Abstract: Processes for operating an ammonia stripper at a low pressure in a gas purification system include providing a first side-draw stream from the ammonia stripper; heating the first side-draw stream with a second side-draw stream from a regenerator; providing a stripper offgas stream from the ammonia stripper to a stripper overhead condenser; and utilizing the stripper offgas stream as a heat source for a regenerating system fluidly coupled to the stripper overhead condenser. Also disclosed are systems for implementing the processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the treatment of process gas from an anaerobic digestion system or a landfill gas system. In one embodiment, the system comprises a caustic scrubber including a vertical column having a top and a bottom and including a counter current flow system, wherein a process gas stream flows up vertically through the column in counter current flow to a caustic liquid solution that flows downward through the column. The caustic liquid solution removes at least one acid from the process gas stream, wherein treated gas that is substantially free of acids bubbles out through an opening at the top of the vertical column.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to contactors, modules, components, systems, and/or methods of manufacture, and/or methods of use including degassing liquids. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, the contactor or module is integrally potted, has planar, disc shaped end caps, and a cylindrical housing or shell receiving and supporting a membrane structure. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, each of the planar disc shaped end caps has a central opening therein adapted to receive a liquid end port or nozzle, another opening therein adapted to receive a gas end port or threaded pipe, and is held in place in the housing or shell by at least one retaining element such as a retaining or locking ring. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, the integrally potted membrane structure is potted in place in the housing or shell by an inverted potting process involving the use of a removable plunger or plug to recess the potting.

Abstract: A device for recovering nanometer or sub-micron particles carried by a gas by generating a stabilized suspension, including: a vessel including a mechanism injecting a liquid; a gas discharge mechanism in an upper portion thereof, located near a particle filter; a particle suspension outlet; and a liquid ring pump, transferring and dispersing particles carried by a gas into a liquid. The pump introduces a gas laden with nanometer or sub-micron particles into the pump; injects at least one liquid into the pump; and discharges the mixture obtained following the transfer. The vessel also includes a mechanism introducing the mixture into the vessel and at least one piezoelectric pellet, immersed in the vessel, configured to generate a fog of micron-sized droplets.

Abstract: An electric precipitator to collect contaminants, such as dust, using electrical attraction. The electric precipitator includes high-voltage electrode plates and low-voltage electrode plates alternately stacked to form an electrification region and a collection region in an air flow direction, wherein each of the high-voltage electrode plates includes a discharge electrode to generate discharge between the discharge electrode and an opposite electrode so that contaminants are electrified in the electrification region and a collection electrode disposed over the electrification region and the collection region to collect the electrified contaminants in the collection region.

Abstract: A two-sided attraction structure including an electrostatic chuck portion (2) and a power supply portion (5), the electrostatic chuck portion (2) including a dielectric member (3) in a plate-like shape, which is made of an insulating material and has a front side and a back side, and an internal electrode (4) mounted into the dielectric member, the front side and the back side of the dielectric member each serving as an attraction surface when voltage is applied to the internal electrode (4), the power supply portion (5) applying the voltage to the internal electrode, of the electrostatic chuck portion (2), in which the power supply portion (5) includes a solar cell (6) and a voltage boost circuit (7) for boosting power generated by the solar cell (6).

Abstract: An electric precipitator includes a charge unit disposed at an upstream part and a dust collection unit disposed at a downstream part, the charge unit includes charge electrodes and a discharge wire disposed between two neighboring charge electrodes and separated from the charge electrodes, the dust collection unit includes high voltage electrodes, front ends of which are opposite to the charge unit, and low voltage electrodes, front ends of which are opposite to the charge unit and which alternate with high voltage electrodes, and the front ends of high voltage electrodes protrude toward the charge unit as compared to the front ends of low voltage electrodes, thereby guiding electrons to the discharge electrodes due to an electric field formed between the front ends of the high voltage electrodes and the discharge electrodes and thus reducing current leakage through the low voltage electrodes.

