Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a generally thin, flexible sanitary napkin with a topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core is provided. The absorbent article has a means for directional fluid distribution such as a fluid directing strip positioned between the topsheet and absorbent core, and an absorbent strip positioned between the topsheet and fluid directing strip. The relationships between the sizes of the fluid directing strip and the absorbent strip are such that the width of the fluid directing strip is greater than that of the absorbent strip and the length of the absorbent strip in greater than that of the fluid directing strip, so that bodily exudates may be directed toward the ends of the absorbent core even when the sanitary napkin assumes a body-conforming shape or is otherwise distorted during use.

Abstract: A nonwoven, stain resistant facing for absorbent articles is disclosed. The facing material is in the form of a nonwoven fabric including hydrophobic staple fibers bonded with an absorbent adhesive. The fabric is formed in such a manner as to have a plurality of apertures. The fibers of the fabric and the cured adhesive are coated with a fluorochemical repellant.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article 1 comprising a liquid-absorbent core at least an upper surface of which is covered with a topsheet provided with a plurality of liquid guide passages, a body fluid diffusing sheet made of hydrophilic fibers being disposed between a lower surface of the topsheet and the upper surface of the liquid-absorbent core, the sheet being formed on its upper surface with a plurality of parallel extending stripe-zones of a hydrophobic synthetic resin.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, training pants, an incontinent garment or a bedpad is disclosed for absorption of human exudate. The absorbent article includes an absorbent having a homogeneous composition with an essentially constant density in the x-y plane. The absorbent has at least two distinct portions which are integrally joined together by a junction line and each portion has a thickness different from an adjacent portion. The absorbent is folded on the junction line to obtain a variable density along the z axis. The folded absorbent also has a uniform capillary size in the x-y plane and a variable capillary size in the z direction. The absorbent article further includes a liquid-permeable cover which is positioned adjacent to at least one surface of the absorbent. A method of forming the article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a fabric is provided wherein the fabric has comparable strength characteristics to conventional fabrics yet is softer. The fibers of the fabric are a blend of a high crystallinity polypropylene polymer and a random block copolymer of polypropylene and polyethylene. The laminate of this invention may include other spunbond layers, meltblown nonwoven fabrics or films.The laminate of this invention may be used in products such as, for example, garments, personal care products, medical products, protective covers and outdoor fabrics.

Abstract: A technique to preserve absorbent core integrity in a disposable article is described.Columns which protrude from the backing sheet of an absorbent disposable article or personal wear garment and which project into the fibrous mass of an absorbent core overlaid onto a liquid impervious backing sheet are disclosed. A top sheet which is pervious to liquids overlies the core of fibrous material encapsulating the absorbent core in cooperation with the backing sheet. The top sheet also may carry similar columns. These columns act to restrict the movement of the fibers in the absorbent core and, more particularly, to enhance and maintain the integrity of the absorbent core whenever wet and/or placed under stress. These columns serve to resist and to diminish any disintegration of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A sanitary article of the type comprising an external backing sheet which is impervious to liquids, an absorbing pad, an internal cover sheet pervious to liquids and two side flaps with elastic elements. An additional sheet is arranged under the cover sheet overlapping one transverse edge of the pad, and is connected by gluing to the cover sheet which presents, over the additional sheet, a transverse cutting. An elastic element is passed along the edge of the cutting in order to form a waist sealing pocket open at the cutting.

Abstract: An absorbent article which delimits a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section which interconnects the front and rear waistband sections. The article includes a substantially fluid-impermeable backsheet layer, a liquid-permeable topsheet layer positioned in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body located between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. The article further defines a humidity transfer area in at least one of the waistband sections. A humidity transfer material overlays the humidity transfer area.

Abstract: An absorbent composite having a porous absorbent macrostructure and a substrate. The porous macrostructure has interconnected absorbent gelling particles that are surface crosslinked with cationic, preferably polymeric, amino-epichlorohydrin adducts. Upon contacting liquids such as water or body exudates (e.g., urine), the porous absorbent macrostructure can swell and imbibe the liquids. The composite is useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed.

