Abstract: A method (10) for cleaning fibers from a contaminated article is disclosed. The method (10) can include pulping (20) a contaminated article to separate the fibers or filaments from the contaminated article in a first solution to provide dissociated pulped fibers. The method (10) can also include washing (26) the dissociated pulped fibers by forming a suspension comprising the dissociated pulped fibers from the contaminated article and a detergent, applying a magnetic field to the suspension, and mixing the suspension to wash the dissociated pulped fibers while applying the magnetic field to the suspension thereby forming washed pulped fibers. Contaminates can be removed from the suspension while washing (26) the dissociated pulped fibers. The washed pulped fibers can be rinsed and dried to provide clean fibers.

Abstract: An antimicrobial wipe that contains a polymer coating having a synergistic combination of ingredients for providing controlled release of an antimicrobial agent and also good antimicrobial efficacy is provided. One such ingredient is a high molecular weight polyamideamine release agent. Due to the polycationic nature of the release agent, it is able to adhere to the wipe, which is generally formed from fibers having a negative surface charge (e.g., cellulosic fibers). In this manner, the release agent can occupy binding sites on the wipe to inhibit the antimicrobial agent from adhering thereto, thus allowing it to be expressed in the germicidal solution to kill microbes on the desired surface. The adherence of the release agent to the wipe is even further enhanced by crosslinking the polyamideamine to increase its molecular weight, thereby enabling it to form a structural network that physically adheres to the wipe and that blocks the antimicrobial agent from binding thereto.

Abstract: An antimicrobial wipe that contains a polymer coating having a synergistic combination of ingredients for providing controlled release of an antimicrobial agent and also good antimicrobial efficacy is provided. One such ingredient is a high molecular weight polyamideamine release agent. Due to the polycationic nature of the release agent, it is able to adhere to the wipe, which is generally formed from fibers having a negative surface charge (e.g., cellulosic fibers). In this manner, the release agent can occupy binding sites on the wipe to inhibit the antimicrobial agent from adhering thereto, thus allowing it to be expressed in the germicidal solution to kill microbes on the desired surface. The adherence of the release agent to the wipe is even further enhanced by crosslinking the polyamideamine to increase its molecular weight, thereby enabling it to form a structural network that physically adheres to the wipe and that blocks the antimicrobial agent from binding thereto.

Abstract: A breathable, liquid-impermeable, apertured film/nonwoven laminate is provided for use as a backsheet on various absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent garments, and the like. The laminate is formed from a nonporous, breathable polymeric film layer, an apertured film layer, and a nonwoven web layer. The layers may be attached in an arrangement where the breathable polymeric film layer is sandwiched between the nonwoven web layer and apertured film layer, or where the apertured film layer is sandwiched between the nonwoven web layer and the breathable film layer. A process for making the laminate is also provided.

Abstract: Improved nonwoven fabric laminate including one or more tissue plies as an outside layer, a middle layer as a primary strength bearing member comprising a scrim carrying a heat reactable plastisol adhesive and, on the side of the scrim opposite from the tissue, a layer of meltblown microfibers. The resulting combination, when bonded by means of the adhesive on the scrim, provides windows of relatively unbonded fibers reinforced with bonded scrim threads. Preferably, the microfiber web is substantially unbonded prior to combining with the other components so that a bulky and soft material results in the window areas between the scrim threads. Also preferably the tissue is low porosity formed from essentially unrefined or only slightly refined pulp. Such laminates find ideal applications as substitutes for cloth, particularly in disposable garments and other fabrics for medical use.