Abstract: An absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure includes a first fibrous layer having a first surface and a second surface and a second layer having a first surface and second surface. The first fibrous layer is substantially planar and the second absorbent layer includes voids within the layer. The absorbent structure first fibrous layer and the second layer exhibit a structural integrity substantially equal to an absorbent structure without voids.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a nonwoven topsheet. The nonwoven topsheet comprises a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on a surface of the topsheet. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions have a first value of an average intensive property. The plurality of second regions have a second value of the average intensive property. The first value is greater than the second value and both values are greater than zero. The first regions are continuous and the second regions are discrete. A patterned surfactant is positioned on a garment-facing surface of the nonwoven topsheet. The patterned surfactant comprises a plurality of discrete, spaced apart elements. The discrete elements have an area between about 0.75 mm2 and 30 mm2.

Abstract: A hydroentangled patterned apertured web comprises a plurality of land areas in the patterned apertured web, and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured web. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures comprises a first set of apertures defining a heart shape and a second set of apertures defining a diamond shape. The heart shape is positioned within the diamond shape. The diamond shape encloses the heart shape. At least one land area of the plurality of land areas separates the heart shape from the diamond shape. The patterned apertured web comprises spunbond fibers.

Abstract: An article includes a chassis having a topsheet, backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a ring-rolled laminate having a first nonwoven web and an elastomeric film; wherein the first nonwoven web has a crimped spunbond fiber nonwoven web.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property. The nonwoven further has a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a portion of the aperture abuts at least one of the first region and the second region of the microzone.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property. The nonwoven further has a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a portion of the aperture abuts at least one of the first region and the second region of the microzone.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates for use in absorbent articles are disclosed. The nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates are useful in leg cuffs of absorbent articles.

Abstract: Material webs suitable for use in conjunction with disposable absorbent articles are disclosed herein. The material webs comprise a melt additive that when subjected to thermal energy may be encouraged to bloom across the entirety of the web or in localized areas of the web where localized thermal energy is applied.

Abstract: A method for making nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include three-dimensional features that define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property. The nonwoven further has a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a portion of the aperture abuts at least one of the first region and the second region of the microzone.

Abstract: Cell deposition and staining apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein. In particular, the deposition and staining apparatuses disclosed herein provide low-volume, automated bench top systems for depositing and staining cellular samples on a cytological slide. An example deposition and staining apparatus includes a housing having an access door; a substrate processing holder located within the housing configured to hold one or more substrates and/or one or more substrate cartridges, wherein the substrate processing holder is accessible when the access door is in an open configuration; at least one opening located at least partially above at least a portion of the substrate processing holder; a spray nozzle configured to dispense a gaseous substance into the substrate processing area; a user interface configured receive an input from a user, and in response to receiving the input, cause execution of a pre-programmed protocol; and a waste and/or reagent holder element.

Abstract: A method for making nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include three-dimensional features that define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property. The nonwoven further has a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a portion of the aperture abuts at least one of the first region and the second region of the microzone.

Abstract: Material webs suitable for use in conjunction with disposable absorbent articles are disclosed herein. The material webs comprise a melt additive that when subjected to thermal energy may be encouraged to bloom across the entirety of the web or in localized areas of the web where localized thermal energy is applied.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core disposed between a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, and an elastomeric laminate. The elastomeric laminate includes a first nonwoven, a second nonwoven, and a preactivated film positioned between the first and second nonwoven; and a plurality of ultrasonic bonds. The absorbent core comprises absorbent material and at least one channel, wherein the at least one channel is substantially free of absorbent material.

Abstract: A rotary table (10a) for a milling machine, comprising sensing means (30,32) configured to measure and/or calculate a clearance between two mating components of said rotary table (10a), and transmission means configured to transmit said measured/calculated clearance to a central processing unit. The mating components of the rotary table being a worm screw and a worm wheel.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for monitoring the health of a fuel oxygen conversion unit for a vehicle or a vehicle engine are provided. For example, a method comprises providing a distribution of sensed values obtained from a plurality of sensors distributed along an axial length of a gas oxygen reduction unit of the fuel oxygen conversion unit and determining the health of the fuel oxygen conversion unit from the distribution. As another example, a fuel oxygen conversion unit defines a circulation gas flowpath from a fuel gas separator to a contactor and comprises a gas oxygen reduction unit positioned in the circulation gas flowpath for reducing an oxygen content of a flow of stripping gas through the circulation gas flowpath. A plurality of sensors are distributed along an axial length of the gas oxygen reduction unit.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed. The article includes a topsheet formed of a section of formed nonwoven web material having an ordered arrangement of zones, each zone comprising one or more attenuated regions adjacent to one or more built-up regions, wherein the attenuated regions have a first average basis weight and the built-up regions have a second average basis weight, wherein the first average basis weight is less than the second average basis weight, the difference in basis weights corresponding to disposition of the filaments according to the ordered arrangement. The attenuated region(s) may include a plurality of discrete low bulk portions arranged in a pattern disposed along a longitudinal axis of the article, which facilitate z-direction movement of fluid through the topsheet and inhibit spreading of a fluid stain along the topsheet in the x and y directions.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates for use in absorbent articles are disclosed. The nonwoven laminate includes a first nonwoven web with continuous spunbond crimped fibers and a second web joined to the first nonwoven web. A plurality of apertures extend through at least one of the first nonwoven web or the second web. The nonwoven web includes a plurality of continuous spunbond crimped fibers wherein a plurality of apertures extend through the nonwoven web.

Abstract: A method for making nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include three-dimensional features that define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property. The nonwoven further has a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a portion of the aperture abuts at least one of the first region and the second region of the microzone.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates for use in absorbent articles are disclosed. The nonwoven laminate includes a first nonwoven web with continuous spunbond crimped fibers and a second web joined to the first nonwoven web. A plurality of apertures extend through at least one of the first nonwoven web or the second web. The nonwoven web includes a plurality of continuous spunbond crimped fibers wherein a plurality of apertures extend through the nonwoven web.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a crimped fiber spunbond nonwoven web is described herein. The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet, a backsheet attached to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The crimped fiber spunbond nonwoven web is either at least a portion of the topsheet or the backsheet or at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet. The crimped fiber spunbond nonwoven web includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough.