Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a feminine care product, includes a liquid permeable liner layer, a generally liquid impermeable outer cover layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the liner layer and outer cover layer. Spaced apart solidified deposits of a phase-change liquid are defined on either the liner layer top surface, bottom surface or both surfaces, and/or other layers along the other layers' upper or lower surfaces. The deposits are defined such that areas of the liner layer top surface are exposed thereby being permeable to bodily exudates insulting the article between the deposits while acting as a barrier against liquid that may flow back to the liner layer or other treated layers from the absorbent layer or other layers contained in the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method for producing a machine direction and cross-machine direction elastic laminate includes the steps of providing a one direction elastic laminate material including at least one elastic layer and one facing layer and having a single direction of elasticity and coursing the one direction elastic laminate material through at least one stretching apparatus, such that the stretching apparatus stretches the laminate material in a direction perpendicular to the single direction of elasticity of the elastic laminate material, thereby producing a material that extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elasticity and also extends the elastic performance of the laminate in the single direction of elasticity.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer film includes 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 elastomer. The filler is closely associated with the semi-crystalline linear polymer. The elastic film demonstrates a load loss value at a 50 percent elongation of less than about 50 percent, and a breathability of greater than about 100 g/m2/24 hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protective outerwear for covering a body portion. The protective outerwear has an inside surface and an outside surface, with at least the outside surface including thereupon an ink jet printed low surface tension liquid blocking material in a continuous unbroken band, region, or combination of such, for blocking the wicking of liquid that is contained on the outside surface of the outerwear.

Abstract: A composite fabric comprising a necked and creped spunbond nonwoven web of monocomponent fibers hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component that comprises cellulosic fibers. The nonwoven web contains thermoplastic fibers and the fibrous component comprises greater than about 50% by weight of the fabric.

Abstract: A self contained diagnostic test device is provided for use in the collection and detection of a biological specimen or the like. The device comprises a tubular swab and reagent dispensing cap component for receiving specimens. The reagent dispensing cap component includes barrel, reagent chamber, and results window subcomponents, and delivers one or more selected reagents to a specimen testing chamber for contacting the collected specimen, upon the rotation of the reagent chamber component.

Abstract: A bandage of the type used on acute wounds, minor wounds, burn wounds and irritations, includes a first layer for covering the wound site and an area around the wound site, with the first layer including a top surface and bottom surface; a second layer over the first layer bottom surface, for absorbing exudates from the wound site; the second layer including a poly(ethyleneoxide)-based compound and a chitosan-based compound. A third layer is situated over the second layer, the third layer being of a perforated film, and wherein, at least one antimicrobial agent is associated with the bandage in a position where the antimicrobial agent will come in contact with the wound site, and which is transferable from the bandage to the wound site, upon contact with the wound site.

Abstract: A thermally stable microporous breathable film is provided comprising at least 35% filler, by weight of the filled-film, and a thermoplastic polymer blend of a first polyethylene polymer and a second polyethylene polymer. The first polyethylene polymer comprises 30%-70% by weight of the polymer blend and can have a density between about 0.86 g/cm3 and 0.89 g/cm3 and the second polyethylene polymer can have a density between about 0.90 g/cm3 and 0.92 g/cm3. The filled-film can be uniaxially or biaxially oriented to form a microporous film and/or film laminate having good body conformance and which retains a high WVTR at 37° C. and above.

Abstract: A substrate includes a flexible substantially planar sheet of at least one layer. The layer has a front side and a back side with a donning agent associated with at least one side of the sheet. The donning agent is transferable from the sheet to an object or individual apart from the sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a distribution/retention layer for personal care products which is a nonwoven fabric having retention materials and distribution materials in a side-by-side configuration as rows, stripes, channels, etc. These rows may be continuous or discontinuous and may be straight, wavy, or in other patterns. This construction allows liquid to wick along the distribution rows and to be absorbed by the retention material along a broad front on either side. Such a construction more fully utilizes the absorbent core, producing cost and weight savings. This construction also provides greater comfort to a wearer. There is further provided personal care products having the nonwoven web as a component.

