Abstract: A multi-layer composite sheet comprising a shrinkable layer intermittently bonded a to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and wherein the shrinkable layer can shrink and at the same time gather the gatherable layer between the bonds. A process for preparing multi-layer composite sheets by intermittently bonding a shrinkable layer to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and causing the shrinkable layer to shrink while at the same time gathering the gatherable layer between the bonds. Preferably, the shrinkable layer comprises an array of fibers or nonwoven web comprising fibers having latent spiral crimp.

Abstract: A process for making absorbent cellulosic paper products such as sheet for towel, tissue and the like, includes compactively dewatering a nascent web followed by wet belt creping the web at an intermediate consistency of anywhere from about 30 to about 60 percent under conditions operative to redistribute the fiber on the belt, which is preferably a fabric. In preferred embodiments, the web is thereafter adhesively applied to a Yankee dryer using a creping adhesive operative to enable high speed transfer of the web of intermediate consistency such as a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesive. An absorbent sheet so prepared from a papermaking furnish exhibits an absorbency of at least about 5 g/g, a CD stretch of at least about 4 percent, and an MD/CD tensile ratio of less than about 1.1, and also exhibits a maximum CD modulus at a CD strain of less than 1 percent and sustains a CD modulus of at least 50 percent of its maximum CD modulus to a CD strain of at least about 4 percent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: The present invention is a poufable product that is capable of being converted into a pouf product. The poufable product is comprised of at least one flat ply of flexible sheet material having at least one side edge and at least one cord. The cord engages at least one ply of the flexible sheet material such that the flexible sheet material is capable of bunching on or about the cord.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for imparting spectral characteristics to composite materials by coating prepreg or dry reinforcement materials with pigment, then processing the prepreg or dry reinforcement materials using conventional composite processing methods. The resulting composite material products are lightweight and have durable treatments. The invention further includes composite materials with spectral characteristics imparted by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Tissues are provided as multi-ply tissue products having greater tactile sensation and resiliency in hand. Improved tissues may have a thickened and reduced density middle layer. The tissues may serve as applicators for chemical agents to be released during use of the tissue. A tissue having an improved tactile impression to the consumer, with enhanced resilience and high external bulk is disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-ply structure having at least three plies is desirable. A middle or intermediate ply is comprised an increased thickness and a greater bulk is employed. In general, the exterior plies of the tissue are smooth and desirable to the consumer.

Abstract: This invention is intended to provide a biaxially oriented polypropylene film capable of exhibiting excellent high breakdown voltage and preservability even in a high temperature atmosphere of 80° C. or higher. The biaxially oriented polypropylene film of this invention is a polypropylene film formed of a polypropylene resin mainly composed of propylene, at least one of the surfaces of which has a basic surface configuration consisting of crepe-like asperity and having a 10-point mean roughness (Rz) of 0.5 to 1.5 ?m and a surface glossiness of 90 to 135%.

Abstract: A garment includes a breathable composite fabric between outer and inner fabric layers. The breathable composite fabric comprises two nanofiber web layers and a porous fluid drainage layer disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A breathable, elastic, film laminate including layers of an inherently breathable, elastic polymer film alternately stacked with layers of a filled plastic polymer. The laminate may be made by grafting a thermoplastic polymer to an elastomer to form an inherently breathable elastic polymer, extruding, the elastic polymer through a die, extruding the filled plastic polymer through a die, stacking the extruded elastic polymer with the extruded plastic polymer while the polymers are in a melt-extrudable state to create a multilayer film laminate, and stretching the laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a composite component reinforced by stiffening elements. Composite component is produced by the inside gluing of a monolithic component to a multiplicity of stiffening elements by means of an adhesive suitable for this particular application. Stiffening elements are formed with a fibre reinforced, amorphous thermoplastic material. Monolithic component of composite component consists of a fibre reinforced duroplastic material—for example a composite epoxy matrix—in which are embedded, for reinforcement, carbon fibres, basalt fibres, natural fibres, ceramic fibres, aramide® fibres, kevlar® fibres or any combination thereof. Monolithic component is glued to thermoplastic stiffening elements by an adhesive under the influence of pressure and temperature. Here a tolerance compensation is carried out essentially by stiffening elements, if necessary being plastically deformed, so that high dimensional stability is achieved.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) includes a controllable skin texture surface that includes a skin texture surface actuation structure having a plurality of hinged elements (802-808) with a shape memory alloy (812) coupled thereto to effect movement of the hinged elements and a flexible skin structure (320) to change a tactile configuration of at least a portion of the controllable skin texture surface. A method also includes controlling a first shape memory alloy to actuate a plurality of hinged elements and in response, controlling a second shape memory alloy to actuate a hinged lock structure to lock a plurality of hinged elements in a first position. The method also includes deactivating the first shape memory alloy and unlocking the plurality of hinged elements by actuating the first shape memory alloy to allow the hinged lock to disengage. Corresponding structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven laminate comprising an elastic film layer extrusion laminated along at least one face to an asymmetric nonwoven web. The elastic film layer is extrusion laminated along a plurality of cross direction extending bond lines were the asymmetric nonwoven fibers are at least partially embedded into the extruded elastic film. The asymmetric nonwoven webs are preferably bonded to both faces of the elastic film layer where the bond lines are 0.1 to 2.0 mm wide and there are from 0.5 to 10 bond lines/cm.

