Abstract: Embossing a web between unmatched male and female embossing elements, wherein the sidewall slope of the female element is different than the sidewall slope of the male element, provides an embossed web having markedly improved embossing pattern definition and, in the case of roll products, greater roll bulk at equivalent roll firmness. The unmatched male and female embossing elements are preferably made by laser engraving rubber embossing rolls.

Abstract: A porous structure of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material which porous structure possesses improved free swell capacity and is able to demonstrate said improved free swell capacity when in contact with an absorbent material such as a cellulosic fibrous web. Also disclosed is a method of making such a porous polymeric structure. The method comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water suspension, wherein the water phase contains a water-soluble monomer and a crosslinking agent and the oil phase is a volatile organic compound having a boiling point greater than the boiling point of water. The monomer present in the water phase is polymerized to form a polymeric material having dispersed therein the oil phase. The resultant polymeric material is then dried at a temperature above the boiling point of water, such that the volatile organic compound volatilizes thereby forming pores in the polymeric material, which pores have a diameter of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed is an abrasion resistant fibrous nonwoven structure composed of (1) a matrix of meltblown fibers having a first exterior surface, a second exterior surface, and an interior portion; and (2) at least one other fibrous material integrated into the meltblown fiber matrix so that the concentration of meltblown fibers adjacent each exterior surface of the nonwoven structure is at least about 60 percent, by weight, and the concentration of meltblown fibers in the interior portion is less than about 40 percent, by weight. This fibrous nonwoven structure provides useful strength and low-lint characteristics as well as an abrasion resistance that is at least about 25 percent greater than that of homogenous mixture of the same components. The fibrous nonwoven structure of the present invention may be used as a moist wipe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high wicking liquid absorbent composite suitable for a wide number of uses including personal care products and the process for making the same. The composite is made from a relatively uniform mixture of from about 5 to about 20 percent fine wettable fiber, from about 3 to about 30 percent pulp fibers, from about 50 to about 90 percent superabsorbent and from 0 to about 10 percent binder, the percentages being on a dry weight basis. The mixture is compressed into a composite having a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 grams per cubic centimeter and a vertical wicking height of at least about 10 centimeters in one hour. The process involves forming a sheet comprising 50 to 90 percent fine wettable fiber and 10 to 50 percent pulp fiber on a dry weight basis. The sheet is then fiberized into a plurality of individual fibers within an air stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid evacuation system which is particularly well-suited for removing liquids from the site of a surgical procedure. In one configuration the system is in the form of a pad which can be placed directly on a patient or used in conjunction with a surgical drape. The pad is connected to a vacuum source and as fluids flow across the top surface of the pad, they are drawn down into a fluid receiving chamber and then removed via a suction line. As a result, fluids present during a surgical procedure are taken completely away from the operating site. In another configuration, the system is in the form of a suction rail which operates in the same fashion but can be molded or formed into a particular shape and then attached to a surgical drape in the expected path of fluid run-off.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon is disclosed for absorbing menstrual fluid. The tampon includes a compressed pledget having a major and a minor radius of curvature. Zones of different density fibers are arranged adjacent to each radius of curvature and the zones can extend substantially the entire length of the pledget. The pledget is constructed of absorbent fibers which are enclosed by a cover. A withdrawal string is attached to the pledget and facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina. The absorbent is compressed into an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped pledget having a zone of high density fibers and a zone of low density fibers. After compression, the low density fibers will expand and form a curved tampon.

Abstract: There is disclosed an animal litter composition and a package for the composition. The composition constitutes decorticated flax straw which as been screened to particle sizes between about 10 and 22 U.S. Screen Mesh. The litter further includes a virucidal composition and a fragrance. The virucidal composition includes from about 0.05 to about 5 percent by weight based on the dry weight of the decorticated flax straw of a preferably anionic surfactant, and at least about 2 percent, based on the dry weight of the decorticated flax straw of at least one acid selected from a group consisting of citric, malic, and mixtures of the acids.The animal litter package constitutes a bag formed from a web of film, nonwoven/film laminates, film/paper laminate or wax/paper laminate in which the animal litter is contained prior to use. The bag can then be opened to serve as a litter box liner. Once the litter has been used, the edges of the bag can be regathered to form a bag for disposal of the litter.

Abstract: The throughdryability of dewatered, but wet, sheets made from papermaking fibers can be significantly increased by subjecting an aqueous suspension of the fibers at high consistency to elevated temperatures with sufficient working of the fibers. Such a treatment is particularly effective for improving the efficiency of throughdrying processes used in the manufacture of certain products, such as tissues and paper towels, made from furnishes having a significant amount of secondary or recycled fibers.

Abstract: The properties of (meth)acrylic ester/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer webs, such as films and nonwovens, are improved by blending the ester/acid copolymer with a modified polyolefin, such as an ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer and/or a styrene/butadiene block copolymer, and a polyether block amide copolymer. The copolymer blend provides a polymeric material which is useful for making personal care products such as diapers and feminine pads in that it can be made water-soluble in alkaline solutions while exhibiting other properties which are necessary for adequate product performance. Such materials are also useful for packaging products, such as film for plastic bags and the like.