Abstract: A personal care product that has a liquid impermeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet, and an absorbent composite located between the topsheet and backsheet. The absorbent composite has an upper layer made of synthetic fiber with at most 20 weight percent pulp and the upper layer has a density between about 0.03 and 0.15 g/cc and a basis weight between about 20 to 75 gsm. The composite has a lower layer having from 80 to 95 weight percent pulp, at most 20 weight percent binder, and has a density greater than the upper layer and between 0.06 and 0.20 g/cc, and a basis weight between 120 and 200 gsm.

Abstract: A method for degassing ink, and resulting degassed ink includes the addition of at least two enzymes to ink containing a donor substrate specific to each enzyme, wherein one of the enzymes catalyzes a chemical reaction to produce hydrogen peroxide upon exposure to a gaseous acceptor substrate, and another enzyme subsequently catalyzes a reaction to convert the hydrogen peroxide into water.

Abstract: There is provided an absorbent system that not only takes in fluid, but then transfers that fluid further beneath the first composite. This is achieved in this invention through paired permeability, capillarity, and void volume of the first and second composites. The invention is an absorbent system composed of at least two absorbent composites that have complementary structural/surface energy characteristics. Such an absorbent system has a first absorbent Composite A which has a first permeability, a first capillarity, and a first void volume and at least one second absorbent Composite B which has a second capillarity and a second porosity multiplied by second thickness. The first absorbent Composite A is in liquid communication or contact with at least one second absorbent Composite B, such that the first absorbent Composite A, and the second absorbent Composite B have a fluid partitioning amount in Composite A, a third triple intake time (IT3) and a rewet value.

Abstract: Pattern embossed low gauge films are disclosed having multiple microporous film layers with distinct coloration, such as a dark colored layer and a light colored layer, wherein the color of the underlying film causes a visible color contrast only at the embossed regions and yet does not discolor the outer most layer. Also disclosed are film laminates and personal care articles incorporating such multilayer films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for ink-jet printing. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and method useful for ink-jet printing onto textiles. Even more specifically, the present invention is directed to ink-jet printing onto textiles using spot color, process color and hybrid color printing modes. The present invention uses normal textile dyes, purifies these dyes, and then formulates the dyes into stock solutions which, when combined with specific additives, are capable of being used in an ink-jet printing process. The purified stock solutions are shipped in specially designed containers to a color kitchen wherein software is used to analyze the pattern of the textile to be printed and determines which stock solutions and combinations of stock solutions and additives will be needed to reproduce the desired pattern.

Abstract: There is provided a new multi-layered fibrous material for use in personal care products. In this material, a layer having a mixture of pulp, superabsorbent and binder is adjacent a layer having a very high superabsorbent concentration. The structure is then compacted to a density of between about 0.1 to 0.3 g/cc. These layered structures have better intake properties than traditionally made competitive materials. These structures surprisingly also have better distribution properties than competitive materials. Such a fibrous material is useful in personal care products, like diapers, training pants, incontinence garments and feminine hygiene products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for ink-jet printing. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and method useful for ink-jet printing onto textiles. Even more specifically, the present invention is directed to ink-jet printing onto textiles using spot color, process color and hybrid color printing modes. The present invention uses normal textile dyes, purifies these dyes, and then formulates the dyes into stock solutions which, when combined with specific additives, are capable of being used in an ink-jet printing process. The purified stock solutions are shipped in specially designed containers to a color kitchen wherein software is used to analyze the pattern of the textile to be printed and determines which stock solutions and combinations of stock solutions and additives will be needed to reproduce the desired pattern.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven web/film laminate for use as a fabric in personal care products. The laminate is formed of at least two layers in an SF formation. The spunbond (S) layer of the laminate is formed of preferably metallocene catalyzed polypropylene. The film (F) layer is formed of a polyolefin which may be metallocene-catalyzed.

Abstract: A leukocyte depletion filter media includes nonwoven material or microfiber glass which has been coated with a polysaccharide originally containing functionalized side chains capable of crosslinking with each other and the filter media. The leukocyte depletion filter media preferably includes a polysaccharide having a charge density of up to 5 meq/g.