Abstract: Nonwoven webs having excellent fluid handling characteristics are disclosed. The nonwoven webs are made from a combination of binder fibers and structure fibers. The nonwoven webs can be made exclusively from polyolefin polymers without having to contain polyester fibers. Although the webs can be used in numerous applications, the nonwoven materials are particularly well suited as a surge layer in an absorbent article.

Abstract: A chemically-activated conformable thermal device that generates heat upon activation is provided. The thermal device typically contains an oxidizable metal that is capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction in the presence of moisture and air to generate heat. Although such metals, as well as other components of the composition (e.g., carbon), are relatively inflexible and stiff, the present inventors have nevertheless discovered that one or more conformable segments may be employed to impart flexibility and conformability to the thermal device. The conformable segments are malleable so that they yield under shear stress and acquire the shape of a surface (e.g., body part) without rupturing. The conformable segments are likewise stiff or hard enough to substantially retain the desired shape during use.

Abstract: A thermal device that contains an exothermic composition is provided. The exothermic composition includes a metal that is capable of undergoing an oxidation reaction in the presence of moisture and oxygen to generate heat. Certain aspects of the thermal device may be optimized to supply a controlled amount of moisture and/or oxygen to the exothermic composition during use. Through selective control over the supply of these reactants, a heating profile may be achieved in which an elevated temperature is reached quickly and maintained over an extended period of time.

Abstract: A substrate that contains an exothermic coating is provided. More specifically, the exothermic coating includes one or more components (e.g., carbon, oxidizable metal, moisture-retaining particles, etc.) that are durably adhered to the substrate. To provide the desired durability, the exothermic coating includes the combination of a certain amount of a polymer latex and polysaccharide. When appropriately selected and incorporated into the exothermic coating, the present inventors have discovered that these components may interact synergistically to improve binding capacity.

Abstract: A therapeutic kit for providing heat to an area of the body is provided. The therapeutic kit may be used to treat a variety of injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc., including arm, leg, ankle, knee, shoulder, foot, neck, back, elbow, wrist, hand, chest, finger, toe injuries, and so forth. Regardless of its intended use, the therapeutic kit generally employs a pad that receives a thermal insert. The thermal insert includes a substrate containing an exothermic coating that is capable of generating heat in the presence of oxygen and moisture. One particular benefit of the thermal insert of the present invention is that it is disposable. Thus, when the thermal insert exhausts its heat-producing capacity, a new insert may simply be utilized. This allows for the continued use of the extensible material, resulting in substantial cost savings to the consumer.

Abstract: An odor control substrate that contains a plurality of fibers oriented in the z-direction is provided. At least some of the fibers contain portions that are exposed on an outer surface of the substrate. An odor control coating is applied to the substrate so that a majority of the coating resides on the exposed portions. As a result, the odor control substrate may retain certain of its beneficial properties even after being applied with the odor control coating, such as good extensibility, absorbency, etc.

Abstract: A substrate that is capable of generating heat upon activation is provided. Specifically, the substrate is applied with an exothermic coating that may be formed from a variety of different components, including oxidizable metals, carbon components, binders, electrolytic salts, moisture-retaining particles, and so forth. The oxidizable metal is capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction in the presence of oxygen and water to generate heat. To reduce the likelihood of premature activation prior to use, the exothermic coating is anhydrous, i.e., generally free of water. The coated substrate may be employed in a wide variety of articles, such as absorbent articles, thermal blankets, drapes, heating pads etc.

Abstract: A substrate that contains an odor control composition is provided. The odor control composition includes activated carbon for adsorbing one or more odorous compounds to reduce odor. The odor control composition also contains a water-soluble binder for increasing the durability of the activated carbon when applied to a substrate. In addition to improving durability, such a water-soluble binder may also provide good drapability and low residual odor in the resulting coated substrate.

Abstract: An odor control substrate that is applied with an activated carbon ink is provided. The activated carbon ink is applied in a pattern that covers from about 25% to about 95% of the surface area of the substrate. Although not covering the entire surface, the present inventors have discovered that the activated carbon ink is still capable of providing good odor reduction qualities to the substrate. To further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the odor control substrate to a consumer, one or more colored inks may also be applied the substrate in a pattern that may or may not overlap with the activated carbon ink pattern. The colored ink(s) may contrast well with the activated carbon ink to provide an overall design that is more aesthetically than otherwise would be provided by a uniform coating of activated carbon ink.

