Abstract: An alkali dispersible article comprises a sheath-core microfiber. The sheath layer comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer, and the core layer comprises another polymer that is different than the sheath polymer. The core polymer may be a hydrolytically degradable polymer or more preferably a water soluble polymer.

Abstract: An abrasive construction for modifying a surface of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer. The abrasive construction comprises: a three-dimensional, textured, fixed abrasive element; at least one resilient element generally coextensive with the fixed abrasive element; and at least one rigid element generally coextensive with and interposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, wherein the rigid element has a Young's Modulus greater than that of the resilient element.

Abstract: Degradable multilayer melt blown microfibers are provided. The fibers comprise (a) at least one layer of polyolefin resin and at least one layer of polycaprolactone resin, at least one of the polyolefin or polycaprolactone resins containing a transition metal salt; or (b) at least one layer of polyolefin resin containing a transition metal salt and at least one layer of a degradable resin or transition metal salt-free polyolefin resin. Also provided is a degradable web comprising the multilayer melt blown microfibers.

Abstract: Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides pressure sensitive adhesives, compositions from which the pressure sensitive adhesives are formed, and articles having therein these pressure sensitive adhesives. The pressure sensitive adhesives, which have a Tg of less than about 20.degree. C., include a poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate) or mixture thereof. Preferably, these poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate)s include monomeric units of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein a minor amount (preferably no greater than about 20 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; and a major amount (preferably at least about 80 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 4-30 (preferably 4-20) carbon atoms.

Abstract: An abrasive construction for modifying a surface of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer. The abrasive construction comprises: a three-dimensional, textured, fixed abrasive element; at least one resilient element generally coextensive with the fixed abrasive element; and at least one rigid element generally coextensive with and interposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, wherein the rigid element has a Young's Modulus greater than that of the resilient element.

Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. The article can be made from multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides pressure sensitive adhesives, compositions from which the pressure sensitive adhesives are formed, and articles having therein these pressure sensitive adhesives. The pressure sensitive adhesives, which have a Tg of less than about 20.degree. C., include a poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate) or mixture thereof. Preferably, these poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate)s include monomeric units of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: a minor amount (preferably no greater than about 20 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; and a major amount (preferably at least about 80 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 4-30 (preferably 4-20) carbon atoms.

Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or nonwoven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: Method of disposing aqueous-alkali disposable articles is disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.

Abstract: The invention provides a compostable thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a transition metal salt selected from cobalt, manganese, copper, cerium, vanadium and iron, and a fatty acid or ester having 10 to 22 carbon atoms providing unsaturated species and free acid. The composition will oxidatively degrade to an embrittled state within at least 14 days at 60.degree. C. and a relative humidity of at least eighty percent. The invention also provides degradable multilayered polyolefin structures incorporating a transition metal in the form of a salt, degradable and compostable multilayered barrier films, degradable, radiation-resistant compositions and articles, and methods of forming and using such compositions, structures and articles.

Abstract: The invention provides a compostable thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a transition metal salt selected from cobalt, manganese, copper, cerium, vanadium and iron, and a fatty acid or ester having 10 to 22 carbon atoms providing unsaturated species and free acid. The composition will oxidatively degrade to an embrittled state within at least 14 days at 60.degree. C. and a relative humidity of at least eighty percent.