Abstract: The present invention provides fibers and products produced therefrom, including nonwoven webs and adhesive articles. The fibers, which can be multilayer fibers, include a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising an acrylate copolymer comprising copolymerized monomers comprising at least one monofunctional alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer and at least one monofunctional free-radically copolymerizable reinforcing monomer having a homopolymer glass transition temperature higher than that of the alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: A prelaminated composite tape in a stable roll from which a composite adhesive closure tape tab (20) for disposable articles can be cut, which comprises a support sheet (21) and a mechanical fastener (30), wherein the support sheet (21) has a fastening surface (22) with a bonding layer (24) and a back side surface (23) that is provided with means for increasing the static friction, whereby a first axial extending section (25) of the support sheet (21) has a patch (26) comprising a mechanical fastener (30) disposed on the bonding layer (24), and a second axial extending section (31) of the support sheet has an exposed bonding layer which is attached to the edge portion (14) of the disposable article (10) in the production process.

Abstract: A method of making a hook strip having J-shaped hooks that can be used as a mechanical fastener. The method includes using an initial substrate of material formed as an array of upstanding precursor stems having distal tips at their ends opposite a backing. In addition, a heat source adapted for heating and a mechanism for deforming stem tips is provided. The substrate is positioned relative to the heat source such that a portion of the upstanding stems on the array is heated. Subsequently, the substrate is moved to a position relative to the mechanism for deforming to create a hook strip of J-shaped hooks from the heated portion of the upstanding stems. In addition, an article of manufacture, made in accordance with the method, is provided which includes a hook portion of a hook-and-loop type of mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A closure system and method of making a closure system for a disposable article. A substantially continuous closure system web is provided. One face of the web is provided with first fastening region at terminal end portion(s) of the web. A second fastening region, engagable with the first fastening region, is provided on a second face of the web in a region adjacent the terminal end portion(s). The closure system tab elements are cut from the web and attached to a second web, used in producing the disposable article, at longitudinally spaced locations. This second web is then cut at transverse cut lines separating the closure system tab element into two functional elements. A first functional element has a fastening tab portion and the second functional element has an attachment portion. The attachment portion of one closure system tab element interacts with a fastening tab portion of an adjacent closure system tab element to form a functional closure system on a disposable article made using the second web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capping a headed stem fasteners. The precursor web having a backing with a rear surface, a front surface, and a multiplicity of polymeric stems projecting distally from the front surface of the backing is fed into a variable nip between a heated member opposite a support surface. The support surface has a shape generally conforming to the contour of the heated member. The variable nip compressively engages the polymeric stems between the heated member and the support surface so that distal ends of the polymeric stems are deformed. The heated member can be a heated roll or a heated belt. The support surface may be a curved capping shoe or a belt shaped to create a particular nip profile.

Abstract: To provide a filter frame which enables a filtering medium to be easily renewed on a site and makes it possible to provide a filter at a low cost.The filter frame comprises a pair of frame elements capable of being integrally coupled together through flange bonding, each frame element comprising a passage portion allowing the passage of a fluid to be filtered and a flange portion outwardly disposed at a peripheral end portion of said passage portion, and that each of said flange portions has at least one bending portion, and said two flange portions, when coupled together, are engaged with each other based upon at least one tongue-in-groove connecting portion with said filtering medium being sandwiched between said flange portions.

Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibers and products produced therefrom, including nonwoven webs and adhesive articles. The fibers, which can be multilayer fibers, include a polydiorganosiloxane polyurea copolymer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of capping mechanical fasteners from a web having an array of upstanding stems. A heated surface member is positioned opposite a support forming a nip into which the web is fed. The heated surface member has a series of laterally spaced elongated peak and valley structures such that more than one peak and valley structure contacts and deforms each stem structure. The peak and valley groove structures provided asymmetric elongation and deformation of top portion of the stem structures forming hook heads.

Abstract: Oriented microfibers and processes for making them are disclosed, together with blends of such microfibers with other fibers such as crimped staple fibers and non-oriented microfibers.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of preventing transmission of viral pathogens between a source of viral pathogens and a target of said viral pathogens comprising positioning between said source and said target a microporous membrane material comprising (1) a thermoplastic polymer or polytetrafluoroethylene and (2) a water- and oil-repellent fluorochemical compound which provides said membrane with oleophobic, hydrophobic and viral barrier properties.

