Abstract: A catamenial device. The device comprises a topsheet having a body facing surface, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises three zones differing in stiffness, at least one of the zones comprising laterally-oriented portions where material from the core has been removed, the portions defining slots.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an absorbent article including an absorbent core and at least one barrier structure having a fluid shrinkable string attached thereto, wherein insult of the fluid shrinkable string by the user causes deformation of the peripheral edge of the barrier structure in the z-direction forming a leakage barrier between the user and the peripheral edge of the barrier structure.

Abstract: A disposable hygiene article (2), such as an incontinence diaper or incontinence pad has a composite non-woven fabric (38) that is provided with at least one cuff element (16) and a non-woven fabric or film component (10, 12). The cuff element (14) is attached to the non-woven fabric or film component (10, 12) in at least some areas by means of a joining pattern (36) encompassing discrete ultrasonic welding points (30) in order to form the composite non-woven fabric (38). At least some sections of the joining pattern (36) are curved. The joining pattern has a maximum index (I) of variation of the ultrasonic welding points of 40 percent. An area seized by the welding points has a density within the joining pattern which decreases in rear and front end portions along endwards directed and inwardly curved extensions of the joining pattern.

Abstract: An absorbent article, preferably a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is disclosed having an absorbent core which imparts increased wearing comfort to the article and makes it thin and dry. The absorbent core useful for an absorbent article comprises a substrate layer, a discontinuous layer of absorbent material, and a layer of thermoplastic material. A second surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material is in at least partial contact with a first surface of the substrate layer. Portions of a second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with the first surface of the substrate layer and portions of said second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with a first surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material. A process for providing a storage layer for an absorbent core useful in an absorbent article is further disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article, especially an incontinence pad, having a length and a width extension, the length being greater than the width, and including absorbent core material, wherein the absorbent core material forms a central portion (6) and a pair of longitudinally extending side portions (7), the flexural rigidity of the article (1) at the side portions (7) is between 3 and 20% of the flexural rigidity of the article (1) of the central portion (6) at a location opposite the side portions (7), preferably between 4 and 15%, most preferred between 4 and 10%.

Abstract: A leakage-preventing unit 50 of an absorbent article 1 is formed by elastic members 51 and sheets 52. The leakage-preventing unit 50 includes a central region C and a pair of end unit regions S positioned outside a longitudinal direction L from the central region C. The elastic members 51 includes a fixed unit 51A fixed to the sheet 52 in a state when the elastic members 51 extend in the longitudinal direction L and a free end 51B positioned outside the longitudinal direction L from the fixed unit 51A, which is not fixed to the sheet 52. The end unit regions S includes a joint processing unit 53A in which a joint process for joining the portions where the sheets 52 face each other is performed and a non-joint processing unit 53B in which the joint process is not performed. The free end 51B is arranged in the non-joint processing unit 53B.

Abstract: An absorptive article in which an absorptive body is deformed into a stable recessed shape to prevent leakage of a large amount of discharged bodily wastes including bodily fluid. The absorptive article has a front side sheet at least a portion of which is liquid permeable and that is placed on the skin contact surface side, a liquid non-permeable back side sheet placed on the clothing contact surface side, and a liquid retainable absorptive body placed between the front side sheet and the back side sheet. The absorptive body has a compression section formed, when compressed from the clothing contact surface side to the skin contact surface side, into a projected shape projected on the clothing contact surface side, toward the skin contact surface side, and the absorptive body also has a space section formed, when compressed from the skin contact surface side to the clothing contact surface side, into a recessed shape recessed on the skin contact surface side, toward the clothing contact surface side.

Abstract: An absorbent article having colored regions. The absorbent article has at least three colored regions. The colored regions are spaced apart from one another. Each colored region has a major axis. The major axis of each colored region converges towards a common focal region on the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a first ear and a first fastening member. The absorbent article can also include a plurality of folds. The plurality of folds can arrange the fastening member in an overlaid relationship with said inner surface on said absorbent chassis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a first sheet leak preventer; a second sheet leak preventer present above and in a rear part of the first leak preventer; and an absorbent containing a super absorbent polymer, capable of absorbing a body fluid, and provided above the first leak preventer extending from a front part of the first leak preventer beneath the second leak preventer in at least one layer. The absorbent article of the present invention can separate urine and feces efficiently in use and having high urine absorption capacity.

