Abstract: A breathable, substantially liquid impermeable film and laminate are provided for use in a wide variety of personal care garments and protective garments. The film, and laminate containing the film, are extendible in a cross-direction to a stretched width which is at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width. The film and laminate have a first water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams/m2-24 hours coinciding with the unstretched width. The film and laminate have a much higher second water vapor transmission rate which is at least about 225% of the first water vapor transmission rate, and not less than about 4000 grams/m2-24 hours, coinciding with a stretched width that is only 25% greater than the stretched width.

Abstract: A breathable, substantially liquid impermeable film and laminate are provided for use in a wide variety of personal care garments and protective garments. The film, and laminate containing the film, are extendible in a cross-direction to a stretched width which is at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width. The film and laminate have a first water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams/m2-24 hours coinciding with the unstretched width. The film and laminate have a much higher second water vapor transmission rate which is at least about 225% of the first water vapor transmission rate, and not less than about 4000 grams/m2-24 hours, coinciding with a stretched width that is only 25% greater than the stretched width.

Abstract: A breathable, substantially liquid impermeable film and laminate are provided for use in a wide variety of personal care garments and protective garments. The film, and laminate containing the film, are extendible in a cross-direction to a stretched width which is at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width. The film and laminate have a first water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams/m2-24 hours coinciding with the unstretched width. The film and laminate have a much higher second water vapor transmission rate which is at least about 225% of the first water vapor transmission rate, and not less than about 4000 grams/m2-24 hours, coinciding with a stretched width that is only 25% greater than the stretched width.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a necked laminate and a process for making the laminate. The necked laminate is formed from sheet layers of at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least one non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension wherein the laminate is extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension. The laminate is made by first partially stretching the non-elastic film layer, attaching a non-elastic neckable layer to form a laminate and then stretching the laminate to neck the laminate and stretch the film to its desired fully stretched configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved plugger design that utilizes a tapered conical tip having a stepped cross-section to create angular lateral displacement leading to a concurrent diagonal resultant force both in length and direction. The improved plugger design results in a main compaction that is a compounded displacement having vector quantities of both magnitude and direction throughout its working length due to the varying steps throughout the working length (as opposed to existing pluggers having a single point of pressure). This allows the gutta percha to be worked upon by several forces in different directions at the same time, which in turn distorts and compacts the gutta percha in various locations and directions to enable a more complete compaction and condensation within the root canal. Insertion length markings are also provided. The stepped plugger of the present invention with insertion markings achieves the fullest possible compaction condensation of the gutta percha.

Abstract: A breathable, substantially liquid impermeable laminate is provided that is permanently conformable to the contours of a wearer's body when used in a personal care absorbent article or a medical article. The laminate includes a breathable (preferably microporous) film and a fibrous nonwoven web. Both the film and the web are extendible in a cross direction to a width at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width upon application of a stretching force. The web and the film, and the overall laminate, exhibit little or no retractive force once they have been stretched. A diaper or other garment can be constructed in undersized fashion using the laminate, permitting material savings. When the garment is worn, the laminate stretches only where needed to provide a substantially perfect fit on the wearer. The minimal retractive force avoids the skin marks, rashes, etc. that can result from elastic garments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a necked laminate and a process for making the laminate. The necked laminate is formed from sheet layers of at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least one non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension wherein the laminate is extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension. The laminate is made by first partially stretching the non-elastic film layer, attaching a non-elastic neckable layer to form a laminate and then stretching the laminate to neck the laminate and stretch the film to its desired fully stretched configuration.

Abstract: The ability to incorporate iodoform, tetracycline and a combination of iodoform/tetracycline into root canal gutta percha points is described. The iodoform, tetracycline and iodoform/tetracycline combination are bound within the gutta percha points. They act as a reservoir of antimicrobial that is capable of diffusing onto the surface of the gutta percha thereby inhibiting the colonization of bacteria on the gutta percha points and within the root canal system. Tetracycline is capable of coalescing within the dentinal tubules to inhibit long term microbial growth. These medicated gutta percha points are site specific, surface acting antimicrobial gutta percha points. A method of the usage and delivery of amorphous form iodoform gutta percha, iodoform/tetracycline gutta percha, or tetracycline gutta percha within a heated compule with a pressure plunger by delivering the thermo-softened heat labile amorphous form via a pressure extrusion system through a cannula into the prepared root canal system.

