Abstract: Disclosed are fibers that are capable of spontaneously transporting certain fluids, for example aqueous fluids, such as water, on their surfaces. The fibers, especially in the form of tow, can be incorporated into absorbent articles, such as diapers, in order to transport fluids to more effectively utilize the absorbent portion of the article. The fibers can be synthetically coated with absorbent materials.

Abstract: Synthetic fiber that are capable of spontaneously transporting water on their surface satisfy the equation(1-X cos .theta..sub.a)<0,wherein.theta..sub.a is the advancing contact angle of water measured on a flat film made from the same material as the fiber and having the same surface treatment, if any,X is a shape factor of the fiber cross-section that satisfies the following equation ##EQU1## wherein P.sub.w is the wetted perimeter of the fiber and r is the radius of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the fiber cross-section and D is the minor axis dimensionacross the fiber cross-section, and wherein the uphill flux value of said fiber is from 2 to 60 cc/g/hr when measured from a reservoir of synthetic urine test fluid along a 20 cm long ramp to an absorbant on an attached platform at 10 cm height.

Abstract: A melt extrusion composition made by combining about 99.9 to about 98.5 weight percent of at least one polyester and about 0.1 to about 1.5 weight percent additive provides for a polyester or copolyester non-circular cross-sectional fiber having at least four percent improved shape retention as compared to the same fiber made from a melt extrusion composition without the additive. The additive is present at the air-polymer interfacial surface during melt spinning. A method of making the fiber is also disclosed.

Abstract: Synthetic fiber that are capable of spontaneously transporting water on their surface satisfy the equation(1-X cos .theta..sub.a)<0,wherein.theta..sub.a is the advancing contact angle of water measured on a flat film made from the same material as the fiber and having the same surface treatment, if any,X is a shape factor of the fiber cross-section that satisfies the following equation ##EQU1## wherein P.sub.W is the wetted perimeter of the fiber and r is the radius of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the fiber cross-section and D is the minor axis dimension across the fiber cross-section,and wherein the uphill flux value of said fiber is from 2 to 60 cc/g/hr when measured from a reservoir of synthetic urine test fluid along a 20 cm long ramp to an absorbant on an attached platform at 10 cm height.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibrous structures comprised of shaped fibers wherein the thickness of the compressed fibrous structure at 1.00 psi is .gtoreq.1.3 times that of a similar compressed structure having the same area density and made from round cross section fibers of the same dpf as the shaped fibers. The invention is useful in articles such as coats, gloves, boats, shoes, etc. made using the structures disclosed herein. The surprising feature of structures according to the present invention is the thickness retention at high pressures. This retained thickness under pressure translates directly into decreased heat transfer or improved insulation.

Abstract: Spinnerets are used to make synthetic fibers having the unique property of spontaneously transporting water on their surface. The synthetic fibers satisfy the equation(1-X cos .theta..sub.a)<0,wherein.theta..sub.a is the advancing contact angle of water measured on a flat film made from the same material as the fiber and having the same surface treatment, if any,X is a shape factor of the fiber cross-section that satisfies the following equation ##EQU1## wherein P.sub.w is the wetted perimeter of the fiber and r is the radius of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the fiber cross-section and D is the minor axis dimension across the fiber cross-section, and wherein the uphill flux value of said fiber is from 2 to 60 cc/g/hr when measured from a reservoir of synthetic urine test fluid along a 20 cm long ramp to an absorbent on an attached platform at 10 cm height.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers that are capable of spontaneously transporting certain fluids, for example aqueous fluids, such as water, on their surfaces. The fibers, especially in the form of tow, can be incorporated into absorbent articles, such as diapers, in order to transport fluids to more effectively utilize the absorbent portion of the article. The fibers can be synthetically coated with absorbent materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel composite fibrous structures which have utility as filters. These composite structures have at least two layers. The first layer is a nonwoven fibrous structure made from uniquely grooved fibers. The second layer is of a fibrous material that offers high filter efficiency.. The first layer has significantly lower pressure drop and higher dust holding capacity than the second layer.

