Abstract: An elastic nonwoven material includes a first non-woven fabric including a plurality of rows. Each row has a plurality of adjacent bonds formed therein. The elastic nonwoven material also includes a first elastic strand entrapped between a first pair of adjacent bonds within a first row of the plurality of rows, and a second elastic strand entrapped between a second pair of adjacent bonds within the first row. A third pair of adjacent bonds within the first row is free of elastic material therebetween and is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven material includes a first non-woven fabric including a plurality of rows. Each row has a plurality of adjacent bonds formed therein. The elastic nonwoven material also includes a first elastic strand entrapped between a first pair of adjacent bonds within a first row of the plurality of rows, and a second elastic strand entrapped between a second pair of adjacent bonds within the first row. A third pair of adjacent bonds within the first row is free of elastic material therebetween and is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating an article using a first bonding module having a first bonding module face and a second bonding module having a second bonding module face include supplying a first non-woven fabric to at least one of the first bonding module face and the second bonding module face, and supplying a plurality of elastic strands to a surface of the first non-woven fabric. The method and system further include entrapping a first elastic strand between a first pair of adjacent bonds in a first row in the first non-woven fabric, entrapping a second elastic strand between a second pair of adjacent bonds in the first row, and creating a third pair of adjacent bonds in the first row free of elastic bands therebetween. The third pair of adjacent bonds is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module. The second bonding module is positionable in close proximity to the first bonding module for receiving a first nonwoven fabric, a second nonwoven fabric, and at least one elastic strand therebetween. The second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a plurality of ridges includes a first ridge and a pair of second ridges positioned on opposing sides of the first ridge along the circumferential axis. The first ridge defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches, and the second ridges are configured to sever the at least one elastic strand when in close proximity to the first bonding module.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.

Abstract: A face covering includes layers of nonwoven material and at least one elastic element. The layers of nonwoven material cooperatively define a first opening, a second opening, and a filtration area of the face covering. The filtration area is arranged to allow airflow through the face covering and remove particulates from the airflow. The first opening and the second opening are sized to receive a head of a wearer. The at least one elastic element is secured to the layers of nonwoven material. The face covering is sized such that, when the face covering is positioned on the head of the wearer, the at least one elastic element provides a seal against the wearer and the layers of nonwoven material provide a loose fit on the wearer.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating an article using a first bonding module having a first bonding module face and a second bonding module having a second bonding module face include supplying a first non-woven fabric to at least one of the first bonding module face and the second bonding module face, and supplying a plurality of elastic strands to a surface of the first non-woven fabric. The method and system further include entrapping a first elastic strand between a first pair of adjacent bonds in a first row in the first non-woven fabric, entrapping a second elastic strand between a second pair of adjacent bonds in the first row, and creating a third pair of adjacent bonds in the first row free of elastic bands therebetween. The third pair of adjacent bonds is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module. The second bonding module is positionable in close proximity to the first bonding module. At least one of the first bonding module and the second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a plurality of ridges. The ridges are positioned such that at least two adjacent ridges overlap along the circumferential axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module. The second bonding module is positionable in close proximity to the first bonding module for receiving a first nonwoven fabric, a second nonwoven fabric, and at least one elastic strand therebetween. The second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a plurality of ridges includes a first ridge and a pair of second ridges positioned on opposing sides of the first ridge along the circumferential axis. The first ridge defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches, and the second ridges are configured to sever the at least one elastic strand when in close proximity to the first bonding module.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module, a second bonding module positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module, and a pinching device. The first bonding module and the second bonding module are adapted to bond at least one elastic strand of the elastic nonwoven material. The pinching device is adapted to limit a snap-back potential of the at least one elastic strand if the at least one elastic strand becomes severed during bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module, a second bonding module positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module, and a pinching device. The first bonding module and the second bonding module are adapted to bond at least one elastic strand of the elastic nonwoven material. The pinching device is adapted to limit a snap-back potential of the at least one elastic strand if the at least one elastic strand becomes severed during bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module. The second bonding module is positionable in close proximity to the first bonding module. At least one of the first bonding module and the second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a plurality of ridges. The ridges are positioned such that at least two adjacent ridges overlap along the circumferential axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.

Abstract: Delivery systems for incorporating functional compounds into substrates for use in various consumer products are disclosed. Specifically, the delivery system includes a carrier component comprising an ultrasonically energized adsorbent and one or more functional compounds. The ultrasonically energized adsorbent can adsorb the desired functional compounds and bind the functional compounds to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets.

Abstract: A liquid treatment system has a housing defining an interior space. The housing has an inlet port for receiving liquid into the interior space of the housing and an outlet port for allowing liquid to exit the interior space of the housing. The outlet port is spaced from the inlet port so that liquid flows through the interior space of the housing from the inlet port to the outlet port. An ultrasonic waveguide assembly is disposed within the interior space of the housing and includes an ultrasonic horn disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port of the housing. The ultrasonic horn is operable at an ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize liquid flowing within the housing. An ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light into the interior space of the housing to treat liquid flowing therein.

Abstract: In a method of ultrasonically treating a substance disposed within a container an ultrasonic horn is positioned within the container with at least a portion of the horn submerged in the substance. The horn is ultrasonically excited to thereby ultrasonically energize the substance. An agitating member is rotated within the substance while the ultrasonic horn is excited to agitate the substance as the substance is ultrasonically energized.

Abstract: A method of preparing metal-modified silica particles is disclosed. Specifically, a treatment chamber is provided in which a first and a second formulation are ultrasonically mixed to prepare metal-modified silica particles. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the first and second formulations flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the formulations within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.