Abstract: A contoured and shaped feminine sanitary device (10) comprising a substantially fluid-impermeable bottom layer (26), a substantially fluid-absorbent core (24), and a substantially fluid-permeable top layer (28), with at least one raised area (18) and at least one of back or front extensions (14,16) for facilitating and enhancing fluid absorption in certain areas and during certain activities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable pants-type diaper including on a crotch region thereof a separator adapted to prevent feces from coming in contact with the wearer's skin. A basic structure has the crotch region, which is provided with a folded sheet piece attached thereto so as to form the separator. The folded sheet piece is obtained by folding back the sheet piece along a first transverse center line thereof to define a first half and a second half placed upon each other and bonding end edges of these two halves to each other at responsive middles of these end edges in a transverse direction. With the first transverse center line brought close to a second transverse center line, the folded sheet piece is placed upon the crotch region and the lateral edges of the first half are bonded to the crotch region while a region of the first half defined by the lateral edges is kept to be spaced from the crotch region.

Abstract: A fluid absorption mat for use in a medical environment, the fluid absorption mat being a substantially planar mat having at least one fluid absorption layer. At least two absorption portions, presenting substantially juxtaposed projections on a principle plane of the mat, and present different absorption capacities are provided. Furthermore, use of the fluid absorption mat in a medical environment is provided.

Abstract: A sanitary pad auxiliary appendage for separate attachment at the rear end of a sanitary pad so as to form an extension of said sanitary pad, said auxiliary appendage comprising a base portion and a fin-like structure extending at least a portion of the length of said base portion, said fin-like structure projecting upwardly from said base portion, said fin-like structure adapted to at least partially fill a crevice between the buttocks of a user so as to form a barrier between the thighs and buttocks of said user.

Abstract: A wearable absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent core assembly. At least a portion of the outer cover is joined to the absorbent core assembly over at least a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The overall lateral width of the second attachment area is less than the overall lateral width of the first attachment area. At least a portion of the second attachment area is disposed in a hip region of the article. The first attachment area is disposed longitudinally outboard from the second attachment area.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article adapted to prevent body waste from leaking beyond leakage-barrier cuffs and thereby to restrict leakage of body waste from the article. A chassis 14 forming a diaper 10 includes a top-sheet 40 lying on a side facing the wearer's skin and a back-sheet 50 lying on the opposite side wherein the top-sheet 40 has a plurality of convex streaks extending in a longitudinal direction Y and a plurality of concave streaks each defined between a pair of the adjacent convex streaks. Opposite side edges 23 of a liquid-absorbent structure 20 respective include middle segments extending in a crotch region 13 and front and rear segments respectively extending in front and rear waist regions 11, 12 having width dimensions in a transverse direction X larger than a width dimension in the transverse direction of the middle segments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary absorbent structure including a fluid acquisition stratum; a fluid distribution stratum; and a fluid storage stratum between the acquisition stratum and the distribution stratum. Each of the acquisition, distribution, and storage strata are in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: Folded disposable pants which include an outer wear sheet of pants shape and an absorbent main body adhered to a skin-contacting surface side in the outer wear sheet, wherein elastic members are added at least to circumferences of a waist opening and a leg opening. The folded disposable pants are formed by folding back a crotch part of the disposable pants over a center pants part on the upside of the crotch part, folding back a left lateral part and a right lateral part of the pants over the center pants part, and then folding back an upper pants part in which the left and the right lateral parts of the pants are overlapped with each other, over a downside part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles which include one or more components that have been treated with a hydrophobic surface coating intended to render such components impermeable to liquids having relatively low surface tensions.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a absorbent core having a plurality of first regions and a second region, each one of said first regions being arranged in spaced relationship from each of the other first regions and each of the first regions being entirely surrounded by the second region.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body for an absorbent article includes a conveying mechanism for conveying a continuous absorbent sheet, a slitting mechanism configured so that a plurality of slitting blades are pressed against the absorbent sheet conveyed by the conveying mechanism, the slitting blades extending in a predetermined direction, a cutting mechanism for cutting the absorbent sheet against which the slitting blades are pressed and forming the absorbent body, and a stretching mechanism arranged upstream of the cutting mechanism and for stretching, in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, the absorbent sheet against which the slitting blades are pressed, and forming slits in the absorbent sheet.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet, a back sheet, and a skin contact sheet (SCS) disposed above the top sheet. The skin contact sheet is formed with a stool passing opening and a urine passing opening at a portion corresponding to a crotch part, and includes an SCS central region formed by extending a strip-shaped inter-opening region, which is sandwiched by the two openings and extends in the width direction, by half the length between the openings in the anterior direction and in the posterior direction; an SCS ventral region located at the ventral side from the SCS central region; and an SCS dorsal region located at the dorsal side from the SCS central region. A least the SCS central region has the stretching force in the width direction, and an inter-opening central region sandwiched by the two openings includes a non-stretchable region.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for absorbing anal leakage, such as fecal material, blood or flatulence. The method includes positioning an intergluteal absorbent pad external to the anal orifice of a subject such that the pad is retained between the buttocks, and any discharge from the anus is absorbed by the absorbent material of the pad. The pad can have a variety of shapes, including major and minor portions that are portions of spheres or ellipsoids, or which are elongated and have cross-sections that are circular or ellipsoid. The smaller minor portion of the pad is positioned against the anal orifice to minimize pressure exerted in this sensitive area, while the larger major portion is retained in the less sensitive intergluteal space. Insertion and retention of the pad adjacent to the anus helps alleviate symptoms of the hemorrhoids, absorbs leakage, and can also be used as a reservoir to administer medication.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes a napkin body having a liquid-absorbent layer for absorbing and retaining liquid and a projection projecting from a body surface of the napkin body. The projection is secured at laterally spaced base ends to the body surface of the napkin body. A distance between the base ends varies longitudinally of the projection. A height of the projection from the body surface of the napkin body decreases with increasing the distance between the base ends.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to personal care products such as diapers, training pants, feminine care articles, incontinence articles, bandages, and the like, that have been treated to enhance liquid intake and distribution performance characteristics and reduce leakage. Advantageously, the treated personal care products described herein not only reduce the viscosity and elasticity of viscoelastic fluids that come in contact with the treated product, but also reduce the fouling effect of such fluids.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene article having a body-facing surface, a first end region and a second end region. The feminine hygiene article is for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings, the feminine hygiene article comprising at least one functional enhancement indicator visible from said body-facing surface, the functional enhancement indicator corresponding to at least one functionally-enhanced portion of the feminine hygiene article. The feminine hygiene article can be a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner, or an incontinence pad.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a first end region, a second end region and a central region, a plurality of channels arranged in each of the first and second end regions, at least one channel arranged in the central region and extending in a longitudinal direction of the article, the at least one channel being connected at each end thereof to the plurality of channels in the first end region and the plurality of channels in the second end region.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin has a facing layer joined to a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the facing layer and backsheet. The facing layer has a first region comprising a plurality of apertures, and a second region comprising a plurality of raised, out-of-plane deformations that can be soft, resilient, rib-like elements. In one embodiment, the sanitary napkin also comprises a deep-embossed channel.

