Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure therebetween. The absorbent core structure having an upper nonwoven layer, a lower nonwoven layer, and a portion of an inner core layer disposed therebetween. The portion of the inner core layer is contained within the upper and lower nonwoven layers by sealing a portion of the first and second side regions of the upper nonwoven layer with a portion of the first and second side regions of the lower nonwoven layer at a lateral perimeter seal. An adhesive is positioned between the upper and nonwoven layers in the perimeter seal. The lateral perimeter seal is positioned in the middle region and has a longitudinal seal length that is from about 45% to about 90% of the longitudinal inner core length.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. The absorbent core structure includes an upper nonwoven layer comprising polymer fibers; a lower nonwoven layer comprising polymer fibers; and an inner core layer disposed between the upper and lower nonwoven layers. The inner core layer may include from about 50% to about 85% cellulosic fibers, by weight of the inner core layer, and from about 15% to about 50% superabsorbent particles, by weight of the inner core layer. The absorbent article may have a CD Dry Bending Stiffness between about 10 N mm2 to about 30 N·mm2 as measured according to the Wet and Dry CD and MD 3 Point Bend Method and a 5th Cycle Wet % Recovery of between about 29% and about 40% as measured according to the Wet and Dry Bunched Compression Method.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a front end region, a back end region, and a middle region disposed between the front and back end regions. The absorbent article includes a topsheet; a backsheet; an absorbent core structure disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and a flex bond channel region formed in at least the middle region. The absorbent core structure includes an upper nonwoven layer having polymer fibers; a lower nonwoven layer having polymer fibers; and an inner core layer disposed between the upper and lower nonwoven layers. The flex bond channel region has a dry channel depth of at least 1.0 mm and a channel width of from about 1.0 mm to about 3.0 mm. The flex bond channel region has a CD Bending Resistance Index of from about 1.1 to about 3.0, and a Dry MD Bending Resistance of less than about 0.04 N/mm.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure disposed therebetween. The absorbent core structure includes an upper nonwoven layer comprising polymer fibers and having a basis weight of from about 35 to about 85 gsm; a lower nonwoven layer comprising polymer fibers and having a basis weight of from about 10 to about gsm; and an inner core layer disposed between the upper and lower nonwoven layers. The inner core layer comprises from about 50% to about 85% cellulosic fibers, by weight of the inner core layer, and from about 15% to about 50% superabsorbent particles, by weight of the inner core layer. The absorbent core structure has an average density of between about 0.045 g/cm3 and about 0.15 g/cm3. The inner core layer is contained within the nonwoven layers by substantially sealing at least a left and right side region of the upper and lower nonwoven layers.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure disposed therebetween. The absorbent core structure includes an upper nonwoven layer comprising polymer fibers, a lower nonwoven layer comprising polymer fibers, and an inner core layer disposed between the upper and lower nonwoven layers. The inner core layer includes from about 50% to about 85% cellulosic fibers, by weight of the inner core layer, and superabsorbent particles. The inner core layer is contained within the nonwoven layers by substantially sealing at least a left side region and a right side region of the upper and lower nonwoven layers. The absorbent article has a CD Dry Bending Stiffness between about 10 to about 30 N·mm2 as measured according to the Wet and Dry CD and MD 3 Point Bend Method and a Total IFF+SFF value of between about 20 and about 200 mg as measuring according to the Acquisition Time and Rewet Method.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene pad having an absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure may have a plurality of central compression zones disposed in a middle region of the pad, each of the plurality of compression zones being defined by a generally longitudinally-oriented shape having a forward terminus proximate a forward end region of the pad and a rearward terminus proximate a rearward end region of the pad, and an average width between the forward terminus and rearward terminus of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, wherein each of the forward terminus and rearward terminus lies no more than 30 percent of the length of the pad, from the lateral axis.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure having one or more layers. The absorbent article has multiple zones.

Abstract: An absorbent structure is disclosed, which may be or form part of an absorbent core of an absorbent article. The structure has a caliper, a fluid-receiving side and a non-receiving side. The non-receiving side occupies a first x-y plane; the receiving side occupies a second x-y plane. The structure has a first zone constituting a first portion of the caliper proximate the non-receiving side, and a second zone constituting a second portion of the caliper proximate the receiving side. Each of the zones includes a co-formed blend of constituents. The blend may include AGM particles, spun filaments and/or cellulose fibers. In examples including AGM particles, particles in the first zone may have an average particle size smaller than that of particles in the second zone. In examples including filaments, filaments in the first zone may have an average filament size smaller than that of the filaments in the second zone.

