Abstract: A RFID method for storing products in a defined location is provided to minimize undesired combinations of stored products resulting from improper placement of the products in the storage location. RFID smart tags are associated with any products to be stored within the storage location, the smart tags containing information to identify the product they are associated with. A product profile is compiled and stored for any products to be stored within the storage location, the profile may include information on products, materials, and substances that should not be stored together or in close proximity to the profiled product. A smart tag scanner is disposed at a position relative to the storage location such that the scanner is within range of any smart tag associated with a stored product at any position within the storage location, the smart tag scanner configured to retrieve the product identification information from the smart tags.

Abstract: Providing quality management and intelligent manufacturing with labels and smart tags in event-based product manufacturing. Some of the disclosed embodiments include a system, method, and computer-readable media for storing, during a process, data associated with a material. Also disclosed are a method of collecting, storing, and reporting machine productivity, waste, and delay information on an event basis in a manufacturing system, a method of capturing and storing material history, a method of automating tracking of positions of components used in a process and correlating portions of a component with production problems, an improved inventory management system, and a method of tracking and recording actions of specific operators of a process performed by a machine.

Abstract: Providing communication between machines and feed-forward control in event-based product manufacturing. Some of the disclosed embodiments include a system, method, and computer-readable media for communicating data relating to a material between machines during a process for feed-forward control. Also disclosed are an intelligent event-based manufacturing system including a process for converting a raw material to a product and a method of reducing the probability of waste, delay, or a quality defect in a process having process conditions for the manufacture of a product from a sequentially trackable raw material.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an article has a mechanical fastener and configured is to be worn by a user. The article comprises a body portion configured to be worn by a user. The body portion may include a fibrous landing layer wherein the fibrous landing layer comprises a plurality of fibers. The body portion may also include a foam layer, such that the foam layer has a first surface comprising a plurality of free-stranding struts adapted for engaging at least a portion of the plurality of fibers of the landing layer. The foam layer and fibrous landing layer are capable of being engaged with a Shear Resistance of about 100 grams of force or greater per square centimeter and a Peel Resistance of about 50 grams or less of force per square centimeter.

Abstract: An improved method for imprinting a paper web during a wet pressing event is disclosed which results in asymmetrical protrusions corresponding to the deflection conduits of a deflection member. In one embodiment, differential velocity transfer during a pressing event serves to improve the molding and imprinting of a web with a deflection member. Improved deflection members are also disclosed. Improved tissue webs produced are also disclosed having useful sets of physical and geometrical properties, such as a pattern densified network and a repeating pattern of protrusions having asymmetrical structures.

Abstract: An improved paper and the process of making an improved paper web is disclosed. The improved paper is characterized as having two regions; one is a network (or open grid) region and the other is a plurality of domes. At least a portion of either region of the paper web contains a bonding material that penetrates at least partially through the paper's thickness.

Abstract: The present invention is a tissue web comprising cellulosic fibers and a semi-synthetic cationic polymer having a molecular weight less than about 5 million. The semi-synthetic cationic polymer can be heterogeneously distributed in the tissue web. The semi-synthetic cationic polymer has a degree of cationic substitution of at least 0.2.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing an absorbent article. A wet resillient, cellulosic basesheet having elevated and depressed regions with an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.2 mm is prepared. The cellulosic basesheet has an upper surface and a lower surface. A contiguous, fibrous nonwoven web having a plurality of openings is integrally attached onto the upper surface of the cellulosic basesheet such that a portion of the openings are superposed over the depressed regions of the cellulosic basesheet. An absorbent core and an impervious web are attached to the lower surface of the cellulosic basesheet such that the absorbent core is sandwiched between the impervious web and the cellulosic basesheet.

Abstract: A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The body includes an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, wherein the absorbency zone includes absorbent material; an application zone adjacent the proximal end and spaced apart from the distal end; and a therapeutic agent positioned substantially within the application zone. A method produces a device for delivering a therapeutic agent. The method includes manufacturing a tampon having a body with a distal end, a proximal end, an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, and an application zone adjacent the proximal end; and locating a therapeutic agent substantially within the application zone.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an endless non-woven tissue making fabric having a three-dimensional texture suitable for use as a fabric for producing three-dimensional fibrous webs. The endless non-woven tissue making fabric comprises a plurality of substantially parallel adjoining sections of non-woven material. Each section of non-woven material has a width substantially less than the width of the non-woven tissue making fabric. Each section of non-woven material may be joined to at least one other adjoining section of non-woven material. The non-woven tissue making fabric has a machine direction, a cross-machine direction, a tissue contacting surface and a tissue machine contacting surface. The tissue contacting surface comprises solid matter at a plurality of heights such that the tissue contacting surface of the non-woven tissue making fabric has an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.2 mm in regions of solid matter on the tissue contacting surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an endless non-woven tissue making fabric. The endless non-woven tissue making fabric has a machine direction, cross-machine direction, a tissue machine contacting surface, a tissue contacting surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The non-woven tissue making fabric comprises a fabric strip of non-woven material comprising at least one layer of non-woven material. The fabric strip has a first edge, an opposing second edge, a machine direction, and a cross-machine direction. The fabric strip may be spirally wound in a plurality of contiguous turns wherein the first edge in a turn of the fabric strip extends beyond the second edge of an adjacent turn of the fabric strip, thereby forming a spirally continuous seam with adjacent turns of the fabric strip.

