WO2003043554A1

WO2003043554A1 - Apparatus and method to produce topography and materials having topography

Info

Publication number: WO2003043554A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/034683
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lee Kirby Jameson; Teresa De Jesus Petryk; Varunesh Sharma; Phillip A. Schorr
Original assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-11-16
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2003-05-30
Also published as: MXPA04003966A; DE10297354T5; GB0410704D0; GB2398761A; BR0213800A; AR037294A1; GB2398761B; AU2002340326A1; KR20050040831A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the discrete and registered placement of chemistry. The apparatus having (i) at least one solenoid valve, the valve including an orifice; (ii) at least one chemistry source, the at least one chemistry source being in communication with the at least one valve, and being capable of communicating at least one chemistry to at least one solenoid valve; and (iii) a heating element; wherein the heating element is positioned proximate to at least one chemistry, and wherein the heating element allows the apparatus to process phase-change materials. A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to an ink-jet printing device for the registered placement of phase-change liquids. The present invention is also directed to a method for placing one or more chemistries in a discrete and registered fashion. The present invention also relates a material having fluid handling characteristics and generally includes a substrate having at least a first surface, and one or more chemistries, being applied to the first surface of the substrate in discrete droplets, wherein one or more droplets form discrete domains on the substrate. The chemistries applied to the substrate may penetrate the substrate to varying degrees wherein the varying degrees of chemistry penetration produce materials having various topographies. The topography or topographies may create fluid barriers, skin separation, or otherwise result in skin health benefits. A second embodiment of a material of the invention is directed to an absorbent article having one or more phase-change materials applied thereto. A third embodiment of a material of the invention is directed to a composite including a substrate and one or more chemistries, wherein the chemistries are applied to the substrate so as to produce a substrate having discretely placed and registered bond points.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD TO PRODUCE TOPOGRAPHY AND MATERIALS HAVING

TOPOGRAPHY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Drop on demand valved ink jet printing apparatus have been used to apply inks to a variety of substrates for a period of time. Generally, a drop on demand valved ink jet printing apparatus operates to discharge individual droplets of ink onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern to be printed. Such an apparatus typically incorporates an array of orifices in a nozzle block, a plurality of control valves, and a controller. The orifices are customarily arranged in a vertical row, and conventional ink jet printing apparatus have incorporated a separate valve communicating with each orifice. The valves are controlled by the controller, which can be keyed by an operator to open and close the nozzles according to a programmed schedule to print one or a series of characters or symbols. Each orifice is designed to emit a single droplet of ink during each opening of its associated valve. The droplets, emitted according to the programmed sequence, are directed toward a substrate where the character or symbol is printed. The quality of print produced by a drop on demand ink jet printer requires among other things, precise control over the size of the ink dot that impacts the substrate. Dot size in turn is affected by the size of an ink droplet discharged from a nozzle. In the past, it was important in the overall design represented by the relationship between valve characteristics, orifice size, and ink characteristics, that the droplets not only be of proper size but also that the size be consistent because otherwise the printed characters or symbols would be irregular in width.

Typically, in early ink jet printing apparatus, a nozzle orifice array consisted of a vertical row of seven orifices coupled with seven control valves. Each control valve controlled the flow of ink through its associated orifice. An example of such a drop on demand ink jet printing apparatus is described and illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,378,564. The subject matter disclosed by that patent is incorporated herein by reference. In time, the need developed for an increased number of orifices. To meet this need, a larger number of orifices were assembled in a taller vertical array, and a correspondingly greater number of valves were incorporated, again, each nozzle orifice having its own control valve. The typical approach was to increase the number of orifices by superimposing two or more orifice nozzle arrays, each array incorporating the same number of valves as orifices. Of course, with each increase in the number of valves, the cost of the printing apparatus also increased. DE-A1-3 337 495 shows a drop on demand ink jet printing system having a nozzle support, a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle having an orifice, a control valve having a chamber, an inlet valve communicating with the chamber and with a source of ink, and a plurality of outlet parts communicating with the chamber, and with a plurality of nozzle orifices, and a rotatably movable closure means disposed in the chamber and having a position which by virtue of parting thereon facilitates opening and closing communication simultaneously between all the outlet parts.

A factor in the operation of the conventional equipment, and specifically the device of DE-A1-3 337 495, is surface tension of the ink. There is a tube connecting each valve outlet port with its associated orifice. When the valve closes, but for surface tension at the orifice opening, ink in the tube would continue to flow through the orifice and destroy the droplet. This surface tension, resulting from viscosity of the ink and the diameter of the orifice, resists the ink pressure upstream of the orifice.

This surface tension at the orifice opening holds ink within the tubing between a valve and an orifice after the valve closes. Without the surface tension, upon closing of the valve upstream of the tubing, ink would drain from the tubing through the orifice. Such surface tension would be lost, for example, if the tubing upstream of the orifice was exposed to the atmosphere and if the strength of the surface tension could not counteract atmospheric pressure. Also, head pressure differentials do not exist at the orifices if the tubes are not exposed to atmospheric pressure. Because of the surface tension, the flow of ink stops immediately when the valve closes. When the valve opens again, a droplet instantly begins to form and, because of the ink source pressure, the droplet is completed and discharged from the orifice in the short time the valve is open.

As has been said, in order for the valve to maintain its precision of operation over many millions of cycles of opening and closing, the design of the valve is crucial. In the conventional ink jet printing system, each valve is solenoid operated and has an ink chamber with a single inlet port and a single outlet port communicating with the chamber. A piston face is actuable against a valve seat surrounding the outlet port to open and close the valve. In that valve, the chamber is large enough to accommodate a piston head having a smaller stem of magnetically responsive metal so that the stem can function as the core of a solenoid. A compression spring normally holds a face of the piston head in contact with the outlet port seat to close the valve. When the valve is closed, the inlet port remains in communication with the chamber. When the solenoid is energized, its magnetic field overcomes the strength of the compression spring and withdraws the piston head from the outlet port, allowing ink to flow from the inlet port, through the chamber to the outlet port. When the magnetic field is released, the compression spring drives the piston head back to close the outlet port.

In much of the ink jet printing done heretofore, the spacing between orifices has produced a printed character or symbol composed of essentially discrete dots of ink. Because of the number of them, these discrete dots have been acceptable in producing a readable character or symbol. However, the traditional ink jet printing apparatus was not acceptable to print bar codes because of the specifications for bar code printing required to assure accurate reading of the bar codes. Heretofore, nor have traditional ink jet printing apparatus been acceptable for the printing of non-ink chemistries where continuity of chemistry application, at least in certain regions, may be important.