Abstract: Air treatment modules, systems and methods for removing contaminants from indoor air are provided. Device embodiments may include one or more air inlets, one or more air outlets and a plurality of inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material. The inserts may be arranged separate from each other to form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets. The adsorbent material may be arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using thermal swing desorption and/or pressure swing desorption. Related systems, methods and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: A wet gas scrubber is provided for removing at least one of solid and liquid particles from water-saturated gases with a Venturi zone adjustable with respect to the flow cross-section. The wet gas scrubber includes a fixed lower Venturi plate and a vertically adjustable upper Venturi plate disposed above the fixed lower Venturi plate. The Venturi plates are substantially parallel to one another and include corresponding segments configured to engage in each other. A plurality of Venturi channels are disposed between the Venturi plates and configured to guide a mixture of a gas to be cleaned and cleaning liquid droplets injected into a stream of the gas by a nozzle. The segments of the Venturi plates engage in each other while the Venturi channels are kept free.

Abstract: A baghouse cleaning system comprises an elongated air accumulator configured to retain pressurized air and extend over a row of filter bags. An elongated air tube extends along the air accumulator and venturis extend from the air tube. The venturis blow pressurized air streams down into the filter bags to remove particles attached to an outside filter bag surface. A valve fluidly couples the air accumulator to the air tube and an actuator is configured to move the cleaning arm linearly over different rows of the filter bags. A sensor may determine when the filter bags need to be cleaned based on a measured air pressure. A controller can actuate the cleaning arm to clean the filter bags based on preprogrammed cleaning patterns, the amount of measured air pressure, and/or other detected environmental conditions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a black colorant, preferably a black pigment, characterized in that a compound of the Formula (I) is reacted with a compound of the Formula (II) in a molar ratio of 1:2, in the presence of a catalyst which in water at 25° C. has a pK?4.5. For the definition of R1 to R7, refer to the description; preferably all are H. Likewise claimed are new crystal polymorphs obtainable by this process, and preferably single-phase mixed crystals. Also claimed are synergistic compositions. These compositions exhibit increased light stability in plastics stabilized with basic light stabilizers when they are pigmented with colorants of the invention rather than with known black pigments such as carbon black.

Abstract: An indicator is useful for detecting pressure points on a denture. The indicator is made of a composition that easily adheres to oral mucosa, has a proper viscosity in an oral cavity environment, can be properly spread between an oral mucosa surface and a denture base, and easily specifies an affected part. The composition includes a fatty acid ester having a melting point of 30 to 50° C., a water-soluble high polymer, and a metal oxide. Preferably, the fatty acid is 40 to 95% by weight of the composition, the water-soluble high polymer is 1 to 59% by weight of the composition, and the metal oxide is 0.1 to 50% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of ink-jet recording that includes the steps of pretreating by applying a pretreatment liquid onto a recording medium in advance of ink-jet recording, and recording by ejecting a pigment ink onto the recording medium by an ink-jet method. The pretreatment liquid includes the following components (i) and (ii), and water.

Abstract: A blended material comprising (i) a binder composition comprising an isocyanate compound, a metallic catalyst, and an acid compound wherein the acid compound is present in the binder composition at an amount such that the acidity of the isocyanate compound ranges from 800 ppm to 10000 ppm, calculated as HCl; and (ii) a lignocellulosic material is disclosed. A lignocellulosic composite and a method of making such are also disclosed.

Abstract: Non-aqueous, liquid coating compositions which contain at least one hydroxyl-functional component A, at least one hydroxyl-functional polyurethane resin B differing from the at least one component A and at least one crosslinking agent C with groups reactive towards the hydroxyl groups of A and B, wherein the at least one component A is not solid at room temperature and/or is present in dissolved form and wherein the at least one polyurethane resin B is present as particles having a melting temperature of 40 to 180° C.

Abstract: A wallboard, a method of preparing a wallboard, and a method of making a gypsum slurry to prepare a wallboard are provided. The wallboard includes a set gypsum dihydrate derived substantially from a non-fibrous form of calcium sulfate and selected from the group consisting of anhydrous gypsum and gypsum hemihydrate. The wallboard also includes an aerogel dispersed in the gypsum dihydrate.

