Abstract: A hydrophilic binder fiber. These fibers may be produced by co-spinning a polyolefin core material with a highly wettable aliphatic polyester blend sheath material. The highly wettable aliphatic polyester blend comprises an unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a mixture of such polymers, or a copolymer of such polymers; a multicarboxylic acid; and a wetting agent. The hydrophilic binder fiber exhibits substantially improved biodegradable properties, yet is easily processed. The hydrophilic binder fiber may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for compacting a web (12) which contains a superabsorbent material (32) can include a plasticizing of the superabsorbent material contained in the web (12), and a compressing of the web (12) at a relatively low pressure. The selected, low pressure can be arranged to substantially avoid an excessive fracturing of the superabsorbent material.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided having an adhesive on the bodyfacing surface for securement of the article to the wearer. The adhesive has a rheological property tan &dgr; at 20° C. ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.6 at a frequency of about 0.1 radian per second and a tan &dgr; ranging from about 0.1 to about 1.7 at a frequency of about 1000 radians per second. Preferably the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A composition comprises a polyolefin, such as polyethylene, as a major constituent and poly(ethylene oxide) as a minor constituent. The composition exhibits an inverse phase morphology so that the poly(ethylene oxide) forms a continuous phase and the polyolefin forms a dispersed or discontinuous phase in the film. Desirably, the polyolefin and the poly(ethylene oxide) are grafted with a polar, vinyl monomer. The composition can be used in disposable personal hygiene articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a napkin assembly for a dispenser. The napkin assembly may include a first napkin sheet further including a plurality of napkins and a second napkin sheet further including a plurality of napkins. Each napkin of both sheets having a basis weight from about 20 gsm to about 40 gsm may be connected to an adjacent napkin in series by a plurality of tabs. The second napkin sheet may be positioned proximate to the first napkin sheet in an offset relation and the first and second napkin sheets may be formed into a nested configuration for dispensing.

Abstract: A device for protecting the face of a wearer is provided and includes a gas pervious mask dimensioned to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer. A shield is coupled to the gas pervious mask. The shield is at least partially transparent over the eyes of the wearer. The shield is dimensioned to cover the gas pervious mask and the eyes of the wearer.

Abstract: There is provided a personal care product having an osmolality changing agent incorporated into it which achieves the objects of this invention. The agent can reduce skin hydration significantly by increasing the osmolality of a solution outside of, but in contact with, the skin, in order to cause water to move across the skin cellular boundary to dilute the solution. Such a material is preferably compatible with modern fiber forming processes like spunbonding and meltblowing. The reduction of skin hydration may reduce redness and irritation due to contact with fluids.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: A low density, wet-creped paper web having improved levels of tensile strength, tear strength and thickness. The web has a distribution of densified regions corresponding to the distribution of knuckles on a drying fabric. Generally speaking, these densified regions should be distributed so that the distance between at least a portion of the densified regions is less than or equal to the length of the longest fiber in the furnish (e.g., pulp fibers and/or other fibers) used to make the paper web. The wet-creped paper web is removed from a Yankee dryer at a dryness of between 45 and 65% and then passed to the after dryer section of a paper machine. An after dryer fabric is pressed into the wet base web to transfer the topography of the after dryer fabric to the web and to generate improved tensile strength, tear strength and thickness. The wet base web is pressed into the drying fabric utilizing a nip before the web is 70% dry.

Abstract: A method for making throughdried tissue products includes a throughdryer which functions without a throughdrying fabric. The tissue web is formed in a conventional manner and dewatered to a high consistency prior to being transferred to the surface of the throughdryer. The inside of the throughdryer is operated with a vacuum while a hot air hood serves to blow hot air through the web into the dryer. In one embodiment, the surface of the throughdrying drum is provided with circumferential ridges to impart bulk and cross-machine directional stretch to the resulting tissue. A doctor blade having ridges which intermesh with the circumferential ridges on the throughdryer surface can be used to skim the dried sheet from the dryer surface.

Abstract: An article (10) has a lengthwise longitudinal direction (26), a lateral cross-direction (24), a first article portion (12), a second article portion (14), and a fastener (36) for securing the first article portion (12) to the second article portion (14). The fastener (36) includes at least one first fastener component (70) attached to a lateral side section (86) of the first article portion (12), and a cooperating, second fastener component (72) attached to the second article portion (14). The first fastener component includes an engagement substrate (56) having an appointed lift region (54), and a plurality of engagement members (40), such as the representatively shown hook members, which are operably attached to extend away from the engagement substrate. The lift region (54) is disposed along at least a longitudinally extending, outboard edge of the engagement substrate (56), and the lift region contains a plurality of engagement members which have been substantially deactivated.

Abstract: A soap dispenser of the type in which a disposable soap cartridge is maintained in a wall-mounted housing is configured for automatic operation. A quantity of soap is dispensed when a user's hand, detected by optical reflectivity, is located proximate to the dispenser housing. In order to prevent reliance on AC power, the device is powered from self-contained batteries and/or solar power cells. In one embodiment, a generally flat battery may be included with the disposable soap cartridge such that a new battery is provided each time the cartridge is replaced. Alternatively, or in addition, solar panels may be located on the dispenser housing. The solar panels may be used to charge energy storage components located in the housing, such as a rechargeable battery or storage capacitors. The solar panels are preferably of a type which is suitably efficient in fluorescent (blue) lighting conditions.

Abstract: A reaction for eliminating a functional group alpha to a carbonyl group. The reaction can be used to dehydrate a compound having an alcohol group alpha to a carbonyl group by reacting the compound in a non-aqueous non-polar solvent in the presence of an effective amount of a transition metal salt, such as zinc chloride, such that the alcohol group is dehydrated. This Nohr-MacDonald Elimination Reaction produces a light stable compound, which can be added to compositions for light stabilization of a colorant. The modified compound may be combined with a wave-length selective sensitizer.

Abstract: A shoe or foot covering with slip-resistant properties is disclosed. In particulars the foot covering includes slip-resistant portions made from a polymeric material that are preferably applied to the bottom surface of the foot covering. The polymeric material contains a metallocene catalyzed branch copolymer which has rubber-like properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for transporting and reorienting items between two locations. The apparatus includes first and second upstanding members each having a first end and a second end. The first and second upstanding members are joined together at the first ends by a third member to form a frame. A track is formed in the first, second and third members which defines a path which spans at least 180 degrees and a set of four sprockets interact with the track. A movable member is positioned within the track and is looped around the set of four sprockets. An integral carrier is secured to the movable member. The integral carrier includes first and second members each having a first end, and a third member affixed to the first ends of the first and second members to form a nonadjustable, approximately C-shaped configuration wherein the first and second members are permanently spaced apart from one another and aligned in a parallel relationship.