Abstract: A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is disclosed. The method includes providing a polymeric netting having a length in a machine direction and running the polymeric netting in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The polymeric netting is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the polymeric netting and the stretchable surface during the stretching increases the width of at least a portion of the polymeric netting in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: A method of separating strands of a slit web is disclosed. The method includes providing a slit web having a length in a machine direction and running the slit web in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The slit web includes multiple strands provided by a plurality of slits extending in a first direction not parallel to a cross-machine direction. The slit web is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the slit web and the stretchable surface during the stretching at least partially separates at least some of the multiple strands of the slit web in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastener. The method includes providing a slit web having mechanical fastening elements and spreading the slit web in the cross-machine direction by directing the slit web over at least a first roller having first multiple protrusions around its peripheral surface. The slit web includes a plurality of interrupted slits that are interrupted by intact bridging regions of the web that divide the interrupted slits into a series of spaced slit portions aligned in the machine direction. The first multiple protrusions are positioned such that adjacent protrusions push through consecutive slit portions of a first of the interrupted slits to form a spread mechanical fastening web. An apparatus including the first roller and at least a subsequent roller is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: A seating device is provided have collapsible armrests. The collapsible armrests are attached to the seating device via brackets that hold the collapsible armest in a secure erect position while allowing the collapsible armrests to be rotated into a collapse position for access to the seating device. The armrests are externally attached on both side of the seating device and remain attached in both the erect and collapsed positions.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastener. The method includes providing a slit web having mechanical fastening elements, applying tension to the slit web in the machine direction, and spreading the slit web in the cross-machine direction by moving the slit web over a crowned surface to provide a spread mechanical fastening web. The slit web includes a plurality of interrupted slits that are interrupted by intact bridging regions of the web. The crowned surface may be an air bearing, or at least a portion of the crowned surface is a low-friction surface, and the crowned surface and the slit web are not moving at the same speed in the same direction. The crowned surface may be provided with at least one ridge.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastener. The method includes providing a slit web having mechanical fastening elements, applying tension to the slit web in the machine direction, and spreading the slit web in the cross-machine direction by directing its side edges over two rotating diverging disks to provide a spread mechanical fastening web. The slit web includes a plurality of interrupted slits that are interrupted by intact bridging regions of the web. The two rotating diverging disks are laterally spaced and have a support surface between them that contacts the slit web during the spreading. The spread mechanical fastening web includes multiple strands of the slit web attached to each other at least at some of the intact bridging regions and separated from each other between at least some of the intact bridging regions.

Abstract: A method of separating strands of a slit web is disclosed. The method includes providing a slit web having a length in a machine direction and running the slit web in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The slit web includes multiple strands provided by a plurality of slits extending in a first direction not parallel to a cross-machine direction. The slit web is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the slit web and the stretchable surface during the stretching at least partially separates at least some of the multiple strands of the slit web in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent foam composite comprising a foam layer having open slits that define apertures on at least a portion of the foam layer and an absorbent layer. A heat set film may be sandwiched between the foam layer and the absorbent layer and have opened slits that define apertures that are at least partially congruent with the apertures of the foam layer. The absorbent layer may contain apertures or be aperture free. The absorbent foam composites can be used in a variety of applications, including personal hygiene articles, medical bandages, pet pads and agricultural pads.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for delivering microneedles to a patient's skin. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for delivering a microneedle array to a patient's skin surface, the system comprising: a delivery apparatus including a housing; and an infusion device detachably received in the housing.

Abstract: A reticulated mechanical fastening laminate is disclosed. The reticulated mechanical fastening laminate includes a loop material having a regular pattern of spaced apart geometric shaped openings joined to a carrier. At least the portion of carrier to which the loop material is joined has up to a ten percent elongation. A reticulated mechanical fastening web including the loop material is also disclosed, in which the loop material is not joined to an elastic or pleated extensible carrier. A method of making the mechanical fastener constructions is also disclosed. The method includes providing interrupted slits in a loop material, with each interrupted slit interrupted by at least one intact bridging region of the slit loop material; spreading the slit loop material to provide at least one opening; and fixing of the loop material in a spread configuration.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, assemblies, combinations, and methods for infusing fluids by hollow microneedles.

Abstract: A procedure for use with a data acquisition system and an array processor for real time processing of the acquired data. Rather than utilize the array processor in its normal mode to process one array before moving on to the next, processing of subportions of a given array is interleaved with inputting of acquired data sets for the next array. The size of the subgroup, the number of data sets in the array, the number of channels to be processed, the nature of the process to be performed and the speed at which it can be performed are balanced in such a way that (a) processing of a subgroup is completed at about the time the next set is ready for input, and (b) at the completion of processing of the last subgroup within a given array, the last set of the next array is ready for input, so that processing of the next array commences immediately.