Abstract: An absorbent insert for use with an absorbent garment has a body-facing outer surface and a garment-facing outer surface. The garment-facing outer surface is at least partially permeable to fluids. The insert also includes one or more absorbent layers and one or more delay layer(s) adapted to substantially affect the flow of fluid through the insert.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the efficiency of an absorbent article having first and second absorbent layers. The method comprises the steps of selecting a density for the first absorbent layer and for the second absorbent layer. A basis weight for each of the first and second absorbent layers is selected which is at least about 100 grams per square meter. A desired percentage of a superabsorbent to be present in each of the first and second absorbent layers is also selected. The percentage of a superabsorbent present in the first absorbent layer is greater than the percentage of a superabsorbent present in the second absorbent layer.

Abstract: An absorbent insert for use with an absorbent garment has a body-facing outer surface and a garment-facing outer surface. The garment-facing outer surface is at least partially permeable to fluids. The insert also includes one or more absorbent layers and one or more delay layer(s) adapted to substantially affect the flow of fluid through the insert.

Abstract: A method for alleviating female urinary incontinence especially during episodes of increased intra-abdominal pressure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a non-absorbent urinary incontinence device having an initial cross-sectional area, an insertion end and a trailing end. The urinary incontinence device also contains a compressed resilient member which is capable of increasing the cross-section area of the urinary incontinence device when expanded. The urinary incontinence device is inserted into a woman's vagina with the insertion end entering first. The vagina is a canal with an inner periphery made up of right and left lateral walls, an anterior wall and a posterior wall. The urinary incontinence device is inserted such that it contacts at least two of the walls. The urinary incontinence device is positioned in the middle third of the length of the vaginal canal with the insertion end aligned adjacent to a woman's urethral sphincter muscle.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a garment shell and at least one liquid containment beam formed of an absorbent material. The liquid containment beam has an attachment edge bonded to the garment shell so that the containment beam can lie against the garment shell and also pivot about an axis defined by the attachment edge. For comfort during use, the containment beam desirably has a width to thickness ratio of at least about 3:1. In particular embodiments, the absorbent article includes pairs of inner and outer containment beams, with the inner containment beams adapted to lie against the garment shell and the outer containment beams adapted to lie against the inner containment beams.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent article includes providing a liquid containment beam having longitudinal ends and attachment and free edges that extend between the longitudinal ends. The attachment edge is bonded to an interior surface of the absorbent article and a bottom surface of the containment beam is adapted to lie against but be unadhered to the interior surface. The resulting containment beam can pivot about an axis defined by the attachment edge in response to lateral compression of the article, extension or contraction of elastic members, absorption of liquids, or a combination of these factors.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes first and second liquid containment beams that are moveable relative to a moisture barrier. In particular embodiments, leakage barriers formed of a liquid impermeable material are bonded to the moveable containment beams to impede lateral movement of liquid. In other embodiments, the moisture barrier is formed of a breathable material and the leakage barriers are positioned between the containment beams and moisture barrier to minimize condensation on an exterior surface of the moisture barrier. Desiccant particles may also be included adjacent the moisture barrier to further minimize condensation.

Abstract: An incontinence article is manufactured by providing a formable, liquid impermeable moisture barrier material, an absorbent assembly, and a liquid permeable liner material. At least the moisture barrier, and desirably a composite structure including the moisture barrier, absorbent assembly and liner, are heated to the softening point of the moisture barrier. The composite structure is conformed such as by vacuum forming to the shape of a mold surface. Afterward, a shaped structure is recovered wherein the liner is bonded to the moisture barrier with the absorbent assembly sandwiched therebetween. The shaped structure, which may also include a retaining member and a cover, is adapted to fit the male anatomy and address urine-specific incontinence. The shaped structure includes a central portion and an ungathered peripheral wall outward of the central portion.