Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a bed covering or the like comprised of a first thermoplastic web, a pair of fibrous mats of substantial loft, said web and mats being bonded together in accordance with a quilted pattern utilizing a thermoelectric bonding technique. The bonding layer, which is preferably polyurethane or a derivative thereof, forms an excellent bond with both the web and the fibrous mats. The fibrous mats provide excellent moisture absorbency and are breathable since the fibrous mats are bonded to the web only at the limited areas defined by the pattern. The first web provides an excellent waterproof barrier, while the mat provides an array of puffed-up regions each delineated by the bonding pattern to yield and aesthetically appealing cover which may be used with either fibrous web exposed.

Abstract: A laminated elastic fabric for use in making a garment having reduced drag with respect to a surrounding fluid as a wearer of the garment moves through the surrounding fluid comprises a stretch layer and an elastic, plastic layer bonded to the stretch layer having a plurality of parallel, spaced grooves disposed in an outer surface of the plastic layer. A preferred, plastic layer is a breathable, waterproof thermoplastic film. A garment, such as a swimsuit, made from the grooved fabric has the grooves substantially aligned with the direction of movement of fluid over a portion of the garment as the wearer of the garment moves through the fluid. Methods for making the fabric and garment are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermally bonded spunbond web of thermoplastic filaments and a nonwoven fabric laminate comprising an internal layer of meltblown thermoplastic microfibers sandwiched between two layers of spunbond thermoplastic filaments. The spunbond web and the spunbond layers of the fabric laminate consist of thermoplastic filaments which are formed from a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and an effective amount of a nucleating agent. The layers are bonded by thermal spot bonding. In the preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is polypropylene with a melt-flow rate of at 230 .degree. C. of or greater than 12 grams per ten minutes. Also in the preferred embodiment, the nucleating agent constitutes from about 0.1 to 0.3 percent by weight of the mixture of polypropylene and nucleating agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulosic fibrous structure, particularly a consumer product such as toilet tissue, facial tissue or a paper towel. In a first embodiment, extending outwardly from each face of the cellulosic fibrous structure is a plurality of protuberances. The protuberances extend bilaterally outwardly from the plane of the cellulosic fibrous structure in both directions. The bilaterally extending protuberances increase the caliper and texture of the consumer product embodied in the cellulosic fibrous structure. In a second embodiment, the protuberances extend outwardly, and are induced by fluid embossing, rather than mechanical embossing. Also disclosed is a fluid embossing process for making such cellulosic fibrous structures.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic reinforcement for concrete structure comprises a core made of a fiber reinforced plastic material composed of a matrix resin and reinforcing fiber, uneven profile portion integrally formed on the peripheral surface portion of the core having alternately arranged first higher portions and second lower portions, and the reinforcing fiber extending in series across the core and the uneven profile portion.

Abstract: This invention provides reinforced composite structures consisting essentially of a matrix and a dispersed phase, where the matrix is a hydrogel containing water and a solubilized vinyl alcohol homopolymer, the dispersed phase contains a plurality of uniformly distributed acicular regions consisting of fibrils formed from a highly oriented crystalline vinyl alcohol polymer, where the diameter of the said fibrils is less than 1 millimeter, the aspect ratio of the fibrils is from 2:1 to 1000:1, and where the composite is characterized by a gradual transition in the degree of crystallinity at the interfaces between the matrix and the fibrils.

Abstract: A towel for wrapping and drying hair on a human head includes a configuration for facilitating wrapping of the towel about the head and also provides for an area of enhanced water absorption for contacting the hair and for facilitating rapid drying thereof.

Abstract: A torchable roll roofing membrane which comprises a reinforcing mat which is saturated and coated with bituminous composition comprising a bituminous component and, optionally, an unhydrogenated block copolymer of a monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diolefin, and coated onto one surface, a bituminous composition comprising a bituminous component and a hydrogenated block copolymer of a monalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diolefin.

Abstract: The invention provides a melt-blown non-woven fabric obtained by melt-blowing an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer having a density of smaller than 0.900 g/cm.sup.3 and a crystallinity of from 5 to 40% or by melt-blowing a resin composition which chiefly comprises said copolymer, a laminated non-woven fabric obtained by laminating as a unitary structure a dry-type non-woven fabric on the melt-blown fabric that is obtained by melt-blowing said copolymer or the resin composition which chiefly comprises said copolymer, and a cataplasm which comprises the non-woven fabric obtained by melt-blowing said copolymer or said resin composition which chiefly comprises said copolymer, a dry-type non-woven fabric laminated on said melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a medicine layer applied onto said dry-type non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric or the laminated non-woven fabric has excellent elastic property, i.e.