To eliminate the waves on the side edges of a printed line or "smooth out" the composite side edges of a resulting printed bar, the printed dots must overlap one another. The conventional way to accomplish this would be to produce a nozzle assembly having a large number of orifices in a vertical row positioned very close to one another so their images, after wicking, would overlap one another, and to provide a correspondingly large number of control valves. In conventional apparatus, each orifice would be under the control of an undivided valve connected to it. This addition of valves would add to the cost of the ink jet printing apparatus and to the volume occupied by or space required to operate them. To overcome some of the difficulties associated with conventional ink-jet printing apparatus, a number of other improvements were made. For example, in EP 0297753 B1 , a valve printer is described. In the valve of that invention, there is an ink chamber. A single inlet port to the chamber communicates with a source of ink under predetermined pressure. There are a plurality of outlets ports also communicating with the chamber. A piston is operable within the chamber to alternately simultaneously block and simultaneously unblock all outlet ports. Each outlet port is connected by tubing to an individual orifice, but since there are a plurality of outlet ports, a single valve controls the flow of ink through a corresponding plurality of orifices. Surface tension can be maintained at each orifice opening so that at the instant the piston closes the outlet ports, the flow of ink stops and, upon withdrawal of the piston from the outlet ports, ink instantly flows to all of the orifices where ink droplets are formed and discharged. The EP 0297753 B1 invention also includes a nozzle block having an array of orifices that are close enough together to smooth out the side edges of a printed vertical line or bar. The distance between orifice centers is substantially one half the diameter of the dot as printed. To produce the overlapping printed dots requires an increased number of orifices, 64 in the preferred embodiment. While many improvements to conventional ink jet printing apparatus have been made, the ink jet printing apparatus currently available lack the ability to process phase- change liquids or materials and/or the ability to provide enhanced fluid handling characteristics (e.g. topography or fluid barrier) in a single pass of the apparatus across the substrate (or a single pass of the substrate past the apparatus). Additionally, due to the separation of discrete segments upon application to the substrate, conventional ink jet printing apparatus are not acceptable for the printing of non-ink chemistries where continuity of chemistry application, at least in certain regions, may be important.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the discrete and registered placement of chemistry. The apparatus having (i) at least one solenoid valve, the valve including an orifice; (ii) at least one chemistry source, the at least one chemistry source being in communication with the at least one valve, and being capable of communicating at least one chemistry to at least one solenoid valve; and (iii) a heating element; wherein the heating element is positioned proximate to at least one chemistry, and wherein the heating element allows the apparatus to process phase-change materials. The apparatus of the present invention may also provide for the at least one solenoid valve to be controlled in such a manner so as to discharge the at least one chemistries in a pattern. The apparatus is capable of discharging discrete segments of chemistry, which may be applied to a substrate so as to create a topography of chemistry, wherein the topography may provide skin health benefits. The application of topography to a substrate can provide a substrate which exhibits improved fluid management and/or skin separation during use. In a second aspect of the invention, a printing device for the registered placement of phase-change liquids is provided. The device includes (i) at least one solenoid valve, said valve having a discharge orifice; (ii) a heating element, the heating element being capable of providing heat to the device so as to allow the device to utilize or process phase-change liquids; (iii) a chemistry supply, the supply being in fluid communication with at least one solenoid valve; and (iv) a control means, in communication with the at least one solenoid valve. In one aspect of the present invention it is desirable that the at least one valve of the device project droplets or discrete segments of chemistry from the orifice, wherein the chemistry contains, at least in part, one or more phase-change liquids. The present invention is also directed to a process for placing one or more chemistries in a discrete and registered fashion. The method includes (i) providing a valve jet, the jet comprising: at least one solenoid valve, the valve containing an orifice; at least one chemistry source, said at least one chemistry source being in communication with said at least one valve, and being capable of communicating at least one chemistry to at least one solenoid valve; and a heating element; wherein the heating element is positioned proximate to at least one chemistry, and wherein the heating element allows the apparatus to process phase-change materials; (ii) providing an amount of chemistry; (iii) communicating the chemistry from at least one chemistry source to at least one solenoid valve; (iv) providing heat to at least one chemistry; and (iv) discharging at least one chemistry from at least one solenoid valve. The method of the present invention may further include the step of providing a substrate, wherein the discharged chemistry forms discrete segments on the substrate. The step of discharging the chemistry from the at least one solenoid valve may include firing or pulsing one or more of the at least one valves. In one embodiment of the invention the valve jet may also include a control element or control means, wherein the control element is in communication with the at least one solenoid valves. The control element will permit the at least one solenoid valve to be regulated in such a manner either together or independently, so as to permit the chemistry which is discharged therefrom onto the substrate to be deposited so as to create or generate a pattern. The generated pattern or patterns desirably, but need not include, overlapping or partially overlapping segments, and the pattern may be one which is repeating, non-repeating or random. Further aspects of the method of the present invention allow for the application of the desired chemistry or chemistries in one pass of the substrate past the valve jet. The application of the desired chemistries may be done so as to create a topography of chemistry, wherein the topography may provide skin health benefits. Another aspect of the method of the present invention is that the discrete segments may be applied to the substrate so as to create bond points, wherein the bond points may be either inter-fiber bond points or interfacial bond points.

The present invention is also directed to a material having enhanced fluid handling characteristics. The material includes (i) a substrate, said substrate having at least a first surface; and (ii) one or more chemistries applied to the first surface of the substrate in discrete droplets; wherein one or more droplets form discrete domains on the substrate and wherein the domains produce a topography of chemistries upon the substrate. In one embodiment of the material of the present invention the chemistries applied to the substrate may have varying degrees of penetration into the substrate, such that the varying degrees of chemistry penetration results in a material having various topographies. In another aspect of the invention the one or more chemistries may be selectively applied to all or a portion of the substrate. The chemistries may be applied to the substrate in a pattern which is repeating, non-repeating or random and may be applied to the substrate so as to produce a fluid barrier. The chemistries applied to the material to produce a fluid barrier may be contiguously or discretely placed droplets or segments.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention is also directed to an absorbent article comprising (i) a substrate, the substrate having at least a first surface; and (ii) one or more chemistries, where at least one of the chemistries, is at least in part, a phase-change liquid; and wherein the one or more chemistries are applied to the substrate in one application so as to produce a substrate having desired topographical characteristics. The one or more chemistries may be selectively applied to all or a portion of the substrate of the absorbent article, may be applied to the substrate in a pattern and/or may be applied to the substrate so as to create a topography of chemistry. Where a topography of chemistry is created on the substrate, the substrate will desirably exhibit skin health benefits such as improved fluid management (e.g. liquid wicking or flow management applications), and/or skin separation.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a composite including a substrate, and one or more chemistries, wherein the substrate has at least one layer and has at least a first surface, and wherein at least one of the chemistries is, at least in part, a phase-change liquid. In this embodiment, the one or more chemistries are applied to the substrate so as to produce a substrate having discretely placed and registered bond points. The discrete bond points may be inter-fiber bond points or interfacial bond points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view illustration of one embodiment of an ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus is shown with the chemistry source cover removed. Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of the apparatus of Figure 1 , wherein the cover is in place.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged illustration of an exemplary configuration of a representative material of the present invention, wherein the material has a chemistry or application applied to the top surface of the material.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a material representative of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a enlarged cross-sectional view of a material representative of the present invention. DEFINITIONS

As used herein the following terms have the specified meanings, unless the context demands a different meaning, or a different meaning is expressed; also, the singular generally includes the plural, and the plural generally includes the singular unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising" and other derivatives from the root term "comprise" are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term "fabric" refers to all of the woven, knitted and nonwoven fibrous webs.

