Abstract: The present invention is directed toward protective garments having a conformable backpack portion located on a back area of the garment, the conformable backpack portion being adapted to conform to equipment worn on a back of a wearer of the protective garment.

Abstract: A breathable barrier laminate is disclosed having a first film layer comprising a microporous breathable barrier film; a second film layer comprising a breathable filled film which comprises about 50% to about 70% by weight filler and an amorphous polymer such as an elastomeric ethylene polymer having a density less than 0.89 g/cm.sup.3 ; and a third fibrous layer comprising a breathable outer layer, such as a nonwoven web of spunbonded fibers. The multiple layers can be thermally laminated wherein laminate has a peel strength in excess of 200 grams and a WVTR in excess of 300 g/m.sup.2 /day.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure containing superabsorbent material, wettable staple fiber, and wettable binder fiber. The absorbent structure exhibits a liquid uptake rate greater than the liquid uptake rate exhibited by an otherwise identical absorbent structure without any wettable staple fiber. Also disclosed is an absorbent garment containing such an absorbent structure.

Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles including a substrate formed by a bodyside liner and an outer cover. Fastening tabs, including securing elements, are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. First alignment indicia are located on the front portion of the substrate. Second alignment indicia are optionally located on the respective fastening tabs. In use, a user aligns the fastening tabs with the first indicia on front portion, preferably aligning second indicia with the first indicia, and secures the tabs thereto. In this manner, the personal care article is properly fitted to the wearer, with the fastening tabs a predetermined distance from the front edge of the personal care article. The first indicia can comprise e.g. lines extending across the width of the personal care article, or outlines of the distal edges of the fastening tabs. Second indicia can comprise lines extending across at least a portion of the lengths of the fastening tabs.

Abstract: A wettable article consisting of an article with a hydrophobic surface having a coating which includes a surface free energy modifier and a surface-active agent. The hydrophobic surface may include a hydrophobic polymer. The surface free energy modifier has a surface free energy greater than that of the surface of the article, but less than the surface tension of an aqueous liquid to which the wettable coated article may be exposed. The surface free energy modifier desirably is present in an amount sufficient to substantially cover the surface of the article. The surface-active agent is present in an amount effective to lower the surface tension of the liquid to a value which is greater than the surface free energy of the surface of the article and equal to or less than the surface free energy of the surface free energy modifier. The article desirably is a film or a fibrous web, such as a nonwoven web. Methods of preparing the wettable article also are described.

Abstract: A golf ball including:a core,an inner cover layer formed directly over the core, the inner cover layer substantially consisting of ionomer and having a thickness of 0.05-0.10 inches and a Shore D hardness of 56-65, andan outer cover layer comprising an ionomer, having a Shore D hardness of at least 60, and being harder than the inner cover layer,wherein the golf ball has a PGA compression of no more than about 110 and a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and the ratio of the diameter of the ball to the sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is less than 1911, and the sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer layer is at least 0.09 inches.

Abstract: A water soluble polymer binder for binding a fibrous substrate comprises from about 25 weight percent to about 85 weight percent of an unsaturated carboxylic acid/unsaturated carboxylic acid ester terpolymer; from about 5 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of a divalent ion inhibitor; and from about 10 weight percent to about 60 weight percent of a hydrophilic cross-linkable polymer. In a preferred mode of the invention the hydrophilic cross-linkable polymer functions substantially as a divalent ion inhibitor and promotes hydrophilicity of the treated fabric eliminating the requirement of a separate divalent ion inhibitor. The binder composition is soluble in an aqueous environment having a divalent ion concentration less than about 50 ppm and a monovalent ion concentration of less than about 0.4 weight percent. Also disclosed is a water dispersible fibrous fabric having an effective amount of the binder distributed on the fibrous substrate and a method of making a water dispersible fibrous fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven web material of polymeric fibers having at least one internal surfactant and at least one topical surfactant. The internal surfactant is an organosilicon compound. The topical surfactant is at least one of an ethoxylated hydrogenated fatty oil, a monosaccharide, a monosaccharide derivative, a polysaccharide, and a polysaccharide derivative. The nonwoven web material treated with internal and external surfactants has improved durability and processability over conventional materials treated with only internal or topical surfactants.

Abstract: A method of forming a catamenial tampon is disclosed wherein the tampon is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina and in providing better utilization of the absorbent during use. The method includes the steps of assembling a resilient member and an absorbent to form a structure having a central longitudinal axis X--X. The resilient member can be either aligned with or offset from the central longitudinal axis X--X. The absorbent and the resilient member are rolled or folded up into an elongated softwind which has a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween. The softwind is then compressed into a pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. A withdrawal string is secured to the pledget to form a tampon. The withdrawal string facilitates removal of the tampon from the woman's vagina.

Abstract: A stabilizing additive package for nonwoven fabrics is provided. The package has a bismuth vanadate based pigment and a hindered amine light stabilizer. The bismuth vanadate is added to a nonwoven fiber polymer prior to extrusion in an amount between about 0.1 and 3 weight percent based on the weight of the fabric and the hindered amine in an amount between about 0.25 and 2.5 weight percent based on the weight of the fabric. The nonwoven fabric also provided by this invention may be used as protective covers for, for example, boats and cars, and as an outdoor fabric for, for example, canopies and tents.

Abstract: An improved absorbent consumer paper product is made on an improved drying fabric that forms an aesthetically pleasing and functionally superior pattern on the paper web before creping. The drying fabric is characterized by a plurality of shute threads extending substantially parallel to each other in a cross-direction of the drying fabric; and a plurality of warp threads extending substantially parallel to each other in a machine direction of the drying fabric. The shute and warp threads are woven together so as to define a number of relatively long warp knuckles at locations where one of said warp threads crosses over at least four of the shute threads.

Abstract: A tampon is disclosed which is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina, especially during her menstrual period. The tampon includes an absorbent and a liquid-permeable cover. The cover at least partially surrounds the absorbent, and together they form an elongated softwind having a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself at a minimum of two spaced apart locations to form an M-shaped profile. The M-shaped profile is then compressed into a cylindrically shaped pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. The insertion end contains a greater amount of absorbent than the trailing end and has a cleft formed therein as a result of the folding. The cleft causes the pledget to laterally expand immediately upon insertion of the tampon into a woman's vagina. The tampon further includes a withdrawal string which facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina.

Abstract: Cellulosic webs can be embossed using an extended nip structure with embossing means in a controlled nip dwell zone. Single and multiply wipes and towels produced by plying together two or more such webs can be embossed. Webs having common caliper and basis weight can be processed using the extended nip structure with an appropriate embossing means. The tendency of the embossed relief to relax and disappear after processing can be substantially alleviated by controlling dwell time to ensure reliable embossing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for spraying an adhesive in a selected pattern on a continuously moving web. The method includes the steps of: (a) supplying a predetermined volumetric flow of adhesive to a nozzle; (b) selectively operating the nozzle between an off position and an on position to spray the volumetric flow of the adhesive; (c) diverting the volumetric flow of the adhesive from the nozzle when the nozzle is operated in the off position; and (d) maintaining a back pressure at the nozzle when the nozzle is operated in the off position to provide a substantially instantaneous spray of the adhesive when the nozzle is operated from the off position to the on position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cloth-like, liquid-impervious, breathable composite barrier fabrics. More particularly, the present invention is directed to cloth-like, liquid-impervious, breathable film-nonwoven composite fabrics having biological liquid barrier capabilities for use as, for example, sterilization wrap, surgical draping, surgical gowns, cover garments, such as over-suits, and the like.