Abstract: The present disclosure describes absorbent articles that include an absorbent core. The absorbent core extends longitudinally along a crotch portion of the absorbent article. The absorbent core includes a channel having one or more pathways extending longitudinally along the absorbent core. The channel is substantially free of absorbent material. In some implementations, the channel includes a single pathway. In other implementations, the channel includes multiple pathways.

Abstract: Absorbent laminates and multi-layer, folded absorbent cores comprising the absorbent laminates for use in absorbent articles are presented. Specifically, multi-layer, folded absorbent cores are presented that are formed from an absorbent laminate comprising an absorbent layer between two tissue layers, in which the absorbent core includes a central channel running longitudinally along the core and crenellations profiled along the thickness of the core and providing enhanced liquid distribution across the core surface area or profile and improved liquid absorption into the laminate.

Abstract: In a particular implementation, an absorbent article includes a chassis having opposing front and rear waist portions and a crotch portion extending longitudinally between the front and rear waist portions. The crotch portion is configured to conform about at least one of a wearer's groin area, perineum, and rear when the chassis is configured in a wearable configuration. The absorbent article also includes an absorbent core extending longitudinally along the crotch portion and including a laminate The laminate is longitudinally folded such that the absorbent core includes a lower layer spanning a portion of a lateral width of the absorbent core. The lower layer includes a first portion and a second portion. The absorbent core also includes a plurality of folded layers of the laminate disposed over the lower layer and configured to define one or more non-overlapping channels.

Abstract: Absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles are presented. The absorbent cores include a low-density zone that is surrounded by zones having a higher density than that of the low-density zone. The low-density zone aids in fluid absorption, distribution and storage.

Abstract: Absorbent laminates and multi-layer, folded absorbent cores comprising the absorbent laminates for use in absorbent articles are presented. Specifically, multi-layer, folded absorbent cores are presented that are formed from an absorbent laminate comprising an absorbent layer between two tissue layers, in which the absorbent core includes a central channel running longitudinally along the core and crenellations profiled along the thickness of the core and providing enhanced liquid distribution across the core surface area or profile and improved liquid absorption into the laminate.

Abstract: Absorbent laminates and multi-layer, folded absorbent cores comprising the absorbent laminates for use in absorbent articles are presented. Specifically, multi-layer, folded absorbent cores are presented that are formed from an absorbent laminate comprising an absorbent layer between two tissue layers, in which the absorbent core includes a central channel running longitudinally along the core and crenellations profiled along the thickness of the core and providing enhanced liquid distribution across the core surface area or profile and improved liquid absorption into the laminate.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles, and methods of making such articles that comprise one or more back ears or closure members that are configured to permit the article to be adjusted for a particular user.

Abstract: This disclosure includes embodiments of disposable absorbent articles and methods of making disposable absorbent articles that include closures with a web of material and hook fasteners that are unitary with the web. For example, some of the present disposable absorbent articles include diapers or briefs with closure members, such as back ears or front ears, defined at least in part by a nonwoven web with hook fasteners that are unitary with the nonwoven web. Use of such unitary hook fasteners allows simpler construction of such articles and/or softer closure members for improved fit and user comfort, and/or other benefits. Certain embodiments of the present methods can manufacture such absorbent articles with fewer manufacturing steps or processes and/or fewer raw materials, relative to those required to manufacture prior art absorbent articles with hook fastener patches that are added by application of a separate piece of material that includes the hook fasteners.

Abstract: Absorbent laminates and multi-layer, folded absorbent cores comprising the absorbent laminates for use in absorbent articles are presented. Specifically, multi-layer, folded absorbent cores are presented that are formed from an absorbent laminate comprising an absorbent layer between two tissue layers, in which the absorbent core includes a central channel running longitudinally along the core and crenellations profiled along the thickness of the core and providing enhanced liquid distribution across the core surface area or profile and improved liquid absorption into the laminate.

Abstract: Absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles are presented. The absorbent cores include a low-density zone that is surrounded by zones having a higher density than that of the low-density zone. The low-density zone aids in fluid absorption, distribution and storage.

