Abstract: Described are absorbent members useful in the containment of body liquids such as urine. These absorbent members comprise at least one osmotic absorbent (preferably a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer) and a high surface area material, and have a high capillary suction capacity. For purposes of the present disclosure, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of the member's ability to uptake liquid at high capillary heights, which are generally encountered when the member is positioned in an absorbent article. In particular, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of a member's capillary sorption absorbent capacity, which is measured in accordance with the Capillary Sorption method described in the Test Methods section.

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: 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 is a high capillary suction storage absorbent member comprising an agglomerate of particulate hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer and particulate high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam. In another aspect of the invention the agglomerate of particulate hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer and particulate high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam is disclosed. The absorbent member is useful in the containment (e.g., storage) of body liquids such as urine. In one embodiment, the storage absorbent member comprises the agglomerate. In another embodiment, the absorbent member comprises the agglomerate adjacent to at least one sheet, strip or piece of high surface area open-celled hydrophilic foam material.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent cores for inclusion in 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 core is designed so as to retain low levels of fluid in the crotch region, relative to the other core regions, 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 ends of the article. In particular, the absorbent core comprises in its crotch region a material having significant vertical wicking absorbent capacities. The absorbent core also preferably comprises a non-removable absorbent core component in the crotch region, and removable absorbent core components in the front or rear regions of the article.

Abstract: Described are implements made from a durable HIPE foam material. The HIPE foam has a Toughness Index of at least 75 where the Toughness Index relates properties related to durability (e.g., density, tan[&dgr;] height, glass transition temperature, and abrasion resistance) into a single composite descriptor thereof. Exemplary implements include: wipes, toys, stamps, art media, targets, food preparation implements, plant care implements, and medical wraps.

Abstract: Described are absorbent members useful in the containment of body liquids such as urine. The storage members have a high capillary suction capacity. For purposes of the present disclosure, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of the member's ability to uptake liquid at relatively high capillary pressures, which are generally encountered when the member is positioned in an absorbent article. In particular, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of a member's capillary sorption absorbent capacity, which is measured in accordance with the Capillary Sorption method described in the Test Methods section of the disclosure. The absorbent members may include an osmotic absorbent (preferably a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer) or a high surface area material, or a combination thereof.

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 absorbent cores for inclusion in 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 core is designed so as to retain low levels of fluid in the crotch region, relative to the other core regions, 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 ends of the article. In particular, the absorbent core comprises in its crotch region a material having significant vertical wicking absorbent capacities.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent structures comprising a first layer, a second layer juxtaposed in facing relation with said first layer, wherein at least one of the layers is fluid pervious. These structures also have a continuous region between said first and second layers comprising hydrogel-forming polymer that is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the region. The continuous region at least partially surrounds multiple, spaced apart zones between said layers, which zones are substantially devoid of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer. The first and second layers are bonded together such that said hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is substantially immobilized when in dry state, preferably at sites within a plurality of the zones. Preferably, the hydrogel-forming polymer has relatively high gel permeability such that it forms a gel-continuous fluid transportation layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped absorbent core suitable for absorbing and retaining aqueous body fluids. The absorbent cores comprise a front panel and a back panel. The front and back panels are made from fluid absorbent material, and each has an inner end, an outer end, and two sides. The inner and outer ends of each front and back panel have a length, with the inner end of each being shorter than the outer length of each. The front and back panels may comprise multiple layers of absorbent material. The absorbent cores also comprise a center section made from fluid absorbent material having first and second ends. The first end of the center section is in fluid communication with the front panel by overlapping the front panel intermediate the front inner and outer ends, and the second end is in fluid communication with the back panel by overlapping the back panel intermediate the back inner and outer ends.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent cores for inclusion in 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 so as to retain low levels of fluid in the crotch region, relative to the other core regions, 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 ends of the article. In particular, the absorbent core comprises in its crotch region a distribution material having high fluid flux capabilities even after long periods of time. The material's flux properties reflect its ability to move significant amounts of fluid from the crotch of the core, even after long periods of time (e.g., 10 and 30 minutes).

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising a lower acquisition component having an original dimension and positioned to receive body exudates, and a storage component interposed between the wearer and the lower acquisition component which has a recovery from wet compression and an ability to recover from wet compression. The lower acquisition component can also vertically wick body exudates. The components work together to partition exudates from the lower acquisition component. Also, the lower acquisition component can have a resistance to compression deflection.

Abstract: Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 60 to 100% by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

Abstract: Absorbent articles are provided having a bolstering waist feature. In its preferred embodiment, the bolstering waist feature expands upon exposure to aqueous body liquids effectively tightening the diaper by stretching of the waist regions of the absorbent article. There is a resulting increase in the contractive forces in the band of lateral tension in the waist regions of the absorbent article with a corresponding reduction in the risk of waist leakage. The bolstering waist feature further provides a member resisting longitudinal bending in the waist regions of the absorbent article, particularly adjacent to a wearer's belly. This member can also act as a "strut" resisting the forces, such as those due to gravity, which tend to cause an absorbent article to slide downward.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for detecting small gas leaks in filled, pressurized containers. Each container to be tested, or that portion of each container to be tested, is enclosed and sealed in a test chamber. The space within the test chamber is evacuated to remove any residual gas or liquid within the chamber or on the surfaces of the container. Thereafter, the evacuated chamber is sealed and held for a predetermined period of time to permit any gas leaking from the container to accumulate and diffuse throughout the chamber. A quantity of carrier gas is then introduced into the test chamber and held therein for a predetermined period of time so that the carrier gas and leakage gas may co-mingle and equilibrate. This provides an equilibrated, fixed volume of carrier gas-leakage gas mixture, the leakage gas content of which is dependent only upon the leak rate of the container. The equilibrated mixture is then transferred to a sensor.