As used herein, the term "layer" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements. As used herein, the terms "lotion" or "ointment" are generally interchangeable and mean a formulation, powder or combination thereof comprising skin health ingredients, or compositions which are skin compatible but which do not in and of themselves provide skin health or skin wellness benefits.

As used herein the term "meltblown fibers" means fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high velocity, usually hot, gas (e.g. air) streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be to microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in US

Patent 3,849,241 to Butin et al. Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than 10 microns in average diameter, and are generally tacky when deposited onto a collecting surface.

As used herein "multi-layer laminate" means a laminate wherein some of the layers are spunbond and some meltblown such as a spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) laminate and others as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,041 ,203 to Brock et al., U.S. Patent 5,169,706 to Collier, et al, US Patent 5,145,727 to Potts et al., US Patent 5,178,931 to Perkins et al. and U.S. Patent 5,188,885 to Timmons et al. Such a laminate may be made by sequentially depositing onto a moving forming belt first a spunbond fabric layer, then a meltblown fabric layer and last another spunbond layer and then bonding the laminate in a manner described below. Alternatively, the fabric layers may be made individually, collected in rolls, and combined in a separate bonding step. Such fabrics usually have a basis weight of from about 0.1 to 12 osy (6 to 400 gsm), or more particularly from about 0.75 to about 3 osy. Multi-layer laminates may also have various numbers of meltblown layers or multiple spunbond layers in many different configurations and may include other materials like films (F) or coform materials, e.g. SMMS, SM, SFS, etc.

As used herein the terms "nonwoven" and "nonwoven fabric or web" mean a web having a structure of individual fibers, filaments or threads which are interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters useful are usually expressed in microns. (Note that to convert from osy to gsm, multiply osy by 33.91 ).

As used herein, the term "personal care product" or "personal care absorbent product" means diapers, training pants, swim wear, absorbent underpants, baby wipes, adult incontinence products, sanitary wipes, wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, wound dressings, nursing pads, time release patches, bandages, mortuary products, veterinary products, hygiene and absorbent products.

As used herein, the term "petrolatum" refers to a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum, such as, but not limited to Glenpure L White

Petrolatum, USP available from Glenn Corporation, a business having offices in St. Paul, Minnesota.

As used herein, the term "phase-change" application, chemistry, liquid, material or the like refers to a material which is processed in a liquid or substantially liquid state and then solidifies when cooled.

As used herein the term "spunbonded fibers" refers to small diameter fibers which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine, usually circular capillaries of a spinneret with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, in US Patent 4,340,563 to Appel et al., and US Patent 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., US Patent 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., US Patents 3,338,992 and 3,341 ,394 to Kinney, US Patent 3,502,763 to Hartman, and US Patent 3,542,615 to Dobo et al. Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when they are deposited onto a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and have average diameters (from a sample of at least 10) larger than 7 microns, more particularly, between about 10 and 20 microns. As used herein, the term "topical application" means any overlayer type of material surface modification, including, but not limited to any polishes, cleaning or cleansing agents, and the like, as well as any lotions, ointments, powders or the like and combinations thereof. For purposes of this application, the term "surface enhancing agent" is generally interchangeable with the term topical application.

These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portions of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for the discrete and registered placement of chemistry. The apparatus having (i) at least one solenoid valve, the valve including an orifice; (ii) at least one chemistry source, in communication with the at least one valve, and capable of communicating at least one chemistry to at least one solenoid valve; and (iii) a heating element; wherein the heating element is positioned proximate to at least one chemistry, and wherein the heating element allows the apparatus to process phase-change materials. In a further aspect, the apparatus may further include a controller or a control means, wherein the control means is in communication with the at least one solenoid valve. The control means is desirably capable of operating in multiple modes and may control the valves such that they act together or independently from one another. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of control means are suitable for use with the present invention. Exemplary control means may vary from manual to computer controlled or computer regulated control elements (e.g. manual switches, line driven switches, photo-optic sensors, and software driven switching circuits). In a further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may also include a pressure source, wherein the pressure source maintains adequate pressure in the apparatus so as to assist in the regulation or control of the chemistry discharge from the at least one orifice. In one embodiment, the pressure source may be part of the at least one chemistry source or, alternatively, it may comprise a separate pressure regulating means or system which may be connected to the apparatus in a variety of ways. It is contemplated that the pressure source may be capable of increasing and/or decreasing pressure. The pressure may be controlled in a variety of manners including commercially known methods of increasing pressure (e.g. air pumps, etc.) and/or decreasing pressure (e.g. pressure relief or "bleeding off' valves or the use of a vacuum means). In addition to helping or assisting in the regulation of pressure throughout one or more components of the apparatus of the present invention, the pressure source may also contribute, directly or indirectly, to the communication of the at least one chemistry or application to the at least one valve of the present invention.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may include a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor measures, and optionally allows for the control of, the temperature of the at least one chemistry in or which pass through the apparatus. One skilled in the art will appreciate that more than one sensor may be used where multiple chemistries are used with the apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention may also provide for the at least one solenoid valve to be controlled in such a manner so as to discharge the at least one chemistries in a pattern. In yet a further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may also include a manifold plate, with the at least one valve positioned in the manifold plate. In those embodiments of the present invention which include a manifold plate, any number of potential arrangements of the valves is contemplated. For example, the valves may be oriented in a side by side orientation relative to the x or y axes of the apparatus, or the valves may be positioned in a staggered fashion where multiple rows of valves are present. While the number and proximity of the valves are obviously limited within a manifold plate by the diameters of the valves, in that the valves, and correspondingly the valve's respective orifices, can be no closer to one another than their diameters permit, the size of the valves may be varied to reduce any coverage gaps which may otherwise be present. Alternatively, as mentioned above, the valves may be oriented in a staggered fashion. Although physical limitations are one consideration, another factor which should be considered in the design of a multi-valve system includes but is not limited to, the quality of the materials used to construct the printing apparatus. That is, depending on the quality (e.g. shock-absorbing ability, insulative properties, thickness, etc.) of materials used the spacing of the valves may be further limited. For example, if not properly adjusted the vibration of proximately positioned valves could cause unintended or undesired seepage of a chemistry. Also if the electronics used to control the valves are not adequately insulated or spaced, electrical cross-over may occur which could result in the unintended firing or pulsing of one or more valves. Again, while these are concerns or considerations when designing an apparatus of the present invention, the only limitation which cannot be overcome is that the valves can be no closer than their diameters allow.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one chemistry source may be selected from a direct source such as a reservoir, tank or the like, or the chemistry source may be a continuous feed system or the like. In either instance the source desirably includes a channel, tubing or the like which provides for the communication of the at least one chemistry to the at least one valve. The desired embodiment will include a manifold plate. Where a manifold plate is included in the apparatus of the present invention, the chemistry is desirably communicated through the manifold to at least one solenoid valve without the need for additional tubing to communicate the ink to the valve and then to the orifice as with conventional ink jet printing apparatus. In those embodiments including a manifold plate where the use of multiple chemistries is contemplated, the manifold plates will desirably have at least one channel, groove, or the like therein for each of the chemistries.

