Abstract: The present invention relates to starch compositions which contain starch and additives. The starch has a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 1,000 to about 2,000,000. The additives can be plasticizers or diluents. The composition containing the starch and the additive is formed by means of passing the composition through a die to produce fibers, foams or films. These compositions have an extensional viscosity in the range from about 50 to about 20,000 pascal seconds. The starch compositions preferably contain a polymer that is substantially compatible with starch and has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 500,000.

Abstract: A process for making the mask can comprise providing a thin transparent material of substantially uniform thickness, forming a pattern of opaque regions on the material according to a first predetermined pattern, and embossing the material according to a second predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A tool for making locking tapered sliding dovetail joints and a kit including the tool. The tool includes a pin guide having a minor end having a minor width and a major end having a major width that is larger than the minor width such that the template has a taper in width from the major end to the minor end. The tool also includes a locking section configured such that the tool forms an area of increased friction in the joint relative to the rest of the joint. The tool may also include at least one stabilizing member for holding the template in place while the sliding dovetail pin is being formed from the workpiece.

Abstract: A tool for making locking tapered sliding dovetail joints and a kit including the tool. The tool includes a guide plate having a guide groove including a locking section disposed on at least one of edges of the groove guide, wherein at least a portion of the locking section is disposed in a plane that is different from the plane of the groove edge corresponding to the groove edge on which the locking section is located.

Abstract: A papermaking belt for use in making paper. The papermaking belt may be used in conjunction with a single-wire draw or twin-wire draw of a papermaking machine. The papermaking belt includes a woven reinforcing element and a patterned framework. The framework defines either or both faces of the papermaking belt. The pattern of the framework is independent of the weave of the reinforcing element.

Abstract: The female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the “entanglement” zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the spacing zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone. The present invention also provides a fastening device having a hook fastening component and a female component that comprises the multi-layer female component of the present invention. The present invention also relates to disposable articles and more particularly to a disposable diaper having such an improved fastening device.

Abstract: A smooth, high density tissue. The tissue has a relatively low caliper, as well as high smoothness and high density. The tissue is calendered from a multidensity, through air dried web. The tissue comprises micropeaks.

Abstract: A tissue product comprising cellulosic fibers and having at least 10% of fugitive wet strength and at least about 3% of a fiber-flexibilizing composition. The fugitive wet strength can be generated by adding a binder that promotes acid-catalyzed formation of hemiacetal functional inter-fiber cross-links. The fiber-flexibilizing composition can comprise either a humectant or a plasticizer. The humectant can be selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride; lactic acid and its salts, high fructose corn syrup, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, propylene glycol, and any combination thereof. The plasticizer can be selected from the group consisting of urea, alkyloxylated glycols, dextrose, sucrose, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thin packaging film made out of a thermoplastic material with anti-UV properties, characterized in that its composition further comprises a combination of at least one organic compound with at least one inorganic UV-absorbent compound, for improved barrier against UV rays, and improved transparency. Preferably, the organic compound is a benzotriazole, and the inorganic compound is micronized zinc oxide. More preferably, the material for the film further comprises a binder compound, for example a benzophenone, in order to improve the compatibility between the organic component and the base-resin. Preferably, the film thickness is below 80 &mgr;m, more preferably below 35 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A process for making non-thermoplastic starch fibers comprises the steps of: (a) providing a non-thermoplastic starch composition comprising from about 50% to about 75% by weight of modified starch and from about 25% to about 50% of water and having a shear viscosity within the at least one nozzle from about 1 to about 80 Pascals-second at the processing temperature and at a shear rate of 3,000 sec−1; (b) extruding the non-thermoplastic starch composition through at least one extrusion nozzle terminating with a nozzle tip, thereby forming at least one embryonic starch fiber; (c) attenuating the at least one embryonic starch fiber with an attenuating air having an average velocity at the nozzle tip greater than about 30 meters per second, to cause the fiber to form an average equivalent diameter of less than about 20 microns; (d) dewatering the at least one embryonic starch fiber to a consistency of from about 70% to about 99% by weight, thereby producing at least one non-thermoplastic starch fiber, wher

