8330results about "Undergarments" patented technology

A disposable absorbent core comprises first and second absorbent layers each comprising an absorbent particulate polymer material such that the absorbent particulate polymer material is substantially continuously distributed across an absorbent particulate polymer material area. A disposable absorbent article and method for making the absorbent core are also disclosed.

A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount Virtual Coupons TM , rebate or gift certificates or the like which may be used on conjunction with a frequency card program or the like. Virtual Coupons TM may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Software on the diskette or CD-ROM may prompt a consumer to call a 1-800 number for a validation number or code. During the phone call, telemarketing personnel may request consumer demographic and or identification information which may be entered into a centralized database. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out a list selected Virtual Coupons TM displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). When a product is purchased, the UPC code of the product may be compared electronically with a list of Virtual Coupons TM authorized for a particular consumer. An appropriate coupon discount may then be applied and the Virtual Coupon TM may be considered "redeemed". Once redeemed, consumer ID information and Virtual Coupon TM information may be retrieved electronically and used to update a central database. Accurate data may then be produced illustrating which consumers or groups of consumers are redeeming which Virtual Coupons TM . Such data may be used for marketing purposes or to generated further diskettes for distribution targeting specific consumers or groups of consumers with specific classes of Virtual Coupon TM offerings. The use of Virtual Coupons TM eliminates or reduces fraud, and allows a frequency card discount to be applied only a limited number of times.

An absorbent article is disclosed having a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a synthetic superabsorbent polymer derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound, wherein said superabsorbent polymer exhibits a defined Saline Flow Conductivity value and Absorption Against Pressure value. Alternately, an absorbent article is disclosed having a synthetic polyolefin derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound. The synthetic polyolefin exhibits defined performance characteristics making the polyolefin particularly useful in certain components of the absorbent article. Methods for making the aforementioned absorbent articles are also disclosed.

Substrates, coated with a block copolymer comprising at least four blocks being at least two hard blocks, one soft block and one hydrophilic block, wherein a the soft block is sandwiched between the hard blocks.

An elimination-absorber monitoring system addresses diaper-monitoring problems with a unique, low cost, multi-layer disposable sensor structure that absorbs small volumes of urine, yet allows most urine volume to flow unimpeded through it, and into the diaper below. When connected with a reusable, miniature monitor/indicator unit, the sensor presents a clear and on-going change of measurement condition upon experiencing a rapid influx into the diaper of a significant volume of urine, and/or upon a significant reduction in the available absorbency of the diaper's top surface. The sensor additionally provides recessed, protected elements for similarly presenting a clear and on-going change in measurement condition upon experiencing the presence of fecal matter. Further provided is the monitor unit employing narrow, widely-spaced, fast rise-time, fast transition-time pulses for conductivity measurement and alarm activation. The monitor and sensor are interconnected and attached to a diaper by particularly effective and unique means, and the monitor is equipped with a highly intuitive and convenient control interface, as well as improved assemblies for the transmission of audible and visual alarm indications. Also described is a convenient test-strip device which, when connected to the monitor/alarm unit of the system, can selectively simulate either a soiled or unsoiled elimination-absorber/sensor for test, caregiver-training or demonstration purposes.

A disposable pull-on garment comprising an absorbent main body and a ring-like elastic belt is disclosed. The pull-on garment has a waist opening and leg openings and extends in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The absorbent main body comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The ring-like elastic belt is surrounded by a transverse waist border and a transverse abdomen border. The ring-like elastic belt comprises a belt layer and a belt elastic material joined to the belt layer. The belt elastic material is provided with the belt layer such that the leg opening angle formed by the transverse abdomen border of the side panel and the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent main body is greater when the disposable pull-on garment is in a contracted configuration than when the disposable pull-on garment is in an uncontracted configuration.

An article of footwear with a knit upper and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The upper is formed through a knitting process to include a plurality of sections formed of different yarns and knits to provide the sections with different physical properties. In portions of the upper where sections formed of different yarns are in adjacent wales, a tuck stitch is utilized to join the sections. The method utilizes a circular knitting machine having multiple feeds that work together to knit the upper into a unitary, seamless structure. The multiple feeds, each of which provide multiple types of yarns, produce the sections to have varying physical properties.

