Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a laminate absorbent structure, and a resulting package containing a single continuous running web of the laminate material. Notably, formation of the material is effected by blending a curtain of adhesive fibers with a curtain of particulate material, and depositing the mixture on a moving substrate, preferably provided in the form of a tissue layer. A second substrate, also preferably comprising a tissue layer, is applied on top of the deposited mixture, and pressure applied to form the laminated structure. Notably, attendant to packaging of the laminated material, adjacent layers of the material tend to nest into one another, to form a sandwich in which the density of the material in the package is more than 1.5 times the density of the material after its removal from the package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layered absorbent structure in the form of a laminate including liquid storage layers comprising particulate superabsorbent material and adhesive fibers. Notably, the absorbent structure includes a wicking layer positioned between the liquid storage layers, with the wicking layer desirably acting to improve fluid spreading and rewet performance of the absorbent structure. The wicking layer preferably comprises airlaid cellulosic fibrous material such as wood pulp, and may optionally include superabsorbent polymer. A bonding pattern of the wicking layer is oriented to enhance wicking and rewet performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent laminate structure, and disposable absorbent article incorporating the structure, wherein first and second absorbent matrices comprising particulate superabsorbent polymeric material and filamentary adhesive are arranged between two outer substrate layers. The relatively porous, intermediate or central substrate layer, positioned between the absorbent matrices, promotes liquid transport within the laminate structure.

Abstract: Absorbent multi-layer laminates with SAP on both sides of a middle substrate that comprises wettable cellulosic fibers. Also absorbent cores including such absorbent laminates. Absorbent articles such as protective underwear, adult briefs, baby diapers and nursing pads including such absorbent cores, and patient-support pads such as underpads and sacral pads including such absorbent laminates and cores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent laminate structure, and disposable absorbent article incorporating the structure, wherein first and second absorbent matrices comprising particulate superabsorbent polymeric material and filamentary adhesive are arranged between two outer substrate layers. The relatively porous, intermediate or central substrate layer, positioned between the absorbent matrices, promotes liquid transport within the laminate structure.

Abstract: An absorbent structure including a composite absorbent laminate is disclosed, with the structure suitable for use in disposable absorbent products such as for infant or incontinence care. Notably the laminate comprises discrete acquisition cells each comprising particles of preferably cellulosic absorbent material. The absorbent structure further comprises particulate superabsorbent polymer which can either be blended with the particulate discrete acquisition cells in the absorbent laminate, or provided in a separate absorbent layer of the absorbent structure. The discrete acquisition cells desirably generate free volume for rapid capillary absorption in an ultra-thin absorbent structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layered absorbent structure in the form of a laminate including liquid storage layers comprising particulate superabsorbent material and adhesive fibers. Notably, the absorbent structure includes a wicking layer positioned between the liquid storage layers, with the wicking layer desirably acting to improve fluid spreading and rewet performance of the absorbent structure. The wicking layer preferably comprises airlaid cellulosic fibrous material such as wood pulp, and may optionally include superabsorbent polymer. A bonding pattern of the wicking layer is oriented to enhance wicking and rewet performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a laminate absorbent structure, and a resulting package containing a single continuous running web of the laminate material. Notably, formation of the material is effected by blending a curtain of adhesive fibers with a curtain of particulate material, and depositing the mixture on a moving substrate, preferably provided in the form of a tissue layer. A second substrate, also preferably comprising a tissue layer, is applied on top of the deposited mixture, and pressure applied to form the laminated structure. Notably, attendant to packaging of the laminated material, adjacent layers of the material tend to nest into one another, to form a sandwich in which the density of the material in the package is more than 1.5 times the density of the material after its removal from the package.

Abstract: An absorbent structure including a composite absorbent laminate is disclosed, with the structure suitable for use in disposable absorbent products such as for infant or incontinence care. Notably the laminate comprises discrete acquisition cells each comprising particles of preferably cellulosic absorbent material. The absorbent structure further comprises particulate superabsorbent polymer which can either be blended with the particulate discrete acquisition cells in the absorbent laminate, or provided in a separate absorbent layer of the absorbent structure. The discrete acquisition cells desirably generate free volume for rapid capillary absorption in an ultra-thin absorbent structure.

Abstract: The present material contains density gradients which direct fluid into the material and distribute it providing more effective fluid transport and efficient utilization of storage capacity. The material consists of two regions. In the first region, the material has a low-density stratum adjacent to one surface, overlaying at least one higher density stratum adjacent to the opposite surface of the sheet. These strata create a density gradient in the thickness direction (Z-direction) of the sheet. The second region consists of a fluid distribution structure that has a higher density than at least the lower density of the strata comprising the first region. The fluid distribution structure is in direct fluid communication with the adjacent strata in the first region, along their boundaries.