Abstract: An absorbent material is disclosed, containing at least about 30 weight percent of a superabsorbent polymer, a thermoplastic polymer binder resin, and about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent water. The absorbent material absorbs deionized water to at least about 70 percent of maximum capacity within about 20 minutes after exposure to the deionized water. The method of making the absorbent material includes combining binder resin and absorbent polymer in a twin screw extrusion mechanism, compounding and driving the composition toward exit openings, extruding the composition through the exit openings, and preferably rapidly cooling the extrudate with non-liquid quenching means. The quenched or non-quenched extrudate may be made in the form of a pellet, film, or fibrous strand.

Abstract: A particulate material composition of superabsorbent polymer particles, wherein less than about 60% by weight of the superabsorbent polymer particles will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve. The composition has anti-caking properties and also reduced dusting. The composition can be produced by mixing the superabsorbent polymer particles with an inorganic powder, such as clay.

Abstract: A powder pumping apparatus including a pump body formed with a pumping chamber having a venturi passageway, a suction tube intersecting the pumping chamber and an air nozzle including a valve mechanism which discharges pressurized air directly into the venturi passageway of the pumping chamber to create a vacuum within the pumping chamber and suction tube to withdraw particulate powder material from a powder feed hopper. The air nozzle is carried within the interior of the pump body and has a discharge outlet located within the pumping chamber which discharges a substantially constant pressure pulse of air directly into the venturi passageway of the pumping chamber. In turn, a sharp, well-defined powder pulse is produced having a substantially homogeneous powder-to-air density throughout the duration of the pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a non-woven pad consisting of fibrous material in which highly moisture-absorbent particles are intermixed with the fibrous material throughout a predetermined portion of the thickness of the non-woven pad. The non-woven pad is formed atop a conveyor moving through a chamber which has a duct connected to a source of vacuum operable to draw fibrous material injected into the chamber onto the conveyor. A spray gun or an extension thereof is positioned within the chamber relative to the fibrous material atop the conveyor, and is operated to discharge moisture-absorbent material at a predetermined velocity, such that the moisture-absorbent material is intermixed with the fibrous material throughout preferably a center layer of the thickness of the non-woven pad while forming boundary layers on either side of the center layer which are substantially free of moisture-absorbent material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a non-woven pad consisting of fibrous material in which highly moisture-absorbent particles are intermixed with the fibrous material throughout a predetermined portion of the thickness of the non-woven pad. The non-woven pad is formed atop a conveyor moving through a chamber which has a duct connected to a source of vacuum operable to draw fibrous material injected into the chamber onto the conveyor. A spray gun or an extension thereof is positioned within the chamber relative to the fibrous material atop the conveyor, and is operated to discharge moisture-absorbent material at a predetermined velocity, such that the moisture-absorbent material is intermixed with the fibrous material throughout preferably a center layer of the thickness of the non-woven pad while forming boundary layers on either side of the center layer which are substantially free of moisture-absorbent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spraying particulate powder material into a continuous roving or tow formed of individual strands comprises a hollow spraying chamber having inlet and outlet guides for receiving the tow moving axially therethrough. A stream of air-entrained particulate powder material is injected into the hollow spraying chamber, at an angle relative to the direction of movement of the tow, with a velocity such that the individual strands of the tow are separated from one another and the particulate powder material is lodged between the exterior surfaces of adjacent strands throughout substantially the entire thickness of the tow.

Abstract: A power spray system for applying particulate powder material to a substrate includes a volumetric or gravimetric dry material feeding device having an outlet connected to a manifold formed with an internal cavity and a plurality of passageways communicating with the internal cavity. A highly accurately metered quantity of powder is transmitted into the internal cavity of the manifold, which is either applied to the substrate or recirculated back to the powder source. An air amplifier connected to one of the passageways is operable to draw ambient air through a vent passageway into the internal cavity of the manifold to form a stream of air-entrained powder. The powder stream is then drawn out of the internal cavity of the manifold by the air amplifier into a spray gun for discharge onto the substrate.

Abstract: An attachment for a hockey helmet is provided which, when attached, obstructs the downwardly extending vision of the helmet wearer. The attachment generally comprises a flat arcuate member constructed of a flexible and opaque material. The arcuate member is attached to the helmet so that it extends forwardly of the helmet in a generally horizontal plane and below the eye opening of the helmet. Consequently, with the hockey helmet worn on the head of a hockey player, the arcuate member obstructs the downwardly extending vision of the player. Adjustment means are provided for both vertically and horizontally positioning the arcuate member relative to the helmet.