Abstract: A thermal covering that comprises a thermoregulatory substrate is provided. The thermoregulatory substrate contains an exothermic coating formed from an oxidizable metal. The exothermic coating is generally free of moisture prior to activation. Exposure of the exothermic coating to oxygen and moisture activates an exothermic reaction to generate heat, such heat being transferable to a patient or user through an outer surface defined by the thermal covering.

Abstract: An absorbent article that contains a warmth-providing substrate is provided that is capable of generating heat upon activation. Specifically, the substrate is coated with an exothermic composition that may be formed from a variety of different components, including oxidizable metals, carbon components, binders, electrolytic salts, and so forth. The oxidizable metal is capable of undergoing an exothermic, electrochemical reaction in the presence of oxygen and water to generate heat. In some cases, the exothermic composition is anhydrous, i.e., generally free of water, to reduce the likelihood of premature activation prior to use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluorochemical blends suitable for producing repellency to low surface tension fluids such as, for example, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and hydrophilic liquids, such as those containing surfactants. The fluorochemical blends may be beneficially utilized to produce low surface tension fluid repellency in extruded articles such as fibers and fibrous web materials, films and foams. Such repellent extruded articles are highly useful in a wide range of limited use and disposable products such as, for example, personal care products, mortuary and veterinary products, protective wear garments, and medical care garments and products. The fluorochemical blends include at least a first fluorochemical having a majority of first fluoroaliphatic groups having 4 or fewer carbon atoms, and a second fluorochemical having a majority of second fluoroaliphatic groups having 6 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are extruded articles such as, for example, fibers and films, containing thermoplastic polymeric compositions having a copolymeric major component and a melt processable additive treatment, wherein the melt processable additives have enhanced segregation to or expression at the surface of the article, thereby improving the effect of the desired characteristic of the additive treatment. Also disclosed are multicomponent extruded thermoplastic articles having two or more distinct components arranged in a specific geometric arrangement, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric composition of at least one geometric component includes a copolymeric major component and a melt processable additive treatment. Also disclosed are web materials including the extruded articles.

Abstract: A composition for forming an elastomeric article is disclosed. The composition includes an elastomeric material and a film leveler, where the film leveler is present in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 5.0% by mass of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven fabrics that include a first level and a second level wherein the first level includes first fibers that include a polyolefin and a first amount of an additive or a combination of additives to improve wettability and the second level includes second fibers that include a second amount of an additive or a combination of additives to improve wettability wherein the second amount of an additive or a combination of additives to improve wettability is essentially zero or is less than the first amount of an additive or a combination of additives to improve wettability. In one desirable embodiment, the wettability of the fabric is temperature dependent and may decrease as the temperature decreases. Such fabrics may be useful as components in absorbent products, for example liners and surge management layers, by providing components that are wettable during an initial insult and then decrease in wettabilty as the insult cools to discourage flow back of the insult.

Abstract: The present invention provides multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics and surge management layers that include multicomponent fibers that comprise a first component that comprises a blend of a first polyolefin and from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent of an ethoxylated hydrocarbon and a second component that comprises a blend of a second polyolefin and from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent of an ethoxylated siloxane.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric suitable for odor removal uses is provided. A method of treating fabrics and a face mask that removes odors are also provided.

Abstract: A coating composition that is incorporated into a facemask to reduce fogging and glare is provided. For example, in one embodiment, the facemask contains a shield or visor formed from a transparent substrate having at least one surface applied with the coating composition of the present invention. The present inventors have unexpectedly discovered that one or more water-soluble organic polymers, such as ethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, may be utilized as a principal component of the coating composition to reduce fogging and glare in a simple, yet effective manner.

Abstract: This invention concerns an odor control layer for personal care products having a dried, aqueously deposited formulation of odor sorbent and binder. This layer may be placed in a personal care product like diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products. The amount of odor sorbent present may be in an amount of between about 2 and 80 weight percent on a dry basis. The layer may be a tissue, film, paper towel, nonwoven web, coform, airlaid, wet-laid, bonded-carded web and laminates thereof.