Abstract: A curl-resistant, antislip abrasive backing which includes a polymer-reinforced paper having a first surface and a second surface; a synthetic polymeric layer bonded to the first surface; and an amorphous, rubbery polymer film layer bonded to the second surface. Also provided is a curl-resistant, antislip abrasive paper which includes a polymer-reinforced paper having a first surface and a second surface; a synthetic polymeric layer bonded to the first surface; a layer of abrasive particles bonded to the synthetic polymer layer; and an amorphous, rubbery polymer film layer bonded to the second surface. By way of examples, the amorphous, rubbery polymer may be a polyester elastomer or an amorphous, rubbery polypropylene.

Abstract: A fiber which includes a thermoplastic polymer and particles of a ferroelectric material dispersed therein. The thermoplastic polymer may be, for example, a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, and the ferroelectric material may be barium titanate. The ferroelectric material may be present at a level of from about 0.01 to about 50 percent by weight (from about 0.001 to about 13 percent by volume), and will have a longest dimension in a range of from about 10 nanometers to about 10 micrometers. The fiber may be exposed to an electric field. A plurality of the fibers may be employed to form a knitted or woven fabric or a nonwoven web. Also provided is a method of preparing fibers containing particles of a ferroelectric material. The method includes destructuring the ferroelectric material in the presence of a liquid and a surfactant to give destructured particles; the liquid is a solvent for the surfactant and the surfactant is adapted to stabilize the destructured particles against agglomeration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward protective garments which include an expandable backpack portion located on the back area of the garment. The backpack portion includes at least one pair of left and right generally vertical pleats. As a result of the incorporation of the pair of left and right generally vertical pleats, the backpack portion has the ability to expand to receive life support or other equipment worn on the back of a wearer of the protective garment.

Abstract: Methods of sulfonating a polymer are provided. One method of sulfonating a polymer includes exposing sulfur dioxide and oxygen to free radical producing energy and contacting the polymer with the product of preceding step. Desirably, the steps of exposing sulfur dioxide and oxygen to free radical producing energy and contacting the polymer with this product are performed in a reduced pressure environment. Another method of sulfonating a polymer includes contacting the polymer with sulfur dioxide and oxygen and exposing the contacted polymer to free radical producing energy. The polymer may be contacted with a mixture of sulfur dioxide and oxygen or the polymer may be separately contacted with sulfur dioxide and oxygen. When the polymer is separately contacted with sulfur dioxide and oxygen, the polymer may first be contacted with sulfur dioxide and then contacted with oxygen.

Abstract: A method of coating the surface of a substrate, such as a film or a fibrous web, which is composed of a hydrophobic polymer. The method involves providing a solution of a first polyelectrolyte having ionizable groups and a solution of a second polyelectrolyte having ionizable groups. The two solutions then are mixed under conditions adapted to result in the formation of a nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex. Finally, the surface of the hydrophobic polymer substrate is contacted with a solution of the complex under conditions sufficient to result in the coating of the surface of the substrate with the complex. The ionizable groups of the second polyelectrolyte have a latent charge opposite the latent charge of the ionizable groups of the first polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: A wettable article consisting of an article with a hydrophobic surface having a coating which includes a surface free energy modifier and a surface-active agent. The hydrophobic surface may include a hydrophobic polymer. The surface free energy modifier has a surface free energy greater than that of the surface of the article, but less than the surface tension of an aqueous liquid to which the wettable coated article may be exposed. The surface free energy modifier desirably is present in an amount sufficient to substantially cover the surface of the article. The surface-active agent is present in an amount effective to lower the surface tension of the liquid to a value which is greater than the surface free energy of the surface of the article and equal to or less than the surface free energy of the surface free energy modifier. The article desirably is a film or a fibrous web, such as a nonwoven web. Methods of preparing the wettable article also are described.

