Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a process for making a fibrous web. The fibrous web comprises fibers and a functional material. The fibers are bonded by a binder and the functional material is immobilized by the binder. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: forming a fiber aggregation comprising fibers, preparing a solution comprising the binder and the functional material uniformly dispersed together with the binder in the solution, immersing the fiber aggregation into the solution to disperse the functional material into the fiber aggregation, and drying the fiber aggregation to form the fibrous web.
Abstract:
An absorbent material comprising a mixture of (1) a plurality of absorbent gelling particles comprising a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymer, and (2) an absorbent property modification polymer reactive with at least one component included in a urine. The mixture is made by (i) applying a solution containing an organic solvent, water and the absorbent property modification polymer onto the plurality of absorbent gelling particles, wherein the weight ratio of the organic solvent to the water is at least 50:50, and (ii) removing a portion of the organic solvent and water from the applied absorbent gelling particles. When a urine is applied to the absorbent material, the absorbent gelling particles are spontaneoulsy connective through the absorbent property modification polymer. The absorbent material has at least one of the improved absorbent properties after swelling such as (1) liquid permeability, (2) porosity, (3) wet integrity, and (4) recovery property when subjected to external forces.
Abstract:
Stretch laminate hot melt adhesives and stretch laminates are described. The stretch laminate hot melt adhesives are suitable for adhering elastic materials with inelastic substrates, and allow permanent deformation of the inelastic substrate and extensions and retractions of the elastic materials. The stretch laminate hot melt adhesive is particularly suitable for back ear lamination for disposable absorbent articles.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the present invention relates to absorbent articles (10) that maintain or increase fluid rates when subjected to successive fluid loads. A test method is described for measuring fluid acquisition rates. In another aspect, the invention relates to an absorbent article (10) useful for absorbing discharged aqueous body fluids that comprises: A) a fluid pervious topsheet (12); B) a backsheet (14); and C) an absorbent core (18) positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising: (1) at least one upper fluid storage component (34, 36) capable of expanding in the z-direction when contacted with aqueous body fluids, said at least one upper fluid storage component being in direct fluid communication with the topsheet and at least partially forming a fluid acquisition zone (38); (2) a fluid acquisition zone (38) capable of receiving aqueous body fluids, said fluid acquisition zone being at least partially surrounded by said a least one upper fluid storage component and positioned at least partially beneath the fluid discharge region of the absorbent core; (3) a fluid acquisition/distribution component (42) capable of acquiring and transporting aqueous body fluids, at least a portion of this fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath and in fluid communication with said at least one fluid storage component, and at least a portion of the fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath, and in fluid communication with the fluid acquisition zone of the absorbent core; and (4) preferably, at least one lower fluid storage component (60) positioned underneath the fluid acquisition/distribution component and in fluid communication therewith, at least a portion of this lower storage component being positioned underneath the fluid acquisition zone.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus (1) for making a cohesive sheet from particulate substantially water insoluble, absorbent hydrogel-forming polymer materials. The method comprises the steps of continuously layering dry absorbent gelling particles onto a conveyor. The particles are then sprayed with a liquid mixture, which is a solution of water and a cross-linking agent for the polymers in the particulate material. The amount sprayed is sufficient to cause effective surface cross-linking of the particulate material after the sheet is cured. The layering and spraying steps can then be repeated a number of times if desired. Pressure is then applied to the particulate material by passing it through a pair of compaction rolls. The apparatus (1) comprises a conveyor (3), one or more feeders (5) for layering the dry absorbent gelling particles onto the conveyor, one or more sprayers (4) for spraying the particles on the conveyor with the liquid mixture and a pair of compaction rolls (6).
Abstract:
A disposable absorbent article that includes a first and second substrate, a portion of which is joined together with a hot-melt adhesive applied at a temperature of less than 130 C. At least one of the first second substrates has a basis weight of less than 15 grams per square meter. The adhesive provides suitable bond strength on low basis weight substrates and allows for flexible processing conditions.
Abstract:
Absorbent articles assembled using a low cold flow construction adhesive are described. The absorbent articles have an in bag compression opening force of less than about 0.75N. A method for making the absorbent articles is also described.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a process for making a fibrous web. The fibrous web comprises fibers and a functional material. The fibers are bonded by a binder and the functional material is immobilized by the binder. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: forming a fiber aggregation comprising fibers, preparing a solution comprising the binder and the functional material uniformly dispersed together with the binder in the solution, immersing the fiber aggregation into the solution to disperse the functional material into the fiber aggregation, and drying the fiber aggregation to form the fibrous web.
Abstract:
An absorbent member comprising at least one region which comprises an absorbent material in a concentration of from about 60 to 100 % by weight. The absorbent material has an improved physical property after swelling and comprises a mixture of (1) a plurality of absorbent gelling particles comprising a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymer, and (2) an absorbent property modification polymer reactive with at least one component included in a urine. When a urine is applied to the absorbent member, the absorbent gelling particles are spontaneously connective through the absorbent property modification polymer. The absorbent material has at least one of the improved absorbent properties after swelling such as (1) liquid permeability, (2) porosity, (3) wet integrity, and (4) recovery property when subjected to external forces.
Abstract:
An absorbent article comprising an absorbent gelling material (AGM) having an encapsulated compound of one or more odor controlling organic compounds disposed upon a surface thereof is described. Alternatively, an AGM particle comprising an encapsulated reactive compound of one or more odor controlling organic compounds disposed as a surface coating thereon is described. Additionally, a method to manufacture an absorbent article is described. The method provides for the steps of: a) providing a solution in a solvent system, the solution has an encapsulating agent and one or more odor controlling organic compounds as a surface coating; b) applying an amount of the solution to a surface of an AGM particle; and, c) incorporating the AGM particle having the solution applied thereto into the absorbent article.