Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article for absorbing discharged bodily fluid comprises a first absorbent material dispersed throughout the core, and a second absorbent material provided in a discrete strip, and substantially surrounded by the first absorbent material. An apparatus and method for producing such cores comprises a mold support advanceable in a predetermined direction and having at least one mold therein, and a tubular conduit for the second material alignably positioned such that a portion of the conduit will pass through at least a portion of the mold as the mold support is advanced. The mold support may comprise a forming drum or a forming belt. The tubular conduit has a distal end through which the second absorbent material may be expelled.

Abstract: Wet-like cleaning wipes and similar articles that are particularly useful in removing perianal soils. These wipes comprise a carrier substrate such as tissue paper web and a emulsion applied to the substrate, wherein the emulsion comprises a continuous external lipid phase and a dispersed internal polar phase (e.g., water). The continuous external lipid phase of this emulsion is sufficiently brittle that it ruptures when subjected to low shear during use to release the dispersed internal polar phase.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article for absorbing discharged bodily fluid includes a first absorbent material dispersed throughout the core, and a second absorbent material provided in a discrete strip, and substantially surrounded by the first absorbent material. An apparatus and method for producing such cores includes a mold support advanceable in a predetermined direction and having at least one mold therein, and a tubular conduit for the second material alignably positioned such that a portion of the conduit will pass through at least a portion of the mold as the mold support is advanced. The mold support may include a forming drum or a forming belt. The tubular conduit has a distal end through which the second absorbent material may be expelled.

Abstract: An absorbent article useful for absorbing bodily fluids discharged by the wearer of the article is provided. The absorbent article comprises a fluid pervious topsheet, a fluid impervious backsheet affixed to the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a resilient tubular member disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet for transporting the fluids to a predetermined region of the core. The tubular member has a plurality of fluid inlets and a plurality of fluid outlets, the inlets and outlets providing fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the tubular member. Discharged fluids may be transported from regions adjacent the inlets into the interior of the tubular member, and thereafter through the outlets to the predetermined regions of the core adjacent the outlets, thereby rapidly transporting the fluids to the predetermined region of the core.

Abstract: An apparatus for unwinding a roll of web material which is prone to blocking: for example, an elastomeric film which, while rolled, is prone to having the convolutions of the roll stick together. The apparatus induces a sufficiently high rate of strain in a short span adjacent the roll to effect continuously peeling the outermost convolution from the roll. Additionally, the apparatus is of such a geometry that, in the event blocking precipitates circumferential shifting of the point of web separation from the roll, the stripping angle is increased. This, in turn, increases the effectiveness of the rate of strain induced peeling force on the web whereby more positive peeling occurs.

Abstract: A method of producing a disposable diaper or other article including an elastically contractible element such as a waistband which undergoes a joint severance operation with one or more of the layers comprising the article, yet which, upon the application of an external stimulus such as heat, will return to its molecularly unoriented, heat stable state and thereby impart both shirring and elasticization to the severed edge of the article in a direction substantially parallel to the overall orientation of the line of severance. Particularly preferred articles made utilizing said method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a disposable diaper or other article including an elastically contractible element such as a waistband which undergoes a joint severance operation with one or more of the layers comprising the article, yet which, upon the application of an external stimulus such as heat, will return to its molecularly unoriented, heat stable state and thereby impart both shirring and elasticization to the severed edge of the article in a direction substantially parallel to the overall orientation of the line of severance. Particularly preferred articles made utilizing said method are also disclosed.