Abstract: There is provided a thermally stabilized polypropylene melt-blown microfiber acoustical insulation web which has a resistance to thermal degradation at a temperature of 135.degree. C. for at least 10 days. The polypropylene has a thermal stabilizer uniformly distributed within the melt-blown microfiber polymer which polymer when produced is subject to thermal and/or catalytic degradation in the absence of significant levels of thermal stabilizer or antioxidant.

Abstract: A nasal dilator comprising a backing substrate having a first face and a second face. On the first face, there is provided a fibrous pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that comprises an entangled web of pressure-sensitive adhesive fibers. The fibrous adhesive layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of at least 1000 g/m.sup.2 /day, and an adhesion to skin of at least 20 g/2.5 cm. On the second face of the backing, there is provided a resilient spring which extends along the length of the backing and is attached to at least two end regions of the backing. The fibrous adhesive layer provides for a nasal dilator that can be repeatedly attached to a wearer's nose with minimal levels of skin damage or trauma upon removal and increased levels of comfort while being used.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of preventing transmission of viral pathogens between a source of viral pathogens and a target of said viral pathogens comprising positioning between said source and said target a microporous membrane material comprising (1) a thermoplastic polymer or polytetrafluoroethylene and (2) a water- and oil-repellent fluorochemical compound which provides said membrane with oleophobic, hydrophobic and viral barrier properties.

Abstract: A finger grip for a mechanical fastener and a method of forming the same. The mechanical fastener has a backing layer of a thermoplastic resin with integral fastening members in a fastening member region and at least one protrusion in a finger grip region. The fastening members define a fastening member volume per unit area. The at least one protrusion defines a finger grip volume per unit area. The finger grip volume per unit area is substantially equal to the fastening member volume per unit area. The backing layer comprises a backing thickness in the fastening member region generally equal to a backing thickness in the finger grip region.

Abstract: A method comprises the step of spray-drying a solution or slurry comprising (alkali metal or ammonium) (metal) hexacyanoferrate particles in a liquid, to provide monodisperse, substantially spherical particles in a yield of at least 70 percent of theoretical yield and having a particle size in the range of 1 to 500 micrometers, said particles being active towards Cs ions. The particles, which can be of a single salt or a combination of salts, can be used free flowing, in columns or beds, or entrapped in a nonwoven, fibrous web or matrix or a cast porous membrane, to selectively remove Cs ions from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering a fluid, in particular for filtering the air flowing into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The filter element (10; 60) including filter material (12; 62) with a border (14; 64) and a filter element frame (20; 70) connected with the filter material (12; 62) and extending at least partly along the border (14; 64), the filter element frame (20; 70) being provided with a projecting resilient sealing lip (24; 74) for abutting a device (42, 44, 48) receiving the filter element (10; 60), the sealing lip (24; 74) having at least one bending section (26) of a first thickness (30) facing the filter element frame (20; 70) and at least one enlarged section (28) adjoining the at least one bending section (26) and facing away from the filter material (12; 62), at least a part (40) of the enlarged section being of a second thickness (32) greater than the first thickness (30) in the at least one bending section (26).

Abstract: A composite filter media (100) includes a meltblown fiber material and a nonwoven filter web which are preferably attached to each other by needling the nonwoven filter web with the meltblown fiber material. A netting (104) is then attached by preferably needling the nonwoven filter web and meltblown through the netting (104).

Abstract: A cartridge device for removing an analyte from a fluid comprises a hollow core, a sheet composite comprising a particulate-loaded porous membrane and optionally at least one reinforcing spacer sheet, the particulate being capable of binding the analyte, the sheet composite being formed into a spiral configuration about the core, wherein the sheet composite is wound around itself and wherein the windings of sheet composite are of sufficient tightness so that adjacent layers are essentially free of spaces therebetween, two end caps which are disposed over the core and the lateral ends of the spirally wound sheet composite, and means for securing the end caps to the core, the end caps also being secured to the lateral ends of the spirally wound sheet composite.

Abstract: A method of radiochemical analysis comprises the steps of providing a solid phase extraction sheet material comprising ion-specific sorptive or reactive particles and a porous matrix as carrier for the particles, and providing a fluid including an ion-containing radiochemical analyte comprising the specific ion, contacting the sheet material with the fluid for a time sufficient for the particles to selectively extract the analyte from the fluid, and analyzing the sheet material in a direct mode for quantitative or qualitative data relating to the radiochemical analyte. Solid phase extraction sheet materials and methods for their preparation are also disclosed.