The Procter Gamble Company

James C Horney

John Lee Hammons

Gerald A Young

Thomas Ward Osborn, Iii

Hugh A Thompson

Charles W Chappell

Mark D Midkiff

Lee M Hines

Mattias Schmidt

Arman Ashraf

Alan David Willey

Isao Noda

Bruce William Lavash

Vladimir Gartstein

Thomas Allen Desmarais

Gianfranco Palumbo

John Richard Noel

Hugh Joseph O'Donnell

Stephen Allen Goldman

Theresa Louise Johnson

Geneva Gail Otten

Richard Emil Hildebrand, Iv

Sarah Beth Gross

John David Norcom

Herbert Louis Retzsch

John Kit Carson

Stephen A Goldman

Daniel Edward Buenger

Claire Rebecca Yates

Disclosed herein is the apparatus that produces very small or nano-sized, charged droplets and the methods for producing such charged fluid droplets. This apparatus avoids the problems known to exist with using spray nozzles having very small orifices to produce such small fluid droplets, those problems including clogging of the nozzles.

Apparatus and methods for producing charged fluid droplets

A dispersible absorbent product comprises a mechanically weakened fibrous web. The dispersible absorbent product can absorb a sufficient amount of fluid without becoming overloaded and suffering from leakage, and is dispersible using a standard toilet. The mechanically weakened regions of the web enhance the dispersibility of the product. Additionally, the dispersible absorbent products may be pre-moistened with a composition. The pre-moistened products are stable in storage, easily dispersible down a toilet, and deliver cleaning, conditioning, and like benefits. Methods of making such dispersible absorbent products are also disclosed.

Dispersible absorbent products and methods of manufacture and use

Provided are highly dispersible absorbent products, comprising an absorbent structure and preferably a water soluble barrier layer, wherein the absorbent products have a high rate of dispersibility, can exhibit low residual by-product in urinals upon flushing, resist strikethrough of absorbed fluid onto the hand of the user, and can absorb a sufficient amount of fluid without becoming overloaded or leaking. In one embodiment, provided is a ring rolled cellulosic sheet having a water soluble polymeric film laminated thereto. Also provided is a method of making such dispersible absorbent products comprising mechanically weakening an absorbent structure. Also provided are packaged products comprising a package and a plurality of dispersible absorbent products or articles. Also provided is a method for absorbing residual urine that can be both discreet and convenient, comprising absorbing residual urine subsequent to urination with a dispersible absorbent product of the present invention and depositing product in a toilet or preferably a urinal.

The present invention provides a liquid absorbent fibrous substrate having a plurality of discontinuous cells in which a second material is disposed. This second material is selected from a broad variety of organic or inorganic solids which may provide a reinforcing effect such that a sharp instrument is prevented from passing through the new composite structure. The reinforcing materials are disposed in a discontinuous array, in a cellular form in the fibrous substrate thus providing a path for liquids to be absorbed into said fibrous substrate, while said reinforcing materials provide resistance to penetration by sharp edged instruments. When disposed in this manner, flexibility is maintained since the reinforcing materials are not disposed in a continuous pattern. Preferably, the pattern disposed is free of linear regions that provide a continuous line of penetration for sharp edges. More preferably, the pattern is designed with a pattern of interlocking shapes which constrain said linear regions to essentially short lengths. The reinforcing cellular pattern may be embossed above said absorbent fibrous substrate or may be substantially co-planar with said fibrous substrate. The composite substrate may also be backed with a liquid impervious layer, either as a separate layer applied thereto the bottom surface, or as an applied coating. The liquid impervious surface may be usefully selected with a high co-efficient of friction to provide a non-skid surface.

