Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40), such as a labial pad, configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The absorbent article (40) may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles are also described.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The absorbent article (40) may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection or both. The absorbent article (40) has an absorbent (66) which may include one of various means formed on at least the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, and has at least one tab (94) extending outward from the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, and has at least one tab (94) extending from the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A process and system for maintaining a position of a feminine-care treatment (86) includes a providing of an operative quantity of at least one feminine-care treatment material (86), and a depositing of the treatment material into a vulva-vaginal area of a recipient, female user. A maintenance article, such as provided by an interlabial device (40), is placed into an interlabial space of the user. The maintenance article (40) is configured to operatively impede an undesired movement of the treatment material (86) from the vulva-vaginal area when the interlabial device is placed in the interlabial space of the user. In a particular aspect, the maintenance article (40) can include a liquid-permeable topsheet layer (62), and a pliable core (66) which operatively joined to the topsheet layer (62).

Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.

Abstract: A method and system (22) for reducing malodor includes a providing of an operative quantity of particles of adsorbent material with a carrier structure (24), and a configuring of the carrier structure to contact at least one viscous, aqueous body-liquid during an intended use of the carrier structure. The carrier structure (24) has been configured to reduce malodor from the viscous body-liquid. In particular features, particles of adsorbent material (28) have been configured to include a total quantity of particle pores, and at least a significant portion of the particle pores have been configured to provide an operative quantity of target pores. In other features, the target pores have been configured to withdraw and hold water from said body-liquid, and have been configured to hold the water in a manner that renders the water substantially inaccessible to odor-causing organisms. In a further feature, the target pores can be configured to provide a selected target pore-size.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward.

Abstract: A process and system for maintaining a position of a feminine-care treatment (86) includes a providing of an operative quantity of at least one feminine-care treatment material (86), and a depositing of the treatment material into a vulva-vaginal area of a recipient, female user. A maintenance article, such as provided by an interlabial device (40), is placed into an interlabial space of the user. The maintenance article (40) is configured to operatively impede an undesired movement of the treatment material (86) from the vulva-vaginal area when the interlabial device is placed in the interlabial space of the user. In a particular aspect, the maintenance article (40) can include a liquid-permeable topsheet layer (62), and a pliable core (66) which operatively joined to the topsheet layer (62).

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are provided. In one embodiment, an absorbent article includes free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Also provided are methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40), such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection or both, and has at least one notch (100) generally formed in the periphery thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a carbohydrate foam composition. The method produces a foam composition is highly wettable, resilient and has a uniform pore structure suitable for use in products such as absorbent personal products, health care products, and products suitable for fluid distribution and transfer. The foam of the present invention may also be made into sheets suitable for products such as tissue and paper towels. In one embodiment the foam is made from a carbohydrate and zinc chloride. In a further embodiment the carbohydrate is cellulose, and in a further embodiment the carbohydrate is chitin. The method of the present invention allows control over various properties of the foam carbohydrate composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbohydrate foam composition. The foam composition is highly wettable, resilient and has a uniform pore structure suitable for use in products such as absorbent personal products, health care products, and products suitable for fluid distribution and transfer. The foam of the present invention may also be made into sheets suitable for products such as tissue and paper towels. In one embodiment the foam is made from a carbohydrate and zinc chloride. In a further embodiment the carbohydrate is cellulose, and in a further embodiment the carbohydrate is chitin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of a durably hydrophilic, non-leaching coating. A carbohydrate-salt mixture is formed by at least partially dissolving a water insoluble carbohydrate in an aqueous salt solution to form a carbohydrate-salt complex. The carbohydrate-salt mixture is applied to a substrate, and the substrate is rinsed with a solvent to form a coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of a durably hydrophilic, non-leaching coating. A carbohydrate-salt mixture is formed by at least partially dissolving a water insoluble carbohydrate in an aqueous salt solution to form a carbohydrate-salt complex. The carbohydrate-salt mixture is applied to a substrate, and the substrate is rinsed with a solvent to form a coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a durably hydrophilic, non-leaching coating. A carbohydrate-salt mixture is formed by at least partially dissolving a water insoluble carbohydrate in an aqueous salt solution to form a carbohydrate-salt complex. The carbohydrate-salt mixture is applied to a substrate, and the substrate is rinsed with a solvent to form a coating. The present invention is further directed to a substrate coated with the coating of the present invention and absorbent structures comprising the coated substrate.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having stabilized absorbent structures are discussed. The absorbent structures include binder fibers and absorbent composites. The absorbent composites include a particle of superabsorbent material and an energy receptive additive. The absorbent structures having the absorbent composites are particularly suitable for exposure to dielectric heating, in general, and microwave heating, in particular.

Abstract: A selectively releasable, interengaging fastening system that may be used for a variety of articles such as, for example, shoes, garments, disposable absorbent products such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence products and the like. The fastening system includes a first fastener component that can constitute at least a first portion of an article. The first fastener component includes an engagement section having a plurality of substantially non-isotropic engagement members such that the engagement section has an axis of substantially maximal engagement. The fastening system also includes a cooperating fastener component that may constitute at least a second portion of an article such that the first and second portions of the article are capable of being joined by movement of the respective components together generally along an attachment direction into an overlapping and interengaging configuration.