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: This application relates to the use of slitted regions in absorbent members formed of absorbent materials that remain relatively thin until wetted with such fluids. Suitable materials include presently preferred varieties of polymeric foam materials. Single and multi-layered absorbent members incorporating slitted regions are disclosed, as well as the use of pre-formed cup-shaped slits for enhanced initial fluid acquisition. Such slitted regions in combination with planar expansion properties enable the absorbent members to respond dynamically to various fluid loading conditions to create useful structural features. The slitted regions, in combination with absorbent materials having expansion potential in at least one direction within the plane of the absorbent member, cause the slitted regions to buckle and/or deform out of the plane of the absorbent member, thereby causing the slit surfaces to displace angularly and/or translationally with respect to one another.

Abstract: Relatively thin, collapsed, i.e. unexpanded, polymeric foam materials that, upon contact with aqueous body fluids, expand and absorb such fluids, are disclosed. A process for consistently obtaining such relatively thin, collapsed polymeric foam materials by polymerizing a specific type of water-in-oil emulsion, commonly known as High Internal Phase Emulsions or "HIPE", is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides absorbent articles, especially sanitary napkins, containing a fluid transport layer. In-use, the transport layer directs menses to a storage layer, thereby minimizing product failure and staining of undergarments. The transport layer can protrude into, or through, a topsheet to provide very aggressive transport of vaginal discharges. Preferably, the transport layer is a layer of fibers having external capillary channels.

Abstract: Absorbent structures having a fluid acquisition/distribution layer with an average dry density of less than about 0.30 g/cc, an average density upon wetting with 1.0% NaCl aqueous solution of less than about 0.20 g/cc, and an average dry basis weight from about 0.001 to about 0.10 g/cm.sup.2 ; and a fluid storage layer positioned beneath the acquisition/distribution layer comprising at least about 15% superabsorbent material. The fluid acquisition/distribution layer comprises from about 50% to 100% chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers and from 0% to about 50% binding means.

Abstract: Absorbent articles, especially sanitary napkins, contain fibers with intra-fiber capillary channels. In-use, the capillary channel fibers direct menses to a storage layer, thereby minimizing product failure and staining of undergarments. The capillary channel fibers can protrude into, or through, a topsheet to provide very aggressive transport of vaginal discharges.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent foam materials suitable for use as or in the absorbent cores of absorbent articles, such as diapers which absorb and retain aqueous body fluids. Such foam materials comprise hydrophilic, flexible open-celled structures which are preferably prepared by polymerizing high internal phase (HIPE) water-in-oil emulsions. Such foam materials have a pore volume of from about 12 to 100 mL/g, and a capillary suction specific surface area of from about 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2 /g. These materials also exhibit a resistance to compression deflection such that a confining pressure of 5.1 kPa produces after 15 minutes a strain of from about 5% to 95% compression when the material is saturated at 37.degree. C. to its free absorbent capacity with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent articles, such as diapers, for the management of incontinence. Such articles utilize in their absorbent cores an fluid acquisition/distribution component and a fluid storage/redistribution component maintained in fluid communication with the acquisition/distribution component. The fluid acquisition/distribution component can be any porous hydrophilic, e.g., fibrous or foam-based, material which will provide an initial Fluid Acquisition Rate of at least 2 mL of synthetic urine per second and will also preferably provide a 30-minute Vertical Wicking Height of at least 2 cm. The fluid storage/redistribution component comprises a hydrophilic, flexible, open-celled polymeric foam having a free absorbent capacity of at least about 12 mL of synthetic urine per gram of dry foam and an absorbent capacity under a 5.1 kPa confining pressure which is at least 5% of this free capacity.

