The Procter Gamble Company

Raymond John Dirk

Bruce William Lavash

Carl Louis Bergman

Jeffrey Vincent Bamber

Thomas Henrich

Kaoru Niihara

Thomas Ward Osborn, Iii

Nicholas Albert Ahr

Nichholas A Ahr

Thomas Ward Osborn Iii

The present invention relates to fluid pervious, dispersible, and flushable webs particularly suited for use in a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad, or the like. The present invention further relates to such webs which also include an improved, functional textured surface so as to be suitable for use as a topsheet on such a disposable absorbent article. The present invention provides a fluid pervious web which disperses into fragments which are readily flushable in a normal toilet. The web preferably comprises a wetlaid apertured tissue having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The web preferably further includes a plurality of individual fibrils on a body-facing surface thereof, so as to provide a clean and dry tactile impression in use. The fibrils serve to separate the wearer's skin from the underlying tissue substrate in use. In a preferred embodiment, the web substrate is hydrophilic in nature while the fibrils themselves are hydrophobic in nature, so as to provide enhanced dryness at the uppermost surface while promoting rapid acquisition properties.

Fluid pervious, dispersible, and flushable webs having improved

An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, having flaps and zones of differential extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down along the edges of crotch of the wearer's undergarments is provided.

Absorbent article having flaps and zones of differential extensibility

The present invention provides a process for forming a three-dimensional, macroscopically-expanded, fluid pervious web having an improved functional surface comprised of a sheet of polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of discrete deposits of a water resistant resinous material having a pre-determined open time are deposited on the first surface of the sheet. The deposits of resinous material are drawn upwardly from the first surface of the sheet to form corresponding fibrils during the open time. After resinous material has cured, the sheet is fed onto a forming structure having opposed surfaces such that the sheet is in contact with the forming structure. The forming structure exhibits a multiplicity of apertures which place the opposed surfaces of the forming structure in fluid communication with one another. A fluid pressure differential is applied across the thickness of the sheet which is sufficiently great as to cause the sheet to rupture in those areas coinciding with the apertures in the forming structure and to conform with the forming structure while substantially maintaining the orientation of the fibrils. The priming and drawing steps are preferably accomplished via a screen printing roll, and the fluid pressure differential preferably comprises a high pressure jet of liquid.

Method for making three-dimensional macroscopically-expanded webs having

A process for impregnating a resin into a substrate to form a web. The resin is impregnated into one side of the web, so that the other side remains exposed. This arrangement allows the exposed side of the web to be dispersible in water, while the impregnated side is water resistant. The impregnation may occur in zones and comprise one material or two or more materials. The resulting web is useful as a backsheet in disposable absorbent articles wherein it is desired to have a barrier that is impermeable to body fluids, yet flushable for disposal.

Process for producing a liquid impermeable and flushable web

A method is disclosed for making an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, having flaps and zones of differential extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down along the edges of crotch of the wearer's undergarments.

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Cleves, OH, United States of America

Raymond John Dirk