Abstract: A conformable absorbent article has a topsheet that is designed to substantially fully contact the body of the wearer to provide improved performance in managing and containing body wastes. Management and containment of body wastes are improved by several structural elements that can be utilized individually or collectively. Some of these elements are a waste-containment pocket formed between the topsheet and backsheet, an opening in the topsheet for receiving body wastes therethrough, a pair of containment flaps and a pair of side flaps, and an expandable backsheet to retain body wastes therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in absorbent products, but is particularly useful with urinary incontinence pads. An embossed pattern on the bottom layer of the double layer absorbent core construction improves the removal of urine or other fluids from the discharge zone to be ready for next void. One or more V-shaped notches cut at both ends of the pad provides the ergonomic fit of the pad to reduce the inevitable stiffness. The sides are designed as a flap which curves during the sealing process and provide natural curved flaps which form a soft gasket cushion and yields extra leak protection in the crotch area.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing absorbent pads is disclosed which comprises providing a fibrous web material and applying a fluid absorbent cover and a fluid impermeable barrier layer thereto in situ. In preferred embodiments, the pads are securable to fluid-protected surfaces by means of an adhesive on the barrier layer's outer surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article intended for use as a urine-collecting insert in a diaper or an incontinence guard includes an inner casing layer (2) of liquid permeable material, which when the article is worn lies nearest the body of the wearer, an outer liquid permeable casing layer (3) and an absorbent pad (4) located between the casing layers. The outer casing layer (3) has a lower liquid permeability than the inner casing layer (2), such that liquid absorbed by the article is able to pass through the outer casing layer and absorbed by the diaper or incontinence guard, relatively slowly and in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: An absorbent structure for absorbing body fluid is provided having means to direct body fluid along the longitudinal axis of the product and to substantially limit side failure. Two or more longitudinal chambers of absorbent material are provided which are separated by fluid repellent walls. These walls act to guide flow generally along the longitudinal axis of the product.

Abstract: This application relates to the use of slitted regions in absorbent members formed of absorbent materials that remain relatively thin until wetted with such fluids. Suitable materials include presently preferred varieties of polymeric foam materials. Single and multi-layered absorbent members incorporating slitted regions are disclosed, as well as the use of pre-formed cup-shaped slits for enhanced initial fluid acquisition. Such slitted regions in combination with planar expansion properties enable the absorbent members to respond dynamically to various fluid loading conditions to create useful structural features. The slitted regions, in combination with absorbent materials having expansion potential in at least one direction within the plane of the absorbent member, cause the slitted regions to buckle and/or deform out of the plane of the absorbent member, thereby causing the slit surfaces to displace angularly and/or translationally with respect to one another.

Abstract: A technique to preserve absorbent core integrity in a disposable article is described.Columns which protrude from the backing sheet of an absorbent disposable article or personal wear garment and which project into the fibrous mass of an absorbent core overlaid onto a liquid impervious backing sheet are disclosed. A top sheet which is pervious to liquids overlies the core of fibrous material encapsulating the absorbent core in cooperation with the backing sheet. The top sheet also may carry similar columns. These columns act to restrict the movement of the fibers in the absorbent core and, more particularly, to enhance and maintain the integrity of the absorbent core whenever wet and/or placed under stress. These columns serve to resist and to diminish any disintegration of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A body fluid absorbent article comprising a topsheet formed with tubular liquid passages extending from the bottom surface of the topsheet and an absorbent core, wherein a meshy sheet comprising fibres defining meshes smaller than lower openings of the respective liquid passages is interposed between said topsheet and said absorbent core so that said fibres extend across the lower openings (FIG. 3).