Abstract: Fibers having intra-fiber capillary channels are used in conjunction with topsheet materials in absorbent articles such as diapers, bandages and, especially, sanitary napkins. In-use, the capillary channel fibers draw fluid away from the topsheet to provide a clean, dry appearance.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent foam materials suitable for use as or in the absorbent cores of absorbent articles, such as diapers which absorb and retain aqueous body fluids. Such foam materials comprise hydrophilic, flexible open-celled structures which are preferably prepared by polymerizing high internal phase (HIPE) water-in-oil emulsions. Such foam materials have a pore volume of from about 12 to 100 mL/g, and a capillary suction specific surface area of from about 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2 /g. These materials also exhibit a resistance to compression deflection such that a confining pressure of 5.1 kPa produces after 15 minutes a strain of from about 5% to 95% compression when the material is saturated at 37.degree. C. to its free absorbent capacity with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent foam materials suitable for use as or in the absorbent cores of absorbent articles, such as diapers which absorb and retain aqueous body fluids. Such foam materials comprise hydrophilic, flexible open-celled structures which are preferably prepared by polymerizing high internal phase (HIPE) water-in-oil emulsions. Such foam materials have a pore volume of from about 12 to 100 mL/g, and a capillary suction specific surface area of from about 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2 /g. These materials also exhibit a resistance to compression deflection such that a confining pressure of 5.1 kPa produces after 15 minutes a strain of from about 5% to 95% compression when the material is saturated at 37.degree. C. to its free absorbent capacity with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Absorbent structures having a wetlaid fluid acquisition/distribution layer with an average dry density of less than about 0.30 g/cc, an average density upon wetting with 1.0% NaCl aqueous solution of less than about 0.20 g/cc, and an average dry basis weight from about 0.001 to about 0.10 g/cm.sup.2 ; and a fluid storage layer positioned beneath the aquisition/distribution layer comprising at least about 15% superabsorbent material. The fluid acquisition/distribution layer comprises from about 50% to 100% chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers and from 0% to about 50% binding means.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent articles, such as diapers, for the management of incontinence. Such articles utilize in their absorbent cores a fluid acquisition/distribution component and a fluid storage/redistribution component maintained in fluid communication with the acquisition/distribution component. The fluid acquisition/distribution component can be any porous hydrophilic, e.g., fibrous or foam-based, material which will provide an initial Fluid Acquisition Rate of at least 2 mL of synthetic urine per second and will also preferably provide a 30-minute Vertical Wicking Height of at least 2 cm. The fluid storage/redistribution component comprises a hydrophilic, flexible, open-celled polymeric foam having a free absorbent capacity of at least about 12 mL of synthetic urine per gram of dry foam and an absorbent capacity under a 5.1 kPa confining pressure which is at least 5% of this free capacity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a retractable brush having a plate carrying strips of bristles along the forward and rearward edge thereof and having leaf springs extending from one side and cam following members extending from the opposite side. A slide having camming members in engagement with the cam following members of the brush plate. The slide and brush plate are captured in a housing into which a conduit from the vacuum source extends through the housing and out of a sole plate, which is removably secured to the top plate and against which the brush plate leaf springs bear. Projections from the slide extend through the top of the housing and move the slide laterally in one direction to bring the brush through openings along the forward and rearward edges of the sole plate against the bias of the leaf springs to extend the brush. The projections move laterally in the opposite direction to permit the springs to retract the brush.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having the combined features of a canister and upright type vacuum cleaner with the canister mounted for tilting movement on a housing of a floor or nozzle unit which contains a rotatably mounted brush. A single motor is used to power a fan which creates the vacuum in the canister and to apply power to the brush through a belt and pulley assembly mounted in the floor unit housing. A hose extending from the canister is connectable and disconnectable from the floor unit housing so as to provide for above the floor cleaning when the hose is disconnected and the appropriate tools are attached thereto. When the hose is connected into the housing, the vacuum is applied to the vicinity of the brush. A mechanism for disengaging the motor from the belt and pulley assembly when above the floor cleaning is selected is provided by a cam member rotatable with the canister and a pulley asembly which is part of the belt/pulley brush drive assembly.