Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to absorbent articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an absorbent article comprising a surge management layer comprising a nonwoven web. The nonwoven web includes a filler fiber and a binder fiber. A portion of the cross-sectional area of the filler fiber is hollow, and the binder fiber includes a sheath component and a core component.

Abstract: This invention is a surge material having permanent storage properties that results in faster intake and greater saturation capacity and reduced fluid flowback. More specifically the invention is a surge material with a superabsorbent material printed on in a pattern of discrete regions. The objective of the invention is obtained by printing, or other known application process, a liquid superabsorbent precursor solution containing a crosslinkable composition onto a surge material and then curing the printed surge material to crosslink the polymers to get a surge material having discrete regions of superabsorbent material in the surge material. This invention is also useful in making an absorbent core of an absorbent article with improved strength, increased absorbency, and decreased shedding of superabsorbent material.

Abstract: The present invention can provide a distinctive article which includes a plurality of fibers (62), wherein the fibers include a selected polymer, fiber material. In a particular aspect, the fiber material can exhibit a “low” crystallization rate. In other aspects, the fiber material has been subjected to a low fiber-draw percentage, and the polymer in the fibers can have a high crystallinity. Further aspects can include a fiber material which has been subjected to a low fiber-draw speed, and can include fibers which have a high tenacity. In still other aspects, the fibers can be configured to provide a fibrous web (60), and the fibrous web (60) can have a distinctive tensile strength quotient, with respect to tensile strengths along its machine-direction (22) and cross-direction (24).

Abstract: The present invention can provide a distinctive method and process for making polymer fibers (62) and nonwoven fabric webs (60). The method can include providing a fiber material that exhibits a low crystallization rate. In a particular aspect, the fiber material can be subjected to an anneal-quench at an anneal-quench temperature that approximates a prime-temperature at which the polymer material most rapidly crystallizes. In another aspect, the fiber material can be subjected to a fiber-draw at a selected fiber-draw temperature, and in a further aspect, the fiber-draw temperature can be configured to approximate the prime-temperature of the polymer material. In still other aspects, the fiber material can be subjected to a relatively small amount of fiber-draw, and the fiber-draw can be provided at a relatively low fiber-draw speed.

Abstract: A single package containing at least two different types of disposable absorbent articles that differ from one another in terms of absorbent structures, and having an appearance that is visibly distinguished from one another. A method of providing a single package of at least two different types of disposable absorbent articles is also described. A method of forming disposable absorbent articles includes forming at least two different types of absorbent articles on a single product line, each type of absorbent article having an absorbent structure that differs from the absorbent structure of at least one other absorbent article type on the product line. The method further includes creating a visual distinction between the different types of absorbent articles, and packaging the different types of absorbent articles in a single package.

Abstract: A superabsorbent composition comprising a superabsorbent material and an elastomer. The superabsorbent composition has a two-phase morphology resulting in one of the superabsorbent material and elastomer being dispersed as aggregates in the other continuous material. The superabsorbent composition has a low glass transition temperature. The low glass transition temperature gives the superabsorbent composition many beneficial properties. This invention also discloses novel superabsorbent particles, fibers, films, and microporous films. Also disclosed in this invention are personal care articles comprising such particles, fibers, films and microporous films.

Abstract: Absorbent structures suitable for incorporation into disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, non-woven absorbent structures having a unitary construction and comprising absorbent fibers, a portion of the absorbent structure having discontinuous absorbent zones that define channels. The absorbent structures having the discontinuous absorbent zones demonstrating an enhanced flexibility.

Abstract: A superabsorbent composition comprising a superabsorbent material and an elastomer. The superabsorbent composition has a two-phase morphology resulting in one of the superabsorbent material and elastomer being dispersed as aggregates in the other continuous material. The superabsorbent composition has a low glass transition temperature. The low glass transition temperature gives the superabsorbent composition many beneficial properties. This invention also discloses novel superabsorbent particles, fibers, films, and microporous films. Also disclosed in this invention are personal care articles comprising such particles, fibers, films and microporous films.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a liner adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's body, an outer cover in generally opposed relationship with the liner, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. The absorbent body has an absorbent structure constructed of absorbent fibers and binder fibers activated to form inter-fiber bonds within the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure has a generally unstable configuration and is predisposed to bend toward a generally stable, bent configuration. In a process for making such an absorbent structure, the absorbent structure is airformed, bent to a bent configuration, stabilized in the bent configuration, and then compressed to planarize the absorbent structure.