Abstract: Pulling systems are disclosed for measuring the weight of an object coupled to a first end of a cable. The cable is routed over a pulley suspended from a load cell. The force exerted by the cable on the pulley is used to calculate the weight of the object. The second end of the cable is coupled to a drum which when rotated pulls the object by wrapping the cable around the drum. An arm is coupled to the pulley at one end and to a frame at another end. A path travelled by the cable between the pulley and the drum is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the arm. Horizontal force components are transmitted by the arm to the frame and do not affect a force component measured by the load cell, thus increasing the accuracy of the calculated weight of the object.

Abstract: A pulling apparatus and a method with which especially heavy crystals (5) can be pulled using the Czochralski method utilizing the pulling apparatus. For this purpose the neck (4) of the crystal (5) has an enlargement (10) beneath which extends the support device. This device includes latches (7), which are moved from a resting position into an operating position in which the latches (7) extend beneath the enlargement (10). Each latch (7) is supported on the base body such that it is swivellable about a pivot axis (8) and can assume two stable positions, namely the resting position and the operating position. Each of these positions is defined by a stop on the base body. When the latch rests on the one stop, its center of gravity, viewed from the neck (4), is located on the other side of the pivot axis (8). When the latch rests on the other stop, the center of gravity is located on this side of the pivot axis (8).

Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to epitaxial growth of nanowires on a substrate. In particular the invention relates to growth of nanowires on an Si-substrate without using Au as a catalyst. In the method according to the invention an oxide template is provided on a passivated surface of the substrate. The oxide template defines a plurality of nucleation onset positions for subsequent nanowire growth. According to one embodiment a thin organic film is used to form the oxide template.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing zinc oxide nanowires. A metal seed layer is formed on a substrate. The metal seed layer is thermally oxidized to form metal oxide crystals. Zinc oxide nanowires are grown on the metal oxide crystals serving as seeds for growth. The zinc oxide nanowires are aligned in one direction with respect to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A crystal puller for melting silicon and forming a single crystal ingot and a feed tool for shielding a portion of the crystal puller during charging of the crystal puller are disclosed herein. The crystal puller includes a crucible for containing molten silicon. The feed tool includes a cylinder and a plate. The cylinder has an inner surface and an annular ledge formed in a portion of the inner surface. The cylinder has a diameter at the annular ledge that is less than a diameter of the cylinder at the inner surface. The plate is positioned on the annular ledge and includes a first section separate from a second section. The first section and the second section are operable to move laterally with respect to each other. The plate has a central opening formed in at least one of the first section and the second section.

Abstract: Prepping a surface entails entraining a coating particle into a fluid stream, directing the fluid stream containing the coating particle at the surface to be prepped to thereby prep the surface using the coating particle. The prepped surface can then be coated using the same or substantially similar coating particle. This technique can be used with a continuous airjet, a forced pulsed airjet, a continuous waterjet or a forced pulsed waterjet as the carrier stream. This invention solves the problem of foreign blasting particles becoming embedded in the atomic matrix of the surface to be prepped, which can result in unpredictable behavior of the surface properties and even catastrophic failure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for reducing halide-based contamination within deposited titanium-based thin films. Halide adsorbing materials are utilized within the deposition chamber to remove halides, such as chlorine and chlorides, during the deposition process so that contamination of the titanium-based film is minimized. A method for regenerating the halide adsorbing material is also provided.

Abstract: A deposition mask 601 is used to form a thin film 3 in a prescribed pattern on a substrate 10 by deposition. Each of a plurality of improved openings 62A of the deposition mask 601 has a protruding opening portion 64, and is formed so that the opening amount at an end in a lateral direction is larger than that in a central portion in the lateral direction. In a deposition apparatus 50, the deposition mask 601 is held in a fixed relative positional relation with a deposition source 53 by a mask unit 55. In the case of forming the thin film 3 in a stripe pattern on the substrate 10 by the deposition apparatus 50, deposition particles are sequentially deposited on the substrate 10 while relatively moving the substrate 10 along a scanning direction with a gap H being provided between the substrate 10 and the deposition mask 601.

