Abstract: Smokable tobacco compositions having a reduced tendency to produce carbon monoxide and made by including in the composition an alkali-metal salt of a carboxylic acid in the range of from about 6.5 to about 20%. Such additives have been included in smoking compositions in the past, but normally in minor amounts and as burn enhancers. In accordance with the invention increased amounts result in greatly reduced production of undesirable carbon monoxide while not otherwise adversely affecting the tobacco smokable composition. At higher concentrations such additives may retard burn which may be further desirable where fast burning tobacco compositions are employed. Examples of alkali-metal salts include sodium or potassium salts of acids such as carbonic, formic, acetic, propionic, malic, lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric, fumaric, malonic, and succinic.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for forming soft, bulky absorbent webs including thermoplastic fibers. The web is bonded under conditions that heat the thermoplastic fibers to produce web bonding while avoiding direct contact with the heat source. The apparatus includes a pair of foraminous belts or wires between which the web or webs to be bonded are enclosed. The construction of the foraminous wires and belts is selected to produce the desired degree of bonding and yet maintain separation between the subsequently applied heat source and the web or webs. The combination of the web and belts or wires is then directed under tension to a heat source which may be, for example, a series of heated cans, and the opposite sides of the combination are alternately contacted by the surfaces. After heating, the web is allowed to cool and retains its bonded configuration determined by the structure of the wires or belts and the content of the web.

Abstract: In a melt blowing die tip having a generally triangular nose portion with a knife-edge forming the extremity of the die tip, a channel extending lengthwise of the die tip, a row of small openings extending from the channel to the knife-edge extremity of the die tips, and a plurality of tie bars of generally elliptical cross section integral with the die tip and bridging the channel to strengthen the die tip to withstand the internal, outwardly directed pressure exerted by molten polymer forced into the channel from the die body and flowing to be extruded through the die openings.

Abstract: An automated sleeve transfer apparatus and method adapted to receive continuous webs of material including pairs of left and right sleeves alternating between cuff-to-cuff and shoulder-to-shoulder relation and having a die cutting mechanism for receiving the pairs of sleeves from the webs is disclosed having a circular wheel having rotatable vacuum plates on its circumference for carrying pairs of sleeves along a circular path to a transfer point, a conveyor for transferring successive severed pairs of cuff-to-cuff sleeves from the die cutting mechanism to the vacuum plates on the circumference of the circular wheel, a mechanism within the circular wheel for rotating the vacuum plates to turn each sleeve end for end to rearrange the sleeves from cuff-to-cuff to shoulder-to-shoulder relation while moving along the circular path before said transfer point, a second conveyor for receiving successive severed pairs of shoulder-to-shoulder sleeves from the die cutting mechanism and for conveying the sleeves in spac

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in procedures requiring exposure of both legs and containment of the perineum comprised of a flexible draping material, a second smaller sheet of foam/film laminate bonded to the first sheet with two elongated fenestrations formed through both layers of sheets. The elongated fenestrations open onto one end of the drape and extend toward the middle of the drape in alignment with the sides and with each other and spaced apart to receive the legs of a patient. The drape is folded to form a compact unit for storage and sterilization and in a manner that unfolding and application of the drape to the patient can be accomplished with a minimum chance of contamination.

Abstract: A shipping package for dispensing industrial size meltblown microfiber wipers therefrom. The wipers are folded in alternating opposite directions and joined to the next wiper by a plurality of perforated teeth forming a substantially continuous web of separable wipers. Two such webs are interfolded in a particular manner, i.e., a first web superposed over a second web but having the second web lagging the first web by at least one and one-half segments of a folded wiper. The package includes dispensing port for initiating breakage of the perforation teeth joining a lead wiper to a trailing wiper as a lead wiper is being dispensed. Also the dispensing port includes structure for opposing adherence of microfibers from wiper segments of one web to microfibers from wiper segments of the other web as the lead wiper is being dispensed from the carton and is being removed from the interfolded web.

Abstract: A surgical drape sheet has an instrument support table incorporated in the structure of the sheet. The table is provided by a flat sheet of plastic or cardboard located between the base sheet and fenestration area reinforcement fabric and stabilized against lateral movement.

Abstract: Sheet material especially useful in forming wrappers for smokable articles such as cigarettes that results in reduced sidestream smoke. The sheet is formed by applying to a cellulosic web an amount of an alkali metal salt greatly in excess of the amounts of such materials previously used as burn enhancers. The cellulosic material may be flax fiber or other natural cellulosic fibers conventionally used for such wrappers. Examples of salts include the sodium or potassium salts of acids such as carbonic, formic, acetic, propionic, malic, lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric, fumaric, oxalic, malonic, succinic, nitric, and phosphoric. The composition can be applied by any conventional method such as coating, dipping, impregnating, printing, and the like. For example, at least about 6% by weight of potassium citrate is needed to obtain the benefits of the invention, and preferably an amount in the range of from about 12% to about 16% by weight.

Abstract: Disposable fitted sheets and method for making them. The sheets are formed without necessitating prior cutting by folding edges of the material and attaching the folded-over edges along diagonal lines associated with each corner. Elastic bands cooperate with each pocket to maintain the fit on the corners of the mattress. The bands are fastened in a stretched condition to the folded-over edges while the sheet is in a flat state. The process of the invention is particularly adapted to continuously forming such sheets which may be formed from a variety of inexpensive materials. Sheets of the invention are particularly useful in hospitals and nursing homes where frequent bedding changes may be needed.