Abstract: Structures, for example fibrous structures, such as absorbent material, for example absorbent core material including particles, for example super absorbent polymer particles (SAP particles), and processes for making same are provided.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure having one or more layers. The absorbent article has multiple zones.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure having one or more layers. The absorbent article has multiple zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the work required to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator having a barrel containing the tampon and a plunger for expelling the tampon from the barrel. The method includes the steps of selecting and applying an applicator gripping test force to a grip zone on the barrel of the tampon applicator and selecting a tampon expulsion test rate and applying a force to the plunger sufficient to expel the tampon from the barrel of the tampon applicator at the selected tampon expulsion test rate. Further, the method includes the step of calculating the force on the plunger required to expel the tampon from the barrel at the selected tampon expulsion test rate as a function of the distance the tampon travels during expulsion.

Abstract: A container including a support structure defined by a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. An upper portion is integrally attached to the support structure, where the upper portion is formed of a flexible material defining opposing portions. The flexible material has a lower stiffness than a stiffness of the side wall portion, and the opposing portions are movable between a closed position located in engagement with each other and an open position where the opposing portions are separated from each other defining an opening to an interior area of the container. A frangible portion is provided on the upper portion forming a predefined separation line for separating at least a portion of the upper portion from the support structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the work required to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator having a barrel containing the tampon and a plunger for expelling the tampon from the barrel. The method includes the steps of selecting and applying an applicator gripping test force to a grip zone on the barrel of the tampon applicator and selecting a tampon expulsion test rate and applying a force to the plunger sufficient to expel the tampon from the barrel of the tampon applicator at the selected tampon expulsion test rate. Further, the method includes the step of calculating the force on the plunger required to expel the tampon from the barrel at the selected tampon expulsion test rate as a function of the distance the tampon travels during expulsion.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the insertion distance of an intravaginal article within a human vaginal cavity. The method uses a measuring device, which can be slidably attached to a withdrawal means of a vaginally inserted intravaginal article. The measuring device may be moved along the withdrawal means to a predetermined position, and then fixedly secured to the withdrawal means. The intravaginal article is then removed from the vaginal cavity and the insertion distance determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the insertion distance of an intravaginal article within a human vaginal cavity. The method uses a measuring device, which can be slidably attached to a withdrawal means of a vaginally inserted intravaginal article. The measuring device may be moved along the withdrawal means to a predetermined position, and then fixedly secured to the withdrawal means. The intravaginal article is then removed from the vaginal cavity and the insertion distance determined.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tampon applicator having a corrugated region, the method including the steps of: a) providing a tampon applicator having a first end, a second end, a length and a diameter; and b) forming a plurality of corrugations in the tampon applicator, the corrugations defining the corrugated region, each of the corrugations having a ridge and a trough.

Abstract: A disposable applicator comprising a multilayered substrate containing a fluid is presented which is useful for applying fluids, particularly cosmetic lotions or creams, to an application surface, particularly a surface of a human body. The fluid is stored in a fluid storage layer and is dispensed via a flow control layer. An impermeable layer prevents the fluid from flowing back away from the application surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tampon applicator having a corrugated region, the method including the steps of:

Abstract: A multi-purpose sheet material comprising an absorbent layer and a cut-resistant material in contact with the absorbent layer. The cut-resistant material can comprise a cut-resistant support system, such as cut-resistant support element formed in the absorbent layer for example. The cut-resistant material may alternatively comprise cut-resistant particles, such as polymer particles having an average size of at least about 100 micrometers for example. Preferably, the sheet material exhibits an absorbent efficiency of at least about 0.2 and a slice resistance of at least about 30 kgf/cm, and more preferably an absorbent efficiency of at least about 1.0 and a slice resistance of at least about 40 kgf/cm. It is also preferred that sheet material exhibit a cut-resistance of at least about 30 kgf/cm, an absorbent efficiency of at least about 0.2, and a wet abrasion loss of less than about 400 mg per 100 revolutions.