Abstract: A heat equalizer includes a container structure having a heating block in which a working fluid is held for heating and vaporizing a material to be heated, a heater placed at the bottom of the container structure, and a material feed pipe allowing the outside and the inside of the container structure to communicate with each other. In the heating block, as a flow path in which the material to be heated flows, a main header pipe connected to the material feed pipe and extending in the horizontally, and a riser pipe branching from the main header pipe and extending vertically are formed. As a condensation path in which the working fluid is cooled and condensed, condensation holes formed respectively on the opposite sides of the riser pipe and extending horizontally, and a condensation pit formed under the riser pipe are formed. Between the condensation holes and the condensation pit, the main header pipe is placed.

Abstract: A warewashing detergent composition is provided for use for in cleaning of alkaline sensitive metals such as aluminum or aluminum containing alloys. The compositions include alternatives to sodium tripolyphosphate and/or other phosphorous containing raw materials, while retaining cleaning performance and corrosion prevention. According to the invention, high molecular weight polyacrylates (polyacrylic acid homopolymers) with a molecular weight of at least about 5000 are used as corrosion inhibitors and can be included for aluminum protection in a number of different detergent compositions.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a compound semiconductor wafer; the compound semiconductor wafer comprises, taking gallium arsenide (GaAs) as a representative, a group III-V compound semiconductor wafer. The process comprises the following steps: 1) treating the wafer with a mixture of dilute ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and water at a temperature not higher than 20° C.; 2) washing the wafer with deionized water; 3) treating the wafer with an oxidant; 4) washing the wafer with deionized water; 5) treating the wafer with a dilute acid solution or a dilute alkali solution; 6) washing the wafer with deionized water; and 7) drying the resulting wafer. The process can improve the cleanliness, micro-roughness and uniformity of the wafer surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container treatment machine, in particular a filling, closing or rinsing unit for containers, such as bottles, cans, barrels, kegs etc., comprising a container feed, a container discharge, at least one feed line for at least one product, and a cleaning device (3) for cleaning the outer surfaces by means of a cleaning fluid (13), characterized in that the cleaning device (3) comprises a robot (4) and a track (5), wherein the track (5) runs around the rotational axis thereof in at least one angular region, wherein the robot (4) is arranged on or at said track (5) and can be driven by means of a linear drive (8).

Abstract: A water-bearing household appliance to which fluid can be supplied during at least one filling step includes at least one drain pump for conveying fluid out of the water-bearing household appliance; and an overfill protection facility to prevent an excessive water level in the water-bearing household appliance. The overfill protection facility is configured to capture at least one operating parameter of the drain pump and after the filling step, in the presence of a malfunction of the drain pump that can be derived from the at least one operating parameter, to prevent execution of a further filling step.

Abstract: The wet treatment of wafer-shaped articles is improved by utilizing a droplet generator designed to produce a spray of monodisperse droplets. The droplet generator is mounted above a spin chuck, and is moved across a major surface of the wafer-shaped article in a linear or arcuate path. The droplet generator includes a transducer acoustically coupled to its body such that sonic energy reaches a region of the body surrounding the discharge orifices. Each orifice has a width w of at least 1 ?m and at most 200 ?m and a height h such that a ratio of h to w is not greater than 1.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of cleaning an electronic device manufacturing process chamber part is provided, including a) spraying the part with an acid; b) spraying the part with DI water; and c) treating the part with potassium hydroxide. Other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A complete sanitary system for any toilet site area which allows for the utilization of pressurized domestic running water transferred through a hose connected to a water valve diverting structure further connected to the main toilet domestic water feed line to that particular toilet's water closet. A floor structure with the aforementioned toilet mounted to its top surface side provides the structure to collect, retain and drain the spent waste water from the hose after the water has been used to cleanse the toilet site area. An alternative drainage location in the retention basin of the floor structure with coinciding plumbing piping method allows for a possible solid waste contamination scenario by an overflow toilet or otherwise to be effectively transferred directly into the main sewer pipe.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided that includes a washing space in which the soiled articles can be positioned for cleaning and an operating device that operates during the cleaning operation and is arranged in an opening in a bounding face of the washing space and/or of a container which can be positioned in the washing space. A spray device for spraying cleaning fluid is integrated into the washing space in the operating device.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine is provided having a washing compartment, a drying unit that includes an absorption column with a reversibly dehydratable drying agent, and having an air circulation loop through the washing compartment and the drying unit. A temperature sensor is arranged in front of the drying unit and to the rear of the washing compartment with respect to the direction of the flow of air circulating in the air circulation loop.

