Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: Polysaccharide derivatives, more particularly heteropolysaccharide derivatives, especially hemicellulose derivatives, methods for making same and structures employing same are provided.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a nonwoven fibrous structure comprising a plurality of synthetic fibers. The synthetic fibers may be associated with one or more hydrophilizing agents. A process for making the nonwoven fibrous structure involves association of the synthetic fibers with one or more hydrophilizing agents.

Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: Polysaccharide derivatives, more particularly heteropolysaccharide derivatives, especially hemicellulose derivatives, methods for making same and structures employing same are provided.

Abstract: Thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives, articles employing such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives and methods for making such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives are provided.

Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: A papermaking belt for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers is disclosed. The papermaking belt has an embryonic web contacting surface and a non-embryonic web contacting surface opposite thereto. The papermaking belt also has a reinforcing structure having a patterned framework disposed thereon and a plurality of non-random distinct pores disposed within the continuous network region. The patterned framework has a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits. The deflection conduits are isolated one from another by the continuous network region. Each of the pores has an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the embryonic web contacting surface and an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the non-embryonic web contacting surface. Each of the pores defines a single pathway between the embryonic web contacting surface and the non-embryonic web contacting surface.

Abstract: A papermaking belt having an embryonic web contacting surface for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers and a non-embryonic web contacting surface opposite said embryonic web contacting surface is disclosed. The papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing structure having a patterned framework disposed thereon. The patterned framework has a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits. The deflection conduits are isolated one from another by the continuous network region. A plurality of pores is randomly disposed within the continuous network region. The pores have one opening disposed upon the embryonic web contacting surface and one opening disposed upon the non-embryonic web contacting surface. Each of the pores provides at least one pathway between the embryonic web contacting surface and the non-embryonic web contacting surface.

Abstract: A papermaking belt having an embryonic web contacting surface for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers and a non-embryonic web contacting surface opposite said embryonic web contacting surface is disclosed. The papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing structure having a patterned framework disposed thereon. The patterned framework has a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits. The deflection conduits are isolated one from another by the continuous network region. A plurality of pores is randomly disposed within the continuous network region. The pores have one opening disposed upon the embryonic web contacting surface and one opening disposed upon the non-embryonic web contacting surface. Each of the pores provides at least one pathway between the embryonic web contacting surface and the non-embryonic web contacting surface.

Abstract: A papermaking belt for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers is disclosed. The papermaking belt has an embryonic web contacting surface and a non-embryonic web contacting surface opposite thereto. The papermaking belt also has a reinforcing structure having a patterned framework disposed thereon and a plurality of non-random distinct pores disposed within the continuous network region. The patterned framework has a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits. The deflection conduits are isolated one from another by the continuous network region. Each of the pores has an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the embryonic web contacting surface and an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the non-embryonic web contacting surface. Each of the pores defines a single pathway between the embryonic web contacting surface and the non-embryonic web contacting surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a nonwoven fibrous structure comprising a plurality of synthetic fibers. The synthetic fibers may be associated with one or more hydrophilizing agents. A process for making the nonwoven fibrous structure involves association of the synthetic fibers with one or more hydrophilizing agents.

Abstract: Papermaking belts and more particularly to papermaking belts that employ a porous member and a polymer associated with the porous member, processes for making such papermaking belts and processes for making a paper web utilizing such papermaking belts are provided.

Abstract: Papermaking belts and more particularly to papermaking belts that employ a porous member and a polymer associated with the porous member, processes for making such papermaking belts and processes for making a paper web utilizing such papermaking belts are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multicomponent fibers. The fibers may be in a side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea configuration, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring carbohydrate-based fibrous elements and more particularly, non-naturally occurring carbohydrate-based fibrous elements having a macrostructure and a microstructure wherein the microstructure is visible when wet and methods for making same are provided.

Abstract: Methods for using ionic liquids to extract and separate a biopolymer from a biomass containing the biopolymer are disclosed. Methods for dissolving a biopolymer in an ionic liquid are also disclosed. A recovery solvent is used to reduce the solubility of the biopolymer in the ionic liquid and conventional separation techniques are used to recover the biopolymer. Biopolymers encompassed by this invention include chitin, chitosan, elastin, collagen, keratin and polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: Hemicellulose fibers, more particularly to non-naturally occurring fibers incorporating hemicellulose, processes for making same and fibrous structures incorporating same are provided.

Abstract: Thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives, articles employing such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives and methods for making such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing water from a cellulosic web. The papermaking apparatus comprises imprinting member having an absolute void volume that enables a hydraulic connection to be formed between a cellulosic web and a capillary dewatering member when compressed in a nip. The absolute void volume is predetermined based on an estimate of the volume of water expressed from the cellulosic web.