Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core and a cushion layer between the absorbent core and the backsheet. The cushion layer comprises at least two sub-layers. The sub-layers advantageously have different widths or are bonded to each other by one or more longitudinally-extending attachment areas.

Abstract: Process for making discrete fibrous layers, comprising the steps of continuously depositing fibers in an endless series of molds, with two neighboring molds connected by a connecting section, transferring the resulting continuous fibrous layer to another endless moving surface and cutting the continuous fibrous layer at the connecting sections to form discrete fibrous layers. The molds comprise at least one raised element that prevents fiber deposition in the raised element area.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, the absorbent core including a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate on a deposition area and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles, and a second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers deposited on the second substrate. The first and second absorbent layers are combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer.

Abstract: Process for making discrete fibrous layers, comprising the steps of continuously depositing fibers in an endless series of molds, with two neighboring molds connected by a connecting section, transferring the resulting continuous fibrous layer to another endless moving surface and cutting the continuous fibrous layer at the connecting sections to form discrete fibrous layers. The molds comprise at least one raised element that prevents fiber deposition in the raised element area.

Abstract: Absorbent articles for personal hygiene such as diapers comprising a contrasting layer and a masking layer between the topsheet and the contrasting layer are provided. The masking layer comprises at least one see-through area so that the contrasting layer is at least partially visible on the wearer-facing side of the article through the see-through area. In one execution, the masking layer may be between the topsheet and the absorbent layer and the contrasting layer may be disposed between the masking layer and the absorbent layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nozzle assemblies and methods of distributing an adhesive from a nozzle. A method may include steps of: melting the adhesive at a temperature of at least 100° C.; transporting the molten adhesive to the nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes an upper nozzle assembly, a lower nozzle assembly, and at least one duct within at least the upper nozzle assembly through which the molten adhesive is transported. The lower nozzle assembly may include at least one cooling gas duct, wherein cooling gas passes through the cooling gas duct. The temperature of the cooling gas may be from ?20° C. to +50° C. The nozzle may include an adhesive distribution shim, the adhesive distribution shim may include two sides, and adhesive distribution channels are arranged in both sides of the adhesive distribution shim.

Abstract: A spool comprises a three-dimensional substrate and a core. The three-dimensional substrate comprises a plurality of projections extending outwardly from a plane of the substrate. The spool comprises a first plurality of spirally wound portions and a first plurality of helically wound portions. The substrate is spirally wound around the core to form each spirally wound portion of the first plurality of spirally wound portions. The spirally wound portions of the first plurality of spirally wound portions are located next to each other along a longitudinal axis of the core between a first transversal side edge of the core and a second transversal side edge of the core. The substrate is helically wound around the core along the longitudinal axis of the core to form each helically wound portion. Each helically wound portion extends between two adjacent spirally wound portions of the first plurality of spirally wound portions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for sensing distortions in patterns of reflected light to create profiles representing surface topographies of absorbent structures during the manufacture of absorbent articles. Inspection systems may include sensors arranged adjacent an advancing absorbent structure on a converting line. In turn, a controller may monitor and affect various operations on the converting line. The inspection systems herein may also include a radiation source that illuminates a surface of an absorbent structure with a predetermined pattern of light extending in the cross direction CD. The sensor senses distortions in patterns of light reflected from the illuminated surface of the absorbent structure and triangulates changes in elevation of the illuminated surface of the absorbent structure relative to the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for winding and unwinding web materials, the web materials having a plurality of narrow lanes which form a spool. In a first aspect of the invention each lane of web material is defined by a width measured in the axial direction of the spool and between a minimum and a maximum radial height measured radially from a central axis of the spool. Each lane is wound, in turn, with web material up to the maximum radial height, the web material is folded by a first, second, third and fourth folds so that the web material is realigned parallel to the adjacent lane and wound to form the adjacent lane.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for depositing particulate material in a predetermined pattern onto a moving surface is disclosed. A particulate material may be fed under gravity from a hopper to a discharge zone containing a feed opening. A gas may be supplied, by a gas supply assembly, under pressure to the bulk of particulate material within the hopper discharge zone. The particulate material may be transferred through the feed opening to the surface of a transfer device, which contains a pattern of particulate-receiving recesses. The transfer device may rotate to a deposition zone and transfer the particulate material to a carrier layer.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a wearer-facing topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, characterized in that the absorbent core comprises: a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate, and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles; a second absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer deposited on the second substrate, the mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers, the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer being combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer, and wherein the first absorbent layer is placed closer to the topsheet t

