Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Kimberly-clark Corporation

Paramount Packaging Corporation

Wilfred Eugene Riddell

Patricia A Mitchler

James Hongxue Wang

David Michael Schertz

Heather Anne Sorebo

Susan Marie Weyenberg

Ann Marie Przepasniak

Daniel J Conrad

Paula Cardinahl Winkel

Dawn Lynn Houghton

Jerry W Davenport

Robert R Isen

Michael A Bullock

Jean Sandra Feyen

Carmen Ann Baker

Joseph Eric Winter

An interlabial absorbent article configured for disposition primarily within the vestibule of a female wearer includes a generally liquid permeable cover sheet, a generally liquid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent material disposed between the cover sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a water vapor transmission rate that is at least about 20% of a water vapor transmission rate of the cover sheet. The cover sheet and said back sheet may have a contact angle mismatch of less than about 25%. The absorbent material may have a density greater than water. Upon being flushed, the article has an initial neutral buoyancy and subsequently sinks within about 7 days from being flushed.

Interlabial absorbent article with improved flushability characteristics

A method of forming a meltblown web having meltblown fibers and particles is provided. The particles are heated to a temperature approximating that of the meltblown fibers as they are being extruded. As a portion of any heated particle impacts the skin of one or more solidifying meltblown fibers, that portion of any heated particle penetrates into one or more solidifying particles. Although a portion of any particle becomes embedded in and retained by one or more meltblown fibers, such surface penetration is generally slight desirably leaving a substantial amount of surface area of any particle available for interaction with any medium to which a web may be exposed.

Method of forming meltblown webs containing particles

A meltblown web having meltblown fibers and particles is provided. The particles are embedded in and retained by one or more meltblown fibers as a result of surface penetration of the particles into one or more meltblown fibers. The surface penetration of any particle into one or more meltblown fibers is generally slight thus leaving a substantial amount of the surface area of any particle available for interaction with any medium to which the web is exposed.

Particle-containing meltblown webs

The present invention is a method for producing a nonwoven fabric from a water modifiable polyolefin-containing film. In order to produce the fabric where polyethylene is the minority constituent, a polymer blend is formed with the polyethylene as the dispersed phase and polyethylene oxide as the continuous phase. In another embodiment wherein the polyethylene is the majority constituent and the polyethylene oxide is the minority constituent of the film, a reactive blend created during processing exhibits an inverse phase morphology so that the polyethylene oxide becomes the continuous phase and the polyethylene becomes the dispersed phase. In either embodiment, the film is then treated with an aqueous solvent to remove the polyethylene oxide to produce the nonwoven, porous fabric. The resulting nonwoven, porous fabric has a silk-like hand and shine ideal for disposable personal hygiene articles, and is flushable through waste water disposal systems.

Process for making a nonwoven, porous fabric from polymer composite

A distinctive composite article has a longitudinal, length dimension and a lateral, width dimension. The article includes a flexible outer shell portion having a shell length and a shell width. At least a portion of a flexible drape layer is substantially affixed to the shell portion, and the drape layer has a drape width which is larger than the shell width. Additionally, the drape layer may have a drape length which is larger than the shell length. The drape layer includes a first laterally extending fold line, a first longitudinally extending fold line and at least a second longitudinally extending fold line. The longitudinally extending fold lines provide for a laterally-folded drape width which is not more than the shell width. The drape layer may also include at least a second laterally extending fold line, and the laterally extending fold lines may also provide for a longitudinally-folded drape length which is not more than the shell length. At least one removable, unit component is contained and enveloped within the drape portion when the drape portion is folded. A closure mechanism holds the shell portion in a closed-package condition which substantially envelops the drape portion when the drape portion is folded. An article opening means can selectively defeat the closure means to provide access to the unit component.

Disposable diaper changing pack

The present invention comprises a novel staged release bag formed of a generally thermoplastic film material preferably having multiple layers and having discrete cuts formed therein including wickets holes, stabilizing cuts and release paths, and which is useful in an automated packaging operation, and a method for making said bag from a continuous tube or sheet of plastic material.

Staged release bag and method for making

A kraft paper package contains at least one tear-away opening means which comprises: (1) a pull strip affixed to and circumscribing the inside of the package; and (2) a guide tape affixed to the outside of the package in parallel juxtaposition with the pull strip. When the package is opened, the package is sheared in a straight line between the edges of the pull strip and guide tape, resulting in a clean reinforced edge.

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Wilfred Eugene Riddell