Abstract: Disclosed is an improved filter formed from a non-dielectric material which has been coated with a dielectric material and electret treated by, for example, DC corona discharge treatment. Also disclosed is a method for the formation of the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for injection molding certain hydrodisintegratable materials which, when injection molded to form a desired object, acquire and maintain the desired shape. The method includes the steps of maintaining extrusion temperatures of the hydrodisintegratable material at or below about 250 degrees F. and maintaining the temperature of the mold at or below about 55 degrees F. In the presence of water, the molded object has the ability to rapidly disintegrate and disperse when subjected to standardized agitation testing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a multilayer film which includes a first surface layer and a second surface layer. The first surface layer is composed of materials which disintegrate when subjected to conditions present in conventional sewage systems. The second surface layer is formed from a material which is essentially inert to water, urine and other bodily fluids. Typically, the second surface layer is an extremely thin coating which provides a waterproofing effect. The multilayer film may be utilized as an outer cover in a wide variety of products such as, for example, disposable diapers and feminine care products such as sanitary napkins.

Abstract: A foot receiving article formed from a liquid impermeable elastic necked-stretched laminate is disclosed. The elastic necked-stretched laminate may include an elastic layer captured between two necked-stretched spunbond layers. The disclosed elastic necked-stretched laminate may be incorporated in a variety of products, such as surgical gown sleeves, stockinettes, shoe covers and foot covers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic strip having a length which terminates at first and second generally opposed ends and a width which terminates at generally opposed edges. The strip has a first surface which includes an area of loops located near one of the opposed ends and a second surface which includes an area of hooks located near the other second opposed end. The strip is adapted to elongate and recover at least along the strip's length and the hooks are configured to engage the loops to join the first and second surfaces of the strip together. The device may be utilized to effect retention of a surgical glove in place upon the forearm of the wearer by encircling the wrist or forearm of the wearer of the surgical glove with the device, stretching the device about the gloved wrist/forearm and joining the opposed ends of the device about the gloved wrist/forearm. The device can be designed to be used only one time and then disposed. That is the device can be a "single use" device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for disinfecting water which provides a visual indication after the disinfection is complete. First, the water to be disinfected is generally simultaneously intermixed with at least three items. The items are: (1) a disinfectant which is adapted to render harmless substantially all pathogens present in the water upon the disinfectant being intermixed with the water for a time period T.sub.k ; (2) a colorant; and (3) a material which can remove substantially all of the disinfectant and colorant from the water over a time period T.sub.r, where T.sub.r is greater than T.sub.k. Secondly, the water, disinfectant, colorant and the removing material are allowed to remain intermixed for a time period of T.sub.r or greater. At the end of the time period T.sub.r, substantially all pathogens in the water will be rendered harmless, substantially all of the disinfectant will be removed from the water and substantially all of the colorant will be removed from the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous device adapted to remove particulates from a fluid passed through the device. The device includes a porous filtration medium. The medium has a first surface having an area which is adapted to receive the fluid for passage through the medium and a second surface from which the fluid exits the medium. The device is configured to variably increase the area of the first surface in response to a differential in fluid pressure between the first surface and the second surface so as to extend the life of the device. In some embodiments the device is adapted to retain the increase in surface area which acts as a visual indication that the device is reaching its capacity to retain particulates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a water vapor responsive self sealing thin film which is formed from a blend of at least about 75 weight percent of a water dispersible polymer; from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a xerogellant; and from about 7.5 to about 20 weight percent of a plasticizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a fibrous web having improved strength characteristics which, in the presence of water, rapidly disintegrates when subjected to standardized agitation testing. The web includes a plurality of fibers joined together by a binder. The binder makes up from about 0.20 to about 15 percent of the dry weight of the web. The binder is formed from a blend of from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water dispersible polymer; from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of an elastomeric latex emulsion; from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a xerogellant; and from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of a plasticizing agent. The fibrous web is useful in the formation of disposable diapers and feminine care products which may be flushed down the toilet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for disinfecting water which provides a visual indication after the disinfection is complete. First, the water to be disinfected is generally simultaneously intermixed with at least three items. The items are: (1) a disinfectant which is adapted to render harmless substantially all pathogens present in the water upon the disinfectant being intermixed with the water for a time period T.sub.k ; (2) a colorant; and (3) a material which can remove substantially all of the disinfectant and colorant from the water over a time period t.sub.r, where T.sub.r is greater than T.sub.k. Secondly, the water, disinfectant, colorant and the removing material are allowed to remain intermixed for a time period of T.sub.r or greater. At the end of the time period T.sub.r, substantially all pathogens in the water will be rendered harmless, substantially all of the disinfectant will be removed from the water and substantially all of the colorant will be removed from the water.

