Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of incorporating a trigger such as boric acid, boric acid salts, sodium sulfate, or other salts, into a nonwoven web substrate for the preparation of dry nonwoven products which are redispersible when put in contact with large amounts of water or liquid. In one method, the trigger is in a dry powder form and is incorporated into the nonwoven fibers followed by treatment of the fibers with an aqueous redispersible binder, and binding and drying the web. Another method is to saturate a dry bonded nonwoven web with an aqueous solution of the trigger and then dry the saturated web. Yet another method is to apply an aqueous solution of the trigger to the web followed by applying a redispersible aqueous binder to the web and then heating and drying the web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in the wet tensile of a nonwoven web, whether the web is for a pre-moistened nonwoven wet wipe that is both safe to use and also flushes, disperses and finally biodegrades in appropriate environments or for a nonwoven web which requires high tensile strength when in contact with liquids. An improvement in the wet tensile of the nonwoven webs is achieved by incorporating a finite amount of poly(acrylic acid) into a polymeric binder system that is applied to the web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining physical characteristics, such as defects, in the outer surface of an elongate object, wherein the object to be inspected passes through an aperture of a mirror surface which is a conical surface of revolution. Light directed onto the mirror surface in an axial direction is reflected by the object surface, imaged, and analyzed to determine a physical characteristic of the object surface.