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, the absorbent core including a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate on a deposition area and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles, and a second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers deposited on the second substrate. The first and second absorbent layers are combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming and transferring an unbonded fibrous structure to a carrier, the method comprising the steps of: receiving fibrous material on a shell travelling at a first speed through a receiving zone to form a fibrous patch; transferring the shell from the receiving zone to an application zone; applying the fibrous patch to the carrier travelling at a second speed through the application zone; and controlling the speed of the shell by a motor, the motor comprising a stator and at least one mover; wherein the shell is driven by at least one mover, wherein the mover maintains the shell at the first speed in the receiving zone and the second speed in the application zone, and wherein the mover is mounted on a stationary track.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, the absorbent core including a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate on a deposition area and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles, and a second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers deposited on the second substrate. The first and second absorbent layers are combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for winding and unwinding web materials, the web materials having a plurality of narrow lanes which form a spool. In a first aspect of the invention each lane of web material is defined by a width measured in the axial direction of the spool and between a minimum and a maximum radial height measured radially from a central axis of the spool. Each lane is wound, in turn, with web material up to the maximum radial height, the web material is folded by a first, second, third and fourth folds so that the web material is realigned parallel to the adjacent lane and wound to form the adjacent lane.

Abstract: A spool comprises a three-dimensional substrate and a core. The three-dimensional substrate comprises a plurality of projections extending outwardly from a plane of the substrate. The spool comprises a first plurality of spirally wound portions and a first plurality of helically wound portions. The substrate is spirally wound around the core to form each spirally wound portion of the first plurality of spirally wound portions. The spirally wound portions of the first plurality of spirally wound portions are located next to each other along a longitudinal axis of the core between a first transversal side edge of the core and a second transversal side edge of the core. The substrate is helically wound around the core along the longitudinal axis of the core to form each helically wound portion. Each helically wound portion extends between two adjacent spirally wound portions of the first plurality of spirally wound portions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for depositing particulate material in a predetermined pattern onto a moving surface is disclosed. A particulate material may be fed under gravity from a hopper to a discharge zone containing a feed opening. A gas may be supplied, by a gas supply assembly, under pressure to the bulk of particulate material within the hopper discharge zone. The particulate material may be transferred through the feed opening to the surface of a transfer device, which contains a pattern of particulate-receiving recesses. The transfer device may rotate to a deposition zone and transfer the particulate material to a carrier layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for sensing distortions in patterns of reflected light to create profiles representing surface topographies of absorbent structures during the manufacture of absorbent articles. Inspection systems may include sensors arranged adjacent an advancing absorbent structure on a converting line. In turn, a controller may monitor and affect various operations on the converting line. The inspection systems herein may also include a radiation source that illuminates a surface of an absorbent structure with a predetermined pattern of light extending in the cross direction CD. The sensor senses distortions in patterns of light reflected from the illuminated surface of the absorbent structure and triangulates changes in elevation of the illuminated surface of the absorbent structure relative to the sensor.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a wearer-facing topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, characterized in that the absorbent core comprises: a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate, and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles; a second absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer deposited on the second substrate, the mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers, the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer being combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer, and wherein the first absorbent layer is placed closer to the topshee

Abstract: An absorbent article including a wearer-facing topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, characterized in that the absorbent core includes: a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate, and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles; a second absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer deposited on the second substrate, the mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers, the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer being combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer, and wherein the first absorbent layer is placed closer to the topsheet tha