The present disclosure relates to methods for manufacturing absorbent articles, and in particular, methods for making pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers. Aspects of the methods according to the present disclosure relate to the fabrication of refastenable pant diapers wherein discrete chassis are advanced in a machine direction such that the lateral axis is parallel with the machine direction. First side panels are then refastenably connected with the first waist region, and second side panels are permanently connected the second waist regions of the discrete chassis. The chassis are connected with discrete lengths of side panel material and/or connection zone material. The chassis are then folded, and the first and second side panels are subsequently bonded together. The article is then subjected to knife cut at or adjacent the bonded regions to create discrete, pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers.

Aspects of the methods according to the present disclosure relate to the fabrication of refastenable pant diapers wherein discrete chassis are advanced in a machine direction such that the lateral axis is parallel with the machine direction. First side panels are then refastenably connected with the first waist region, and second side panels are permanently connected the second waist regions of the discrete chassis. The methods disclosed herein connect chassis with discrete lengths of side panel material and/or connection zone material, and forms a continuous web of articles formed by intermittently spaced chassis and intermittently spaced side panels bridging the gap between the intermittently spaced chassis. The chassis are then folded in the cross direction parallel to a lateral centerline and the first and second side panels are subsequently bonded together. The article is then subjected to knife cut adjacent the bonded regions to create discrete, pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers.

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as diapers and sanitary napkins, and acquisition members useful for such articles. More specifically, the invention relates to an acquisition member comprising a multitude of fibers and a latex binder, the liquid acquisition member having a void volume of at least 7 cubic centimeter per gram in the temperature range from 20° C. to 40° C., the binder comprising a dispersion of a polymer substance in an essentially aqueous medium, the polymer substance being capable of forming a film, said film having a tan δ value, as defined herein, at 20° C. and at 40° C., wherein the tan δ value at 40° C. is not greater than said tan δ value at 20° C.

A liquid acquisition material for use in an absorbent article. The liquid acquisition material having first fibers and second fibers. The first fibers are chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers and the second fibers are selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, rayon, lyocell, and mixtures thereof. The liquid acquisition material has a total dry weight, the first fibers have a first dry weight, and the second fibers have a second dry weight. The first dry weight is from 30 to 95 percent of the total dry weight and the second dry weight is from 5 to 70 percent of the total dry weight.

The present invention comprises a fabric-based sensor for monitoring vital signs or other electrical impulses of a subject. The sensor is woven or knitted from conductive fibers and, when in contact with the body, receives signals from the wearer and transmits them to a processing or monitoring device through a data-output terminal. The sensor may be integrated into the fabric of a garment or used independently as a conductive patch. Additionally, the sensor may provide bi-directional communication by both monitoring electrical impulses and sending them.

An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet is disclosed. The topsheet has a first side and a second side, the first side being a body-facing side and the second side being in fluid communication with the absorbent core. The topsheet also has a first relatively hydrophobic component and a second relatively hydrophilic component, the relatively hydrophilic component extending through the relatively hydrophobic component and being disposed on both of the sides of the topsheet. The absorbent article exhibits a rewet value of less than about 94 mg, and a fluid acquisition rate of at least about 0.10 ml/sec when tested by the Gush Acquisition and Rewet Test Method.

The present invention relates to a method of applying absorbent gelling material (AGM) granules by indirect printing onto an carrier layer for use in an absorbent article, particularly diaper for babies or adults, training pants, pull-up diapers (diaper pants), sanitary napkins, panty liners or the like. These articles typically comprise the carrier layer with the AGM particles together with further layers, making up the complete article.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling diapers, each including a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. As discussed in more detail below, opposing end regions of the chassis are connected with regions of the elastic belts where the elasticity of the elastic belts has been removed or deactivated. An elastic laminate may be formed by continuously bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer such that the elastic strands are bonded to both the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer in heavy-bond regions. And the elastic strands are bonded to the first substrate layer and/or the second substrate layer with in light-bond regions. The elastic strands are then intermittently deactivated by cutting the strands into one or more discrete pieces in the light-bond regions. The discrete pieces retract and remain in the light-bond regions.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling diaper pants, each including a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. Opposing end regions of the chassis may be connected with regions of the elastic belts where the elasticity of the elastic belts has been removed or deactivated. An elastic laminate may be formed by intermittently bonding elastic strands with a first continuous substrate, defining bonded regions and non-bonded regions intermittently spaced along the machine direction. A second continuous substrate may be cut into discrete lengths or patches intermittently spaced along the machine direction. The discrete lengths of the second substrate may then be bonded with the first continuous substrate and elastic strands in the bonded regions. The elastic strands are then intermittently deactivated by severing the strands in the non-bonded regions. And plurality of chassis may then be bonded with non-bonded regions of the elastic laminate.

