Abstract: The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to a method for selectively aperturing a nonwoven web exhibiting a plurality of surface energy gradients.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a protective covering for beds or the like comprised of a first thermoplastic web, a pair of fibrous mats of substantial loft, said web and mats being bonded together in accordance with a quilted pattern utilizing a thermoelectric bonding technique. The bonding layer, which is preferably polyurethane or a derivative thereof, forms an excellent bond with both the web and the fibrous mats. The fibrous mats provide excellent moisture absorbency and are breathable since the fibrous mats are bonded to the web only at the limited areas defined by the pattern. The first web provides an excellent waterproof barrier, while the mats provide an array of puffed-up regions each delineated by the bonding pattern to yield an aesthetically appealing cover which may be used with either fibrous web exposed.

Abstract: A wet wipe which includes a pattern bonded polypropylene nonwoven web adapted to provide a sustained controlled release to a surface of an aqueous alcoholic composition contained within the nonwoven web. The nonwoven web has a basis weight of from about 17 to about 100 grams per square meter and includes polypropylene meltblown fibers having diameters in a range of from about 0.01 to about 50 micrometers. The aqueous alcoholic composition contained within the polypropylene nonwoven web is present in a range of from about 300 to about 600 weight percent, based on a dry weight of the nonwoven web of 34 grams per square meter. The wet wipe provides a first release of the aqueous alcoholic composition in a range of from about 40 to about 70 weight percent, a second release in a range of from about 10 to about 25 weight percent, and a third release in a range of from about 5 to about 18 weight percent, of the composition originally present in the nonwoven web.

Abstract: A masking tape is provided that is suitable for insertion under many moldings and gaskets which not only masks the molding or gasket but also facilitates refinishing under at least a portion of the molding or gasket. The masking tape is constructed to include a longitudinal non-adhesive portion and a longitudinal adhesive portion, wherein the non-adhesive portion is stiffer than the adhesive portion and is sufficiently stiff to facilitate easy insertion of the non-adhesive portion beneath at least a portion of the molding or gasket to be masked while the adhesive portion is sufficiently flexible to permit the wrapping thereof around the molding or gasket. The stiffened portion advantageously provides a dual purpose of facilitating the easy insertion of the non-adhesive portion beneath the molding or gasket and creating a lever action during application between the molding or gasket and the wall or panel to which the molding or gasket is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved adhesive sheet (also known as a "bond ply," "bond film," or "prepreg") material suitable for bonding together electric circuit boards and other electrical components. The adhesive sheet of the present invention comprises a combination of a porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a ceramic filler, and a thermoset resin imbibed within the porous PTFE structure. By employing a fill of less than about 60% by weight of resin, the adhesive sheet has exceptionally good performance characteristics while being vastly easier to process.

Abstract: There is described a double-face circular knit comprising two concentric lengths of knit web and an in-between spacer structure, wherein the spacer threads are optionally textured coarse-filament multifilament yarns, optionally in combination with monofilaments, the distance between the two lengths of knit web is from 0.3 to 8 mm, the stitch density corresponds to a machine gauge from E 16 to E 32, and the density of the spacer threads is between 150 and 250 threads per cm.sup.2. Preferably all the yarns of the double-face circular knit are made of the same polymer.Also described are the production and use of this double-face circular knit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have undergarment covering components (or "side wrapping elements") that automatically wrap the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps. The side wrapping elements have at least one zone of extensibility and at a region therein that is stiffer than the zone of extensibility.

Abstract: A composite insulator having a core member and a housing member integrally arranged around the core member, the housing member being constructed by a trunk portion and a shed portion, has a creepable distance extending means arranged on a lower plane of the shed portion. Moreover, a segment used for producing the composite insulator has a pair of segment molds detachably connected at a partition plane having a through-hole at its center portion through which the core member is arranged, an upper plane forming portion arranged at its one end surface for defining an upper plane of the shed portion, and a lower plane forming portion arranged at its other end surface for defining a lower plane of the shed portion; and a partition for forming the creepage distance extending means arranged at the lower plane forming portion.

Abstract: A nonwoven disposable face mask includes a filtration layer formed of a plurality of thermoplastic microfine meltblown microfibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1.5 microns. The filtration layer also has a basis weight of less than ten grams per square meter. The resultant face mask provides improved wearer comfort and barrier and filtration properties.

