Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an absorbent core for an absorbent article, and more particularly to an absorbent core having zoned absorbency due to specific placement of adhesives or specific lack of adhesive. Such absorbent cores provide the flexibility of creating precise zoning of particular properties throughout the core, and they provide improved comfort and fit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses the use of tow fibers in making a cleaning pad laminate for the mops. The opened fibers in the tow are substantially un-bonded to each other except at their lateral edges. The layer of tow fibers provides scrubbing propertied as well as a voluminous area in which the scrubbed particles can settle down. The layer can also act as a wicking layer for the liquids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a product produced by the method, of manufacturing a tow-based wipe, such as one made of a polyolefin material, comprising at least one tow blooming device for blooming tow material, at least one sheet forming method for forming the bloomed tow into a sheet and for projecting the sheet on to a processing path, and at least one cutting device to cut or perforate the sheet into individual wipes of a pre-determined length while on the processing path.

Abstract: An absorbent core and method of manufacturing an absorbent core for use with various absorbent articles comprising a top sheet layer, a back sheet layer and an absorbent core located between at least portions of the top sheet layer and back sheet layer. The absorbent core incorporates a C-shaped fluid barrier material surrounding at least the back sheet facing surface and side surfaces of the absorbent core. One or more fluid acquisition layers may reside over the absorbent core between the core and the top sheet layer. One or more fluid management layers may also reside within the core.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, including a central fibrous layer having synthetic fibers, and two or more types of superabsorbent material (SAP). The SAP is contained primarily in upper and/or lower layers of the absorbent core. The upper and/or lower layer may be a substantially continuous layer of SAP, or may include a free-form of SAP. The upper and/or lower layers may have a blend of two or more types of SAP, or may have only a virgin, unblended SAP. Each of the types of SAP preferably has a different absorbent property (such as high AUL, or fast absorption rate), so that the resultant absorbent core benefits from having multiple absorbent properties provided by the SAP's. An absorbent article including the absorbent core, and a method of providing an absorbent article including the absorbent core are also described.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that includes a liquid pervious top layer and an absorbent core of synthetic tow fibers. A casing layer is disposed to surround the core such that super absorbent particles are disposed therebetween. The casing layer is bonded with the core to form a predetermined pattern. The pattern is configured for containment of super absorbent particles. A liquid impervious back layer is also included, wherein the casing layer is disposed between the top layer and the back layer. Alternatively, the absorbent article has an absorbent core of polypropylene tow fibers and a polypropylene casing sheet that encloses the core such that super absorbent particles are disposed therebetween. The casing sheet is ultrasonically bonded, or embossed, to the core to form a predetermined pattern. The pattern defines pockets that are configured for containment of the super absorbent particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, having a central fibrous layer having synthetic fibers, and a plurality of discrete containment wells that contain superabsorbent particles. The plurality of discrete containment wells are formed from a three-dimensional extrudate layer having a plurality of discrete voids, and a base layer that is laminated to one surface of the extrudate layer. The containment wells are provided by the voids of the extrudate layer, the perimeter being provided by the extrudate surrounding the voids, and the base of the wells being provided by the base layer. Superabsorbent particles are deposited and enclosed in the discrete containment wells, and are prevented from shifting to other portions of the absorbent core. An absorbent article including the absorbent core, and a method for providing an absorbent article including the absorbent core are also described.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, having a central fibrous layer having synthetic fibers, and a three-dimensional sub-layer having a plurality of small pockets that contain superabsorbent particles. Superabsorbent particles are deposited and partially enclosed in the discrete small pockets, and are prevented from shifting to other portions of the absorbent core. An absorbent article including the absorbent core, and a method for providing an absorbent article including the absorbent core are also described.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed that provides improved leakage protection. Also disclosed are methods for using and preparing absorbent articles having improved leakage protection, methods for designing articles having improved leakage protection, and methods of measuring and determining the performance index of an absorbent article. The absorbent article having improved leakage protection has a 3 variable urine only leakage performance index (PI3UL) of less than about 3.0, the PI3UL being determined in accordance with the following equation (1): PI3UL=0.046(Tc)?2.94(MS100)?0.772(AUL)??(1) where Tc is the total capacity in grams, MS100 is the percent utilization of the core upon insult with 100 ml of 0.9 wt % saline solution, and AUL is the front pad absorbency under load, expressed in grams of 0.9 wt % saline solution absorbed per gram of pad material.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an absorbent multi-layer material or to a core for an absorbent article, and more particularly to an absorbent multi-layer material or to a core comprising a central absorbent layer positioned between an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein at least of the upper and/or lower layer(s) has a vertical wicking index of greater than about 6 cm after 19 minutes and/or greater than about 3 cm after 1 minute. Such a multi-layer material or multi-layer core provides improved strength, absorption and rewetting properties. An absorbent article that contains such a multi-layer material or core provides improved ability to absorb and retain fluids and consequently, prevents excessive rewetting and leakage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an absorbent core for an absorbent article, and more particularly to an absorbent core having zoned absorbency due to specific placement of adhesives or specific lack of adhesive. Such absorbent cores provide the flexibility of creating precise zoning of particular properties throughout the core, and they provide improved comfort and fit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.