Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a top sheet and an absorbent core associated with the topsheet is disclosed. The topsheet and associated core are decoupled from the backsheet of the sanitary napkin so that the topsheet and backsheet may be separated in the Z-direction. The sanitary napkin has a joined transverse edge connecting the top sheet and backsheet and forming a hinge to facilitate the Z-direction separation. The sanitary napkin further controls the amount of separation of the topsheet and associated core from the backsheet. A preferred way to control the amount of separation of the topsheet and associated core from the backsheet is longitudinally oriented pleats.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a sanitary napkin having a body surface and a garment surface and being comprised of an absorbent means underlayed by a liquid barrier means, wherein the sanitary napkin is relatively highly flexible and has a capacity great enough to handle medium to high menstrual flows, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitary napkin comprises, from the body surface down, an apertured formed film topsheet, an apertured nonwoven wipe acquisition sheet, a wet-laid tissue, a superabsorbent core, and a barrier sheet. Preferably, the central width of the absorbents is at least about 6.5 centimeters and the caliper of the napkin as a whole is less than about 2.6 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the napkin has laterally extending flaps which drape over the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch and are attachable to the garment side of the wearer's panties.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a sanitary napkin having flaps and a stress relief means for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down along the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch, is provided. The flaps are associated with an absorbent means along a line of juncture. The stress relief means can be provided along the line of juncture or in the flaps. Two preferred stress relief means are a notch and a slit.

Abstract: A pantiliner consisting essentially of an overwrap and a resilient element. The overwrap is a soft, smooth, compliant, porous material while the resilient element is compressible, conformable, and resilient. The former can be any material commonly used as a topsheet for sanitary napkins while the latter is preferably a mass of moisture insensitive fibers which can be bonded one to another at their points of contact. Preferably, the surfaces of the fibers are hydrophilic. Adhesive attachment means are preferably associated with the pantiliner.

Abstract: A process for making soft, absorbent tissue paper webs and the webs made by that process. In the first step, a furnish of papermaking fibers and a wet strength resin is provided. A wet fibrous web is made from the furnish and the wet web is dried. Next, the wet strength resin in the web is at least partially cured. A nitrogenous cationic debonding agent is then incorporated into the dried web.

Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent products such as paper towels, and processes for making the webs. The process comprises the steps of forming an aqueous papermaking furnish from paper pulp, at least one specified quaternary ammonium compound and at least one specified nonionic surfactant. The quaternary ammonium compounds are trimethylalkyl, trimethylalkylene, methylpolyoxyethylene alkyl and methylpolyoxyethylene alkylene quaternary ammonium compounds. The nonionic surfactants are ethylene oxide adducts of fatty alcohols and fatty acids. The second and third steps in the basic process are the deposition of the papermaking furnish onto a foraminous surface such as a Fordrinier wire and removal of the water from the deposited furnish.

Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent products such as paper towels, and processes for making the webs. The process comprises the steps of forming an aqueous papermaking furnish from paper pulp, at least one specified quaternary ammonium compound and at least one specified nonionic surfactant. The quaternary ammonium compounds are trimethylalkyl, trimethylalkylene, methylpolyoxyethylene alkyl and methylpolyoxyethylene alkylene quaternary ammonium compounds. The nonionic surfactants are ethylene oxide adducts of fatty alcohols and fatty acids. The second and third steps in the basic process are the deposition of the papermaking furnish onto a foraminous surface such as a Fordrinier wire and removal of the water from the deposited furnish.