Abstract: Disclosed is a stretchable metallized nonwoven web composed of at least one nonwoven web of non-elastomeric thermoplastic polymer fibers, the nonwoven web having been heated and then necked so that it is adapted to stretch in a direction parallel to neck-down at least about 10 percent more than an identical untreated nonwoven web of fibers; and a metallic coating substantially covering at least a portion of at least one side of the nonwoven web. The nonwoven web of non-elastomeric thermoplastic polymer fibers can be a nonwoven web of non-elastomeric meltblown thermoplastic polymer fibers. The stretchable metallized nonwoven web may be joined with other materials to form multi-layer laminates. Also disclosed is a process of making a stretchable metallized nonwoven web.

Abstract: A method for forming thinned areas in a thin sheet material. The method includes the steps of (1) placing the thin sheet 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 sheet material; (2) conveying the sheet material, while placed on the pattern anvil, through an area where a fluid is applied to the sheet material; and (3) subjecting the sheet material to a sufficient amount of ultrasonic vibrations in the area where the fluid is applied to the sheet material to area thin the sheet material in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the pattern anvil. In some embodiments, the thinned areas may be micro areas.

Abstract: A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, which web is capable of both interfiber and intrafiber liquid transportation. The web includes shaped fibers, which fibers define a notch, which notch defines an angle alpha such that .alpha.<180.degree.-2.theta. wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and the shaped fiber. The nonwoven web further includes high-absorbency material in fluid communication with said nonwoven web in an area wherein intrafiber liquid transport occurs.

Abstract: An extrudable elastomeric composition including an elastomeric A-B-A' block copolymer where A and A' are each a thermoplastic polymer endblock and where B is a conjugated diene monomer unit having a low degree of residual ethylenic unsaturation; a polyolefin; and an effective amount of a transition metal compound which is substantially uniformly distributed in the blend containing the polyolefin and block copolymer so that the extrudable elastomeric composition is adapted form an elastic sheet that is degraded after less than about 30 days continuous exposure to a thermally oxidative environment. The transition metal compound may be a salt or complex of cobalt and/or manganese and is added in an amount that will provide at least about 0.01 percent, by weight, of the transition metal in the extrudable composition.

Abstract: A pleated, adjustable strap member is useful in securing a garment to a wearer. The strap member has first and second strap ends and can be attached to the garment adjacent the strap ends. The strap member also includes an elastic region and a pleated region, both located between the strap ends. The pleated region includes at least one Z-fold that is maintained with a releasable bond.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven web having delayed antimicrobial activity, in that the web does not exhibit antimicrobial activity upon its formation but develops such activity within from about three hours to about 30 days thereafter without any post-formation treatment, which method involves the steps of (1) melting a mixture consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin, an additive, and a retardant coadditive; (2) forming fibers by extruding the resulting melt through under defined conditions of shear and throughput; (3) drawing the fibers; and (4) collecting the fibers on a moving foraminous surface as a web of entangled fibers. The additive is a defined siloxane quaternary ammonium salt having a weight average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 2,000 and a polydispersity of up to about 3.0. The additive is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin.

Abstract: Uniformly embossed facial tissue having a continuous or closely-spaced discontinuous embossing pattern and having from about 1 to about 40 distinct individual unembossed areas per square inch of tissue is considered to be a consumer-preferred facial tissue. In addition, the embossing intensity (as determined by the Shadow Index defined herein) is preferably within the range of from about 3 to about 25.

Abstract: A growth adjustable diaper for newborn babies is adjustable in length by use of a foldable absorbent panel at the front edge of the diaper, and is adjustable about the waist of the baby by means of ear members that can overlap and attach to each other or not overlap and attach to the front section of the diaper. Cushion barriers are provided at the crotch section and back waist edge to protect the newborn's sensitive, tender skin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising first and second surge management layers and an absorbent layer located between said first and second surge management layers. The first surge management layer comprises synthetic polymeric fibers and the second surge management layer comprises hydrophilic fibers. The density of the absorbent layer is greater than the density of the first and second surge management layers.

Abstract: An abrasion-resistant elastic cloth which exhibits excellent dust pickup and dust retention is disclosed. A dust mop head cover may be formed from the cloth fabric. The dust mop head cover may be secured to the mop head without fasteners.

