Abstract: A siloxane quaternary ammonium salt is provided which can be either of two general classes: (1) a trisiloxane having a pendent quaternary ammonium group and a molecular weight of from about 600 to about 1,700; and (2) an ABA-type siloxane having a polydispersity of up to about 3.0 and a weight-average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 2,000, in which a central siloxane moiety is terminated at each end by a quaternary ammonium salt group. The anion in general can be any anion which does not adversely affect the thermal stability of the salt. The siloxane quaternary ammonium salt possesses antimicrobial properties and is intended for inclusion in a thermoplastic composition which can be melt extruded to form fibers and nonwoven webs, or other shaped articles, which exhibit antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nonwoven web having antimicrobial properties which involves melting a melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition, extruding the molten composition through multiple orifices to form streams of molten composition, cooling the streams of molten composition to form fibers, and randomly depositing the fibers on a moving foraminous surface to form a web. The thermoplastic composition includes a thermoplastic material and an additive. The additive is an antimicrobial siloxane quaternary ammonium salt which can be either of two general classes: (1) a trisiloxane having a pendent quaternary ammonium group and a molecular weight of from about 600 to about 1,700; and (2) an ABA-type siloxane having a polydispersity of up to about 3.0 and a weight-average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 2,000, in which a central siloxane moiety is terminated at each end by a quaternary ammonium salt group.

Abstract: A method of durably rendering a polymeric fabric, e.g., a polyolefin fabric, wettable and resistant to protein adsorption. The method involves providing a polymeric fabric having a surface, applying to the surface of the polymeric fabric a composition which includes water and a surfactant adapted to durably render the polymeric fabric resistant to protein adsorption, and drying the polymeric fabric. The surfactant has a solubility in water at 20.degree. C. no greater than about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the water, and is present on the polymeric fabric in an amount of the surfactant sufficient to reduce the adsorption of the protein by the fabric. The coated fabric not only exhibits durable reduced adsorption of protein but also has durable wettability by aqueous liquids.

Abstract: A method of durably rendering a polymeric fabric, e.g., a polyolefin fabric, wettable and resistant to protein adsorption. The method involves providing a polymeric fabric having a surface, applying to the surface of the polymeric fabric a composition which includes water and a surfactant adapted to durably render the polymeric fabric resistant to protein adsorption, and drying the polymeric fabric. The surfactant has a solubility in water at 20.degree. C. no greater than about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the water, and is present on the polymeric fabric in an amount of the surfactant sufficient to reduce the adsorption of the protein by the fabric. The coated fabric not only exhibits durable reduced adsorption of protein but also has durable wettability by aqueous liquids.

Abstract: A method of durably rendering a polymeric fabric, e.g., a polyolefin fabric, wettable and resistant to protein adsorption. The method involves providing a polymeric fabric having a surface, applying to the surface of the polymeric fabric a composition which includes water and a surfactant adapted to durably render the polymeric fabric resistant to protein adsorption, and drying the polymeric fabric. The surfactant has a solubility in water at 20.degree. C. no greater than about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the water, and is present on the polymeric fabric in an amount of the surfactant sufficient to reduce the adsorption of the protein by the fabric. The coated fabric not only exhibits durable reduced adsorption of protein but also has durable wettability by aqueous liquids.

Abstract: A melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition is provided which includes a thermoplastic polyolefin and an additive system made up of a first component and a second component, in which (A) the first component is a defined polysiloxane polyether having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 18,000 and which is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin; and (B) the second component is a hydrophobic fumed silica, in which the weight ratio of the first component to the second component is in the range of from about 20 to about 300. Such composition yields, upon melt-extrusion, either nonwoven webs having significantly increased tensile strengths when compared to nonwoven webs prepared from the thermoplastic polyolefin alone, or wettable webs requiring an amount of first component which is significantly less than that required in the absence of the second component.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laminate having increased peel strength and solvent resistance which involves (A) applying an adhesive composition to a surface of a first sheet; (B) exposing the adhesive composition on the surface of the first sheet to incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation from a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp; (C) bringing a surface of a second sheet in contact with the adhesive composition-bearing surface of the first article; and (D) allowing the adhesive composition to cure. The incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation has a single narrow wavelength band within the range of from about 260 to about 360 nanometers. The adhesive composition includes from about 94 to about 60 percent by weight of a cycloaliphatic diepoxide, from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of a cationic photoinitiator, and from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight of a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol terpolymer, all based on the weight of adhesive composition.