In yet still another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus discharges discrete segments of chemistry. Although discrete segments of many sizes are contemplated, the apparatus desirably discharges discrete droplets or segments which have a volume of between about 5 nanoliters and about 400 nanoliters and/or a length and width less than about 5 mm, and more desirably less than about 3 mm, and still more desirably less than about 2 mm and greater than about 0.2 mm. Desirably, the discrete segments are discharged at a frequency between about 1 Hz and about 2 kHz. Furthermore, as discussed in more detail here in, the apparatus may process chemistries having a vast range of the viscosities, it is desirable that the viscosity of the others have chemistry discharged from the valve just is between about 1 and about 300 centipoise and more desirably between about 10 and about 100 centipoise at the time of discharge. In a final aspect of one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus can apply the chemistry to a substrate so as to create a topography of chemistry, wherein the topography desirably may provides or produces skin health benefits. The application of topography to a substrate can provide a final product or component thereof which exhibits improved fluid management and/or skin separation during use.

In a further aspect of the invention, a printing device for the registered placement of phase-change liquids is provided. The printing device includes (i) at least one solenoid valve, said valve having a discharge orifice; (ii) a heating element, the heating element being capable of providing heat to the device so as to allow the device to utilize or process phase-change liquids; (iii) a chemistry supply, the supply being in fluid communication with at least one solenoid valve; and (iv) a control means, in communication with the at least one solenoid valve. The chemistry supply may, for example, be a reservoir or a feed system. In one aspect of the present invention it is desirable that the at least one valve of the device project droplets of chemistry from the orifice, wherein the chemistry contains, at least in part, one or more phase-change liquids. The chemistry or chemistries contemplated by the present invention include those which are intended for use topically, internally or both. Although the desired embodiments of the present invention are directed to use with or in personal care products or the like, where the use of skin unfriendly components generally needs to be limited or avoided, in those instances where the chemistry is used to print on something other than items which will contact or be used intimately with the skin, any suitable components may be used. Thus, the only limitation on chemistries which may be used in connection with the present invention is that the chemistries must be capable of being processed by the apparatus of the present invention.

The present invention is also directed to a method for placing one or more chemistries in a discrete and registered fashion. The method includes (i) providing a valve jet, said jet comprising: at least one solenoid valve, said valve containing an orifice; at least one chemistry source, in communication with said at least one valve, and being capable of communicating at least one chemistry to at least one solenoid valve; and a heating element; wherein the heating element is positioned proximate to at least one chemistry, and wherein the heating element allows the apparatus to process phase- change materials; (ii) providing an amount of chemistry; (iii) communicating the chemistry from at least one chemistry source to at least one solenoid valve; (iv) providing heat to at least one chemistry; and (iv) discharging at least one chemistry from at least one solenoid valve. Although, in some embodiments, it will be desirable for the heating element to be placed along the apparatus of the present invention so that the heating element comes in direct contact with the chemistry, the heating element need not do so. That is, the heating element may be placed on or within the apparatus such that at least some of the heat generated by the element is conveyed to at least one chemistry. More specifically, one or more heating elements or components thereof may be positioned on or in the apparatus such that the heat emitted therefrom is passed to at least one chemistry by heat transfer. Alternatively, the heating elements and the amount of heat generated thereby may be selected depending on the materials used to construct the apparatus of the present invention and the chemistries expected to be used therewith such that the heating element or elements generate enough heat which may subsequently be passed through the materials of the apparatus to at least one of the chemistries, so as to allow the processing threat.

The method of the present invention may further include the step of providing a substrate, wherein the discharged chemistry forms discrete droplets or segments on the substrate. The method of the present invention, contemplates the use of any suitable substrate. The suitability of a particular substrate may depend, at least in part, on the chemistries being used in conjunction therewith. Exemplary substrates include, but are not limited to, wovens, nonwovens, paper, films, tissue, metals and generally any surface of any product which is capable of having the chemistry or chemistries described herein applied thereto either in the manner described or so as to produce the materials discussed herein. The step of discharging the chemistry from the at least one solenoid valve may include firing one or more of the at least one valves. In one embodiment of the invention the valve jet may also include a control element or control means, wherein the control element is in communication with one or more of the at least one solenoid valves. The control element will permit the at least one solenoid valve to be regulated in such a manner so as to permit the chemistry which is discharged therefrom onto the substrate to be deposited so as to create or generate a pattern. The generated pattern or patterns desirably, but need not include, overlapping or partially overlapping segments, and the pattern may be one which is repeating, non-repeating or random. In another aspect of the present invention, the control element may also provide for real-time adjustment of the discharge from the at least one solenoid valve. Real-time adjustment allows or provides for the immediate or essentially instantaneous control or change in the operation of the printing apparatus of the present invention. The speed at which the apparatus of the present invention may be adjusted is limited only by the time equal to one-half of the minimum period of pulse period associated with the valves of the apparatus. That is, the minimum pulse or firing period is the shortest time it takes for the valve in question to change from a closed position to an open or firing position and return to a closed position (or to change from an open position to a closed position and back to an open position). A portion of the period at a given frequency would be the amount of time necessary for a valve of the apparatus to change from an open position to a closed position or from a closed position to an open position, and thus the minimum time needed for the apparatus or one or more of its valves to change its operation (i.e. print if not printing or stop printing if printing). As the operation speed of valves suitable for use in the present invention continues to increase, so too will the firing frequency resulting in decreased pulse period; however, currently the minimum pulse frequency associated with one embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention is about 1.2 kHz or 1/1 ,200^th of a second.

