Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles that include absorbent systems. The absorbent system includes an absorbent pad formed of absorbent materials and having a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction. The absorbent pad has a narrow zone area of increased thickness of absorbent materials that has a length greater than or equal to 80% of the length of the absorbent pad. The narrow zone area has a width in the lateral direction of the absorbent pad that is less than or equal to 62% and greater than or equal to 20% of the width of a non-zone area.

Abstract: A programmable current source for a phase change memory allows a single current source to controllably provide the current for reading and writing both set and reset bits. In addition, the current source can vary the current based on the characteristics of a particular run of wafers. In one embodiment, a plurality of current generators may be selectively operated to generate the desired additive output current that is needed for a particular operation such as reading or writing set or reset bits.

Abstract: In a method of evaluating a product worn on a body, a computer based body sub-model of at least a portion of the body is created. A computer based product sub-model of the product is created, at least one parameter of which is variable as a function of fluid loading of the product. A computer based interaction model is also created to define instructions as to how the body sub-model and the product sub-model interact and to further define instructions corresponding to a fluid loading of the product. The body sub-model, the product sub-model and the interaction model are combined in a use model to simulate interaction between the body sub-model and the product sub-model in response to fluid loading of the product. The use model is evaluated to determine the performance of at least one product feature of the product in response to fluid loading of the product.

Abstract: An in-line formed web or other material (such as foams) having major surfaces in the X-Y plane and a depth in the Z direction is suitable for use as an integral fluid distribution and fluid retention material in a disposable absorbent article. The web or material contains multiple zones of material which may have both thermoplastic fibers/materials and absorbent material components. The multiple zones can have different compositions of thermoplastic fibers/materials and absorbent material as applied in-line by various arrangements of thermoplastic melt dies and absorbent fiber/material dispensers. By arranging at least two of the multiple zones in an opposing relation overlaid in the Z-axis direction of the web/material, a gradient can be formed in the Z-direction of the web/material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to absorbent composites comprising superabsorbent materials. The superabsorbent material has: an Absorption Time of about 5+10 a2 minutes or greater, where a is the mean particle size of the superabsorbent material in millimeters; a capacity of about 15 g/g or greater; a Drop Penetration Value of about 2 seconds or less; and, a ½ Float Saturation of 50% or less. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising superabsorbent materials and their applicability in disposable personal care products.