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: 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 dual-zoned, three-dimensional, resilient absorbent web is disclosed which is suitable as body-side liner for absorbent articles such as feminine pads, diapers and the like. When used as a liner in absorbent articles, the dual-zoned web combines the advantages of apertured films and soft, nonwoven cover layers in one structure while still being inherently hydrophilic. The liner comprises a web of wet-resilient, hydrophilic basesheet having a three-dimensional topography comprising elevated regions onto which hydrophobic matter is deposited or printed and a plurality of spaced apart depressed regions. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic matter applied to the elevated regions of the basesheet comprises hydrophobic fibers in a contiguous nonwoven web which has been apertured or provided with slits or other openings, such that the apertures or openings overlay a portion of the depressed regions.

Abstract: A dual-zoned, three-dimensional, resilient absorbent web is disclosed which is suitable as body-side liner for absorbent articles such as feminine pads, diapers and the like. When used as a liner in absorbent articles, the dual-zoned web combines the advantages of apertured films and soft, nonwoven cover layers in one structure while still being inherently hydrophilic. The liner comprises a web of wet-resilient, hydrophilic basesheet having a three-dimensional topography comprising elevated regions onto which hydrophobic matter is deposited or printed and a plurality of spaced apart depressed regions. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic matter applied to the elevated regions of the basesheet comprises hydrophobic fibers in a contiguous nonwoven web which has been apertured or provided with slits or other openings, such that the apertures or openings overlay a portion of the depressed regions.

Abstract: A dual-zoned, three-dimensional, resilient absorbent web is disclosed which is suitable as body-side liner for absorbent articles such as feminine pads, diapers and the like. When used as a liner in absorbent articles, the dual-zoned web combines the advantages of apertured films and soft, nonwoven cover layers in one structure while still being inherently hydrophilic. The liner comprises a web of wet-resilient, hydrophilic basesheet having a three-dimensional topography comprising elevated regions onto which hydrophobic matter is deposited or printed and a plurality of spaced apart depressed regions. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic matter applied to the elevated regions of the basesheet comprises hydrophobic fibers in a contiguous nonwoven web which has been apertured or provided with slits or other openings, such that the apertures or openings overlay a portion of the depressed regions.

Abstract: A method of making fiber bundles and fibrous structures. The efficacy of a fiber bundle in handling complex fluids may be improved by subjecting an aqueous suspension of fibers at high consistency to elevated energy input with sufficient working of the fibers. The fibrous structures prepared according to the methods herein include at least one fiber bundle and at least one debonding agent. The fiber bundle includes at least one particulate material consisting essentially of entangled fibers.

Abstract: A dual-zoned, three-dimensional, resilient absorbent web is disclosed which is suitable as body-side liner for absorbent articles such as feminine pads, diapers and the like. When used as a liner in absorbent articles, the dual-zoned web combines the advantages of apertured films and soft, nonwoven cover layers in one structure while still being inherently hydrophilic. The liner comprises a web of wet-resilient, hydrophilic basesheet having a three-dimensional topography comprising elevated regions onto which hydrophobic matter is deposited or printed and a plurality of spaced apart depressed regions. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic matter applied to the elevated regions of the basesheet comprises hydrophobic fibers in a contiguous nonwoven web which has been apertured or provided with slits or other openings, such that the apertures or openings overlay a portion of the depressed regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous absorbent structure that is wet stable and has large void volume with a density below the critical density of the fiber employed. In one embodiment, the fibrous absorbent uses open-celled foam technologies to keep the fibrous structure expanded and bonded. In other embodiments, the resulting fibrous structure resembles an open-celled polymeric foam, with fibers serving as struts stabilized by binder material. In another embodiment, the resulting fibrous structure is filled with hydrophilic open-celled foams with the cell size substantially smaller than the fibrous pores. Such a wet-stable, high void volume fibrous absorbent can be used in a disposable product intended for the absorption of fluid such as body fluid, including extensible absorbent articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous absorbent structure that is wet stable and has large void volume with a density below the critical density of the fiber employed. In one embodiment, the fibrous absorbent uses open-celled foam technologies to keep the fibrous structure expanded and bonded. In other embodiments, the resulting fibrous structure resembles an open-celled polymeric foam, with fibers serving as struts stabilized by binder material. In another embodiment, the resulting fibrous structure is filled with hydrophilic open-celled foams with the cell size substantially smaller than the fibrous pores. Such a wet-stable, high void volume fibrous absorbent can be used in a disposable product intended for the absorption of fluid such as body fluid, including extensible absorbent articles.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a transfer layer is disclosed. The transfer layer is positioned between the cover and absorbent and has a mean free path ranging from about 50 microns to about 200 microns. In a preferred embodiment the transfer layer is composed of substantially a cellulosic material. Advantageously, the transfer layer is effective in distributing both the fluid-like and viscous constituents of body fluids such as menses permitting greater utilization of the absorbent capacity of the absorbent article.