Abstract: An absorbent feminine hygiene article has an external absorbent pad for disposition against the labia majora of a user, and a nonabsorbent flexible sheath for extending into the vagina. The sheath intercepts body fluid in the vagina and directs it to the external pad. A conducting layer conducts fluid so intercepted by the sheath to an absorbing surface on the interior of the external pad, the interior absorbing surface being displaced from the user's body by a primary mass of an absorbent layer.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven web is formed from elastic fibers composed of a blend of (1) a styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymer or a mixture of a styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene elastomeric block copolymer and a styrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-styrene elastomeric block copolymer, and (2) a tackifying resin in which the elastic nonwoven web has a stress relaxation of less than about 30 percent. The blend used to form the elastic nonwoven web and/or elastic fibers may also include a polyolefin and an extending oil.

Abstract: A distinctive article has first and second waistband sections, and an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections. The article comprises a backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body interposed between the backsheet and topsheet layers. At least one adhesive tape member connects to the first waistband section. The tape member has a factory-bond section for connecting the tape member to the first waistband section, and a user-bond section for securing the article on a wearer. The user-bond section connects to a finger tab which includes a non-securing grasping section thereof. In particular embodiments, the grasping section can comprise a layer of absorbent material.

Abstract: A distinctive apparatus for contouring a fibrous web includes a supplying mechanism for providing a fibrous web which defines an interconnected series of appointed article segments along a length dimension of the web. A conveying mechanism moves the web at a selected speed along an appointed machine direction. A scarfing mechanism removes predetermined quantities of fibers from selected regions of the fibrous web. The scarfing mechanism is constructed to provide each of the article segments with a selected contoured basis weight which varies at least along the length dimension of the segment in a selected correspondence with a predetermined scarfing pattern. The scarfing pattern is provided by an outer peripheral surface of the scarfing mechanism, and the pattern is configured to have a selected variation at least along a movement direction of the scarfing mechanism.

Abstract: A distinctive apparatus and method for selectively providing predetermined segments of web material comprises a supplying mechanism for providing the web material. A first sensing mechanism detects a reference marker on the web material to generate at least one reference marker datum which is associated with a selected web segment. A separating mechanism includes a sensor mechanism for providing at least one separation datum, and divides the web material along a separation region during a production of the web segment. A phase regulating mechanism controls a relative phasing between the reference marker detected by the first sensing mechanism and the dividing by the separating mechanism. The phasing is conducted with respect to a set reference value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of coloring cigarette paper. Cigarette paper is made by forming a furnish, adding at least one colorant to the furnish, forming a sheet of paper from the thus treated furnish, and adding at least one colorant to the paper to produce a variety of tans/browns and red-brown cigarette wrapper.

Abstract: A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains more than about 70 percent, by weight, pulp fibers which are hydraulically entangled into a continuous filament substrate. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: A bag for receiving and containing a substantially stacked array of selected articles includes a flexible front panel which has two opposed side edge regions, a top edge region, and an appointed lengthwise stack direction. A flexible back panel has two opposed side edge regions and a top edge region, and is connected in facing relation to the front panel along the side edge regions thereof. A flexible top gusset connects to the top edge regions of the front and back panels. The top gusset and one or more of the front and back panels have an appointed line of frangibility extending at least partially there across along a direction which is transverse to the stack direction. The line of frangibility is entirely spaced from each of the panel side edge regions by a distance which is not less than 1/2 a width dimension of the stacked array of articles.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven web having delayed wettability, in that the web is not wettable by water upon its formation but becomes wettable within from about three hours to about 30 days thereafter without any post-formation treatment, which method involves the steps of (1) melting a mixture consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin, and additive, and a retardant coadditive; (2) forming fibers by extruding the resulting melt through under defined conditions of shear and throughput; (3) drawing the fibers; and (4) collecting the fibers on a moving foraminous surface as a web of entangled fibers. The additive is a defined polysiloxane polyether having a molecular weight of from about 700 to about 1,300 and a polydispersity of from about 1.3 to about 3.0. The additive is present in an amount of from about 1.8 to about 3.0 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin.

Abstract: A structure for selectively absorbing an oily contaminant from an aqueous environment comprising a plurality of sheets of nonwoven oleophilic fibers arranged in superposition to form a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, the configuration may be maintained in shape and has a major surface formed by sheet edges so that when contacting an oily containment, the contaminant is selectively absorbed into the structure through wicking action. These structures may be combined to form booms or the like and stacked in a particular configuration for easy storage, transportation and deployment.