Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Znn Technologies, LLC

Kimberly-clark Wordwide, Inc.

2n Corporation

Davis Dang Hoang Nhan

Peiguang Zhou

Andrew Mark Long

Mark Michael Mleziva

Lawrence Howell Sawyer

Theodore T Tower

Jose Kollakompil Abraham

Alphonse Carl DeMarco

William Hung Nguyen

John Gavin MacDonald

Sridhar Ranganathan

Thomas Michael Ales

Candace Dyan Krautkramer

Darold Dean Tippey

Chinmay Suresh Betrabet

Kathy Geralyn Richardson

Sudhanshu Gakhar

Shirlee Ann Weber

Andrew Thomas Baker

Michael Donald Sperl

Oomman Painummoottil Thomas

Stacy Averic Mundschau

Joseph R Feldkamp

WanDuk Lee

Shawn Jeffery Sullivan

Shiming Zhuang

Shawn Jeffrey Sullivan

Jeffrey Robert Heller

Jessica Sara Van Handel

Brooke Ashley Berg

Steven Rashad Inabinet

Wen Yuan

Rongguo Zhao

Dien Dong Bui

Gopal Manoj Shah

Iii Thomas Michael Ales

Described herein are modified thermoplastic polyurethanes, methods of reactively extruding the modified thermoplastic polyurethanes, and methods of using the modified thermoplastic polyurethanes. The modified thermoplastic polyurethanes are micro-crosslinked through reaction with a functional polyolefin, have significantly improved tensile strength and elongation compared to unmodified thermoplastic polyurethanes, and may be extruded.

Modified thermoplastic polyurethanes and methods of extruding same

A method for making an absorbent article includes the steps of applying a layer of adhesive composition to a stretchable substrate and applying a layer of particulate superabsorbent material to the stretchable substrate, whereby the adhesive composition holds the superabsorbent material on the substrate.

Method for making a stretchable absorbent article

Stretchable elastic laminates having an improved cloth-like appearance, as well as methods of preparing the laminates, are disclosed herein. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to methods of preparing tissue-elastic laminates with uniform tissue fractures as the laminate is stretched 50%, or even 100%, or more in at least one of the machine direction (MD) or cross direction (CD).

Methods to make stretchable elastic laminates

Stronger thermoplastic elastomeric films having improved tensile strength and elastic properties are disclosed herein. The thermoplastic elastomeric films include a combination of polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, styrenic block copolymers, and strength-enhancing agents. The films are suitably free of filler particles such as calcium carbonate.

Strong polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomeric films and methods of making

Stronger elastic laminates, as well as methods of preparing the laminates, are disclosed herein. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to multilayered elastic laminates including a thermoplastic elastomeric film layer and a plastic layer coextruded together, and further, a facing material laminated to the thermoplastic elastomeric film layer. The laminates are stretched and then relaxed. The prepared laminates have enhanced overall strength and elasticity while having a soft, cloth-like feel, and are prepared at a lower cost.

Multilayered elastic laminates with enhanced strength and elasticity and methods of making thereof

A liquid detection system includes an absorbent article for personal wear having a liquid permeable liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. The article also includes at least one graphic element, a conductive pattern at least partially superposed with the graphic element, and a barrier layer disposed between the graphic element and the conductive pattern. A non-invasive signaling device is selectively attachable to the outer cover of the absorbent article in overlying relationship with the conductive pattern. The signaling device is adapted to detect the presence of liquid within the absorbent article.

Liquid detection system having a signaling device and an absorbent article with graphics

A wetness monitoring system is provided for an absorbent article, the wetness monitoring system including a signaling device including an alarm to indicate that the absorbent article has reached an insult limit. The signaling device operates with a sensor array which is disposed on the outermost surface of the absorbent article outer cover. The signaling device includes a detection circuit which measures changes in inductance or capacitance. The wetness monitoring system does not make direct contact with the absorbent structure located within an outer cover of the absorbent article.

