Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biodegradable latex web material which is suitable as a replacement for plastic in a wide variety of uses due to its good overall strength and its ratio of wet strength to dry strength. The material includes a web of cellulose fibers which, prior to treatment with a saturant, has a breaking length in the dry state ranging from about 0.80 to about 6.20 km. Optionally, the web can contain synthetic fibers to improve the tear strength of the material. In order to obtain tensile strengths which are comparable to plastics, the fibrous web is saturated with a latex composition which may be natural, synthetic or a combination of natural and synthetic polymers. In addition to latex, other additives may be incorporated into the saturant for special end use properties. The latexes used will have glass transition temperatures (Tg) of between about -50.degree. C. and about 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is disclosed which has an absorbent and a fluid-permeable cover positioned over at least one surface of the absorbent. The cover is formed from a nonwoven web having a network of essentially unbroken thermoplastic fibers. The web has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough which are located in a predetermined area which represents less than about 80% of the surface area of the cover. Each of the apertures is surrounded by a consolidated ring formed of thermally set thermoplastic fibers which in turn is surrounded by a raised area which contacts the body of the user. The apertures formed in the web occupy about 20% to 55% of the predetermined area and permit body fluid to quickly pass through to the absorbent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven fabric laminate formed from an olefin copolymer, olefin terpolymer, or a blend of olefin polymers. Particularly, the improved fabric laminate is formed from a polymer having a crystallinity of less than 45% and preferably between 31-35% and most preferably about 32%. The fabric laminates formed from layers that are spun-bonded or melt-blown have improved characteristics including higher tear strength, greater tensile energy, greater abrasion resistance, better fabric drape and softness, and less particulate emission. There is also disclosed a low particle emission, sterilizable garment for use in clean rooms, paint rooms, and operating rooms.

Abstract: The bulk and absorbency of multi-ply tissue products can be improved by brushing at least one surface of at least one ply of the tissue and plying the tissue product together such that at least one brushed surface is facing inwardly, i.e. is in the middle and not on the outside of the multi-ply product.

Abstract: A nonwoven laminiferous structure is provided which has three melt-extruded nonwoven layers, each of which includes at least a portion of a nonwoven web. The first nonwoven web is adjacent to one surface of the second nonwoven web and the third nonwoven web is adjacent to the other surface of the second nonwoven web. The first and third nonwoven webs consist of continuous and randomly deposited filaments having an average filament diameter in excess of about 7 micrometers. The second nonwoven web consists of substantially continuous and randomly deposited microfibers having an average diameter of from about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers. The microfibers of the second nonwoven web are prepared from a mixture of an additive and a second thermoplastic polymer, which additive imparts alcohol repellency to the surfaces of the microfibers. The three nonwoven layers can be prepared independently from polyolefins, polyesters, polyetheresters, and polyamides.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite structure is provided which has three melt-extruded nonwoven layers, each of which includes at least a portion of a nonwoven web. The first nonwoven web is adjacent to one surface of the second nonwoven web and the third nonwoven web is adjacent to the other surface of the second nonwoven web. The first and third nonwoven webs consist of continuous and randomly deposited filaments having an average filament diameter in excess of about 7 micrometers. The second nonwoven web consists of substantially continuous and randomly deposited microfibers having an average diameter of from about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers. The microfibers of the second nonwoven web are prepared from a mixture of an additive and a second thermoplastic polymer, which additive imparts alcohol repellency to the surfaces of the microfibers. The three nonwoven layers can be prepared independently from polyolefins, polyesters, polyetheresters, and polyamides.

Abstract: A diaper or absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent between the topsheet and backsheet, and an elevating device for spacing the topsheet above the absorbent to form a pocket-like shape. The topsheet can have a generally U-shaped opening and the absorbent can have a hole therein, both of which receive and isolate waste material from the wearer. The absorbent side edges can have portions that are gatherable by elastic members attached in a stretched condition.

Abstract: An article, such as a disposable diaper, which includes a refastenable mechanical fastener system for closing and opening the waistband. The fastener comprises a hook and loop system, such as a Velcro.RTM. fastener system, developed for superior performance in fastening the waistband. The hook material of the fastener is molded of a copolymer of polypropylene which has flexural modulus of 70,00-120,00 psi; shore hardness D-40 to D-80 and the hooks are tapered base to tip, alternating hook design, of 0.04-0.05 inch caliper. The hook density in the material is about 740 hooks per inch on 40 rows to the inch on base film of 0.008-0.010 inch thickness. The loop material is a raised loop fabric of polyester fiber, two bar warp knit construction, with napped surface. The fabric is polyethylene terephthalate of basis weight in the range 1.0-3.0 ounce per square yard. The hook material is preferably mounted on the ears of the garment at the rear waistband which attaches to loop material.

