Abstract: An absorbent material suitable for use as a medical or hygienic absorbent and comprises a non-woven fibre sheet having dense surface layers 10 and between these layers a less dense region where most of the fibres extend in the plane of the sheet. Transversely extending fibres 16 help to bind the material, the fibres also being bonded to some extent by a hot melt bonding material, e.g. core/sheath-type bi-component fibres. The material is made by forming a blend of fibres, including a minor weight of hot melt fibres, by cross-lapping a plurality of layers 14 to form a web, subjecting the web to needling at low punch density with penetration through the web, thereafter subjecting surface regions 10 of the web to higher punch density needling to form the dense surface layer 10 at each face from the web. The web is then heated, e.g.

Abstract: Absorbent laminates, which may be used as or in diapers, incontinence pads, sanitary napkins, tampons or wound dressings, comprise a hydrophilic layer adjacent a water-permeable fibrous web. Fluid-transporting wicks extend from within the fibrous web into the hydrophilic layer, and are preferably formed by needling. The hydrophilic layer is preferably a peat moss composite board, and the fibrous web is preferably a nonwoven polyester fleece.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprises, in one embodiment, a layer of apertured material, such as a cotton gauze, coated with a tacky silicone gel or a non-tacky silicone elastomer. In an alternative embodiment, the dressing has a tacky silicone gel on one surface and a non-tacky silicone elastomer on the other surface. The gel and elastomer may be formed by crosslinking a mixture of a vinyl-substituted poly(dimethylsiloxane) and a hydride-containing poly(dimethylsiloxane).