Abstract: A nonwoven fabric formed from filaments made from a polymer derived from L- and D-lactic acid. The nonwoven fabric is biodegradable and especially suitable for use in disposable hygiene products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nonwoven based on thermoplastic filaments, wherein all the filaments of which it is composed are completely manufactured from a polymer or from a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid, said nonwoven being permanently hydrophilic.The filaments of which the nonwoven according to the invention is composed are continuous filaments.They may furthermore be subjected to a hydrophilic treatment using a surface-active agent.

Abstract: A totally biodegradable and/or compostable soft cloth-like composite of totally biodegradable and/or compostable film and totally biodegradable and/or compostable nonwoven and method of manufacture. A totally biodegradable and/or compostable nonwoven fibrous web and a totally biodegradable and/or compostable film are laminated. The laminate is incrementally stretched to produce a totally biodegradable and/or compostable laminate that is softer than that produced when the biodegradable and/or compostable nonwoven web is bonded to the biodegradable and/or compostable film. The soft cloth-like features of the invention are desired in a number of applications including diapers, pants, surgical gowns, sheets, dressings, hygienic products, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a nonwoven web using filaments of melted polymers, of the type including the steps of spinning the polymer or polymers, of cooling, drawing and laying down fibers on a belt and of bonding said fibers by calendering in order to form said nonwoven web (15), which process furthermore includes a treatment (13, 14) of setting/adjusting the degree of crystallinity of and the internal tension in the fibers making up the nonwoven web. The invention also relates to the nonwovens obtained by the process and to the installations for implementing it.

Abstract: A reservoir system consisting of a nonwoven made from thermoplastic polymer filaments, shaped into a closed bag containing a water-soluble active principle. The bag is intended to ensure a prolonged release, progressing linearly, of the active principle in an aqueous environment. For a given active principle, the desired diffusion kinetics are obtained by adjusting, depending on the availability of the active principle, the surface area of the nonwoven and the degree of hydrophily of the latter. To this end, it is impregnated, either with polysiloxane or a quaternary ammonium salt, or with a perfluorinated compound or an acrylic resin and paraffin.

Abstract: Composite structure comprising one or more plies of nonwoven and one or more plies of film, these being manufactured from thermoplastics, wherein all the plies of nonwoven of which the structure is composed are totally manufactured from a polymer or a copolymer or a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid and wherein all the plies of film are totally manufactured from a polymer of the BAPE (biodegradable aliphatic polyester) type. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing said composite structure.Application: Diapers, sanitary napkins, protective garments, surgical drapes and masks in the medical field and certain products for absorption and filtration, protection of plants in agriculture and mulching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite structure comprising one or more plies of nonwoven and one or more plies of film, these being manufactured from thermoplastics, wherein all the plies making up the structure, for example (12, 13, 14), are totally manufactured from a member of the group: a polymer derived from lactic acid, a copolymer of lactic acid, a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid.The invention also relates to a process for obtaining said composite structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to personal hygiene. Its object is an absorbing material consisting of a water-insoluble hydrocolloidal polyelectrolyte absorbing a liquid several times its own weight, and of an isothiazoline-one-3 derivative.Preferably, this absorbing material also includes a transition-metal salt and the isothiazoline-one-3 derivative obeys the general formula: ##STR1## where: R is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group,R' is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group or a halogen,Y is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group.The invention applies to using these absorbing materials in the manufacture of disposable personal-hygiene articles.