Abstract: A pressure is maintained within a volume within which a semiconductor wafer resides at a pressure that is sufficient to maintain a liquid state of a precursor fluid to a non-Newtonian fluid. The precursor fluid is disposed proximate to a material to be removed from the semiconductor wafer while maintaining the precursor fluid in the liquid state. The pressure is reduced in the volume within which the semiconductor wafer resides such that the precursor fluid disposed on the wafer within the volume is transformed into the non-Newtonian fluid. An expansion of the precursor fluid and movement of the precursor fluid relative to the wafer during transformation into the non-Newtonian fluid causes the resulting non-Newtonian fluid to remove the material from the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method for protecting a surface of an article includes preparing or otherwise providing a reactive solution of a form of polyaniline and an acid, thereafter applying the reactive solution to the surface of the article to form an adherent conversion coating on the surface, thereafter oxidizing the adherent conversion coating to form an oxidized coating, and thereafter contacting a chromate-free, corrosion inhibiting organic compound such as a salt of a dithiocarbamate or a salt of a dimercaptothiadiazole to the oxidized coating to form a fixed conversion coating on the surface of the article. The resulting article has the fixed conversion coating adhered to the surface of the article. The fixed conversion coating has a mixture of a reduced polyaniline salt, and a fixed disulfur-linked dithiocarbamate polymer or dimer.

Abstract: A steel liner with a case comprising at least 95% martensite, such as substantially 100% martensite, and a core comprising pearlite and discrete ferrite grains decorating former austenite grain boundaries. The ferrite in the liner's core has an average size of less than about 25 ?m.

Abstract: The present application describes a steel composition that provides enhanced corrosion resistance. This steel composition includes one of vanadium in an amount of 1 wt % to 9 wt %, titanium in an amount of about 1 wt % to 9 wt %, and a combination of vanadium and titanium in an amount of 1 wt % to about 9 wt %. In addition, the steel composition includes carbon in an amount of 0.03 wt % to about 0.45 wt %, manganese in an amount up to 2 wt % and silicon in an amount up to 0.45 wt %. In one embodiment, the steel composition includes a microstructure of one of the following: ferrite, martensite, tempered martensite, dual phase ferrite and martensite, and dual phase ferrite and tempered martensite. Further, the present application describes a method for processing the steel composition and use of equipment such as oil country tubular goods, fabricated with the steel composition.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet is manufactured by preparing a slab having a thickness of 5 to 15 mm with a continuous casting machine by a continuous casting process using molten alloy containing 0.40% to 0.65% of Mg, 0.50% to 0.75% of Si, 0.05% to 0.20% of Cr, and 0.10% to 0.40% of Fe, a remainder being Al; winding the slab into a coil; cold-rolling the slab into a sheet; subjecting the sheet to solution heat treatment in such a manner that the sheet is heated to a temperature of 530° C. to 560° C. at a heating rate of 10° C./sec or more and then maintained at the temperature for five seconds or more; quenching the sheet with water; coiling up the sheet; maintaining the sheet at a temperature of 60° C. to 110° C. for 3 to 12 hours; and then cooling the sheet to room temperature.

Abstract: A process for hot stamping a steel component is described. The hot stamping process enables the formation of one or more regions of the component to exhibit specific physical properties different than other regions of the component. The various processes are particularly well suited for forming a variety of automobile structural members.

