Abstract: An automated system and method wrap the fastening ties around the body of a continuous stream of facemasks in a facemask production line. The facemasks are oriented such that each facemask has a leading pair of ties and a trailing pair of ties extending from a body in a conveying direction of the production line. The leading pair of ties is drawn below the body as the facemask continues to be conveyed in the conveying and wraps under the body. At a wrapping station in the production line, the body is subsequently clamped with an automated clamping device and rotated relative to a rotation axis through the body to cause the leading and trailing pairs of ties to further wrap around the body.

Abstract: A laminate is generally provided having alcohol repellency properties. In one particular embodiment, the laminate includes a meltblown web bonded to a spunbond web (e.g., a SM laminate, a SMS laminate, a SMMS laminate, etc.). A fluorinated polymeric coating is attached to the surface of the spunbond web (e.g., grafted). The fluorinated polymeric coating comprises a perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer polymerized on the surface of the spunbond web via exposure to a low frequency energy source. The perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer has a perfluoroalkyl side groups comprising —(CF2)z—F, where z is an integer from 1 to 6. The laminate has an alcohol repellency of greater than 80%.

Abstract: As described herein, an abrasion resistant nonwoven fabric includes fibers having an external surface covered with a treatment selected from the group consisting of organosilicone compounds applied by plasma treatment in inert gas without the presence of oxygen and acrylic monomers having a Tg greater than or equal to 20 degrees C. applied onto the nonwoven fabric and subsequently surface grafted and crosslinked via exposure to plasma glow discharge or e-beam without the presence of oxygen. The treated fabrics demonstrate improved abrasion resistance over untreated fabrics.

Abstract: A laminate is generally provided having alcohol repellency properties. In one particular embodiment, the laminate includes a meltblown web bonded to a spunbond web (e.g., a SM laminate, a SMS laminate, a SMMS laminate, etc.). A fluorinated polymeric coating is attached to the surface of the spunbond web (e.g., grafted). The fluorinated polymeric coating comprises a perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer polymerized on the surface of the spunbond web via exposure to a low frequency energy source. The perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer has a perfluoroalkyl side groups comprising —(CF2)z—F, where z is an integer from 1 to 6. The laminate has an alcohol repellency of greater than 80%.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a nonwoven web having alcohol repellency properties are provided. A plurality of perfluoroalkyl(alkyl)(meth)acrylic monomers can first be deposited on a surface of the nonwoven web, and subsequently exposed to a RF plasma to polymerize the monomers on the surface of the nonwoven web to form a fluorinated polymeric coating. The perfluoroalkyl(alkyl)(meth)acrylic monomers include perfluoroalkyl(alkyl)(meth)acrylate esters having a perfluorinated carbon end group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms Nonwoven webs are also generally provided that have an alcohol repellency of greater than 80%.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an elastic woven cuff having an alcohol repellency rating of 10, the cuff having fluoro-chemical monomer deposited onto the surface of the cuff

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to hydrogel-fibrous web composites that can be used in a variety of applications. For instance, the hydrogel-fibrous web composite can be used in the same applications as the base fibrous web, without the addition of the hydrogel, when it is desired to increase the moisture or water absorbency of the web. The hydrogel polymer is integral to the fibers of the web. Thus, the hydrogel allows the web to absorb water or moisture (including water vapor) to a much greater extend than the web alone. The present disclosure is also generally directed to methods of integrating a hydrogel polymer into a fibrous web.