Abstract: The present invention provides a gas/liquid contactor module having hollow fiber membranes and a process for controlling dissolved gases in liquids such as water, beer and the like, by passing the liquid through the shell side of the contactor module to allow addition or removal of dissolved gases by the diffusion of the gases through the membranes into or from the hollow fiber bores. The process permits control of the quantity of such dissolved gases as carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for providing an enriched oxygen gas stream. A countercurrent sweep gas stream is provided to the permeate side of the hollow fiber membranes internally of a gas separation module.

Abstract: Glassy polymeric gas separation membranes are chemically modified throughout the thickness thereof. Such membranes manifest selectivity for a pair of gases which is greater than the intrinsic selectivity of the glassy polymeric material and which is greater than the equilibrium intrinsic selectivity of the chemically modified glassy polymeric material.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for dehumidification of a compressed gas using a membrane cartridge dryer wherein substantially dry gas is provided upon process startup without requiring purging of the membrane cartridge. In the apparatus, a back pressure regulator valve controls the release of compressed gas to the dryer and a check valve controls the release of the dry gas from the dryer.

Abstract: A system for separating a portion of a first gas from a gaseous feed comprising a mixture of gases that is intermittently supplied to the system. The system comprises a membrane gas separator having at least one membrane through which the first gas permeates preferentially in comparison to other gases contained in the mixture. The separator is adpated to produce a nonpermeate gaseous product which is discharged from a nonpermeate gas side of the separator and in which the concentration of the first gas is lower than in the feed mixture. The system also includes a mechanism for supplying a gaseous purge stream to the separator when the feed mixture is not being supplied to the system. The concentration of the first gas is lower in the gaseous purge stream than in the feed mixture to purge residual amounts of the first gas contained in the membrane of the separator. The method of separating gases from an intermittently supplied feed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dope for forming membranes and the resulting asymmetric gas separation membranes are disclosed, the membranes having graded density skins which exhibit improved permeability characteristics and increased failure pressure strength. The membranes are produced from a process utilizing membrane forming dopes of complexing solvent systems formulated from two non-solvents and one or more solvents. The non-solvents are chosen one each, from non-solvents grouped according to non-solvent strength, i.e., one strong non-solvent and one weak non-solvent which are combined with one or more solvents in an acid:base complex solvent system for dissolving high weight percent total solids of membrane forming polymers. The process for forming the membranes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dope for forming membranes and the resulting asymmetric gas separation membranes are disclosed, the membranes having graded density skins which exhibit improved permeability characteristics and increased failure pressure strength. The membranes are produced from a process utilizing membrane forming dopes of complexing solvent systems formulated from two non-solvents and one or more solvents. The non-solvents are chosen one each, from non-solvents grouped according to non-solvent strength, i.e., one strong non-solvent and one weak non-solvent which are combined with one or more solvents in an acid:base complex solvent system for dissolving high weight percent total solids of membrane forming polymers. The process for forming the membranes is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nitrogen gas of high purity is produced from compressed air by contacting the air with a first gas membrane separator permitting oxygen to permeate therethrough selectively while restraining the passage of nitrogen. The nonpermeant gas is then brought into contact with a second gas membrane separator of similar construction. The use of the serially arranged separators provides nitrogen gas with very low levels of oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting device suitable for cutting one part of a laminate to conform its shape to the other part of the laminate. The device comprises a vertical motion means mounted on a horizontal motion means, the vertical motion means having a rotating cutting blade mounted thereon. The cutting device is able to conform a veneer to the exact shape of a subsurface base within 0.001 inch.

Abstract: An absorbent article particularly suitable for use by male and female adult incontinents. The absorbent article includes a urine receptacle pocket offset to one end of the product and formed by folding the product and adhering together portions of a moisture impervious sheet that are folded over side marginal edges of an absorbent batt.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has a moisture impermeable backing sheet, a fibrous absorbent batt and a flexible hydrophobic facing sheet overlying the batt, the components being secured together to form a sandwich structure; the facing sheet has an aperture in the central crotch region of the diaper with zones of elastication in the facing sheet tending to apply tensioning forces to the facing sheet for urging the facing sheet (at least in the regions adjacent the aperture) away from the underlying batt structure. With advantage the facing sheet is a breathable web of bonded fibres highly resistant to permeation of moisture. It is preferred that the absorbent batt structure comprises a wood-pulp batt and a non-woven sheet of moisture permeable material overlying the absorbent batt.

Abstract: A softened, absorbent, composite structure is provided which structure is comprised of a fibrous web containing at least about 200 percent by weight of superabsorbent and containing a wicking layer subjected to microcorrugating in at least one direction and perf-embossing to yield an absorbent composite structure having a Taber stiffness value less than about 25, preferably less than about 10.

Abstract: A soft, perf-embossed, absorbent composite structure is provided which comprises an absorbing layer of a fibrous web containing at least about 200 percent by weight of superabsorbent and a wicking layer. The composite structure has a Taber stiffness value less than about 30.

Abstract: A batt including a major percent of thermo-mechanical wood pulp fibers is stabilized by the inclusion of a minor percent of thermoplastic fibers, which latter fibers are heat fused to one another and to the thermo-mechanical wood pulp fibers at fiber intersections to provide a supporting network which inhibits collapse and agglomeration of the thermo-mechanical wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: An absorbent product is provided having a first fibrous layer in the form of a nonwoven web and a second layer which is discrete from the first layer but united to the first layer. The second layer has a higher capillary pressure than the first layer to provide preferential attraction and wicking of liquid. The layers are corrugated and stabilized to retain the transverse folds when wet.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having an absorbent layer and a moisture-impervious backing sheet. The diaper has an adhesive tab system comprising an adhesive tab and a release liner. The adhesive tab has an anchoring end portion which is permanently attached to the backing sheet, an intermediate portion, and a free end portion. The release liner has an end portion which is permanently secured to an outermost portion of the free end portion of the tab in covering relation in the free end portion of the adhesive tab. The intermediate portion of the adhesive tab may be folded back under the backing sheet with the tacky surface thereof facing outward of the backing sheet and the free end portion of the adhesive tab and the release liner may be further folded back such that the other surface of the release liner is in covering relation to the intermediate portion of the adhesive tab.

Abstract: A superthin absorbent disposable product is provided having an absorbing layer containing superabsorbent and a wicking layer. The product is suitable for use in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads, wipes and the like.

Abstract: A laminated structure adapted to be gathered for improved fit about a portion of the human body, said laminated structure comprising an elastic member disposed between first and second substrates of flexible gatherable material, said elastic member including a plurality of interconnected elastic elements defining apertures therebetween, and the first and second substrates of said laminated structure being secured together through at least some of said apertures.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent product is provided in the form of a layered structure. A first fibrous layer of resilient fibers contains superabsorbent and is superposed on a layer of hydrophilic material. The layers are unpressed and slit followed by extrusion to open the slits to provide apertures. The structure is used as the absorbent core in diapers, sanitary napkins, wound dressings and the like.

Abstract: An absorbent structure is provided, which is comprised of a fibrous web, having an initial dry bulk of at least about 20 cc/gm., a dry bulk recovery of at least about 30 percent, and a wet bulk of at least about 30 cc/gm., and a basis weight less than about 4 oz/sq. yd. containing at least about 200 percent by weight superabsorbent. The structure is microcorrugated to provide a softness having a Taber stiffness value less than about 50.