Kimberly-clark Corporation

Randy E Meirowitz

Robert J Phelan

Jerome W Riese

Dennis Stein Everhart

John Philip Vukos

Sriram P Anjur

Kim T Tang

An interlabial sanitary pad is disclosed including a pickup module containing an absorbent which is adapted to fit in or adjacent to a vaginal opening, a capacity module containing an absorbent which is adapted to be positioned remote from the vaginal opening, and fluid-wicking fibers serving as the absorbent and further communicating with both the pickup and capacity modules for carrying fluid from the pickup module to the capacity module. The fluid-wicking fibers are longitudinally oriented and packed in the capacity module at a bulk density greater than in the pickup module. The pickup module has a fluid-pervious cover, while the capacity module has a fluid-impervious baffle capable of containing fluid therein. The capacity module can have a flattened fan shape and can contain superabsorbent.

Interlabial sanitary pad

A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, which web is capable of both interfiber and intrafiber liquid transportation. The web includes shaped fibers, which fibers define a notch, which notch defines an angle alpha such that .alpha.&lt;180.degree.-2.theta. wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and the shaped fiber. The nonwoven web further includes high-absorbency material in fluid communication with said nonwoven web in an area wherein intrafiber liquid transport occurs.

Nonwoven web containing shaped fibers

There is provided a nonwoven fabric having durable wettability comprising fibers formed from polyolefin blended with hydrophilic additives of the formula; ##STR1## wherein x is an integer from 1 to 15 and R is an alkane or alkene with up to 18 carbon atoms, A, B, and C are integers equal to or greater than one arranged in any order or repetitive series, z is an integer at least equal to one, and wherein the fibers which have been formed are polyolefin provided with hydrophilic additives prior to fiberization. Such fabrics have been found to provide surprisingly durable wettability.

Nonwoven fabrics having durable wettability

A structure for absorbing and transporting a liquid. The structure includes a masking layer having from 0 to about 90 weight percent shaped fibers and a distribution layer having from 100 to about 10 weight percent shaped fibers.

Absorbent structure for masking and distributing a liquid

A generally hydrophobic polyolefin article is provided with a modified surface by contacting said generally hydrophobic polyolefin with a copolymeric material while said polyolefin is at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. The copolymeric composition includes a generally hydrophobic moiety and a modifying moiety. Also disclosed is a method for imparting the modified surface to a generally hydrophobic polyolefin which method involves contacting a generally hydrophobic polyolefin with a copolymeric material while said generally hydrophobic polyolefin is at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. In one preferred embodiment, the generally hydrophobic polyolefin is contacted with said copolymeric composition immediately after said polyolefin has been extruded and while said polyolefin is undergoing die swell.

Polyolefin article

Method of making polyolefin articles

A generally hydrophobic polyester article is provided with a generally hydrophilic surface by contacting said generally hydrophobic polyester with a copolymeric material while said polyester is at a temperature above its melting point. The copolymeric composition comprises a generally hydrophobic moiety and a generally hydrophilic moiety. Also disclosed is a method for imparting the hydrophilic surface to a generally hydrophobic polyester which method comprises contacting a generally hydrophobic polyester with a copolymeric material while said generally hydrophobic polyester is at a temperature above its melting point. In one preferred embodiment the generally hydrophobic polyester is contacted with said copolymeric composition immediately after said polyester has been extruded and while said polyester is undergoing die swell.

Polyester articles

A generally hydrophobic polyester article is provided with a generally hydrophilic surface by contacting said general hydrophobic polyester with a copolymeric material while said polyester is at a temperature above its melting point. The copolymeric composition comprises a generally hydrophobic moiety and a generally hydrophilic moiety. Also disclosed is a method for imparting the hydrophilic surface to a generally hydrophobic polyester which method comprises contacting a generally hydrophobic polyester with a copolymeric material while said generally hydrophobic polyester is at a temperature above its melting point. In one preferred embodiment the generally hydrophobic polyester is contacted with said copolymeric composition immediately after said polyester has been extruded and while said polyester is undergoing die swell.

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Randy E Meirowitz