Real-time control may also be combined with one or more sensors located along the machines being used to produce the final component or product such that changes in the pattern, amount, position, etc. of the chemistry can be made. Real-time changes in the operation of the apparatus of the present invention may be beneficial if multiple sizes or shapes of materials are being processed by the printing apparatus such that different patterns, applications or orientations thereof or the like are desired depending on the product or component being processed. Further aspects of the method of the present invention allow for the application of the desired chemistry or chemistries in one pass of the substrate past the valve jet. The application of the desired chemistries may be done so as to create a topography of chemistry, wherein the topography may provide skin health benefits. The method of the present invention may also provide for the discrete segments to have a substantially semicircular cross-section extending above the substrate. The at least one chemistry is contemplated to include any chemistry, application or composition or the like which is suitable for processing or printing by the apparatus of the present invention, and may include, but is not limited to, medicaments, inks, waxes, paints, lotions, ointments, skin health agents, topical applications, and the like or combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment at least one of the at least one chemistries will desirably be or will desirably comprise in part a phase-change material.

Another aspect of the method of the present invention is that the discrete segments may be applied to the substrate so as to create bond points, wherein the bond points may be either inter-fiber bond points or interfacial bond points. One of skill in the art will recognize that some of the application methods described in more detail below will work better than others within the ranges specified herein and that the chemistries should be selected accordingly.

Turning to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus which is particularly suitable for producing a material of the present invention. The exemplary apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 1 with chemistry source cover (not shown) (see Figure 2) removed. As illustrated in Figure 1 , the apparatus has a chemistry source or reservoir 12, a manifold plate 16, a plurality of solenoid valves 18 positioned within the manifold plate 16, and some tubing 20 individually connecting the manifold plate 16 to each of the valves 18. In Figures 1 and 2, a first part 22 of attachment means 24 is shown secured to the front wall of the apparatus 10. The second part 26 of attachment means 24 is shown In Figure 2. Figure 2 also illustrates chemistry source cover 28 positioned above and secured to the chemistry source 12 of the apparatus 10. While not all embodiments will require that the chemistry source or reservoir 12 be enclosed or pressurized, in those embodiments which do require such enclosure and/or pressurization, it is contemplated that any number of attachment means are suitable for securing the cover or lid 28 to the apparatus 10 provided that the necessary seal is generated. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the necessary seal may vary depending on the embodiment used and/or the amount of pressurization required. Furthermore, while not illustrated, the apparatus of the present invention may further include a gasket or gasketing means to provide a better seal between the chemistry source 12 and the lid or cover 28 therefore. While not shown, the chemistry source may be divided such that more than one chemistry may be utilized in one source. Figure 2 also illustrates an inlet valve 30. Depending on the setup of the apparatus, inlet valve 30 may provide for the inflow of a desired chemistry and/or the inflow from a pressure source. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the apparatus may have a second inlet valve such that there is one inlet valve through which a chemistry may pass and one through which pressure may be supplied. Furthermore, where the apparatus 10 will utilize more than one chemistry, multiple chemistry sources or reservoirs may incorporate a separate inlet valve for each of the chemistries and a separate inlet valve through which pressure may be supplied. Figure 2 also illustrates a pressure relief or "bleed" valve 31.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 illustrates the proximity of the valves 18 in the device 10 shown, as well as the connections of the tubing 20 to the valves 18 and the manifold plate 16. Figure 3 provides sufficient illustration of the valves 18 and the electrical connections 33 which extend from each valve 18 of this device 10. Also shown in the embodiment pictured in Figure 3 is but one manner of attaching and/or securing the valves 18 to the manifold plate 16. Specifically shown are tightening or retention screws which enable the valves 18 to be held in place along the manifold plate 16. In this embodiment the tightening or retention screws 32 may be readily tightened or loosened by an alien wrench or the like. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any manner or means of securing the valves 18 in place is acceptable, although it is desired that the valves 18 be capable of ready replacement in the event of wear, failure or the like. It is also desirable that the valves 18 be capable of replacement individually.

Each of Figures 1-3 illustrates, on at least one surface of the apparatus shown therein, a layer of insulative material 34. While only shown on the larger surfaces of the apparatus 10, the insulative material 34 may be applied to any exterior surface of the apparatus so long as the material 34 will not interfere with the operation of the apparatus. It is contemplated that any suitable insulative material may be used and it is further contemplated that more than one type of insulative material may be desirable in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The insulative material 34 helps maintain the temperature of the at least one chemistries which may be processed by the apparatus of the present invention. The addition of an insulative material has been found to reduce the amount of heat needed to be added, when necessary, to the device during use thereof for proper processing of the at least one chemistries, especially where phase-change materials or chemistries are used.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used to produce a variety of materials having a vast of characteristics, including, for example, but not limited to the materials described below. In one exemplary embodiment, a material is produced by emitting or depositing droplets or discrete segments, desirably of about 1-2 mm diameter each, of at least one molten (and desirably a phase-change) liquid (i.e. chemistry) on a substrate. By manipulating the temperature, velocity, and throw distance, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the droplets which solidify on the surface of the substrate may be changed. Thus, for example, if the temperature of the liquid is increased, it will typically penetrate further into the substrate before solidifying, thereby resulting in a more dome- shaped deposit having less height than one formed at a lower temperature. The droplets may be deposited on a wettable substrate at desired X-Y intervals, thus providing, in this example, at least two desirable attributes. The first being that the surface is covered with raised, rounded, hydrophobic domains that force liquid away and into the hydrophilic surrounding field, leaving the domes clean and dry, and the second being that the domes, all being substantially the same height provide a uniform spacing between the wet substrate and the user's skin. The droplets or segments may also be deposited to form discrete domains, consisting of one or more discrete droplets or segments. A material having one or more chemistries or applications discretely placed and registered thereon to provide a material which exhibits enhanced fluid handling characteristics. The material includes (i) a substrate, said substrate having at least a first surface; and (ii) one or more chemistries applied to the first surface of the substrate in discrete droplets; wherein one or more discrete and registeredly placed droplets form discrete domains on the substrate and wherein the domains produce a topography of chemistries upon the substrate. In one embodiment of the material of the present invention the chemistries applied to the substrate may have varying degrees of penetration into the substrate, such that the varying degrees of chemistry penetration results in a material having various topographies. In another aspect of the invention the one or more chemistries may be selectively applied to all or a portion of the substrate. The chemistries may be applied to the substrate in a pattern which is repeating, nonrepeating or random and may be applied to the substrate so as to produce a fluid barrier. The chemistries may be applied such that the discrete segments thereof are overlapping or contiguously placed, and/or, in some instances, interconnected (i.e. formed of discrete droplets which merge or combine) to form discrete domains or regions. The contiguously placed segments may produce or create areas or domains of the substrate having, for example, fluid barrier properties, or channeling characteristics, etc. Another aspect of the material of the present invention is that the topography of chemistries may provide for improved fluid management and/or skin separation. The substrate of the absorbent article will desirably be selected from a film, woven, nonwoven, paper and laminates or combinations thereof and may form, for example, a personal care product or component thereof. The one or more chemistries may be selectively applied to all or a portion of the substrate of the absorbent article, may be applied to the substrate in a pattern and/or may be applied to the substrate so as to create a topography of chemistry.

