Abstract: A tire repairing assembly for inserting a resilient tire puncture plug into a punctured pneumatic tire. The assembly being adapted to be rolled over by the tire while still mounted to the wheel and the wheel mounted to the automobile. The tire repairing assembly having an arcuate base member and an insertion pin mounted to the base member. In an alternative embodiment, the insertion pin is moveably or pivotally mounted to the base member.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable garment, subassemblies of the garment, and apparatus and methods for making the garment and subassemblies. The garment is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The garment may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user. The garment provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The garment includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable garment, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the garment, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, incontinent pad, sanitary napkin and the like that has as a component of the absorbent core a fluff cellulosic material. The absorbent core is especially effective and efficient for absorbing body fluids contacting the surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent core comprises a first absorbent layer having a fluff cellulosic material and a second absorbent layer of a resilient cellulosic material. The first absorbent layer can have an acquisition orifice so the second absorbent layer can quickly acquire any discharged body fluids. The absorbent article exhibits excellent wet crush recovery substantially without the use of polymeric or polyolefinic materials in either of the absorbent layers. The absorbent core when laterally crushed to approximately 40% of its initial dimension will recover to at least about 70% of its initial, precrushed dimension.

Abstract: A three dimensional disposable panty for holding a sanitary pad. The panty may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user. The panty provides backup leakage protection to the sanitary pad. The panty includes an absorbent barrier composite positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable panty front and back and over the leg elastics to trap pad leakage inside the pant and prevent liquid strike through onto outer clothing and bed linen.

Abstract: A pigment composition includes a crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin having residues of at least one dicarboxylic acid and a near-infrared fluorescing compound having a fluorescence between about 650 nm to about 2500 nm associated with the crystalline thermoplastic polyester, wherein the polyester has an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of less than about 0.37. A preferred polyester is polybutylene terephthalate. Another aspect is a method for providing a detectable or identifiable marking that is invisible to the unaided eye on a surface of a substrate is also provided. The method includes the steps of applying to the surface a marking composition comprising a suitably compatible marking fluid containing the fluorescent pigment composition. The near infrared fluorescing pigment composition is useful in letterpress, flexographic and gravure printing applications.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable garment, subassemblies of the garment, and apparatus and methods for making the garment and subassemblies. The garment is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The garment may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user. The garment provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The garment includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable garment, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the garment, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.

Abstract: Fibers having at least one near-infrared fluorescing compound associated therewith are prepared by contacting the fibers with the fluorescing compound(s) dissolved in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include ketones and alcohols. The fibers may subsequently be air-dried to remove any remaining volatiles. Fibers coated with the marker solution desirably have less than 1 weight percent of the marker coated thereon.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a transfer layer is disclosed. The transfer layer is positioned between the cover and absorbent and has a mean free path ranging from about 50 microns to about 200 microns. In a preferred embodiment the transfer layer is composed of substantially a cellulosic material. Advantageously, the transfer layer is effective in distributing both the fluid-like and viscous constituents of body fluids such as menses permitting greater utilization of the absorbent capacity of the absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermal transfer ribbons comprising a ribbon backing element and at least one printing media layer comprising at least one near infrared fluorescent compound in a concentration which provides detectable fluorescence without imparting color to a mark made from said printing media layer. Methods for printing marks containing said at least one near infrared fluorescent compounds via thermal transfer and methods for reading said marks are also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing body fluids is provided having an absorbent core positioned between a fluid-permeable cover and a fluid-impermeable baffle. The absorbent core includes a central, longitudinal flexure axis which substantially extends the length of the absorbent core. The central, longitudinal axis generally divides the absorbent core into first and second longitudinal members having an outer boundary and wherein the first member has a second flexure axis and the second member has a third flexure axis. Flanking the outer boundary of the first and second members are a third and a fourth longitudinal absorbent member, respectively. The third and fourth absorbent members are positioned so that, when said absorbent article is subjected to lateral compressive forces, the first and second members preferentially bend convexly upward, and said absorbent core generally acquires a "W" shaped configuration.

