Abstract: Low cost wiper material for industrial and other applications having improved water and oil wiping properties. A base material of meltblown synthetic, thermoplastic microfibers is treated with a wetting agent and may be pattern bonded in a configuration to provide strength and abrasion resistance properties while promoting high absorbency for both water and oil. The wiper of the invention displays a remarkable and unexpected ability to wipe surfaces clean of both oil and water residues without streaking. It may be produced in a continuous process at a low cost consistent with the convenience of single use disposability.

Abstract: A tampon having an absorbent core with two fluid permeable wraps is provided. The combination of two wrapping layers aids in withdrawal particularly when a superabsorbent material is used as part of the absorbent and also may aid in the prevention of reverse fluid flow from the saturated tampon.

Abstract: In the commercial production of tissue paper and the like a web, formed from a slurry of water and fiber, is creped while essentially (98%) dry, from a rotating cylindrical dryer. Adhesives are frequently employed to hold the web to the dryer surface and polyvinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsions serve this function. Such adhesives are relatively soft, tend to adhere to the fabrics which carry the paper web to the dryer surface and tend to make cleaning of the carrying fabric difficult. Additionally, these adhesives tend to cause blocking of the tissue paper when in roll form and adjacent plies of the paper tend to be torn upon separation.

Abstract: A tampon having a superabsorbent material included as part of its absorbent system and a moisture permeable outer wrapping. The outer wrap has an emollient covering a substantial portion to aid in withdrawal of the tampon without substantially affecting absorption of menstrual fluid.

Abstract: Nonwoven disposable wiper intended primarily for industrial applications and having a reduced tendency to accumulate metal chips or other small, sharp foreign objects. The wiper results from a combination of a meltblown microfiber web laminated to at least one web of interconnected aligned split filaments, such as a fibrillated thermoplastic film or foam. The combination is pattern bonded and includes a surfactant for improved wiping properties. The combination of the split flamentary web and microfiber web results in increased safety since injuries due to metal chips picked up by the wiper material are minimized. This is accomplished without significant deterioration of the wiping properties of the meltblown material.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte absorber for alkaline battery cells has low resistance to electrolyte ion transfer and can hold alkaline electrolyte in contact with an electrode during chemical reactions of the cell. The absorber is formed by depositing an improved wetting compositions to a polyolefin substrate. The substrate, preferably, is a fibrous and porous melt blown thermoplastic web made up of a plurality of physically entangled microfibers, resistant to strong alkali and oxidation. The wetting composition which is deposited over and adhered to external surfaces of said microfibers is comprised of a substantially homogeneous admixture of a polymeric binder, inert hydrophilic filler particles and a phosphate ester wetting agent. Portions of the filler particles in the composition protrude through the binder and are exposed in random distribution. When the absorber is immersed in electrolyte, the phosphate ester wetting agent reacts with the electrolyte to lower the surface tension thereof.

Abstract: In disposable diapers which are equipped with tape closure means and have an impermeable thin film backing, the improvement in which selected areas of the thin film, which areas serve as tape securement zones when the diapers are in use, have uniformly adhered to that side of the film facing the diaper interior a layer of hot melt adhesive to provide a composite structure in the selected areas having a high resistance to tearing when tensile loads are applied. The hot melt adhesive layer has a lower modulus of elasticity than the film and is applied in heat-softened condition to obtain strong, uniform adherence to the film. In a method for applying the adhesive layer, a wide band of adhesive of predetermined thickness is extruded in heat-softened condition into direct contact with selected areas of a moving web of the film. The adhesive is one which has a Ring & Ball softening point lower than the heat distortion temperature of the film and during application will not thermally degrade or distort the film.

Abstract: A method for applying measured amounts of viscous material in a predetermined pattern in registry to a continuously moving sheet is provided which includes the steps of introducing the viscous material into a rotary valve having a bore in the valve rotor operatively communicative with the fluid inlet, and a passage radially communicating between the axial bore and an opening in the valve seat through which the material is dispensed onto the sheet stock. The length of the material dispensed to the sheet stock is determined by a slot formed on the surface of the valve rotor which surrounds the opening for the radial passage. Registry of the pattern is accomplished by correlation of the rotation of the valve with the rate by which the sheet material passes underneath the valve orifice. The valve containing the slot and related apparatus is also part of the invention.