The generated pattern or patterns of application desirably, but need not, include overlapping or partially overlapping segments, and the pattern may be one which is repeating, non-repeating or random. Where a topography of chemistry is created on the substrate, the substrate will desirably exhibit skin health benefits such as improved fluid management (e.g. liquid wicking or flow management applications), and/or skin separation. Desirably, the enhanced fluid management may include, but need not be limited to, such topography or topographical properties such as pixel resolution topical features built in three dimensions, hydrophobic domes discretely placed within a field of hydrophilic substrate, hydrophobic grids or patterns surrounding hydrophilic substrate domains, printed capillary wicking gradients (which may be accurate to micrometers), and various other forms of wicking and permeability barriers. In addition, the material of the present invention may also include chemistries or applications which create nondestructive banding of the material into stabilized webs, interfacial bonding of the substrate (when more than one substrate layer is present) to form laminates, user unzippable bonds (e.g. debondable body Contour lines to allow the component or product to fit a larger body) or other software-driven graphics. In another aspect of the absorbent article of the present invention may have discrete segments having a substantially semicircular cross-section extending above the body-facing surface of the substrate. Further still the discrete segments of the absorbent article will desirably have a volume in the range of about 5 nanoliters to about 400 nanoliters. As above, the one or more chemistries contemplated by the present invention include any chemistry, application or composition or the like which is capable of adhering or being applied to a suitable substrate so as to produce the materials discussed herein, and may include, but is not limited to, medicaments, inks, waxes, paints, lotions, ointments, skin health agents, topical applications, and the like or combinations thereof. In one embodiment at least one of the chemistries used will desirably be or will desirably comprise, at least in part, a phase- change material.

One embodiment of the material of the present invention produced by the apparatus referred to below will have droplets or discrete segments, desirably of about 1-2 mm diameter each, of at least one molten (and desirably a phase-Change) liquid (i.e. chemistry or application) applied thereto. Although droplets or discrete segments of particular cross-sectional shapes, dimension or volume are contemplated and preferred in certain embodiments, in those embodiments not requiring specific segment size or shape, any variety of cross-sectional shapes of the droplets or segments are contemplated for use on or in the material of the present invention. The cross-sectional shape of the droplets or segments which solidify on the surface of the substrate may be changed or controlled, at least to some degree, depending on the selection of the chemistries or applications to be applied to the selected substrate, as well as the apparatus or method selected for application. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the droplets which solidify on the surface of the substrate may be changed, by manipulating, for example, the temperature, velocity, and throw distance. Thus, for example, if the temperature of the liquid is increased, it will typically penetrate further into the substrate before solidifying, thereby resulting in a more dome-shaped deposit having less height than one formed at a lower temperature. The droplets may be deposited on a wettable substrate at desired X-Y intervals, thus providing, in this example, at least two desirable attributes. The first being that the surface is covered with raised, rounded, hydrophobic domains that force liquid away and into the hydrophilic surrounding field, leaving the domes clean and dry, and the second being that the domes, all being substantially the same height provide a uniform spacing between the wet substrate and the user's skin. Of course, depending on the intended function of the domes (e.g. liquid barrier, fluid management, skin separation, aesthetics, etc.), and whether the application is intended to be permanent or releasable, the desired makeup, including, for example, weight, shape and composition, of the discrete segments applied will and should carefully selected. While a vast number of skin health benefits may be achievable with the use of certain chemistries or applications, one skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that different chemistries or compounds will work better on certain substrates or under certain conditions.

It is also contemplated that the topography of chemistry may be selected from topographies which are releasable or permanent. That is, the chemistries may release from the substrate or other chemistry when exposed to certain conditions or upon the happening of certain events (e.g. exposure to certain temperatures (e.g. at least about body temperature (about 23°C), insult, etc.)). The material of the present invention may include a substrate that is selected from a film, woven, nonwoven, paper and laminates or combinations thereof, although any other material (e.g. steel, hard plastic, glass, etc.) or surface thereof which is suitable for printing as discussed herein is also contemplated. It is further contemplated that the material may comprise a personal care product or one or more components thereof. In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention is also directed to an absorbent article comprising (i) a substrate, the substrate having at least a first surface; and (ii) one or more chemistries, where at least one of the chemistries, is at least in part, a phase-change liquid; and wherein the one or more chemistries are applied to the substrate in one application so as to produce a substrate having desired topographical characteristics. As noted throughout, exemplary phase-change liquids, materials or applications include, but are not limited to, waxes, petrolatum based lotions, adhesives, thermoplastics, and the like. The application or applications contemplated by the present invention include those which are intended for topical and/or internal use. Although the desired embodiments of the present invention are directed to use with or in personal care products or the like, where the use of skin unfriendly components generally needs to be limited or avoided, in those instances where the application is used to print on something other than items or materials which will contact or be used intimately with the skin, any suitable components may be used. Thus, the only limitation on applications which may be used in connection with the present invention is that the applications must be capable of being processed by the apparatus of the present invention and being capable of adhesion to the selected substrate. The suitability of a particular substrate may depend, at least in part, on the applications or chemistries being used in conjunction therewith.

