Abstract: A method of decolorizing a dyed material in a predetermined pattern, which method involves providing a dyed material and ink jet printing a solution of an oxidoreductase onto the dyed material in a predetermined pattern. The present invention further provides a dyed material which has been decolorized in a predetermined pattern by a method of the present invention. The dyed material may be, for example, a dyed textile. Also provided is a method of simultaneously decolorizing and printing on a dyed material in a predetermined pattern. The method involves providing a dyed material and ink jet printing on the dyed material in a predetermined pattern with an ink jet ink which contains an oxidoreductase and one or more dyes which are not significantly decolorized by the oxidoreductase. The oxidoreductase may be, for example, a laccase, peroxidase, or diaphorase. If desired, the dyed material may be heated after printing the solution of an oxidoreductase or an oxidoreductase-containing ink jet ink thereon.

Abstract: A coating suitable for receiving an image by dye diffusion printing which includes a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 30° C. and a powdered plasticizer having a melting point of at least about 80° C. The thermoplastic polymer may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 40° C. For example, the thermoplastic polymer may be a vinyl chloride-acrylate copolymer. The plasticizer may be an aromatic carboxylic acid ester, such as cyclohexane dimethanol dibenzoate. The average particle size of the powdered plasticizer may be no greater than about 20 micrometers. The weight ratio of the thermoplastic polymer to the plasticizer typically is in a range of from about 80:20 to about 40:60. Finally, the coating includes a release agent. The release agent may be present in a range of from about 0.5 to about 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of dry coating.

Abstract: A loop material suitable for use with a hook-and-loop fastening system, wherein the loop material includes a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface and includes carded sheath-core bicomponent staple fibers in which the fibers have a sheath-core melting point differential of at least about 20.degree. C. and a length of from about 10 mm to about 65 mm. The first fibrous nonwoven web has a thickness of at least about 0.15 mm and a basis weight of at least about 20 grams per square meter; a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent. If desired, a film layer may be bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web.

Abstract: A medical packaging material based on a cellulosic nonwoven web which may be used in an oxidizing gas plasma sterilization environment. The material includes a cellulosic nonwoven web made up of fibers. From about 50 to 100 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are cellulosic fibers, and from 0 to about 50 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are noncellulosic fibers, such as glass wool and synthetic polymer fibers. In some embodiments, the cellulosic nonwoven web may be composed of 100 percent by weight of cellulosic fibers. The cellulosic nonwoven web includes a saturant which is present at a level of from about 50 to about 150 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the fibers. The saturant includes a cellulosic fiber-protecting synthetic polymer having an effectively low permeability to hydrogen peroxide. For example, the cellulosic fiber-protecting synthetic polymer may have a water vapor transmission rate for a 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable laminate including an oriented microporous elastomeric film and at least one support layer bonded to the film. The present invention also relates to a process for forming the breathable laminate including the step of stretching a filled film to produce a microporous film before bonding it to a support.