Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses herein may provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to an advancing substrate. The fluid application apparatus may include a slot die applicator and a substrate carrier. The substrate carrier may include one or more pattern elements and may be adapted to advance the substrate past the slot die applicator as the slot die applicator discharges adhesive onto the substrate. In operation, the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier; the substrate carrier advances the substrate past the slot opening of the slot die applicator. In turn, the substrate is intermittently compressed between the slot die applicator and the pattern surface of the pattern element. As the substrate is intermittently compressed, adhesive discharged from the slot die applicator is applied onto the substrate in an area having a shape substantially the same as a shape defined by the pattern surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses herein may provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to an advancing substrate. The fluid application apparatus may include a slot die applicator and a substrate carrier. The substrate carrier may include one or more pattern elements and may be adapted to advance the substrate past the slot die applicator as the slot die applicator discharges adhesive onto the substrate. In operation, the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier; the substrate carrier advances the substrate past the slot opening of the slot die applicator. In turn, the substrate is intermittently compressed between the slot die applicator and the pattern surface of the pattern element. As the substrate is intermittently compressed, adhesive discharged from the slot die applicator is applied onto the substrate in an area having a shape substantially the same as a shape defined by the pattern surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum.

Abstract: Intelligent speech recognition is used to provide users with the ability to utter more user friendly commands. Satisfaction is increased when a user can vocalize a subset of a formal command name and still have the intended command identified and processed. Moreover, greater accuracy in identifying a command application from a user's utterance can be achieved by ignoring command choices associated with unlikely user utterances. An intelligent speech recognition system can identify differing acceptable verbal command phrase forms, e.g., but not limited to, complete commands, command subsequences and command subsets, for different commands supported by the system. Subset blocking words are identified for assistance in reducing the ambiguity in matching user verbal command phrases with valid commands supported by the intelligent speech recognition system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a wad of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a laydown drum having a plurality of vacuum zones, a plurality of fence zones, and a plurality of blow-off zones. The plurality of vacuum zones may be substantially permeable to permit vacuum air to pass through and into the laydown drum. The plurality of fence zones may be substantially impermeable to inhibit air to pass through. The plurality of blow-off zones may be substantially permeable to permit blown air to pass out of and through said laydown drum. The apparatus may also include a deposition chute for depositing particulate material on a web of material in close proximity to the laydown drum. A shield may also be attached to the deposition chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum.

Abstract: A pool cleaner which includes a body, a passage through the body with an inlet to and an outlet from the passage, a flow interrupting device in the passage between the inlet and the outlet, and a float which is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the body and for rotational movement about the passage between first and second limiting positions.

Abstract: An impeller having a rotation axis, a radial direction, a backplate and a number of vanes which are connected to the backplate at a line of connection is provided. Each vane has an upstream side, a downstream side and an outer side. The downstream side of each vane has an edge portion which is located near the outer side. The vanes project radially over the backplate and the downstream side further includes a connecting portion connecting the edge portion to the backplate and including an angle with the radial direction. The connecting portion includes a convex rounded portion which is located near the line of connection. Moreover, a turbocharger having an inventive impeller is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making absorbent articles such as diapers and training pants having a pocket for receiving a removable core component is provided. Absorbent articles having removable absorbent core components are further provided. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article comprises providing a wearer facing portion and a garment facing portion, and providing a first absorbent core component with either the wearer facing portion or the garment facing portion. The wearer facing portion and the garment facing portion are associated such that an openable chassis pocket is formed there between, the wearer facing portion and the garment facing portion being separable to create an access opening to the openable chassis pocket for receiving a replaceable absorbent core component.

Abstract: An absorbent articles, such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence articles, feminine protection articles and the like having a specific elasticated topsheet comprising multitude of elasticated areas and one or more openings to receive e.g. feces, the elasticated areas being typically straight, but the elasticated areas operating jointly to provide a diverting-like elastic behavior, and the elasticated areas having optionally different elastic properties.

