Abstract: An improved dispensing carton for elongated flat articles such as milk filters is disclosed. The carton is of generally rectangular configuration and in preferred embodiments is adapted to dispense such elongated articles end-wise and one-at-a-time. Included within the container is a self-supporting member having a pull means that may be accessed through the dispensing opening. When the stack of articles is depleted to the point where access through the dispensing opening is difficult, the pull member may be slid forward carrying the remaining articles towards the dispensing opening and making them readily available. In a preferred embodiment resilient highly frictional foam tape is placed on the interior of a major panel and contacting the edges of the articles to be dispensed. Thus the articles other than the one actually dispensed tend to resist displacement and facilitate one-at-a-time dispensing. The container may be formed from conventional cartonboard or corrugate or from plastic materials.

Abstract: A container particularly adapted to sterilize and use for disposal of contaminated or infectious waste in hospitals, industrial laboratories, and the like. One embodiment of the container is illustrated in the form of a bag constructed from a nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers. The web is pervious to sterilants but impervious to bacteria and may comprise a laminate of webs of spunbonded and microfibers thermoplastic polymers. The container may be in the form of a bag and contains an impervious section which may be formed by coating or coextruding a polymer film and a pervious section comprising the nonwoven web. In addition to sealing at both ends, the container is capable of being sealed by means of heat, adhesives, or the like between the two sections. In a particularly useful application, infectious or contaminated waste is positioned within the pervious section and the impervious section folded underneath.

Abstract: A nonwoven polypropylene web has enhanced dusting capabilities by treating it with from about 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight from about 400 to 1000.

Abstract: Adhesive coated sheet material particularly adapted for self-releasable adhesive tapes, labels, novelty stickers or the like. The invention comprises the use of a coated fibrous substrate in combination with a water moistenable, heat activated or solvent activated coating wherein the adhesive coating is applied against a coated side of the substrate. The result is an adhesive sheet material that, when bonded to itself by applying the adhesive against the opposite side, may be readily peeled apart by delamination of the coating on the base sheet. This combination provides a highly effective yet very economical bander for coiled materials such as rolls of stamps, or for stacks of currency, and the like. Preferred embodiments include the use of a clay coated Kraft stock base web in combination with a water moistenable adhesive formulation. This provides excellent bonding results and delamination with the base sheet essentially intact.

Abstract: The invention is an improved wrapper construction for smoking articles such as cigarettes resulting in a reduced tendency to ignite combustible materials accidentally or carelessly coming into contact with the lit cigarette. The wrapper constructions and smoking articles of the invention have a specially designed structure which causes a cigarette to go out quickly when in contact with a substrate, including many commonly-encountered substrates made of combustible materials. This structure is characterized by a Burn Mode Index ("BMI") as defined for the wrapper of between about 1.5 cm.sup.-1 and 5.0 cm.sup.-1 for a single wrap embodiment. For an alternative double wrapped embodiment, the outer wrap will have a BMI in the range of from about 2.0 cm.sup.-1 to about 40 cm.sup.-1 depending on the BMI of the inner wrap which may vary between about 0.1 cm.sup.-1 to 4.0 cm.sup.-1.

Abstract: A surgical drape is provided having a flexible, nonwoven base sheet with a primary operative area, a flexible, liquid-impervious plastic film overlying and secured to one surface of the base sheet in at least a portion of the primary operative area, a sheet of first liquid-absorbent material secured to the outer surface of the liquid-impervious plastic film in at least a portion of the primary operative area, the primary operative area having a region in which the base sheet, the liquid-impervious plastic film and the first liquid-absorbent material are coextensive, the coextensive region having a fenestration, and a U-shaped region of a second liquid-absorbent material located in the primary operative area, partially surrounding and spaced from the fenestration.

