Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.

Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics suitable for a wide variety of applications (e.g., healthcare, filtration, industrial, packaging, etc.) are provided. In one aspect, the nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of segmented fibers. Each of the plurality of segmented fibers may comprise a fiber axis and a plurality of alternating larger diameter and smaller diameter segments along the fiber axis. The plurality of segmented fibers may be substantially aligned in a first direction.

Abstract: Breathable multilayer films suitable for a wide variety of uses (e.g., protective apparel, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, aprons, roofing material, house wrap, etc.) are disclosed. The breathable multilayer film may include a monolithic core layer. The monolithic core layer may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer. The breathable multilayer film may also include at least one skin layer. The skin layer or layers may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer, a filler, and a non-breathable material. An exemplary structure of the breathable multilayer film provides a monolithic core layer, a first skin layer on one side of the monolithic core layer, and a second skin layer on the other side of the monolithic core layer. An exemplary construction of one or both of the skin layers includes one or more highly breathable polymers, a filler, and a non-breathable material. The filler, for example, may comprise calcium carbonate.

Abstract: Breathable multilayer films suitable for a wide variety of uses (e.g., protective apparel, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, aprons, roofing material, house wrap, etc.) are disclosed. The breathable multilayer film may include a monolithic core layer. The monolithic core layer may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer. The breathable multilayer film may also include at least one skin layer. The skin layer or layers may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer, a filler, and a non-breathable material. An exemplary structure of the breathable multilayer film provides a monolithic core layer, a first skin layer on one side of the monolithic core layer, and a second skin layer on the other side of the monolithic core layer. An exemplary construction of one or both of the skin layers includes one or more highly breathable polymers, a filler, and a non-breathable material. The filler, for example, may comprise calcium carbonate.

Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics suitable for a wide variety of applications (e.g., healthcare, filtration, industrial, packaging, etc.) are provided. In one aspect, the nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of segmented fibers. Each of the plurality of segmented fibers may comprise a fiber axis and a plurality of alternating larger diameter and smaller diameter segments along the fiber axis. The plurality of segmented fibers may be substantially aligned in a first direction.

Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics suitable for a wide variety of applications (e.g., healthcare, filtration, industrial, packaging, etc.) are provided. In one aspect, the nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of segmented fibers. Each of the plurality of segmented fibers may comprise a fiber axis and a plurality of alternating larger diameter and smaller diameter segments along the fiber axis. The plurality of segmented fibers may be substantially aligned in a first direction.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics suitable for a wide variety of applications (e.g., healthcare, filtration, industrial, packaging, etc.) are provided. In one aspect, the nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of segmented fibers. Each of the plurality of segmented fibers may comprise a fiber axis and a plurality of alternating larger diameter and smaller diameter segments along the fiber axis. The plurality of segmented fibers may be substantially aligned in a first direction.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics suitable for a wide variety of applications (e.g., healthcare, filtration, industrial, packaging, etc.) are provided. In one aspect, the nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of segmented fibers. Each of the plurality of segmented fibers may comprise a fiber axis and a plurality of alternating larger diameter and smaller diameter segments along the fiber axis. The plurality of segmented fibers may be substantially aligned in a first direction.

Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.

Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.

Abstract: Breathable multilayer films are provided. The multilayer films may include a monolithic core layer comprising a core-layer composition, which includes a core-layer highly breathable polymer and has a core-layer water absorption rate, and at least a first skin layer comprising a first-skin-layer composition, which includes a first-skin-layer highly breathable polymer and has a first-skin-layer water absorption rate. The core-layer water absorption rate may be at least about 10 times larger than first-skin-layer water absorption rate. Laminates including the multilayer films and at least one fibrous layer are also provided.

Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics suitable for a wide variety of applications (e.g., healthcare, filtration, industrial, packaging, etc.) are provided. In one aspect, the nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of segmented fibers. Each of the plurality of segmented fibers may comprise a fiber axis and a plurality of alternating larger diameter and smaller diameter segments along the fiber axis. The plurality of segmented fibers may be substantially aligned in a first direction.

Abstract: Breathable multilayer films suitable for a wide variety of uses (e.g., protective apparel, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, aprons, roofing material, house wrap, etc.) are disclosed. The breathable multilayer film may include a monolithic core layer. The monolithic core layer may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer. The breathable multilayer film may also include at least one skin layer. The skin layer or layers may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer, a filler, and a non-breathable material. An exemplary structure of the breathable multilayer film provides a monolithic core layer, a first skin layer on one side of the monolithic core layer, and a second skin layer on the other side of the monolithic core layer. An exemplary construction of one or both of the skin layers includes one or more highly breathable polymers, a tiller, and a non-breathable material. The filler, for example, may comprise calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A glazing method for improving abrasion resistance using a heated smooth roll to melt the lower-melting-point portion of bicomponent fibers as the spunbond web passes over the heated smooth roll. Because there is no external pressure exerted in a nip by an opposing second roller, as in calendering, the outer surface of the web which does not contact the heated smooth roll remains essentially unchanged and the nonwoven fabric exhibits no compression as a result of the glazing process. The roll temperature and dwell time (roll diameter, wrap angle and line speed) are controlled for the purpose of surface treating only one side of the nonwoven fabric to improve abrasion resistance while allowing the air permeability and web thickness to remain essentially unchanged.

Abstract: A glazing method for improving abrasion resistance using a heated smooth roll to melt the lower-melting-point portion of bicomponent fibers as the spunbond web passes over the heated smooth roll. Because there is no external pressure exerted in a nip by an opposing second roller, as in calendering, the outer surface of the web which does not contact the heated smooth roll remains essentially unchanged and the nonwoven fabric exhibits no compression as a result of the glazing process. The roll temperature and dwell time (roll diameter, wrap angle and line speed) are controlled for the purpose of surface treating only one side of the nonwoven fabric to improve abrasion resistance while allowing the air permeability and web thickness to remain essentially unchanged.

Abstract: A glazing method for improving abrasion resistance using a heated smooth roll to melt the lower-melting-point portion of bicomponent fibers as the spunbond web passes over the heated smooth roll. Because there is no external pressure exerted in a nip by an opposing second roller, as in calendering, the outer surface of the web which does not contact the heated smooth roll remains essentially unchanged and the nonwoven fabric exhibits no compression as a result of the glazing process. The roll temperature and dwell time (roll diameter, wrap angle and line speed) are controlled for the purpose of surface treating only one side of the nonwoven fabric to improve abrasion resistance while allowing the air permeability and web thickness to remain essentially unchanged.