Abstract: There is provided a liquid filter formed of a pleated filter material or laminate where the pleat folds are closely adjacent such that they are separated by less than 6 mm. The downstream pleat tips are supported by a rigid support structure of an open porous lattic or the like. Between the downstream pleat tips and the rigid support structure is a self-sealing fibrous cover layer having an effective mean flow pore size (MFPS) greater than the effective MFPS of the pleated filter material.

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: 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: Microtextured elastomeric laminates comprising at least one elastomeric layer and at least one thin skin layer is preferably prepared by coextrusion of the layers followed by stretching the laminate past the elastic limit of the skin layers and then allowing the laminate to recover.

Abstract: The flexible filter element (12) of the filter (10) is pleated in a zig-zag-shaped configuration and has its longitudinal edges (24) connected to support elements (26). Each of the support elements (26) comprises a plurality of support members (40) arranged beside one another and being interconnected by a continuous flange (28). The support elements (26) as well as the rest of the filter element (12) are made of a plastic material. The strength of the flanges (28) is selected in such a manner that the support members (40) are flexible relative to each other which is possible by elastic or plastic deformation of the support elements (26) in the region of the flanges (28), particularly in that region of the flanges (28) wherein these flanges connect adjacent support members (40). The filter (10) can be produced as a filter element (12) extending in a linear plane, which, because of its flexibility, can be deformed while being mounted and/or remain deformed in its mounted condition.

Abstract: A mechanically compacted composite article comprising a PTFE fibril matrix that entraps particles retains more of its longitudinal dimension, when subjected to mechanical and/or thermal stress, than a similar but non-mechanically compacted article. A method of making a particulate loaded PTFE fibril web is disclosed, the method including biaxial calendaring to form a sheet or sheet laminate, and machanically compacting the sheet or sheet laminate.

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 vacuum cleaner bag with high fine particle removal efficiency under normal and shock loading conditions, shock loading including a short term challenge with high particle concentrations (e.g., when a vacuum is used to pick up a pile of debris). The bag also exhibits high loading capacity without significant loss in pressure drop. The bag includes an outer support layer, a fibrous filter layer that is charged to create electrets, and an inner diffusion layer that is substantially unbonded to the filter layer, except at necessary bag seams required for assembly of the filter bag.

Abstract: The filter system comprises a filter element (10) arranged in wave- or zig-zag-shaped folds and having flat filter element portions (12) and intermediate bending lines (14). The longitudinal edges of the filter element (10) are connected to tensioning bands (20). When the filter element (10) is stretched, these tensioning bands (20) are tensioned and in their tensioned condition fulfill a holding function for holding the filter element portions (12) in the stretched condition of the filter element (10). Thus, no spacers are required on the filter frame (22) for maintaining the stability of shape of the filter element (10).

Abstract: The filter device (10), provided for the filtration of fluids, comprises two interconnected material structures (14,16) forming a filter unit (12). The two material structures (14,16) are mechanically stable, at least one of the two material structures (14,16) being elastically deformable. The two material structures (14,16) are connected to each other at opposite connecting sites, with one (16) of the material structures forming an arch between the connecting sites. This arch has been generated by elastic deformation of the respective material structure (16) so that this material structure (16) is mechanically biased. A stretching movement of this material structure (16) is prevented by the connection of this material structure (16) to the other material structure (14) which in turn is of substantially plane configuration and is tensioned.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive closure system for a disposable diaper, or the like, in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive fastening tab releasably attaches to a non-blocking thin diaper backsheet which has been treated to raise the surface energy and pattern printed, preferably in a polar solvent, in a discrete area with a release material. The release material prevents the backsheet from blocking in roll form and allows the pressure-sensitive adhesive fastening tab to be removed from the backsheet without destruction of the backsheet.

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: A disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is provided with a mechanical fastener closure system comprising a hook and loop type mechanical fastener and a pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener. A hook, or loop, element is provided on one face of a first substrate with a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape tab on the opposing face with a free end that is releasably secured to the hook or loop element on the first face. A second substrate is provided with a mating mechanical fastener, to the one on the first face, the tape tab allowing the article to be rolled up for disposal.

Abstract: A fastening tab for a disposable diaper having a second half 3 with a maximum width y and a first half 2 with a minimum width x. Side edge portions are provided with no sharp corners. First half side edges (7 and 7') and the adjacent second half side edges (8 and 8', respectively) are inverted mirror images of each other taking the transverse line 10 which separates the two halves (2 and 3) as the plane of reflection. Using the bisecting longitudinal center line 12 as the plane of reflection a first side edge (7 and 8) is a mirror image of the opposing side edge (7' and 8'). The tape provides a maximum peel front at the distal end of the attached fastening tab providing a more secure closure and is capable of being cut from a stock roll in a repeating pattern without any waste.

Abstract: To provide an air filter that does not cause holding members to peel even in a high temperature environment, and which can be produced quickly and easily. An air filter (10) includes a filter member (12), holding members (14) disposed at both longitudinal side edges of the filter member (12), and non-woven fabric members (16) for fixing the filter member (12) and the holding members (14). The filter member (12) includes a non-woven fabric of thermoplastic microfibers. The holding members (14) have a bending resistance sufficient to maintain its shape and hold the filter member (12) in its pleated state. The non-woven fabric members (16) have a heat resistance with a melting point not lower than 90.degree. C. and a temporary fixing ability capable of being disposed at the edge portions of the filter member (12) without using a jig.

Abstract: A disposable tape tab for a diaper or a like article is provided with at least a fastening tape tab portion and a release tape tab portion, the fastening tape tab portion having a fastening surface which fastening surface is on a face opposite the adhesive surface face of the release tape tab portion. The fastening tape tab portion and said release tape tab portion are joined by at least one adhesive-to-substrate bond with no adhesive layer to adhesive layer contact. Preferably the fastening surface on the fastening tape tab is a pressure sensitive adhesive, with both the fastening tape tab and the release tape tab having a release layer on the face opposite the face having the adhesive layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to water dispersible polymeric films, to processes for the film preparation and materials for use in forming the water dispersible polymeric films.

Abstract: A barrier fabric laminate for use as a cover 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 from fibers of less than about 50 .mu.m diameter on average and is preferably formed with a fluorochemical melt additive by sequentially melt blowing the polyurethane web on a heated collecting drum and laminating in the nip formed by a heated nip roller and the collecting drum.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchange media and device is provided from structural matrix fibers and superabsorbent fibers.