Abstract: A simplified elastic laminate is made from nonwovens and is especially suitable for side panels of training pant garments or the like. A plurality of thermoplastic adhesive elastomeric fibers are located between first and second facing webs. The fibers have an elastic core and adhesive surfaces. The facing webs, with the elastomeric fibers between them, are calendered together thus adhering the facing webs together via contact adhesion with the elastomeric fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creping a nonwoven web using a hot melt adhesive as the creping adhesive. As a second aspect of the present invention, an internal adhesive is added to the polymers used to produce the nonwoven web during the nonwoven web forming process and this internal adhesive adheres the nonwoven web to the creping roll. Using the processes of the present invention, more energy efficient methods are provided for creping nonwoven webs. The creped nonwoven webs of the present invention are useful in a wide variety of application including as wipes, liners, transfer or surge layers, outercovers, other fluid handling materials and looped attachment materials for hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one step method for bonding and creping a nonwoven web. In the method of the present invention, a nonwoven web is adhered to a creping roll and bonded while on the creping roll. The bonding of the nonwoven adheres the nonwoven to the creping roll in a pattern of the bonding roll. Once creped from the creping roll, the resulting nonwoven web is creped in the pattern of the bonding roll. The creped nonwoven webs of the present invention are useful in a wide variety of application including as wipes, liners, transfer or surge layers, outercovers, other fluid handling materials and looped fastener materials.

Abstract: A breathable, substantially liquid impermeable laminate is provided that is permanently conformable to the contours of a wearer's body when used in a personal care absorbent article or a medical article. The laminate includes a breathable (preferably microporous) film and a fibrous nonwoven web. Both the film and the web are extendible in a cross direction to a width at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width upon application of a stretching force. The web and the film, and the overall laminate, exhibit little or no retractive force once they have been stretched. A diaper or other garment can be constructed in undersized fashion using the laminate, permitting material savings. When the garment is worn, the laminate stretches only where needed to provide a substantially perfect fit on the wearer. The minimal retractive force avoids the skin marks, rashes, etc. that can result from elastic garments.

Abstract: A disposable garment includes a chassis defining openings for the legs and waist of a wearer and side panels. The side panels include a targeted elastic material including zones of high and low elastic tension in the same material, integrated during formation of the material. The targeted elastic material is positioned so that at least one high tension zone is aligned with the waist opening, thereby functioning as an elastic band without requiring a separately manufactured, attached elastic band. A spacer zone, comprising a low tension zone or a no tension zone, is positioned between the at least one high tension zone, which is aligned with the waist opening, and the waist end edge of the side panel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material and a process for making the material. The composite material may be breathable and is formed from at least one layer of an elastic material and a necked laminate of sheet layers. The sheet layers include at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least one non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension wherein the laminate is extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liquid transfer material formed from a necked laminate and a process for making the laminate. The necked laminate is formed from sheet layers of at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least the film non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension. At least the film layer of the laminate is apertured in an area where liquid transfer through the laminate is desired. The entire laminate may also be apertured. The non-apertured part of the laminate remains extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension.

Abstract: A breathable, substantially liquid impermeable film and laminate are provided for use in a wide variety of personal care garments and protective garments. The film, and laminate containing the film, are extendible in a cross-direction to a stretched width which is at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width. The film and laminate have a first water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams/m2-24 hours coinciding with the unstretched width. The film and laminate have a much higher second water vapor transmission rate which is at least about 225% of the first water vapor transmission rate, and not less than about 4000 grams/m2-24 hours, coinciding with a stretched width that is only 25% greater than the stretched width.

Abstract: Breathable microporous films are provided having controlled regional breathability with thick high WVTR regions and thinner low WVTR regions. The zoned breathable microporous films can be made by selectively applying heat and/or pressure to specific regions the microporous film such as by feeding a microporous film through a pair of heated nip rollers with one of the rolls having a raised surface area or by applying a focused stream of hot air. Monolayer microporous films and multilayer films having at least one microporous layer can be treated to impart zoned breathability to the film.

Abstract: A self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater in a less expensive and easier to replace plugger unit. A different heating circuit using balanced resistor elements in both the hand piece and the tip makes use of the instrument more cost effective for the dentist. The instrument combines a sterilizable condenser tip with the capability of achieving the correct heating temperature via standard AA alkaline batteries.

Abstract: A new and improved gutta-percha point for obturation of root canals comprising a cone with a gripping hub and an insertion tip and generally tapered toward the tip. The cone is also defined by indicia running side-to-side at predetermined positions relative to the tip to allow a visual alignment relative to a point of reference plane. The indicia further comprises a marking scale that includes a succession of discrete ring markings spaced incrementally along the gutta-percha point. A method of using the above-described gutta-percha cone is also described and this includes the steps of establishing a reference plane relative to the prepared root canal, inserting the gutta-percha cone into the prepared root canal, visually ascertaining a position of the markings relative to the reference plane to determine if the gutta-percha cone is too long, and cutting back the gutta-percha cone with reference to the markings if the gutta-percha cone is determined to be too long.

Abstract: In a multi-service wireless, or wired, integrated services digital network having an analog loop driven by an analog loop adapter, the type-of-call information (i.e., voice, data, or fax) in a call setup message is used at the analog loop adapter to generate a call-type signal. A switch is interposed between the analog loop and each piece of terminal equipment on the loop. Each switch responds to the call-type signal lo adjust the switch setting so that terminal equipment attached to the switch which does not match the call-type does not receive the ensuing ringing signal.