Abstract: An elastic multilayer composite includes a pattern unbonded elastic layer attached to at least one extensible facing layer. A method for forming an elastic multilayer composite includes the steps of providing an elastic material; bonding the elastic material to form a pattern unbonded elastic material; and attaching the pattern unbonded elastic material to at least one facing material.

Abstract: A graphic and/or message display system is described. The graphic and/or message display system functions to develop over a period of time a hidden graphic or message on an indicator panel or display area. The hidden graphic or message is revealed when an obscuring graphic reacts with a solvent to change color become at least substantially transparent. The graphic and/or message display system may be used as a stand-alone device or may be incorporated as part of various articles or products, for instance, as a positive reinforcement or a reminder to perform a task. Methods for using the graphic and/or message display system are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to hydrogel-fibrous web composites that can be used various heat transfer applications. For instance, the thermally conductive hydrogel-fibrous web composite can be used as a skin-contacting layer in a thermal energy transfer pad used to control patient body temperature. The hydrogel polymer is integral to the fibers of the web. Thus, the hydrogel-fibrous web composite provides good thermal conductivity and skin adhesion properties. The present disclosure is also generally directed to methods of preparing the hydrogel-fibrous web composites.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric having latent elasticity is provided having a latently elastic core comprising a first component that includes a thermoplastic elastomer and a second component that includes a single site catalyzed polyolefin, and at least one gatherable facing material laminated to the elastic core. The first and second components may be, for example, in the form of alternating filaments of styrenic block copolymer and single site catalyzed polyolefin or in the form of conjugate filaments having a first section of styrenic block copolymer and a second section of single site catalyzed polyolefin. Also disclosed are methods of making the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates and personal care articles containing the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates.

Abstract: A disposable secondary article includes a liquid-permeable substrate that has a garment-facing surface and a body-facing surface. A lotion is applied to the body-facing surface of the liquid-permeable substrate. The secondary article optionally includes an attachment means for attaching the secondary absorbent article to a primary absorbent article. Additionally, the secondary article optionally includes a cover to protect the lotion until just prior to use. The secondary article provides a caregiver or wearer an alternative to applying lotions by hand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cushioned blown film including a first blown film layer, a second blown film layer, and a plurality of cushioning cells defined between the first blown film layer and the second film layer. The cushioned blown films may be bonded to a fibrous web to make film nonwoven laminates. Processes for making the cushioned blown film and the film nonwoven laminates are also disclosed. Such laminates are highly useful for use in personal care products, protective wear garments, medical care products, mortuary and veterinary products and the like.

Abstract: A breathable, elastic film/support layer laminate includes a thermoplastic elastomer film sheet of a thermoplastic elastomer and a filled semi crystalline predominantly linear polymer. The film includes between about 25 and 70 weight percent filler, between about 5 and 30 by weight percent semi-crystalline linear polymer, and between about 15 and 60 by weight percent elastomeric polymer. The filler is closely associated with the semi-crystalline linear polymer. The film demonstrates a load loss value at a 50 percent elongation of less than 50 percent, and a breathability of greater than 100 g/m2/24 hours and is laminated to a nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A method of recycling bonded fibrous materials, the method includes the steps of: providing pieces of bonded fibrous materials, the pieces having sizes that are adapted for suspension in a liquid; suspending the discrete pieces of bonded fibrous materials in a liquid; applying mechanical work to the liquid suspension of discrete pieces to generate hydraulic pressure and mechanical shear stress conditions sufficient to hydraulically fragment the bonded fibrous materials into fibers and fiber-like components; and separating substantially individual fibers and fiber-like components from the liquid. The method is used to produce recycled synthetic fibers and fiber-like materials that have at least one thread element composed of synthetic material having at least one irregular distortion generated by hydraulic fracture of the thread element to separate it from a bonded fibrous material while the bonded fibrous material is suspended in a liquid.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a dispenser for dispensing rolls of sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing configured to rotationally support a primary roll of sheet material and a backup roll of sheet material inside the housing. The housing also includes an exit port. The dispenser further includes a dispensing control member moveably positioned substantially within and partially blocking the exit port. The dispensing control member is configured to substantially restrict rotation of the backup roll of sheet material prior to substantial depletion of the primary roll of sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing that defines an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom. The apparatus further includes a floating nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. The floating nip minimizes variation in the force required to remove sheet material from the dispenser that may result from a user changing the angle at which sheet material is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container for dispensing individual paper products that includes a housing, a cover hingedly or removably attached to the housing wherein the cover defines a dispensing opening, a means for elevating paper products, and a plunger disposed in the interior area of the housing. The plunger is urged toward the dispensing opening by the means for elevating paper products. The container may be included in a system for dispensing paper products that further includes a cartridge containing paper products. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening and a second opening wherein the means for elevating paper products extends through the second opening into the interior area of the cartridge to contact the paper products and urge the paper products toward the dispensing opening. The cartridge and container may be configured wherein the second opening is formed by removal of a removable portion during the process of inserting the cartridge into the container.