Abstract: An absorbent structure designed for use in absorbent pads such as diapers is disclosed. According to a first aspect of the invention, absorbent pads are provided which comprise at least two layers of cellulosic fibers (fluff) of different densities or average pore size ranges. When the absorbent structure is incorporated in a diaper, the lower density element extends to the full length and width dimensions of the normal absorbent component of the diaper. The higher density element lies beneath at least a portion of the lower density element. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it can run as a strip from the target zone to the back waist of a diaper, it can run along a central portion extending the whole length of the diaper, or it can underlie the entirety of the lower density element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a disposable diaper in which the waistband is closed by a mechanical fastener. A second fastener means is included and positioned on the article to enable rolling or folding the garment after use and thereby secure it in a neat bundle for disposal. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical fastener is comprised of hook tabs at the rear waistband which engage a patch of loop material adhesively bonded on the front waistband. The second fastener means of the disclosed embodiments utilizes the tabs which engage a compatible component on the garment placed in the same half portion with the tabs.

Abstract: A generally hydrophobic polyester article is provided with a generally hydrophilic surface by contacting said generally hydrophobic polyester with a copolymeric material while said polyester is at a temperature above its melting point. The copolymeric composition comprises a generally hydrophobic moiety and a generally hydrophilic moiety. Also disclosed is a method for imparting the hydrophilic surface to a generally hydrophobic polyester which method comprises contacting a generally hydrophobic polyester with a copolymeric material while said generally hydrophobic polyester is at a temperature above its melting point. In one preferred embodiment the generally hydrophobic polyester is contacted with said copolymeric composition immediately after said polyester has been extruded and while said polyester is undergoing die swell.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing a non-burning wrapper for use with smoking products. A non-burning wrapper is formed by treating a base paper with a solution consisting essentially of water, calcium chloride and a reactive size for paper; drying the thus treated paper; coating one side of the thus treated base paper with a solution consisting essentially of water, calcium carbonate, potassium silicate and sodium carboxymethycellulose; and drying the thus treated and coated paper to form a non-burning wrapper for use with smoking products.

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: A composite elastic material having a stress relaxation of less than about 30 percent is composed of at least one elastic sheet formed from a blend of (1) a styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymer or a mixture of styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene and styrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-styrene elastomeric block copolymers, and (2) a tackifying resin. The blend may also include a polyolefin and/or an extending oil. The elastic sheet is joined to at least one gatherable layer at spaced-apart locations in which the gatherable layer is gathered between the spaced-apart locations so that the composite material is elastic.

Abstract: There is disclosed a three dimensional nonwoven web consisting of drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of polypropylene and polybutylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 70% polypropylene and from 10% to 30% polybutylene. The blend can be a blend of a homopolymer of polypropylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; a homopolymer of polypropylene and a copolymer of polybutylene; a copolymer of polypropylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; and a copolymer of polypropylene and a copolymer of polybutylene. In addition, ternary blends comprising polypropylene, polybutylene, and terpolymer (propylene, ethylene, and 1-butene) are useful. The resulting nonwoven webs have enhanced strength, toughness, and tear resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a surgical instrument transport tray for handling, moving, sterilizing and storing wrapped instrument sterilization pans. With the tray there is less risk of the wrapping being torn or otherwise breached after sterilization of the contents. Without the tray, the wrapping used to maintain the sterility of the contents is sometimes damaged, thereby necessitating the removal of the damaged wrap followed by rewrapping and re-sterilizing the pan and its contents. The risk of such damage, increased cost and lost time are reduced by way of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shoe cover which has an open-ended bottom such that when the shoe cover is placed over a shoe, the uppers portion of the shoe is covered and protected while the sole of the shoe is at least partially exposed so that the traction of the shoe itself may be utilized by the wearer. In more refined embodiments, the shoe cover is provided with a number of methods for providing additional securement of the shoe cover to the shoe of a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agricultural mulch made from a fibrous cellulosic web having a certain breaking length and which had been surface-coated with a latex coating to improve wet strength and handling properties. The material of the present invention, once formed, is particularly suitable for use in agricultural applications to control weeds, soil moisture and temperature. The mulch can be engineered to have useful life which will correspnd to the growing cycle of a specific crop. Unlike plastic, once the crop has been harvested, the material of the present invention is much more suitable for composting due to the degradable nature of the product.

Abstract: Disclosed is an odor-absorbing, non-dusting porous web material and a method of making the same. The web material includes a porous base web (for example, a fibrous base web, such as a non-woven or paper web) having distributed throughout odor-absorbing particulate (such as zeolite). Alkaline salt or alkaline earth oxide particulate, to better effect removal of acidic malodor, desirably also is distributed throughout the base web, in the final product. The odor-absorbing particulate is bound to the base web (e.g., fibers of a fibrous base web) by a binding system, containing a binding agent. The binding system, in the odor-absorbing web materials, is transparent to the odors so as not to substantially effect the ability of the particulate to absorb odor-causing material.