Abstract: A composite fabric includes a nonwoven fabric layer having non-bonded areas and a structured film layer discontinuously bonded to the nonwoven fabric layer. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric layer and the structured film layer share an overlapping area with at least one set of coincident bond sites. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric does not have another bonding pattern in the overlapping area distinct from the at least one set of coincident bond sites. A method of forming a composite fabric is also described. The method includes forming a fiber layer including a mat of at least partially unconsolidated fibers, positioning a structured film layer and the fiber layer such that they overlap, and discontinuously bonding the mat into a discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric while simultaneously bonding the structured film layer to the nonwoven fabric layer. An apparatus for forming a composite fabric is also described.

Abstract: A scrubbing article including a substrate and a texture layer. The texture layer is formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and is a solvent-free texture layer. The texture layer can include a plastisol ink or a hot melt adhesive, and may further include a plurality of ceramic microspheres. Methods of manufacture are also provided in which a solvent-free texture layer composition is applied to a substrate and then solidified to form a texture layer. In some non-limiting embodiments, the texture layer composition includes a hot melt adhesive and is applied to the substrate in the form of a wetted cellulose sponge.

Abstract: A scrubbing article including a substrate and a texture layer. The texture layer is formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and is a solvent-free texture layer. The texture layer can include a plastisol ink or a hot melt adhesive, and may further include a plurality of ceramic microspheres. Methods of manufacture are also provided in which a solvent-free texture layer composition is applied to a substrate and then solidified to form a texture layer. In some non-limiting embodiments, the texture layer composition includes a hot melt adhesive and is applied to the substrate in the form of a wetted cellulose sponge.

Abstract: A scrubbing article including a substrate, a stain release coating and a texture layer. The stain release coating is applied to the substrate and is present over a at least a major surface of the substrate, and the texture layer is formed over the stain release coating opposite the substrate. In some embodiments, the texture layer is printed on to the stain release coating. The substrate can assume various forms, such as nonwoven, fabric (e.g., woven or knitted), foam, film and sponge material or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that, surprisingly, the antimicrobial treatments used on cellulosic sponges do not work in hydrophilic polyurethane sponges. As such, the inventors of the present disclosure discovered a need for an antimicrobial treatment for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges. The present inventors invented one antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including an acetate salt solution humectant. The present inventors invented another antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including a non-halogen humectant comprising a salt solution having a pH between about 3 and 10 and a water activity of less than 0.9 at 25° C.

Abstract: A composition includes poly(4-methylpent-1-ene) and hollow glass microspheres. The composition has a density of less than 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter. Articles made from the composition and methods of making an article by injection molding the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that, surprisingly, the antimicrobial treatments used on cellulosic sponges do not work in hydrophilic polyurethane sponges. As such, the inventors of the present disclosure discovered a need for an antimicrobial treatment for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges. The present inventors invented one antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including an acetate salt solution humectant. The present inventors invented another antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including a non-halogen humectant comprising a salt solution having a pH between about 3 and 10 and a water activity of less than 0.9 at 25° C.

Abstract: A composition that includes a polyolefin having first repeating units, hollow glass microspheres, a polyolefin impact modifier that is chemically non-crosslinked and free of polar functional groups, and a compatibilizer comprising the first repeating units and second repeating units, which are the first repeating units modified with polar functional groups. Articles made from the composition and methods of making an article by injection molding the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Heat-activatable siloxane-based adhesive articles include a substrate and a heat-activatable adhesive layer that includes a hot melt processable siloxane-based elastomeric polymer. The siloxane-based elastomeric polymer is a urea-containing segmented copolymer or an oxamide-containing segmented copolymer. The adhesive layers are substantially free of tackifying resins and are non-tacky and non-adhesive until heated to a temperature of at least 50 C. The adhesive layers may be optically clear and may have a microstructured surface.