Abstract: A polymeric composition specifically adapted to absorb blood and other proteinaceous fluids and having repeating units, said polymeric composition comprising pendant neutralized carboxyl groups (salts) and pendant carboxyl groups. The polymeric composition is characterized in that the ratio of pendant neutralized carboxyl groups to pendant carboxyl groups is within the range of from about 1:9 to about 9:11, at least about 20 mole percent of the repeating units comprise a pendant neutralized carboxyl group or a pendant carboxyl group, and at least about 50 percent of the pendant neutralized carboxyl groups have been neutralized with a potassium or lithium base.

Abstract: A melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition is provided which includes a thermoplastic polyolefin and an additive system made up of a first component and a second component, in which (A) the first component is a defined polysiloxane polyether having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 18,000 and which is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin; and (B) the second component is a hydrophobic fumed silica, in which the weight ratio of the first component to the second component is in the range of from about 20 to about 300. Such composition yields, upon melt-extrusion, either nonwoven webs having significantly increased tensile strengths when compared to nonwoven webs prepared from the thermoplastic polyolefin alone, or wettable webs requiring an amount of first component which is significantly less than that required in the absence of the second component.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for depositing a pattern of material, such as hot-melt adhesive, onto a substrate comprises a supplying mechanism for forming a first and at least a second substantially continuous stream of the selected material, and a gas-directing mechanism for forming a plurality of gas streams. The gas streams have selected velocities and are arranged to entrain the material streams to impart a swirling motion to each of the material streams as it moves toward the substrate. A transport mechanism moves the substrate relative to the supply mechanism along a selected machine direction. A regulating mechanism controls the supplying mechanism and gas-directing mechanism to direct the material stream in a selected path toward the substrate and deposit the material in adjacent semi-cycloidal patterns on the substrate while closely controlling a selected cross-directional positioning of one or more of the deposited patterns.

Abstract: A structure for absorbing and transporting a liquid. The structure includes a masking layer having from 0 to about 90 weight percent shaped fibers and a distribution layer having from 100 to about 10 weight percent shaped fibers.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing and retaining human exudate. The article includes an absorbent having a first surface facing the body of a user and a second surface aligned approximately opposite to the first surface. A liquid-impermeable baffle is positioned adjacent to at least the second surface of the absorbent while a fluid-permeable cover is positioned adjacent to at least the first surface of the absorbent. A deodorizing mixture is positioned within the article and is positioned to remain dry for a substantial period of time. The mixture is an anhydrous, non-buffer blend of at least basic and pH neutral odor absorbing particles.

Abstract: A nonwoven web of poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers which is prepared by a method comprising the steps of (1) preparing an aqueous polymer solution of a defined poly(vinyl alcohol); (2) extruding the resulting polymer solution under defined conditions through a die having a plurality of orifices to form a plurality of threadlines; (3) attenuating the resulting threadlines with a defined primary gaseous source to form fibers under conditions of controlled macro scale turbulence and under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline, as it leaves a die orifice and for a distance of no more than about 8 cm, to incrementally increase with increasing distance from the die, while substantially maintaining uniformity of viscosity in the radial direction, at a rate which is sufficient to provide fibers having the desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage; (4) drying the attenuated threadlines with a defined secondary gaseous source; and (5) depositing the resulting fi

Abstract: A threadlike or ribbonlike elastic strand is provided with a substantially continuous filament of adhesive helically wrapped around the elastic strand. The elastic strand is suitable for use in disposable absorbent products such as diapers and adult incontinent products. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for making such adhesive-wrapped elastic strands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite elastic necked-bonded material including at least one necked material joined to at least one elastic sheet. The composite elastic necked-bonded material is stretchable in a direction generally parallel to the direction of constriction or necking of the necked material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a composite elastic necked-bonded material by necking a neckable material and then joining the necked material to an elastic sheet.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric made with multicomponent polymeric strands includes a blend of a polyolefin and ethylene alkyl acrylate in one side or the sheath of the multicomponent polymeric strands. The fabric has improved abrasion resistance, strength, toughness and softness properties. Composite materials including such multicomponent material bonded to both sides of an inner meltblown layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of (1) placing the thin thermoplastic film material on a pattern anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is generally less than the thickness of the film material; (2) conveying the thermoplastic film material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a liquid is applied to the film material; and (3) subjecting the thermoplastic film material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the liquid is applied to the film material to emboss the film material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil.

Abstract: A surface-segregatable, melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition is provided which includes (A) a thermoplastic polypropylene-polyethylene block copolymer in which the polyethylene blocks constitute from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the copolymer and (B) a defined trisiloxane polyether additive having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 1,400, which additive is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic block copolymer. The use of the block copolymer unexpectedly permits the use of significantly reduced amounts of additive while still providing nonwoven webs which are immediately wettable and which do not become significantly less wettable over time.