The present invention relates to a thin, flexible absorbent articles comprising an acquisition-distribution system comprises a first component comprising first thermoplastic fibers and cellulose fibers, the cellulose fibers being less than about 90% by weight of the first component, wherein the absorbent article has an absorption time lower than about 7 sec/g up to a loading range of 100 g, as measured according to Modified Fluid Modified Fluid Acquisition Test; and wherein the absorbent article has a caliper of lower than about 2.5 mm under about 400 g pressure at 2 cm.sup.2, as measured according to Caliper Test, or a 3-point bending force lower than about 95 g, as measured according to the 3-Point Bending Force Test.

A fitting dummy for testing on a body-fluid-absorbent article is disclosed, which, with an absorbent article fit on the dummy, allows clear capture of absorption, diffusion, or the like, of body fluid. The dummy has the external shape representing the external shape of a human body including at least the torso and a pair of thighs, the dummy is hollow in at least the torso and the thighs, the wall thickness t between the exterior surface and the corresponding interior surface of the dummy is 3 to 15 mm except for a body fluid discharge area, the body fluid discharge area is provided with through holes, communicating with the hollow and the outside, and the dummy is a transparent resin molded body.

A system for measuring fluid absorption and retention properties of various samples having one or more materials, layers and/or articles. The system includes an optically or radiographically transparent fixture. The system enables measuring voxels having a grayscale value that demonstrate a difference in fluid densities and thereby enable the study of fluid flow and movement within and/or amongst various materials and articles in real time.

A method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to the present invention includes a first step of successively introducing an aggregate of absorbent fibers and a water-absorbent resin into a gap that is formed between a first surface and a second surface and is smaller than a thickness of the aggregate of the absorbent fibers, recesses and protrusions being formed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, a second step of applying a shearing force to the aggregate of the absorbent fibers by moving the first surface relative to and parallel to the second surface in order to mix the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin, and a third step of causing the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that were mixed to fall, and stacking the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin by suctioning the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin into a recessed portion having a predetermined shape.

An evaluation method of a wearing state of a disposable diaper including an elastic region in a waist portion or leg-surrounding portions, the evaluation method including: an evaluation image acquiring process in which a terminal including a photographing function acquires an image including at least a part of the elastic region as an evaluation image in the wearing state of the disposable diaper; and an evaluation process of evaluating the wearing state of the disposable diaper based on a degree of deformation of the evaluation image.

Provided are an excreta detection device that is for a diaper and capable of detecting excreta present in the diaper, and an excreta detection reader for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the excreta detection device for the diaper and notifying a user about whether excreta is present. Since the large scale of a resonant frequency is determined on the basis of a capacitor which is isolated from the excreta and not affected by the excreta and the small scale of the resonant frequency that changes due to the excreta may be determined on the basis of a capacitor having a permittivity that changes due to the excreta, the excreta may be detected even when a relatively narrow frequency band is swept. In addition, since excreta sensing is not performed at only a specific resonant frequency but is also performed by comparing resonant frequencies before and after discharge of excreta, the excreta sensing can be performed regardless of the state of the excreta.

An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to the present invention includes a conveying unit (2) that conveys an aggregate (101) of absorbent fibers and a water-absorbent resin (102), a mixing unit (3) that accepts the aggregate of the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that were conveyed by the conveying unit and mixes the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin, a chamber portion (4) that has an internal space (40) through which the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that were mixed in the mixing unit fall, a stacking portion (5) that is disposed below the chamber portion and has a recessed portion (531) in which the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that fall through the chamber portion are stacked, and a suction unit (6) that causes a negative pressure in the chamber portion.

A system for measuring fluid absorption and retention properties of various samples having one or more materials, layers and/or articles. The system includes an optically or radiographically transparent fixture. The system enables measuring voxels having a grayscale value that demonstrate a difference in fluid densities and thereby enable the study of fluid flow and movement within and/or amongst various materials and articles in real time.

A wearable absorbent hygiene article includes an electronics unit, a power source and a magnetic switch. The magnetic switch operably couples the electronics unit to the power source. The magnetic switch is configured such that the power source supplies power to the electronics unit when the magnetic switch is in an ON state and such that the power source does not supply power to the electronics unit when the magnetic switch is in an OFF state. The magnetic switch is further configured such that a movement of a magnet relative to the magnetic switch switches the magnetic switch from the OFF state to the ON state.

A wearable absorbent hygiene article includes a liquid permeable top layer, a back layer, an absorbent member, an electronics unit, a power source and a switch. The liquid permeable top layer is adapted to face the wearer during use. The back layer is opposite to the top layer. The absorbent member is located between the top layer and the back layer. The switch operably couples the electronics unit to the power source. The switch is configured such that the power source supplies power to the electronics unit when the switch is in an ON state and such that the power source does not supply power to the electronics unit when the switch is in an OFF state. The power source, the switch and at least a portion of the electronics unit are disposed between the top layer and the back layer.