Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads. In use, the absorbent articles preferably maintain contact with and cover at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia, the exterior surfaces of the wearer's labia, and the supporting garment. The absorbent articles are highly flexible, having flexure resistance of less than or equal to about 100 grams. The absorbent may be flat or cup-shaped.

Abstract: An absorbent article insertable into the interlabial space of a female wearer comprising an absorbent storage core and a body-contacting vaginal discharge receiving layer overlaying the storage core. The body-contacting vaginal discharge receiving layer is compressible and is adjustable to conform to the inner labial surface texture to fill in channels within the inner labia which transport and collect bodily discharges. The absorbent storage core and the body-contacting vaginal discharge layer are placed into communication by needle punching.

Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads (“absorbent pads”) for use with a specially designed supporting garment, such as a menstrual pant (or panty) are disclosed. The supporting garment preferably fits so closely it resembles a comfortable “second skin”. In use, the absorbent articles preferably maintain contact with and cover at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia, the exterior surfaces of the wearer's labia, and the supporting garment. The absorbent articles are highly flexible, having flexure resistance of less than or equal to about 100 grams so that they do not interfere with the “second skin fit” of the supporting garment. The absorbent articles may be flat or cup-shaped. In one embodiment, the absorbent article has a surface area measured in a flat condition of less than or equal to about 12.

Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads. In use, the absorbent articles preferably maintain contact with and cover at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia, the exterior surfaces of the wearer's labia, and the supporting garment. The absorbent articles are highly flexible, having flexure resistance of less than or equal to about 100 grams. The absorbent articles may be flat or cup-shaped.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a support member comprising a top sheet, a backsheet, or an absorbent core, and a translational operative member for enhancing the capacity for containing bodily waste. The translational operative member is capable of being moved from one region of the article to another or within a region via a translating device. The translating device comprises a moisture sensitive element capable of expanding or contracting when wetted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to undergarments that have close body fit. The undergarment of the present invention includes an elasticized waistband, a front region, a rear region, a crotch region and a pair of elasticized leg openings. The front and rear regions are preferably elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The crotch region is disposed between the front and rear regions and has greater resistance to stretching in the longitudinal direction than the front and rear regions. The crotch region is further provided with a longitudinal stretch control member that is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the undergarment and a plurality of angled stretch control members that extend from the longitudinal stretch control member to the leg elastics at an acute angle to the longitudinal stretch control member.

Abstract: A bib having one or more portions which are permanently elongated. The bib can include a strainable network. The network can be formed in a laminate of a paper layer and a plastic film layer. The strainable network can have at least two visually distinct regions. The strainable network can provide improved flexibility and fit of the bib against the wearer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an expandable component is disclosed. The expandable component can be inflatable, and includes a gas evolving material and an activating material separated from the gas evolving material by a breakable barrier. The barrier is broken to combine the materials and inflate the component at the point of use of the disposable absorbent article. The inflatable component can include a spacer for maintaining a fecal void space in a disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable, disposable article for repelling insects. The article includes a fibrous substrate which can be impregnated with the insect repellent. In one embodiment, the fibrous substrate is disposed intermediate a porous cover and a barrier layer, and comprises fibers having external capillary channels. The porous cover can comprise an apertured plastic film having tapered apertures. The insect repellent can be contained in a breakable packet, such that when the breakable packet is broken, the insect repellent is directed through the fibrous substrate for release through the apertured film.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads that are provided with mechanical fasteners are disclosed. Preferred embodiments have undergarment covering components (or "side wrapping elements") that automatically fold along the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side wrapping elements of such embodiments have at least one zone of extensibility and at a region therein that is stiffer than the zone of extensibility. The side wrapping elements are provided with mechanical fasteners in the form of hair-like projections that have improved tactile properties.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an expandable component is disclosed. The expandable component can be inflatable, and comprises a gas evolving material and an activating material separated from the gas evolving material by a breakable barrier. The barrier is broken to combine the materials and inflate the component at the point of use of the disposable absorbent article. The inflatable component can comprise a spacer for maintaining a fecal void space in a disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A flushable and dispersible interlabial absorbent structure having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core is described. The topsheet is preferably a wet laid, apertured fibrous web having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The body surface of the topsheet also has a plurality of fibrils, the fibrils are made of a water resistant resinous material. The backsheet is preferably a wet laid fibrous assembly having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The body surface of the backsheet is also preferably coated with a water resistant resinous material. The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet and the backsheet are joined, at least about their periphery, using a water soluble adhesive. The interlabial absorbent structure also may have means for removably attaching the interlabial absorbent structure to the interior surfaces of a wearer's labia.

