Abstract: Fibers are hydroentangled at temperatures near or above their glass transition temperature, the resultant fabrics are then rapidly cooled. A process of preparing a nonwoven fabric that includes depositing fibers on a foraminous support; impinging hot or warm water upon the fibers to hydroentangle them; and then rapidly cooling the resultant fabric is disclosed. The hydroentangled fabric resulting from this process, products made from the hydroentangle fabric, and the equipment used to prepare the fabrics are described.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a laminated outer cover is disclosed. The laminated outer cover comprises an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester film including a filler material. The aliphatic-aromatic copolyester films have suitable breathability, vapor transfer and tensile strength properties while being substantially biodegradable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wet wipe product. The wet wipe product comprises a fibrous substrate and a triggerable binder formulation. The triggerable binder formulation is capable of binding the fibers in the fibrous substrate. The triggerable binder formulation may include acrylamide polymers, vinylamide/amine polymers, and mixtures. The triggerable binder formulation is insoluble in a wetting composition comprising an insolubilizing agent but is dispersible in disposal water.

Abstract: Fibers are hydroentangled at temperatures near or above their glass transition temperature, the resultant fabrics are then rapidly cooled. A process of preparing a nonwoven fabric that includes depositing fibers on a foraminous support; impinging hot or warm water upon the fibers to hydroentangle them; and then rapidly cooling the resultant fabric is disclosed. The hydroentangled fabric resulting from this process, products made from the hydroentangle fabric, and the equipment used to prepare the fabrics are described.

Abstract: Biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic films are disclosed. The films comprise filler particles and a copolyester. The films have high vapor permeability and tensile strength and are suitable for use in absorbent and non-absorbent products.

Abstract: An primary liquid retention layer suitable for use in an incontinence garment includes a plurality of pleats defined by fold lines in at least one region of the composite. The fold lines are oriented in a first direction. The primary liquid retention layer is stretchable in a second direction perpendicular to the fold lines, between a first position where the pleats are substantially folded and a second position where the pleats are substantially unfolded or extended due to liquid loading, while the primary liquid retention layer remains substantially in the plane of the garment so as to not distort the wetted appearance of the garment.

Abstract: A biaxial stretch, form-fitting, pant-like, absorbent garment has a stretchable outer cover, a stretchable body side liner, and a stretchable absorbent assembly. The outer cover and the body side liner are desirably biaxially stretchable. The absorbent assembly can either be biaxially stretchable or segmented with longitudinal stretch. The absorbent garment is easy to apply, has a self-adjusting feature, and delivers enhanced fit and comfort during use without restricting a wearer's movement.

Abstract: A cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener including a flexible layer and at least one fastener island, and methods of making the same. The fastener island has a planar perimeter edge, a mechanical fastening material, and a backing material attached to the mechanical fastening material. The backing material is embedded within the flexible layer and the planar perimeter edge is surrounded by the flexible layer. Accordingly, the mechanical fastener offers an improved flexibility and a cloth-like presentation. The improved flexibility and cloth-like presentation reduce the potential for the wearer to be exposed to coarse edges or creases, thereby lowering the possibility of red-marking or irritation of the skin. Moreover, the flexibility of the fastener allows the fastener to better accommodate the movement of the wearer, providing more reliable securement. The cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener may be of particular use in combination with disposable absorbent articles to secure the article about a wearer.

Abstract: A form-fitting, pant-like, absorbent garment that delivers an optimal amount and direction of stretch to provide optimal fit and comfort. The absorbent garment has an outer cover with a back panel, a crotch panel and a front panel. The back panel and the front panel can each stretch in a transverse direction, and the crotch panel can stretch in a longitudinal direction. Seams joining the front and back panels to the crotch panel provide non-stretch zones that may be positioned to control fit forces. The garment provides enhanced fit and comfort during use, and ease of application with a self-adjusting feature.

Abstract: An absorbent elastic nonwoven composite material having stretch properties in a machine direction includes an elastic filament matrix and, contained with the matrix, absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent material. A plurality of bond lines oriented in a direction transverse to the machine direction provides reinforcement of the elastic filament matrix so that, when the composite material is stretched, there is less tearing and separation of the elastic filaments. The reinforcement by the bonding lines reduces the separation and shake-out of the absorbent and superabsorbent materials from the matrix during stretching and recovery of the composite material, and improves the recovery. The absorbent elastic nonwoven composite material is useful in a wide variety of personal care absorbent articles and medical absorbent articles.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a liquid permeable top sheet, a substantially liquid impermeable, preferably water vapor permeable back sheet, and a selectively stretchable absorbent composite between the top sheet and the back sheet. The selectively stretchable absorbent composite is more stretchable in a first direction than in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and can be stretched to at least 150% of an initial length in the first direction. The absorbent composite has a selectively stretchable substrate layer and a plurality of pockets in or on the substrate layer. The pockets each contain a quantity of superabsorbent material, which can swell when exposed to a liquid insult. When the substrate is stretched, the pockets become spaced further apart, thereby promoting comfort and alleviating gel blocking caused by adjacent pockets swelling toward each other.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a central region which is selectively stretchable in the longitudinal direction, and two end regions adjacent to the central region which are selectively stretchable in the lateral direction. When employed as a garment, such as a disposable diaper or pant-like absorbent garment, the central region provides selective longitudinal (front-to-back) stretching in the crotch area of the wearer, and the two end regions provide selective lateral (side-to-side) stretching in the front and back waist areas of the wearer.

