Abstract: A cover material for an absorbent article including a fibrous nonwoven substrate, the substrate having a tortuousity value in the range of about 0.8 to about 3.0, and a particulate skin care material including a particulate material having a particle size in the range of about 1 micron to about 75 microns.

Abstract: A method for shaping a plurality of tampon applicators includes the steps of heating a forming element forming surface; applying a portion of a first tampon applicator to the forming surface; shaping the portion of the first tampon applicator; cooling the forming surface; and removing the portion of the first tampon applicator from the forming surface. The forming element has a high thermal conductivity and a low thermal mass. The step of heating the forming element forming surface includes heating it to a temperature greater than the softening point of the heat-deformable material of the applicator portion. The step of cooling the forming element forming surface includes cooling it to a temperature less than the softening point of the heat-deformable material. The time required to heat and form the portion of the tampon applicator is less than about 90 seconds. These steps are repeated for subsequent tampon applicators.

Abstract: A cover material for an absorbent article including a fibrous nonwoven substrate, the substrate having a tortuousity value in the range of about 0.8 to about 3.0, and a particulate skin care material including a particulate material having a particle size in the range of about 1 micron to about 75 microns.

Abstract: A method of making a cover material for an absorbent article including the steps of providing a fibrous nonwoven substrate, the substrate having a tortuousity value in the range of about 0.8 to about 3.0, applying a particulate skin care material to the substrate, the particulate skin care comprising a particulate material having a particle size in the range of about 1 micron to about 75 microns, and applying a compressive force to the substrate to impregnate the substrate with the particulate skin care material.

Abstract: An absorbent article useful for wearing in the crotch portion of an undergarment is disclosed. The article has an absorbent structure disposed between a liquid-pervious, body-facing surface and a resilient, liquid-impervious, controlled-deformation shell. The shell has a pair of lateral sides, a garment-facing surface and a peripheral edge. Proximate the peripheral edge of the shell, there is a body-gasketing portion. The shell also has means for adjusting the length of the garment-facing surface and lateral sides. Thus, the garment-facing surface and lateral sides can expand or contract to relieve stresses induced by curving the article while allowing the body-gasketing portion to remain substantially free of folds and gaps.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the smooth continuous motion of a masking belt to concentrate air-entrained absorbent materials on the surface of a moving fibrous substrate. Air flowing through the open areas of the masking belt carries the entrained material into the fibrous web. The fibrous web acts as a filter to separate the entrained material from the air stream. Substantially all dispensed material is captured by the fibrous web, and expensive and complex absorbent material recycle systems can be eliminated.

Abstract: A method for applying particulate powder material to a moving, pre-formed, fibrous substrate. In this method, particulate powder material is entrained in a continuous airstream. The air-entrained stream of particulate material exits a nozzle to be applied to the substrate or recirculated. The stream of air-entrained particulate matter has a velocity component in the direction of movement of the fibrous substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying particulate powder material to a moving fibrous substrate includes a volumetric dry material feeder for forming a continuous stream of particulate powder material. The continuous stream is then transmitted through a nozzle and exits at an outlet thereof. The nozzle is movable between a first and second position by a motion control. The motion control includes an adjustable differential gear box and an encoder for synchronizing the dispensing of powder at a predetermined location of the substrate. A flow separator is disposed beyond the outlet of the nozzle and intermediate of the first and second positions. In operation, the motion input drives the nozzle to oscillate between the first and second positions at a variable speed over each product cycle. As the nozzle crosses a plane of the flow separator, the continuous stream of particulate powder material exiting the nozzle is split into two intermittent streams of particulate powder material.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying particulate powder material to a moving fibrous substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a volumetric dry material feeder for forming a continuous stream of particulate powder material. The continuous stream is then transmitted through a nozzle and exits at an outlet thereof. The nozzle is movable between a first and second position by a motion control. The motion control includes an adjustable differential gear box and an encoder for synchronizing the dispensing of powder at a predetermined location of the substrate. A flow separator is disposed beyond the outlet of the nozzle and intermediate of the first and second positions. In operation, the motion input drives the nozzle to oscillate between the first and second positions at a variable speed over each product cycle. As the nozzle crosses a plane of the flow separator, the continuous stream of particulate powder material exiting the nozzle is split into two intermittent streams of particulate powder material.