Abstract: Here is disclosed air-permeable and liquid-impermeable backsheet for use in body fluid absorbent articles.Polyolefin plastic sheet containing inorganic filler particles is stretched and then thermo-embossed to obtain the backsheet 1. At least one surface of this backsheet 1 is composed of a rough surface zone 5 and a smooth surface zone 6 so that these two kinds of zones define together a desired surface pattern over the backsheet. The rough surface zone 5 has fine pores 7 for air-permeability and the smooth surface zone 6 facilitates an absorbent core of the body fluid absorbent article to be seen through this smooth surface zone 6.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure containing a fibrous matrix having a dual Z-directional gradient wherein the concentration of high-absorbency material decreases from a first planar surface of the fibrous matrix to the opposed second planar surface, while the density of the fibrous matrix increases from said first major planar surface to the second planar surface. Also disclosed is an absorbent article containing such an absorbent structure.

Abstract: A disposable pad having leak proof longitudinal sides formed from water impervious barriers disposed longitudinally thereon, between the top sheet and the absorbent pad, and extending to the longitudinal perimeter. A centrally disposed longitudinal section of the top sheet permits entry of fluid into the absorbent pad. The barriers provide envelopes to prevent that fluid from leaking out the sides of the absorbent pad, onto a wearer thereof.

Abstract: Compostible and flushable absorbent structures for sanitary uses for the absorption of body fluids comprising an absorbent degradable fibrous core and a backsheet that is cold-water soluble but water impermeable.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable outer material, a liquid retentive absorbent article and a liquid-impermeable antileakage material, and formed in a substantially vertically elongated shape, wherein the absorbent element comprises a diffusing absorbent sheet and an absorbent retentive sheet positioned at the rear of the diffusing absorbent sheet and:(a) the diffusing absorbent sheet is a sheet having a hydrophilicity (cos .theta.) of 0.5 to 1 and a Klemm absorption velocity in the longitudinal direction of at least 40 mm/minute, and(b) the absorbent retentive sheet is a sheet comprising an aggregate of fibers having a capillary osmotic pressure of 4000 to 15000 dyne/cm.sup.2 and containing 10 to 100% by weight, based on the fiber aggregate, of a highly water-absorbent polymer having a physiological saline absorption of 40 to 70 g/g and a physiological saline absorption velocity of at least 2 ml/0.3 grams polymer.multidot.minute.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a zoned distribution of particulate material within a fibrous web includes a conveying mechanism for providing a gas entrained supply of the particulate material and a segregating mechanism for centrifugally directing at least a portion of the particulate material into an accumulation region of the apparatus. A transferring mechanism selectively directs particulate material from the accumulation region into a delivery gas stream to provide an intermittent flow volume of a selected quantity of particulate material from the accumulation region through a delivery conduit and into a web forming chamber. A fiberizing mechanism provides a flow of a selected fibrous material into the web forming chamber, and a directing mechanism controls the intermittent flow of particulate material from the delivery conduit into the forming chamber.

Abstract: Disposable diaper for incontinent children or adults, of the type comprising an outer enclosure (1) impervious to liquids, an absorbent pad (11) fastened inside the impervious enclosure, set back in relation to the outer edges of the impervious enclosure, so as to leave a lateral border (12) remaining on each side of the pad, an internal permeable sheet (17) overlapping the inner face of the impervious enclosure and the absorbent pad, at least one lateral elastic member (8) fastened by adhesive bonding in the stretched state in a median transverse region of each lateral border of the impervious enclosure and two bands (16) of flexible sheet which are fastened to the impervious enclosure so that each band encloses a lateral elastic member (8) in an insulating sheath extending over the whole length of the impervious enclosure, characterized in that the lateral regions of the internal permeable sheet are covered over with a coating (19) of a sealing material which is liquid at high temperature and which, after c

Abstract: A sanitary article comprises an absorbent and a sheet of a surface material to envelop the absorbent, the sheet comprising an opaque, hydrophobic film, having recesses in its land portion, the recesses being formed to have a bottom and side walls, the side walls having a slanting part, the slanting part being provided therein with an opening so that the slanting part having the opening may not be covered with the land portion.

