Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single step sterilization wrapping material suitable for use, as an example, in wrapping surgical instruments and supplies for sterilization, transportation and storage. The material includes separate inner and outer wraps which, unlike previous wraps, are joined to one another. Common wrapping techniques involve wrapping items to be sterilized with two separate sheets of wrap. The present invention provides separate wraps which can be specially engineered to deliver specific properties for each sheet and then joined to one another so as to permit wrapping and opening in a neat single step process which increases efficiency and saves time and money. In special situations the outer wrap can be engineered with increased strength, the inner wrap with increased barrier properties and the inner and outer wraps can be made visually distinct from one another so that improper wrapping or opening is not a problem.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous device adapted to remove particulates from a fluid passed through the device. The device includes a porous filtration medium. The medium has a first surface having an area which is adapted to receive the fluid for passage through the medium and a second surface from which the fluid exits the medium. The device is configured to variably increase the area of the first surface in response to a differential in fluid pressure between the first surface and the second surface so as to extend the life of the device. In some embodiments the device is adapted to retain the increase in surface area which acts as a visual indication that the device is reaching its capacity to retain particulates.

Abstract: A distinctive article can include an elastomerically stretchable side panel having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension. A member of hook material is operably connected to a first, laterally outboard edge portion of the side panel, and each member of hook material includes a hook base layer which has an appointed fastening region and an appointed grip region. The fastening region has a plurality of hook elements which are integrally formed with the base layer and extend away from a base plane of the hook base layer. The hook elements are configured to operably engage a selected, cooperating loop material. The grip region has a relatively lower density of the hook elements per unit area, as compared to the fastening region. The fastening region is interposed between the side panel and the grip region. The grip region provides a laterally terminal edge of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distinctive absorbent article which includes a pair of fastening means which are located along the longitudinal side portions of the absorbent article. The fastening means are configured to releasably connect the rear portion of the absorbent article to the front portion of the absorbent article to encircle the waist of the wearer and create a waist opening. At least one of the fastening means includes a primary fastener and a secondary fastener. The primary fastener is configured to releasably connect the rear portion of the absorbent article with the front portion of the absorbent article to maintain the absorbent article in a close conforming fit about a waist of a wearer when in use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lanate composite elastic material made by a method including the steps of applying a tensioning force to elongate at least one pressure sensitive elastomer adhesive sheet; inserting substantially individualized fibrous materials into the elastic sheet by mechanical needling the elastomer sheet while it is maintained in an elongated condition; and releasing the tensioning force so the attached fibrous materials are positioned closer together by the recovery of the elastic sheet. The resulting lanate composite elastic material has stretch and recovery properties, bulk, and desirable insulation properties. One or more layers of the lanate composite material may be combined with other layers of material to create a multi-layer structure.

Abstract: An absorbent article with an outer perimeter is disclosed having a cover, a baffle, an absorbent core and a barrier means for intercepting fluid migrating from the absorbent core toward the outer perimeter of the sanitary napkin. The absorbent core has a protuberance that extends above a plane that is parallel to the absorbent core periphery. The barrier can encircle the protuberance so that in use the barrier effectively forms a gasket between the wearer's body, such as the crotch and/or thighs and the absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention provides conjugate fibers having an ethylene polymer component and a propylene polymer component, which are highly crimpable even at fine deniers. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics made from the fibers. The propylene polymer component of the conjugate fiber contains a propylene polymer having a melt flow rate between about 50 g/10 min. and 200 g/10 min. as measured in accordance with ASTM D1238, Testing Condition 230/2.16.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a crimp-bonded fibrous cellulosic laminate. The process includes the steps of: 1) providing at least two superposed plies of a fibrous cellulosic material; 2) passing the superposed plies through a crimp roll arrangement including a rotating crimp element and a rotating anvil element; and 3) applying a pressure load against the rotating elements sufficient to crimp bond the fibrous cellulosic material plies into a laminate. The crimp element has protruding members configured in a discontinuous pattern aligned on an axis that is parallel to the cross-machine direction to provide a substantially continuous uniform area of localized surface contacts between the rotating crimp and anvil elements across the width of the plies. Also disclosed is an overall crimp-bonded fibrous cellulosic laminate and an apparatus for crimp-bonding multiple superposed plies of a fibrous cellulosic material.