Abstract: A fiberboard, preferably made by consolidating a water-felted mat without added binder and being suitable for pressure-molding into a hardboard door facing having a high degree of fidelity to the contours of the die set, is incised on both the major face and the obverse face with incisions having a depth of from about 10% to about one third the thickness of the board. The incisions are aligned on lines that are preferably arranged at right angles across the face of the board. The lines are preferably spaced a maximum of about 0.5 inches apart, and the incisions on each line are discontinuous, preferably separated by a maximum of about 0.5 inches.

Abstract: Uniformly embossed facial tissue having a continuous or closely-spaced discontinuous embossing pattern and having from about 1 to about 40 distinct individual unembossed areas per square inch of tissue is considered to be a consumer-preferred facial tissue. In addition, the embossing intensity (as determined by the Shadow Index defined herein) is preferably within the range of from about 3 to about 25.

Abstract: An embossed paper laminate having two laminae. The laminae are embossed so that each embossed site of one lamina is adhesively joined to the nonembossed region of the other lamina. The laminate is made by two close tolerance pattern rolls juxtaposed to form a nip. Each pattern roll has radially extending protuberances which contact the periphery of the other pattern roll intermediate its protuberances. The laminae are fed through the nip in face-to-face relationship and are embossed and adhesively joined to the other lamina by the radially extending protuberances.

Abstract: A mattress tape for securing the edge of a mattress comprising a fabric formed of yarn. The fabric has a first section, a second section and a third section disposed between the first section and second section. The third section is formed with greater shape holding capability than the first and second sections. This greater shape holding capability is caused by greater thickness, weight or stiffness of said central third section.

Abstract: The thermobonding interlining is a nonwoven covered on one face with dots of thermobonding resin. According to the invention, the nonwoven is a web, containing no binding agent, of which the g/m2 weight is less than 50, which is produced from fibers in a thermoplastic material, such as polyamide; the mean diameter of the fibers is comprised between 1 and 5 .mu.m, the consolidation of the nonwoven is obtained by intermingling of the fibers by high pressure streams of fluid, notably by injection of water at pressures of 40 to 80 bars, or by thermal bonding. For example, the fibers being obtained from a mixture of constitutents having different melting points, the bonding points result from the melting and bonding of the zones of fibers having the lowest melting point.

Abstract: A multi-layer, nonwoven fabric useful as an absorbent article top sheet, which is formed of a continuous first layer, comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic fibers, bonded to a second layer, comprising a blend of hydrophobic thermoplastic fibers and natural hydrophilic fibers.

Abstract: Graphic laminar sheet material in which a barrier layer separates a base layer and an eradicable layer of color contrasting with the base layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a nonwoven wiper having an oil capacity greater than about 500 percent by weight of oil to the weight of the web. The wiper includes a nonwoven web of fibers having at least one raised surface area which area has an aperture through the web. The fibers generally adjacent the aperture are substantially unconsolidated, i.e., not compacted together or fused.The disclosure also deals with a method of forming such a nonwoven wiper. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a nonwoven web; b) providing a nip roller arrangement including a first roller having a plurality of unheated pins and a second roller having a plurality of corresponding orifices; and c) passing the web through the nip roller arrangement to form a plurality of raised surface areas on the web with each of the surface areas defining an aperture where the fibers generally adjacent the aperture are substantially unconsolidated.

Abstract: A self-bonded nonwoven web and porous film composite comprising at least one layer of a self-bonded, fibrous nonwoven web comprising substantially continuous filaments adhered to at least one layer of a polymeric porous film and having vapor-permeable and liquid-impermeable properties.

Abstract: A nonwoven laminate, having a barrier property, is made of at least one thermoplastic fiber layer bonded with a wet-laid fabric layer, made of a uniform distribution of cellulose fibers, polymeric fibers, and a binder, which is treated with a water-repellent finish. Alternatively, the wet-laid fabric layer can be made without the addition of any binders to form a tissue-type core fabric layer. In a preferred form, spunbond polyester fiber layers are ultrasonically bonded on each side of a wet-laid barrier fabric made of about 20% eucalyptus pulp, 45% staple polyester fibers of 1.5 denier, and 35% polyester fibers of finer denier of about 0.6 denier, which is bonded with an acrylic latex binder and treated with a water-repellent finish that includes a fluorocarbon compound. The resulting laminate has a desired drapability and soft hand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of propylene polymer and butylene polymer, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene and from 10% to 50% polybutylene. The blend can be a blend of a homopolymer of polypropylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; a homopolymer of polypropylene and a copolymer of butylene; a copolymer of propylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; and a copolymer of propylene and a copolymer of butylene. In addition ternary blends (homopolymers of polypropylene, copolymers of propylene and butylene, terpolymers (propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene), and blends of terpolymers with polypropylene are useful. The resulting nonwoven webs have enhanced toughness, tear resistance, drape, and conformability.

