Abstract: A soft, flexible, low-density, open-cell, thermoplastic, absorbent foam formed from a foam polymer formula including a balanced amount of a plasticizing agent and a surfactant in combination with a base resin. Thermoplastic elastomers can be added to the foam polymer formula to improve softness, flexibility, elasticity, and resiliency of the resulting foam. The surfactant may be either a single surfactant or a multi-surfactant system. The foam possesses a number of qualities, such as softness and strength, which render the foam particularly suitable for use in a variety of personal care products, medical products, and the like.

Abstract: A hybrid absorbent foam includes an integrated hybrid foam layer having an open surface, a closed surface, and a foam body extending between the open and closed surfaces. The integrated hybrid foam layer has an open-cell content of at least 50%, while the closed surface provides a barrier to aqueous liquids. The integrated hybrid foam layer is formed as a single layer, and has a substantially uniform polymer composition throughout its thickness. The integrated hybrid foam layer combines the functions of liquid absorbency, retention, and barrier into a single layer, and is useful in a wide variety of absorbent articles.

Abstract: A wet mop head assembly for use with a mop handle is disclosed. The mop head includes a laminate mop substrate having a first layer of scrubbing material, a second layer of scrubbing material and an absorbent foam layer sandwiched between the scrubbing material layers. At least one bond is present to join the scrubbing and absorbent foam layers together.

Abstract: An absorbent elastic laminate includes an elastic backing layer and a flexible thermoplastic absorbent foam layer. The flexible absorbent foam layer gathers when the laminate is in the relaxed state, permitting the elastic backing and the overall laminate to exhibit elastic stretch and recovery properties. The absorbent elastic laminate is useful in a wide variety of personal care absorbent articles, medical absorbent articles and absorbent wiping articles.

Abstract: A soft, flexible, low-density, open-cell, thermoplastic, absorbent foam formed from a foam polymer formula including a balanced amount of a plasticizing agent and a surfactant in combination with a base resin. Thermoplastic elastomers can be added to the foam polymer formula to improve softness, flexibility, elasticity, and resiliency of the resulting foam. The surfactant may be either a single surfactant or a multi-surfactant system. The foam possesses a number of qualities, such as softness and strength, which render the foam particularly suitable for use in a variety of personal care products, medical products, and the like.

Abstract: A wet mop head assembly for use with a mop handle is disclosed. The mop head includes a laminate mop substrate having a first layer of scrubbing material, a second layer of scrubbing material and an absorbent foam layer sandwiched between the scrubbing material layers. At least one bond is present to join the scrubbing and absorbent foam layers together.

Abstract: A hydraulically entangled nonwoven fabric that includes recycled synthetic fibers and fiber-like materials having at least one thread element composed of synthetic material with at least one irregular distortion generated by hydraulic fracture of the thread element to separate it from a bonded fibrous material while the bonded fibrous material is suspended in a liquid. This material may be used as a wiper or an absorbent material. A method of forming the material includes the steps of: (a) providing a layer of recycled synthetic fibers and fiber-like materials having at least one thread element composed of synthetic material containing at least one irregular distortion generated by hydraulic fracture of the thread element to separate it from a bonded fibrous material while the bonded fibrous material is suspended in a liquid; (b) hydraulically entangling the layer to form a nonwoven web; and (c) drying the web.

Abstract: A hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite structure that includes a matrix of substantially continuous filaments; and recycled synthetic fibers and fiber-like materials having at least one thread element composed of synthetic material with at least one irregular distortion generated by hydraulic fracture of the thread element to separate it from a bonded fibrous material while the bonded fibrous material is suspended in a liquid. This nonwoven composite structure may be used as a wiper or an absorbent material.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T1—wherein the treatment requires a period of time TR sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a perod of time T2; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T3. Periods of time T1, T2 and T3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as TR.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition for treating a high pulp content nonwoven web is provided. The flame retardant composition includes soluble solids formed from inorganic salts, such as ammonium polyphosphate and sulfur. The TGA range of such soluble solids is from about 175.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C. The flame retardant composition may be continuously and uniformly applied to the high pulp content nonwoven web by a non-compressive process.

Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven composite material. The method includes the steps of: providing a hydraulically entangled web containing a fibrous component and a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; applying a bonding material to at least one side of said web; and creping said at least one side of the hydraulically entangled web. The bonder material may be an aqueous mixture including a curable latex polymer, a pigment, and a cure promoter. Also disclosed is a nonwoven composite material made of a hydraulically entangled web including a fibrous component; a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; and regions containing bonder material covering at least a portion of at least one side of the composite material, wherein at least one side of the web has been creped.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T.sub.1 --wherein the treatment requires a period of time T.sub.R sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a period of time T.sub.2 ; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T.sub.3. Periods of time T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as T.sub.R.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition for treating a high pulp content nonwoven web is provided. The flame retardant composition includes soluble solids formed from inorganic salts, such as ammonium polyphosphate and sulfur. The TGA range of such soluble solids is from about 175.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C. The flame retardant composition may be continuously and uniformly applied to the high pulp content nonwoven web by a non-compressive process.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T.sub.1 --wherein the treatment requires a period of time T.sub.R sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a period of time T.sub.2 ; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T.sub.3. Periods of time T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as T.sub.R.