There is disclosed a water-absorbing agent which combines both performances of the capillary suction force and the liquid permeability. This water-absorbing agent is a particulate water-absorbing agent comprising water-absorbent resin particles (α) and a liquid-permeability-enhancing agent (β), wherein the water-absorbent resin particles (α) are surface-crosslink-treated particles of a crosslinked polymer of a monomer including acrylic acid and/or its salt; with the water-absorbing agent being characterized in that the particulate water-absorbing agent has: a mass-average particle diameter (D50) in the range of 234 to 394 gm, a logarithmic standard deviation (σξY) of a particle diameter distribution in the range of 0.25 to 0.45, an absorption capacity without load (CRC) of not less than 15 g/g, and a water-extractable component content of not higher than 15 mass %; and further a liquid-permeability-enhancing agent (β) content in the range of 0.01 to 5 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the water-absorbent resin particles (α).

A tri-folded disposable absorbent article comprising a substantially cellulose free absorbent core located in a chassis between a topsheet and a backsheet and comprising absorbent particulate polymer material. An array of absorbent article packages comprising disposable absorbent articles comprising a substantially cellulose free absorbent core is also disclosed.

In an ultra-thin absorbent sheet member 1a in which an absorbent polymer powder 3 is adhered to one surface of a first nonwoven fabric 2 by a hotmelt adhesive such that absorbent polymer powder present areas 2c and absorbent polymer powder absent areas 2a, 2b exist; the absorbent polymer powder absent areas are present at opposite widthwise ends (2a) of the ultra-thin absorbent sheet member and at least one position (2b) between the opposite ends; the absorbent polymer powder 3 is bonded to the first nonwoven fabric 2 by first hotmelt adhesive layers S1 formed on an upper side of the first nonwoven fabric 2 and on a lower side of the absorbent polymer powder 3 and a second hotmelt adhesive layer S2 formed to cover upper sides of the absorbent polymer powder present areas 2c and the absorbent polymer powder absent areas 2a, 2b; and the first hotmelt adhesive layer S1 and the second hotmelt adhesive layer S2 are both made of an aggregate of linear hotmelt adhesive pieces.

Absorbent hygiene products comprising a core of an absorbent material and a top sheet through which fluid to be absorbed passes for absorption by the absorbent material are disclosed. The top sheet is porous and comprises a sheet having surfaces of a hydrophobic polymeric material modified by a graft copolymerization reaction between those surfaces and a vinyl monomer having a group capable of exhibiting hydrophilic properties. The graft polymerization reaction comprising exposure of the sheet to ultraviolet radiation while impregnated with a solution of the vinyl monomer. The grafted vinyl monomer comprises a substantially uniform coating of the sheet surface and having a mean thickness not more than about 3.0 mum. Methods for producing this absorbent hygiene product are also disclosed.

A laminate web is disclose, the laminate web comprising a first web, a second web joined to the first web at a plurality of discrete bond sites; and a third material disposed between at least a portion of the first and second nonwovens. The third material is apertured in regions adjacent the bond sites, such that the first and second nonwoven webs are joined through the apertures. In one embodiment an apertured laminate web is disclosed, having a first extensible web having a first elongation to break, and a second extensible web joined to the first extensible web at a plurality of bond sites, the second extensible web having a second elongation to break A third web material is disposed between the first and second nonwovens, the third web material having a third elongation to break which is less than both of the first or second elongations to break. In a further embodiment, an apertured laminate web is disclose, having first and second extensible webs being joined at a plurality of discrete bond sites and a third material disposed between the first and second nonwoven webs. The first and second nonwoven webs are in fluid communication via the apertures and have distinct regions being differentiated by at least one property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, fiber orientation, thickness, and density.

Apparatus and method for producing absorbent structures with absorbent layers with channel(s) without absorbent material, using a first moving endless surface with specific raised strip(s) and a second moving endless surface with specific mating strip(s).

A disposable absorbent article worn about the lower torso of a wearer includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates the process of fitting the absorbent article to the wearer by providing an apparent visual and physical indication when the article is not properly fitted. The apparent visual and physical indication includes a detectable distortion of the waist opening, the leg openings or both the waist opening and the leg openings. The detectable distortion includes at least one serviceable indicium disposed on a portion of the waist opening or leg opening or both that becomes flipped in towards an inner surface of the article or flipped out towards the outer surface of the article when the article is not properly fitted.