Abstract: A light-weight mirror blank assembly, having at least one sheet of corrugated material; and at least one face sheet in intimate contact with a surface of the sheet of corrugated material forming the light-weight mirror blank assembly. The light-weight mirror blank assembly has an areal density less than an equivalent blank assembly having a solid support structure for supporting a mirrored surface.

Abstract: An image-bearing article comprising an interlayer bearing an image and a white layer or another colored layer. The image-bearing article can be coated on the image-bearing side and over the image with an adhesion promoter.

Abstract: A plastics film 1 composed of rigid polyvinyl chloride serves as backing film for a sleeve label. The sleeve label can be applied by adhesive bonding and shrinking onto a peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. A protective covering film 2 has been laminated onto the plastics film 1. The plastics film 1 has been stretched in the machine direction of a calender and has a longitudinal heat shrinkage of from 40 to 60%, based on the unstretched plastics film. Perpendicularly to the machine direction of the calender, the heat shrinkage of the plastics film is from 0 to 10%.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A method of protecting a sheet of glass has a clear sheet of plastic that is adhered to a surface of the sheet of glass. A coating is applied over the clear sheet of plastic. The adhesive, plastic and coating are all resistant to UV light, which means that they will stay clear even after an extended exposure to sunlight. The plastic is a hard piece of plastic that is resistant to chipping and abrasions. The coating over the plastic is even harder than the plastic. The coating further protects the plastic from chipping and abrasions. The adhesive is releasable so that the protective layer of plastic may be removed as it becomes scratched, pitted and chipped.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric having both stab resistant and anti-ballistic properties. The fabric is made of yarn of a weight greater than about 500 dtex, and the fabric has a minimum shrinkage factor of at least about 1% achieved through a densification treatment. The invention further relates to a method of producing a such a fabric having the steps of agitating a fabric made of a yarn of a weight greater than about 500 dtex, substantially removing a spin finish from the fabric before, during or after the agitating step, and drying the fabric.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine is characterized by a forming assembly which causes lateral edge portions of a substantially continuous sheet stock material to crumple and to fold upon themselves, leaving an unfolded central portion between the laterally spaced apart folded portions. The layers of sheet stock material in the folded portions are fixed by a feeding/fixing assembly having two pairs of laterally spaced feed assemblies to form a dunnage product which does not come apart as it is manipulated. A severing assembly severs discrete dunnage products from the continuous strip of dunnage.

Abstract: A bulky sheet material having three-dimensional protrusions 10 is disclosed. The sheet material comprises a first layer 1 and a second layer 2 adjacent to the first layer 1. The first layer 1 and the second layer 2 is partly joined together at joints 3 in a prescribed pattern. The first layer 1 has a number of raised portions which are located among the joints 3. The second layer 2 comprises a material which exhibits elastomeric behavior. The bulky sheet material 10 exhibits elastomeric behavior as a whole and breathability.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having a pattern incorporated into the materials are disclosed. The nonwoven materials may be, for instance, tissue webs, meltspun webs such as meltblown webs or spunbond webs, bonded carded webs, hydroentangled webs, and the like. The pattern may be incorporated into the webs using various techniques. For instance, the pattern may be formed into the web by topically applying a bonding material. In an alternative embodiment, the pattern may be formed according to a thermal bonding process. The pattern contains individual cells that include two spaced apart expanded regions separated by a constricted region. By incorporating the pattern into the web, a material is produced having a relatively low Poisson ratio.

