Abstract: A nonwoven fabric which is particularly useful as a liquid transport layer in an absorbent product. The fabric is formed of a mixture of fibers of varying sizes and polymer compositions, selected to provide the desired liquid transport properties to the fabric, and thermally bonded by calendering to form a coherent fabric structure.

Abstract: The invention provides composite elastic nonwoven fabrics and processes of making the same. The composite elastic fabrics of the invention include a plurality of longitudinally extending elastomeric filaments and at least one fibrous web including staple fibers and anchoring fibers entangled with the elastomeric filaments. The anchoring fibers strengthen the attachment of the staple fibers to the elastomeric filaments, so that the entire fibrous mass extends as a unit when the fabric is extended. The resultant product is a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing the elastomeric filaments.

Abstract: The invention provides elastic fabrics which exhibit low extensibility in the machine direction and have substantial elastic properties in the cross-machine direction. The fabrics of the invention include an elastic layer and a fibrous layer which are combined together. The fibrous layer is composed of a plurality of thermally activated binder fibers or filaments oriented substantially in the machine-direction of the fibrous web. The fabrics of the invention can be manufactured and processed more readily than fabrics which are elastic in both the machine direction and the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: The invention provides composite elastic nonwoven fabrics and the process of making them. The composite elastic fabrics of the invention include an elastomeric net and at least one fibrous web including binder fibers and which is intimately hydroentangled with the elastomeric net. At least a portion of the binder fibers in the hydroentangled fibrous web have been thermally activated thereby bonding the hydro-entangled web into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing the elastomeric net.

Abstract: A method of using existing and new hardware in order to derive statistical information and control charts reflecting statistical changes in a monitored individual utilizing patient monitoring devices, communications between patient monitoring devices and computer systems. The process involves (1) selection of data from the stream of data originating from the monitoring device, (2) compartmentallization of data into records, (3) selection and isolation of that portion of each selected record related to the monitored event (e.g.