An elongated, flexible, flat conductive tape can be applied to any surface to be monitored for water or other liquid leaks, and electrically connected to any suitable type of conventional electrically operated leak detector. A pair of parallel spaced conductors is disposed on one side of the tape that run longitudinally along the length thereof. The conductors are spaced from one another by a small distance to insure that only a small quantity of water or other conductive liquid is necessary to bridge the gap between the conductors, and create an electrical short circuit or substantial impedance reduction between the two. In addition, the conductors are preferably as flat as possible to insure that liquid can freely flow transversely across them without being impeded thereby. Both of these features insure that the detector tape can sense even very small quantities of liquid, thereby generating an early warning of a leak condition before extensive damage results. A liquid responsive visible indication is also provided on the tape to identify the location along the tape where water or other leaking liquid has come in contact therewith, and eliminates the need for using an expensive sensing device to locate the source of a leak.

In one embodiment, taped and pant articles of the present disclosure may comprise first and second chassis that are at least substantially identical.

A disposable absorbent article includes a chassis and an absorbent core which is substantially cellulose free. The chassis may contain a topsheet and a backsheet. The absorbent core may be located between the topsheet and the backsheet and may include (i) a storage layer which comprises an absorbent particulate polymer material and has a wearer facing side and an opposed garment facing side, (ii) a first core wrap sheet covering the wearer facing side of the storage layer, and (iii) a second core wrap sheet covering the garment facing side of the storage layer, the first core wrap sheet being joined to the second core wrap sheet along at least one traverse sealing zone.

A multi layered wound dressing for use on wounds producing high levels of exudate, the dressing comprising a transmission layer having a high MVTR; an absorbent core capable of absorbing and retaining exudates; and a wound contacting layer which transmits exudate to the absorbent core, the absorbent core and wound contacting layer limiting the lateral spread of exudate in the dressing to the region of the wound.

A process is disclosed for forming a synthetic fiber including providing a first component of an aliphatic polyester polymer a second component of a multicarboxylic acid, mixing the first component aliphatic polyester polymer and the second component multicarboxylic acid to form an unreacted specified thermoplastic composition, and melt blending the unreacted specified thermoplastic composition in an extruder or a mixer. The second component multicarboxylic acid lubricates the extruder and provides a nucleating agent for crystallizing the specified thermoplastic composition to form a mean crystal size less than about 120 Angstroms. Fiber composed of the specified thermoplastic composition has a mean crystal size less than about 120 Angstroms. The fiber has a glass transition temperature (Tg) less than about 55 DEG C. In one aspect, a first component of polylactic acid and a second component of adipic acid provide synthetic fibers in a nonwoven structure used in a biodegradable and compostable disposable absorbent product for the absorption and removal of body fluids.

A stretchable outer cover for use with an absorbent article including an elastomeric film. The elastomeric film includes at least one skin layer that is less tacky than at least one core layer. The outer cover can include a nonwoven layer different structural combinations of spunbond fibers, meltblown fibers, and/or nanofibers. The combination of plastic and elastic components results in an outer cover that has favorable mechanical, physical, and aesthetic properties. The outer cover can be rendered either uniaxially or biaxially stretchable via a mechanical activation process.

The present invention relates to a wetness monitoring system that includes a data collection device that sends wetness measurement data to a central computer that detects changes in wetness measurement data caused by the presence of urine or other dielectric fluids. The data collection device includes a semi-reusable sensor and reusable data collector that are worn on a garment of the person. The data collector includes an internal power source so that the person can live a normal ambulatory life. The data collector has an electrical circuit that uses the changing resistance characteristics in the sensor to gather wetness measurement data. The data collector periodically generates and transmits a signal containing the actual wetness measurement data. The signals are coded to identify the particular data collector or person sending the signal. The data collector is programmed to conserve power by sending signals less frequently during periods when the sensor is clearly dry. Signals are sent more frequently when the sensor is damp or a wetness event may have occurred. The central computer receives the signals containing the wetness measurement data and compares the measurement data to an adjustable wetness sensitivity level to determine if a wetness event has occurred. When the central computer determines that a wetness event has occurred, the computer displays the name of the particular person wearing the data collector and the approximate time that the wetness event occurred. The system then pages an appropriate healthcare worker to inform them that the particular individual needs attention and tracks the approximate response times to ensure that the patient is continuously receiving prompt care.