Abstract: A laminated composite suitable for use in medical products such as tapes and wraps. The composite includes, for example, a first nonwoven fiber layer, an elastic layer, a melt blown adhesive fiber layer, and a second nonwoven fiber layer. A scrim layer serves as a deadstop, or stretch limit, to prevent over stretching. The non-woven fiber layer(s) and/or the scrim layer form suitable loops for a hook and loop fastening system. The scrim layer in some embodiments is employed to make the composite finger tearable. The melt blown adhesive layer, nonwoven web layer and elastic layer form a breathable, porous elastic composite. Methods of manufacturing the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated composite suitable for use in medical products such as tapes and wraps. The composite includes, for example, a first nonwoven fiber layer, an elastic layer, a melt blown adhesive fiber layer, and a second nonwoven fiber layer. A scrim layer serves as a deadstop, or stretch limit, to prevent over stretching. The non-woven fiber layer(s) and/or the scrim layer form suitable loops for a hook and loop fastening system. The scrim layer in some embodiments is employed to make the composite finger tearable. The melt blown adhesive layer, nonwoven web layer and elastic layer form a breathable, porous elastic composite. Methods of manufacturing the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated composite suitable for use in medical products such as tapes and wraps. The composite includes, for example, a first nonwoven fiber layer, an elastic layer, a melt blown adhesive fiber layer, and a second nonwoven fiber layer. A scrim layer serves as a deadstop, or stretch limit, to prevent over stretching. The non-woven fiber layer(s) and/or the scrim layer form suitable loops for a hook and loop fastening system. The scrim layer in some embodiments is employed to make the composite finger tearable. The melt blown adhesive layer, nonwoven web layer and elastic layer form a breathable, porous elastic composite. Methods of manufacturing the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: Adhesive wound closure devices and methods of manufacturing the devices and the material for the devices are disclosed. The devices, methods, and materials address the requirements for tensile strength and skin adhesion by microcreping adhesive wound closure material that includes a nonwoven fabric web with one or more reinforcing fibers bonded thereto.

Abstract: Combinations of medical adhesive composites, e.g., dressings, and a package in which the medical adhesive composites are attached to a release surface on the bottom sheet of the package are disclosed. The dressings may include a flexible backing and carrier. Methods of manufacturing and using the combination are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensable nonwoven cohesive wrap that is generally dispensed from a self-wound roll. The nonwoven cohesive wrap comprises mutually entangled fibers at least some of which are pressure-sensitive adhesive fibers. The cohesive wrap also generally has a basis weight of from 40 to 200 grams/m.sup.2, a tensile strength of at least 100 grams/2.5 cm and a T-peel from itself of from 1 to 30 grams/2.5 cm. The wrap is preferably a single layer material without a separate adhesive coating or release coating where the adhesive fibers extend through the entire depth dimension of the wrap, such that a portion of the adhesive fibers are on both faces of the wrap, and preferably are uniformly distributed across the length and width dimensions of the wrap.

Abstract: A machine and method for converting a web having an indefinite length which includes a plurality of converting stations circumferentially spaced about an process drum. At least one of the converting stations includes a helical follower gear operatively meshing with a helical drive gear attached to the process drum. Movement of the follower gear along its axial direction provides for the relative rotational registration of a tool on the registrable converting station relative to the web.

Abstract: Nonwoven sheet materials, and pressure sensitive adhesive tapes formed from nonwoven sheet materials are provided. The nonwoven sheet materials comprise a randomly interlaced fibrous web of tensilized nonfracturable staple fibers and binder fibers, wherein the fibrous web is pattern embossed, and is interbonded by a chemical bonding agent, physical entanglement, or a combination thereof, and further wherein the nonwoven sheet material is readily finger-tearable in the cross web direction. Methods of making nonwoven sheet materials and adhesive tapes are also provided.

Abstract: Nonwoven sheet materials, and pressure sensitive adhesive tapes formed from nonwoven sheet materials are provided. The nonwoven sheet materials comprise a randomly interlaced fibrous web of tensilized nonfracturable staple fibers and binder fibers, wherein the fibrous web is pattern embossed, and is interbonded by a chemical bonding agent, physical entanglement, or a combination thereof, and further wherein the nonwoven sheet material is readily finger-tearable in the cross web direction. Methods of making nonwoven sheet materials and adhesive tapes are also provided.