Abstract: Facially amphiphilic polymers and articles made therefrom having biocidal surfaces are disclosed. The polymers can inhibit the growth of microorganisms in contact with the surface or in areas adjacent to said biocidal surface. There is also disclosed a method to identify and optimize the facial amphiphilicity of polyamide, polyester, polyurea, polyurethane, polycarbonate and polyphenylene polymers. Utility as a contact disinfectant is disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic resin container according to the invention has a craze pattern on the outer surface of its body. The container comprises an inner layer that comes into direct contact with content during its storage, an outer layer laid over the inner layer, and a translucent protective layer laid over the outer layer. The outer layer carries a craze pattern that has been obtained by applying a solvent to a preform or parison of the container after blow molding thereof. The protective layer covers and protects that portion of the outer layer, which carries the craze pattern, and preserves its visibility from outside.

Abstract: A tissue paper crimper of greater rigidity is provided by mounting crimper disks to linear bearings which in turn are mounted to a carriage which can be positioned in the cross machine direction on a frame. The crimper disks are pressed against anvil roll pneumatic actuators. The use of linear bearings allows the crimper to run at higher operating speeds. An air knife is positioned so that a jet of air following a Coanda surface periodically blows against the rotating crimping wheel and thereby removes fibers before they build up. Buildup of fibers on the crimping wheels from the tissue webs being crimped can cause the wheels to become unbalanced, resulting in undesirable vibration. The rigid mounting and the prevention of fiber buildup will allow the crimper of this invention to operate at higher machine speeds.

Abstract: An elastic composite is formed by securing an elastic member to a substrate along a securement path extending longitudinally of the substrate. The position of the elastic member on the substrate varies laterally along the longitudinally extending securement path in a generally periodic wave pattern having at least one period within the securement path. The periodic wave pattern is such that the elastic composite is more stretchable in the direction of the securement path than transverse to the securement path. In another embodiment, the securement path varies laterally as it extends longitudinally along the securement path. The position of the elastic member varies transversely within the securement path to at least partially define a width of the securement path.

Abstract: A laminate is claimed, having a first cover layer, a fabric with perforations as the middle layer, and a second cover layer, as are a method for its production and the use of the laminate as a fluid absorption and distribution layer made of a nonwoven fabric layer oriented in the Z direction, for absorbent hygiene articles. A three-dimensional form is achieved in that the fabric is present in the shrunk state in the middle layer, i.e. is brought into this state.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad for chemical-mechanical polishing comprising a body, a polishing surface, and a plurality of elongated pores, wherein about 10% or more of the elongated pores have an aspect ratio of about 3:1 or greater and are substantially oriented in a direction that is coplanar with the polishing surface. The invention further provides a method of polishing a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a through-air-drying process for producing a fibrous web that possesses not only softness and absorbency but also strength. The method of the present invention monitors and controls the overall charge in the headbox.

Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling the tension of a moving web material. A web material is transported with an apparatus. A modulus-of-elasticity-analog value is determined for the web material. The modulus-of-elasticity-analog value is used to adjust an instantaneous gain of the web control system. The instantaneous gain is used in the control calculation of the control system. The control calculation is used to control the speed of a web handling drive. Controlling the speed of at least one appropriate web handling drive controls the tension of the web.

Abstract: A floor covering made of an elastomer material having a relief-type patterned surface (2) which is provided with irregularly distributed indentations (3), which have an elongated shape, which partially contact and/or intersect each other, and which have a depth (T) of 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm, at a width (B) of 0.2 mm to 2.5 mm and a length (L) of 5 mm to 50 mm.

