Abstract: A topsheet layer material for use on an absorbent article includes a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a depth direction and comprises a planar sheet. The topsheet layer material includes visually and spatially coordinated embossed channels and apertures. The embossed channels are curvilinear indentations configured along either the longitudinal, the transverse direction, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse directions. The apertures are positioned along the topsheet layer material laterally adjacent to the channels such that at least a portion of the apertures have an overall shape configuration that is substantially similar or the same as at least a portion of the shape of the embossed channel. Such coordinated aperture configuration may also be generally concentric with or generally parallel to the embossed channels.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a first major surface which forms a body-facing surface of the absorbent article, and a second major surface disposed distally from the first major surface which forms a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The article includes an absorbent core positioned between the first major surface and the second major surface. The article also includes at least one heat-activatable expandable structure. The at least one heat-activatable expandable structure is disposed on or below the first major surface. Application of heat to the heat-activatable expandable structure causes the heat-activatable expandable barrier structure to form distinctive designs, barriers and/or channels.

Abstract: A printed nonwoven web having improved oil crockfastness when an ink composition is applied to an outer surface of the nonwoven is generally disclosed. For example, an ink composition that has improved resistance to rub off of the web, even if the ink composition contacts an oily substance (e.g., baby oil, lotion, etc.), can be printed on a surface of the web. The nonwoven web can be a layer in a laminate having at least a film layer and the nonwoven web layer. For example, the printed laminate can be used as the outercover of an absorbent article.

Abstract: A topsheet layer material for use on an absorbent article includes a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a depth direction and comprises a planar sheet. The topsheet layer material includes visually and spatially coordinated embossed channels and apertures. The embossed channels are curvilinear indentations configured along either the longitudinal, the transverse direction, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse directions. The apertures are positioned along the topsheet layer material laterally adjacent to the channels such that at least a portion of the apertures have an overall shape configuration that is substantially similar or the same as at least a portion of the shape of the embossed channel. Such coordinated aperture configuration may also be generally concentric with or generally parallel to the embossed channels.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a first major surface which forms a body-facing surface of the absorbent article, and a second major surface disposed distally from the first major surface which forms a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The article includes an absorbent core positioned between the first major surface and the second major surface. The article also includes at least one heat-activatable expandable structure. The at least one heat-activatable expandable structure is disposed on or below the first major surface. Application of heat to the heat-activatable expandable structure causes the heat-activatable expandable barrier structure to form distinctive designs, barriers and/or channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a substrate to improve the alcohol repellency of the substrate while minimizing the effect on the hydrostatic head value of the substrate that includes contacting a substrate with a treatment solution that includes an ionic fluoropolymer, a monovalent salt, and essentially no antistatic agent or less than 0.05 weight percent by weight of an antistatic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a nonwoven fabric to improve alcohol repellency that includes contacting a nonwoven fabric with an aqueous treatment solution that includes a non-ionic fluoropolymer and essentially no antistatic agent or less than 0.05 weight percent by weight of an antistatic agent. The present invention also provides a nonwoven fabric with improved alcohol repellency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are extruded articles such as, for example, fibers and films, containing thermoplastic polymeric compositions having a copolymeric major component and a melt processable additive treatment, wherein the melt processable additives have enhanced segregation to or expression at the surface of the article, thereby improving the effect of the desired characteristic of the additive treatment. Also disclosed are multicomponent extruded thermoplastic articles having two or more distinct components arranged in a specific geometric arrangement, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric composition of at least one geometric component includes a copolymeric major component and a melt processable additive treatment. Also disclosed are web materials including the extruded articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are extruded articles such as, for example, fibers and films, containing thermoplastic polymeric compositions having a copolymeric major component and a melt processable additive treatment, wherein the melt processable additives have enhanced segregation to or expression at the surface of the article, thereby improving the effect of the desired characteristic of the additive treatment. Also disclosed are multicomponent extruded thermoplastic articles having two or more distinct components arranged in a specific geometric arrangement, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric composition of at least one geometric component includes a copolymeric major component and a melt processable additive treatment. Also disclosed are web materials including the extruded articles.

