Abstract: Absorbent article including an absorbent core having multiple absorbent layers. The absorbent layers interact in a manner which desirably locates absorbed liquid in an appointed, high saturation wicking layer.

Abstract: Bonded fluff structures and a method for producing such bonded fluff structures in which a pulp sheet having a material suitable for producing fluff and a heat activatable fiber material is fiberized to produce a mixture of fluff and heat activatable fibers. The mixture is contacted with a hot air stream, heating the heat activatable fibers to an activation temperature. The resulting heated mixture is then deposited onto a forming structure, forming a bonded fluff/fiber composite matrix structure.

Abstract: There is provided an absorbent system for personal care products which may be transversely divided into about an equally sized center zone, two intermediate zones and two end zones where the ratio of the amount of liquid stored in the center zone to the amount of liquid stored in at least one of the end zones 30 minutes each of three insults of 80 ml according to a MIST Evaluation Test after less than 5:1. Such an absorbent system may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes an absorbent core having multiple absorbent layers, wherein the absorbent layers interact in such a manner which preferentially locates absorbed liquid in an appointed, high saturation wicking layer. The localization of the liquid within this wicking layer increases the potential of this layer to move liquid through capillary action due to the higher saturation level and increased amount of liquid available. The intake capability of the absorbent system is maintained or improved over current systems by keeping a second layer of the absorbent system at low saturation levels through as many insults of the product as possible, while providing optimum intake performance through appropriate control of the composite properties.

Abstract: Bonded fluff structures and a method for producing such bonded fluff structures in which a pulp sheet having a material suitable for producing fluff and a heat activatable fiber material is fiberized to produce a mixture of fluff and heat activatable fibers. The mixture is contacted with a hot air stream, heating the heat activatable fibers to an activation temperature. The resulting heated mixture is then deposited onto a forming structure, forming a bonded fluff/fiber composite matrix structure.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes an absorbent core having multiple absorbent layers, wherein the absorbent layers interact in such a manner which preferentially locates absorbed liquid in an appointed, high saturation wicking layer. The localization of the liquid within this wicking layer increases the potential of this layer to move liquid through capillary action due to the higher saturation level and increased amount of liquid available. The intake capability of the absorbent system is maintained or improved over current systems by keeping a second layer of the absorbent system at low saturation levels through as many insults of the product as possible, while providing optimum intake performance through appropriate control of the composite properties.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid absorbent material that is particularly useful as a liner material for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, bandages and the like. The material contains a plurality of peaks across its surface at spaced-apart intervals separated by channels. Disposed within the peaks is a liquid absorbing material capable of absorbing body exudates and liquids in general. Due to the materials and the nature of the construction of the present invention, when used as a liner material for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, it tends to reduce the total surface area in contact with the infant's skin and it also provides a plurality of air channels within the diaper from the front waistband to the back waistband of the diaper thereby providing a path for increased air circulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barrier laminate having a barrier layer and a lofty crimped-fiber nonwoven web layer, which laminate provides a foam-like resiliency, cloth-like texture and liquid barrier property. The barrier layer of the laminate is selected from films, microfiber nonwoven webs and laminates thereof, and the crimped-fiber web layer, which contains a structural fiber component and an heat-activatable adhesive component, has substantially uniformly distributed interfiber bonds. Additionally provided are thermoformed articles from the laminate and a thermoforming process for producing the articles.

Abstract: There is provided an absorbent system for personal care products which may be transversely divided into about an equally sized center zone, two intermediate zones and two end zones where the ratio of the amount of liquid stored in the center zone to the amount of liquid stored in at least one of the end zones 30 minutes after each of three insults of 80 ml according to a MIST Evaluation Test is less than 5:1. Such an absorbent system may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: There is provided a stretchable absorbent material for personal care products which has a liquid permeable top sheet, a bottom sheet, and beams of an absorbent composition between the top and bottom sheets whereby the beams are spaced apart by bond rows therebetween. The stretchable absorbent material provides a more conformable product and can aid in moving liquid away from the target zone, and in air circulation within the product.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a garment shell and at least one liquid containment beam formed of an absorbent material. The liquid containment beam has an attachment edge bonded to the garment shell so that the containment beam can lie against the garment shell and also pivot about an axis defined by the attachment edge. For comfort during use, the containment beam desirably has a width to thickness ratio of at least about 3:1. In particular embodiments, the absorbent article includes pairs of inner and outer containment beams, with the inner containment beams adapted to lie against the garment shell and the outer containment beams adapted to lie against the inner containment beams.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent article includes providing a liquid containment beam having longitudinal ends and attachment and free edges that extend between the longitudinal ends. The attachment edge is bonded to an interior surface of the absorbent article and a bottom surface of the containment beam is adapted to lie against but be unadhered to the interior surface. The resulting containment beam can pivot about an axis defined by the attachment edge in response to lateral compression of the article, extension or contraction of elastic members, absorption of liquids, or a combination of these factors.

Abstract: A 3-dimension thermoformed bicomponent fiber nonwoven material comprising a lofty bicomponent material layer forming a plurality of peaks separated from one another by channels and having a basis weight in the range of about 0.5 to 7.0 ounces per square yard. The bicomponent material layer comprises a structural component and a heat activatable adhesive component suitable for thermoforming. Also disclosed are various configurations of this material suitable for use in absorbent personal care articles such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, incontinent-care pads and the like.

Abstract: A multifunctional material is provided for use in personal care products. The multifunctional material has a permeability between 100 and 10000 Darcys and a capillary tension between about 2 and 15 cm. Structures containing this multifunctional material can have a runoff rate of less than 25 ml per 100 ml insult, over its life. The multifunctional material should have between about 30 and 75 weight percent of a slow rate superabsorbent, between 25 and 70 weight percent of pulp and from a positive amount up to about 10 percent of a binder component. The material preferably has a density between about 0.05 and 0.5 g/cc. The material has a liquid pass through function which desorbs a surge material across time frames consistent with user conditions and releases the liquid for distribution to remote storage locations. The material, when combined with the intake and distribution materials, defines a composite structure for use in personal care products.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes first and second liquid containment beams that are moveable relative to a moisture barrier. In particular embodiments, leakage barriers formed of a liquid impermeable material are bonded to the moveable containment beams to impede lateral movement of liquid. In other embodiments, the moisture barrier is formed of a breathable material and the leakage barriers are positioned between the containment beams and moisture barrier to minimize condensation on an exterior surface of the moisture barrier. Desiccant particles may also be included adjacent the moisture barrier to further minimize condensation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barrier laminate having a barrier layer and a lofty crimped-fiber nonwoven web layer, which laminate provides a foam-like resiliency, cloth-like texture and liquid barrier property. The barrier layer of the laminate is selected from films, microfiber nonwoven webs and laminates thereof, and the crimped-fiber web layer, which contains a structural fiber component and an heat-activatable adhesive component, has substantially uniformly distributed interfiber bonds. Additionally provided are thermoformed articles from the laminate and a thermoforming process for producing the articles.