Turning to Figure 4, there is illustrated a representative material of the present invention. The exemplary material 110 is shown in Figure 4 with one line of application or chemistry 112 applied to the top surface of the substrate 114. As shown in Figure 4, but more clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the one or more chemistries or applications 112, in this case wax, which are applied to the substrate 114, can be built up into distinct topographic features 116 by discrete placement, so as to produce a material which is much thicker than the base material. The topographic features may be used independently or may be used together as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, two neighboring lines of wax 112 have been applied to the substrate 114 such that they promote the channeling of fluid and force directional wicking along the substrate 114. One skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple variations and combinations of the applications and chemistries are possible and that each is intended to be covered by the disclosure of the application. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirable for the material to have but one line of application to act as a simple barrier to one or more fluids and which may provide for directional wicking. Alternatively, it may be desirable for the applications to be applied as shown in Figure 6 to control fluid movement to a specific area or component of a material or product. This can be achieved in a number of ways including, for example, varying the height, number and/or penetration and thus the topography of the chemistries applied to the substrate. In addition to the varying the number, height, and penetration of the chemistries, the chemistries are desirably selected for their physical attributes (e.g. affinities or repulsions to certain fluids) so as to produce the most desirable and efficacious end product. While much of the disclosure contained herein is directed to the use of valve jet printing apparatus to produce the materials of the present invention, this embodiment may alternatively be executed by use of a piezo-driven printhead. The piezo-driven print devices are typically capable of emitting droplets having a diameter in the range of about 50-90 micrometers with placement resolution to about 1/200 of an inch. In this instance the micro-droplets may be deposited in a pre-described pattern wherein continuous patterns of ink enclose discrete domains of the wettable substrate. Although, the apparatus of the present invention may operate (e.g. have lengthier dwell times or have multiple rows of valves, etc.) such that the printing may be accomplished in one pass of the apparatus over the substrate or one pass of the substrate by the apparatus, in some instances it may be desirable for the chemistry, and hence the pattern, topography and/or the fluid management characteristics, to be produced or achieved by multiple passes of the substrate past the printhead. The multiple pass approach may be desirable for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, the alteration of each layer from the original in such a way that the cross-sectional shape of a pattern element is desirably developed to, for example, triangular, or hemispherical. Additionally, it may be desirable to produce a material via multiple passes of the substrate past the printhead where releasable treatments or chemistries are used such as those disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 09/938,347 to Yahiaoui et al. In another embodiment the technique of the present invention may be used to print fluid wicking or flow management devices directly onto a chosen substrate with high degrees of accuracy. For example, if it is desired to create a capillary wicking device to transport a certain liquid from a first point on or in the material to a second point on or in the material, while also increasing the width of the wicking field, the idealized material may be digitally realized using a graphics software program. The program may be constrained to use mathematic requirements particular to the fluid, substrate, and ink such as capillary size, length, pressure, etc, to design the device. Once created, the design may be accurately created on the substrate by inkjet printing.

Yet another embodiment of the material of the present invention involves various forms of bonding. For example, a pattern of droplets emitted from a solenoid valve printhead may be printed on a moving consolidated mat of fibers. The mat can then be compressed and heated to remelt the droplets. The droplets may flow around the fibers, and when solidified stabilize the mat into a bonded web without having damaged the fibers. Alternatively, the pattern of droplets or discrete segments may be applied to one layer of a material before another layer of material (e.g. film, web, etc.) is placed over the first. Upon compression, reheating, and cooling, an interfacial bond may be formed. Because the bond patterns are digitally generated, they are infinitely variable and instantly changeable. The speed at which the patterns may be changed will enable the elimination of a significant amount of costs both in labor to change the applicator rolls previously used, as well as the amount of downtime experienced as a change in bond patterns currently requires the fabrication and installation of a new bond anvil roll at great expense. The implementation of the apparatus of the present invention, including the control means, will significantly reduce the cost of changing applications. Additionally, the use of phase change liquids or materials as discussed herein further enhances the number of possible bond patterns which may be suitable and can enable the use of certain bond patterns with certain materials or substrates which may have heretofore been unsuitable. That is, the use of phase-change applications can enable different substrate penetration or adhesion thereto than previously obtainable with non-phase-change applications. Accordingly, bonding which may have been heretofore unobtainable or which if obtainable was too weak, can in some instances be enhanced. Additionally, where the bond strength was previously sufficient, the number of bonds may be able to be reduced, thereby potentially providing cost savings and/or increased production speed.

One skilled in the art will appreciate in light of the disclosure herein that in any given product length or length of web the bond pattern may have a range of bond density, or zones of differing bond density. The droplets or discrete segments may be placed so that upon remelting they may become contiguous rendering that zone of the web selectively impermeable. In addition, the droplets may be deposited in a manner that they become a reversible or "unzippable" bond line to be employed by the user to, for example, facilitate fit. For example, a disposable pant may be fabricated having unzippable bond lines that force the pant to conform closely to user being of the intended minimum weight range of the product. The unzippable bond lines may be separated by the user thus bringing the next larger bond lines to force conformation to the next larger weight with the range of the product.

While each product or component of the present invention may require different features or qualities, in at least one product contemplated by the inventors, it would be desirable to include combinations of all the embodiments listed above. For example, a region of hydrophobic spacing droplets may graduate into liquid channeling lines, and further into a micro-wicking region. Liquid channeling lines may simultaneously bond layers, graduate to discrete bond points, with further gradation in bond point density. In still yet another aspect of the invention, an absorbent article of the present invention may have discrete segments having a substantially semicircular cross-section extending above the body-facing surface of the substrate. Further still the discrete segments of the absorbent article will desirably have a volume in the range of about 5 nanoliters to about 400 nanoliters.

While the present invention has been described in connection with certain desired embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

We claim: 1. An apparatus for the discrete and registered placement of chemistry, comprising: at least one solenoid valve, said valve containing an orifice; at least one chemistry source, in communication with said at least one valve, and capable of communicating at least one chemistry to at least one solenoid valve; and a heating element; wherein the heating element is positioned proximate to at least one chemistry, and wherein the heating element allows the apparatus to process phase-change materials.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising a control means adapted to operate said at least one solenoid valve; wherein said control means is in communication with the at least one solenoid valve.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemistry source is selected from a reservoir or a continuous feed system.

4. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the at least one solenoid valve is controlled so as to discharge the at least one chemistries in a pattern.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising a manifold plate and wherein the at least one valve is positioned in the manifold plate.

6. The apparatus of Claim 5, wherein at least one chemistry is passed through the manifold to at least one solenoid valve.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the apparatus discharges discrete segments of chemistry.

8. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein the discrete segments have a volume of between about 5 nanoliters and about 400 nanoliters.

9. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein the discrete segments have a length and width less than about 2 mm and greater than about 0.2 mm.

10. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein said discrete segments are discharged at a frequency between about 1 Hz and about 2 kHz.

11. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising a pressure source, wherein the pressure source maintains adequate pressure in the apparatus so as to assist in the regulation of the chemistry discharge from the at least one orifice.

12. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the at least one chemistry in the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the control means is capable of operation in multiple modes.

14. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the apparatus can apply the chemistry to a substrate so as to create a topography of chemistry.

