Abstract: An absorbent article for inhibiting the production of exoproteins from Gram positive bacteria, such as potentially harmful proteins produced by Staphylococcus species, is described. The absorbent article is particularly useful for inhibiting the production of TSST-1, alpha-toxin and/or enterotoxins A, B and C from S. aureus bacterium. An alkyl polyglycoside is incorporated into the absorbent article. For example, alkyl polyglycoside may be coated on the fibers of a liquid-permeable cover of a catamenial tampon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering elemental phosphorus from a sludge that contains water, dirt, and elemental phosphorus. In the first step, the sludge is melted. A mixture is formed of the melted sludge and about 0.5 to about 5 wt % of an oxidizing agent, based on the weight of elemental phosphorus in the sludge, and about 75 to about 580 wt % water, based on the weight of the sludge. The mixture is stirred until a continuous elemental phosphorus phase forms. The purified phosphorus phase is separated from the mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering elemental phosphorus from a sludge that contains water, dirt, and elemental phosphorus. In the first step, the sludge is melted. A mixture is formed of the melted sludge and about 0.5 to about 3 wt % of an oxidizing agent, based on the weight of said elemental phosphorus in the sludge, and about 75 to about 400 wt % water, based on the weight of the sludge. The mixture is stirred until a continuous elemental phosphorus phase forms. The purified phosphorus phase is separated from the mixture.

Abstract: There is disclosed a porous non-woven absorbent structure formed from fibers. The porous structure has a basis weight within the range of at least about 0.25 osy to about 10.0 osy a density of at least about 0.01 g/cc to about 0.15 g/cc. The porous structure is adapted such that upon the application of at least 2 ml of fluid Bovine blood-oxalate to a surface thereof, substantially all of said fluid enters the bulk of the porous structure within about 45 seconds. The porous structure may be single layered or include multiple layers. The single layered structure is formed from spunbonded thermoplastic fibers which include a hydrophilic internal additive. The multiple layered structure is formed by laminating a spunbonded web to a second layer. The second may be formed from natural or synthetic fibers. When formed from synthetic fibers, the second layer is generally formed from meltblown fibers which may also include a hydrophobic internal additive.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite structure is provided which has three melt-extruded nonwoven layers, each of which includes at least a portion of a nonwoven web. The first nonwoven web is adjacent to one surface of the second nonwoven web and the third nonwoven web is adjacent to the other surface of the second nonwoven web. The first and third nonwoven webs consist of continuous and randomly deposited filaments having an average filament diameter in excess of about 7 micrometers. The second nonwoven web consists of substantially continuous and randomly deposited microfibers having an average diameter of from about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers. The microfibers of the second nonwoven web are prepared from a mixture of an additive and a second thermoplastic polymer, which additive imparts alcohol repellency to the surfaces of the microfibers. The three nonwoven layers can be prepared independently from polyolefins, polyesters, polyetheresters, and polyamides.

Abstract: A nonwoven laminiferous structure is provided which has three melt-extruded nonwoven layers, each of which includes at least a portion of a nonwoven web. The first nonwoven web is adjacent to one surface of the second nonwoven web and the third nonwoven web is adjacent to the other surface of the second nonwoven web. The first and third nonwoven webs consist of continuous and randomly deposited filaments having an average filament diameter in excess of about 7 micrometers. The second nonwoven web consists of substantially continuous and randomly deposited microfibers having an average diameter of from about 0.1 to about 10 micrometers. The microfibers of the second nonwoven web are prepared from a mixture of an additive and a second thermoplastic polymer, which additive imparts alcohol repellency to the surfaces of the microfibers. The three nonwoven layers can be prepared independently from polyolefins, polyesters, polyetheresters, and polyamides.

Abstract: A nonwoven laminiferous structure is provided which has at least two melt-extruded nonwoven layers:(A) a first layer which includes at least a portion of a first nonwoven web; and(B) a second layer adjacent to said first layer which includes at least a portion of a second nonwoven web; in which,(1) the boundary between any two adjacent melt-extruded nonwoven layers is distinct in that fibers at or near the surfaces of such adjacent layer are not significantly intermingled;(2) the fibers of at least one of such first and second layers are prepared by melt extrusion through a die at a shear rate of from about 50 to about 30,000 sec.sup.-1 and a throughput of no more than about 5.4 kg/cm/hour of a mixture of an additive and a thermoplastic polymer, which additive (a) is present at a level of from about 0.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite structure is provided which has at least two melt-extruded nonwoven layers:(A) a first layer which includes at least a portion of a first nonwoven web; and(B) a second layer which includes at least a portion of a second nonwovfen web;in which,(1) the boundary between any two adjacent melt-extruded nonwoven layers is indistinct in that fibers at or near the surfaces of such adjacent layers are significantly intermingled;(2) the fibers of at least one of such first and second layers are prepared by melt extrusion through a die at a shear rate of from about 50 to about 30,000 sec.sup.-1 and a throughput of no more than about 5.

Abstract: A fabric softener composition, which can pass through the wash cycle of a clothes washer, comprises a fabric softener, polystyrene, a plasticizer, and a long chain alcohol. The fabric softener composition is particularly suitable in combination with a web substrate, preferably a web substrate containing liquid laundry detergent to provide a single product for washing and softening clothes.