Abstract: The invention is generally accomplished by providing an elongated, curved, better-fitting absorbent pad for absorption of bodily excretions comprising a liquid-impermeable backing member, an absorbent inner member and a liquid-permeable body-side member. The absorbent member is shaped generally in a manner that provides a narrower middle portion of absorbent material. The middle portion also in the preferred embodiment is somewhat thicker than the absorbent portions at the ends of the pad. The pad is provided with upstanding side portions in the middle of each long edge in the area where the absorbent is narrower. The pad further is curved so as to generally conform to the pudendum.

Abstract: The invention provides a disposable urinary and fecal waste containment product suitable for active adults. The product has a high liquid impact capacity, high liquid retention, contains fecal waste without leakage and allows the skin of the wearer to remain dry. The product has a liquid-impermeable substantially flexible shell containing a superstructure associated with an absorbent medium and a rear portion with a superstructure of three-dimensional characteristics with sufficient friction to prevent movement of fecal matter laterally.

Abstract: An absorbent structure is provided which contains a loosely compacted cellulosic fibrous batt having two reservoirs and a connecting channel. The absorbent structure may be an infant diaper, an adult diaper, a sanitary napkin and incontinence pad or the like.

Abstract: An improved absorbent unit for a disposable diaper, or the like, wherein a fibrous batt is initially generally rectangularly shaped, and is cut so as to define side flaps which are folded over into overlapping relationship with one another in the central portion of the batt to define a multiple layer crotch region for increased liquid storage capacity. The batt is provided with a thickened densified skin at one side thereof for increased strength and stability, and for transporting liquid into remote areas of the batt. In a further embodiment, a quantity of highly liquid-sorbent superabsorbent material is provided in discrete spaced-apart regions between upper and lower fibrous webs of the diaper batt, with a network of densified wicking embossments and at least one integral densified wicking layer provided for promoting efficient wicking and transport of liquid within the absorbent structure.

Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene consists of a cylindrically-compressed length of a strip of cottonwool or rayon staple or a combination thereof which is wrapped with an overlap in a fluff-free or fuzz free covering material, said strip being cut into the required lengths together with the covering material perpendicularly to the overlap line, and a recovery thread attached to the length of a strip of cottonwool or rayon staple or a combination thereof. The problem which the invention solves is to prevent fibers from breaking loose from the exposed cut edges. According to the invention, the exposed cut edges are folded onto the surface of the length of a strip of cottonwool or rayon staple or a combination thereof after it has been separated and compression is carried out in such a way that the exposed cut edges are situated inside the tampon.

Abstract: The exterior of a compressed tampon, e.g. for absorbing menstrual discharge, is formed from a bat of substantially aligned absorbent fibers that have been preshortened in a microundulated state as a result of longitudinal compressive pretreatment. The preshortening, generally more than 20% of original length of the fibers, is selected to permit substantial recovery of original dimension, there being at least 10 of the microundulations per inch prior to incorporation in the tampon. The microundulations are shape-retentive (in the dry state) and reside with the sides of adjacent microundulations close together. Because of the pretreated state, the absorbent fibers have stored mechanical energy in a predetermined selected direction within the final tampon. They are highly moisture sensitive, responsive to small amounts of liquid to cause release of the mechanical energy and expansion in the given direction to cause rapid expansion of the exterior of the tampon.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided which comprises a cover with clean and dry properties in combination with the fluid transport properties of an impressed channel. The napkin comprises an absorbent core having impressed into its body facing side at least one elongated channel. A hydrophobic, body fluid pervious, cover overlies said body facing side and said channel and said cover extends into the channel and is adhered to the channel bottom.

Abstract: An absorptive structure for absorbing and containing fluids from a source exterior of said structure comprising a topsheet, an absorbent element and a back sheet, wherein said topsheet is a liquid permeable material formed from particles of non-dissolvable polymeric materials partially fused together to form a continuous sheet and has a multiplicity of openings therein of a predetermined size and shape so as to direct fluid flow into the absorbent element and inhibit fluid flow from the absorbent element through the topsheet, and said back sheet is impervious to liquids.

Abstract: Absorbent structures comprising a mixture of hydrophilic fibers and discrete particles of a water insoluble hydrogel are disclosed. The fiber/hydrogel ratios range from about 30:70 to about 98:2. The absorbent structures have a density of from about 0.15 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1 g/cm.sup.3. The structures are flexible, and have superior absorption capacities for water and body fluids.

