Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a multilayer nonwoven material. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to multilayered structures including, but not limited to, two, three, or four layers to form the nonwoven material. The multilayered structure can include a first layer comprising continuous filaments and a second layer comprising bonded fibers. The continuous filaments can be synthetic filaments. The fibers can be cellulosic fibers, noncellulosic fibers, or combinations thereof. Certain layers can also contain a binder material.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a multilayer nonwoven material. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to multilayered structures including, but not limited to, two, three, or four layers to form the nonwoven material. The multilayered structure can include a first layer comprising continuous filaments and a second layer comprising bonded fibers. The continuous filaments can be synthetic filaments. The fibers can be cellulosic fibers, noncellulosic fibers, or combinations thereof. Certain layers can also contain a binder material.

Abstract: Absorbent structures that form superabsorbent polymers in situ. The structures include an absorbent material and a fibrous material containing an activating agent. The fibrous material releases the activating agent upon stimulation with an activator, which causes the polymer to become a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent component is desirably a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer. The absorbent structures form a superabsorbent composition in situ. Methods of making the activating agent containing fibrous material are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure having wet integrity greater than about 4.0 mN/gsm, softness greater than 8.0/J, pliability greater than about 70/N, and providing a substantially dry liquid-accepting surface after receiving a quantity of liquid. The structure includes an upper ply having an upper fluid receiving surface and a lower surface and including (i) a top stratum including synthetic matrix fibers bonded with a binder, the matrix fibers having length from about 2 to about 15 mm; (ii) a middle stratum in fluid communication with the top stratum, the middle stratum including natural fibers, superabsorbent particles and a binder; and (iii) a bottom stratum in fluid communication with the middle stratum, the bottom stratum including natural fibers and a binder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent material and the fibers therein, having two or more layers including an upper surface layer which has on the outer surface of the layer one or more surface area zones which are more wettable zones and adjacent thereto one or more less wettable zones, where the more wettable zones have a greater hydrophilicity than the less wettable zone. The present invention is also directed to the fibers therein, which contain polyvalent cation-containing compounds and fatty acid containing compounds. The present invention also provides for methods of treating fibers or solid materials and processes of producing the hydrophobic materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to materials containing an enzyme inhibitor, including treated fibers, nonwovens, functional particles and processes for making these materials. These materials are useful in reducing or delaying onset of odor generation from various waste materials including human and animal elimination products.

Abstract: This invention relates to fibrous absorbent articles containing particles useful in the manufacture of disposable diapers, adult incontinence pads, sanitary napkins and the like. More particularly, the invention is directed to a multistrata fibrous web including a plurality of first strata including matrix fibers and thermoplastic fibers and a plurality of second strata including functional particles arranged in separated lanes. The first and second strata alternate through the web and the lanes of the second strata are arranged such that such that the lanes of adjacent second strata do not superimpose.

Abstract: Absorbent structures that form superabsorbent polymers in situ. The structures include an absorbent material and a fibrous material containing an activating agent. The fibrous material releases the activating agent upon stimulation with an activator, which causes the polymer to become a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent component is desirably a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer. The absorbent structures form a superabsorbent composition in situ. Methods of making the activating agent containing fibrous material are provided.

Abstract: Absorbent structures that form superabsorbent polymers in situ. The structures include an absorbent material and a fibrous material containing an activating agent. The fibrous material releases the activating agent upon stimulation with an activator, which causes the polymer to become a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent component is desirably a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer. The absorbent structures form a superabsorbent composition in situ. Methods of making the activating agent containing fibrous material are provided.

Abstract: Absorbent structures that form superabsorbent polymers in situ. The structures include an absorbent material and a fibrous material containing an activating agent. The fibrous material releases the activating agent upon stimulation with an activator, which causes the polymer to become a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent component is desirably a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer. The absorbent structures form a superabsorbent composition in situ. Methods of making the activating agent containing fibrous material are provided.

Abstract: Certain antimicrobial agents, particularly chitosan- or chitin-based polymers, exhibit increased antimicrobial activity when coated onto the surface of a hydrophobic material such as polypropylene. When applied to the surface of a polypropylene nonwoven fabric, for example, the resulting material can be used for diaper liners to reduce odors and promote skin wellness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for fractionating cellulosic fibers that is effective to result in cellulosic fibers that exhibit desired properties such as fiber length and fiber coarseness values. The fractionating process is quite efficient and has been found to produce cellulosic fibers that are more homogeneous in their properties as compared to the starting mixture of cellulosic fibers. Also disclosed is a handsheet prepared from the fractionated cellulosic fibers for use in disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: A process for fractionating cellulosic fibers that is effective to result in cellulosic fibers that exhibit desired properties such as fiber length and fiber coarseness values. The fractionating process is quite efficient and has been found to produce cellulosic fibers that are more homogeneous in their properties as compared to the starting mixture of cellulosic fibers. Also disclosed is a handsheet prepared from the fractionated cellulosic fibers for use in disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising fibers, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desired liquid transport properties. In one embodiment of the present invention, an absorbent structure comprises wettable cellulosic fibers, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits a Vertical Liquid Flux rate value at a height of about 15 centimeters of at least about 0.002 grams of liquid per minute per gram per square meter of absorbent structure per inch of cross-sectional width of the absorbent structure (g/(min*gsm*inch). The absorbent structure is suitable for use in disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating cellulosic fibers using high temperatures that is effective to result in modified cellulosic fibers that exhibit desired properties such as water retention values and wet curl values. The high temperature process is quite efficient and has been found to produce cellulosic fibers that are essentially uniformly treated. Also disclosed is a handsheet prepared from the treated cellulosic fibers for use in disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a water-swellable, water-insoluble chitosan salt having improved absorption properties. The method involves forming a mixture of a chitosan, water, an acid, and, optionally, a crosslinking agent, recovering the formed chitosan salt from the mixture and, optionally, treating said recovered chitosan salt with heat or under humid conditions.

Abstract: A timing apparatus for providing timing information to a moving person (11) moving past a datum line (13). A radiation source (15) located at the datum line (13) emits modulated radiation in a diverging conical radiation zone (16) across a path (12) along which the person moves and straddling the datum line (13) across the path (12). A radiation sensor (21) located on an aerial (22) receives radiation emitted by the radiation source (15) as the radiation zone (16) is crossed and generates a sensor signal (21a). A radiation detector circuit (26) receives the sensor signal (21a) and is tuned to discriminate the modulated radiation from the radiation source (15) and to generate a detector signal (26a) for as long as radiation from the radiation source (15) is being received and detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling and collecting wood samples for analysis purposes which includes a boring bit surrounded by a chamber into which the boring bit draws samples and from which the samples are passed to a collection container. The boring bit is housed in a pair of slidably connected housing members which determine the depth that the boring bit enters a wood sample. Collected samples are analyzed for microbial contaminates.