Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Christopher Dale Fenwick

James Hongxue Wang

Kurtis Lee Brown

Roland Columbus Smith, Jr

Chad Michael Freese

Casey Lynn Dusenbery

Jian Qin

Ann Louise McCormack

Bryan David Haynes

Roger Bradshaw Quincy, Iii

Fu-Jya Daniel Tsai

Susan Elaine Shawver

Phillip A Schorr

James Russell Fitts, Jr

Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet

Carol Ann Blaney

Tamara Lee Mace

Jayant Chakravarty

Stephen Avedis Baratian

Darryl Franklin Clark

Terry K Timmons

Glynis Allicia Walton

Alexander J Neeb

Eric Scott Kepner

Patricia A Stern

Monica Graciela Varriale

Braulio Arturo Polanco

Melpo Lambidonis

Erin A Evans

Christian Trusock

Susan Carol Sudbeck

Scott Stephen Englebert

D Keith Osteen

Warren L Collier, Iv

Roger Bradshaw Quincy Iii

A thermal covering that comprises a thermoregulatory substrate is provided. The thermoregulatory substrate contains an exothermic coating formed from an oxidizable metal. The exothermic coating is generally free of moisture prior to activation. Exposure of the exothermic coating to oxygen and moisture activates an exothermic reaction to generate heat, such heat being transferable to a patient or user through an outer surface defined by the thermal covering.

Thermal coverings

High loft, low density nonwoven webs are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B bilateral morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the z-direction and produce a web of lofted material. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.

High loft low density nonwoven webs of crimped filaments and methods of making same

High loft, low density nonwoven webs suitable for use in a variety of applications requiring strong fabric layers are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of crimpable, e.g., side by side or eccentric sheath/core (A/B) configuration which are unheated prior to collection. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the Z-direction and produce a web of lofted material of greater uniformity than attained with comparable material whose fibers are drawn by a heated process. The resultant nonwoven material can then be pattern bonded or laminated for additional strength without interfering with the desired loft of the low density nonwoven. The additionally strengthened nonwoven may then be further processed such as by lamination or the like to further increase its utility.

Strong high loft low density nonwoven webs and laminates thereof

This invention is a surge material having permanent storage properties that results in faster intake and greater saturation capacity and reduced fluid flowback. More specifically the invention is a surge material with a superabsorbent material printed on in a pattern of discrete regions. The objective of the invention is obtained by printing, or other known application process, a liquid superabsorbent precursor solution containing a crosslinkable composition onto a surge material and then curing the printed surge material to crosslink the polymers to get a surge material having discrete regions of superabsorbent material in the surge material. This invention is also useful in making an absorbent core of an absorbent article with improved strength, increased absorbency, and decreased shedding of superabsorbent material.

Nonabsorbent surge layer having discrete regions of superabsorbent and method for making

The present invention provides an improved disposable article for the absorption and containment of urine or other body exudates, for example a diaper, training pants or an adult incontinence article, that has a high fecal fluid intake rate as measured by the Fecal Fluid Intake Test.

Absorbent articles

A surgical drape for covering a patient during a surgical procedure is provided. The drape has a base sheet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of edges. A fenestration is formed in the base sheet positionable over the surgical site. A reinforcement panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery is also provided. The lower surface of the reinforcement panel has a pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto. The panel is adjustably manipulated and adhered by the pressure sensitive adhesive so as to occlude a portion of the fenestration in the base sheet at the time of the surgical procedure.

Surgical drape with adjustable fenestration

A surgical drape system is provided including a drape component and a pouch component. The drape component has a main sheet portion and may have a fenestration for providing access to an operative site on a patient. The pouch component may be created from a rear panel and a front panel superimposed and partially sealed one to the other to provide a pouch having an open top and partially open sides. The rear panel is attached to the drape in proximity to the fenestration and holds the pouch in place on the drape. A number of spaced apart fasteners are disposed upon at least one of the panels proximate to the open top. The fasteners are for fastening sections of the front and rear panel to one another thus establishing alternating fastened and unfastened regions in the open top.

Surgical drape system with pouch

A nonwoven surge material for personal care products, which is a nonwoven fabric made of a homogeneous blend of large and small denier fibers. The small or first denier fiber preferably has an average denier less than 2, is at least 3 denier less than the second or larger fiber and the large or second denier fiber has an average denier between 4 and 15. The nonwoven fabric is a mixture of these fibers in amounts of from 25 to 75 weight percent of each type of fiber. The fabric may have a basis weight between 30 and 200 gsm. The first denier fiber may be a bicomponent fiber which may be a sheath/core polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber. The second denier fiber may be made from a polyester. It is also possible that the fibers have a hydrophilic treatment added to their surface to increase their hydrophilicity.

Mixed denier fluid management layers

An absorbent article including a liquid-permeable top layer, an absorbent core layer, and a breathable outer cover is provided with a breathable inner laminate between the absorbent core and the outer cover. The breathable inner laminate includes a breathable film and a nonwoven filament web, and is less breathable than the outer cover. The low to moderately breathable inner laminate substantially reduces perceived dampness occurring on the external surface of the highly breathable outer cover, following a liquid insult, when the article is being worn, without seriously hampering moisture flux out of the diaper. Direct pathways for moisture near the wearer's skin to exit the article are maintained, and a concentration gradient is enhanced. Alternate embodiments include an apertured absorbent core, or the absence of a nonwoven filament web wherein the film and the absorbent core are apertured together, or a surge layer positioned between the top layer and the absorbent core wherein the surge layer extends to fill apertures in the absorbent core.

Breathable diaper with low to moderately breathable inner laminate and more breathable outer cover

Growing community of inventors

Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Christopher Dale Fenwick