Abstract: Described herein are absorbent composites containing embossed superabsorbent materials and methods of manufacturing absorbent composites containing embossed superabsorbent materials. The absorbent composites have significantly improved rates of intake. Compositions and methods described herein are useful in a variety of absorbent products.

Abstract: Described herein are absorbent composites containing embossed superabsorbent materials and methods of manufacturing absorbent composites containing embossed superabsorbent materials. The absorbent composites have significantly improved rates of intake. Compositions and methods described herein are useful in a variety of absorbent products.

Abstract: A material for distributing fluid can include a first side edge, a second side edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge. The material can include a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface. The material can be liquid impermeable and at least one of the first surface and the second surface include at least one channel. The channel can include a channel width, a channel length, and a channel depth. The channel width can be from 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm. The channel depth can be configured such that the channel does not extend completely through the material.

Abstract: A nonwoven substrate includes individual fibers each having a fiber surface and a fiber diameter, wherein a portion of the individual fibers include a micro-embossed pattern, and wherein the micro-embossed pattern includes pattern elements equal to or smaller than the fiber diameter. The pattern elements can be recessed into and/or extend out of the fiber surface, and the nonwoven substrate can include polypropylene or polyethylene. A disposable absorbent article includes a nonwoven substrate having individual fibers each having a fiber surface and a fiber diameter, wherein a portion of the individual fibers include a micro-embossed pattern, and wherein the micro-embossed pattern includes pattern elements equal to or smaller than the fiber diameter.

Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport, includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction extending in an x-y plane and a depth extending in a z-direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a diverging section having a backward end, a forward end, and a width in the y-direction, wherein the width increases from the backward end to the forward end, wherein the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section is connected to the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to form a transition section having a step decrease in width from the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section, and wherein the depth in the transition section is less than the depth in each diverging section.

Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport, includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction extending in an x-y plane and a depth extending in a z-direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a diverging section having a backward end, a forward end, and a width in the y-direction, wherein the width increases from the backward end to the forward end, wherein the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section is connected to the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to form a transition section having a step decrease in width from the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section, and wherein the depth in the transition section is less than the depth in each diverging section.

Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The first and second film segments are joined at an interface, wherein at the interface a tip of the second segment overlaps the first segment in the cross-direction of the film. The film has a thickness “T” at the tip of the second segment, and the second segment has a thickness “t” at a distance T in the cross direction from the tip of the second segment. The ratio T/t is suitably greater than about 3. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include an absorbent assembly (43) including a bodyside liner (28), an outer cover (26, 126, 226), and an absorbent body (35) disposed between the bodyside liner (28) and the outer cover (26, 126, 226). The outer cover (26, 126, 226) can include at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264) and a first indicator region (66, 166, 266). The first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can have a light transmittance that is greater than a light transmittance of the at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264). At least a portion of the first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can be located between the first longitudinal edge (36) of the absorbent body (35) and the first coupling length (45) of the first containment flap (44) in at least the crotch region (16) of the absorbent article (10, 110, 210).

Abstract: As described herein, an extensible sheet material includes a first and a second zone that is separate from the first zone. The first zone exposes a first color or pattern when the extensible sheet material is stretched beyond a first percentage. The second zone exposes a second color or pattern when the extensible sheet material is stretched beyond a second percentage greater than the first percentage. Absorbent articles that include the extensible sheet material are capable of indicating to a wearer when the extensible sheet material has been stretched too little, too much, or just the right amount.

Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The first and second film segments are joined at an interface, wherein at the interface a tip of the second segment overlaps the first segment in the cross-direction of the film. The film has a thickness “T” at the tip of the second segment, and the second segment has a thickness “t” at a distance T in the cross direction from the tip of the second segment. The ratio T/t is suitably greater than about 3. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.

Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The first and second film segments are joined at an interface, wherein at the interface a tip of the second segment overlaps the first segment in the cross-direction of the film. The film has a thickness “T” at the tip of the second segment, and the second segment has a thickness “t” at a distance T in the cross direction from the tip of the second segment. The ratio T/t is suitably greater than about 3. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The multi-segment films include a pattern of surface embossments on a surface of the first film segment and a pattern of apertures extending through the second film segment. The first and second segments have different compositions whereby the unitary film includes distinct segments having varied physical properties such as, for example, varied levels of breathability and/or elasticity. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.

Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The first and second film segments are joined at an interface, wherein at the interface a tip of the second segment overlaps the first segment in the cross-direction of the film. The film has a thickness “T” at the tip of the second segment, and the second segment has a thickness “t” at a distance T in the cross direction from the tip of the second segment. The ratio T/t is suitably greater than about 3. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.

Abstract: An elastic composite formed from a lightweight nonwoven facing that has a low degree of strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Through selective control over certain parameters of the materials employed in the composite and the formation process, the present inventors have discovered that such low strength and lightweight facings may be readily laminated to an elastic film without significantly damaging their integrity. For example, in one embodiment, the elastic film may possess a multi-layered construction that includes an elastomeric elastic layer positioned adjacent to a strength-enhancing thermoplastic layer. The polymer content and thickness of the thermoplastic layer are generally selected to impart additional strength and integrity to the film. Likewise, the polymer content of the elastic layer may also be selected so that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Abstract: As described herein, an extensible sheet material includes a first and a second zone that is separate from the first zone. The first zone exposes a first color or pattern when the extensible sheet material is stretched beyond a first percentage. The second zone exposes a second color or pattern when the extensible sheet material is stretched beyond a second percentage greater than the first percentage. Absorbent articles that include the extensible sheet material are capable of indicating to a wearer when the extensible sheet material has been stretched too little, too much, or just the right amount.

Abstract: Various garments are disclosed which include a body adhesive for attaching the garment to the skin of a wearer. More particularly, the garment can include at least one extensible portion. An adhesive member comprising an adhesive layer and a cover member may be positioned over the extensible portion. The cover member may completely cover the adhesive layer when the extensible portion is in a relaxed condition. When the extensible portion is stretched, however, the cover member may define openings that expose the adhesive layer for adhering the adhesive to a wearer. The garment may comprise, for instance, a diaper, a training pant, a swim pant, a hospital gown, an industrial garment, a glove, a feminine hygiene product, an adult incontinence product, and the like. The adhesive member can be positioned over any suitable extensible portion on the garment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition suitable for forming sheet materials with improved tensile properties. The thermoplastic composition includes from about 1 to about 98 weight percent of a fiber-forming or film-forming polymer, from about 1 to about 98 weight percent of a low melt flow rate polymer having a melt flow rate less than 20 grams per 10 minutes, and from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be cylindrical nanoparticles having an average aspect ratio greater than about 1 and less than about 500.

Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The first and second film segments are joined at an interface, wherein at the interface a tip of the second segment overlaps the first segment in the cross-direction of the film. The film has a thickness “T” at the tip of the second segment, and the second segment has a thickness “t” at a distance T in the cross direction from the tip of the second segment. The ratio T/t is suitably greater than about 3. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.