Abstract: A coating composition which encompasses an aqueous dispersion of from about 2 to about 40 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a cationic polymer; and from about 60 to about 98 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a nonionic or cationic binder. The coating composition is thermally fusible and adapted to be receptive to ink jet inks and to retain the ink jet inks after being thermally fused. Alternatively, the coating composition may encompass an aqueous dispersion of a powdered thermoplastic polymer and from about 10 to about 150 dry parts by weight of a binder, based on 100 dry parts by weight of the powdered thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A method for coating the surface of a substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer with a hydrophobic vinyl polymer. The method includes preparing a solution of the hydrophobic vinyl polymer in a polar nonaqueous solvent, such as 1-methyl-1-pyrrolidinone, in which the hydrophobic vinyl polymer is surface-active. The substrate then is treated with the solution under conditions sufficient to deposit the hydrophobic vinyl polymer on the substrate. The hydrophobic vinyl polymer may have readily hydrolyzable pendant groups which, upon hydrolysis thereof in an aqueous medium, will result in the formation of a hydrophilic vinyl polymer coating on the substrate. For example, the hydrophobic vinyl polymer may be poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate). Also provided are coated substrates, in which the substrate is a shaped article composed of a hydrophobic polymer. The shaped article may be, for example, a film, fiber, or nonwoven web.

Abstract: A coating composition which encompasses an aqueous dispersion of from about 2 to about 40 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a cationic polymer; and from about 60 to about 98 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a nonionic or cationic binder. The coating composition is thermally fusible and adapted to be receptive to ink jet inks and to retain the ink jet inks after being thermally fused. Alternatively, the coating composition may encompass an aqueous dispersion of a powdered thermoplastic polymer and from about 10 to about 150 dry parts by weight of a binder, based on 100 dry parts by weight of the powdered thermoplastic polymer.

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.degree. C. and a powdered plasticizer having a melting point of at least about 80.degree. C. The thermoplastic polymer may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 40.degree. 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 coated porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer which is substantially uniformly coated with a hydrophilic polymeric material. The substrate may be a sheet-like material, examples of which are foams, fibers, and fibrous webs. The fibrous webs desirably will be nonwoven webs. The coating on the substrate is durable to an aqueous medium at a temperature in a range of from about 10.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. and does not significantly suppress the surface tension of an aqueous medium with which the coated substrate may come in contact. The hydrophobic polymer may be a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The hydrophilic polymeric material with which the polymer fibers are coated may be a polysaccharide or a modified polysaccharide. Also provided is a method of preparing a coated porous substrate which involves providing a porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer. At least a portion of the substrate then is exposed to a field of reactive species.

Abstract: A coating composition which encompasses an aqueous dispersion of from about 2 to about 40 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a cationic polymer; and from about 60 to about 98 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a nonionic or cationic binder. The coating composition is thermally fusible and adapted to be receptive to ink jet inks and to retain the ink jet inks after being thermally fused. Alternatively, the coating composition may encompass an aqueous dispersion of a powdered thermoplastic polymer and from about 10 to about 150 dry parts by weight of a binder, based on 100 dry parts by weight of the powdered thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A saturated paper suitable for use in a clean room environment, which paper includes a fibrous web in which at least about 50 percent of the fibers comprising the web, on a dry weight basis, are cellulosic fibers. The paper also includes a saturant which is present in the saturated paper at a level of from about 10 to about 100 percent, based on the dry weight of the fibrous web. The saturant, in turn, includes from about 98 to about 70 percent, on a dry weight basis, of a latex reinforcing polymer having a glass transition temperature of from about -40.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C.; and from about 2 to about 30 percent, on a dry weight basis, of a cationic polymer. The saturant is adapted to render the saturated paper durable, low linting, and ink jet printable.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a low strength sheet which involves passing the sheet under an apparatus having a width and a top surface and moving in a first direction at a rate sufficient to entrain air. The apparatus includes an airfoil adapted to extend along the top surface of the sheet. The airfoil, in turn, includes:a bottom surface adapted to extend along a portion of the top surface of the sheet;a first surface extending a first distance from the bottom surface at a first juncture;a second surface extending a second distance from the bottom surface at a second juncture; anda top surface extending from the first surface at a third juncture to the second surface at a fourth juncture. The first distance in general is less than the second distance.