Absorbent article fullness indicator

An absorbent article is provided for absorbing a liquid, the absorbent article including a chassis including a liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent structure positioned between the liner and the outer cover, the chassis including a front region and a back region, the front region and the back region defining a waist region therebetween. The absorbent article also includes a wetness indicator positioned adjacent the liner or the outer cover, the wetness indicator including a hydrophanous tissue layer having an absorbent-structure-facing side and being in liquid communication with the absorbent structure or the liner, and an indicator material disposed between the absorbent-facing side of the tissue layer and the absorbent structure. The absorbent article can also include a film layer disposed adjacent the tissue layer, and the indicator material can include an active constituent adapted to wick along the tissue layer when the absorbent article is insulted.

Wetness indicator with hydrophanous element for an absorbent article

An electronic discriminating device incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array, a controller, and a signaling device that may indicate the presence of urine and/or bowel movement is disclosed. In particular, the electronic discriminating device can discriminate between an insult of urine only and an insult containing bowel movement. The device can then generate different alerts based on the type of insult. The electronic discriminating device may also emit a signal at or near the opening of an absorbent article or transmit the alert wirelessly to a radio, computer device, or smartphone.

Electronic discriminating device for body exudate detection

An absorbent article incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array that may indicate the presence of a body exudate is disclosed. In particular, the absorbent article includes at least a non-contact electronic sensor array that may include one or more gas sensors, a controller and a signaling device. The signaling device is capable of alerting a user (wearer or caregiver) that an insult of urine or bowel movement has occurred. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the non-contact electronic sensor array, controller and signaling device to an absorbent article.

Absorbent article with sensor array for body exudate detection

A method for making an absorbent article includes the steps of applying a layer of adhesive composition to a stretchable substrate and applying a layer of particulate superabsorbent material to the adhesive composition after applying the adhesive composition to the stretchable substrate.

Stretchable absorbent article

An absorbent article generally has a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting said front and back waist regions. The article comprises an outer cover stretchable in at least the lateral direction and a liner in opposed relationship with the outer cover and stretchable in at least the lateral direction. An absorbent structure is disposed between the liner and the outer cover and extends from the crotch region to at least one of the front waist region and the back waist region of the article. The article has an attachment zone and at least one non-attachment zone laterally adjacent the attachment zone. The absorbent structure is configured for improved lateral stretch distribution of the article.

Absorbent article having an absorbent structure configured for improved donning and lateral stretch distribution

An absorbent article having a stretchable substrate and an absorbent composite comprising a layer of adhesive composition in contact with the stretchable substrate. A layer of particulate superabsorbent material is applied to and held by the adhesive composition. The absorbent composite is secured to the substrate by the adhesive composition. The stretchable substrate has a recovery in at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal directions of the article as determined by an Elongation and Recovery Test, and the absorbent article has a recovery in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction as determined by the Elongation and Recovery Test that is at least about 60 percent of the recovery of the substrate in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for determining hydration of an article and/or a person. The physical and/or electrical properties of a device in the absorbent article may be altered by hydration received in the absorbent article. The alteration of the physical or electrical properties may indicate the amount of hydration in the absorbent article. Furthermore, a time period for receiving the hydration in the absorbent article may also be determined. The hydration of the person may be determined based on a fluid output rate from the person computed using the amount of hydration output from the person and the time period for receiving the hydration.

Systems and methods for hydration sensing and monitoring

In some forms of the invention, an absorbent article (e.g., training pants) includes an impermeable cover, an absorbent body and a temperature change member disposed with the absorbent body. The absorbent article further includes a liquid retarding member that is disposed with the temperature change member to temporarily maintain liquid in the temperature change member. The liquid retarding member is formed of a liquid dispersible material such that the liquid retarding member eventually dissolves in the liquid and flows into the absorbent body. In other forms, the absorbent article includes a liquid retarding member that is adjacent to a temperature change member which is formed of a matrix of fibers. The liquid retarding member has a hydrohead that is less than about 0.13 pounds per inch squared such that the liquid retarding member temporarily maintains at least some of the liquid in proximity to the temperature change member.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Davis Dang Hoang Nhan