Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet and an absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is located between the topsheet and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is made of a three dimensional apertured film that defines a large void volume space between the acquisition distribution layer and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer provides high void volume for lateral spillage during repeated insult moments because the topsheet, which is in contact with the user, is held away from dispersing fluid that is unabsorbed by saturated core material. The void volume space provides a pathway for unabsorbed fluid to flow over the top plane of saturated core regions to unsaturated regions of the core material for absorption. The void volume space allows this migration of fluid to occur without the fluid coming into contact with the topsheet, thereby avoiding a feeling of wetness for a wearer.

Abstract: A vacuum formed film that delivers desirable rewet properties and possesses a desirable silky tactile impression or silky feel to a user. The vacuum formed film may have a plurality of cells, wherein the cells are ellipse shaped, each having a major axis and minor axis. The cells may also be boat shaped, wherein the ends of the cell on each end of the major axis are rounded off. The cells may also be oval shaped. Major axes of the cells are aligned in the stroking direction of the vacuum formed film. The cells define stroking direction lands and transverse direction lands in areas between the cells. The stroking direction lands may also be raised with respect to the transverse direction lands. Micro-ridges may be formed on the lands for imparting a silky feel to the vacuum formed film. The various film aspects, above, each contribute to the silky tactile impression of the film. Some or all of the various aspects described above may be combined to achieve a further improved silky tactile impression.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet and an absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is located between the topsheet and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is made of a three dimensional apertured film that defines a large void volume space between the acquisition distribution layer and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer provides high void volume for lateral spillage during repeated insult moments because the topsheet, which is in contact with the user, is held away from dispersing fluid that is unabsorbed by saturated core material. The void volume space provides a pathway for unabsorbed fluid to flow over the top plane of saturated core regions to unsaturated regions of the core material for absorption. The void volume space allows this migration of fluid to occur without the fluid coming into contact with the topsheet, thereby avoiding a feeling of wetness for a wearer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for designing an energy-absorbing impact zone for a vehicle interior, including acquiring test data representative of an occupant, determining a force versus deflection curve for the vehicle impact zone, analyzing the force versus deflection curve, and utilizing the analysis to adjust the stiffness of the energy-absorbing impact zone and to shape the force versus deflection curve so that a constant area under the force versus deflection curve has the minimum deflection possible without exceeding a certain force limit and a certain head impact criterion.

Abstract: A composite material having improved cloth-like texture and fluid transfer properties is disclosed. In one embodiment, the composite material has a polymeric film with a plurality of apertured protuberances and a plurality of loose fibers coupled to the polymeric film, including at least a portion of the sidewalls of the protuberances. In another embodiment, the composite material has a polymeric film with first and second layers, a plurality of apertured protuberances extending through both layers, and a plurality of loose fibers coupled to the first layer and to at least a portion of the sidewalls of the protuberances.

Abstract: The wiping device of the present invention comprises a thermoplastic sheet coupled with an optional absorbent core and an optional liquid impervious backsheet. The thermoplastic sheet defines a plurality of cavities including outwardly extending capillaries. Contained within the absorbent core for release upon demand is one or more fluids which facilitate and enhance the cleaning provided by the wiping device. As the cavities of the thermoplastic sheet are contacted with and wiped across a surface to be cleansed, the cavities collect and remove undesired material such as dirt, feces or blood. The selective release of the one or more fluids onto the surface to be cleansed further facilitates the cleaning and/or provides fragrance and/or medicaments, or the like, to the surface to be cleansed.