Abstract: A method of reducing the adsorption of protein by a polymeric fabric; e.g., a polyolefin fabric, which involves providing a polymeric fabric having a surface, applying to the surface of the polymeric fabric a composition including water and a surfactant adapted to reduce the adsorption of protein by the polymeric fabric, and treating the fabric to which a surfactant has been applied by air corona discharge at a corona energy density of from about 10 to about 280 kilojoules per square meter. The surfactant is present on the fabric in an amount sufficient to reduce the adsorption of protein by the fabric. The coated fabric is especially suited for incorporation in such disposable absorbent articles as diapers; feminine care products, such as sanitary napkins and tampons; incontinent care products; training pants; and wipes.

Abstract: A melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition is provided which includes a thermoplastic polyolefin and an additive system made up of a first component and a second component, in which (A) the first component is a defined polysiloxane polyether having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 18,000 and which is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin; and (B) the second component is a hydrophobic fumed silica, in which the weight ratio of the first component to the second component is in the range of from about 20 to about 300. Such composition yields, upon melt-extrusion, either nonwoven webs having significantly increased tensile strengths when compared to nonwoven webs prepared from the thermoplastic polyolefin alone, or wettable webs requiring an amount of first component which is significantly less than that required in the absence of the second component.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## in which: (a) each of A and B independently is phenyl which may be unsubstituted or substituted;(b) each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl;(c) m represents an integer of from 0 to about 18; and(d) Z is poly(alkyleneoxy) which may be uncapped or capped with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group.The compound can be grafted to polyolefin nonwoven webs by electron beam radiation without significant homopolymerization. The grafted webs are wettable (hydrophilic) and capable of withstanding multiple rewets without substantial removal of grafted compound. The grafted webs are especially well-suited for use in disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: A melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition is provided which includes a thermoplastic polyolefin and an additive system made up of a first component and a second component, in which (A) the first component is a defined polysiloxane polyether having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 18,000 and which is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin; and (B) the second component is a hydrophobic fumed silica, in which the weight ratio of the first component to the second component is in the range of from about 20 to about 300. Such composition yields, upon melt-extrusion, either nonwoven webs having significantly increased tensile strengths when compared to nonwoven webs prepared from the thermoplastic polyolefin alone, or wettable webs requiring an amount of first component which is significantly less than that required in the absence of the second component.

Abstract: A surface-segregatable, melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition is provided which includes (A) a thermoplastic polypropylene-polyethylene block copolymer in which the polyethylene blocks constitute from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the copolymer and (B) a defined trisiloxane polyether additive having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 1,400, which additive is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic block copolymer. The use of the block copolymer unexpectedly permits the use of significantly reduced amounts of additive while still providing nonwoven webs which are immediately wettable and which do not become significantly less wettable over time.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven web having delayed antimicrobial activity, in that the web does not exhibit antimicrobial activity upon its formation but develops such activity within from about three hours to about 30 days thereafter without any post-formation treatment, which method involves the steps of (1) melting a mixture consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin, an additive, and a retardant coadditive; (2) forming fibers by extruding the resulting melt through under defined conditions of shear and throughput; (3) drawing the fibers; and (4) collecting the fibers on a moving foraminous surface as a web of entangled fibers. The additive is a defined siloxane quaternary ammonium salt having a weight average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 2,000 and a polydispersity of up to about 3.0. The additive is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven web having delayed wettability, in that the web is not wettable by water upon its formation but becomes wettable within from about three hours to about 30 days thereafter without any post-formation treatment, which method involves the steps of (1) melting a mixture consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin, and additive, and a retardant coadditive; (2) forming fibers by extruding the resulting melt through under defined conditions of shear and throughput; (3) drawing the fibers; and (4) collecting the fibers on a moving foraminous surface as a web of entangled fibers. The additive is a defined polysiloxane polyether having a molecular weight of from about 700 to about 1,300 and a polydispersity of from about 1.3 to about 3.0. The additive is present in an amount of from about 1.8 to about 3.0 percent by weight, based on the amount of thermoplastic polyolefin.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a polyolefin nonwoven web against actinic radiation which involves the steps of (a) melting a mixture of a thermoplastic polyolefin, a first additive, and a second additive; (b) forming fibers by extruding the resulting melt through a die at a shear rate of from about 50 to about 30,000 sec.sup.-1 and a throughput of no more than about 5.4 kg/cm/hour; (c) drawing the fibers; and (d) collecting the fibers on a moving foraminous surface as a web of entangled fibers. The first additive is a benzotriazolyl-containing polydialkylsiloxane having a molecular weight in the range of from about 500 to about 1,400 and a polydispersity of from about 1.3 to about 2.5. The second additive is a polyalkylpiperidyl-containing polydialkylsiloxane having a molecular weight in the range of from about 1,500 to about 30,400 and a polydispersity of from about 1.3 to about 3.0.