Abstract: A bag-type tampon which has as its absorbent component discrete pieces of a rigid compressed dry shape retaining absorbent matt which is loosely dispersed throughout the interior of a fluid-permeable bag. The invention also includes a method for making the tampon.

Abstract: A tape delivery system useful for applying a plastic tape to a sheet of scrim reinforced tube stock is disclosed. Tape forming techniques are employed to shape a length of plastic tape and to apply that tape to a bottom margin region of the tube stock material to form a scrim reinforced open-mouth container bag.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is provided with an inner and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve extends slightly beyond the outer sleeve when the sleeves are mated and is only slightly longer than the tampon for which the applicator is designed to deliver. In one embodiment, the inner sleeve has a series of slots tapering inward and downward from the forward end which are designed to engage injection guides located on the inner surface of the outer sleeve near the base.

Abstract: A tampon is provided having an absorbent core made of a plurality of discrete plies of a blend of cellulosic material and superabsorbent fibers and having an absorbent layer overwrap and a fluid permeable cover surrounding the absorbent material. The absorbent layer is located on both the top and bottom surfaces of the absorbent core and contains staple textile fibers.

Abstract: A tampon which is designed to be folded, has foldable absorbent material, a fluid pervious outerwrap which is overlapped at its edge and a withdrawal string that encircles the tampon at the overlapped edge of the wrap. After folding, the string and overlapped edge are on the outside surface of the tampon.

Abstract: Distributor apparatus for the deposition of a uniform layer of dry fibers on a foraminous forming surface which includes a perforated wall having zones of different aperture sizes segmenting the wall into areas of greater and lesser fiber throughput. Also, means for detecting variations in the basis weight of a forming web and the provision of means to decrease the extent of the variations.

Abstract: An in-line vertical-to-horizontal conveying system useful for transferring flexible sheet material from a vertical location to a horizontal position is disclosed. A triangular shaped material transition board means is utilized to effect the transfers. Further, hold-down bars and endless belts are used to maintain continuous flow of the sheets over a surface of the transition board means.

Abstract: A process and mechanism for the dry screen forming of fibers to attain a dispersion in air of substantially individual fibers from which a fibrous sheet is formed. Fibrous nits, pills and flocs are removed from the dispersion by rolling the nits, pills and the like into elongated shapes as they pass a fiber screening member and carrying the elongated fibrous bodies from the dispersion of fibers and away from the sheet forming area for the fibers. The mechanism includes a fiber screening member, a fiber receiving member on which the sheet is formed and a foraminous member which rolls the nits, pills and the like between it and the fiber screening member as the air dispersion of fibers passes toward the fiber receiving member.

Abstract: Chemically modified cellulose fibers such as those which have been subjected to phosphorylation or carboxymethylation or to polymer grafting-hydrolysis are refined in the presence of water, centrifuged to remove unbound water and extruded into filaments. The individual fibers are identifiable within the filaments and are generally aligned parallel to the filament axis. Certain embodiments of the filaments are highly absorbent, have fast wicking rates, and may be self-bonded to form integral nonwoven webs for use in disposable diapers, sanitary products, wipers and the like.

Abstract: An automatic bagging system useful for packaging a stack of a compressible material, such as a stack of folded disposable diapers into a drawstring type plastic bag. The apparatus includes means for compressing gradually the stack of diapers while reorienting the stack so that when the stack is packaged, the diapers will fit snugly in the bag with the folded portion of the diaper near the open end of the bag, for convenience in removing each diaper from the bag. Further the apparatus comprises means for handling and conditioning the bag for the insertion of the diaper stack that includes collapsible funnels for holding the bag open in a box-like shape in order to receive the compressed stack of diapers.

Abstract: A method for separating fibers from a stack of pulp sheets. The stack of pulp sheets is fed slowly and continuously to the fiberizing means of fiberizing apparatus and in shingled relation so that the tails of individual sheets are presented singly to the fiberizing means. The fiberizing apparatus may be conventional hammermill or pulp picking equipment and suitably includes an output screen to limit the size of unfiberized particles which may pass from the fiberizer.