Abstract: An absorbent material for use in a disposable absorbent product exhibiting enhanced wet strength characteristics includes a blend of cellulosic fibrous material and superabsorbent polymeric material, with a wax applied to the blend in a preferably discontinuous or non-uniform distribution for enhancing wet strength characteristics of the material, without unacceptably diminishing its absorbency. Notably, the absorbent material includes regions of relatively high densification, which can exist about particles of superabsorbent material, with application of wax in a molten form resulting in the spontaneous flow and migration of the wax to the regions of higher densification. The material can be formed with a pattern of regions of relatively high and low densification, with the wax preferentially distributed in those regions of high densification.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a laminate absorbent structure, and a resulting package containing a single continuous running web of the laminate material. Notably, formation of the material is effected by blending a curtain of adhesive fibers with a curtain of particulate material, and depositing the mixture on a moving substrate, preferably provided in the form of a tissue layer. A second substrate, also preferably comprising a tissue layer, is applied on top of the deposited mixture, and pressure applied to form the laminated structure. Notably, attendant to packaging of the laminated material, adjacent layers of the material tend to nest into one another, to form a sandwich in which the density of the material in the package is more than 1.5 times the density of the material after its removal from the package.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a laminate absorbent structure, and a resulting package containing a single continuous running web of the laminate material. Notably, formation of the material is effected by blending a curtain of adhesive fibers with a curtain of particulate material, and depositing the mixture on a moving substrate, preferably provided in the form of a tissue layer. A second substrate, also preferably comprising a tissue layer, is applied on top of the deposited mixture, and pressure applied to form the laminated structure. Notably, attendant to packaging of the laminated material, adjacent layers of the material tend to nest into one another, to form a sandwich in which the density of the material in the package is more than 1.5 times the density of the material after its removal from the package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent material that can be used as an absorbent core in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, incontinence products, disposable diapers, etc. The material of the present invention is a nonwoven sheet, consisting of cellulosic fibers, optionally superabsorbent polymeric material, containing no binders, latexes, etc, relying on hydrogen bonding to produce the necessary structure. The material contains density gradients which direct fluid into the material and distribute it providing more effective fluid transport and efficient utilization of storage capacity. The material consists of two regions. In the first region, the material has a low-density stratum adjacent to one surface, overlaying at least one higher density stratum adjacent to the opposite surface of the sheet. These strata create a density gradient in the thickness direction (Z-direction) of the sheet.

Abstract: An absorbent material for use in a disposable absorbent product exhibiting enhanced wet strength characteristics includes a blend of cellulosic fibrous material and superabsorbent polymeric material, with a wax applied to the blend in a preferably discontinuous or non-uniform distribution for enhancing wet strength characteristics of the material, without unacceptably diminishing its absorbency. Notably, the absorbent material includes regions of relatively high densification, which can exist about particles of superabsorbent material, with application of wax in a molten form resulting in the spontaneous flow and migration of the wax to the regions of higher densification. The material can be formed with a pattern of regions of relatively high and low densification, with the wax preferentially distributed in those regions of high densification.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that is partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of end edges extending between the side edges, and includes a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable absorbent article also has a pair of side wall structures each having a pair of oppositely positioned end portions. A first side wall structure extends generally longitudinally between the core and one of the side edges and the other side wall structure extends generally longitudinal between the core and the other side edge. Further, an end strip constructed from an elastic material is positioned substantially adjacent each one of the end edges, and extends laterally between the side edges.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of end edges extending between the side edges, includes a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable absorbent article also has a pair of side wall structures each having a pair of oppositely positioned end portions. A first side wall structure extends generally longitudinally between the core and one of the side edges and the other side wall structure extends generally longitudinally between the core and the other side edge. Further, an end strip constructed from an elastic material is positioned substantially adjacent each one of the end edges, and extends laterally between the side edges.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. One or more of the backsheet, topsheet, and absorbent core is constructed of an absorbent composite that includes an absorbent layer of hydratable fine fibers in the form of microfibril obtained from cellulose or a derivative thereof and super absorbent polymer (SAP) particles bonded together by the hydratable fibers, and a nonwoven substrate supporting the absorbent layer such as SMS. The absorbent layer is coated over the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The core may include one uniform layer of the absorbent composite or a composite having one layer of the nonwoven substrate and a plurality of segmented absorbent layers applied thereon. In the latter design, the absorbent layers are spaced apart from one another to expose surface sections of the substrate. These non-coated surface sections provide wicking zones which allow room for the absorbent layers to expand and prevent gel blocking.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. One or more of the backsheet, topsheet, and absorbent core is constructed of an absorbent composite that includes an absorbent layer of hydratable fine fibers in the form of microfibril obtained from cellulose or a derivative thereof and super absorbent polymer (SAP) particles bonded together by the hydratable fibers, and a nonwoven substrate supporting the absorbent layer such as SMS. The absorbent layer is coated over the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The core may include one uniform layer of the absorbent composite or a composite having one layer of the nonwoven substrate and a plurality of segmented absorbent layers applied thereon. In the latter design, the absorbent layers are spaced apart from one another to expose surface sections of the substrate. These non-coated surface sections provide wicking zones which allow room for the absorbent layers to expand and prevent gel blocking.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article defined by a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of end edges extending between the side edges, has a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region located between the waist regions. The disposable absorbent article also includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet is provided with a plurality of openings which direct bodily exudates received into or by the crotch region to a storage space disposed below the topsheet. The topsheet is spaced generally upward from the core such that the storage space is disposed between the topsheet and the core. The disposable absorbent article further includes at least one or more elongated elastic strands which are attached to the topsheet so as to space or urge the topsheet generally upwardly from the core.