Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent web includes moving a foraminous member in a machine direction. The foraminous member has at least one masking plate with a partitioned area including at least one partition defining a plurality of segments. The method further includes drawing air through the foraminous member and depositing fibrous material onto the foraminous member to form an absorbent web. The absorbent web has a bridged area with a reduced basis weight corresponding to the partitioned area of the masking plate. The bridged area has vertical interfaces separating web segments and fibrous material at least partly bridging the vertical interfaces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent web includes moving a foraminous member in a machine direction. The foraminous member has at least one masking plate with a partitioned area including at least one partition defining a plurality of segments. The method further includes drawing air through the foraminous member and depositing fibrous material onto the foraminous member to form an absorbent web. The absorbent web has a bridged area with a reduced basis weight corresponding to the partitioned area of the masking plate. The bridged area has vertical interfaces separating web segments and fibrous material at least partly bridging the vertical interfaces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent web includes moving a foraminous member in a machine direction. The foraminous member has at least one masking plate with a partitioned area including at least one partition defining a plurality of segments. The method further includes drawing air through the foraminous member and depositing fibrous material onto the foraminous member to form an absorbent web. The absorbent web has a bridged area with a reduced basis weight corresponding to the partitioned area of the masking plate. The bridged area has vertical interfaces separating web segments and fibrous material at least partly bridging the vertical interfaces.

Abstract: An absorbent structure includes a first area of fibrous absorbent material and a second area of fibrous absorbent material. The first area has a greater basis weight than the second area. The second area includes a plurality of segments separated by vertical interfaces. Each of the vertical interfaces has a width less than 1 cm. Bridging of fibrous absorbent material extends across the vertical interfaces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent web includes moving a foraminous member in a machine direction. The foraminous member has at least one masking plate with a partitioned area including at least one partition defining a plurality of segments. The method further includes drawing air through the foraminous member and depositing fibrous material onto the foraminous member to form an absorbent web. The absorbent web has a bridged area with a reduced basis weight corresponding to the partitioned area of the masking plate. The bridged area has vertical interfaces separating web segments and fibrous material at least partly bridging the vertical interfaces.

Abstract: An absorbent structure includes a first area of fibrous absorbent material and a second area of fibrous absorbent material. The first area has a greater basis weight than the second area. The second area includes a plurality of segments separated by vertical interfaces. Each of the vertical interfaces has a width less than 1 cm. Bridging of fibrous absorbent material extends across the vertical interfaces.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include an absorbent assembly (43) including a bodyside liner (28), an outer cover (26, 126, 226), and an absorbent body (35) disposed between the bodyside liner (28) and the outer cover (26, 126, 226). The outer cover (26, 126, 226) can include at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264) and a first indicator region (66, 166, 266). The first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can have a light transmittance that is greater than a light transmittance of the at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264). At least a portion of the first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can be located between the first longitudinal edge (36) of the absorbent body (35) and the first coupling length (45) of the first containment flap (44) in at least the crotch region (16) of the absorbent article (10, 110, 210).

Abstract: An absorbent structure made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least 575×10?9 cm2. In another embodiment, the absorbent structure is made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g, an absorbency under load (AUL) at 0.9 psi as determined by an Absorbency Under Load Test of at least 18 and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least about 350×10?9 cm2.

Abstract: A method of making absorbent pads is disclosed. The method includes homogeneously mixing superabsorbent material and fluff in a forming chamber of an online drum former and wrapping a porous fabric over a forming screen on a forming drum of the drum former. The method further includes forming an absorbent pad from the homogeneously mixed superabsorbent material and fluff pulp as the homogeneously mixed superabsorbent material and fluff pulp exits the forming chamber onto the forming screen and compacting the absorbent pad to a density of at least 0.28 grams per cubic centimeter after the absorbent pad leaves the forming screen.

Abstract: An absorbent structure made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least 575×10?9 cm2. In another embodiment, the absorbent structure is made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g, an absorbency under load (AUL) at 0.9 psi as determined by an Absorbency Under Load Test of at least 18 and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least about 350×10?9 cm2.

Abstract: A method of making absorbent pads is disclosed. The method includes homogeneously mixing superabsorbent material and fluff in a forming chamber of an online drum former and wrapping a porous fabric over a forming screen on a forming drum of the drum former. The method further includes forming an absorbent pad from the homogeneously mixed superabsorbent material and fluff pulp as the homogeneously mixed superabsorbent material and fluff pulp exits the forming chamber onto the forming screen and compacting the absorbent pad to a density of at least 0.28 grams per cubic centimeter after the absorbent pad leaves the forming screen.

Abstract: A thin, flexible, high capacity absorbent pad and a method of making such absorbent pads. The absorbent pad contains high levels of superabsorbent material homogeneously mixed with cellulose pulp fluff. The absorbent pad is subjected to high density compaction to achieve the thinness and high absorbent capacity of the invention. The absorbent pad can be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products, and swim wear.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent composite containing superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent particles having a bimodal particle size distribution. Use of superabsorbent material having a bimodal particle size distribution in the absorbent structure results in enhanced fluid distribution and fluid intake of the absorbent composite. The absorbent composite of the present invention is useful in disposable personal care products.

Abstract: An absorbent swimwear garment having a built-in draining mechanism for releasing excess swim water. The draining mechanism can include a liquid-permeable outer cover in a crotch area of the garment and/or liquid-permeable containment flaps. In addition, an absorbent assembly can be configured to direct incoming fluid away from the most liquid-permeable areas of the outer cover and containment flaps. During initial product use, the absorbent swimwear garment is able to contain urine and bowel movements, similar to ordinary diapers and training pants. When the swimwear garment is submersed in swim water, such as pool or lake water, the hydrostatic head of any excess water in the garment is sufficient to drain through the liquid-permeable outer cover and/or containment flaps, thereby allowing swim water, but not bowel movements, to drain out the bottom of the garment.

Abstract: An absorbent structure made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least 575×10−9 cm2. In another embodiment, the absorbent structure is made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g, an absorbency under load (AUL) at 0.9 psi as determined by an Absorbency Under Load Test of at least 18 and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least about 350×10−9 cm2.

Abstract: An absorbent swimwear garment having a biocidal agent and/or a filtration agent attached to the garment for the purpose of killing or immobilizing microorganisms. During initial product use, the absorbent swim-wear garment is able to contain urine and bowel movements, just like ordinary diapers and training pants. When the swimwear garment is submersed in swim water, such as pool or lake water, the biocidal agent and/or filtration agent act to kill or immobilize any microorganisms deposited in the swim water from the urine and bowel movements contained in the garment. In one embodiment, a waist dam is formed in the garment around a wearer's waist, thereby providing a filtration barrier between the entrance and departure of swim water into and out of the garment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent product including an absorbent composite containing superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent particles having a bimodal particle size distribution. Use of superabsorbent material having a bimodal particle size distribution in the absorbent structure results in enhanced capillary driven fluid distribution and enhanced fluid intake of the absorbent composite. The absorbent product may be in the form of a disposable personal care product.