Abstract: Disclosed is a wiper which is which is highly retentive of water, soft to the touch, and improved in sheet strength and a method for manufacturing the same. An interlining layer contains pulp fibers, first and second surfacing layers contain non-fusible fibers, and a reinforcing layer contains fusible fibers and rayon fibers. The fusible fibers are fusion-bonded but the non-fusible fibers remain unfused. Sheet surfaces are free from the fusible fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel three-dimensional (3D) carbon fibers which are original (or primary) carbon fibers (OCF) with secondary carbon filaments (SCF) grown thereon, and, if desired, tertiary carbon filaments (TCF) are grown from the surface of SCF forming a filamentous carbon network with high surface area. The methods and apparatus are provided for growing SCF on the OCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases (CG) over the hot surface of the OCF without use of metal-based catalysts. The thickness and length of SCF can be controlled by varying operational conditions of the process, e.g., the nature of CG, temperature, residence time, etc. The optional activation step enables one to produce 3D activated carbon fibers with high surface area. The method and apparatus are provided for growing TCF on the SCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases over the hot surface of the SCF using metal catalyst particles.

Abstract: An elastic composite includes a first nonwoven, a second nonwoven, and two elastic films sandwiched between the first and second nonwoven. The elastic composite also includes a lateral edge portion where the first nonwoven is bonded to the second nonwoven, a lane between the elastic films that is free of the elastic films, and a first bond joining the first nonwoven to the elastic film, and a second bond joining the second nonwoven to the elastic film. The elastic composite may be used as a component of a disposable garment.

Abstract: An acetylated softwood lignin fiber having a diameter of 5 to 100 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbon fiber composite material comprising an elastomer and a carbon nanofiber dispersed in the elastomer, wherein the elastomer has an unsaturated bond or a group, having affinity to the carbon nanofiber. Also disclosed is a process for producing the carbon fiber composite material.

Abstract: The flower thinning agent of the present invention comprises a preparation of a mixture of an inorganic compound of poor water solubility with an additive, satisfying the following relationships of (a) 0.03?P?30, (b) 3?Q?800, and (c) 0.5?Q/P?1000, wherein P: average particle diameter (?m) measured by SALD-2000A laser type particle size distribution meter, Q: BET specific surface area (m2/g) measured according to the nitrogen adsorption method. The flower thinning agent of the present invention is not harmful to a human body and has not only high adaptability to the deflection of spread timing, but also high flower thinning effect.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a laminated wing skin (10) for an aircraft. The method comprises laying-up a plurality of fibers to form the laminated wing skin (10). A composite reinforcement member (14) is positioned on a surface (16) of the laminated skin (10) and one or more further layers are laid up so as to enclose the composite reinforcing member (14) at a position adjacent one surface of the laminated skin (10).

Abstract: Machine for producing a patterned textile product, comprising a drum with a perforated lateral surface rotated about its axis, a sleeve with holes which is slipped over the drum, and having a ration of the sum of the surface area of the holes to the surface area of its total lateral surface of between 5 and 75% and, preferably, between 7 and 50% and a hole diameter not greater than 1 mm, a device for spraying water jets in the direction of the drum in a direction substantially radial thereto and means for creating a vacuum inside the drum wherein an apertured sheath is slipped over the sleeve and has apertures at least one dimension of which is greater than 2 mm.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a liner adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's body, an outer cover in generally opposed relationship with the liner, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. An absorbent structure of the absorbent body has a length, a thickness, a width, a longitudinal axis and a non-uniform lateral compression stiffness across its width. The non-uniform lateral compression stiffness is such that the absorbent structure assumes a pre-determined, or non-random buckled configuration under lateral compression thereof. In one embodiment, the buckled configuration is generally symmetric about a plane normal to the absorbent structure and in which the longitudinal axis of the absorbent structure lies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous nonwoven web material and a method of manufacture thereof. The fibrous nonwoven web material includes natural cellulose fibers, manmade cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers. The manmade cellulose fibers are preferably high crystallinity cellulose fibers. The fibrous nonwoven web material has appreciable wet strength yet is capable of dispersing in most aqueous environments with only mild agitation. The fibrous nonwoven web material can be wet laid from an aqueous dispersion of fibers.