Abstract: A specific class of thermoplastic polymers with improved processability resulting from initial partial degradation of high molecular weight polymers using a chemical prodegradant present in excess of the amount reacted during pelletization. This class of polymers includes polymers and copolymers of polypropylene and butylene. After pelletizing, the polymer including unreacted prodegradant can be safely handled and shipped without difficulty. When remelted by extruding or the like, the prodegradant in the pellets reacts, further reducing the molecular weight as well as narrowing the molecular weight distribution of the polymer to a point where high capacity production of quality fibers and extruded products can be obtained.The prodegradant is preferably of the type that predictably and controllably affects the polymer molecular properties without being significantly affected by minor fluctuations in the polymer producer's or processor's manufacturing steps.

Abstract: An insulating system is described that incorporates a cellulosic material which is impregnated with a nitrogen content no less than 0.2% by weight and a overall density not greater than 0.9 gm/cm.sup.3. This cellulosic material when impregnated by a dielectric liquid such as transformer oil, exhibits a more uniform electrical stress distribution than papers having a density greater than 0.9 gm/cm.sup.3. The insulating system thereformed is particularly useful for application in low stress areas such as the layer insulation in a distribution class transformer.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin as provided having an adhesive pattern in the form of an X with the crossing portion of the X located at the approximate center of the napkin.

Abstract: An improved means for calendering and winding creped wadding at high speeds comprises two vertically-oriented calender rolls closely coupled with two vertically-oriented reel drums to improve operating efficiency, particularly through ease of threading broken webs.

Abstract: A soft nonwoven web of entangled fibers or filaments having a pattern of fused bond areas and a stretched, loopy filament configuration outside of the patterned bond areas. The result is a soft web with high bulk that retains to a high degree the original bonded strength properties. In one embodiment, product may be obtained by pattern bonding a meltblown microfiber web under conditions of heat and pressure and then stretching the web under controlled conditions up to preferably about 140% of its original dimension in at least one direction. When relaxed, the stretched filaments bulk and loop except in the fused bond areas where they retain bonding properties. Preferred stretching conditions include room temperature and the use of draw rolls at speed differentials producing the desired stretch. Examples of thermoplastics polymers useful in accordance with the invention include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters and polyamides, as well as copolymers and polymer blends.

Abstract: Improved one-piece bib construction having a neck opening in the form of a triangle with one side generally parallel to the shoulders of the wearer when in use. The opening is formed by severing along the sides of the triangle not parallel to the wearer's shoulders and preferably folding inward along the other side so that a double layer of absorbent material is located in the front neck and chest area of the wearer. The result is a bib that tends to conform closely to the wearer thus reducing gaps and unprotected areas. Embodiments include those wherein the angle opposite the side parallel the shoulders is about 30.degree. to 120.degree. and the longest side comprises 30% to 95% of the total bib width and is centrally located. Materials include absorbent fibrous webs such as cellulose tissue which may be combined with a film backing as well as sheets of impervious films.

Abstract: A creping adhesive comprises an admixture of an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer and a high molecular weight thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: An improved battery separator for lead-acid battery cells has low resistance to electrolyte ion transfer and can assist in holding paste in contact with a grid of an electrode plate during chemical reactions of the cell. The separator is formed by depositing an improved wetting composition to a polyolefin substrate comprised of entangled microfibers. The wetting composition which is deposited over and adhered to external surfaces of the microfibers is comprised of a substantially homogeneous admixture of an epoxy emulsion and a polyfunctional amine curing agent. When the separator is immersed in electrolyte, the amine groups in the cured resin of the wetting composition react with the acid electrolyte and are substantially completely neutralized forming a polymeric salt; in the process the fibers are rapidly wetted, providing a substantially permanent wetting characteristic in the electrolyte.

Abstract: Nonwoven wiper having improved absorbency characteristics and streak free wiping properties having a laminate construction including a relatively high basis weight middle layer of meltblown thermoplastic microfibers and, on either side, a lightweight layer of generally continuous filament thermoplastic fibers having a larger average diameter. These wipers are strong, fabric-like, and are useful for a wide variety of applications including industrial uses, food services, as well as many others. The continuous filament layers provide strength and low lint properties while the combination exhibits improved wiping characteristics. The laminate is preferably bonded by application of heat and pressure and the individual components are preferably treated with a surfactant. The preferred combination of a layer of meltblown polypropylene microfibers having on either side a spunbonded polypropylene filament layer is particularly effective as an all purpose wiper.

Abstract: A creping adhesive comprises an admixture of poly 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline and a high molecular weight thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a cellulosic pulp having reduced interfiber bonding and therefore reduced physical strength while maintaining excellent hydrophilic properties. The pulp is produced by treating the cellulosic fibers with a hydrophilic debonder having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 =methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydrogen or hydroxyethyl,R.sub.2 =methyl, ethyl, propyl or [ethylene oxide].sub.n where N=1 to 50,R.sub.3 =aliphatic chain of at least 4 carbon atoms,R.sub.4 =[ethylene oxide].sub.n or [propylene oxide].sub.n with N=1 to 50,X-Cl, I, Br, SO.sub.4.sup.-, PO.sub.4.sup.--, CH.sub.3 CO.sub.2.