Abstract: Absorbent structures comprising a topsheet, a backsheet with an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet are described. The absorbent structures further comprise a support strip that provides a contractive force that causes at least a portion of the support strip and at least a portion of the topsheet to become decoupled from the absorbent core. Alternative embodiments of the absorbent structure include laterally extending flaps and an abbreviated undergarment.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an expandable component is disclosed. The expandable component can be inflatable, and includes a gas evolving material and an activating material separated from the gas evolving material by a breakable barrier. The barrier is broken to combine the materials and inflate the component at the point of use of the disposable absorbent article. The inflatable component can include a spacer for maintaining a fecal void space in a disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for assembling a first member and a second member is provided. The first member comprises a fluid distribution part and the second member comprises an absorbent core member having a window portion therein. The assembling apparatus comprises a conveyer mechanism for forming a transport path, a first deposition mechanism for placing a series of one of the first and second members in spaced apart relation on the conveyer mechanism, and a drum mechanism rotatably mounted adjacent the conveyer mechanism for carrying the other of the first and second members and for depositing the same onto one of the first or second members already placed on the conveyer mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a compound sanitary napkin. The compound sanitary napkin comprises an acquisition/storage member including an absorbent element and an outer cover. The acquisition/storage member preferably has a base and an apex; the apex being vertically opposed to the base. The width of the base is greater than the width of the apex. The compound sanitary napkin further comprises an accumulation member that is connected to the acquisition/storage member juxtaposed the base. The accumulation member comprises a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent material joined thereto. Preferably, the accumulation member includes a backsheet, a topsheet joined to the backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluid pervious, dispersible, and flushable webs particularly suited for use in a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad, or the like. The present invention further relates to such webs which also include an improved, functional textured surface so as to be suitable for use as a topsheet on such a disposable absorbent article.The present invention provides a fluid pervious web which disperses into fragments which are readily flushable in a normal toilet. The web preferably comprises a wetlaid apertured tissue having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The web preferably further includes a plurality of individual fibrils on a body-facing surface thereof, so as to provide a clean and dry tactile impression in use. The fibrils serve to separate the wearer's skin from the underlying tissue substrate in use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article including a first backsheethaving an aperture therein and a second backsheet releasably attached to the first backsheet and completely covering the aperture in the first backsheet. The second backsheet can be detached from the first backsheet, thus revealing the aperture in the first backsheet. The absorbent article can then be combined with an additional absorbent article where fluid acquired in the absorbent article can be transported to the underlying absorbent article to provide additional storage capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable, disposable article for repelling insects. The article includes a fibrous substrate which can be impregnated with the insect repellent. In one embodiment, the fibrous substrate is disposed intermediate a porous cover and a barrier layer, and comprises fibers having external capillary channels. The porous cover can comprise an apertured plastic film having tapered apertures. The insect repellent can be contained in a breakable packet, such that when the breakable packet is broken, the insect repellent is directed through the fibrous substrate for release through the apertured film.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article which includes a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article releasably secured to one another. The first absorbent article includes a grasping member having a portion that extends outwardly from the periphery of the first absorbent article. The grasping member is used to separate the first absorbent article from the second absorbent article after the first absorbent article has become soiled.