Abstract: A two-way stretch disposable diaper formed from four cooperating layers, a microfiber top layer to keep the wearer dry, an absorbent pad to collect body exudates, a waterproof layer to keep absorbed fluids within the pad, and a two-way stretch outer support layer. The top layer is formed as a cover for the absorbent pad which is designed to absorb urine and semi-liquid fecal material. The absorbent pad is backed by the waterproof layer or sheet which also covers the pad edges to prevent side leakage. The waterproof layer is anchored to a self-adhesive, two-way stretch support layer which constitutes an outer cover or support layer. The support layer derives its two way stretch and self adhesive qualities from its weave of alternate twist and/or crinkle threads. The support layer includes a plurality of holes in the waist band area which provide added ventilation and drainage when the diaper is used as swim-wear.

Abstract: A diaper or adult incontinence garment including a backsheet and a sublayer. The sublayer may include one or more acquisition layers and one or more regions having a multitude of through or blind holes. The sublayer may isolate feces away from the skin and at the same time provide liquid acquisition. Certain regions of the sublayer may have a total open area of from 10% to 50% of the total surface area of the sublayer. The holes have an average smallest dimension of at least 3 mm. The sublayer has an average caliper of from 2 mm to 6, and an average caliper loss after wetting and under pressure of 0.3 psi of less than 20%.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprising at least 50% by weight microfibers having a fineness of 1.0 dtex or less and a length of at least 30 mm and having been combined by hydroentangling. The fabric is apertured by said hydroentangling, and has been carded before hydroentangling. The fabric may be used as a topsheet material on an absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a backsheet, an absorbent core, a topsheet, and a genital coversheet. The topsheet has an opening positioned to allow exuded fecal material to pass therethrough when the article is worn by a wearer. The genital coversheet is positioned across a portion of the aperture and covers the wearer's genitals. A void space is formed between the genital coversheet and the absorbent core and a void space is formed between the topsheet and the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method and a device of forming a composite web containing at least one layer of superabsorbent particulate material and at least one layer of fibrous material, the web being intended for use as an absorbent structure in absorbent articles. The layers of fibrous material and at least one layer of particulate material are deposited in consecutive steps on a moving foraminous support (12), wherein the airborn stream of particulate material when entering an applicator chamber (15) is allowed to expand and is forced to change flow direction at an angle between about 90 and about 125°, preferably between 100 and 120°, with respect to the first flow direction, resulting in a considerable reduction of speed of the stream of particulate material as it exits the outlet opening (19) of the applicator chamber (15).

