Abstract: A highly conformable and deformable nonwoven web comprising melt-blown microfibers having multiple layers of a relatively low modulus material and a high modulus material.

Abstract: Polymer blends of non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene and a polymer compatible with such polypropylene and the method of making such polymer blends are provided. Such compatible polymer blends exhibit substantial maintenance of structural integrity after exposure to gamma irradiation and provide heat sealing properties, puncture resistance, and tear strength. Films, fibers, and other articles made from such blends may be used in various applications, including medical articles such as medical packaging films, ostomy pouches, and transdermal delivery patches, which may require sterilized storage prior to usage.

Abstract: A method for preparing melt-blown microfibers comprising extruding fiber-forming material through the orifices of a die into a high-velocity gaseous stream where the extruded material is rapidly attenuated into fibers, directing the attenuated fibers into a first open end of a tubular chamber disposed near the die and extending in a direction parallel to the path of the attenuated fibers as they leave the die, introducing air into the tubular chamber at a velocity sufficient to maintain the fibers under tension during travel through the chamber, and collecting the fibers after they leave the tubular chamber.

Abstract: Polymer blends of non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene and a polymer compatible with such polypropylene and the method of making such polymer blends are provided. Such compatible polymer blends exhibit substantial maintenance of structural integrity after exposure to gamma irradiation and provide heat sealing properties, puncture resistance, and tear strength. Films, fibers, and other articles made from such blends may be used in various applications, including medical articles such as medical packaging films, ostomy pouches, and transdermal delivery patches, which may require sterilized storage prior to usage.

Abstract: Polypropylene articles are provided. The polypropylene articles include non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene having olefinic unsaturation-containing monomers graft-polymerized thereon by ionizing radiation in a dosage sufficient to degrade crystalline polypropylene. The irradiated polypropylene articles retain useful tensile properties after storage periods of as long as at least about four months.

Abstract: Oriented microfibers and processes for making them are disclosed, together with blends of such microfibers with other fibers such as crimped staple fibers and non-oriented microfibers.

Abstract: Polypropylene articles are provided. The polypropylene articles comprise non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene having olefinic unsaturation-containing monomers graft-polymerized thereon by ionizing radiation in a dosage sufficient to degrade crystalline polypropylene. The irradiated polypropylene articles retain useful tensile properties after storage periods of as long as at least about four months.

Abstract: Irradiated polypropylene articles of non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene and a method for preparing the articles are provided. The articles are irradiated with a sterilizing dosage of ionizing radiation. The irradiated articles such as films and blown microfiber webs are substantially undegraded after storage periods of as long as six months.

Abstract: A pyroelectric and isotropic piezoelectric polymeric film, the film being formed from a blend of polyvinylidene fluoride and at least one polymer miscible therewith, and prepared by forming the film, heating it to a temperature sufficient to render the film substantially amorphous, cooling at a rate and to a temperature sufficient to prevent crystallization, and polarizing the film to render same .beta.-crystalline and pyroelectric and isotropically piezoelectric.

Abstract: Biocomponent fibers, and webs made therefrom, are taught in which one component of the fibers is a crystallizable material. When a web of the fibers is heated in a mold above the temperature at which crystallization occurs, the fibers tend to be set in the position they are held in the mold. A preferred fiber comprises blown fibers comprising as one component amorphous, crystallizable polyethylene terephthalate, and as the other component polypropylene. A web of such fibers not only becomes formed into a shape-retaining form by crystallization during the molding process, but also can be further established in its shape-retaining character by heating the web above the softening point of the polypropylene, whereupon the fibers become bonded at their points of intersection.

Abstract: Fibrous webs of bicomponent fibers are made by extruding a layered molten mass through a row of side-by-side orifices into a high-velocity gaseous stream. Bicomponent fibers of small size can be obtained, and the webs offer unique properties.

Abstract: A pyroelectric and isotropic piezoelectric polymeric film, the film being formed from a blend of polyvinylidene fluoride and at least one polymer miscible therewith at a temperature above the melting point of the polyvinylidene fluoride, and a process for preparing the film comprising forming the film, heating it to a temperature sufficient to render the film substantially amorphous, cooling at a rate and to a temperature sufficient to prevent crystallization, and polarizing the film to render same pyroelectric and isotropically piezoelectric.

Abstract: A pyroelectric and isotropic piezoelectric polymeric film, the film being formed from a blend of polyvinylidene fluoride and at least one polymer miscible therewith at a temperature above the melting point of the polyvinylidene fluoride, and a process for preparing the film comprising forming the film, heating it to a temperature sufficient to render the film substantially amorphous, cooling at a rate and to a temperature sufficient to prevent crystallization, and polarizing the film to render same pyroelectric and isotropically piezoelectric.

Abstract: Bicomponent fibers, and webs made therefrom, are taught in which one component of the fibers is a crystallizable material. When a web of the fibers is heated in a mold above the temperature at which crystallization occurs, the fibers tend to be set in the position they are held in the mold. A preferred fiber comprises blown fibers comprising as one component amorphous, crystallizable polyethylene terephthalate, and as the other component polypropylene. A web of such fibers not only becomes formed into a shape-retaining form by crystallization during the molding process, but also can be further established in its shape-retaining character by heating the web above the softening point of the polypropylene, whereupon the fibers become bonded at their points of intersection.

Abstract: Normally transparent films which can be rendered translucent by stretching and transparent by relaxing the film are provided. The films comprise a blend of crystallizable polymer with a compound with which the polymer is miscible at a temperature above the crystallization temperature of the crystallizable polymer-compound blend but immiscible at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the blend. The films are prepared by blending the crystallizable polymer with the compound under melt conditions, casting a film of the blend and cooling to solidify the blend.

Abstract: Webs of blown microfibers having a network of compacted high-density regions and pillowed low-density regions are reinforced by a mesh of filaments used to collect the web.

Abstract: A new separator that incorporates a new separator element is provided for removing a dispersed liquid phase from a continuous liquid phase. The new separator element comprises a plurality of discrete sections of coalescing and sorbing media interspersed in intimate contact with one another. The sections of coalescing media provide substantially continuous paths through the separator element for the liquid to be treated. As the liquid is conducted through the coalescing media, the dispersed liquid phase is sorbed from the coalescing media into the sorbing media, whereupon a cleaned continuous phase exits from the separator.