Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T.sub.1 --wherein the treatment requires a period of time T.sub.R sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a period of time T.sub.2 ; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T.sub.3. Periods of time T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as T.sub.R.

Abstract: A permeable, liquid flow control material composed of: 1) a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which have a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes/cm; and 2) amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet so that the adsorbed amphiphilic protein coating provides controlled wettability along at least one dimension of the liquid flow control material. Desirably, the liquid flow control material is substantially free of fugitive amphiphilic proteins. The material may be used as a permeable, bodyside cover material for absorbent personal care products.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition for treating a high pulp content nonwoven web is provided. The flame retardant composition includes soluble solids formed from inorganic salts, such as ammonium polyphosphate and sulfur. The TGA range of such soluble solids is from about 175.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C. The flame retardant composition may be continuously and uniformly applied to the high pulp content nonwoven web by a non-compressive process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous cleanser formulation comprising a blend of paramenthadienes together with one or more surfactants and/or solubilisers. Such a formulation has been found to be capable of removing a wide range of heavy soils from the skin surface whilst leaving minimal residual odour.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T.sub.1 --wherein the treatment requires a period of time T.sub.R sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a period of time T.sub.2 ; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T.sub.3. Periods of time T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as T.sub.R.

Abstract: An overfill prevention system for an folded sheet dispenser. The system is composed of: 1) a cover including a front face, a first side panel, a second side panel and a top panel; 2) a mounting frame adapted to hold a supply of folded sheets and to engage the cover, the mounting frame including a back panel and a bottom portion having at least one dispensing opening; and 3) at least one overfill bracket movably connected to the mounting frame such that an over-capacity of folded sheets in the mounting frame displaces the overfill bracket to prevent the mounting frame from engaging the cover. The system may include means to prevent deformation of the cover to override an overfill bracket displaced by an over-capacity of folded sheets. The system may include over-fill bracket with sloped surface to prevent folded sheets from being positioned over the overfill bracket. Desirably, the cover is pivotally attached to the mounting frame by links.

Abstract: A gravity-operated apparatus for sequentially dispensing sheet material from rolls of sheet material. The apparatus includes a housing having an opening; a rotatable turret; arms extending perpendicularly from the rotatable turret, each arm being offset and extending a sufficient distance to provide clearance for a roll of sheet material; a cantilevered spindle extending from a distal portion of each arm so that each spindle is positioned generally parallel to the rotating turret and is adapted to receive a roll of sheet material; means on each spindle to secure the roll of sheet material on the spindle; and a limit gate. Each cantilevered spindle extends from a distal portion of each arm so that the weight of a full roll of sheet material on the spindle urges the turret to rotate placing a full roll of sheet material at a dispensing position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of attaching a substantially uniform distribution of particulates to individual exposed surfaces of a matrix of fibrous material. The method includes the following steps: 1) electrically charging a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces to create a substantially uniform distribution of charged sites at the exposed surfaces; 2) applying particulates to the charged matrix of fibrous material so that at least some particulates adhere at the charged sites; and 3) attaching particulates adhering to the fibrous material at charged sites by substantially non-transient bonding. Also disclosed is a fibrous composite structure composed of a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces; and a relatively uniform distribution of particulate material attached to individual exposed surfaces of the fibrous material by substantially non-transient bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for securing elastic to a flexible backing for use in catamenial pads. The apparatus includes means for feeding the backing sheet onto a first drum having a plurality of surface grooves formed therein. The backing sheet is pulled into each of the grooves such as by a vacuum. A strip of elastic is then placed across each of the grooves and anchored at its respective ends. The backing sheet is then drawn off of the drum and extended so that the elastic is stretched to overlay the backing sheet. The apparatus further includes means for adhering portions of the elastic intermediate the anchored ends to the backing sheet while the elastic is in its extended position. The method for applying the elastic material to the backing sheet uses the apparatus discussed above.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel staged release bag formed of a generally thermoplastic film material preferably having multiple layers and having discrete cuts formed therein including wickets holes, stabilizing cuts and release paths, and which is useful in an automated packaging operation, and a method for making said bag from a continuous tube or sheet of plastic material.