Abstract: An absorbent core is provided including a substrate that performs at least one fluid handling function. At least a portion of at least one region of the substrate has been modified by aperturing, calendering, coating, creping, heating, printing, stretching, or a combination thereof to impart at least one different fluid handling function. The substrate is folded to provide a plurality of panels wherein at least a portion of one panel corresponds to at least a portion of the modified region of the substrate. An absorbent article including the absorbent core and a process for making the absorbent core are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of making the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition includes preparing a preneutralized monomer solution having at least about 40 mol % degree of neutralization, preparing a monomer solution including monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, one of which includes an alkyloxysilane functionality, preparing initiator system solutions and adding the solutions to the monomer solution, mixing the foregoing solutions into a polymerization solution, cooling the polymerization solution, and post neutralizing the polymer.

Abstract: A flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition including a monoethylenically unsaturated polymer, such as carboxylic acid, sulphonic acid, or phosphoric acid, or salts thereof, and an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, or a monomer capable of co-polymerization with a compound containing a trialkoxysilane functional group and subsequent reaction with water to form a silanol group wherein the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition has a residual monoethylenically unsaturated monomer of less than about 1000 ppm. The flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition is particularly suitable for use in manufacturing absorbent articles. A method of making the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition includes preparing a monomer solution, adding the monomer solution to an initiator system, and activating a polymerization initiator within the initiator system.

Abstract: An absorbent composite is provided including a substrate, at least a portion of which is coated with an absorbent adhesive composition. The substrate is folded upon itself to provide a plurality of panels. A personal care product including the absorbent composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable article equipped with a multi-level alert system detects and emits signals corresponding to various abnormal levels of a substance in a mammalian extract. By providing different signals corresponding to multiple abnormal levels of the substance, the wearer is simultaneously alerted to the existence of an abnormality, and informed of the level of severity.

Abstract: An absorbent binder desiccant composition is provided which is capable of spontaneous crosslinking after application to a substrate, at a temperature of about 120° C. or less. The absorbent binder desiccant composition includes a monoethylenically unsaturated polymer, such as carboxylic acid, sulphonic acid, or phosphoric acid, or salts thereof, or a quaternary ammonium salt, and an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, or a monomer capable of co-polymerization with a compound containing a trialkoxy silane functional group and subsequent reaction with water to form a silanol group, and a desiccant component. The absorbent binder desiccant composition is particularly suitable for use in manufacturing a wide variety of humidity control articles.

Abstract: Superabsorbent material treated to resist damage when subjected to an Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, which simulates the mechanical damage that occurs during current commercial diaper manufacturing processes. The treated superabsorbent material has a centrifuge retention capacity of about 15 grams or greater of 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of the superabsorbent material and a gel bed permeability (GBP) at 0 psi swell pressure on pre-screened particles of about 200 (×10?9 cm2) or greater. After subjecting the treated superabsorbent material to the Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, the treated superabsorbent may exhibit minimal reduction in GBP of pre-screened or un-screened particles at 0 psi or at 0.3 psi swell pressure, as well as possibly exhibiting minimal reduction in average particle size diameter (PSD).

Abstract: An absorbent binder coating including monoethylenically unsaturated polymer units, polyacrylate ester units that include an alkoxysilane functionality, and polyolefin glycol units and/or polyolefin oxide units, can be applied to various substrates. For example, the coating can be self-applied to an article of clothing or to a person's skin to provide absorbency. Alternatively, the coating can provide moisture absorbency, as well as adhesive properties, when incorporated into various articles including medical devices, wound dressings, laminates, absorbent garments, packaging materials, and horticultural products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) energy. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: A paper product having improved strength properties as disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, the paper product is treated with a strength agent comprising a derivatized polyethylene oxide. The paper product can be, for instance, a facial tissue, a bath tissue, a paper towel or the like.

