Abstract:
The female protection system of the present invention includes a menstrual short (28) having an outer protective layer (30) and an inner gusset layer (32). A catamenial pad assembly (50) is connectable to the menstrual short and includes front and rear ends. The catamenial pad assembly includes an absorbent member (52) for absorbing menses and a cinch (56) for biasing the absorbent member into the gluteal groove and against the perineum of the female when worn. A first fastener (70, 72) is provided on the front end of the catamenial pad assembly for attaching the catamenial pad assembly to a first mating surface that is provided at a front attachment location on at least one of the inner gusset layer and the outer protective layer. A second fastener (78) is provided on the rear end of the catamenial pad assembly for attaching the catamenial pad assembly to a second mating surface that is provided at a rear attachment location on at least one of the inner gusset layer and the outer protective layer. The front and rear attachment locations are positioned to cause the cinch to bias the absorbent member of the catamenial pad assembly into the gluteal groove and against the perineum of the female when worn.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to extensible absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that are provided with less extensible lips (44) that serve as barriers to the flow of liquids.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a barrier laminate (10) having a barrier layer (12) and a lofty crimped-fiber nonwoven web layer (14), which laminate provides a foam-like resiliency, cloth-like texture and liquid barrier property. The barrier layer of the laminate is selected from films, microfiber nonwoven webs and laminates thereof, and the crimped-fiber web layer, which contains a structural fiber component and a heat-activatable adhesive component, has substantially uniformly distributed interfiber bonds. Additionally provided are thermoformed articles (22) from the laminate and a thermoforming process for producing the articles.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an absorbent article having multiple topsheets. The absorbent article includes a first, apertured, macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional, polymeric topsheet and a second, apertured, macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional polymeric topsheet underlying the first topsheet. The multiple topsheets provide improved masking of bodily fluids absorbed and retained by the absorbent core.
Abstract:
A reusable undergarment for incontinence is disclosed. The garment includes a pair of layers (12, 22) connected to provide a single open-ended body. A self-reversing pocket (36) is provided within the garment body to receive a disintegrating type or water soluble type absorbent pad (60, 74). The self-reversing pocket reverses during laundering of the garment and is easily removed from the garment body to facilitate thorough cleaning of the inside and outside of the garment and pocket. The pad is an environmentally acceptable absorbent insert suitable for a reusable incontinence product. The insert includes a moisture permeable outer cover (80) comprising a layer of flexible water soluble material adapted to be worn against the skin of a user and capable of substantially solubilizing in water at a temperature greater than about 40 DEG C; and an inner filler (82) of absorbent material, the absorbent material comprising a polymer capable of substantially dispersing in water at a temperature greater than about 40 DEG C. According to the present invention, when the insert is laundered with a reusable incontinence product, the outer cover layer is solubilized and the absorbent material is dispersed in water having a temperature greater than 40 DEG C so as to leave the reusable incontinence product free from the insert.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a simple, cost-effective, stretchable, superabsorbent material-containing absorbent structure that provides the superabsorbent material particles therein with improved liquid holding capacity. The stretchable absorbent structure can be used in absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. The stretchable absorbent structure comprises a stretchable liquid impervious barrier layer (40) and an absorbent nonwoven component (43) that is bonded to the barrier layer when the barrier layer is stretched at least partially toward its stretched condition, and superabsorbent, hydrogel-forming material (41) deposited on or distributed within the nonwoven component.
Abstract:
Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have improved dynamic fit and containment characteristics. The elasticized waistband (35) comprises a shaping panel zone (136); a waistline panel zone (138); and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone (140) joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone to provide a restoring force/moment that returns the panel zones to their preceeding in-use configuration, especially when the elasticized waistband has been pretensioned by a closure system. The closure system maintains lateral tension through the elasticized waistband thereby allowing the elasticized waistband to expand and contract with the motions of the wearer. The absorbent article additionally preferably comprises a pair of "zerostrain" elasticized side panels (30) disposed in waist region (58). The present invention also relates to an expansive "tummy" panel elasticized waistband (635). The absorbent core comprises an acquisition/distribution core (1302) of chemically stiffened fibers and a storage core (1304).
Abstract:
An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, having flaps (24) and a recessed area (68) wherein the flaps may be tucked. The recessed area is formed by joining the inward longitudinal edge of the retaining members (78) to the absorbent assembly at a point inboard of the longitudinal edge of the main body portion.
Abstract:
A refastenable diaper (10) is provided with a securing zone (20) on the diaper outer cover (12) of a peak strength of less than 2750 grams/inch. A refastenable adhesive taping system for the diaper (10) includes an adhesive fastening tape (24) comprising a flexible backing (32) and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive (34) permanently combined to the flexible backing (32) and adapted to be applied to and released from the securing zone (20) to fasten and open the diaper (10). The adhesive (34) exhibits a 180 degree peel adhesion of the tape (24) to the securing zone (20) that is less than the peak strength of the securing zone (20). The adhesive (34) is selected to be within a specified rheological window, that is, have a maximum tan delta of from 1.5 degrees Celsius to 2.5 degrees Celsius at 20 degrees Celsius, reached at a frequency of greater than 500 rad/sec.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have longitudinal side edge components (52) that naturally wrap the sides (22) of a wearer's panties which provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side edge components are extensible, and may be attached inboard of the longitudinal edges of the main body of the article, or be decoupled from the main body, or comprise part of the impervious backsheet of the main body.