Abstract: A self-contained viscous liquid dispenser having an improved vent valve is provided. The vent valve includes a plug member having a sealing ridge at its perimeter. The vent valve is activated at reduced pressure differentials between the inside and outside of the dispenser. The vent valve also provides redundant sealing capability.

Abstract: A stack of interleaved towels is provided wherein each towel is configured from a sheet of material having a first fold to generate a first panel, a second fold in the sheet substantially parallel to the first fold and creating a second panel, and a third fold substantially parallel to the first and second folds and creating a lead flap and a trailing flap. The lead flap is defined between the first fold and the third fold such that the first fold presents a leading edge for grasping by a user. The trailing flap is defined between the second fold and the third fold. Prior to interfolding, the first panel is positioned directly adjacent the second panel. Additionally, the trailing flap of each sheet of material is disposed between the lead flap and the trailing flap of an adjacent sheet of material such that the sheets of material are interleaved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container for dispensing individual paper products that includes a housing, a cover hingedly or removably attached to the housing wherein the cover defines a dispensing opening, a means for elevating paper products, and a plunger disposed in the interior area of the housing. The plunger is urged toward the dispensing opening by the means for elevating paper products. The container may be included in a system for dispensing paper products that further includes a cartridge containing paper products. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening and a second opening wherein the means for elevating paper products extends through the second opening into the interior area of the cartridge to contact the paper products and urge the paper products toward the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing metered amounts of a viscous liquid includes a liquid reservoir and a pump chamber having an opening in communication with the reservoir. A pump mechanism including a pump cylinder with a dispensing channel therethrough is configured with the pump chamber and is movable from a rest to a pressurizing position upon actuation thereof to pressurize liquid within the pump chamber. A dispensing orifice is defined at one end of the dispensing cylinder. A check valve mechanism is disposed in the opening. During shipment or storage, the pump cylinder is locked in pressurized position. When locked in pressurized position, the dispensing channel engages the check valve to seal the opening and also prevent flow from the pump chamber to the dispensing channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container for dispensing individual paper products that includes a housing having side walls defining an interior area for receiving a plurality of paper products, wherein one of the side walls defines a slot. The housing further includes a means for urging paper products having a first portion external to the housing and a second portion extending through the slot into the interior area of the housing. The container may be included in a system for dispensing individual paper products that further includes a cartridge containing paper products within the container. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening and a second slot wherein the second portion of the means for urging paper products extends through the second slot into the interior area of the cartridge to contact the paper products and urge the paper products toward the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A double-wound center-feed roll is disclosed which is formed from at least two webs each having lines of weakness which allow the webs to be separated into a plurality of sheets. The lines of weakness of one web are offset from those of the other such that in use the sheets can be dispensed singly from alternate webs. A first portion of the webs at the center of the roll is lightly bonded together while a second portion of the webs on the outside of the roll remains unbonded. The center-feed roll of the present invention reduces the occurrence of both web orientation reversal and streaming dispensing problems.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing defining an interior adapted to contain rolled sheet material and a dispensing opening for allowing sheet material to be dispensed from the interior of the housing. The apparatus further includes a nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a mobile roll support system adapted to support a roll of sheet material within the housing wherein the roll of sheet material rotates to dispense sheet material and further wherein the mobile roll support system and the roll of sheet material move toward the nip as sheet material is dispensed.

Abstract: Multipurpose cleaning articles are provided comprising a porous cleaning sheet containing an aqueous cleaning composition comprising (a) water as the major component; (b) 5% to 45% by weight water-immiscible solvent; (c) less than about 1.8% by weight emulsifier; and wherein the aqueous cleaning composition has a vertical wicking rate of about 1 cm/minute or more. The porous cleaning sheet can comprise any one of numerous materials, including hydrophobic materials, such as nonwoven webs, textile fabrics, foams and so forth. The cleaning articles are capable of removing water insoluble materials from various surfaces and including cleaning the skin and hands as well as hard surfaces.

Abstract: A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains 1) from more than about 0 to less than about 30 percent, by weight, of a nonwoven layer of conjugate spun filaments, the filaments containing at least one low-softening point component and at least one high-softening point component and having at least some exterior surfaces of the filaments composed of at least one low-softening point component; 2) more than about 70 percent, by weight, of pulp fibers; and 3) regions in which the low-softening point component at the exterior surfaces of the filaments is fused to at least a portion of the fibrous component. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.