The Procter Gamble Company

John David Norcom

Geneva Gail Otten

Richard Emil Hildebrand, Iv

Kenneth Stephen McGuire

Peter W Hamilton

Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag

Richard Tweddell, Iii

John Kit Carson

John Daniel Algers

Steven Michael Schennum

Michael Joseph Page

Daniel James Rhoads

Albert Sylvester Crawford, Ii

Christopher Michael Young

John Richard Noel

Marie Brigid O'Reilly

Shirdish Poondru

Clint Adam Morrow

Nancy Karapasha

James C Horney

Glen Charles Fedyk

Jacqueline Ann Daniels

David Joseph Caracci

Bradford Scott Barron

Donna Rene Hill

Callida Williams Ludher

Mary Alison Jett

Structures, for example fibrous structures, such as absorbent material, for example absorbent core material including particles, for example super absorbent polymer particles (SAP particles), and processes for making same are provided.

Structures comprising particles and processes for making same

An absorbent structure is disclosed, which may be or form part of an absorbent core of an absorbent article. The structure has a caliper, a fluid-receiving side and a non-receiving side. The non-receiving side occupies a first x-y plane; the receiving side occupies a second x-y plane. The structure has a first zone constituting a first portion of the caliper proximate the non-receiving side, and a second zone constituting a second portion of the caliper proximate the receiving side. Each of the zones includes a co-formed blend of constituents. The blend may include AGM particles, spun filaments and/or cellulose fibers. In examples including AGM particles, particles in the first zone may have an average particle size smaller than that of particles in the second zone. In examples including filaments, filaments in the first zone may have an average filament size smaller than that of the filaments in the second zone.

Absorbent structure comprising co-formed layer

A feminine hygiene pad having an absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure may have a plurality of central compression zones disposed in a middle region of the pad, each of the plurality of compression zones being defined by a generally longitudinally-oriented shape having a forward terminus proximate a forward end region of the pad and a rearward terminus proximate a rearward end region of the pad, and an average width between the forward terminus and rearward terminus of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, wherein each of the forward terminus and rearward terminus lies no more than 30 percent of the length of the pad, from the lateral axis.

Feminine hygiene pad with advantageous lateral gathering features

An absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure having one or more layers. The absorbent article has multiple zones.

Absorbent article having multiple zones

A method and apparatus for determining the work required to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator having a barrel containing the tampon and a plunger for expelling the tampon from the barrel. The method includes the steps of selecting and applying an applicator gripping test force to a grip zone on the barrel of the tampon applicator and selecting a tampon expulsion test rate and applying a force to the plunger sufficient to expel the tampon from the barrel of the tampon applicator at the selected tampon expulsion test rate. Further, the method includes the step of calculating the force on the plunger required to expel the tampon from the barrel at the selected tampon expulsion test rate as a function of the distance the tampon travels during expulsion.

Method for determining the work required to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator

A container including a support structure defined by a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. An upper portion is integrally attached to the support structure, where the upper portion is formed of a flexible material defining opposing portions. The flexible material has a lower stiffness than a stiffness of the side wall portion, and the opposing portions are movable between a closed position located in engagement with each other and an open position where the opposing portions are separated from each other defining an opening to an interior area of the container. A frangible portion is provided on the upper portion forming a predefined separation line for separating at least a portion of the upper portion from the support structure.

Container including removable integral upper portion

A method is provided for measuring the insertion distance of an intravaginal article within a human vaginal cavity. The method uses a measuring device, which can be slidably attached to a withdrawal means of a vaginally inserted intravaginal article. The measuring device may be moved along the withdrawal means to a predetermined position, and then fixedly secured to the withdrawal means. The intravaginal article is then removed from the vaginal cavity and the insertion distance determined.

Intravaginal article measuring device

A method of manufacturing a tampon applicator having a corrugated region, the method including the steps of:

Method of producing a corrugated tampon applicator

A multi-purpose sheet material comprising an absorbent layer and a cut-resistant material in contact with the absorbent layer. The cut-resistant material can comprise a cut-resistant support system, such as cut-resistant support element formed in the absorbent layer for example. The cut-resistant material may alternatively comprise cut-resistant particles, such as polymer particles having an average size of at least about 100 micrometers for example. Preferably, the sheet material exhibits an absorbent efficiency of at least about 0.2 and a slice resistance of at least about 30 kgf/cm, and more preferably an absorbent efficiency of at least about 1.0 and a slice resistance of at least about 40 kgf/cm. It is also preferred that sheet material exhibit a cut-resistance of at least about 30 kgf/cm, an absorbent efficiency of at least about 0.2, and a wet abrasion loss of less than about 400 mg per 100 revolutions.

Multi-purpose absorbent and cut-resistant sheet materials

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

An absorbent and cut-resistant sheet having a cut-resistant material with a plurality of openings, and an absorbent material attached to the cut-resistant material. Preferably, the apertured cut-resistant material is in the form of sheet having a thickness of between about 0.005 inches and about 0.020 inches, and has an open area of less than about 50 percent. It is also preferred that the cut-resistant sheet have fold lines formed on a non-cutting surface, so as to make the material easily foldable and/or tearable. In addition, a stainable absorbent cover layer can be attached to a cutting surface of the cut-resistant sheet to provide an indication of where cutting has occurred, and to give the material a desirable appearance. A liquid impervious backing layer is also preferably attached to the absorbent material to resist the escape of fluid from the absorbent material. It is preferred that the cut-resistant sheet comprises a polymeric material.

Absorbent sheet material having cut-resistant layer and method for making the same

A method of making a honeycomb structure includes the step of intermittently slitting a sheet of material such that longitudinal slits are aligned in alternating staggered rows. Each staggered row has a lateral centerline spaced substantially uniformly from adjacent row centerlines. The longitudinal slits in each staggered row have substantially uniform lateral spaces between each slit. Another step is applying continuous stripes of adhesive laterally across a top side and a bottom side of the sheet such that each stripe is spaced apart longitudinally and centered on a row of slits. The stripes alternate between the top side and the bottom side. Still another step includes pleating the sheet such that pleats run longitudinally. Each pleat has a top fold and a bottom fold aligned with a longitudinal slit. Yet another step involves gathering the pleats together in a closed stack and compressing the stack to cause the stripes of adhesive to bond the pleats together at adhesive contact points. A final step is pulling the pleats laterally apart to generate hexagonal cells having interconnections at the adhesive contact points and openings between the adhesive contact points.

Growing community of inventors

West Chester, OH, United States of America

John David Norcom