Flexible, cut resistant, and absorbent fibrous sheet materials

Described are absorbent members useful in the containment of body liquids such as urine. These absorbent members comprise at least one osmotic absorbent (preferably a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer) and a high surface area material, and have a high capillary suction capacity. For purposes of the present disclosure, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of the member's ability to uptake liquid at high capillary heights, which are generally encountered when the member is positioned in an absorbent article. In particular, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of a member's capillary sorption absorbent capacity, which is measured in accordance with the Capillary Sorption method described in the Test Methods section.

Absorbent members comprising a high surface area material for absorbing body liquids

The present invention provides an absorbent article which includes a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article releasably secured to one another. The second absorbent article is folded along its longitudinal edges to provide side flaps which are releasably secured to the garment facing surface of the first absorbent article.

Absorbent article

An absorbent article for the management of body exudates having in combination, an acquisition component and a storage component. The acquisition component, interposed between the source of body exudates and the fluid storage component, has a member for fractionating body exudates emanating from the source and for storing the solid portion of the body exudates. The acquisition component has a plurality of pores in the size range of red blood cells, suspended solids, and other body exudates which traps, and stores the solid portion of body exudates and allows the fluid portion to continue flowing through the acquisition component and into the storage component. The storage component is for storing the fluid portion of the body exudates.

Absorbent article with fractionation member

The present invention provides an absorbent article which includes a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article releasably secured to one another. The first and second absorbent articles are releasably secured to one another by at least one periphery securement member that is positioned along and extends outwardly from a portion of the periphery of the second absorbent article.

The fluid distribution members according to the present invention preferably comprise three basic components: chemically stiffened, twisted, and curled bulking fibers, high surface area fibers, and thermoplastic binder fibers. Fluid distribution members according to the present invention use a high surface fiber to provide capillary pressure (or suction) to the fluid distribution member. These high surface area fibers are generally small and highly conformable. They provide the substrate with capillary pressure well in excess of the capillary pressure found in the bulk-providing chemically stiffened, twisted, and curled fibers alone. A presently preferred fiber for this high surface application is the eucalyptus family of wood pulp fibers. Eucalyptus provides the capillary pressure usually associated with cellulose fines, but at a large enough length and denier so as to not fill in the voids provided by the chemically stiffened, twisted, and curled fibers and will not easily pass through a forming screen.

Fluid distribution member for absorbent articles exhibiting high suction

The present invention provides absorbent articles, especially sanitary napkins, containing a fluid transport layer. In-use, the transport layer directs menses to a storage layer, thereby minimizing product failure and staining of undergarments. The transport layer can protrude into, or through, a topsheet to provide very aggressive transport of vaginal discharges. Preferably, the transport layer is a layer of fibers having external capillary channels.

Absorbent articles, especially catamenials, having improved fluid

Absorbent articles, especially sanitary napkins, contain fibers with intra-fiber capillary channels. In-use, the capillary channel fibers direct menses to a storage layer, thereby minimizing product failure and staining of undergarments. The capillary channel fibers can protrude into, or through, a topsheet to provide very aggressive transport of vaginal discharges.

Absorbent particles, especially catamenials, having improved fluid

Curled, twisted cellulosic fibers are reduced in size by mechanical means, i.e., by refining. The refined fibers are formed into sheets which are used as an absorbent layer in diapers, bandages and, especially, in sanitary napkins. In one mode, the refined fibers can be used to provide shaped sanitary devices. In an optional mode, fibers having intra-fiber capillary channels can be used to direct fluids into absorbent sheets comprising the refined, curled cellulosic fibers.

Absorbent core for use in catamenial products

The present invention relates to absorbent structures and absorbent gelling agent compositions suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence products and catamenial products. The absorbent structures comprise hydrophilic fiber material and nonfragile particles of polymeric gelling agent. The gelling agent particles incorporated into such structures are selected to have a mass median particle size ranging from about 400 to 700 microns, with the amounts of very large and very small particles kept below certain minimum concentrations. Absorbent structures utilizing gelling agent particles of such particle size characteristics possess unexpectedly high absorbent capacities and the gelling agent therein can be utilized very efficiently and effectively.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

James C Horney