Abstract: A fluid-tight container adapted to contain a fluid, volatile solid, or absorbent for a fluid, in which at least a portion of the container includes a material which, when sufficiently stretched, develops sufficient porosity to allow passage of the fluid through the material. In some embodiments, the material may be a film. For example, the film may be a filled film. As another example, the film may be an elastic film, such as a hard-elastic film. In other embodiments, the material may be a laminate. Components of the laminate may be a film or a nonwoven web, in which case the film may be a filled film or an elastic film, such as a hard-elastic film. Desirably, the laminate will include a film and a nonwoven web. The fluid-tight container may include a fluid-absorbing solid, such as silica gel or activated carbon for absorbing moisture or odors. In such case, the movement of fluid through the material is into the container. Alternatively, the fluid-tight container may include a liquid.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the removal by a filter medium of a target substance from a liquid passing through the filter medium. The method involves: providing an indicator providing a filter medium having a plurality of binding sites which have a first affinity for the target substance and a second affinity for the indicator introducing the indicator means into the liquid; passing the liquid through the filter medium; and determining the presence or absence of the indicator in the liquid which has passed through the filter medium. The first and second affinities are adapted to require binding of the indicator by the filter medium only so long as binding sites are available to the target substance. Thus, the indicator means is adapted to compete with the target substance. As a practical matter, the liquid typically will be water. The indicator may denote when the filter medium is not effective by altering the taste of the water passing through the filter medium.

Abstract: A coated porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer which is substantially uniformly coated with a hydrophilic polymeric material. The substrate may be a sheet-like material, examples of which are foams, fibers, and fibrous webs. The fibrous webs desirably will be nonwoven webs. The coating on the substrate is durable to an aqueous medium at a temperature in a range of from about 10.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. and does not significantly suppress the surface tension of an aqueous medium with which the coated substrate may come in contact. The hydrophobic polymer may be a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The hydrophilic polymeric material with which the polymer fibers are coated may be a polysaccharide or a modified polysaccharide. Also provided is a method of preparing a coated porous substrate which involves providing a porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer. At least a portion of the substrate then is exposed to a field of reactive species.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dispersion of small particles in a polymeric precursor, which method involves providing a mixture of a particulate material and a surfactant in a nonaqueous solvent, forming a dispersion of the particulate material in the nonaqueous solvent, combining the resulting dispersion of particulate material in the nonaqueous solvent with a precursor material, and heating the combination of the dispersion of particulate material and the precursor material, with mixing, to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the nonaqueous solvent. The surfactant is soluble in the nonaqueous solvent and is adapted to stabilize the particulate material against agglomeration. The nonaqueous solvent swells the polymeric precursor near the boiling point of the nonaqueous solvent. The boiling point of the nonaqueous solvent is greater than a temperature at which the polymeric precursor may be mixed and below a temperature at which the polymeric precursor polymerizes or decomposes.

Abstract: A printable heat transfer material having cold release properties, which material includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces. The first layer typically will be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. A second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer, such as a hard acrylic polymer or a poly(vinyl acetate). A third layer overlays the second layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer which melts in a range of from about 65.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The thermoplastic polymer of which the second layer is composed may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 25.degree. C. The second layer also may include an effective amount of a release-enhancing additive, such as a divalent metal ion salt of a fatty acid, a polyethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A melt-extrudable composition which includes a thermoplastic polyolefin and a siloxane quatemary ammonium salt additive. The additive can be either of two general classes: (1) a trisiloxane having a pendent quatemary ammonium group and a molecular weight of from about 600 to about 1,700; and (2) an ABA-type siloxane having a polydispersity of up to about 3.0 and a weight-average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 2,000, in which a central siloxane moiety is terminated at each end by a quatemary ammonium salt group. The anion in general can be any anion which does not adversely affect the thermal stability of the salt. The siloxane quatemary ammonium salt possesses antimicrobial properties. Upon melt extruding the thermoplastic composition to form fibers and nonwoven webs, or other shaped artides, the surfaces of such shaped artides exhibit antimicrobial properties.