Abstract: A RFID method and system are provided for ensuring that personnel are properly outfitted with necessary equipment for performance of a particular task or procedure. RFID smart tags are configured with the required pieces of equipment, the smart tags containing information to identify their respective pieces of equipment. A RFID scanner is disposed at a location through which an individual passes prior to performance of the procedure. The scanner interrogates the smart tags and determines if the individual has all of the required pieces of equipment.

Abstract: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.

Abstract: The present invention is a woven sculpted fabric for the manufacture of a tissue web having a tissue contacting surface. The tissue contacting surface of the woven sculpted fabric includes at least a first group of strands and a second group of strands wherein the first group of strands extend in the cross-machine direction of the woven sculpted fabric and the second group of strands extend in the machine direction of the woven sculpted fabric.

Abstract: Activated carbon particles or fabrics are coated with a deformable or water-insoluble coating material comprising a binding agent and a masking agent that can be colored. The coating material can provide sufficient diffusivity to permit excellent efficiency in adsorption of materials in spite of the presence of a coating layer on the activated carbon. The use of a deformable binding agent yields coated particles that make relatively noise when the particles flow or are moved in use, and that have improved tactile properties in use. High performance colored activated carbon materials can be produced and placed in absorbent articles, overcoming common objections about the black color of activated carbon.

Abstract: Curly cellulose fibers having a high wet resiliency and a method of making high wet resiliency curly cellulose fibers with a chemically-assisted curling method. Polymeric reactive compounds are used to provide intrafiber crosslinking in curly fibers, thereby chemically setting the curl in the fibers, resulting in fibers that are stiff enough to not collapse upon wetting. These high wet resiliency curly cellulose fibers maintain a capillary structure during fluid acquisition and distribution, thus increasing absorbency.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing absorbent articles comprising molded airlaid webs and other molded fibrous webs. The molded webs can offer improved body fit and/or improved fluid handling. Molded airlaid webs, for example, can be formed having a central longitudinal hump and flexure zones longitudinally removed from the central hump to provide good contact with the body and improved fit when the article is squeezed from the sides. Molding can be achieved when a binder material is activated by an energy source and the web is held against a molding substrate. Energy sources can include microwaves, heated air, heated metal surfaces, ultraviolet radiation, ultrasonic energy, and the like.

Abstract: A composite absorbent article comprises a reusable frame member for shaping and leakage control onto which a single-use absorbent device can be detachably connected and repeatedly replaced without the need to replace the reusable frame member. A low-cost, high-performance composite absorbent article can thus be provided from low-cost single-use absorbent devices by virtue of the reusable frame member. A wicking barrier lining a central void or depression helps provide leakage containment for the overall composite absorbent article.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an endless non-woven tissue making fabric having a three-dimensional texture suitable for use as a fabric for producing three-dimensional fibrous webs. The endless non-woven tissue making fabric comprises a plurality of substantially parallel adjoining sections of non-woven material. Each section of non-woven material has a width substantially less than the width of the non-woven tissue making fabric. Each section of non-woven material may be joined to at least one other adjoining section of non-woven material. The non-woven tissue making fabric has a machine direction, a cross-machine direction, a tissue contacting surface and a tissue machine contacting surface. The tissue contacting surface comprises solid matter at a plurality of heights such that the tissue contacting surface of the non-woven tissue making fabric has an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.2 mm in regions of solid matter on the tissue contacting surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an endless non-woven tissue making fabric. The endless non-woven tissue making fabric has a machine direction, cross-machine direction, a tissue machine contacting surface, a tissue contacting surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The non-woven tissue making fabric comprises a fabric strip of non-woven material comprising at least one layer of non-woven material. The fabric strip has a first edge, an opposing second edge, a machine direction, and a cross-machine direction. The fabric strip may be spirally wound in a plurality of contiguous turns wherein the first edge in a turn of the fabric strip extends beyond the second edge of an adjacent turn of the fabric strip, thereby forming a spirally continuous seam with adjacent turns of the fabric strip.