Abstract: Compostable polymeric sheets of biodegradable or environmentally degradable polymers are disclosed. These composite sheets may be made by extrusion and are compostable in municipal solid waste treatment facilities.

Abstract: A composite beam having a constant stress geometry is provided wherein a varying fiber content in a fiber impregnated resin is employed across the beam's cross section to cause the neutral axis of the beam to shift toward the compressive side. The design provides the maximum deflection in the direction of the load before compressive failure occurs for a given size and shaped beam of equivalent stiffness.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven fabric laminate formed from an olefin copolymer, olefin terpolymer, or a blend of olefin polymers. Particularly, the improved fabric laminate is formed from a polymer having a crystallinity of less than 45% and preferably between 31-35% and most preferably about 32%. The fabric laminates formed from layers that are spun-bonded or melt-blown have improved characteristics including higher tear strength, greater tensile energy, greater abrasion resistance, better fabric drape and softness, and less particulate emission. There is also disclosed a low particle emission, sterilizable garment for use in clean rooms, paint rooms, and operating rooms.

Abstract: A composite elastic material having a stress relaxation of less than about 30 percent is composed of at least one elastic sheet formed from a blend of (1) a styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymer or a mixture of styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene and styrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-styrene elastomeric block copolymers, and (2) a tackifying resin. The blend may also include a polyolefin and/or an extending oil. The elastic sheet is joined to at least one gatherable layer at spaced-apart locations in which the gatherable layer is gathered between the spaced-apart locations so that the composite material is elastic.

Abstract: A three-layer laminated material is particularly useful for surgical drape reinforcing panels. The material has a first outer layer of liquid impervious material, an intermediate layer of absorbent material, and a second outer layer of plastic webbing. The webbing layer, which is on top when a drape covers a recumbent person, reduces linting from the absorbent layer without substantially reducing absorbency. The webbing layer is secured to the absorbent layer by a cold cure adhesive. In preferred embodiments, one or both of the outer layers are corona-treated materials and the intermediate layer is a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: An embossed thermoplastic liquid barrier film is disclosed having a visible nonwoven fibrous three-dimensionally embossed pattern in the film on both sides. The films have thicknesses of about 0.5 to about 2 mils and an embossed depth to provide the visible nonwoven fibrous three-dimensionally embossed pattern with the film having a soft hand feel.

Abstract: A carrier tape comprising a strip of flexible material having a series of spaced pockets and a predetermined thickness, the size of the pockets and the predetermined thickness being adapted to receive a component between the major surfaces of said strip. In a preferred embodiment the pockets have at least a substantially closed base portion which lies between the major surfaces of the strip. The strip of flexible material comprises a layer of nonwoven thermoplastic polymeric fiber adhered together and has in the range of 20 to 70 percent air filled open spaces between the fibers. The strip of flexible material may also be composed of a thermoplastic foam.

Abstract: A fibrous structure comprising a batt of a loose assemblage of fibers, having an initial density, that is embossed to produce a batt having a discrete pattern of hydrogen-bonded, compressed or densified portions and regions between the compressed portions. The regions have an average density greater than the average initial density of the batt and less than the density of the batt and less than the density of the compressed portions so as to form discrete density gradients across the surface of the batt. The batt has an initial average density of from about 0.03g/cm.sup.3 to about 0.15 g/cm.sup.3. The compressed portions have an average density in the range of from about 0.40 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.00 g/cm.sup.3 and have a size in the range of from about 0.0002 cm.sup.2 to about 0.12 cm.sup.2. The regions defined between the compressed portions occupy from about 97 percent to about 99.5 percent of the area of the surface of the batt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel ink reservoir containing a polyester fiber, such as a poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber, having at least one continuous groove. The surface of the groove of the fiber is preferably rougher than the surface outside the groove. The ink reservoirs are useful for use with aqueous inks and have improved ink transport properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber reinforced plastic sheet having a gradient layer structure wherein the number of reinforcing fibers continuously varies and a process for producing the same by spreading a mixture of the fibers different in the number of filaments over the traveling zone of a conveyor and then pressing it while it contains a resin. The fiber reinforced plastic sheet of the invention is excellent in smooth appearance, fluidity during molding to an article, fiber filling ability into a complex form portion of an article and mechanical strength and can be produced inexpensively.

