Abstract: Activated carbon particles or fabrics are coated with a deformable or water-insoluble coating material comprising a binding agent and a masking agent that can be colored. The coating material can provide sufficient diffusivity to permit excellent efficiency in adsorption of materials in spite of the presence of a coating layer on the activated carbon. The use of a deformable binding agent yields coated particles that make relatively noise when the particles flow or are moved in use, and that have improved tactile properties in use. High performance colored activated carbon materials can be produced and placed in absorbent articles, overcoming common objections about the black color of activated carbon.

Abstract: An absorbent article that contains a substrate applied with an activated carbon coating is provided. The activated carbon coating is formed from a mixture of a polymeric material and an activation agent. The mixture is activated by heating to a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. As a result of the present invention, it has been discovered that a substrate can be formed that is absorbent and also capable of performing other functions, such as serving as an odor control agent.

Abstract: A flexible substrate applied with an activated carbon coating is provided. The activated carbon coating is formed from a mixture of a polymeric material and an activation agent. The mixture is activated by heating to a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. As a result of the present invention, it has been discovered that a substrate can be formed that is flexible and also capable of performing other functions, such as serving as an odor control agent.

Abstract: An absorbent article that contains a substrate that is, upon application of a force, stretchable to a stretched, biased length that is at least about 150% of its unstretched length, is provided. The stretchable substrate is applied with an odor control material that is increasingly exposable to malodors when the substrate is stretched.

Abstract: Activated carbon particles or fabrics are coated with a deformable or water-insoluble coating material including a binding agent and a masking agent that can be colored. The coating material can provide sufficient diffusivity to permit excellent efficiency in adsorption of materials in spite of the presence of a coating layer on the activated carbon. The use of a deformable binding agent yields coated particles that make relatively less noise when the particles flow or are moved in use, and that have improved tactile properties in use. High performance colored activated carbon materials can be produced and placed in absorbent articles, overcoming common objections about the black color of activated carbon.

Abstract: A wet-formed composite defining latent voids and macro-cavities, the wet-formed composite having a basis weight greater than about 100 grams per square meter and a density of about 0.06 grams per cubic centimeter or more. The wet-formed composite comprises fibers and superabsorbent material, with the superabsorbent material present in an amount of about 10 dry weight percent or less, specifically about 5 dry weight percent or less, and particularly about 2 dry weight percent or less, but more than 0, based on the total dry weight of fibers and superabsorbent material present in the wet-formed composite. By virtue of the superabsorbent material having been allowed to swell and then shrink during the making of the wet-formed composite, macro-cavities are created. Densification compresses the macro-cavities. The resulting composite expands upon wetting and exhibits good absorbency properties.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability or may include materials which provide improved air exchange after being wetted. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms.

Abstract: A wet-formed composite defining latent voids and macro-cavities, the wet-formed composite having a basis weight greater than about 100 grams per square meter and a density of about 0.06 grams per cubic centimeter or more. The wet-formed composite comprises fibers and superabsorbent material, with the superabsorbent material present in an amount of about 10 dry weight percent or less, specifically about 5 dry weight percent or less, and particularly about 2 dry weight percent or less, but more than 0, based on the total dry weight of fibers and superabsorbent material present in the wet-formed composite. By virtue of the superabsorbent material having been allowed to swell and then shrink during the making of the wet-formed composite, macro-cavities are created. Densification compresses the macro-cavities. The resulting composite expands upon wetting and exhibits good absorbency properties.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability or may include materials which provide improved air exchange after being wetted. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms.

Abstract: Activated carbon particles or fabrics are coated with a deformable or water-insoluble coating material comprising a binding agent and a masking agent that can be colored. The coating material can provide sufficient diffusivity to permit excellent efficiency in adsorption of materials in spite of the presence of a coating layer on the activated carbon. The use of a deformable binding agent yields coated particles that make relatively noise when the particles flow or are moved in use, and that have improved tactile properties in use. High performance colored activated carbon materials can be produced and placed in absorbent articles, overcoming common objections about the black color of activated carbon.

Abstract: There is provided a feminine hygiene pad comprising a cover adjacent a capillarity fabric having regions of high and low capillarity, which is adjacent a retention layer. In a preferred embodiment, a creped spunbond layer is used as the cover material and a co-apertured intake/distribution layer and transfer delay layer are the capillarity fabric. Combining these improvements into an integrated absorbent system allows the successful achievement of variable flow management and a successful balance between intake and cover desorption properties. The result is improved multiple intake performance and a clean and dry cover surface during use.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability or may include materials which provide improved air exchange after being wetted. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability or may include materials which provide improved air exchange after being wetted. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms.