 grams and therefore provides increased wearing comfort to the wearer.

Abstract: It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a liquid handling member which combines high liquid suction capability with a high permeability. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide liquid handling member which combines a high liquid suction capability with a fast 80 percent capacity absorption time. The present invention further provides devices for handling body liquids which comprise the liquid handling member of the present invention such as for example baby diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, adult incontinence devices, bed mats, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid removal system for applications where there is a need for liquid removal including laboratories and workshops as well as medical applications and dental applications. The urine acquisition zone of the liquid removal system of the present invention has a skin hydration value of less than 200 milligrams and hence reduces phenomena related to liquid rewet from the liquid removal system.

Abstract: A device of oil removal and transport comprising a bulk material having an inlet region and an outlet region, which is in liquid communication with a reservoir. A membrane is hermitically sealed to or about the inlet region, wherein the membrane is liquid permeable and has an average pore size not greater than 100 micrometers. The invention also relates to a method of oil removal and transport using this device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for handling body liquids comprising a step of transporting the body liquid by siphoning. The present invention also relates to devices which carry out such processes. The present invention further relates to devices for handling body liquids comprising a liquid transport member which is substantially geometrically saturated with liquid.

Abstract: A liquid handling member such as for application in hygiene articles, which comprises a membrane assembly separating a first and a second zone, which is connected to a suction device. This assembly comprises a membrane material having an actual surface area along its surface contours, and also has a projected surface area corresponding to an area projected to surface generally aligned with the member surface during its intended use.

Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an absorbent core with a crotch region and at least one waist region, whereby said crotch region has a lower ultimate fluid storage capability than at least one waist region. The article further has an improved fluid handling performance such as an acquisition rate of at least 0.6 ml in the fourth gush.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core with a crotch region and at least one waist region, whereby said crotch region has a lower ultimate fluid storage capability than said at least one waist region. The crotch region further comprises a high flux liquid distribution material having a flux at 12.4 cm of more than 0.075 g/cm2/sec.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of absorbent materials for separating water from an emulsion comprising water and lipophilic fluid. The methods, systems, and compositions of the present invention expose the emulsion to absorbent materials such that water is absorbed out of the emulsion in order to facilitate the recovery of the lipophilic fluid.

Abstract: An absorbent article which includes a thermal cell actuator capable of adding or removing heat to or from at least a portion of the absorbent article to perform a useful function on the article. The thermal cell actuator may be activated by an action of the wearer or caregiver or by environmental conditions between the article and wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent article which includes a phase change material capable of adding or removing heat to or from at least a portion of the absorbent article to perform a useful function on the article. The phase change material may be activated by an action of the wearer or caregiver or by environmental conditions between the article and wearer.

Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an absorbent core with a crotch region and at least one waist region, whereby said crotch region has a lower ultimate fluid storage capability than said at least one waist region. The article further has an improved fluid handling performance in particular a low rewet value for minimizing skin hydration during use, such as measured by the post acquisition collagen rewet method value not exceeding 180 mg.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent cores for inclusion in absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, designed to provide improved fit and comfort for the wearer while adequately containing body exudates. The absorbent cores are designed to be relatively narrow in the crotch region of the article, even when the core absorbs significant amounts of fluid during use. To achieve this, the absorbent core is designed such that fluid is moved substantially from the crotch region to the front and/or rear regions of the article.The invention particularly relates to an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core wherein the absorbent core has a crotch width when dry and when wet of not more than about 7 cm, and wherein the crotch region of the absorbent core has a capacity of not more than about 40% of the absorbent core's total absorbent capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials capable of distributing and releasing aqueous fluids, e.g., urine, to a storage material, and absorbent articles comprising such fluid distribution materials. These fluid distribution materials have A) a ratio of capillary desorption height (i.e., height at 50% capacity) to capillary absorption height (i.e., height at 50% capacity) of not more than about 1.8:1; B) a capillary desorption height of not more than about 50 cm; C) the ability to wick synthetic urine at 31.degree. C. to a height of 15 cm in not more than about 25 minutes; and D) a vertical wicking capacity at 15 cm of at least about 6 g/g.