Abstract: A reinforcing woven fabric comprising warps of reinforcing filamentary yarns arranged to form a high-density portion of warps and low-density portion of warps in the transverse direction and wefts of reinforcing filamentary yarns extending obliquely to the warps, a preformed material formed using a plurality of the reinforcing woven fabrics, a fiber reinforced composite material formed using the preformed material and a beam particularly suitable as the fiber reinforced composite material. The high-density portion of warps in the reinforcing woven fabric can satisfy the strength and rigidity against bending or tensile stress required for the flange of the beam and the obliquely extending wefts in the low-density portion of warps can satisfy the strength against shear stress required for the web of the beam, when a plurality of the reinforcing woven fabrics are laminated to form the preformed material for the beam. The mechanical properties required for the beam can be efficiently obtained.

Abstract: A durable launderable towel has a thermobonded core of thermoplastic and other fibers. The towel has at least one cover sheet which is preferably formed with apertures and has a limited stretchability. Limited stretchability may be achieved by prestretching and heat setting the cover sheet prior to assembly into a towel. The towel is also densified in a field pattern and is typically densified at the peripheral edge. Embossing is preferably used to form these densified areas. The combination of thermobonding the core, embossing and the use of apertured cover sheets results in a towel having the softness, drape and feel approaching that of cloth. By controlling the embossing on the wiping surface of the towel, a towel with surfaces having different wipe dry characteristics and textures can be produced.

Abstract: An improved, nonwoven fabric is constructed to have superior cloth-like characteristics including superior tear resistance, liquid absorbency, resistance to linting, resistance to separation of the fabric areas, flexibility, and softness. Said nonwoven fabric is comprised of at least one intermediate area of absorbent fibers sandwiched between a first outer area of reinforcing fibers and a second outer area containing of melt fibers. The areas of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention are bonded together first by needling and then by a heat treatment that melts at least some of the melt fibers.

Abstract: A package tray adapted to be mounted on the body structure of an automotive vehicle between the upper edge portion of the rear seat back and the rear window thereof. The package tray comprises a relatively rigid, substantially self-supporting panel having a plurality of spaced apart, downwardly projecting button-like pads on the bottom surface engageable with the body structure to preclude objectionable rattling or vibration.

Abstract: An internal trim member for use in a dash panel and/or floor panel in passenger cars comprises a fiber assembly made from staples matched with the shape of the vehicle body panel, and a sheet-like sound insulating layer laminated thereon.

Abstract: A glass article useful, for example, as a cathode ray tube screen, has a viewing light path which passes through at least one surface region over which the glass is matted by surface pits whereby unwanted specular reflection from that matted region is reduced. The light path also passes through a surface layer formed over a region of the glass so as to reduce the total light reflection from that region of the glass.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite comprising a fibrous web and a matrix composition nonuniformly distributed in the major plane of a fibrous web.

Abstract: A soft, nonwoven, fibrous coverstock having opposite faces and having a basis weight in a range of from about 5 grams per square yard to about 120 grams per square yard, machine direction tensile strength in a range of from about 100 grams per inch to about 18,000 grams per inch, cross direction tensile strength in a range of from about 100 grams per inch to about 18,000 grams per inch, cross direction neck-in in a range of about 2% to about 20%, and softness in a range of about 1.8 PSU to about 2.2 PSU. The soft coverstock is produced by a method of passing a fibrous web of thermally bondable fibers through a pair of heated calendar nips to engage each opposite face of the web successively with a patterned roller having raised, discontinuous lands and for fusing portions of the web in a pattern of bond areas.

Abstract: A package of food containing a substantial amount of water and solidified grease that can be cooked within the package in a microwave oven. A pad adjacent the food comprises microwave radiation transparent generally hydrophobic liquid grease absorbing materials that are capable of holding the amount of grease in the food when it is melted; and a vapor tight microwave radiation transparent enclosure surrounding the pad and food includes means for venting steam from the enclosure as the food is cooked. Preferably, the pad is produced from microfibers constructed of a composition comprising a blend containing substantially equal parts by weight of propylene and poly 4-methylpentene-1.

Abstract: A durable launderable towel has a thermobonded core of thermoplastic and other fibers. The towel has at least one cover sheet which is preferably formed with apertures. The towel is also densified in a field pattern and is typically densified at the peripheral edge. Embossing is preferably used to form these densified areas. The combination of thermobonding the core, embossing and the use of apertured cover sheets results in a towel having the softness, drape and feed approaching that of cloth. By controlling the embossing on the wiping surfaces of the towel, a towel with surfaces having different wipe dry characteristics and textures can be produced.