Abstract: A protective assembly may be, for examples, a rectangular blanket or pad placed over or under an object to be insulated or a bag or pouch which receives an object. The protective assembly includes at least one and preferably two inner layers and a solid outer layer. The inner layer has a plurality of interconnected funnels. The funnels each have a small end and a large end. An opening is defined by each funnel in the inner layer adjacent the large end. The small end of the funnel extends toward the outer layer. The funnels space the layers apart. The funnels form a dead airspace while trapping condensate which may be harmful to the object being protected by preventing liquid from being forced upon the object. The protective assembly substantially eliminates the possibility that condensation will drop upon the object or be forced by pressure into contact with the object.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a vapor permeable, liquid impermeable composite material comprising a three-dimensional apertured substrate having a vapor permeable, liquid impermeable coating material thereon, the substantially liquid impervious composite material, and an apparatus for making the composite material are disclosed. Successive portions of a continuous sheet of an apertured substrate are passed into contact with a continuous moving perforated member. The coating material is supplied onto the substrate. The coated substrate is subjected to a vacuum which causes the coating material to flow onto the substrate material and in certain embodiments, at least partially into the apertures in the substrate. The vacuum is maintained for a period of time sufficient for the coating material to adhere to the substrate. The coated portions of the substrate are continuously removed from the moving member.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of apertured, three-dimensional substrates having an extrusion coating material thereon, the coated substrate and an apparatus for making the coated substrate are disclosed. Successive portions of a continuous sheet of the apertured substrate which has a top surface and a bottom surface are passed into contact with a continuous moving perforated member. The coating material is supplied onto the top surface of the continuous moving substrate. The bottom surface of the substrate is subjected to a vacuum. The vacuum causes the coating material to flow onto the top surface of the substrate material and in certain embodiments, at least partially into the apertures in the substrate. The vacuum is maintained for a period of time sufficient for the coating material to bond to the substrate. The coated portions of the substrate are continuously removed from the moving member.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of apertured, three-dimensional substrates having an extrusion coating material thereon, the coated substrate and an apparatus for making the coated substrate are disclosed. Successive portions of a continuous sheet of the apertured substrate which has a top surface and a bottom surface are passed into contact with a continuous moving perforated member. The coating material is supplied onto the top surface of the continuous moving substrate. The bottom surface of the substrate is subjected to a vacuum. The vacuum causes the coating material to flow onto the top surface of the substrate material and in certain embodiments, at least partially into the apertures in the substrate. The vacuum is maintained for a period of time sufficient for the coating material to bond to the substrate. The coated portions of the substrate are continuously removed from the moving member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a layered fabric material that is breathable and has resistance to fluid penetration. The fabric has a lightweight, breathable outer layer and a layer of non-woven material. The non-woven material is breathable and fluid resistant. The fabric also includes a thermoplastic film having a plurality of perforations. The perforations form capillaries that extend from a surface of said film. The capillaries are disposed at an angle from about 5.degree. to about 60.degree. with respect to the surface of said film. The capillaries formed by the perforations allow the film layer to be breathable while resisting direct flow of liquid through the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the useful life of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator, wherein the SMA element contracts on heating and elongates on cooling under an applied stress and that property is used as an actuating technique. More specifically, the present invention relates to the cooling aspect of the cycle and maintaining a martensite strain on the actuator SMA element at less than about 3% by limiting the upper stress on the element. In the most preferred embodiment, the element is a ribbon actuator prepared from a nickel-titanium SMA alloy.

Abstract: A capacitance humidity sensor according to the invention has a film core which is in contact with a pair of conductive layers bonded to opposite faces of the core. The core is made of a polyimide having a dielectric constant which varies substantially linearly with humidity and which includes at least one ether linkage in the dianhydride portion thereof. The polyimide may also include at least one ether linkage in the diamine portion thereof and/or at least one fluorine atom in the diamine, dianhydride or both the diamine and dianhydride portions thereof.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composition useful, for example, in screen printing applications, includes a thermoplastic resin binder, electrically conductive particles and a solvent. The preferred composition includes a polysulfone thermoplastic resin, silver flakes or carbon black as the conductive particles and butyrophenone as the solvent. The preferred manufacturing process includes adding the resin in two batches at separate time periods during the mixing of the components. The composition is particularly suitable for fusion at high temperatures, such as in screen printed electrical contacts for use in capacitance humidity sensors.