Abstract: A scrubbing article including a substrate, a stain release coating and a texture layer. The stain release coating is applied to the substrate and is present over a at least a major surface of the substrate, and the texture layer is formed over the stain release coating opposite the substrate. In some embodiments, the texture layer is printed on to the stain release coating. The substrate can assume various forms, such as nonwoven, fabric (e.g., woven or knitted), foam, film and sponge material or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Siloxane-based pipe coatings include a hot melt processable siloxane-based elastomeric polymer, and may optionally contain fillers and additives. The siloxane-based elastomeric polymer is a urea-containing segmented copolymer or an oxamide-containing segmented copolymer. The coatings are substantially free of tackifying resins and are non-tacky and non-adhesive until heated to a temperature of at least 50 C.

Abstract: A composite fabric includes a nonwoven fabric layer having non-bonded areas and a structured film layer discontinuously bonded to the nonwoven fabric layer. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric layer and the structured film layer share an overlapping area with at least one set of coincident bond sites. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric does not have another bonding pattern in the overlapping area distinct from the at least one set of coincident bond sites. A method of forming a composite fabric is also described. The method includes forming a fiber layer including a mat of at least partially unconsolidated fibers, positioning a structured film layer and the fiber layer such that they overlap, and discontinuously bonding the mat into a discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric while simultaneously bonding the structured film layer to the nonwoven fabric layer. An apparatus for forming a composite fabric is also described.

Abstract: A scrubbing article 10 including a substrate 12 and a texture layer 14. The texture layer 14 is formed on to a surface 16 of the substrate 12 and includes a multiplicity of microparticles. In some embodiments, the multiplicity of microparticles comprises plastic microbubbles and/or ceramic microspheres that are substantially spherical. In related embodiments, at least some of the ceramic microspheres are solid, and in other embodiments at least some of the ceramic microspheres are glass microbubbles. The substrate 12 can assume various forms, such as nonwoven, fabric (e.g., woven or knitted), foam, film and sponge material or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A scrubbing article (10) including a substrate (12) and an e-beam treated texture layer (14) on a surface of the substrate (12). The substrate (12) comprises a material suitable for use as a scrubbing article. The e-beam treated texture layer (14) is a resin-based material forming a textured abrasive layer (14) on the surface of the substrate (12).

Abstract: A method of making a molded article. The method includes introducing into a mold a composition including thermoplastic particles with hollow microspheres attached to their outer surfaces, rotating the mold, and heating the mold at a temperature at which the thermoplastic particles melt. The hollow microspheres are included in the molded article. Molded articles are also disclosed. A powder composition that includes thermoplastic powder particles and hollow ceramic microspheres attached to outer surfaces of at least some of the thermoplastic powder particles is also disclosed. The hollow ceramic microspheres are either adhered to the outer surfaces of at least some of the thermoplastic powder particles with a liquid or embedded in the outer surfaces of at least some of the thermoplastic powder particles.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are related to hydrophilic open cell foams. In an embodiment, an article is included having an open cell foam structure. The open cell foam structure can include a hydrophilic polyurethane polymer comprising a reaction product of a polyol and/or polyamine component and an isocyanate, the polyol and/or polyamine component comprising a mixture of functionalized and non-functionalized polyols and/or polyamines in a ratio by weight of about 5:95 to about 95:5 of functionalized to non-functionalized.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are related to hydrophilic open cell foams with particulate fillers. In an embodiment, an article is provided that has an open cell foam structure including a hydrophilic polymer and about 0.1 wt. % to about 40.0 wt. % of a particulate filler dispersed within the hydrophilic polymer. The open cell foam structure can exhibit a rate of absorption of water greater than an otherwise identical foam lacking the particulate filler. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: Methods of bonding polyester substrates together, comprising externally delivering thermal energy onto the bonding surfaces of the substrates and bringing the bonding surfaces into proximity with each other and bonding the substrates to each other.

Abstract: Sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber comprises, based on the total weight of the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber: from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of a size resin comprising a polyamide; and from 85 to 99.9 percent by weight of short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber. Methods of making the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber and compositions comprising the sized short alumina-based inorganic oxide fiber in a polymeric matrix are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scrubbing article including a substrate and a UV treated texture layer on a surface of the substrate. The substrate is formed from a single layer of foam or sponge material having a thickness that is conducive to handling or holding. The UV treated texture layer is a resin-based material forming a textured abrasive layer on the surface of the substrate.