Abstract: An improved-strength, polymer-reinforced paper which includes fibers, of which at least about 30 percent on a dry weight basis are eucalyptus fibers; and from about 15 to about 60 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the fibers, of a latex binder.

Abstract: A method of treating a coreless rolls of absorbent paper product such as toilet tissue so as to make it easier for a user to center a winding axis of the coreless roll with respect to a dispenser. The method includes the steps of: (a) positioning a tool adjacent to at least one side of the coreless roll so that the tool is substantially centered with respect to the winding axis of the roll; and (b) pressing the tool into the side of the roll to form a visible depression in the side of the roll that is centered with respect to the winding axis of the roll, the tool being wetted prior to completion of the step of pressing the tool into the side of the roll. An embodiment of the invention encompasses the step of wetting the roll prior to pressing the tool into the side of the roll.

Abstract: Paper products such as bathroom tissue, facial tissue, napkins and paper towels are made from high coarseness fibers such as recycled newsprint fibers, CTMP, TMP, and groundwood. These products exhibit premium level qualities in terms of softness, bulk, and flexibility. The novel process selectively treats these high coarseness fibers in a way that makes the fibers feel softer and enhances papermachine operation with this type of furnish, thereby permitting higher product quality levels than previously possible with high coarseness fibers.

Abstract: A polymeric fabric having enhanced wettability, a method for producing such wettable polymeric fabric, and a composition for use in the method. The polymeric fabric is preferably a nonwoven. In one embodiment, the fabric includes a succinate surfactant substantially uniformly distributed on the surface of the fabric. The succinate surfactant is applied with a co-wetting aid which reduces the surface tension of the surfactant composition. In another embodiment, the polymeric fabric comprises multiple surfactants on the surface of the polymeric fabric. The first surfactant has a cloud point less than 50.degree. C. and a low solubility in water and is dispersible in water. The second surfactant comprises a succinate surfactant. The first and second surfactants are applied to the fabric in an aqueous solution preferably with a co-wetting aid such as a primary or secondary alcohol.

Abstract: There is provided herein a ribbed clothlike nonwoven fabric made by a method comprising the steps of providing a nonwoven web of thermoplastic polymer of staple length or longer fibers or filaments having a pattern of fused bond areas wherein the pattern has at least one space and at least one unit width, as defined herein, in a ratio of at least 0.30, and then extending the web up to less than the breaking point of the fibers or filaments in at least one direction. The product which is thereby produced is a ribbed clothlike nonwoven fabric comprising a web of thermoplastic polymer of staple length or longer fibers or filaments having a pattern of fused bond areas wherein the pattern has space and unit width in a ratio of at least 0.30, and wherein the fabric has been extended up to less than the breaking point of the fibers or filaments in at least one direction so as to produce ribs.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an outer cover, a bodyside liner, and an absorbent assembly disposed between the bodyside liner and outer cover. At least one of the bodyside liner and outer cover form side marginal portions which extend beyond the absorbent assembly. Elastic members of the absorbent article have a width dimension extending between opposite inner and outer edges, an inner zone adjacent the inner edge, and an outer zone adjacent the outer edge. The elastic members are elasticized over substantially the entire width dimension. The outer zone of each of the elastic members is bonded to one of the side marginal portions, and the inner zone of each of the elastic members forms a freestanding leg cuff.

Abstract: A polymeric fabric treated with a composition for increasing the resistance to removal by an aqueous liquid of surfactants from the fabric. The fabric is made of fibers having a plurality of fiber-fiber interstices at junctions of two or more fibers. The composition includes water, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant which is structurally dissimilar to and less soluble in water than the first surfactant. One of the first and second surfactants has a solubility in water at 20.degree. C. no greater than about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the water. The first and second surfactants are adapted to preferentially locate in the fiber-fiber interstices and resist removal therefrom by aqueous liquid. The preferential location of the surfactants in the fiber-fiber interstices of the fabric is accomplished by working the fabric after application of the composition to the fabric.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for spraying an adhesive in a selected pattern on a continuously moving web. The apparatus and methods include at least one nozzle which is supplied with a predetermined volumetric flow of adhesive. A pressure regulating mechanism is used to maintain a back pressure at the nozzle when the nozzle is operated in an off position to provide an instantaneous spray of adhesive from the nozzle when the nozzle is operated from the off position to an on position. The nozzle is configured to spray the entire predetermined volumetric flow of adhesive when operated in the on position.