Abstract: The cover sheet includes a moisture permeable top section and moisture impermeable side and bottom sections. The edges of the interior surface of the impermeable section overlap and are joined to the edges of the exterior surface of the permeable section to form an enclosure. A layer of a moisture absorbent core material is situated within the enclosure. A uni-directional barrier layer comprising a laminate of a base or carrier and an absorbent polymer which gels and expands when wetted is interposed between the permeable cover section and the absorbent core. The barrier layer includes a plurality of apertures which decreases in size as the polymer gels and expands.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as urine. A liquid permeable topsheet is affixed to a liquid impermeable backsheet encasing an absorbent core therebetween. A liquid impermeable barrier member overlays a segment of the absorbent core and is affixed at one end to the backsheet. The topsheet has compacted portions which are affixed to the barrier member.

Abstract: An absorbent product is provided having a first fibrous layer in the form of a nonwoven web and a second layer which is discrete from the first layer but united to the first layer. The second layer has a higher capillary pressure than the first layer to provide preferential attraction and wicking of liquid. The layers are corrugated and stabilized to retain the transverse folds when wet.

Abstract: A superthin absorbent disposable product is provided having an absorbing layer containing superabsorbent and a wicking layer. The product is suitable for use in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads, wipes and the like.

Abstract: An absorbent structure is provided, which is comprised of a fibrous web, having an initial dry bulk of at least about 20 cc/gm., a dry bulk recovery of at least about 30 percent, and a wet bulk of at least about 30 cc/gm., and a basis weight less than about 4 oz/sq. yd. containing at least about 200 percent by weight superabsorbent. The structure is microcorrugated to provide a softness having a Taber stiffness value less than about 50.

Abstract: An absorbent material is provided for body fluid absorbent products which material has relatively high tensile strength, and is extremely flexible and may be incorporated into absorbent products without substantial loss in user's comfort. The material is made by forming a slurry of water wherein the solids comprise cellulosic fibers and hydrocolloidal material. The wet web is formed from the slurry and the web is then dried. The dry web is then compacted to a density of at least 110% and preferably at least 150% based on the density of the dry web. The resulting product has a tensile strength of at least 10 Kg/cm.sup.2 and the Gurley Stiffness of less than about 40 gm.

Abstract: A superthin absorbent disposable product is provided having an absorbing layer containing superabsorbent and a wicking layer. The product is suitable for use in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads, wipes and the like.

Abstract: A superthin absorbent disposable product is provided having an absorbing layer containing superabsorbent and a wicking layer. The product is suitable for use in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads, wipes and the like.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a top sheet, an absorbent pad assembly and a water impervious backing sheet. The absorbent pad assembly includes one or more absorbent pads at least one of which is treated with a water spray to vary the density thereof increasingly from top to bottom. The absorbent pad assembly may have a lower wadding sheet integrally stabilized to the pad treated with the water spray.

Abstract: An absorbent structure of loosely compacted cellulosic fibers substantially rectangular in shape having increasing gradient densities from the central portion to each transverse end and methods for making the structure.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a pad of absorbent material sandwiched between a backing sheet and a top sheet. The absorbent material is a wood fluff or the like and the absorbent article is embossed on either side or both sides so that the absorbent material is compressed at the discrete areas. The balance of the absorbent material remains substantially uncompressed to form spaced densified areas and areas of less density to enhance fluid spreading characteristics and to reduce wetback.

Abstract: A disposable product and a process for manufacturing the disposable product on a flexible conveyor. The disposable product has an absorbent core formed by sandwiching a corrugated tissue between two separate feeds of fluffed pulp. Upper and lower layers of wadding are provided, the lower wadding being first folded around the absorbent core longitudinally and then an upper wadding is laid on top. The upper and lower waddings are then roller crimped together and die cut and shaped and turned ninety degrees. Thereafter, a water impervious sheet of material, such as polyethylene, is provided with a glue line on its edges and is fed across the top wadding and wrapped about the top wadding, the core, and partially overlying the lower wadding. A sheet of non-woven material is then wrapped about the assembly and provided with a longitudinal strip or strips of pressure sensitive adhesive. A release paper is applied over the adhesive to protect it prior to use.