Abstract: A technique for incorporating a liquid additive into a nonwoven web is disclosed. Specifically, the liquid additive is loaded into filler particles to form a “dry liquid concentrate”, i.e., pulverulent granular solid or powder loaded with the liquid additive. The incorporation of the liquid additive into dry liquid concentrates provides a variety of benefits. For example, prior to extrusion, the dry liquid concentrates generally retain the properties of filler particles from which they are formed as the liquid remains isolated. In this manner, a higher level of the liquid additive may be compounded with a melt-extrudable base composition without adversely affecting the extrusion process. Only upon extrusion of the composition will a significant portion of the liquid additive be released to provide the desired properties to the resulting nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved elastomeric composition that includes from about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent of a polyorganosiloxane or a combination of polyorganosiloxanes.

Abstract: A method for producing an apertured structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the apertured structured material. In one embodiment, the apertured structured material is a composite material formed by differential shrinkage of a shrinkable second layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, which is laminated to a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer. During the differential shrinkage process, a plurality of slits which are formed in the second layer open to form uniformly-shaped apertures. In another embodiment, an apertured structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.

Abstract: A method for producing a structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the structured material. In one embodiment, the structured material is a composite material formed of a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer, having a first shrinkage extent and a second layer bonded to the first layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, having a second shrinkage extent different from the first shrinkage extent. In another embodiment, a structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.

Abstract: A liner system suitable for use in personal care absorbent products having a composite material including a substructure applied to a first layer. The first layer and the substructure define a plurality of voids for accommodating passage of fluids through the composite material. In one embodiment, high viscosity fluids including the particles contained therein pass through a plurality of apertures in the first layer. The voids defined by the first layer and the substructure entrap the particles to accommodate passage of fluids through the composite material.

Abstract: Extruded fibers and nonwoven webs made from the fibers are disclosed having improved cloth-like properties and an improved aesthetic appearance. The fibers used to form the webs are made from a thermoplastic polymer containing titanium dioxide and at least one mineral filler such as kaolin or calcium carbonate. In particular, the fillers are added in the amount so that the fillers become encapsulated within the polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing softer fibers and nonwoven webs that includes forming a mixture comprising (i) a thermoplastic and (ii) an additive selected from the group consisting of polyethylene waxes, glyceryl monostearate, sorbitan tristearate, CATALLOY KS357 MONTELL polyolefin resin, an amide having the chemical structure CH3(CH2)7CH═CH(CH2)xCONH2 where x is selected from 5-15 and mixtures thereof; forming the mixture into fibers and optionally creating a nonwoven web.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article comprising a nonwoven material comprising at least one time release additive. Time release of additives is addressed by encapsulating the additive in a large cavity or cage molecule such as cyclodextrin or zeolite.

Abstract: A method for producing a structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the structured material. In one embodiment, the structured material is a composite material formed of a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer, having a first shrinkage extent and a second layer bonded to the first layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, having a second shrinkage extent different from the first shrinkage extent. In another embodiment, a structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.

Abstract: A method for producing an apertured structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the apertured structured material. In one embodiment, the apertured structured material is a composite material formed by differential shrinkage of a shrinkable second layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, which is laminated to a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer. During the differential shrinkage process, a plurality of slits which are formed in the second layer open to form uniformly-shaped apertures. In another embodiment, an apertured structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.

Abstract: A liner system suitable for use in personal care absorbent products having a composite material including a substructure applied to a first layer. The first layer and the substructure define a plurality of voids for accommodating passage of fluids through the composite material. In one embodiment, high viscosity fluids including the particles contained therein pass through a plurality of apertures in the first layer. The voids defined by the first layer and the substructure entrap the particles to accommodate passage of fluids through the composite material.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article comprising a nonwoven material comprising at least one time release additive. Time release of additives is addressed by encapsulating the additive in a large cavity or cage molecule such as cyclodextrin or zeolite.

Abstract: A breathable composite barrier fabric for protective garments including a low-strength nonwoven web; a high-strength nonwoven web containing multicomponent fibers that have a first polyolefin component and a second polyamide component, the high-strength web having a grab tensile strength of at least 1.5 times the low strength web; and a water impermeable barrier layer positioned between the low-strength web and high-strength web, the webs and barrier layer being joined by thermal bonding. Protective garments may be constructed from the breathable composite barrier fabrics. The low-strength nonwoven web is on the bodyside of the garment and the high-strength nonwoven web is on the exterior of the garment.

Abstract: An extrudable composition is provided which is made from at least two thermoplastic polymers in a biconstituent construction. One of the thermoplastic polymers is present as a dominant continuous phase and the other one or more polymers are present as a non-continuous phase or phases in an amount of 1.5 weight percent or less. No compatibilizer is necessary. The polymer of the non-continuous phase or phases has a polymer melt temperature higher than 30° C. below the polymer melt temperature of the continuous phase. The polymer of the dominant phase may be, for example, polypropylene and the non-continuous phase may be, for example, polyamide. The extrudable composition may be used to produce fibers which are generally between about 5 and 50 microns in diameter. The fibers may be made into nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: An outdoor protective fabric is disclosed having (i) a UV stable outer nonwoven web of multicomponent sheath/core fibers having a polyethylene polymer sheath component and a polypropylene polymer core component; (ii) a breathable barrier layer such as a meltblown web or microporous film; and (iii) an interior nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers comprising a polyethyfene polymer component and a nylon component.

Abstract: A method of producing a fiber is provided where a liquefied polymer is divided into at least two streams. The streams are directed separately to a point of recombination, and extruded through, for example, a spinneret, and fiberized to form a single fiber having portions of each stream. The divided polymer streams are treated substantially identically from the point of division to the point of recombination.

Abstract: A method of improving the effectiveness of a photostabilizer in reducing the deleterious effects of actinic radiation on a polypropylene composition, which method involves compounding a melt-extrudable thermoplastic polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate in a range of from about 18 to about 100 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 230.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg. The polypropylene composition includes a first thermoplastic polypropylene having a melt flow rate lower than 18 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 230.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg, a polydispersity greater than about 2.6, and a Z-average molecular weight greater than about 300,000; a second thermoplastic polypropylene having a melt flow rate higher than 18 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 230.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg, a polydispersity equal to or less than 2.6, and a Z-average molecular weight equal to or less than 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography; and a photostabilizer.