Abstract: An invisible indicia or encoded information is imprinted on a substrate using a compound which produces a fluorescence at a wavelength greater than about 650 nm when exposed to near infrared radiation. The information covered by a layer of material that reflects or absorbs a substantial amount of the visible and UV radiation illuminating its surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a water degradable polyolefin-containing film having greater than about 55 weight percent of a modified polyolefin and less than about 45 weight percent of unmodified poly(ethylene oxide). The polyolefin is modified by grafting thereto a monomer selected from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and polyethylene glycol ethyl ether methacrylate in an amount ranging between about 0.1 weight percent and about 30 weight percent, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. The polyolefin-containing film, when immersed in water for about 30 seconds, loses at least 10% in two or more of the tensile properties: percent strain-to-break, peak stress, energy-to-break and modulus when compared to the dry or pre-immersion values. Also provided are flushable personal care articles such as infant diapers, feminine hygiene napkins, and adult incontinence garments having a backing or barrier layer comprising a water degradable polyolefin-containing film of the invention.

Abstract: A digital recording medium, such as a compact disc, having a substrate, a reflective layer and a protective layer includes a near infrared fluorophore in one of the layers. The near infrared fluorophore can be incorporated into the CD by coating, admixing, blending or copolymerization and in an amount to impart a detectable fluorescence from the fluorophore when exposed to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 670 nanometers (nm) to about 1100 nm. A method of marking a CD with an invisible marking and an apparatus for detecting the fluorophore is further provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a water degradable modified polyolefin-modified poly(ethylene oxide-containing film having greater than about 55 weight percent of a modified polyolefin and less than about 45 weight percent of a modified poly(ethylene oxide). The polyolefin and poly(ethylene oxide) polymers are modified by having grafted thereto from about 0.1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of a monomer selected from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or polyethylene glycol ethyl ether methacrylate. The modified polyolefin-modified poly(etheylene oxide)-containing film of the invention, when immersed in water for about 30 seconds, loses at least 10% in two or more of the tensile properties: percent strain-to-break, peak stress, energy-to-break and modulus when compared to the dry or pre-immersion values.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, is provided having an absorbent between a cover and a baffle. The absorbent article also includes an inwardly directed attachment panel adapted to be folded around at least a portion of the crotch of the undergarment. To facilitate ease of placing the sanitary napkin in an undergarment prior to use, the panel is held in an outward direction, relative to the longitudinal side of the absorbent, by a frangible securement bond. The frangible fastener is affixed to one surface of the panel and has a bond strength of less than about 500 grams. When the wearer is ready to secure the article in the undergarment, the bond is easily broken by the wearer and the panel is appropriately positioned.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, incontinent pad, sanitary napkin and the like that has as a component of the absorbent core a fluff cellulosic material. The absorbent core is especially effective and efficient for absorbing body fluids contacting the surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent core comprises a first absorbent layer having a fluff cellulosic material and a second absorbent layer of a resilient cellulosic material. The first absorbent layer can have an acquisition orifice so the second absorbent layer can quickly acquire any discharged body fluids. The absorbent article exhibits excellent wet crush recovery substantially without the use of polymeric or polyolefinic materials in either of the absorbent layers. The absorbent core when laterally crushed to approximately 40% of its initial dimension will recover to at least about 70% of its initial, precrushed dimension.

Abstract: A polymer composition having naphthalenedicarboxylic residue includes a fluorescence quenching benzylidene compound capable of absorbing ultraviolet light radiation. In a preferred embodiment, the composition includes at least a 0.1 mole percent of naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate and about 0.01 mole percent to about 5 mole percent of a benzylidene compound having the following structure: ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkenyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkynyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cycloalkenyl and --R.sub.2 --X, wherein R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene-O--C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene-S--C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene-S--C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene-N(SO.sub.2 C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl)-C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: An organic solvent based polyester ink formulation having a fluorescing compound therein is suitable for ink jet printing applications. The ink is useful for producing invisible printing/markings on the surface of a variety of materials for identification, authentication, sorting, etc. Suitable printing substrates include porous and non-porous materials such as plastic, film, sheeting, fabric, paper, high gloss paper; metal, foils, plates; rubber; glass; cellophane; wood; and the like. The ink formulation contains at least one organic soluble polyester, having at least one near infrared fluorophore copolymerized therein, dissolved in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 carbon ketone, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 carbon organic ester, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 carbon alcohol, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the polyester containing the copolymerized near infrared fluorophore is dissolved in a solvent comprising a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 carbon ketone and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.