Abstract: A thin soft film material having fibers and/or particulates embedded therein is disclosed. A process for effecting such embedding utilizing hydrosonics is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrodisintegratable material which, when injection molded into an object, acquires and maintains the desired shape without becoming brittle. Additionally, in the presence of water, the molded object has the ability to rapidly disintegrate and disperse when subjected to standardized agitation testing. The moldable material typically includes: (1) from about 7.5 to about 85 weight percent of at least one water dispersible polymer; (2) from about 7.

Abstract: Disclosed are a number of processes for forming a liquid-impermeable sheet having a fibrous cloth-like surface. In one embodiment the process includes the steps of: (1) forming a sheet having first and second fibrous surfaces; and subjecting the sheet to pressure and a z-gradient temperature differential sufficient to melt the fibers of the first surface and form the melt into a liquid impermeable skin without significantly altering the fibers of the second surface.

Abstract: A method for forming thinned areas in a thin sheet material. The method includes the steps of (1) placing the thin sheet material on a pattern anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is generally less than the thickness of the sheet material; (2) conveying the sheet material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a fluid is applied to the sheet material; and (3) subjecting the sheet material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the fluid is applied to the sheet material to area thin the sheet material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil. In some embodiments, the thinned areas may be micro areas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a fibrous web having improved strength characteristics which, in the presence of water, rapidly disintegrates when subjected to standardized agitation testing. The web includes a plurality of fibers joined together by a binder. The binder makes up from about 0.20 to about 15 percent of the dry weight of the web. The binder is formed from a blend of from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of a water dispersible, high molecular weight amorphous polyester having one or more ionic substituents attached thereto; from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of an elastomeric latex emulsion; from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of a xerogellant; and from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of a plasticizing agent. The fibrous web is useful in the formation of disposable diapers and feminine care products which may be flushed down the toilet.

Abstract: A thin soft film material having fibers and/or particulates embedded therein is disclosed. A process for effecting such embedding utilizing hydrosonics is also disclosed.

Abstract: The application is directed toward a process for forming an electret filter medium.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of (1) placing the thin thermoplastic film material on a pattern anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is generally less than the thickness of the film material; (2) conveying the thermoplastic film material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a liquid is applied to the film material; and (3) subjecting the thermoplastic film material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the liquid is applied to the film material to emboss the film material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil.

Abstract: A method for forming thinned areas in a thin sheet material. The method includes the steps of (1) placing the thin sheet material on a pattern anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is generally less than the thickness of the sheet material; (2) conveying the sheet material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a fluid is applied to the sheet material; and (3) subjecting the sheet material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the fluid is applied to the sheet material to area thin the sheet material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil. In some embodiments, the thinned areas may be micro areas.

Abstract: Disclosed is an odor-absorbing, non-dusting porous web material and a method of making the same. The web material includes a porous base web (for example, a fibrous base web, such as a non-woven or paper web) having distributed throughout odor-absorbing particulate (such as zeolite). Alkaline salt or alkaline earth oxide particulate, to better effect removal of acidic malodor, desirably also is distributed throughout the base web, in the final product. The odor-absorbing particulate is bound to the base web (e.g., fibers of a fibrous base web) by a binding system, containing a binding agent. The binding system, in the odor-absorbing web materials, is transparent to the odors so as not to substantially effect the ability of the particulate to absorb odor-causing material.