Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically a process and apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.

Abstract: A document database system is provided. The document database system includes a database creation system receiving a document having one or more defined fields and generating a database structure for storing data associated with the fields and a document identifier. A form publication system receives user-entered data associated with the defined fields in the document and publishes the document with a machine readable unique document identifier. An executed document processing system receives an image data file of an executed copy of the published document, reads the machine readable unique document identifier and stores the document in the database structure.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper, training pant, and the like comprises a containment member that has a central zone and a barrier zone. The central zone has greater air flow according to the Air Permeability Test than the barrier zone. The barrier zone a greater hydrohead according to the Hydrostatic Head Pressure Test than the central zone. The containment member may be used for absorbent core formation and may have portions configured to serve as barrier leg cuffs for the finished absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming nonwoven webs comprising coated fibers. The method of forming the nonwoven web generally comprises the steps of forming fibers from a melt fibrillation process, forming at least one fluid stream containing a coating substance, applying the coating substance onto the surface of the fiber, and depositing the coated fibers on a surface to form a web. Typically, the fibers are coated in flight. Preferably, the melt fibrillation process to form the fibers is a melt film fibrillation process. A melt film fibrillation process generally includes the steps of providing a polymeric melt, utilizing a central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymeric film tube, and using air to form multiple nanofibers from the hollow tube. The nonwoven web may comprise a layer having a significant number of nanofibers with diameters less than one micron.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming nonwoven webs comprising particulates. The method of forming the nonwoven web generally comprising the steps of forming fibers from a melt fibrillation process, forming at least one fluid stream containing particulates, mixing said fibers with said particulates to form a fiber-particulate mix, and depositing the mix on a surface to form a web. The nonwoven web will have the particulates entrapped in the web. The nonwoven web may comprise a layer having a significant number of nanofibers with diameters less than one micron.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles comprising nanofibers. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, may comprise a significant number of the fibers in one layer of the web contained by the article. Preferably, the nanofibers are produced in a melt film fibrillation process. The 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, and feminine wipes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming nonwoven webs comprising coated fibers. The method of forming the nonwoven web generally comprises the steps of forming fibers from a melt fibrillation process, forming at least one fluid stream containing a coating substance, applying the coating substance onto the surface of the fiber, and depositing the coated fibers on a surface to form a web. Typically, the fibers are coated in flight. Preferably, the melt fibrillation process to form the fibers is a melt film fibrillation process. A melt film fibrillation process generally includes the steps of providing a polymeric melt, utilizing a central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymeric film tube, and using air to form multiple nanofibers from the hollow tube. The nonwoven web may comprise a layer having a significant number of nanofibers with diameters less than one micron.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hygiene articles comprising nanofibers. The nanofibers are made from an energy efficient melt fibrillation process. The melt fibrillation process will have a polymer throughput of more than about 10 grams per minute per orifice. Preferably, the process will have a fiberizing fluid temperature of less than about 50° C. above the polymer melting point and a fiberizing fluid velocity of less than about 100 meters per second. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, must comprise a significant number of the fibers in one layer of the web contained by the hygiene article. Preferably, the nanofibers are produced in a melt film fibrillation process. The hygiene articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence pads, catamenial products such as feminine care pads and pantiliners, tampons, personal cleansing articles, personal care articles, and personal care wipes including baby wipes, facial wipes, and feminine wipes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out two chemical reactions in a reactor system comprising at least two mutually separate reactor beds, of which the surfaces exposed to the reactants are catalytically active for the chemical reactions concerned, and at least one partition; wherein at least one first reactor bed is present, which is bounded by at least one partition, which bed is based on a continuous porous structure extending throughout the reactor, and which bed is fixedly connected to said partition; wherein at least one second bed is preset, which is based on a continuous porous structure extending throughout the reactor, and which bed is fixedly connected to said partition, and said second bed, with respect to the first bed, is disposed on the other side of said partition, so that a heat-exchanging contact between said beds is present and the reaction heat of a first chemical reaction carried out in said first reactor bed is supplied or absorbed by carrying out a second chemical reaction in