Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing absorbent articles comprising molded airlaid webs and other molded fibrous webs. The molded webs can offer improved body fit and/or improved fluid handling. Molded airlaid webs, for example, can be formed having a central longitudinal hump and flexure zones longitudinally removed from the central hump to provide good contact with the body and improved fit when the article is squeezed from the sides. Molding can be achieved when a binder material is activated by an energy source and the web is held against a molding substrate. Energy sources can include microwaves, heated air, heated metal surfaces, ultraviolet radiation, ultrasonic energy, and the like.

Abstract: A composite absorbent article comprises a reusable frame member for shaping and leakage control onto which a single-use absorbent device can be detachably connected and repeatedly replaced without the need to replace the reusable frame member. A low-cost, high-performance composite absorbent article can thus be provided from low-cost single-use absorbent devices by virtue of the reusable frame member. A wicking barrier lining a central void or depression helps provide leakage containment for the overall composite absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a paper web with a highly textured surface and a method of forming the highly textured web. The process includes printing a viscous material onto the surface of a paper web in a pattern with a low pressure printing process. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver a viscous material to the surface of a paper web such as a tissue, an air laid web, or a fibrous nonwoven web with good control of material delivery. At some point after the viscous material is applied to the web, the material may be fibrillated into a three-dimensional structure and then cured. In various embodiments, the viscous material may be fibrillated and cured so as to provide a good scrubbing surface to the web, provide an attachment structure on the web, or provide a good contact surface against a second substrate in forming laminate products.

Abstract: An absorbent article that contains a substrate applied with an activated carbon coating is provided. The activated carbon coating is formed from a mixture of a polymeric material and an activation agent. The mixture is activated by heating to a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. As a result of the present invention, it has been discovered that a substrate can be formed that is absorbent and also capable of performing other functions, such as serving as an odor control agent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a disposable scrubbing product for use in household cleaning or personal care applications. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a cleaning tool including a handle and a rigid base to which the scrubbing product of the present invention may be attached to form a convenient cleaning tool. The scrubbing product of the invention is a multi-layer laminate product and generally includes at least two distinct layers, an abrasive layer and an absorbent fibrous layer such as a layer tissue made from papermaking fibers, a layer of coform, an airlaid web, or combinations thereof. The abrasive layer is formed primarily of polymeric fibers in a disordered or random distribution as is typical of fibers deposited in meltblown or spunbond processes so as to form an open, porous structure. In one embodiment, the abrasive layer comprises multifilamentary aggregate fibers. In one embodiment, the absorbent fibrous layer is an uncreped, through dried paper web.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a disposable meltblown scrubbing product for use in household cleaning or personal care applications and an abrasive aggregate fiber which may be utilized in the scrubbing product. The meltblown web is formed primarily of polymeric fibers in a disordered or random distribution as is typical of fibers deposited in meltblown processes so as to form an open, porous structure. The aggregate fibers of the present invention generally are formed of two or more separate abrasive polymer fibers or strands which are adhered together along at least about 5 mm of the fiber length. The abrasive fibers of the meltblown web are generally greater than about 15 microns in diameter.

Abstract: A RFID method and system are provided for ensuring that personnel are properly outfitted with necessary equipment for performance of a particular task or procedure. RFID smart tags are configured with the required pieces of equipment, the smart tags containing information to identify their respective pieces of equipment. A RFID scanner is disposed at a location through which an individual passes prior to performance of the procedure. The scanner interrogates the smart tags and determines if the individual has all of the required pieces of equipment.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced to provide a thin absorbent layer having high permeability in the thickness direction but low permeability in the plane due to the barrier material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and a method providing a high bulk tissue which is both strong and soft. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver a bonding material to the surface of a high bulk paper web such as an uncreped, through-dried web. The bonding material may be applied to the web either before, during or after the web is softened with a mechanical straining process which will decrease the web bulk by no more than 20% of the initial bulk in order to increase the web softness. The web may be softened by any of a variety of mechanical straining processes such as, for instance, microcreping, microstraining, rush transfer, or other low-compressive softening methods. The cured bonding material on the web may not only increase the bulk of the web when dry and wet, but also increase the wet resiliency and the wet strength of the web.