Abstract: A shaped nonwoven fabric comprises continuous spunbond filaments made by directly forming the spunbond filaments into a web in a single process. The fabric has an array of discrete surface features such as apertures or projections, or both. The spunbond filaments are bonded together with an adhesive polymeric component so that the shape of the fabric is retained. The fabric can be engineered to have particular fluid handling properties, strength properties, abrasive properties and aesthetic properties. Articles such as personal care products, garments, medical products and cleaning products are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a narrow orthopedic casting tape which can be handled in longer lengths suitable for economical production of coated fabric products. The narrow casting tape of the present invention is knitted as a wide fiberglass fabric with at least one removable connecting yarn in the length (i.e., warp) direction of the fabric which acts to connect two narrower strips of fiberglass fabric. The removable connecting yarn is subsequently removed from the fabric by a heat treatment process which separates the wider fabric into two narrower fabrics and also heat sets the fabric. Alternatively, the removable connecting yarn may be removed from the fabric by a dissolution process. Narrow fabrics of the present invention can also be constructed of organic yarns.The present invention also provides a tearable orthopedic casting tape which has a high degree of extensibility.

Abstract: A cushioning net structure having an apparent density of 0.005-0.20 g/cm.sup.3, which comprises three-dimensional random loops bonded with one another, wherein the loops are formed by allowing continuous fibers of 300 denier or more mainly comprising a thermoplastic elastomer to bend to come in contact with one another in a molten state and to be heat-bonded at most contact points, and a method for producing the net structure. The structure of the invention can provide unstuffy cushions superior in heat resistance, durability and cushioning property. The cushioning structure is advantageous in that it can be easily recycled.

Abstract: A thermal barrier in the form of a base material with a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material forms an insulative pad, such as a shoe insole. The microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material. In addition, substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing a phase change material. The microcapsules may be anisotropically distributed to further reduce thermal conductivity of heat through the thermal barrier.

Abstract: A building panel and method of forming it are disclosed in which the panel includes inner and outer polymer facing sheets and a rigid foam core with the facing sheets joined securely to the core by glass fibers embedded in the facing sheets and projecting from them into the core.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of fabric intended to be made into washable garments, and more specifically to the placement of an insecticide such as permethrin in the fabric by impregnation with polymeric binders and a cross-linking agent; or by surface coating with a polymeric binder and a thickening agent to improve the efficacy as an insect repellent and retention of the permethrin in the fabric as an effective insecticide through successive washings of the garments.

Abstract: Thermoplastic, thermoshapable composite laminate bars, an orthopedic brace using the shaped composite bars as integral components, and a method of thermoshaping the composite bars for use as fitted components in the orthopedic brace are provided. The composite bars contain multiple fiber layers oriented in at least two directions with respect to the bar length to provide high flexural and torsional strength. The novel method of thermoshaping yields improved results over prior thermoshaping methods by providing an uncomplicated shaping capability while maintaining the structural and mechanical properties of the composite bar.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which is formed from a blend of first and second insulating materials having three-dimensional groups of fibers of different sizes and densities. At least one of the insulating materials is comprised of irregularly-shaped glass fibers comprised of two distinct glass compositions. When blended with the fibers of a standard insulation or with other irregularly-shaped fibers of different sizes, the resulting loose-fill insulation product shows improved coverage and thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-layered smooth-calendered surface aramid paper with high break strength and tear resistance comprises a substrate layer and at least one surface layer intimately bonded to the substrate layer, wherein the surface layer(s) consists essentially of 65 to 90% by weight aramid fibrids and 10 to 35% by weight aramid floc and comprises 10 to 67% of the total basis weight of the paper.

Abstract: A nonwoven disposable face mask includes a filtration layer formed of a plurality of thermoplastic microfine meltblown microfibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1.5 microns. The filtration layer also has a basis weight of less than ten grams per square meter. The resultant face mask provides improved wearer comfort and barrier and filtration properties.

Abstract: A multi-layer microfiltration membrane having an integrated prefiltration layer. Pursuant to a phase inversion process, several layers are successively poured out onto one another prior to phase separation of a lower layer, with the viscosity for the pour solution decreasing toward the upper layers. This produces a microporous, multi-layer, integral filtration membrane having a homogenous symmetrical pore structure for the final filtration layer and an open-pored structure for the prefiltration layer disposed therebelow. Even with small pore diameters, this membrane can be easily pleated for installation in filter cartridges without the formation of damage at the crease edges. High throughput rates are possible at a low tendency to clog.