Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Alice Y Romans-Hess

Jian Qin

Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet

Edwin T Ta

Garry Roland Woltman

Roger Bradshaw Quincy, Iii

Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby

Dennis Stein Everhart

James John Hlaban

Candace Dyan Krautkramer

Paul John Serbiak

Patricia A Mitchler

Debra Jean McDowall

David Charles Potts

Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak

Valerie Victoria Finch

Jack Nelson Lindon

Wendy L Hamilton

Robert J Peerenboom

Kristi Lynn Kiick-Fischer

Patsy Ann Krautkramer

Mary Alice Berceau

Lenore S Ryan

Jason Matthew English

David R King

Thomas W Van Den Bogart

Frederick Myron Guenther

Stuart James Burgan

Jennifer L Misek

Amanda J Carlson

Peter S Gebhardt

Jamie L Gloede

Danielle G Finger

Karyn Clare Dibb

Jason M English

The present invention provides a substrate treated with an linked enzyme. It has been discovered that a substrate treated with a linked enzyme can be effective in improving the ability of the substrate to absorb viscoelastic materials, such as menses, by cleaving a protein structure present in some viscoelastic materials. In addition, the linked enzyme is less likely to migrate from the treated material onto the user, as compare to an enzyme being placed directly on the substrate, thereby reducing the risk of sensitization to the user of the absorbent product. Also provided by the present invention are absorbent articles which contain at least one surface or layer containing the linked enzyme.

Absorbent products with a linked enzyme treatment

An absorbent feminine care article () having a longitudinal direction (), a lateral direction (), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (), and an intermediate portion () located between the end portions. The article () comprises an absorbent body structure () sandwiched between a cover () and a baffle (). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure () can include an intake layer () and a shaping layer (). In other aspects, the intake layer () and shaping layer () can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.

Multilayer absorbent article

Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquid.

Structure having balanced pH profile

Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquids.

A permeable, liquid flow control material composed of: 1) a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which have a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes/cm; and 2) amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet so that the adsorbed amphiphilic protein coating provides controlled wettability along at least one dimension of the liquid flow control material. Desirably, the liquid flow control material is substantially free of fugitive amphiphilic proteins. The material may be used as a permeable, bodyside cover material for absorbent personal care products.

Permeable liquid flow control material

A fibrous web which includes a first zone composed of fibers which have been treated with a surfactant and a second zone composed of fibers which have been exposed to a corona field. At least one of the first zone and the second zone constitutes less than all of the fibrous web. In addition, the fibers constituting the second zone also constitute a portion of the fibers of the first zone. The first zone and the second zone may involve essentially the same portion of the fibrous web, provided that both zones do not encompass the entire fibrous web. Both the first zone and the second zone may constitute less than all of the fibrous web. In certain embodiments, the fibrous web will be composed of fibers which are at least partially oriented in one direction. Either the first zone or the second zone may encompass all of the fibrous web. That is, the entire fibrous web may treated with a surfactant or exposed to a corona field. Desirably, the entire fibrous web will be treated with a surfactant. Alternatively, the fibers of the second zone may be the same fibers of which a portion of the first zone is composed. The fibrous web may be employed as a component of such absorbent product as diapers; incontinent care products; and feminine care products, such as sanitary napkins and tampons.

Liquid distribution and retention medium

A thin sanitary napkin is disclosed along with its method of manufacture. The napkin has a liquid-impermeable baffle and an absorbent retained on the baffle. The absorbent has a longitudinally-extending central absorbent zone with a width of less than about 2 inches. The central zone is capable of absorbing at least 20 grams of body fluid which is discharged from the vaginal cavity and deposited onto the napkin. The central zone also has a greater stiffness than adjacent portions of the napkin so as to resist twisting and bunching during use. The sanitary napkin further has a caliper of less than about 5 millimeters.

Thin sanitary napkin having a central absorbent zone and a method of

A sanitary napkin is provided which minimizes the probability of side staining or side leakage by using embossed channels which are located adjacent to the longitudinal edges of the napkin. These embossed channels are activated during use by the thighs, allowing the sides of the napkin to fold upwards during use, thus forming an occlusive container.

Reduced leakage menstrual pad with built-in fold lines

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, WI, United States of America

Alice Y Romans-Hess