Abstract: A method for making absorbent articles such as diapers and training pants having a pocket for receiving a removable core component is provided. Absorbent articles having removable absorbent core components are further provided. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article comprises providing a wearer facing portion and a garment facing portion, and providing a first absorbent core component with either the wearer facing portion or the garment facing portion. The wearer facing portion and the garment facing portion are associated such that an openable chassis pocket is formed there between, the wearer facing portion and the garment facing portion being separable to create an access opening to the openable chassis pocket for receiving a replaceable absorbent core component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing light therapy traction to a patient. A light therapy device and a traction mechanism provide concurrent, alternating and/or repetitive treatment to a patient. The light therapy device includes one or more light sources configured to deliver light to a patient. The traction mechanism is configured to provide selective separation to a particular location the patient's body, such as a location of the patient's vertebrae. In some embodiments, the light therapy and traction are performed simultaneously. In other embodiments, the light therapy and lumbar traction are performed in treatment cycles to the patient. Embodiments of the present invention embrace the application of light therapy prior to, during, and/or after a cervical and/or lumbar traction treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining a collision between a first deformable object and a second deformable object in a virtual reality simulation, the method including the steps of providing a first test capable of determining the proximity of the first object to the second object, providing a second test capable of determining the proximity of the first object to the second object, wherein the second test is more comprehensive than the first test, and wherein the second test is capable of being implemented once the first test returns a positive result. Since the more comprehensive test is implemented only when a collision is likely or imminent (as determined by the first test), the processor executing the simulation is not unduly burdened, and can devote resources to other tasks required by the simulation program.

Abstract: A process is claimed for making a composite sheet useful as topsheet with one or more openings to receive fecal material useful for an absorbent article, said composite sheet comprising a wrinkled, patterned elasticized region that comprises a patterned first sheet and an elastic material said first sheet being patterned with troughs, that are typically compacter, i.e. of higher density, prior to attachment to the elastic material. The troughs are attached to the elastic material. The resulting composite sheet has a uniform wrinkle pattern. Also claimed are specific absorbent articles. Also claimed are composite sheets with a specific residual strain and peel force value.

Abstract: A process is claimed for making a composite sheet useful for an absorbent article, the composite sheet comprising a wrinkled, patterned elasticized region that comprises a patterned first sheet and an elastic material, the first sheet being patterned with troughs, that are typically compacter, i.e. of higher density, prior to attachment to the elastic material. The troughs are attached to the elastic material. The resulting composite sheet has a uniform wrinkle pattern. Also claimed are specific absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an absorbent core assembly containing a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a laydown drum having a plurality of vacuum zones, a plurality of fence zones, and a plurality of blow-off zones. The vacuum zones may be substantially permeable to permit air to pass through and into the laydown drum. The fence zones may be substantially impermeable to inhibit air from passing through. The blow-off zones may be substantially permeable to permit air to pass out of and through said laydown drum. The apparatus may also include a deposition chute for depositing particulate material on a web of material in close proximity to the laydown drum. A shield may also be attached to the deposition chute in order to prevent the particles from bouncing off of the laydown drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a wad of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a laydown drum having a plurality of vacuum zones, a plurality of fence zones, and a plurality of blow-off zones. The plurality of vacuum zones may be substantially permeable to permit vacuum air to pass through and into the laydown drum. The plurality of fence zones may be substantially impermeable to inhibit air to pass through. The plurality of blow-off zones may be substantially permeable to permit blown air to pass out of and through said laydown drum. The apparatus may also include a deposition chute for depositing particulate material on a web of material in close proximity to the laydown drum. A shield may also be attached to the deposition chute.

Abstract: A support (12) for a display device (10) is disclosed, the support (12) comprising a pole (14) which consists of a lower pole section (24/26), an intermediate pole section (20, 22) and an upper pole section (16). The three pole sections (16, 20/22 and 24/26) fitting together in spigot and socket fashion. An upper component (28) is provided in the upper end of the upper pole section (16) and a lower component (44) is provided in the lower end of the lower section (24/26). The upper (28) and lower components (44) each including a recess therein for securing one end of a length of elastic cord (58) to pull the upper pole section (16) into the intermediate pole section (20/22) and to pull the intermediate pole section (20/22) into the lower pole section (24/26). The upper component (28) has a resiliently flexible wire (60) protruding therefrom for supporting and tensioning a banner in the form of a flexible printed sheet (64). The support (12) and the wire (60) being within a protective sleeve (66).