Abstract: A superabsorbent composition comprising a superabsorbent material and an elastomer. The superabsorbent composition has a two-phase morphology resulting in one of the superabsorbent material and elastomer being dispersed as aggregates in the other continuous material. The superabsorbent composition has a low glass transition temperature. The low glass transition temperature gives the superabsorbent composition many beneficial properties. This invention also discloses novel superabsorbent particles, fibers, films, and microporous films. Also disclosed in this invention are personal care articles comprising such particles, fibers, films and microporous films.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent composites, useful in an absorbent article, having high liquid intake rates. The absorbent composites may also have a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cc liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent composites, useful in an absorbent article, having high liquid intake rates. The absorbent composites may also have a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cc liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent composites, useful in an absorbent article, having a superabsorbent material having a high stiffness and a fast absorption rate. The superabsorbent materials of the absorbent composites of this invention have a stiffness index of greater than about 0.87 and a vortex time of less than about 40 seconds. Absorbent composites of this invention can have a high liquid intake rate and a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention can have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cubic centimeter liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: An absorbent composite, useful in an absorbent article, having a high liquid intake rate. The absorbent composite may also have a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cc liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: A superabsorbent composition comprising a superabsorbent material and an elastomer. The superabsorbent composition has a two-phase morphology resulting in one of the superabsorbent material and elastomer being dispersed as aggregates in the other continuous material. The superabsorbent composition has a low glass transition temperature. The low glass transition temperature gives the superabsorbent composition many beneficial properties. This invention also discloses novel superabsorbent particles, fibers, films, and microporous films. Also disclosed in this invention are personal care articles comprising such particles, fibers, films and microporous films.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent composites, useful in an absorbent article, having high liquid intake rates. The absorbent composites may also have a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cc liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a liner adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's body, an outer cover in generally opposed relationship with the liner, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. An absorbent structure of the absorbent body has a length, a thickness, a width, a longitudinal axis and a non-uniform lateral compression stiffness across its width. The non-uniform lateral compression stiffness is such that the absorbent structure assumes a pre-determined, or non-random buckled configuration under lateral compression thereof. In one embodiment, the buckled configuration is generally symmetric about a plane normal to the absorbent structure and in which the longitudinal axis of the absorbent structure lies.

Abstract: This invention is a surge material having permanent storage properties that results in faster intake and greater saturation capacity and reduced fluid flowback. More specifically the invention is a surge material with a superabsorbent material printed on in a pattern of discrete regions. The objective of the invention is obtained by printing, or other known application process, a liquid superabsorbent precursor solution containing a crosslinkable composition onto a surge material and then curing the printed surge material to crosslink the polymers to get a surge material having discrete regions of superabsorbent material in the surge material. This invention is also useful in making an absorbent core of an absorbent article with improved strength, increased absorbency, and decreased shedding of superabsorbent material.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween. The absorbent body includes a non-woven absorbent structure having a length, a thickness, a width and opposite side edges generally defining the width of the structure. The thickness of the absorbent structure is non-uniform along at least one of the length and the width of the absorbent structure and the opposite side edges of the absorbent structure are substantially uncut along the length of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is of unitary construction of absorbent fibers and binder fibers activated to form inter-fiber bonds within the absorbent structure. In another embodiment, the width of the absorbent structure is non-uniform along the length of the absorbent structure and the opposite side edges of the absorbent structure are substantially uncut along the length of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: A nonwoven structure or web is provided where a binder fiber contains an energy receptive additive. The fiber provides rapid heating when subjected to dielectric energy such as radio frequency or microwave radiation. The energy receptive additive has a dielectric loss of at between 0.5, preferably 0.1 and most preferably 5, and 15.