Abstract: Applicants provide a step in the assembly of a moveable workpiece to a static base, the base bearing a sticky gasket and in which a release agent is sprayed on the sticky upper surface of the sticky gasket, which release agent will render the sticky surface temporarily unsticky.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus (10) for forming a tire component upon an axially tapered building surface (100). In particular embodiments, such methods include the step of providing a mechanical system, the system including a plurality of cutting members (42) and an application surface (64) for transferring material to the axially tapered building surface, the axially tapered surface comprising a surface of revolution that varies radially along a rotational axis of the surface. Particular embodiments may also include translating a sheet of material along a translation path through the mechanical system, and cutting a strip of material from the sheet with one or more of the plurality of cutting members during the step of translating.

Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective method of manufacturing a kink-resistant tube, wherein a coated wire is wound around a mandrel while simultaneously being heated to melt the coating, is provided.

Abstract: A reusable hose bundling sleeve is provided that is made of a tightly-woven nylon material coated with urethane. Strips of hooks and loops are adhered and stitched to opposite ends of opposite sides of the sleeve. The reusable hose is installed by wrapping the sleeve around the hoses or cables such that the strips of hooks and loops align and engage. Notches can be cut along the length of the reusable hose bundling sleeve to allow for shorter hoses or cables within the sleeve to exit. Because of the materials used, the notches will not weaken the fibers and cause fraying. The reusable hose bundling sleeve is removed by separating the strips of hooks and loops and unwrapping the sleeve. The reusable hose bundling sleeve can be installed, removed, and reinstalled quickly and without diminishing durability. Alternatively, the sleeve may be adapted to be secured and/or hanged.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a one-piece composite fuselage section that minimizes out-of-plane fiber distortion. This is accomplished by fabricating a mandrel having a coefficient of thermal expansion in the hoopwise direction that is sufficiently greater than that of the laid-up composite ply assembly. As a result of this differential in the coefficients of thermal expansion in the hoopwise direction, the laid-up composite ply assembly is stretched circumferentially as the mandrel expands radially during cure, thereby eliminating or reducing out-of-plane fiber distortion. At the same time, the mandrel and part being fabricated should have substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion in the lengthwise direction. As the outer surface of the mandrel increases in circumference, the circumferentially oriented reinforcing fibers of the inner plies are stretched, while the circumferentially oriented reinforcing fibers of the outer plies do not reduce in circumference and thus do not form waves or wrinkles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a molded article (e.g., 141) from first and second heated and thermoformable thermoplastic sheets (75, 78), which are each respectively formed in situ from first and second thermoplastic compositions (e.g., by means of extrusion). The heated first and second thermoformable sheets are each drawn by reduced pressure into contour matching contact with the interior mold surfaces (14, 32) of separate first and second mold portions (11, 29), so as to form separate first and second profiled thermoplastic sheets (129, 144) within the separate mold portions. The first and second mold portions (11, 29) are positioned towards each other (e.g., together) so as to bring into contact and fuse together contact portions (159, 163) of the first and second profiled thermoplastic sheets (129, 144). Fusion between the contacted contact portions (159, 163) is achieved by means of (e.g.

Abstract: There are provided a method and device for thermocompression bonding of possibly preventing any warping of a resin member to be caused by thermocompression bonding, and of possibly reducing the time to be taken for processing. The method for thermocompression bonding, includes: preheating a resin member using an infrared radiation section; and subjecting the resin member to thermocompression bonding using a heating section and a pressurization section.

Abstract: In the absorber forming and transferring mechanism 100, at a core reception time, the rotational velocity V4 of the rotary transfer member 160 is same as the rotation velocity V3 of the forming drum 150. At a core transfer time, the rotational velocity V5 of the rotary transfer member 160 is same as the conveyance velocity V2 of the web 9A. During a period from the core reception time to the core transfer time, the rotational velocity V5 of the rotary transfer member 160 becomes higher than the rotational velocity V3 of the forming drum 150. During a period from the core transfer time to the core reception time, the rotational velocity V5 of the rotary transfer member 160 becomes lower than the conveyance velocity V2 of the web 9A.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite multi-layered absorbent article. At least two of the layers include a colored region.