Abstract: A composite absorbent structure and method are disclosed including providing a first wicking layer having preferred liquid transport properties in a preferred contact with a second absorbent retention layer. The composite absorbent structure of the present invention provides preferred liquid transport and liquid retention properties. The composite absorbent structure has a first wicking layer in a preferred contact with the second retention layer by a novel intimate contact means effective to achieve a Contact Intimacy Ratio providing the preferred liquid transport and liquid retention functions when the first wicking layer and the second absorbent retention layer are combined together in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: An primary liquid retention layer material suitable for use in an incontinence garment includes a plurality of pleats defined by fold lines in at least one region of the composite. The fold lines are oriented in a first direction. The primary liquid retention layer is stretchable in a second direction perpendicular to the fold lines, between a first position where the pleats are substantially folded and a second position where the pleats are substantially unfolded or extended due to liquid loading, while the primary liquid retention layer remains substantially in the plane of the garment so as to not distort the wetted appearance of the garment. The primary liquid retention layer material is useful in incontinence garments where controlled regional stretching in a selected direction is desired.

Abstract: A cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener including a flexible layer and at least one fastener island, and methods of making the same. The fastener island has a planar perimeter edge, a mechanical fastening material, and a backing material attached to the mechanical fastening material. The backing material is embedded within the flexible layer and the planar perimeter edge is surrounded by the flexible layer. Accordingly, the mechanical fastener offers an improved flexibility and a cloth-like presentation. The improved flexibility and cloth-like presentation reduce the potential for the wearer to be exposed to coarse edges or creases, thereby lowering the possibility of red-marking or irritation of the skin. Moreover, the flexibility of the fastener allows the fastener to better accommodate the movement of the wearer, providing more reliable securement. The cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener may be of particular use in combination with disposable absorbent articles to secure the article about a wearer.

Abstract: An absorbent article having relatively light weight and less bulk includes a liquid permeable top layer, an inner surge layer, and a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover. A plurality of pockets are formed in at least one of the surge layer and the outer cover material. The pockets contain a superabsorbent material. The surge layer or outer cover material containing the pockets functions as an absorbent layer, thereby eliminating the need for a separate (often bulky) absorbent layer between the surge layer and the outer cover.

Abstract: A composite absorbent structure and method are disclosed including providing a first wicking layer having preferred liquid transport properties in a preferred contact with a second absorbent retention layer. The composite absorbent structure of the present invention provides preferred liquid transport and liquid retention properties. The composite absorbent structure has a first wicking layer in a preferred contact with the second retention layer by a novel intimate contact means effective to achieve a Contact Intimacy Ratio providing the preferred liquid transport and liquid retention functions when the first wicking layer and the second absorbent retention layer are combined together in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with an absorbent composite including a plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities arranged on a substrate. The superabsorbent-containing entities are imbricated, meaning that the leading edge of each entity overlaps the trailing edge of each successive entity. When the absorbent article becomes wet and the superabsorbent expands, the adjacent entities slide over each other and the degree of overlap is increased. Accordingly, the expansion of the superabsorbent article causes the “Z” directional thickness of the absorbent composite to increase, and the effect of the expansion on the longitudinal and lateral (“X” and “Y”) dimensions is minimized.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. An extensible layer replaces at least one of the tissue layers of the absorbent pad. The extensible layer can be secured to an extensible bodyside liner or an extensible outer cover. The extensible layer is adhesively secured to the inner surface of the outer cover or the bodyside liner. In embodiments where the outer cover is extensible in a cross-direction and/or a longitudinal direction, the extensible layer is extensible in the same directions and moves with the outer cover. Absorbent core is not physically secured to the extensible layer. Thus the extensible layer has free mobility with respect to the absorbent core when the outer cover is extended, without deleterious effect on the absorbent core, or the absorbent pad as a whole. Therefore, tearing of the absorbent pad and damage to, or release, of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad is prevented.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, includes a liquid control member formed of a liquid permeable material adapted to remain in contact with the urethral region of the wearer regardless of the position of movements of the wearer.