Abstract: A garment and system includes a monitoring fabric comprising a first plurality of reflective yarns knitted or woven with a second plurality of stretchable yarns. The fabric exhibits both a light transmission property and a light reflection property. The amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, such as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one source of radiation having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers and at least one detector responsive to such incident radiation. The source and detector are associated with the fabric such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric when the fabric stretches.

Abstract: A garment and system includes a monitoring fabric that exhibits a light reflection property and substantially no light transmission property when the fabric is illuminated with light having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers. The amount of useful light reflected by the fabric into an aperture of acceptance defined with respect to an axis extending from the fabric relative to the amount of light lost to the aperture of acceptance detectably changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector, with the detector disposed in the aperture of acceptance.

Abstract: A process of preparing an elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web, whereby the process is characterized by the following steps: (i) providing a thermally bonded nonwoven precursor web containing thermoplastic fibers, (ii) subjecting the precursor web of step (i) to a drawing treatment in a machine direction at a drawing rate of from 45 to 70%, and a strain rate within a range of from 1000 to 2400%/min at a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the fibers for preparing the elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web.

Abstract: A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an effervescent agent is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an effervescent agent which releases gas upon being contacted by urine. The effervescent agent may be in the form of a compound containing a substantially inert gas, or may be a combination of compounds that, upon being contacted by urine, produce a gas.

Abstract: A sheet material for a seat characterized in that the stress at 5% elongation (A) is from 40 to 300 N/4 cm width wherein A is a larger value between a stress measured in the longitudinal direction and a stress measured in the lateral direction, that the ratio A/B is from 1.5 to 15.0 wherein B is the smaller value obtained in the above measurement, and that the reduction in width (H) is from 0 to 15% when the sheet material is fixed on a frame at the one end and the opposite end while stretched and pressured.

Abstract: A breathable, stretchable, and heat-moldable multi-layer weft knit spacer fabric having a substantially decorative first layer and a spaced less decorative second layer. Also, a method of integrally knitting the multi-layer knitted fabric on a circular weft knit machine is also described. Articles of the manufacture comprising the fabric are also described.

Abstract: An elastic laminate capable of being rolled for storage and unwound from a roll when needed for use, includes an elastic layer selected from the group consisting of an array of continuous filament strands, an array of continuous filament strands with meltblown deposited on the continuous filament strands, and a film; a gatherable facing layer bonded to only one side of the elastic layer; and either an adhesive that demonstrates a relatively short open time deposited between the elastic layer and facing layer, or such adhesive and a postbonding adhesive or nonblocking agent, or a nonblocking agent layer deposited on the elastic layer on a side opposite to the facing layer.

Abstract: Curing blanket having a clear, transparent or opaque first layer and a second layer that is airlaid on the first layer. Another embodiment has a first layer, a second layer that is airlaid on the first layer, and a third layer disposed on the said second layer, with the second layer interposed between the first layer and the third layer. The first layer and said second layer are thermally bonded and/or latex bonded. The third layer includes a polymer release agent composed of bi-component fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoformable film laminate that can be useful for packaging comprising or produced from (a) a thermoformable film layer comprising or produced from a polymer composition having at least 80% by weight polyethylene terephthalate polymer, said film having an outer surface and an inner surface; (b) a film layer having a heat shrinkage of at least about 5% less than (a); (c) a heat sealable layer; and optionally, (d) an additional barrier layer.

Abstract: A food container is provided which releases food contents thereof more easily and effectively. The food container includes an insert inserted into a metallic can before food product is filled therein and attachment of a closure end, where the insert provides an effective aid to product release by reducing or eliminating vacuum effects caused by hot-filling and cooling of the food product and/or wall adhesion effects between the food product and food container.