Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Wendy L Hamilton

Heather Anne Sorebo

William Grover Reeves

Emmanuelle C Damay

Patsy A Hansen

Jeffrey Dean Lindsay

Fung-jou Chen

Robert J Makolin

Joseph DiPalma

Jack Nelson Lindon

Patsy Ann Krautkramer

Garry Roland Woltman

Bernhardt Edward Kressner

Candace Dyan Krautkramer

Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak

Julie Ann Paveletzke

Joseph Andrew Mlinar

Alice Y Romans-Hess

Mary Alice Berceau

Emmanuelle Cecile Damay

William George Stoeger

Jason Matthew English

Stuart James Burgan

Mary F Kutchenriter

Jennifer L Misek

Amanda J Carlson

Peter S Gebhardt

Jamie L Gloede

Danielle G Finger

Jason M English

A disposable incontinent underwear product can comprise areas having different stretch characteristics and thereby fit persons of varying body shape in a more comfortable and/or visually appealing manner. Additionally, in some embodiments, the different areas of stretch can aid in positioning absorbent components, such as an absorbent insert or core that is included in the undergarment to absorb body exudates. For example, a garment may feature at vertical stretch in an area above the crotch and below the waist while featuring horizontal stretch at the hip areas at its front and back sides. As another example, a garment may feature horizontal stretch across the front of the garment and vertical stretch across the back of the garment in areas above the crotch and below the waist. In some embodiments, the crotch also features horizontal, vertical, or biaxial stretch.

Disposable undergarment with stretch areas for optimal fit

A body conformance system () includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material () constrained by the flexible containment layer (). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material () can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (). In yet another aspect, the containment layer () can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.

Enhanced body conformance with the use of free flowing particles

An absorbent feminine care article () having a longitudinal direction (), a lateral direction (), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (), and an intermediate portion () located between the end portions. The article () comprises an absorbent body structure () sandwiched between a cover () and a baffle (). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure () can include an intake layer () and a shaping layer (). In other aspects, the intake layer () and shaping layer () can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.

Multilayer absorbent article

Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles are also described.

Absorbent articles with nits and free-flowing particles

Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are provided. In one embodiment, an absorbent article includes free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Also provided are methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles.

Free flowing particles useful in absorbent articles are disclosed, including fibrous nits and methods of preparing fibrous nits. In one embodiment, fibrous nits are prepared from disperging cellulosic fibers in the presence of a nit conditioner which modifies nit particle size and properties for improved performance of the particles. In other embodiments, nits are prepared in multiple disperging steps or by disperging fibers under two or more conditions.

Absorbent articles with absorbent free-flowing particles and methods for producing the same

A method of making fiber bundles and fibrous structures. The efficacy of a fiber bundle in handling complex fluids may be improved by subjecting an aqueous suspension of fibers at high consistency to elevated energy input with sufficient working of the fibers. The fibrous structures prepared according to the methods herein include at least one fiber bundle and at least one debonding agent. The fiber bundle includes at least one particulate material consisting essentially of entangled fibers.

Methods of making fiber bundles and fibrous structures

Superabsorbent-containing composites containing at least one particle of a superabsorbent material covered with at least a first layer of at least one particle of at least one coating material. The superabsorbent materials are desirably stiff-gelling superabsorbent materials. The superabsorbent-containing composites of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in sanitary napkins, diapers and other disposable absorbent articles that handle complex fluids.

Superabsorbent-containing composites

Superabsorbent-containing composites prepared in a fluidized bed coating apparatus according to the process of the present invention contain at least one particle of a superabsorbent material covered with at least a first layer of at least one particle of at least one coating material. The superabsorbent-containing composites prepared in a fluidized bed coating apparatus according to the process of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in sanitary napkins, diapers and other disposable absorbent articles that handle complex fluids.

Process for preparing superabsorbent-containing composites

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Wendy L Hamilton