Abstract: A nonwoven laminiferous structure is provided which has at least two melt-extruded nonwoven layers:(A) a first layer which includes at least a portion of a first nonwoven web; and(B) a second layer adjacent to said first layer which includes at least a portion of a second nonwoven web; in which,(1) the boundary between any two adjacent melt-extruded nonwoven layers is distinct in that fibers at or near the surfaces of such adjacent layer are not significantly intermingled;(2) the fibers of at least one of such first and second layers are prepared by melt extrusion through a die at a shear rate of from about 50 to about 30,000 sec.sup.-1 and a throughput of no more than about 5.4 kg/cm/hour of a mixture of an additive and a thermoplastic polymer, which additive (a) is present at a level of from about 0.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite structure is provided which has at least two melt-extruded nonwoven layers:(A) a first layer which includes at least a portion of a first nonwoven web; and(B) a second layer which includes at least a portion of a second nonwovfen web;in which,(1) the boundary between any two adjacent melt-extruded nonwoven layers is indistinct in that fibers at or near the surfaces of such adjacent layers are significantly intermingled;(2) the fibers of at least one of such first and second layers are prepared by melt extrusion through a die at a shear rate of from about 50 to about 30,000 sec.sup.-1 and a throughput of no more than about 5.

Abstract: A surface-segregatable, melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition suitable for processing by melt extrusion to form a fiber or film having a differential, increasing concentration of an additive from the center of the fiber or film to the surface thereof, which differential, increasing concentration imparts to the surface of the fiber or film at least one desired characteristic which otherwise would not be present, which composition includes at least one thermoplastic polymer and at least one defined additive. During formation of the fiber or film, the additive rapidly segregates in a controllable manner toward the newly-formed surface of the fiber or film, thereby resulting in a controllable differential concentration of the polymeric material, which concentration increases with increasing distance from the center of the fiber or film to its surface. The weight ratio of the polymer to the additive is in the range of from about 1 to about 1,000.

Abstract: A method comprising melting a mixture of at least one thermoplastic polyolefin and at least one additive having the general formula, ##STR1## and extruding the resulting melt through a die at a shear rate of from about 50 to about 30,000 sec.sup.-1 and a throughput of no more than about 5.4 kg/cm/hour, in which:(A) R.sub.1 -R.sub.7 are independently selected monovalent C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl groups;(B) R.sub.8 is hydrogen or a monovalent C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group;(C) m represents an integer of from 0 to about 5(D) n represents an integer of from 3 to about 8;(E) the additive has a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 700;(F) the additive has a polydispersity of from about 1.0 to about 1.3; and(G) the additive is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 1.

Abstract: A nonwoven wipe having improved grease release is provided which includes a meltblown polyolefin web having a basis weight of from about 17 to about 204 g/m.sup.2, in which:A. the meltblown polyolefin web has at or on the surfaces of the fibers thereof at least one additive having the general formula, ##STR1## in which: (1) R.sub.1 -R.sub.9 are independently selected monovalent C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl groups;(2) R.sub.10 is hydrogen or monovalent C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group;(3) m represents an integer of from 1 to about 4;(4) n represents an integer of from 0 to about 3;(5) the sum of m and n is in the range of from 1 to about 4;(6) p represents an integer of from 0 to about 5;(7) x represents an integer of from 1 to about 10;(8) y represents an integer of from 0 to about 5;(9) the ratio of x to y is equal to or greater than 2;(10) the additive has a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 1,400; and(11) the additive is present in an amount of from about 0.