Abstract: The composite articles of this invention can be made more efficiently through the use of a single adhesive having sufficient resistance to creep, sufficiently high bond strength, and a viscosity that is controllable through a range permitting it to be used for elastic attachment and in fine line, multi-line extrusion or sprayed adhesive preparation techniques.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, a sanitary napkin, an incontinence protection garment, a wound dressing or the like has a liquid impermeable surface layer (2) and a liquid permeable surface layer (4) encasing an absorbent core (5) therebetween, and elastic members (11-14) applied thereto. The liquid permeable layer (4) is composed of at least two separate webs (3, 4) joined together by a bonding pattern constituted by substantially parallel bonding lines at least crossing the elastic members (11-14) in order to cooperate with these members, whereby the liquid permeable surface layer (4) on its side turned away from the absorbent core (5) air-filled channels and a soft, wavy surface.

Abstract: A coated product is provided that is comprised of a substrate and a coating comprised of a microporous scaffold material having a high void volume and open, interconnecting void microstructure, the scaffold material having a layer of a selected polyurethane thereon which extends in the voids. The coated product has good barrier properties with respect to bacteria, viruses, and air-borne particulate.

Abstract: This invention involves a multilayer low friction ambulatory pad for treating or preventing bedsores and pressure sores, and for managing fluids discharged from a person's body. The pad may have the form of a diaper with panels fittable to a person's body. The pad has a first slippery nonporous layer on which is a moisture absorbent second layer. A slippery, thin, porous third layer is on the second layer. The three layers are peripherally bonded to form a nonpenable seam which permits unbonded areas of the layers to slide slightly with respect to each other. The third layer may be sprayed with a filmy, dry, slippery fourth layer. A fifth layer of lubricating material which may be a microencapsulated lubricant or a free lubricant is applied to the third and fourth layers to form a very slippery top surface. The fourth and fifth layers do not clog the pores of the third layer to pass air and fluids to the absorbent second layer. In other pads, the absorbent layer is omitted.

Abstract: A composite cover material for absorbent articles and the like and a method for making the same are disclosed herein. The cover material is made of a thermoplastic film in contact with an external layer of nonwoven material. Selective point application of heat and pressure to the external surface of the nonwoven material causes the formation of a plurality of densified and partially fused areas in the nonwoven which are in vertical alignment with a corresponding plurality of concurrently formed perforations in the film. The densified and fused areas in the nonwoven act to mask the perforations in the film and in addition, restrict fluid flow when the cover material is under compression by partially blocking the performations in the film.

Abstract: Nonwoven web and method of making including interbonded thermoplastic fibers in an array of hollow projections extending outwardly from at least one surface of said web. The projections are separated by land areas of interbonded fibers, and the fiber orientation is greater in the projections than in the land areas. Either the projections or the land areas may be perforated as desired for controlled porosity and fluid flow properties. The nonwoven webs of the invention may be made by a number of processes but, preferably, are made by forming directly on a surface with corresponding projections with or without apertures and a vacuum assist or by forming on an apertured surface with a pressure differential sufficient to draw the fibers through the apertures forming the projections.

Abstract: A baffle having a central zone extending along at least a portion of its length,A. the central zone being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 1 to about 3 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 50 to about 2,5000 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours,B. with the non-central zone portions of the baffle being impermeable to menses under a dead weight pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 1,500 to about 5,000 g/m.sup.2 /24/ hours;with the proviso that the water vapor transmission rate of the central zone is less than that of the non-central zone portions of the baffle.

Abstract: An anatomatically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diaper with an outer cover (20), an absorbent structure (22) and full-length fasteners 70, 72, 74, 76 extending from waist opening 87 to leg openings (81). The outer cover 20 is resiliently stretchable and air permeable. The full-length fasteners 70, 72, 74, 76 are fixed position fasteners.