Abstract: Paper sheets, such as tissue sheets useful for facial tissue, bath tissue and the like, are formed with a decorative pattern imparted to the tissue sheet by the forming fabric. The decorative pattern is incorporated into the forming fabric by a variety of means, such as stitching, silk screening, printing, weaving, or overlaying a fabric with a decorative pattern onto a conventional forming fabric. The presence of decoratively-shaped areas in the forming fabric, which are areas of relatively slow water drainage, cause corresponding areas in the resulting sheet to have a translucent appearance attributable to a relatively lower basis weight and/or different fiber composition. The decorative patterns are preferably formed in the outer or surface layer(s) of the paper sheet.

Abstract: Thin absorbent food pads with a bulk under 0.5 cm are provided having an insulation layer and from 3 to 30 sheets of compressed wet resilient cellulosic material wherein the absorbent pad has an absorbent capacity of at least 10 grams fluid per gram absorbent material and which expands in volume by at least 50%, relative to dry volume, upon wetting. The thin absorbent pads may be provided by calendering the insulation layer and cellulosic sheets under a force of about 100 to 1500 pounds per linear inch, thereby reducing the bulk of the pad by 30 to 60% and creating a pad which will significantly expand upon wetting to achieve an aqueous absorbent capacity of about 0.85 grams fluid per square centimeter (5.5 g/square inch).

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: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web is conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web of at least 30 inches of mercury and an air stream through the web of at least 500 SCFM/in.sup.2, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a Yankee dryer. The web is dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The resulting web has an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not previously found in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: A dual-zoned, three-dimensional, resilient absorbent web is disclosed which is suitable as body-side liner for absorbent articles such as feminine pads, diapers and the like. When used as a liner in absorbent articles, the dual-zoned web combines the advantages of apertured films and soft, nonwoven cover layers in one structure while still being inherently hydrophilic. The liner comprises a web of wet-resilient, hydrophilic basesheet having a three-dimensional topography comprising elevated regions onto which hydrophobic matter is deposited or printed and a plurality of spaced apart depressed regions. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic matter applied to the elevated regions of the basesheet comprises hydrophobic fibers in a contiguous nonwoven web which has been apertured or provided with slits or other openings, such that the apertures or openings overlay a portion of the depressed regions.

Abstract: Absorbent articles containing absorbent cores of fluff pulp frequently contain wrinkles in the absorbent core that run from side to side of the article, typically normal to the machine direction in the manufacturing process. Side-to-side wrinkles are deleterious in that they provide large flow channels for urine or other body fluids to escape to the edge of the article. Frequently, such wrinkles are present after manufacturing, before the article has been folded or worn. The cause of the wrinkles is believed to be due to natural instabilities during compression of the fluff pad shortly after it is formed. Means for reducing cross-directional wrinkles include the use of grooved, drilled, or patterned compression rolls to densify the fluff pulp while providing opportunities for reduced in-plane displacement during compression or, if in-plane displacement does occur, providing paths for cross-directional displacement as well as machine-direction displacement so that continuous CD wrinkles cannot form.

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: A novel absorbent structure is disclosed in which an initially flat, dense structure becomes a three-dimensional, high bulk, channeled structure upon wetting. The structure offers unusually high directionality in fluid transport to improve the distribution of fluid in longitudinal articles. The self-bulking of the wetted article can also lead to improved fit in articles such as diapers and in general increases the void volume of the wetted article for high absorbent capacity.

Abstract: A method for improving the rush transfer of a web, such as a tissue web, is disclosed. The method provides for greater angles of convergence and divergence of the carrier fabric and the transfer fabric at the point of transfer by deflecting the carrier fabric toward the transfer fabric using a deflection element, such as a roll, positioned opposite the vacuum transfer head. The greater angles of convergence and divergence minimize the potential for undesirable macrofolds being formed in the web during transfer.

Abstract: Absorbent articles containing absorbent cores of fluff pulp frequently contain wrinkles in the absorbent core that run from side to side of the article, typically normal to the machine direction in the manufacturing process. Side-to-side wrinkles are deleterious in that they provide large flow channels for urine or other body fluids to escape to the edge of the article. Frequently, such wrinkles are present after manufacturing, before the article has been folded or worn. The cause of the wrinkles is believed to be due to natural instabilities during compression of the fluff pad shortly after it is formed. Means for reducing cross-directional wrinkles include the use of grooved, drilled, or patterned compression rolls to densify the fluff pulp while providing opportunities for reduced in-plane displacement during compression or, if in-plane displacement does occur, providing paths for cross-directional displacement as well as machine-direction displacement so that continuous CD wrinkles cannot form.