Abstract: A method of increasing the wet strength of a creped sheet, which method involves providing a sheet which includes cellulosic fibers, which sheet has a first side and a second side; applying a low temperature-curing latex adhesive binder composition to the first side of the sheet in a fine, spaced-apart pattern occupying from about 20 to about 50 percent of the surface area of the sheet; adhering the first side of the sheet to a creping surface; and creping the sheet from the creping surface. The binder composition is adapted to adhere the sheet to the creping surface and includes a functional group-containing latex, a functional group-reactive crosslinking agent, and a volatile base. In addition, the creping surface is heated at a temperature no greater than about 100° C.

Abstract: A medical packaging material based on a cellulosic nonwoven web which may be used in an oxidizing gas plasma sterilization environment. The material includes a cellulosic nonwoven web made up of fibers. From about 50 to 100 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are cellulosic fibers, and from 0 to about 50 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are noncellulosic fibers, such as glass wool and synthetic polymer fibers. In some embodiments, the cellulosic nonwoven web may be composed of 100 percent by weight of cellulosic fibers. The cellulosic nonwoven web includes a saturant which is present at a level of from about 50 to about 150 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the fibers. The saturant includes a cellulosic fiber-protecting synthetic polymer having an effectively low permeability to hydrogen peroxide. For example, the cellulosic fiber-protecting synthetic polymer may have a water vapor transmission rate for a 2.

Abstract: A fabric substrate comprising thermoplastic polyolefin fibers is printed with a printing composition comprising a room temperature curable latex polymer, a pigment and a cure promoter, which retains a colorfastness above 3 when exposed to liquids with a pH between about 2 and about 13. The mixture may be applied to the fabric as an aqueous mixture with a pre-cure pH adjusted to above 8 using a fugitive alkali and then cured at room temperature.