Abstract: A fabric for welding is provided which has a welding portion integral with the fabric which extends partially or completely over the width of the fabric. The welding portion of the fabric comprises at least a warp or weft which melts under hot pressing to adhere the fabric to a substrate. The substrate may be a cloth sheet, a synthetic resin sheet, or the like. This enables one to attach the sheet to a column, a stake, a log, a building, a footing, etc., or to attach the welding fabric to another sheet.

Abstract: A protective member primarily for use as an energy absorbing pad for incorporation into garments to protect the wearer against accidental impacts. The member comprises a putty-like energy absorbing material (2) encapsulated in a flexible envelope (3, 4). The energy absorbing material is normally soft and flexible but changes to become temporarily rigid when an impact force is applied thereto, thereby absorbing the impact energy, the material returning to its normal flexible condition after the impact. The energy absorbing member preferably comprises a series of connected corrugations to increase its energy absorbing properties.

Abstract: The present invention is a tissue web comprising cellulosic fibers and a semi-synthetic cationic polymer having a molecular weight less than about 5 million. The semi-synthetic cationic polymer can be heterogeneously distributed in the tissue web. The semi-synthetic cationic polymer has a degree of cationic substitution of at least 0.2.

Abstract: An elastic composite is formed by securing an elastic member to a substrate along a securement path extending longitudinally of the substrate. The position of the elastic member on the substrate varies laterally along the longitudinally extending securement path in a generally periodic wave pattern having at least one period within the securement path. The periodic wave pattern is such that the elastic composite is more stretchable in the direction of the securement path than transverse to the securement path. In another embodiment, the securement path varies laterally as it extends longitudinally along the securement path. The position of the elastic member varies transversely within the securement path to at least partially define a width of the securement path.

Abstract: A heat-reflective protective sleeve includes a substrate (10) and a sheet of reflective material (20) fixed on the substrate (10). The substrate (10) is elastically deformable from a non-operating position and the sheet (20) is pleated on the substrate (10) in the non-operating position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition, a process for its preparation, and to its use for the production of textured coated surfaces on heat-resistant substrates, in which coating composition is based on hydroxyl group-containing binders, cross-linking agents and particular amine compounds.

Abstract: There is provided a resilient, three dimensional material having fibrous texture and appearance and capable of fluid handling. It consists of a top surface and a bottom surface wherein fiber-like elements typically extend from one surface to the other forming flat to undulating surfaces characterized by a multiplicity of interconnected fluid passageways. Deformed, discontinuous film-like or encapsulated regions connect fiber-like elements and stabilize the material. The material of this invention is unique based on the three principle characteristics which are communicated in this application: 1) ff(?)<0.87, 2) SA/VV<186 cm2/cm3, and 3) caliper<0.150 inches. This material is useful for a number of purposes, such as for use as a liner for personal care products like diapers, absorbent underpants, swim wear, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products and the like.

Abstract: A coated paper comprised of a paper substrate, at least one surface of which is provided with at least one coating layer, characterized in that the surface of said coating layer has cracks of a width of 0.2 to 3.0 &mgr;m and a length of 3 to 1000 &mgr;m in an amount of 1 to 1000 cracks per mm2 is provided. In another embodiment, a coated paper comprised of a paper substrate, at least one surface of which is provided with at least two coating layers, characterized in that an inner coating layer adjoining said paper substrate comprises a pigment having a crystal structure selected from the group consisting of acicular crystal, spindle-shape crystal, columnar crystal, and rice-shape granulated crystal, and starches, and an outermost coating layer formed on said inner coating layer comprises crack formation promoting particles and a styrene-butadiene copolymer having a glass transition temperature of 20 to 150° C. is provided.

Abstract: An absorbent edge coating for masking tape and other masking materials is herein disclosed. A masking tape according to the present invention comprises a substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one masking edge. The bottom surface of the substrate has an adhesive layer applied thereto. An absorbent edge coating is applied to at least one masking edge of the substrate so as to at least substantially prevent liquids addressed to the at least one coated masking edge from being absorbed into the substrate of the tape and from passing between the bottom surface of the tape and a surface to which the tape has been applied.