Abstract: A printed nonwoven web having improved oil crockfastness when an ink composition is applied to an outer surface of the nonwoven is generally disclosed. For example, an ink composition that has improved resistance to rub off of the web, even if the ink composition contacts an oily substance (e.g., baby oil, lotion, etc.), can be printed on a surface of the web. The nonwoven web can be a layer in a laminate having at least a film layer and the nonwoven web layer. For example, the printed laminate can be used as the outercover of an absorbent article.

Abstract: A microbe contamination detection system is described. The microbe contamination detection system alerts a user or other individual in the event of microbial contamination of the system. The signal graphic is revealed when an obscuring graphic reacts with the microbial contamination to change color and/or become at least substantially transparent. The microbe contamination detection system may be used as a stand-alone device or may be incorporated as part of various articles or products, for instance, health care or food service preparation protective garments. Methods for using the microbe contamination detection system are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluorochemical blends suitable for producing repellency to low surface tension fluids such as, for example, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and hydrophilic liquids, such as those containing surfactants. The fluorochemical blends may be beneficially utilized to produce low surface tension fluid repellency in extruded articles such as fibers and fibrous web materials, films and foams. Such repellent extruded articles are highly useful in a wide range of limited use and disposable products such as, for example, personal care products, mortuary and veterinary products, protective wear garments, and medical care garments and products. The fluorochemical blends include at least a first fluorochemical having a majority of first fluoroaliphatic groups having 4 or fewer carbon atoms, and a second fluorochemical having a majority of second fluoroaliphatic groups having 6 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient method for topically treating and drying fibrous web materials such as nonwoven web materials and nonwoven laminate materials without unduly damaging the materials due to excessive heating during drying.

Abstract: Described is an improved two-step process for treating lightweight nonwovens to impart single-sided anti-static and alcohol repellency properties while maintaining good barrier characteristics as measured by hydrostatic head values. The resulting nonwovens find particular uses as infection control product medical fabrics for sterilization wrap and surgical gowns, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient method for topically treating and drying fibrous web materials such as nonwoven web materials and nonwoven laminate materials without unduly damaging the materials due to excessive heating during drying.

Abstract: Printed substrates, ink compositions and methods for treating substrates to improve the adhesion of an ink composition to a hydrophobic substrate are provided. The ink compositions and printed substrates include a polysaccharide, a modified polysaccharide, a derivative of a polysaccharide, or a derivative of a modified polysaccharide. The method involves contacting at least a portion of a hydrophobic substrate with a composition that comprises a polysaccharide, a modified polysaccharide, a derivative of a polysaccharide, or a derivative of a modified polysaccharide; and then printing a pattern or other indicia on at least a portion of the portion of the hydrophobic substrate that was contacted with a polysaccharide, a modified polysaccharide, a derivative of a polysaccharide, or a derivative of a modified polysaccharide using an ink composition.

Abstract: Media coatings for use on substrates for ink jet printing include a cationically modified clay, a cationically modified silica and a binder. Alternatively, the media coatings also include additional additives. The ratio of cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies in the coating formulation from about 1% to about 99%. Desirably, the ratio of the cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies from about 10% to about 50%. More desirably, the ratio of cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies from about 25% to about 35%. The ratio of the total cationically modified clay and cationically modified silica to binder varies from about 20% to about 80%. Desirably, the ratio of the total cationically modified clay and cationically modified silica to binder varies from about 65% to about 75%.

Abstract: Described is an improved two-step process for treating lightweight nonwovens to impart single-sided anti-static and alcohol repellency properties while maintaining good barrier characteristics as measured by hydrostatic head values. The resulting nonwovens find particular uses as infection control product medical fabrics for sterilization wrap and surgical gowns, for example.

Abstract: Media coatings for use on substrates for ink jet printing include a cationically modified clay, a cationically modified silica and a binder. Alternatively, the media coatings also include additional additives. The ratio of cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies in the coating formulation from about 1% to about 99%. Desirably, the ratio of the cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies from about 10% to about 50%. More desirably, the ratio of cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies from about 25% to about 35%. The ratio of the total cationically modified clay and cationically modified silica to binder varies from about 20% to about 80%. Desirably, the ratio of the total cationically modified clay and cationically modified silica to binder varies from about 65% to about 75%.