Abstract: An on-off valve that operates between an open position and a closed position, particularly with high-pressure working fluids. has a valve body that defines a valve cavity. A valve poppet is slidably mounted within the valve cavity. A bushing is mounted with respect to the valve body and divides the valve cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. One end of the valve poppet is positioned within the first chamber and an opposite end of the valve poppet is positioned within the second chamber. A spring urges the valve poppet into the first chamber. An actuating pin is slidably mounted with respect to the valve body. In the closed position, the actuating pin seals the passage of the valve poppet. An actuator is used to operate the actuating pin between the open position and the closed position of the on-off valve.

Abstract: An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining bicomponent thermoplastic filaments having adhesive properties with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers across a cross-section of individual filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the adhesive properties of the bicomponent filaments result in a web or matrix of filaments having improved ability to entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require stability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.

Abstract: A device for fastening a support rail on frame legs of a rack of a switchgear cabinet, wherein the frame legs have two fastening sides oriented perpendicularly with respect to each other and each has a row of square fastening perforations. Both ends of the support rail have fastening brackets which have at least one suspension hook and are matched to a cross section of the fastening perforations in the first fastening side of the frame legs spaced apart between the fastening brackets and to the spacing of the fastening perforations of the frame legs. A clamping plate is assigned to each fastening bracket of the support rail and has retaining claws and extends with the retaining claws behind the fastening perforations in the second fastening sides of the frame legs. The clamping plates have a threaded receiver for a clamping screw for maintaining them on the support rail in an elongated hole extending in the linear direction of the support rail and can be clamped together with them.

Abstract: A male component of a male and female fastening system, such as a hook and loop fastener, that can remain fastened to a female component under high levels of shear force. The male component has a backing material with projections extending from the backing material at an angle toward the direction of fastener force. The combination of the male component with a standard female loop component results in a secure fastening system. The combination of the male component with a standard female loop component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A lofty, nonwoven material having a nonwoven web having a plurality of substantially continuous fibers oriented in a z-direction of the nonwoven web and a method for producing the lofty, nonwoven material from as-formed z-direction fibers. The method is fast, having no mechanical manipulation of the fibers to slow it down, easily adjustable and allows for in-line processing. The material can be varied from preponderantly open to preponderantly closed in its web structure.

Abstract: A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are also moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with one of the containers to form a package. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a range of container heights and sizes, carrier configurations and/or package sizes. In addition, movement of the various components of the machine is coordinated using an encoder.

Abstract: A method of applying leg elastics to absorbent garments involves optimizing the spacing between multiple elastic members. The elastic members are bonded to a substrate with variable spacing along the length of the leg opening. More particularly, narrower spacing is provided in the crotch area, thereby providing higher gasketing pressure, while wider spacing is provided in areas outside the crotch area for lower gasketing pressure and greater comfort. Alternatively, narrower spacing can be applied to the back portion of the leg, with medium spacing in the crotch area and wider spacing in the front portion or the leg, or conversely, wider spacing in the back portion with medium spacing in the crotch area and narrower spacing in the front portion, depending on the wearer's needs. The resulting garments have optimized comfort, fit and containment about the leg openings.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional garment. The process is carried out by loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture. A waist elastic member can be bonded to a waist area of the insert. A garment shell can be applied over the insert and the waist elastic member. A waist area of the garment shell can be attached to the waist elastic member and to the waist area of the insert.

Abstract: A one-step method of imparting breathability and elasticity to a film includes coextruding elastic fibers within a matrix of a filled, semi-rigid film structure. Once the elastic fibers are within the film structure, the film can be stretched to impart breathability, while the elastic fibers provide elasticity. Furthermore, the elastic fibers can include an absorbent material. The resulting breathable, elastic film is particularly useful in diapers and other personal care products.

Abstract: Nonwoven filaments having improved melt spinning process characteristics and end use properties are prepared using a visbroken single-site catalyzed propylene polymer. The propylene polymer has a first melt flow rate (MFR) before visbreaking and a second MFR after visbreaking, such that the ratio of the second MFR to the first MFR is about 1:1 to about 3:1. The nonwoven filaments exhibit less filament tension during spinning, and permit higher line speeds before breaking, than similar filaments prepared using a single-site catalyzed propylene polymer having the second MFR straight out of the reactor, and which has not been visbroken.