Abstract: A RFID method for storing products in a defined location is provided to minimize undesired combinations of stored products resulting from improper placement of the products in the storage location. RFID smart tags are associated with any products to be stored within the storage location, the smart tags containing information to identify the product they are associated with. A product profile is compiled and stored for any products to be stored within the storage location, the profile may include information on products, materials, and substances that should not be stored together or in close proximity to the profiled product. A smart tag scanner is disposed at a position relative to the storage location such that the scanner is within range of any smart tag associated with a stored product at any position within the storage location, the smart tag scanner configured to retrieve the product identification information from the smart tags.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and a method which may ‘lock in’ three dimensional texturing added to a paper web by virtue of an adhesive material which is printed onto the surface of the web. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver an adhesive material to the surface of a paper web such as a tissue, an air laid web, or a fibrous nonwoven web. The adhesive may be applied to the web either before, during or after the web is molded to increase the surface texture. The web may be molded under relatively low pressure so as to increase surface texture without significant deformation of the papermaking fibers. The cured adhesive material prevents the added texture from relaxing back in to a two dimensional state or may contribute additional texture by rising above the surface of the web.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising molded airlaid webs and other molded fibrous webs are disclosed. The molded webs can offer improved body fit, comfort, and/or improved fluid handling. Molded airlaid webs, for example, can be formed having a central longitudinal hump and flexure zones longitudinally removed from the central hump to provide good contact with the body and improved fit when the article is squeezed from the sides. Molding can be achieved when a binder material is activated by an energy source and the web is held against a molding substrate. Energy sources can include microwaves, heated air, heated metal surfaces, ultraviolet radiation, ultrasonic energy, and the like.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed comprising a unitary absorbent layer having a central portion and an outer portion divided in part but not completely separated by one or more slits along a boundary surrounding the outer portion, further comprising a wicking barrier along at least a portion of the boundary. The central portion and outer portion of the unitary absorbent layer remain contiguous across one or more joining zones. A central rising member can be disposed beneath the central portion of the unitary absorbent layer to urge the central portion toward the body of the user when compressed laterally inward. The article is able to achieve good center-fill performance when in use and maintain excellent body fit.

Abstract: An absorbent article with improved body fit wherein a combination of downward-deflecting crease lines and an upward-deflecting shaping line are used in outer and central absorbent members, respectively, to achieve a form-fitting geometry in the crotch region while also enhancing control over fluid flow in the article. Embodiments with wicking barriers between the outer and central absorbent members are especially useful in achieving leakage reduction.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing absorbent articles comprising molded airlaid webs and other molded fibrous webs. The molded webs can offer improved body fit and/or improved fluid handling. Molded airlaid webs, for example, can be formed having a central longitudinal hump and flexure zones longitudinally removed from the central hump to provide good contact with the body and improved fit when the article is squeezed from the sides. Molding can be achieved when a binder material is activated by an energy source and the web is held against a molding substrate. Energy sources can include microwaves, heated air, heated metal surfaces, ultraviolet radiation, ultrasonic energy, and the like.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having excellent body fit, center-fill fluid handling performance, and good leakage control in that flow from the center of the article to the longitudinal sides thereof is hindered by a wicking barrier. The article comprises a lower absorbent member, an horizontal wicking barrier over the lower absorbent member, and a central absorbent section forming a medial hump over the horizontal wicking barrier. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging a central portion to deflect vertically upward. In one embodiment, longitudinal upward projections on the horizontal wicking barrier also help control the deformation of the article for good body fit.

Abstract: An improved method for imprinting a paper web during a wet pressing event is disclosed which results in asymmetrical protrusions corresponding to the deflection conduits of a deflection member. In one embodiment, differential velocity transfer during a pressing event serves to improve the molding and imprinting of a web with a deflection member. Improved deflection members are also disclosed. Improved tissue webs produced are also disclosed having useful sets of physical and geometrical properties, such as a pattern densified network and a repeating pattern of protrusions having asymmetrical structures.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed comprising a central absorbent member, an outer absorbent member, and a central rising member for urging the central absorbent member toward the body of the user when compressed laterally inward by the legs of the user. The article is able to achieve good center-fill performance when in use and maintain excellent body fit. Also disclosed is a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The combination of a wicking barrier isolating the central absorbent member from the longitudinal sides of the article and a central rising member urging the central absorbent member toward the body yields an article with excellent absorbency and leakage protection.