Abstract: A nonwoven loop material comprising a crimped bi-component fiber in a side-by-side arrangement with a first side and a second side, wherein the first side has a heat of fusion from about 99 to about 105 (J/g) and the second side has a heat of fusion from about 73 to about 86 (J/g); and wherein the first side has a first viscosity and the second side has a second viscosity and the first and second viscosities are within +/?5 (g/10 minutes) of each other; and the second side comprises a polyolefin and a low crystallinity additive.

Abstract: A nonwoven web that contains a plurality of fibers formed from a polyolefin composition is provided. The polyolefin composition contains a rigid propylene polymer that has a relatively high melting temperature and modulus of elasticity, which can provide good strength and durability to the nonwoven web. The polyolefin composition also contains a ductile propylene polymer that has a relatively high melt flow index, which can help achieve relatively fine fibers that minimize the stiffness of the web. In addition to a rigid and ductile polymer, the polyolefin composition also contains a slip additive (e.g., fatty acid derivative). Among other things, such an additive can even further enhance the overall softness of the composition.

Abstract: A nonwoven web that contains a plurality of fibers formed from a polyolefm composition is provided. The polyolefin composition contains a rigid propylene polymer that has a relatively high melting temperature and modulus of elasticity, which can provide good strength and durability to the nonwoven web. The polyolefm composition also contains a ductile propylene polymer that has a relatively high melt flow index, which can help achieve relatively fine fibers that minimize the stiffness of the web. In addition to a rigid and ductile polymer, the polyolefin composition also contains a slip additive (e.g., fatty acid derivative). Among other things, such an additive can even further enhance the overall softness of the composition.

Abstract: A sawmill including a band saw, mounted on a carriage. A moving shear rail is connected to the carriage such that the shear rail moves in synchronization with the band saw. The moving shear rail has a notch formed in the upper edge, and is positioned so that the notch is aligned with the band saw blade, and the upper edge of the moving shear rail extends at least to even with the band saw blade, and possibly even beyond the saw blade. The moving shear rail includes a shear rail plate carrying the notch, and a flexible element connected at each end of the shear rail plate. The flexible element is formed of conveyor links reeved about a pair of reels, including a last link that is removably connected to the shear rail plate. Each of the reels is mounted to a standard, one having a pivot, allowing that reel to be pivoted away.

Abstract: A sawmill including a band saw, mounted on a carriage. A moving shear rail is connected to the carriage such that the shear rail moves in synchronization with the band saw. The moving shear rail has a notch formed in the upper edge, and is positioned so that the notch is aligned with the band saw blade, and the upper edge of the moving shear rail extends at least to even with the band saw blade, and possibly even beyond the saw blade. The moving shear rail includes a shear rail plate carrying the notch, and a flexible element connected at each end of the shear rail plate. The flexible element is formed of conveyor links reeved about a pair of reels, including a last link that is removably connected to the shear rail plate. Each of the reels is mounted to a standard, one having a pivot, allowing that reel to be pivoted away.

Abstract: Fibers that are formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a polymer and high surface area nanostructures are provided. The fibers have a voided structure and low density while maintaining good strength characteristics. To achieve such a structure, a blowing agent in the thermoplastic composition is activated during extrusion to form bubbles in the fibers. The high surface area nanostructures in the formed fibers can be formed of or carry the blowing agent and can enhance the strength of the fibers and compensate for the non-load bearing voids of the fibers.

Abstract: An absorbent structure expands to a greater extent along one surface than along an opposite surface when in the presence of a liquid. The absorbent structure may include a single layer, or two or more layers intimately bonded to one another. When in the presence of a liquid, the more expandable surface causes an increase in concavity in the X-Y plane of the structure, with the concavity being in the direction of the less expandable surface. One or both surfaces can be treated to adjust the respective level of expandability. By inducing a formed shape upon hydration swelling, a trough shape can be generated to facilitate absorbent properties, containment, and fit. The invention includes absorbent articles having such an absorbent structure incorporated therein.

Abstract: A portable partition system includes an air permeable nonwoven sheet material as the primary isolation material. An elongated support member with an attachment device are used to erect the sheet material. The attachment device includes a head with opposed separable clamping surfaces having a hook material provided thereon. The sheet material is inserted between the clamping surfaces so as to be engaged directly by the hook material on opposite sides of the sheet material upon erecting the system into a portable partition.

Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. Specifically, a biodegradable polyester is melt processed at a controlled water content to initiate a hydrolysis reaction. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the hydroxyl groups present in water are capable of attacking the ester linkage of the polyester, thereby leading to chain scission or “depolymerization” of the polyester molecule into one or more shorter ester chains. By selectively controlling the reaction conditions (e.g., water content, temperature, shear rate, etc.), a hydrolytically degraded polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers have a higher melt flow rate and lower apparent viscosity, which are useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.

Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable polylactic acid suitable for use in fibers is provided. Specifically, a polylactic acid is melt processed at a controlled water content to initiate a hydrolysis reaction. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the hydroxyl groups present in water are capable of attacking the ester linkage of polylactic acids, thereby leading to chain scission or “depolymerization” of the polylactic acid molecule into one or more shorter ester chains. The shorter chains may include polylactic acids, as well as minor portions of lactic acid monomers or oligomers, and combinations of any of the foregoing. By selectively controlling the hydrolysis conditions (e.g., moisture and polymer concentrations, temperature, shear rate, etc.), a hydrolytically degraded polylactic acid may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting polymer.

Abstract: A temporary partition curtain for isolating a first area from a second area is disclosed. The temporary partition curtain is prepared from a nonwoven sheet material having a first side and a second side, the nonwoven sheet material has an air permeability of at least about 10 ft3/min/ft2. In addition, the nonwoven sheet material substantially prevents particles from passing through the nonwoven sheet material from the first side to the second side; thereby substantially preventing particles from passing from the first area to the second area. Also disclosed is a method of isolating a first area from a second area using the temporary partition curtain.

Abstract: A portable partition system includes an air permeable nonwoven sheet material as the primary isolation material. An elongated support member with an attachment device are used to erect the sheet material. The attachment device includes a head with opposed separable clamping surfaces having a hook material provided thereon. The sheet material is inserted between the clamping surfaces so as to be engaged directly by the hook material on opposite sides of the sheet material upon erecting the system into a portable partition.