Abstract: A bandage of the type used on acute wounds, minor wounds, burn wounds and irritations, includes a first layer for covering the wound site and an area around the wound site, with the first layer including a top surface and bottom surface; a second layer over the first layer bottom surface, for absorbing exudates from the wound site; the second layer including a poly(ethyleneoxide)-based compound and a chitosan-based compound. A third layer is situated over the second layer, the third layer being of a perforated film, and wherein, at least one antimicrobial agent is associated with the bandage in a position where the antimicrobial agent will come in contact with the wound site, and which is transferable from the bandage to the wound site, upon contact with the wound site.

Abstract: Absorbent structures having controlled liquid intake, distribution and absorption properties include at least one substrate layer and a flexible absorbent binder formed on and bound to the substrate at selected locations. The flexible absorbent binder is selectively formed so as to provide flow channels, regions of higher and lower fluid intake and absorption, dams for preventing fluid leakage, and other desirable features. The absorbent structures are useful in personal care absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, training pants, adult incontinence garments and the like.

Abstract: An absorbent binder composition is provided which is capable of crosslinking after application to a substrate, in the absence of radiation, at a temperature of about 120° C. or less. The absorbent binder composition includes about 15 to about 99.8% by mass monoethylenically unsaturated polymer units, about 0.1 to about 20% by mass polyacrylate ester units having an alkoxysilane functionality, and about 0.1 to about 75% by mass of polymer units selected from polyolefin glycols and polyolefin oxides. The absorbent binder composition can be prepared using a template polymerization process, with the preformed polyolefin glycol or polyolefin oxide serving as a template polymer.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent binder composition includes combining a first aqueous monomer solution including a reducing polymerization initiator with a second aqueous monomer solution including an oxidizing polymerization initiator to form a binder composition having post application, moisture-induced crosslinking capability. The first aqueous monomer solution includes a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer that contains an alkoxysilane functionality. The second aqueous monomer solution includes a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer. The monoethylenically unsaturated monomer included in the first and second aqueous monomer solutions may be carboxylic, sulphonic, or phosphoric acids or salts or a combination thereof. The ethylenically unsaturated monomer may be an acrylate or methacrylate. Crosslinking of the resulting binder composition is induced by removal of water.

Abstract: A fluid storage material including particles, such as superabsorbent particles and/or microencapsulated fragrance agents, cleansing agents, or skin rejuvenation agents, secured to one another and/or secured to a substrate. The fluid storage material can be made by dispersing particles in a crosslinkable binder solution, applying the combined particles and binder solution to a surface such as a substrate or a release surface, inducing crosslinking of the binder, and removing the solvent from the surface such as, for example, by drying the solvent. The fluid storage material is particularly suitable for use in personal care products.

Abstract: An absorbent article for personal care use includes a fluid intake layer, a flexible absorbent binder layer and a support layer. The flexible absorbent binder layer is formed between the intake layer and the support layer, and is bound to both layers. The flexible absorbent binder layer is formed from an absorbent binder composition which is applied in a liquid form, and which is capable of spontaneous crosslinking at about 120° C. or less. The absorbent article has a simplified structure and a simplified manufacturing method compared to conventional personal care absorbent articles.

Abstract: A paper product having improved strength properties as disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, the paper product is treated with a strength agent comprising a derivatized polyethylene oxide. The paper product can be, for instance, a facial tissue, a bath tissue, a paper towel or the like.

Abstract: Low evaporative absorbent articles are disclosed. The low evaporative absorbent articles comprise a treatment agent in the absorbent core of the absorbent article which, upon activation, coats swollen superabsorbent particles present in the absorbent core to reduce evaporation therefrom.

Abstract: An absorbent core is provided including a substrate that performs at least one fluid handling function. At least a portion of at least one region of the substrate has been modified by aperturing, calendering, coating, creping, heating, printing stretching, or a combination thereof to impart at least one different fluid handling function. The substrate is folded to provide a plurality of panels wherein at least a portion of one panel corresponds to at least a portion of the modified region of the substrate. An absorbent article including the absorbent core and a process for making the absorbent core are also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent composite is provided including a substrate, at least a portion of which is coated with an absorbent adhesive composition. The substrate is folded upon itself to provide a plurality of panels. A personal care product including the absorbent composite is also disclosed.