Abstract: An apparatus for the plasma treatment of molds (2), in particular for contact lens molds, comprises a treatment chamber (50), in which a first electrode (51) is arranged facing a carrier (1;4) for carrying the molds (2) to be treated. The carrier (1;4) forms the second electrode (52) and comprises a first metal plate (10;40) having holes (100;400) therein and a second metal plate (11;41) which is arranged spaced apart from the first metal plate (10;40), and which is connected to the first metal plate (10;40) in an electrically conductive manner (12,13;43). The molds (2) are arranged on the second metal plate (11;41) with their molding surfaces (210) facing towards the first electrode (51) and are exposable to plasma through the holes (100;400) in the first metal plate (10;40).

Abstract: A method for transporting a molded object, in particular an ophthalmic lens, specifically a contact lens (CL), in which a molded object is lifted up from a supporting surface (1) and transported to a destination, such that the molded object is acted upon by a fluid so that it is lifted up from the supporting surface (1) and transported to the destination through a transport line (2).

Abstract: A nonwoven acoustic insulating material which also provides repellency to water and low surface tension fluids. Also disclosed is a method for attenuating transmitted sound and repelling fluids which includes providing a nonwoven acoustic insulating material, the nonwoven acoustic insulating material including at least one nonwoven web having a low surface tension fluids repellency treatment, and interposing the treated nonwoven acoustic insulating material between a sound generation area and a sound receiving area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multicomponent fibers, and particularly sheath-and-core type multicomponent fibers including elastic polymers. The multicomponent fibers have at least three cross sectional elements, wherein a first cross sectional element is an outer sheath element, the second cross sectional element is an inner sheath element, and the third cross sectional element may be either a hollow element or a filled core element.

Abstract: Presented herein is an apparatus and method for deforming a sheet material. The apparatus includes a deforming roller having a plurality of circumferential depressions and at least one cord in rotational engagement with the roller and adapted to press the material into the depressions. The method includes the steps of providing a rotating deforming roller having circumferential depressions, at least one cord aligned to fit within the depressions and at least one sheet material, and feeding the material in a first direction between the roller and cord and deforming the material by pressing it at least partially into the depressions with the cord. The deformation may include stretching or extending the material, and/or aperturing the material, and/or producing topographical shapes or surface features in the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing nonwoven fibrous webs. The apparatus comprises an extrusion die, first and second fluid supplies in cooperation with the die, first and second extrusion capillaries, first counterbores allowing fluid communication between first capillaries and first supply and second counterbores allowing fluid communication between second capillaries and second supply, each first counterbore having at least two first capillaries extending therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crimped multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in a crimpable configuration in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein one component comprises a dielectrically susceptible material. The invention also provides methods for producing the crimped multicomponent fibers and for forming web materials containing the crimped multicomponent fibers, and provides absorbent articles comprising the crimped multicomponent fibers and web materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient method for topically treating and drying fibrous web materials such as nonwoven web materials and nonwoven laminate materials without unduly damaging the materials due to excessive heating during drying.

Abstract: The present invention provides continuous fiber nonwoven webs with high material formation uniformity and MD-to-CD balance of fiber directionality and material properties, as measured by a MD:CD tensile ratio of 1.2 or less, and desirably of about 1.0 or less, and laminates of the nonwoven webs. The invention also includes a method for forming the nonwoven webs wherein the fiber production apparatus is oriented at an angle less than 90 degrees to the MD direction and the fibers are subjected to deflection by a deflector oriented at an angle B with respect to the centerline of the fiber production apparatus where B is about 10 to about 80 degrees.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making fibrous web materials which may be used in or as absorbent core materials for absorbent products. The method involves providing loose fibers, entraining the fibers in a moving airstream, treating the fibers with an energy-activatable pre-polymer composition and subjecting the fibers to activation energy to initiate cross-linking of the composition. The fibers are collected on forming surface to form a fibrous web. The fibers may be treated with the composition while entrained in the moving air or after being collected on the forming surface, or in an alternate embodiment by treating with the composition a mat of fibers from which the loose fibers are provided. The fibrous web material may comprise cellulosic fibers such as pulp, and/or synthetic fibers such as staple fibers, and/or super absorbent materials.

Abstract: A container liner, shelf liner or drawer liner that will absorb liquids spilled or leaked into a container or onto a shelf or drawer. The liner is a layered product having a layer which is impervious to liquids and an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer further contains a material which is capable of controlling odors, such as those odors found in refrigerators and waste receptacles. The liner of the present invention provides the benefit of absorbing spills and controlling odors in containers such as refrigerators and waste receptacles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoplastic polymer and at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoset polymer. The invention also provides fabrics and fabric laminates containing the multicomponent fibers, and articles containing the fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A porous polymeric sheet is provided having an electrostatic charge and comprising a zero-three composite of a polymeric matrix and a ferroelectric material dispersed therein. The polymeric component comprises a non-polar thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin, and a second thermoplastic polymer having polar functional units, such as a telomer. The composite material is formed into a porous sheet and is electrically or corona poled to create an electret material which is well suited four use in various filtration, air-masking and dust wipe applications.

Abstract: A process of forming a nonwoven fabric is disclosed which comprises the steps of forming a precursor web of multicomponent substantially continuous filaments, exposing the precursor web to a hydraulic arrangement treatment to form apertures without causing substantial filament entanglement, and thereafter forming inter-filament bonds and an integrated web. The resulting apertured nonwoven fabrics have good hand and tactile aesthetics and have a great variety of uses including use in absorbent personal care products, garments, medical applications, and cleaning applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides multicomponent fine fiber webs and multilayer laminates thereof having an average fiber diameter less than about 7 micrometers and comprising a first olefin polymer component and a second distinct polymer component such as an amorphous polyolefin or polyamide. Multilayer laminates incorporating the fine multicomponent fiber webs are also provided such as, for example, spunbond/meltblown/spunbond laminates or spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond laminates. The fine multicomponent fiber webs and laminates thereof provide laminates having excellent softness, peel strength and/or controlled permeability.