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and disposable pant like garments are disclosed. In particular, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and pants having an improved barrier cuff structure for improved fit are described. The placement of a barrier cuff structure having a tackdown point near the waistband of the article tends to “pull down” the waistband and may cause sagging. Intermediate tackdown bonds are disclosed to achieve the containment benefits of a barrier cuff structure without sacrificing fit characteristics of the article. The intermediate tackdown may be intermediate one or both of the longitudinal ends of the barrier cuff strip and the lateral side edges of the strip. Additionally, the relationship of forces, angles, and design characteristics of aspects of the articles and sagging are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in part, relates generally to an absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso. The absorbent article comprises a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a pair of longitudinal barrier cuffs attached to the chassis. Each of the longitudinal barrier cuffs is formed of a web of material. The web of material comprises a first nonwoven component layer comprising fibers having an average diameter in the range of about 8 microns to about 30 microns, a second nonwoven component layer comprising fibers having an average diameter of less than about 1 micron, and a third nonwoven component layer comprising fibers having an average diameter in the range of about 8 microns to about 30 microns. The second nonwoven component layer is disposed intermediate the first nonwoven component layer and the third nonwoven component layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in part, relates generally to an absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso. The absorbent article comprises a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a pair of longitudinal barrier cuffs attached to the chassis. Each of the longitudinal barrier cuffs is comprised of a web of material. The web of material has a low surface tension fluid strikethrough time of at least about 19 seconds, and an air permeability of at least about 20 m3/m2/min.

Abstract: The absorbent article according to the present invention includes a laminate structure including cover, transfer layer, core and barrier, the absorbent core having a first central region and second region concentrically surrounding the first region.

Abstract: A film particularly suited for use as a transfer layer in an absorbent article has a plurality of capillaries and a plurality of drains, said capillaries comprising side walls depending from a female side of the film and terminating in an aperture on a male side of the film; said drains comprising side walls that depending from the female side of the film and terminating in an aperture on the male side of the film, wherein the drains are disposed at an obtuse angle relative to a base plane of the film.

Abstract: A bodily fluid containment structure has an inner sheet and an outer sheet which are formed with through-hole extending through the sheets. The inner and outer sheets are bonded to each other along outer peripheral edges thereof to form an envelope. The inner sheet is formed with an opening. On both sides of this opening as viewed in a longitudinal direction Y, the containment structure further includes front and rear containment regions adapted to contain bodily fluids. The opening is aligned with the through-hole extending through the inner sheet and the outer sheet. The peripheral edge of the opening is bonded to the outer sheet by first bonding means. A bonded region is formed between the inner and outer sheets and includes a plurality of bonded line segments which define first channels.

Abstract: A protective undergarment, such as a diaper, includes a sling that is suspended from an outer shell. The sling forms a pocket in which a reusable or disposable absorbent pad can be positioned. The sling has an S-pocket or overlapping pocket at the front end and a cuff at the rear end. The cuff forms a slimmer outer profile than the S-pocket or overlapping pocket and is used only in the rear where leakage is not as significant as at the front. The S-pocket or overlapping pocket and the cuff are both suspended from bumper strips that extend from the waistband. Rectangular hook and loop fasteners and extension members allow a diaper to fit wearers of different waist size.

Abstract: An absorbent article, especially an incontinence pad, having a length and a width extension, the length being greater than the width, and having absorbent core material, wherein the outer longitudinal edges of the absorbent material form three convex lobes (2, 3, 4), wherein a pair of folding lines (5) extend between the longitudinal ends of the middle one (3) of the three lobes (2, 3, 4), so as to divide the absorbent core material into a central portion (6) and a pair of longitudinal side portions (7), such that, when the article (1) is in use, the folding lines (5) are generally positioned so as to extend along the crotch area of the user, starting from the gracilis tendons and ending in the region of the perineum, whereby the side portions (7) may extend from the central portion (6) towards the user so as to form an arc shape as seen in a transversal direction of the article (1).

