A method for manufacturing a deflection member is disclosed. The method may include the steps of providing an additive manufacturing apparatus that includes at least one radiation source and a vat containing a photopolymer resin, providing a reinforcing member, contacting a surface of the reinforcing member with the photopolymer resin, and directing radiation from the at least one radiation source towards a surface of the reinforcing member to at least partially cure photopolymer resin in contact with the surface of the reinforcing member to create at least a portion of a lock-on layer.

The present invention relates to a process of enzymatic degradation of an absorbent structure, the absorbent structure being suitable for providing an absorbent core of a hygiene article, wherein the process comprises the step of contacting the absorbent structure with a solution comprising enzymes; wherein the absorbent structure comprises a polysaccharide superabsorbent polymer, such as a cellulose-based or a starch-based superabsorbent polymer.

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for manufacturing layered tapes and a layered tape arrangement including a pair of layered tapes wound together. Each of the layered tapes is individually unbalanced as far as a number of layers in a cross direction, but the resulting tape arrangement is nevertheless balanced, allowing for a balanced rolling of the layered tapes in a coil, or balanced folding of the layered tape arrangement into a ply stack.

The methods herein relate to assembling an elastic laminate with a first elastic material and a second elastic material bonded between first and second substrates. During assembly, an elastic laminate may be formed by positioning the first and second substrates in contact with stretched central regions of the first and second elastic materials. The elastic laminates may include two or more bonding regions that may be defined by the various layers or components of the elastic laminate that are laminated or stacked relative to each other. In some configurations, a first plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a first bond density in the first bonding region, and a second plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a second bond density in the second bonding region, wherein the second bond density is not equal to the first bond density.

The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastic laminates that may be used to make absorbent article components. Particular aspects of the present disclosure involve providing a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate, each having a width in a cross direction; providing an activated elastic material; elongating the activated elastic material; and ultrasonically bonding the first substrate together with the second substrate with the elongated activated elastic material positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate.

The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. The methods and apparatuses may be configured with a plurality of elastic strands wound onto a beam, wherein one or more elastic strands comprises a spin finish. During assembly of an elastomeric laminate, the beam is rotated to unwind the elastic strands from the beam. A portion of the spin finish may be removed from the advancing elastic strand with a spin finish removal apparatus. The spin finish removal apparatus may be configured to apply detergent to an advancing elastic strand and may also wipe and/or dry the advancing elastic strand. The treated stretched elastic strand may then be connected between a first substrate and a second substrate. In some configurations, adhesive may be applied to the treated the elastic strand, the first substrate, and/or the second substrate.

Provided is a used paper diaper processing apparatus in which a water absorption function of a superabsorbent polymer that absorbs water contained in excrement is lowered and water is removed by mixing the superabsorbent polymer and a chemical containing divalent metal ions in an outer tank, and in which weight is reduced by dehydration after an amount of water contained in a used paper diaper is lowered. In the apparatus, a lower portion of the outer tank can be opened and closed, so that weight reduction processing and a series of operations including taking-out are possible. Since an operator is not required to take out the used paper diaper after processing directly from the outer tank, it is possible to reduce work and hygiene burdens on the operator.

An absorbent article having improved softness signals is disclosed. The article may include a topsheet or a backsheet including a nonwoven web. The web may have a basis weight of 30 gsm or less, may be formed of spunlaid fibers including polyolefin and up to 5 percent by weight TiO.sub.2, and may be impressed with a pattern of bond impressions to a bond area percentage of at least 10 percent forming a pattern of bonded regions and raised regions. The web may have opacity of 42 or greater; have an average height difference between bonded regions and raised regions of at least 280 μm; be hydroengorged; and/or have a cross-machine direction tensile strength of 350 gf/cm. A nonwoven web manufactured to have a suitable combination of such features exhibits an enhanced appearance of softness, soft tactile feel and satisfactory mechanical attributes, while being relatively cost effective.

The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.

Provided is a method for treating a used absorbent article, this method being hygienic and capable of recovering recyclable material with a high degree of safety. This method for treating a used absorbent article is characterized by including (a) an acidic electrolyzed water treatment step that treats the used absorbent article in a treatment tank that has acidic electrolyzed water serve as a treatment fluid. This method preferably further includes (b) an alkaline electrolyzed water treatment step that treats the used absorbent article in a treatment tank that has alkaline electrolyzed water as a treatment fluid.