Abstract: Web forming apparatus of this invention includes a fiberizing roll for separating fibers from a feed mat and entraining them in a gaseous medium, a foraminous forming surface through which the gaseous medium passes and upon which the fibers are condensed to form a fibrous web and a formation duct having an upstream end adjacent the fiberizing roll and a downstream end adjacent the forming surface, whereby the formation duct defines a flow path for the gaseous suspension of fibers from the fiberizing roll to the forming surface; the improvement including passageways at opposite sides of the apparatus adjacent the upstream end of the formation duct for communicating the duct with an atmosphere having a lower pressure than that within the duct for removing air to eliminate the adverse effect of vortices which are created by rotation of the fiberizing roll. A method of forming a fibrous web by employing the abovedescribed apparatus also forms a part of this invention.

Abstract: Dispensing devices employed in a bulk package of substantially wet sheets include a substantially flat section having an opening through which successive sheets are adapted to be individually dispensed. The opening includes curved surfaces which are substantially free of sharp angles and bends to provide spaced lobes. Hingedly connected flexible flaps are normally disposed within the spaced lobes in substantially the same plane as the flat section, and the flaps have substantially curved outer margins which are closely positioned to curved surfaces providing the lobes to form restricting channels into which successive sheets are directed during sheet dispensing. Bulk packages including the above-described dispensing device also form a part of this invention.

Abstract: Multilayer, one-piece, disposable diapers according to this invention include a liquid-impervious backing layer adapted to encircle the thigh and waist regions of a wearer and an absorbent pad adapted to contact the wearer in the perineal region. The absorbent pad is bonded to the backing layer over a limited region disposed inwardly of at least two corners of the pad to permit marginal sections of the pad constituting at least about 50% of the total pad area to be moved independently of the backing layer.

Abstract: Light-sensitive diazo compositions which comprise a resorcinol substituted in the 2-position with an alkyl group and in the 4-position with an aralkyl group as the yellow azo coupling component, and diazotype materials prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A method for forming discrete fibrous pads including the steps of entraining fibers in air to form an air-suspension of fibers and directing the suspension selectively to different predetermined regions of a pad-formation assembly to form discrete fibrous pads on the assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved copyboard for an electrophotographic recording apparatus which records information from a document onto a film. The apparatus consists of a transparent copyboard upon which the document is placed, light means for illuminating the document placed on the copyboard, mirror means for directing the reflected light image from the document to the film, and lens means for focusing the light image on the film. The improvement to the copyboard consists of a white border extending around the perimeter of the copyboard on the light means side of the copyboard and a dark border extending around the inside perimeter of the white border and on the document side of the copyboard. The copyboard eliminates the undesirable edge toning on an electrophotographic member by photographically reproducing in the border regions of the member a very dark border strip surrounded by a very light border strip.

Abstract: The flocked filamentary element of this invention is a three-component system including: (1) a strength-imparting component in the form of a core-strand having a denier no greater than 40, and including at least one polymeric filament; (2) an adhesive component adhering the filaments of the core-strand together (when the core-strand includes more than one filament), and providing a layer around the periphery of the core-strand; and (3) an outer flock of substantially individualized cellulosic fibers, such as wood pulp fibers, adhered to the adhesive layer. The individualized cellulosic fibers have an average fiber length in the papermaking range, i.e., less than one-quarter inch (6.35 millimeters) and greater than about one millimeter, and constitute over 50% of the weight of the filamentary element. Fibrous structures, such as non-woven webs, woven webs, knit fabrics and yarns, formed from a plurality of the filamentary elements also constitute a part of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for applying a uniform electrostatic charge to an electrophotographic film through use of a corona discharge electrode positioned close to the film, a high voltage AC potential source connected to the electrode and having a potential greater than the corona threshold potential of the electrode, and a high voltage DC potential source connected to the electrode in series with the AC potential source for biasing the AC potential source, the DC potential source voltage being less than the difference between the voltages of the AC potential source and the corona threshold potential of the electrode. The film is subject to a series of first corona discharges of the desired polarity, of which each discharge is alternated with one of a series of second corona discharges having the opposite polarity and of lesser intensity than the first corona discharges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-nested, two-ply, absorbent fibrous sheet material consisting of two webs which each have a plurality of crests and depressions on its surface facing the other web. The crests on each web are positioned between the crests of the other web and are spaced from the depressions of the other web to leave spaces in the sheet material for increased absorbency and bulk. The two webs are joined together at locations intermediate the crests and depressions of at least one of the webs, preferably by mechanical welding in a manner which produces perforations in the sheet material. Also disclosed is the method and apparatus for making the two-ply sheet material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for forming a nonwoven fibrous web from multiple laps of staple fibers. The apparatus includes lap forming means for forming the laps of staple fibers and for generating air currents. A lap-confining channel is defined in part by an upper horizontal run of a substantially air-impervious conveyor belt, and the horizontal run directs the laps through an open downstream end of the channel. A shield encloses the downstream end of each lap forming means for defining an enclosed flow path from each lap forming means to the lap-confining channel. This enclosed flow path aids in establishing laminar flow of the air currents to form air barriers between adjacent laps, and between the upper horizontal run of the conveyor belt and its adjacent lap.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular disposable diaper having a longitudinal dimension defined between end margins and a shorter transverse dimension defined between side margins is prefolded and packaged in a unique configuration including a double-pleat fold on each side of the diaper. Each double-pleat fold includes an inner panel overlying a central section of the diaper and an outer panel overlying the inner panel. Each outer panel includes two wing sections; one on each side of a transversely extending medial line of the diaper. Therefore, the four wing sections of both outer panels are disposed in pairs of two; one pair being on each side of the transversely extending medial line. The two wing sections which are on the same side of the medial line diverge from each other in a direction from the medial line to an end margin of the diaper. The double-pleat folded diaper is folded along the transversely extending medial line to complete the prefolded configuration in which the diaper is packaged.

Abstract: Method for the dry forming of fibrous pads employ a pad forming member closing the lower end of a pad forming area. The pad forming member preferably is in the form of a condenser roll having three-dimensional pockets, or cavities about the periphery thereof. Each cavity includes an opening into it, and the cavities are brought into communication with the pad forming area as the condenser roll is continuously driven during operation of the apparatus. Each cavity is defined by foraminous bottom and side surfaces, the surface area of which is greater than the surface area of the opening into it. An air suspension of fibers is formed in the pad forming area, and a vacuum is applied through the foraminous surfaces of each cavity when it is disposed in the pad forming area to pull the air of the suspension through the foraminous surfaces, and deposit the fibers carried in the air suspension onto the foraminous surfaces in the form of a fibrous layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for holding and detecting correct placement of a photosensitive film on a carrier in a photographic reproduction apparatus for imaging the film. The carrier has an alignment surface against which the film is firmly held when imaged. Vacuum means are provided which are operably connected to the alignment surface for holding the film securely to the alignment surface. Air passageway means operably connected to the vacuum means are provided in the alignment surface, the air passageway means being of a size and in a position to form a closed vacuum system which permits a high vacuum level only when the film is correctly placed on the carrier. Vacuum level detecting means operably connected to the vacuum means are provided for detecting the level of the vacuum, and therefore, correct placement of the film on the carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for securing the free end of a roll of fibrous web material to the body of the roll while the roll is uninterruptedly conveyed through the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly useful for securing the free end of fibrous web material which has a pattern-disposition of blockable bonding material disposed in the web for bonding fibers together.