Abstract: A method for making apertures in a web comprising providing a precursor web material; providing a pair of counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers, wherein a first roller comprises circumferentially-extending ridges and grooves, and a second roller comprises teeth being tapered from a base and a tip, the teeth being joined to the second roller at the base, the base of the tooth having a cross-sectional length dimension greater than a cross-sectional width dimension; and moving the web material through a nip of the counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers; wherein apertures are formed in the precursor web material as the teeth on one of the rollers intermesh with grooves on the other of the rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprises a handle; a head portion pivotally attached to the handle comprising an upper surface and a lower surface connected to the upper surface by side edges; and a cleaning pad removably attached to the head portion, the cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer which extends over the lower surface of the head portion and a scrubbing strip which extends along a side edge of the head portion.

Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprises a handle; a head portion pivotally attached to the handle comprising an upper surface and a lower surface connected to the upper surface by side edges; and a cleaning pad removably attached to the head portion, the cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer which extends over the lower surface of the head portion and a scrubbing strip which extends along a side edge of the head portion.

Abstract: A method for making apertures in a web comprising providing a precursor web material; providing a pair of counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers, wherein a first roller comprises circumferentially-extending ridges and grooves, and a second roller comprises teeth being tapered from a base and a tip, the teeth being joined to the second roller at the base, the base of the tooth having a cross-sectional length dimension greater than a cross-sectional width dimension; and moving the web material through a nip of the counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers; wherein apertures are formed in the precursor web material as the teeth on one of the rollers intermesh with grooves on the other of the rollers.

Abstract: A multi-layer polymeric film having an “A” layer and a “B” layer. The “A” layer includes a first polymer and a first inclusion substantially disposed therein. The first inclusion is a first material that has a higher elastic modulus than the first polymer. The “B” layer includes a second polymer and a second inclusion substantially disposed therein. The second inclusion is a second material that has a higher elastic modulus than the second polymer. Methods of forming a multi-layer film are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses environmentally degradable multicomponent fibers. The configuration of the multicomponent fibers may be side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the environmentally degradable multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: A multi-layer film that includes at least one polymeric skin layer and polymeric “A” layer is provided. The polymeric “A” layer is formed from a composition that includes a soft or base polymer matrix and a hard polymer substantially disposed therein to form a reinforcing structure in the polymer matrix. The multi-layer film may also include a polymeric “B” layer that has a hard polymer substantially disposed therein. Methods of forming a multi-layer film are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprises a handle; a head portion pivotally attached to the handle comprising an upper surface and a lower surface connected to the upper surface by side edges; and a cleaning pad removably attached to the head portion, the cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer which extends over the lower surface of the head portion and a scrubbing strip which extends along a side edge of the head portion.

Abstract: A method for making apertures in a web comprising providing a precursor web material; providing a pair of counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers, wherein a first roller comprises circumferentially-extending ridges and grooves, and a second roller comprises teeth being tapered from a base and a tip, the teeth being joined to the second roller at the base, the base of the tooth having a cross-sectional length dimension greater than a cross-sectional width dimension; and moving the web material through a nip of the counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers; wherein apertures are formed in the precursor web material as the teeth on one of the rollers intermesh with grooves on the other of the rollers.

Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.

Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.

Abstract: A wipe exhibiting many of the properties that consumers desire for a wipe, i.e. softness, strength, coverage, flexibility and a process of making a wipe at competitive costs are disclosed. The wipe comprises a sheet of fibrous material having regions of a first basis weight and regions of a second basis weight.

Abstract: A wipe exhibiting many of the properties that consumers desire for a wipe, i.e. softness, strength, coverage, flexibility and a process of making a wipe at competitive costs are disclosed. The wipe comprises a sheet of fibrous material having regions of a first basis weight and regions of a second basis weight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multicomponent fibers. The fibers may be in a side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea configuration, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: A dispersible absorbent product having a mechanically weakened multi-layered structure, which comprises at least two mechanically weakened layers joined by a water responsive binder. The mechanically weakened regions enhance the dispersibility of the product in a standard toilet. Additionally, the dispersible absorbent products may be pre-moistened with a composition. The pre-moistened products are stable in storage, easily dispersible down a toilet, and deliver cleaning, conditioning, and like benefits. Methods of making such dispersible absorbent products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles for cleaning hard surfaces and in particular to remove large particles and hairs from large surfaces. The articles comprise an adhesive having specific Theological properties that provide increased efficacy in capturing and trapping large particles and hairs.