Abstract: A disposable, one-piece swimsuit for girls includes a bodice attached to a chassis. The bodice is designed to provide upper torso coverage while the chassis can include absorbent and containment features. The upper torso coverage contributes to social decency and also protects the wearer's skin against excessive exposure to the sun. The absorbent and containment features can either be integrated within the chassis or can be in the form of a separate, pant-like, absorbent garment covered by the chassis.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a liquid-permeable top layer, an absorbent core layer, and a breathable outer cover is provided with a breathable inner laminate between the absorbent core and the outer cover. The breathable inner laminate includes a breathable film and a nonwoven filament web, and is at least as breathable as the outer cover. The breathable inner laminate substantially reduces perceived dampness occurring on the external surface of the outer cover, following a liquid insult, when the article is being worn, without substantially reducing moisture flux in use via thermal insulation.

Abstract: A melting tank with a batch loading channel, with a channel covering having an exhaust gas flue and a loading opening that can be closed by a loading door or flap during operation of the melting tank and the loading opening can be opened for loading the batch. Emissions and service life improvements can be achieved because during operation of the melting tank, a constant air stream is introduced into the loading channel by nozzles in the closed loading door or flap. While loading the batch, the loading door or flap is moved sufficiently far so that the nozzles are moved out of the region of the loading channel, and the loading door or flap covers the region underneath the channel covering with a suction device. A region of the loading opening underneath the channel covering is opened for a loading device.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a die system for the extrusion of polymer permits external cleaning and maintenance without shutting down the operation. Removable die inserts are located on one or both sides of the die opening section through which polymer is extruded. The inserts are spaced from the die opening section, by a very small distance, so as to avoid interfering with the opening section. When molten polymer accumulates and burns in areas surrounding the die opening section, the inserts can be removed and replaced without interrupting the extrusion of polymer.

Abstract: A breathable, substantially liquid impermeable laminate is provided that is permanently conformable to the contours of a wearer's body when used in a personal care absorbent article or a medical article. The laminate includes a breathable (preferably microporous) film and a fibrous nonwoven web. Both the film and the web are extendible in a cross direction to a width at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width upon application of a stretching force. The web and the film, and the overall laminate, exhibit little or no retractive force once they have been stretched. A diaper or other garment can be constructed in undersized fashion using the laminate, permitting material savings. When the garment is worn, the laminate stretches only where needed to provide a substantially perfect fit on the wearer. The minimal retractive force avoids the skin marks, rashes, etc. that can result from elastic garments.

Abstract: A extruded filament die tip, such as meltblown filaments, has a plurality of bores communicating with the main polymer distribution channel. The bores have a plurality of capillary openings, or spinnerettes, drilled into the bore to act as extrusion orifices for the die tip. The present die tip differs from conventional die tips in which capillaries are drilled into a deep slot formed in the die tip for polymer distribution. The invention allows more material to remain in the body of the die tip while facilitating more spinnerette openings per linear inch in the die tip and permitting higher operating pressures and smaller diameter fibers such as between 1 and 4 microns. A resultant nonwoven fabric made with the die tip will have a higher hydrohead resistance due to the increased number of fine filaments per inch for the same osy of fabric.

Abstract: A device for fastening of attachment elements, such as mounting rails, mounting plates, deposit plates and the like on a frame leg of a switchgear cabinet rack, wherein the frame legs are designed symmetrically in relation to their cross-sectional diagonal line and are aligned with the latter with the diagonal line of the rack. On the inside of the frame legs oriented toward the interior of the rack, the frame legs form a fastening receiver with two fastening profile sides which are disposed vertically in respect to each other and extend parallel to the facing outsides of the switchgear cabinet rack. The frame legs form system fastening receivers in the form of square or rectangular openings and fastening bores and make transitions into additional profile sides having corresponding rows of fastening receivers, which extend perpendicular to the facing exteriors of the switchgear cabinet rack.

Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbent article, in particular a sanitary towel, having the following structure: a lower layer which faces the body when the absorbent article is in use and is impermeable to fluid; a primary accumulation layer which is disposed above the fluid-impermeable layer; a secondary accumulation layer disposed above the primary accumulation layer; a compensation layer disposed above the secondary accumulation layer; a cover layer which is disposed above the compensation layer and has a central opening; and a fluid-permeable upper layer which faces the body when the absorbent article is in use.

Abstract: An indicator dial preferably for a cooktop intensity indicator includes a base portion having an indicator, a shutter rotatably positioned with respect to the base portion, and an actuator rotatably positioned with respect to the base portion wherein at least one of the actuator and the shutter are rotatable between a retracted position exposing the indicator and an extended position at least partially covering the indicator.