Abstract: An absorbent article, in which an erroneous impression of replacement time is not given to a wearer, includes an absorbent body, a front sheet covering the absorbent body, and a rear sheet, a pair of masking members being disposed along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent body, close to two ends of a short direction of the absorbent body, the masking members being of porous film having pores continuous in the direction of thickness, the thickness thereof preferably being 0.4 mm or greater under a load of 20 g/cm2. By this means, seepage of fluid at the side margins of the front sheet is deferred and misunderstanding of replacement time by the wearer is prevented.

Abstract: An absorbent product capable of preventing the absorbing rate from significantly lowering with the elapse of time, from the start of use to a final stage when the absorbing capacity of the product reaches a limit, is provided. The absorbent product has a very small re-wet amount. The absorbent product includes a liquid-impermeable surface sheet positioned on the upper side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet positioned on the lower side, and an absorber containing super absorbent polymer to absorb discharged liquid positioned between the surface sheet and the back sheet, wherein a flow passage is provided to allow a part or all of the discharged liquid supplied to the surface sheet to move to a side of the back sheet.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a backsheet, an absorbent core, a topsheet with apertures, and a sublayer that includes at least one acquisition layer. The sublayer includes a multitude of holes. At least some of the apertures overlap partially at least some of the holes to form combined apertures in an overlap area that has an open area of between 15% and 50%. The absorbent article may provide improved isolation of feces away from the skin of a wearer of the absorbent article and/or improved immobilization of feces received by the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed in which an absorbent body intervenes between a liquid permeable front sheet and a back sheet. A middle-height portion is provided by thickening a front surface of an approximately center area of the absorbent body with respect to a standard portion absorbent body. The article includes leakage preventing grooves which extend to a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article are provided on both sides which sandwich a body fluid discharge portion area in the area of the middle-height portion, respectively.

Abstract: An absorbent article for fecal matter handling, especially with respect to mushy and/or pasty fecal matter, along with methods of making the same. A composite bodyside liner can reduce the amount of fecal matter that remains on the skin of a wearer after removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The bodyside liner can include only a fluid pervious liner layer. Alternatively, the bodyside liner can include a fluid pervious liner layer and a surge layer. A fecal adhering treatment composition is applied to at least a portion of the bodyside liner to reduce the amount of fecal matter that remains on the skin of the wearer after the absorbent article is removed.

Abstract: The top sheet for an absorbent article has a plurality of fused compressed sections, wherein the fused compressed sections are located on the lowermost side in the thickness direction of the top sheet, and the back side of the top sheet has recesses or low density regions having the lowest density within the top sheet, surrounding the fused compressed sections. The top sheet for an absorbent article having a plurality of fused compressed sections can be produced by a process wherein a top sheet is situated between a member with multiple protrusions and a member with multiple recesses that engage with the multiple protrusions, and the protrusions are pressed into the recesses.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin including a first embossing pattern including a first and second plurality of arcuate channels and a second embossing pattern including a third and fourth plurality of arcuate channels, the channels cooperating to define a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from the channels.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a liquid permeable topsheet 2, a liquid impermeable backsheet 3, and a liquid retentive absorbent member 4 and having a substantially oblong shape, the absorbent member 4 in the crotch portion having a middle absorbent portion 42 which occupies the middle 3/7 of the width of the absorbent member 4 and side absorbent portions 43 which each occupy the outermost 1/7 of the width of the absorbent member 4, wherein each side absorbent portion 43 has a larger unit absorption capacity than the middle absorbent portion 42, hydrophobic sheets 3 and 21 are disposed on the lateral outer edge of each side absorbent portion 43 to cover from the upper to lower surfaces of the edge, and an elastic member 71 is disposed in the part having each side absorbent portion 43 in the longitudinal direction of the side absorbent portion 43.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a stretchable substrate layer and an absorbent core formed directly on the substrate layer, and adhesively attached to the substrate layer. The absorbent core includes about 40-99% by weight superabsorbent particles and about 1-60% by weight adhesive fibers. The absorbent core does not prevent the substrate layer or absorbent article from stretching. The absorbent article can be a personal care absorbent article or a medical absorbent article, and is suitably stretchable or elastic in at least one direction.