Abstract: A polymeric substrate primed with a treatment composition to allow better receptivity of an ink composition, and method for making the same, is generally disclosed. More specifically, the polymeric substrate can be a hydrophobic polymeric substrate such as comprising polyolefins, which exhibits better ink adhesion and rub resistance when pretreated with a treatment composition of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoplastic polymer and at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoset polymer. The invention also provides fabrics and fabric laminates containing the multicomponent fibers, and articles containing the fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: There is provided a surge material for personal care products with a first creased layer and at least a second layer, where the layers are in face-to-face relation to one another and bonded together. The first has creases with a depth of between 0.25 and 2 mm and a frequency of between 5 and 100 per centimeter in the cross-machine and the second layer may have densities of between 0.01 and 0.05 g/cc and a basis weight between 25 and 250 gsm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoplastic polymer and at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoset polymer. The invention also provides fabrics and fabric laminates containing the multicomponent fibers, and articles containing the fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining splittable bicomponent thermoplastic filaments with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers extending the length of the filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the bicomponent filaments are caused to split lengthwise along boundaries between the regions of different polymers, resulting in a web or matrix of finer filaments which entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require durability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.

Abstract: An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining bicomponent thermoplastic filaments having adhesive properties with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers across a cross-section of individual filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the adhesive properties of the bicomponent filaments result in a web or matrix of filaments having improved ability to entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require stability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.

Abstract: A process for treating high-loft porous fabrics with topically applied active agents is provided and includes the steps of applying an active agent to a surface of the fabric and forcing the active agent through the entirety of the web by directing a focused stream of air or steam, at a rate above 25 meters/second, into and through the web and also applying a vacuum to the opposite side of the web to collect the air, condensate and/or active agent drawn out of the fabric. Fabrics having a thickness in excess of 50 mils with densities between 0.2 g/cc and 0.008 g/cc have a topically applied active agent substantially uniformly distributed throughout the entire fabric thickness.

Abstract: A durable, single or multi-use cooling garment is provided having a multilayer structure. The cooling garment includes an inner layer of a thermoplastic polymer material that is liquid impermeable and vapor permeable, an outer liquid permeable reinforcing layer such as a web of thermoplastic polymer fibers, and a central absorbent layer that contains a stabilized matrix of about 55% to 95% cellulosic fibers and from about 5% to 45% thermoplastic polymer fibers. The layers are bonded together and the absorbent layer is bonded to at least one of the other layers by regionally applying sufficient energy to the layers wherein the thermoplastic polymers melt and resolidify to form inter-fiber bonds. The cooling garment can be saturated with water or other liquids and provide the wearer with relief from the heat such as may be achieved by evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A durable, single or multi-use cooling garment is provided having a multilayer structure. The cooling garment includes an inner layer of a thermoplastic polymer material that is liquid impermeable and vapor permeable, an outer liquid permeable reinforcing layer such as a web of thermoplastic polymer fibers, and a central absorbent layer that contains a stabilized matrix of about 55% to 95% cellulosic fibers and from about 5% to 45% thermoplastic polymer fibers. The layers are bonded together and the absorbent layer is bonded to at least one of the other layers by regionally applying sufficient energy to the layers wherein the thermoplastic polymers melt and resolidify to form inter-fiber bonds. The cooling garment can be saturated with water or other liquids and provide the wearer with relief from the heat such as may be achieved by evaporative cooling.

Abstract: There is provided a fibrous web which includes a binder and which is compressed to a density of up to about 0.3 g/cc. The web may preferably be formed by the bonded carded web process or air lay process. The binder may depend on hydrogen bonding using moisture or may be a non-aqueous solution, a powder, a fibrous binder or a conjugate fiber binder including a moisture triggerable component. Conjugate fibers may be crimped. When wetted the web of this invention should expand rapidly to greater than 80% of its uncompressed thickness and greater than 90% of its thickness when saturated if starting from the uncompressed state.

Abstract: There is provided an expandable absorbent material having superabsorbent in an amount from about 1 to about 75 weight percent and crimped thermoplastic fibers in an amount from about 25 to about 99 weight percent, where said material has a density of from about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.25 g/cc. The superabsorbent may be in the form of particulate, fiber and foam. Such a composite may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: There is provided a fibrous web which includes a binder and which is compressed to a density of up to about 0.3 g/cc. The web may preferably be formed by the bonded carded web process or air lay process. The binder may depend on hydrogen bonding using moisture or may be a non-aqueous solution, a powder, a fibrous binder or a conjugate fiber binder including a moisture triggerable component. Conjugate fibers may be crimped. When wetted the web of this invention should expand rapidly to greater than 80% of its uncompressed thickness and greater than 90% of its thickness when saturated if starting from the uncompressed state.

Abstract: A zoned hot air knife assembly and process include a plurality of discrete, spaced apart air knives is useful for the inter-filament bonding of nonwoven webs, for the thermal bonding of laminates including nonwoven webs, and other applications. The zoned hot air knife assembly and process facilitate the manufacture of low bond area, low density nonwoven webs and laminates having high structural integrity. The zoned hot air knife also reduces the amount of heated air and, thus, energy required for the production of thermally bonded nonwoven webs and laminates.

Abstract: There is disclosed an nonwoven fabric suitable for use as, for example, an intake/distribution material for personal care products, made from nonwoven fabric where the fabric is made from directly formed, mixed size fibers. The fibers may be conjugate fibers. The fabric may have zones having larger fibers and zones having smaller fibers providing a means to vary the web properties, such as permeability, or the mixed size fibers may be uniformly distributed. The fibers may also be crimped. The process for making such a material is also disclosed.A zoned fiber fabric can provide rapid intake of an insult because of the placement of the high permeability zone in the insult target area and can also provide good distribution through the lower permeability but higher capillarity end zones.

Abstract: A hydrophilic melt-extruded multicomponent polymeric strand including a first melt-extrudable polymeric component and a second melt-extrudable, hydrophilic polymeric component, the first and second components being arranged in substantially distinct zones across the cross-section of the multicomponent strand and extending continuously along the length of the multicomponent strand, the second component constituting at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the multicomponent strand continuously along the length of the multicomponent strand. The second component renders the strand hydrophilic and preferably has a critical surface tension at 20.degree. C. greater than about 55 dyne/cc, and more preferably greater than about 65 dyne/cc. A suitable hydrophilic second component comprises a block copolymer of nylon 6 and polyethylene oxide diamine. Suitable polymers for the first component include linear polycondensates and crystalline polyolefins such as polypropylene.