Abstract: A height adjustable universal creeper comprises a moveable base, interchangeable posts, extension members, a cushioned platform mounted upon a frame which is mounted upon the extension members, and rungs attached to a long post and spaced apart along the length of the long post. A tray is slidably mounted beneath the platform near a terminal end of the frame and has a compartment to conveniently store tools, accessories, and the like. The height adjustable creeper is very versatile and can be easily adjusted not only above hard-to-reach work areas such as engine compartments of vehicles but also beneath the work areas such as beneath the vehicles.

Abstract: A method of producing easily densified high bulk fibers that have adhered particulates. The fibers have hydrogen bonding or coordinate covalent bonding functionalities, and a binder is applied to the fibers to bind the particles to the fibers. The binder has a functional group that forms a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles, and a functional group that forms a hydrogen bond with the fibers. A substantial portion of the particles that are adhered to the fibers are adhered in particulate form by hydrogen bonds or coordinate covalent bonds to the binder, and the binder is in turn adhered to the fibers by hydrogen bonds. Fibers containing particles bound by this method are easily densified.

Abstract: A fiber product comprises dry discontinuous fibers having a starch binder on at least a portion of the fiber surfaces, at least about seventy percent of the starch binder coated fibers being unbonded to one another, solid particles are adhered to the fibers by the binder without the binder entirely coating the particles. The fibers may be air laid into a web or formed into an absorbent structure. Superabsorbent particles are a specific example of the particles which may be adhered to the fibers.

Abstract: Particles, such as superabsorbent particles, are bound to fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, by a binder that has a volatility less than water. The binder has a functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the fibers, and a functional group that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles. The binder is activated or reactivated by addition of heat, liquid, or mechanical energy. Therefore, fibers treated with binder may be shipped to a distribution point before particles are bound to the fibers. The binder may be a polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, poly(caprolactone) diol, polyacrylic acid, polyamides and polyamines. The polymeric binder has a hydrogen bonding functionality or coordinate covalent bond forming functionality on each repeating unit of the polymeric binder.

Abstract: A method of producing easily densified high bulk fibers that have adhered particulates. The fibers have hydrogen bonding or coordinate covalent bonding functionalities, and a binder is applied to the fibers to bind the particles to the fibers. The binder has a functional group that forms a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles, and a functional group that forms a hydrogen bond with the fibers A substantial portion of the particles that are adhered to the fibers are adhered in particulate form by hydrogen bonds or coordinate covalent bonds to the binder, and the binder is in turn adhered to the fibers by hydrogen bonds. Fibers containing particles bound by this method are easily densified.

Abstract: Binder is applied to fibers during the production of a web on a wet laid sheet manufacturing line. Particles are bound to fibrous material by a binder that has a volatility less than water, wherein the binder has a functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the fibers, and a functional group that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles. The binder may be activated or reactivated by addition of heat, liquid, or mechanical energy such that fibers treated with binder may be shipped to a distribution point before particles are bound to the fibers. The binder may be a polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyacrylic acid, polyamides and polyamines, and in which the polymeric binder has a hydrogen bonding functionality or coordinate covalent bond forming functionality on each repeating unit of the polymeric binder.

Abstract: Discontinuous fibers are coated with a binder material with the binder material adhering the fibers to super absorbent particles. Fibers in the product are substantially unbonded except to the super absorbent particles. The binder may be present at an amount which is sufficient to substantially continuously coat the fibers. Plural coatings of various binder materials may be used. The binder material may be heat fusible or heat curable and the treated fibers mixed with other fibers for use in producing a wide variety of products.

Abstract: A composite absorbent article is described having a plural layer absorbent core comprising a bonded insert pad and a dispersion pad. The insert pad preferably comprises binder coated fibers to which superabsorbent particles are adhered. By using heat fusible binders, a heat bonded superabsorbent containing insert pad is provided. The dispersion pad also typically comprises fibers and enhances the wicking of liquid throughout the insert pad. In addition, the insert pad may be bound to the dispersion pad at the interface between the pads to provide a stronger composite structure and to also entangle the fibers of the two pads at their interface to improve the wicking of liquid from the dispersion pad into the insert pad. In addition, hydrophilic fibers may be included in the insert pad to enhance the wicking of liquid into the insert pad. The use of surfactant materials in the binder enhances the vertical wicking characteristics of the composite pad.

Abstract: Discontinuous fibers are entrained in a gaseous medium and coated while entrained with a substantially continuous coating of a binder material. Plural coatings of various binder materials may be applied to the entrained fibers. Also, one or more solid particulate materials may be adhered to the fibers by the binder material as the binder material dries. The binder material may be heat bondable and mixed with other fibers for use in producing a wide variety of products.

Abstract: Discontinuous fibers are entrained in a gaseous medium and coated while entrained with a substantially continuous coating of a binder material. Plural coatings of various binder materials may be applied to the entrained fibers. Also, one or more solid particulate materials may be adhered to the fibers by the binder material as the binder material dries. The binder material may be heat bondable and mixed with other fibers for use in producing a wide variety of products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the alignment of leads along the perimeter of an integrated circuit surface mount device (SMD). The device is placed so that a first lead is within the path of a beam of light emitted from a light source. The light source is moved around the perimeter of the device so that the beam of light contacts all of the leads of the device. The angle of reflection of the beam of light off of each of the leads is detected. From this angle, the alignment of the leads is determined by first calculating a seating plane and then calculating the variation of each lead from the seating plane.