Abstract: A paper diaper comprises, from the top downwards, a fluff pulp surface layer or ply, a holed or grooved partition layer, a diffusion crust layer, and a fluff pulp main layer or ply, all wrapped up in a non-woven fabric. When the diaper is worn, fluid discharged is absorbed in a somewhat localized area, passes downwards through this area, and then falls down through the partition layer onto the crust layer which diffuses the fluid throughout substantially the whole area of the diaper and also retains some. Thus, the whole of the diaper is slightly moistened but does not cause any discomfort such as a drippingly wet feeling. Flowing back of the fluid from the crust layer to the surface layer is prevented by the partition layer.

Abstract: A sanitary towel for absorbing body fluids composed of an absorptive hydrophilic fiber filling having a cover, the cover being composed of a liquid-impermeable composite material and having a defined liquid-permeable zone. The core of the filling material contains an insert having high absorptive polymers therein and being covered with a liquid-permeable woven carrier material, fleece or tissue. Such towels are easy to manufacture, highly absorptive and possess good tactile properties.

Abstract: An absorbent facing is disclosed which has significant one-way valve characteristics for aqueous fluids. The facing is produced by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) superimposing a thin polymer film and a first web comprising absorbent fibers, to form a second web; (b) heating the second web to a temperature such that the polymer film is in a formable state; (c) while the said second web is so heated, simultaneously applying shearing and compressive forces to the second web to form said polymer film into a coating on said first web, the coating comprising a fine pattern of continuous areas which lie between and interconnect discontinuous areas, wherein the polymer in the continuous areas comprises a continuous or substantially continuous coating on the surface of said first web, and wherein most of the polymer in the discontinuous areas is coated on individual fibers; and (d) cooling the coated web thus formed to cool the polymer below its forming temperature.

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: 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: A disposable product, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin or underpad, provided with a water impervious lower layer, an absorbent pad and a top sheet. The top sheet contains 0.1 to 0.6% by weight of a surfactant. The surfactant may be applied by spraying, printing, roller coating, etc., on the entire surface or, preferably, in limited areas such as in the central areas of the top sheet, or pay be line or spot printed thereon to improve fluid penetration, while retaining optimum fluid wetback and fluid retention characteristics. The top sheet is a hydrophobic sheet of excellent fluid penetration but resists fluid wetback.

Abstract: A sanitary appliance such as a sanitary napkin is provided with at least three layers of absorbent material with the first and third layer being substantially identical and having areas of contact through at least one opening in the second layer.

Abstract: Methods, the products produced thereby, and apparatus for forming conformable garments having selected discrete elasticized areas. More specifically, methods and apparatus for stretching one or more ribbons of thermoplastic elastomeric material, immobilizing the stretched material in its extended state, subjecting spaced discrete areas of the stretched elastic material to heat so as to "kill" the elastic properties thereof in the heated regions while leaving the elastic properties of the intermediate unheated regions thereof unaltered thereby forming alternate elasticized and non-elasticized zones of the material. The elastic ribbon may be bonded either prior to or after being selectively "heat-killed" to a continuous web suitable for use in forming a plurality of interconnected, but severable, like conformable garments having selected discrete elasticized areas on a high speed production basis. In the preferred form of the invention, the conformable garment thus formed comprises a disposable diaper product.

Abstract: A diaper for use upon an infant, comprising a sealed chamber for retaining excess liquids, formed between two moisture impervious sheets spaced apart by absorbent wadding, the innermost sheet having an opening therethrough for entry of the liquids into the reservoir. The diaper may further comprise a layer of conventional diaper wadding on the inside face of the innermost impervious sheet. The liquid capacity of the chamber is substantially greater than that of conventional wadding alone, so that diaper changes are needed less frequently. The infant is substantially protected from wetness by the barrier sheet.