Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles comprising nanofibers. Preferred articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence pads, catamenials products such as feminine care pads and pantiliners, tampons, personal cleansing articles, personal care articles, and personal care wipes including baby wipes, facial wipes, body wipes, and feminine wipes. The nanofiber webs can be used as a barrier, wipe, absorbent material, and other uses. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, must comprise a significant number of the fibers in at least one nanofiber layer of the nonwoven web. The nonwoven web may have a hydrohead to basis weight ratio of greater than about 10 mbar/gsm. The nanofibers may be produced from a melt film fibrillation process.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles comprising a structured fibrous web, the structured fibrous web comprising thermally stable, hydrophilic fibers that are thermally bonded together using heat producing a base substrate that is thermally stable. The base substrate is textured via mechanical treatment to increase its thickness and optionally modified via over bonding to improve its mechanical and fluid handling properties. The structured fibrous web provides optimal fluid wicking and fluid acquisition capabilities and is directed toward fluid management applications.

Abstract: Disposable articles that include fibers formed from compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and waxes, where the wax is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer. The fibers containing the wax can define at least a portion of a nonwoven and can be utilized in one or more of the following article layers: liquid pervious layer, liquid impervious layer, and absorbent core disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Disposable article that include fibers formed from compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and waxes are disclosed, where the wax is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.

Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.

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: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising multicomponent fibers that enable the nonwoven web to possess high extensibility. The multicomponent fibers will comprise a first component comprising a polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate of from about 100 to about 2000 grams per 10 minutes and a second component comprising a polymer composition having a melt flow rate lower than the melt flow rate of the first component. The first component comprises at least about 10% of a surface of the multicomponent fiber.

Abstract: Compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and oils are disclosed, where the oil is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are methods of making these compositions.

Abstract: Molded articles formed from compositions comprising thermoplastic starch, thermoplastic polymers, and oils, waxes, or combinations thereof are disclosed, where the oil, wax, or combination is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Compositions comprising thermoplastic starch, thermoplastic polymers, and oils, waxes, or combinations thereof are disclosed, where the oil, wax, or combination is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are methods of making these compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising thermoplastic starch, thermoplastic polymers, and oils, waxes, or combinations thereof are disclosed, where the oil, wax, or combination is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are methods of making these compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles comprising a structured fibrous web, the structured fibrous web comprising thermally stable, hydrophilic fibers that are thermally bonded together using heat producing a base substrate that is thermally stable. The base substrate is textured via mechanical treatment to increase its thickness and optionally modified via over bonding to improve its mechanical and fluid handling properties. The structured fibrous web provides optimal fluid wicking and fluid acquisition capabilities and is directed toward fluid management applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles comprising a structured fibrous web, the structured fibrous web comprising thermally stable, hydrophilic fibers that are thermally bonded together using heat producing a base substrate that is thermally stable. The base substrate is textured via mechanical treatment to increase its thickness and optionally modified via over bonding to improve its mechanical and fluid handling properties. The structured fibrous web provides optimal fluid wicking and fluid acquisition capabilities and is directed toward fluid management applications.

Abstract: Molded articles formed from compositions comprising thermoplastic starch, thermoplastic polymers, and oils, waxes, or combinations thereof are disclosed, where the oil, wax, or combination is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Methods of molding polymer-hydroxylated lipid compositions comprising intimate admixtures of thermoplastic polymers and hydroxylated lipids.

Abstract: Polymer-grease compositions comprising intimate admixtures of thermoplastic polymer and grease. Methods of making and using polymer-grease compositions.

Abstract: Polymer-soap compositions comprising intimate admixtures of thermoplastic polymer and soap. Methods of making and using polymer-soap compositions.

Abstract: Starch-thermoplastic polymer-soap compositions comprising intimate admixtures of thermoplastic polymer and soap. Methods of making and using starch-thermoplastic polymer-soap compositions.

Abstract: Polymer-hydroxylated lipid compositions comprising intimate admixtures of thermoplastic polymer and hydroxylated lipid. Methods of making and using polymer-hydroxylated lipid compositions, and non-migrating articles made therefrom.