15. A printing device for the registered placement of phase-change liquids comprising: at least one solenoid valve, said valve having a discharge orifice; a heating element, said element being capable of providing heat to the device so as to allow the utilization of phase-change liquids; a chemistry supply, said supply being in fluid communication with at least one solenoid valve; and a control means, adapted to operate with the at least one solenoid valve.

16. The device of Claim 15, wherein the chemistry supply is a reservoir or a feed system.

17. The device of Claim 15, wherein the valve projects from the orifice droplets of chemistry, containing, at least in part, one or more phase-change liquids.

18. The device of Claim 15, wherein the valve projects discrete segments of droplets of chemistry, containing, at least in part, one or more phase-change liquids.

19. A method of placing one or more chemistries in a discrete and registered fashion, said method comprising: providing a valve jet, said jet comprising: at least one solenoid valve, said valve containing an orifice; at least one chemistry source, said at least one chemistry source in communication with said at least one valve, and said at least one chemistry source is capable of communicating at least one chemistry to at least one solenoid valve; and a heating element; wherein the heating element is positioned proximate to at least one chemistry, and wherein the heating element allows the apparatus to process phase- change materials; providing an amount of chemistry; communicating the chemistry from at least one chemistry source to at least one solenoid valve; providing heat to at least one chemistry; and discharging at least one chemistry from at least one solenoid valve.

20. The method of Claim 19 further comprising: providing a substrate; wherein the discharged chemistry forms discrete segments on the substrate.

21. The method of Claim 20, wherein the chemistry is applied in one application to a substrate so as to create a topography of chemistry.

22. The method of Claim 19, wherein the solenoid valves further comprise a discharge orifice.

23. The method of Claim 20, wherein discharging the chemistry from the at least one solenoid valve comprises firing one or more of the at least one valves.

24. The method of Claim 19, further comprising: regulating the discharge of the chemistry from the at least one solenoid valves; wherein the valve jet further comprises a control element; wherein the control element is in communication with the at least one solenoid valves; and wherein the control element regulates the solenoid valves such that the chemistry is discharged onto the substrate in a pattern.

25. The method of Claim 24, wherein the control element provides for real-time adjustment of the discharge from the at least one solenoid valve.

26. The method of Claim 20, wherein said discrete segments have a substantially semicircular cross-section extending above the substrate.

27. The method of Claim 19, wherein the at least one chemistry is selected from medicaments, inks, waxes, paints, lotions, ointments, skin health agents, topical applications, or combinations thereof.

28. The method of Claim 19, wherein at least one chemistry is a phase-change material.

29. The method of Claim 20, wherein the substrate is selected from a film, woven, nonwoven, paper and laminates or combinations thereof.

30. The method of Claim 20, wherein the discrete segments are applied to the substrate so as to create bond points.

31. The method of Claim 30, wherein the discrete segments bond points are inter-fiber bond points or interfacial bond points.

32. The method of Claim 19, wherein the viscosity of the at least one chemistry discharged from the valve jet is between about 1 centipoise and about 300 centipoise at the time of discharge.

33. The method of Claim 20, wherein the valve jet discharges discrete segments having a volume of between about 5 nanoliters and about 400 nanoliters.

34. A material having fluid handling characteristics, said material comprising: a substrate, having at least a first surface; and one or more chemistries applied to the first surface of the substrate in discrete droplets; wherein one or more droplets form discrete domains on the substrate and wherein the domains produce a topography of chemistries upon the substrate and wherein the domains provide enhanced fluid handling characteristics.

35. The material of Claim 34, wherein said one or more chemistries and the chemistries applied to the substrate have varying degrees of penetration; and wherein the varying degrees of chemistry penetration produce materials having various topographies.

36. The material of Claim 34, wherein the one or more chemistries are selectively applied to the substrate.

37. The material of Claim 34, wherein the one or more chemistries are applied to the substrate so as to produce a selectively located fluid barrier.

38. The material of Claim 34, wherein said one or more the chemistries are applied to the substrate in a pattern.

39. The material of Claim 34, wherein the topography of chemistries results in a substrate which exhibits improved fluid management and/or skin separation.

40. The material of Claim 34, wherein the discrete domains direct the wicking of fluids contacting the surface of the material.

41. The material of Claim 40, wherein at least one of the chemistries is releasable, at least in part, from the substrate when exposed to temperatures at or above about 23°C.

42. The material of Claim 34, wherein the substrate is selected from a film, woven, nonwoven, paper and laminates or combinations thereof.

43. The material of Claim 34, wherein the material comprises a personal care product or one or more components thereof.

44. The material of Claim 43, wherein the personal care product is selected from a diaper, training pant, absorbent underpant, adult incontinence product, sanitary wipe, wet wipe, feminine hygiene product, wound dressing, nursing pad, time release patch, surgical gown, fenestration drape, bandage, mortuary product, veterinary product, hygiene and absorbent product.

45. An absorbent article comprising: a substrate, having at least a first surface; and one or more chemistries, at least one of the chemistries being at least in part, a phase-change liquid; wherein the one or more chemistries are applied to the substrate so as to produce a substrate having desired topographical characteristics.

46. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the substrate is selected from a film, woven, nonwoven, paper and laminates or combinations thereof.

47. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the one or more chemistries are selectively applied to the substrate.

48. The absorbent article of Claim 47, wherein the chemistries are applied to the substrate in a pattern.

49. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the chemistry is applied to the substrate so as to create a topography of chemistry, and wherein the topography provides skin health benefits.

50. The absorbent article of Claim 49, wherein the application of topography results in a substrate which exhibits improved fluid management and/or skin separation.

51. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the topographical characteristics include liquid wicking or flow management applications.

52. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the one or more chemistries are applied to the substrate so as to produce a fluid barrier.

53. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the substrate comprises a personal care product or component thereof.

54. The absorbent article of Claim 53, wherein the personal care product is selected from a diaper, training pant, absorbent underpant, adult incontinence product, sanitary wipe, wet wipe, feminine hygiene product, wound dressing, nursing pad, time release patch, surgical gown, fenestration drape, bandage, mortuary product, veterinary product, hygiene and absorbent product.

55. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the discrete segments have a substantially semicircular cross-section extending above the body-facing surface of the substrate.

56. The absorbent article of Claim 45, wherein the discrete segments have a volume in the range of about 5 nanoliters to about 400 nanoliters.

57. A composite comprising: a substrate, being of at least one layer and having at least a first surface; and one or more chemistries, at least one of the chemistries being at least in part, a phase-change liquid; wherein the one or more chemistries are applied to the substrate so as to produce a substrate having discretely placed and registered bond points.

58. The composite of Claim 57, wherein the discrete bond points are inter-fiber bond points or interfacial bond points.