Abstract: A tool for making tapered sliding dovetail joints. The tool includes a guide plate having a guide groove and a stabilizing member for holding the guide plate to a workpiece while in use. The pin guide has a minor end having a minor width and a major end having a major width that is larger than the minor width such that the template has a taper in width from the major end to the minor end. The pin guide also includes at least one stabilizing member for holding the template in place while the sliding dovetail pin is being formed from the workpiece.

Abstract: Non-thermoplastic starch fibers having no melting point and having apparent peak wet tensile stress greater than about 0.2 MegaPascals (MPa). The fibers can be manufactured from a composition comprising a modified starch and a cross-linking agent. The composition can have a shear viscosity from about 1 Pascal·Seconds to about 80 Pascal·Seconds and an apparent extensional viscosity in the range of from about 150 Pascal·Seconds to about 13,000 Pascal·Seconds. The composition can comprise from about 50% to about 75% by weight of a modified starch; from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an aldehyde cross-linking agent; and from about 25% to about 50% by weight of water. Prior to cross-linking, the modified starch can have a weight average molecular weight greater than about 100,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a printing press. The cleaning apparatus of the present invention allows for effective removal of contaminants from printing press print plates while the printing press is running. Furthermore, the cleaning apparatus of the present invention effectively applies and removes cleaning fluids such as water from the printing plate without resulting in the formation of water drops and streaks on the printed substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for softening a wet laid cellulosic structure. A particularly preferred structure is an absorbent tissue. Further disclosed are tissue structures softened using the composition. The composition includes an effective amount of a softening active ingredient; a vehicle in which the softening active ingredient is dispersed; an electrolyte dissolved in the vehicle; and a bilayer disrupter. The electrolyte and the bilayer disrupter cooperate to cause the viscosity of the composition to be less than the viscosity of a dispersion of the softening active ingredient in the vehicle alone. Preferably, the softening active ingredient quarternary ammonium compound with the formula: (R1)4-m—N+—[(CH2)n—Y—R3]mX− the vehicle is water, the electrolyte is calcium chloride, and the bilayer disrupter is a nonionic surfactant. Also disclosed is a method of using the compound by adding it at a use concentration to the wet end of a papermaking process.

Abstract: An absorbent article which includes a thermal cell actuator capable of adding or removing heat to or from at least a portion of the absorbent article to perform a useful function on the article. The thermal cell actuator may be activated by an action of the wearer or caregiver or by environmental conditions between the article and wearer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue paper product, said soft tissue product comprising one or more plies of a tissue paper; and a chemical softening composition deposited on at least one outer surface of a dried or overdried tissue web, said chemical softening composition comprising a dispersion of a softening active ingredient in a vehicle, wherein said dispersion has a liposomal liquid crystalline structure; an electrolyte, and a bilayer dirupter.

Abstract: A method for drying fibrous webs utilizing a limiting orifice medium with a plurality of pores. The web is disposed on a supporting fluid permeable carrier. The web is pressed between the supporting carrier and the limiting orifice medium. A vacuum greater than the breakthrough pressure of the pores of the medium is drawn through the pores and the web.

Abstract: A mask for use in a process for curing a photosensitive material. The mask comprises a structure having a top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side, and a pattern of transparent regions and opaque regions, wherein the opaque regions comprise at least first opaque regions having a first opacity and second opaque regions having a second opacity different from the first opacity. The opaque regions can comprise a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a pattern formed by a plurality of discrete areas, or any combination thereof. The opaque regions can comprise a gradient opacity that gradually changes in at least one direction. The mask can have a three-dimensional topography comprising, for example, a pattern of protrusions extending from the bottom side of the mask and/or the top side of the mask. The protrusions can form a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a discrete pattern, or any combination thereof.