Abstract: The invention is an improved specially designed wrapper construction for smoking articles producing controlled burn properties of smoking articles such as cigarettes so that the cigarette will self-extinguish after free burning in air for a designed time period. In addition, the wrapper construction results in cigarettes with reduced tendency to ignite combustible substrates, such as upholstered furniture, when in contact with them. Therefore, smoking articles with this wrapper construction reduce the likelihood of accidental fires, yet they free-burn rapidly for a designed period of time without puffing. However, during a normal puffing sequence the behavior of cigarettes with these wrappers is indistinguishable from commercial cigarettes. On the other hand, other self-extinguishing cigarettes go out without puffing and therefore have to be relighted frequently.

Abstract: A floor mat having costs of manufacture consistent with disposability and yet extended properties. The mat comprises a combination of a continuous filament nylon nonwoven wear surface, and absorbent inner layer comprising a mixture of polymeric microfibers and wood pulp, and a liquid impervious film backing layer. The combination is intermittently bonded such as by means of sonic energy and preferably has means for positioning and retaining the mat on a floor surface. Such means may include a holder device or tacky adhesive applied to the bottom film surface. In use the floor mat of the invention may be printed for decorative or promotional purposes and is sufficiently durable to last up to several weeks under high use conditions while yet being economical to produce. Applications for the floor mat include many consumer and industrial situations where protection from inclement weather is desired as well as in industrial clean rooms, laboratories and hospitals.

Abstract: Improved method of forming bonded web laminates by application of a liquid spray between the component layers prior to application of high frequency vibrational energy commonly referred to as "ultrasonic energy". The liquid is preferably water and added in a minor amount, preferably less than about 25% by weight of the combined webs. The water may be added by spraying or misting and, after bonding and drying, provides improved uniformity and web bonding while allowing increased bonding rates. The method of the invention is particularly useful with heavier basis weight thermoplastic polymeric nonwoven fiber webs to be combined for durable applications such as recreational fabrics for tents and the like.

Abstract: Disposable fitted sheets and method for making them. The sheets are formed without necessitating prior cutting by folding edges of the material and attaching the folded-over edges along diagonal lines associated with each corner. Elastic bands cooperate with each pocket to maintain the fit on the corners of the mattress. The bands are fastened in a stretched condition to the folded-over edges while the sheet is in a flat state. The process of the invention is particularly adapted to continuously forming such sheets which may be formed from a variety of inexpensive materials. Sheets of the invention are particularly useful in hospitals and nursing homes where frequent bedding changes may be needed.

Abstract: A folded hospital drape for placing on a patient by operating room personnel has a generally rectangular center section and side sections C-folded inwardly over the center section. The drape is folded and secured to form a narrow drape area for fitting between the legs in the crotch of a patient. Adhesive strips on the flaps and an adhesive strip across the end of the drape are provided for securing the drape to the thighs and abdomen of the patient when the center section and the side sections are spread to form a wide drape area at the end of the drape. The opposite end of the drape is tucked under the patient's buttocks. A cuff section at the top end of the drape is provided so that the hands of the person applying the drape to the patient may be inserted in the cuff to spread the side sections of the drape outwardly from the center section.

Abstract: Self-sealing seam construction for recreational fabrics and other uses reducing the tendency to permit water penetration and leaking. The seam includes the use of one of a number of overlapping type seams formed with water resistant fabrics. In the overlapped area, between the fabrics, a strip or tape of highly resilient, nontacky, weather resistant elastomeric material is provided. The seam is formed by one or more stitching lines placed so that the sewing needle penetrates not only the overlapped fabrics but the elastomeric strip as well. The highly resilient nature of the elastomeric strip causes it to stretch and eventually aperture under the action of the needle and, when the needle is withdrawn, the elastic strip tends to return to its original position thus closing the aperture tightly around the thread positioned within the aperture by the sewing needle. The result is a tightly formed seal minimizing any open area remaining from the sewing operation.