Abstract: This invention is directed to APE-free polymer binders formed by emulsion polymerization and having specific peel and cure properties. The APE-free polymeric binders have a peel value, when adhered to a heated metal surface, of 35% to 200% of the peel value shown by a standard APE-based polymer binder control (i.e., AIRFLEX® 105 vinyl acetate-ethylene polymer emulsion) and exhibit a cure profile such that at least 55% cure is achieved within 30 seconds at a temperature required for cure. Wet tensile strength is used as a measure of cure. The peel value is determined by a modified release and adhesion test. Binders having the peel and cure properties described herein can be considered for use in crepe processes, especially DRC processes.

Abstract: A stere-turf reinforcement mat having a mat body formed of low shrinkage yarns by weaving and a plurality rib lines formed of high shrinkage yarns and arranged the mat body and partially woven through the mat body for causing the mat body to form into wrinkles to show a three-dimensional pattern when heated to cause high shrinkage yarns to shrink.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a three dimensionally texturized liquid resistant laminate having a fibrous nonwoven layer and a liquid resistant layer. The process has the steps of placing the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer in juxtaposition to form a laminate, attaching the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer at a plurality of spaced-apart bond locations, heating the bonded laminate to a temperature that activates the latent shrinkability of the liquid resistant layer, and allowing the heated laminate to retract such that the liquid resistant layer shrinks and said fibrous layer forms gathers between said bond locations, thereby forming a three dimensional texture and heat annealing the laminate. The invention additionally provides a three dimensionally texturized laminate having a fibrous layer and a nonelastic liquid resistant layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface layer; a backing sheet; and an absorbent layer interposed between the surface layer and the backing sheet. The surface layer includes: a porous film having a plurality of through holes; and a fibrous layer disposed on the liquid-receiving face of the porous film. The fibrous layer is of a plurality of strips extending in parallel and spaced apart from each other. Each strip of the fibrous layer is fixed to the porous film at spaced fixing portions, so that the porous film is exposed between adjacent strips of the fibrous layer.

Abstract: There is provided a new nonwoven material for personal care products made of fibers, binder in an amount between 1 and 6 weight percent and superabsorbent in an amount between 1 and 80 weight percent, where the superabsorbent is contained in micro-pockets in the nonwoven. These micro-pockets may be made by creping a nonwoven fabric, orienting fibers in the Z-direction, and by passing a relatively lofty nonwoven fabric between unheated thermal pattern bond and anvil rolls. These materials exhibit good permeability to liquid in the pre- and post-wetted conditions, thus avoiding gel blocking and other negative effects of superabsorbent swelling within a fabric. Such a fibrous material is useful in personal care products, like diapers, training pants, incontinence garments and feminine hygiene products.

Abstract: A uniformly smooth Yankee side tissue product is provided. This tissue has the bulk of a creped tissue product but with a substantially smoother Yankee side surface of the sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a surge material for personal care products with a first creased layer and at least a second layer, where the layers are in face-to-face relation to one another and bonded together. The first has creases with a depth of between 0.25 and 2 mm and a frequency of between 5 and 100 per centimeter in the cross-machine and the second layer may have densities of between 0.01 and 0.05 g/cc and a basis weight between 25 and 250 gsm.

Abstract: A coated laminate having an ionic surface including a shrinkable polymeric film, an ionic coating and, optionally, a hydrogel is disclosed. A method for transferring sample molecules from a matrix to a coated laminate having an ionic surface also is disclosed.

Abstract: Nonwoven substrates suitable for use as wet wipes are disclosed. The nonwoven substrates comprise at least one first region and at least one second region. The second region comprises reinforced protruding elements. In a preferred embodiment, the second region of the nonwoven substrate is reinforced by means of thermal bonding during the creation of the protruding elements of the second region. A liquid can be added to the nonwoven substrate prior to packaging or prior to use to make wet wipes. The reinforced second regions of the nonwoven substrates of the present invention make it possible to retain thickness of the wipe when wet without increasing the dry basis.

Abstract: A composite fabric comprising a necked and creped spunbond nonwoven web of monocomponent fibers hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component that comprises cellulosic fibers. The nonwoven web contains thermoplastic fibers and the fibrous component comprises greater than about 50% by weight of the fabric.

Abstract: A base textile with a camouflage pattern is subjected to hot fluid streams to create flat regions and puckered or wrinkled regions, enhancing the three dimensional characteristics of the resulting material.