Abstract: There is provided a soft nonwoven fibrous loop material for use in hook and loop fastening systems. The nonwoven fibrous loop material of the invention contains an open fibrous loop layer comprised predominately of polypropylene polymer, copolymer or blend fibers. The nonwoven fibrous loop layer material is autogeneously bonded to a backing layer formed of polypropylene polymers or copolymers having a percent isotacticity of less than 70%, optionally with additional layers present provided so that the overall nonwoven fibrous loop material is a laminate having a circular bend stiffness of less than about 9 Newton and having tensile strength of at least 1500 g/2.54 cm-width.

Abstract: An anisotropic elastic web, particularly an anisotropic elastic film layer having a machine direction and a cross direction and having a thickness of from 20 to 300 microns formed of an extruded blend of a block copolymer elastomer portion and a polyolefin polymer portion blended in a ratio of from 10:1 to 0.4:1, respectively. The elastomer portion generally is a block copolymer elastomer formed of A blocks and B blocks, the A blocks are formed predominately of monoalkenyl arene and the B blocks are formed predominately of conjugated diene. The polyolefin portion is comprised predominately of an inelastic fiber forming polyolefin polymer, copolymer or blend. The anisotropic film layer has a F10 force Ratio (MD to CD) of at least 1.5. This anisotropic elastic web is usable in a variety of garment applications where an elastic is supplied in roll form and requires strength in a machine direction and elastic properties in a cross direction.

Abstract: A diaper construction is provided with an external porous reinforcement strip at the front part of the outside of the diaper, which strip provides reinforcement against an adhesive fastening tab and provides an oil-contamination tolerant adhesion surface.

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: There is provided a block, segmented or graft copolymer having polyorganosiloxane segments and self-associating hard segments, which copolymer is capable of forming a solid, generally non-tacky release coating without the requirement of curing. The release coating comprises the polyorganosiloxane copolymer admixed with an MQ resin wherein the amount of MQ resin is generally between 1 and 30 weight percent of the polyorganosiloxane content preferably 1 to 20 weight percent. The MQ resin modifies the copolymer release material to have a higher release than the copolymer itself, generally at least 10 percent and preferable at least 20 percent up to 50 percent or higher with the readhesion values decreasing by 50 percent or less, preferably 40 percent or less.

Abstract: A viral barrier composite of a thermoplastic film thermally bonded on at least one side thereof to a breathable thermoplastic web, and method for making the same. The viral barrier composite has viral barrier properties, a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 700 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours and a bond strength between the thermoplastic film and breathable thermoplastic web of at least 0.07N/cm. The viral barrier composite is formed by calendering an assembly comprising a thermoplastic film and a breathable thermoplastic web between a smooth roll and a pattern roll. The viral barrier composite may be used for constructing articles of protective apparel.

Abstract: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: There is provided a loop fastening material for engaging a suitable male mechanical fastening element for a backing substrate of an oriented sheet material having a first face and a second face and substantially continuously attached to at least the first face a plurality of discrete, multi-filament transversely expanded yarns, such yarn filaments providing open loop structures. The yarns are expanded by transverse orientation of the backing to which it has been previously attached by extrusion bonding, adhesive bonding or the like. The resulting loop fastener provides a low cost, readily manufactured loop having good fastening properties to hook materials.

Abstract: An elastic film is provided with non-elastic regions and elastic regions formed from a multi-layer film of an elastomeric layer and relatively inelastic layers(s).

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming a nonwoven electret fiber filter with a nonwoven web of electret fibers needle-punched to an open scrim support. The scrim support material has individual discrete open areas with an average cross-sectional area as viewed from the plane of the filter media of at least 0.25 mm.sup.2, preferably 1.0 mm.sup.2, and a pressure drop across the scrim support, without the filter web, of less than 1.5 mm H.sub.2 O measured at 98.4 meters/min gaseous face velocity. The resulting filter has enhanced lifetimes, a low pressure drop and high filtration efficiencies.

Abstract: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: There is provided a nonwoven electret fiber filter formed with a nonwoven web of electret fibers needle-punched to an open scrim support. The scrim support material has individual discrete open areas with an average cross-sectional area as viewed from the plane of the filter media of at least 0.25 mm.sup.2, preferably 1.0 mm.sup.2, and a pressure drop across the scrim support, without the filter web, of less than 1.5 mm H.sub.2 O measured at 98.4 meters/min gaseous face velocity. The resulting filter has enhanced lifetimes, a low pressure drop and high filtration efficiencies.

Abstract: A viral barrier composite of a thermoplastic film thermally bonded on at least one side thereof to a breathable thermoplastic web, and method for making the same. The viral barrier composite has viral barrier properties, a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 700 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours and a bond strength between the thermoplastic film and breathable thermoplastic web of at least 0.07N/cm. The viral barrier composite is formed by calendering an assembly comprising a thermoplastic film and a breathable thermoplastic web between a smooth roll and a pattern roll. The viral barrier composite may be used for constructing articles of protective apparel.

Abstract: Composite films and film laminates comprising at least one elastomeric core and a surrounding nonelastomeric matrix preferably prepared by coextrusion. The film when stretched and allowed to recover will create an elastomeric composite.

Abstract: There is provided 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 barrier fabric laminate for use as a coating for a gel filled article is provided. The barrier fabric laminate comprises a fluid impermeable film and a polyurethane nonwoven web which has a friction value of less than 200 g and a fabric hand of less than 200 g. The polyurethane web is formed of fibers of less than about 50 .mu.m on average and preferably is formed with a fluorochemical melt additive by sequentially melt blowing the polyurethane web on a heated collecting drum and laminated by a nip formed by a heated nip roller and the collecting drum.

Abstract: There is provided a cellulosic-based fiber granule with added non self-associating particulates or fibers. The resulting granule is free-flowing with a densified outer surface and is capable of removing substantially all oil from a flat surface such as a floor. The granule is also capable of being incinerated by being formed substantially of organic materials. Cellulosic plant fibers form at least 10 percent up to 99 percent of the granule. There is also provided a method for forming the incineratable oil an absorbent, free-flowing granules.

Abstract: A device for holding a sample to be spectroscopically analyzed in which the sample is retained within a defined area. The device includes a receiving medium on which the sample is held. When this receiving medium is mounted in a frame (an optional feature), it extends across an aperture in the frame. In/on the receiving medium is a sample confining region that keeps any sample placed on the receiving medium from migrating outside a defined area. By keeping the sample within a defined area, quantitative measurements of the sample can be obtained.

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 liquid management film for use in rapid transport of liquid. The liquid management film is a thermoplastic film having at least one microstructured hydrophilic surface with a plurality of primary grooves. The primary grooves have at least two secondary grooves, each of said secondary grooves forming at least one notch which notches are substantially parallel and separated by a secondary peak. The notches or secondary grooves have an included angle of from about 10.degree. to about 120.degree., the depth of one of said secondary grooves (the height of the secondary peak over the notch) being at least 5 microns and said depth being from about 0.5 to about 80 percent of the depth of the primary groove. The said notches have a radius of curvature of less than about 15 microns and the primary and/or secondary groove depth and width varies by less than 20 percent for each groove over a given length of the film.