Abstract: A head covering is disclosed having a face mask portion and a rear portion which substantially completely surrounds the head of the wearer and reaches to the neck, where it may be gathered by a length of elastic, and which is formed of a laminated material incorporating, as a layer, a mat of generally discontinuous thermoplastic microfibers and, as a second layer, a web of continuous thermoplastic filaments, the laminated material providing a combination of bacteria barrier and air permeability properties substantially throughout the head covering which is effective for containment of bacteria while retaining air permeability sufficient to allow the wearer to breathe through the material in the face mask portion where the nose and mouth are covered.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having oil and grease absorbency properties but also having the capability to release at least about 60 percent of such oil or grease in accordance with the grease release test described. Such webs include a matrix of microfibers and may include up to about 75 percent of other fibers such as staple or wood pulp. The web is treated with one or more compositions selected from carboxymethyl cellulose and derivatives, vinyl carboxypolymers, hydroxy ethyl ether starch derivatives, and acrylics. The treatment permits the web to retain its fibrous structure while at least partially coating said fibers to reduce the oleophilic nature of the web. Examples of useful fibers include polyolefins, especially polypropylene, polyesters, and polyamides. The web is preferably bonded by a patterned application of fuse bonds covering up to about 14 percent of surface area and in a frequency of up to about 15 bonds per square inch.

Abstract: An improved sealing means is provided in a multiple component assembly for delivering a fluid material under pressure which includes a lower fluid material container section having a cavity formed therein and provided with at least one outlet orifice formed in an outlet surface of the lower fluid material container section, which outlet orifice communicates with the cavity, an upper fluid material container section formed in at least two parts which are arranged in juxtaposed mating relationship and which define a cavity therein, one of the juxtaposed parts having a fluid material inlet in an inlet surface, the inlet communicating with the cavity in the upper fluid material container section. The upper fluid material container section is mounted in superposed mating relationship on the lower fluid material container section and the upper fluid material container cavity is arranged to communicate with the lower fluid material container cavity and thereby define a fluid material chamber.

Abstract: Improved holder specially adapted for disposable floor mats to be placed adjacent entryways to factories, industrial buildings, or the like or for use in connection with clean rooms, hospitals, laboratories. The holder includes a flat base adapted to hold the mat and at least one hingedly connected side flap adapted to fold over on top of an edge of the mat and securely retain it in position. Means are included to hold the flap against the mat in a closed position to firmly resist movement that would cause wrinkles or bunches in the mat which could cause trips or falls. In accordance with the invention, the base support includes at least one hand hole adjacent the edge of the base and located so as to be covered by the flap in the closed position. By means of the hand hole, direct pressure may be applied directly against the flap or by pressing against the mat so as to overcome the holding means and greatly facilitate opening of the flap to release the mat when desired.

Abstract: A method for the continuous manufacture of sleeved garments from webs and pre-manufactured sleeves, which garments are manufactured in an outside out condition. The method entails assembling continuous webs and pre-manufactured sleeves and joining such components by forming seams such that the sleeves are on the outside of the finished garment and the garment is provided with finished seams.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for forming soft, bulky absorbent webs including thermoplastic fibers. The web is bonded under conditions that heat the thermoplastic fibers to produce web bonding while avoiding direct contact with the heat source. The apparatus includes a pair of foraminous belts or wires between which the web or webs to be bonded are enclosed. The construction of the foraminous wires and belts is selected to produce the desired degree of bonding and yet maintain separation between the subsequently applied heat source and the web or webs. The combination of the web and belts or wires is then directed under tension to a heat source which may be, for example, a series of heated cans, and the opposite sides of the combination are alternately contacted by the surfaces. After heating, the web is allowed to cool and retains its bonded configuration determined by the structure of the wires or belts and the content of the web.

Abstract: An improved method of making reconstituted tobacco using a dry-forming process. Fiberized tobacco stems and scrap are combined with tobacco material of a fine particle size. The resulting tobacco mixture is conveyed in an airstream and deposited on a moving foraminous surface. An adhesive is incorporated into or applied to the web bonding the tobacco particles into a coherent sheet, and the sheet is dried if necessary. The dried sheet may be divided into leaflets or shredded for further processing as reconstituted tobacco. In preferred embodiments, cellulose fibers are mixed with the tobacco particles prior to web formation to impart increased sheet strength. In a further embodiment tobacco fines are mixed with the adhesive and applied to the web in the adhesive composition. Results obtained by means of the present invention include cost savings particularly in terms of reduced capital costs.