Abstract: A novel insert useful in a microwavable food container comprising a metallized layer of heat susceptor thickness or a plastic layer, having openings which are in a position to be adjacent to food in said container, a layer of absorbent material comprising fibers, and a substrate layer which is stable to microwave heating conditions. The invention also is directed towards other inserts useful in microwavable food containers comprising fibers which are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on the surface thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles, such as smoke filters, which contain fibers that have complex geometry in combination with tobacco smoke modifying agents such as flavorants. The fibers are preferably made of a polyester such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and preferably are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on their surfaces. The articles of the invention result in improved delivery of the tobacco smoke modifying agent to the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article of manufacture consisting of a toy having a plurality of synthetic fibers capable of spontaneously transporting water on the surface thereof, said fibers satisfying the following equation(1-X cos .theta..sub.a)<0,wherein.theta..sub.a is the advancing contact angle of water measured on a flat film made from the same material as the fiber and having the same surface treatment, if any,X is a shape factor of the fiber cross-section that satisfies the following equation ##EQU1## wherein P.sub.w is the wetted perimeter of the fiber and r is the radius of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the fiber cross-section and D is the minor axis dimension across the fiber cross-section.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles, such as smoke filters, which contain fibers that have complex geometry in combination with tobacco smoke modifying agents such as flavorants. The fibers are preferably made of a polyester such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and preferably are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on their surfaces. The articles of the invention result in improved delivery of the tobacco smoke modifying agent to the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to spinnerets having orifices of unique cross-sections, the spinnerets being useful for extruding therethrough filaments having "U" and "E" shaped cross-sections with stabilizing legs. The use of strategically placed stabilizing legs allow the filaments to maintain the desired shape. The "U" shaped filament cross-section provides improved drainage over previous filament cross-sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel polyester fiber, such as a poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber, having at least one continuous groove wherein the surface of the groove is rougher than the surface outside the groove. Also disclosed is a drafting process involving surface hydrolysis for the preparation of such fibers. The fibers have improved cover, softness, and wetting characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel polyester fiber, such as a poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber, having at least one continuous groove wherein the surface of the groove is rougher than the surface outside the groove. Also disclosed is a drafting process involving surface hydrolysis for the preparation of such fibers. The fibers have improved cover, softness, and wetting characteristics.

Abstract: Preparation of a novel polyester fiber, such as a poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber, having at least one continuous groove wherein the surface of the groove is rougher than the surface outside the groove is accomplished through a drafting process involving surface hydrolysis. The fibers have improved cover, softness, and wetting characteristics.

Abstract: Continuous filament yarn having nonload-bearing fracturable filaments and load-bearing non-fracturable filaments, an elongation-to-break of equal to or less than 180%; yarn made from such continuous filament yarn and fractured to have spun-like or staple-like character with the nonload-bearing filaments being variably broken and having free ends either entangled with and/or projecting from the yarn bundle; fabric made from the fractured continuous yarn; and process for fracturing the continuous filament yarn.

Abstract: Spinneret having an orifice defined by two intersecting slots and each intersecting slot in turn defined by three quadrilateral sections connected in series: the middle quadrilateral section of each intersecting slot having a greater width than the other two quadrilateral sections of the same intersecting slot and intersecting the other intersecting slot at its middle quadrilateral section to form therewith a generally X-shaped opening, with each of the other two quadrilateral sections of each intersecting slot being longer than the middle quadrilateral section of each intersecting slot; and a four-winged filament cross-section extruded through the aforedescribed spinneret orifice.

Abstract: Drafting system for textile yarns and including a driven feed roll, a driven output roll, a low friction freely rotatable heated roll located between the driven feed roll and the driven output roll and operating at essentially the same surface speed as the driven feed roll, the freely rotatable heated roll being driven by engagement with the yarn and whereby sufficient yarn tension automatically is transferred upstream of the freely rotatable heated roll to pretension the yarn before it contacts the freely rotatable heated roll with drafting taking place near the location where the yarn leaves the freely rotatable heated roll to pass toward the driven output roll.

Abstract: Process for draw-fracturing yarn the continuous filaments of which each have a cross-section comprising a body section and one or more wing members joined to the body section, the one or more wing members varying up to about twice their minimum thickness along their width, at the junction of the body section and one or more wing members the respective faired surfaces thereof define a radius of concave curvature (Rc) on one side of the cross-section and a generally convex curve located on the other side of the cross-section generally opposite the radius of concave curvature (Rc), the body section comprising about 25 to about 95% of the total mass of the filament and the wing members comprising about 5 to about 75%, the filament being further characterized by a wing-body interaction (WBI) defined by ##STR1## where the ratio of the width of the filament cross-section to the wing member thickness (L.sub.T /Dmin) is .ltoreq.30 the process comprising drawing the yarn to a boiling water shrinkage of .ltoreq.