Abstract: A roll of perforated, elastic wrap including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending, perforated separation lines defined by a series of about 0.2 to 5 mm perforations separated by about 0.1 to 1 mm connecting segments of dressing where the ratio of perforation length to connecting segment length in each separation line is about 1:1 to 10:1 wherein the wrap can be longitudinally elongated between about 7 to 280 percent.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adhesive sheet material, such as an adhesive tape, which is suitable for use on wet surfaces, in particular upon wet skin. The adhesive sheet material effectively binds to the wet surface and moves moisture away from the surface. The adhesive sheet material has a porous backing having opposing sides and is made of non-wettable fibers. The water-insoluble pressure sensitive adhesive is discontinuously coated on one side of the backing to provide areas of the adhesive interspersed with areas of bare backing.

Abstract: Nonwoven sheet materials, and pressure sensitive adhesive tapes formed from nonwoven sheet materials are provided. The nonwoven sheet materials comprise a randomly interlaced fibrous web of tensilized nonfracturable staple fibers and binder fibers, wherein the fibrous web is pattern embossed, and is interbonded by a chemical bonding agent, physical entanglement, or a combination thereof, and further wherein the nonwoven sheet material is readily finger-tearable in the cross web direction. Methods of making nonwoven sheet materials and adhesive tapes are also provided.

Abstract: A nonwoven elastomeric web is provided. The web comprises thermoplastic elastomeric melt-blown small diameter fibers having a diameter of less than about 50 microns, the small diameter fibers being randomly arrayed and bonded at points of contact such that the tensile strength of the web in the direction of web formation is no greater than about 2.5 times the tensile strength of the web in a direction perpendicular to the direction of web formation and the web recovers at least about 85% in the machine direction after being stretched 50%. The web is particularly useful as wound dressing or bandaging materials.

Abstract: Release coated nonwoven sheet materials are provided through the process of (a) forming a web from fibers; (b) applying a water-based binder to the web; (c) applying a water-based release coating to one side of said web while the web is still wet from the application of the binder; and (d) drying said web. This process eliminates at least one heating step, with unexpected control of the migration of the release coating through the web.

Abstract: Disclosed are tapes for medical use, prepared in a one-pass coating operation in which an extensible tape backing is treated simultaneously with LAB material and elastomer. The resultant tapes exhibit release characteristics and elasticity that enable them to be dispensed in the form of a linerless rolls or in pads without deformation or loss of adhesion.

Abstract: An elastomeric nonwoven absorbent web is provided. The web comprises a nonwoven fibrous matrix of elastomeric melt-blown small diameter fibers and absorbent staple fibers or absorbent particulate material, wicking staple fibers, and bulking staple fibers dispersed throughout the matrix. This web is particularly useful in an absorbent elastomeric wound dressing. The wound dressing has a fluid permeable, compliant, low adherency wound contacting layer, an intermediate conformable, fluid-absorbent element, i.e., the elastomeric nonwoven absorbent web, and a soft, compliant cover layer.

Abstract: A light-occlusive self adherent eye patch is disclosed comprising an absorbent pad having a nonadherent lower surface, a backing having a lower face adhered to the upper surface of the pad and extending outward from the periphery thereof, a light-occlusive pressure sensitive adhesive coating on the lower face of the backing to adhere the patch to the eye socket, and a removable liner protecting the lower surface of the pad and the adhesive prior to use. The pressure sensitive adhesive blocks at least 95 percent of the light of a preselected wavelength impinging on the adhesive.

Abstract: A light-occlusive self adherent eyepatch is disclosed comprising an absorbent pad having a nonadherent lower surface, a thin microporous polymeric film overlying the upper surface of the pad, pressure sensitive adhesive means extending around the periphery of the pad to adhere the patch to the eye socket, and a removable liner protecting the lower surface of the pad and the adhesive prior to use. The polymeric film blocks at least 95 percent of the light of a preselected wavelength impinging on the film, and the overall eyepatch is conformable and moisture vapor permeable.

Abstract: An elastic bandage material is disclosed comprising at least 50 percent by weight of an extensible fabric capable of elongation of at least 30 percent without tearing and at least 15 percent of an elastomer impregnated in a fabric but without filling the holes in the fabric. The bandage material is especially suited for use as a backing for adhesive tapes and dressings.

Abstract: A multi-ply non-woven sheet material and pressure-sensitive adhesive tape made therefrom are disclosed. The sheet material comprises a first layer of randomly interlaced fibers bonded to each other by a rewettable binder and at least one additional layer of randomly interlaced fibers bonded to each other and to the first layer by a rewettable binder. The fibers of the additional layer are laid directly on the first layer prior to application of the binder to the additional layer whereby the binder bonds the fibers of the additional layer to each other and to the first layer.