Abstract: The absorbent laminated sheet is composed of at least two plies (1.9), embossed, constituted essentially of cellulose fibers, bonded together at least partially by means of protruding elements relative to the surface of said plies and pointing inward to the sheet; it is characterized in that the protruding elements (101) are positioned essentially according to lines or combinations of lines reproducing spaced motifs (100), which recur indefinitely.Application as domestic or sanitary paper.

Abstract: A scarfing method and apparatus are disclosed for making a longitudinally and transversely contoured batt on a moving fibrous web. The apparatus comprises a scarfing roll disposed on one side of a foraminous belt and a contouring roll, having a nonuinform surface, disposed on the opposite side of the belt. As the contouring roll is rotated, it raises the belt and the fibrous web towards the scarfing roll, according to the shape of the nonuniform surface. Hence, a contour is provided in the direction of movement of the web. The transverse contour can be provided by the shape of the scarfing roll itself.

Abstract: An insulating polyolefin laminate paper and a method for producing such a paper in which first and second fiber paper layers are laminated to a polyolefin film layer. The fiber paper layers have an impermeability of 20 to 4000 Gurley-seconds. At least one of the fiber paper layers is mechanically deformed in such a manner that irregularities are produced having a depth of 2 to 50% of the thickness of the fiber paper layer. The mechanical deformation is accomplished prior to lamination. Before lamination, the water content of the fiber paper layers is controlled to be no more than 4%. Preferably, the thickness of the fiber paper layers is at least 30 microns. Furthermore, an electric power supply cable includes an insulating polyolefin laminate paper as an insulating layer.

Abstract: Disposable mat material comprising an abrasion resistant pervious layer of a non-woven web of bonded filaments and an absorbent layer of microfibres, the pervious and absorbent layers being bonded intermittently, characterized in that the bonds penetrate through the pervious layer and join the fibres in that layer with those in the absorbent layer. Thus water, for example, on the feet of a user, rapidly penetrates to the absorbent layer from the outer abrasion resistant layer. The bond areas not only aid the rapid absorbence, but also provide `pockets` giving an enhanced roughness.

Abstract: Creped tissues having improved perceived softness and appearance are made from tissue webs having at least a machine direction broken line pattern of individual densified areas containing higher mass concentrations of fibers. The broken line pattern of densified areas creates a pleasing appearance and influences the creping to provide a more uniform crepe and hence improved tissue softness.

Abstract: An embossed sanitary paper product and method of making such product. The paper is embossed to form in the paper a midplane and an array of bosses extending up and down from the formed midplane. Each upward extending boss is flanked on two sides, in each of two directions, by a downward extending boss, and in at least one of the two directions, the paper between an upward extending boss tip and an adjacent downward extending boss tip on one side has a higher strain than the paper between the upward extending boss tip and an adjacent downward extending boss tip on the opposite side. The forming of a higher strain region and a lower strain region on opposite sides of a boss can be accomplished by forming asymmetric bosses with each upward extending boss rotated 180.degree. about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper with respect to its adjacent downward extending bosses.

Abstract: Point-bonding and water-jet-softening of a sheet of flash-spun polyethylene plexifilamentary film-fibril strands provide a nonwoven fabric that is particularly suited for dyeing and use in disposable protective garments. Garments made with the nonwoven fabric are comfortable and provide a good protection against particulate matter, such as air-borne asbestos particles.

Abstract: A covering for a mechanical linkage comprises a material which is substantially impermeable to both liquid and particle contaminants and conforms to the outer surface of the mechanical linkage. Because the covering conforms to the surface of the mechanical linkage, the covering does not have loose portions that billow and rub together as the mechanical linkage operates. This lessens the possibility of pieces of the covering and contaminating material detaching and falling from the mechanical linkage. The covering also comprises access openings whereby the mechanical linkage can be serviced without removing the entire covering. In a preferred embodiment, the covering comprises a plurality of sections, each section having fasteners for securing the sections about the mechanical linkage. The separate sections can be individually removed and replaced in a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: A ribbed particleboard (waferboard) product having substantially uniform density throughout is provided by forming a mat of wood particles and superimposing on the mat, ribs of such wood particles and then pressing the mat and ribs simultaneously to consolidate the product and provide the ribbed panel having one side substantially planar and the other side ribbed.

Abstract: A flexible fender cover adapted for covering a fender of an automobile or the like while a mechanic works on the automobile. The cover comprises an absorbent layer of a generally oleophilic melt blown microfiber material, and a non-slip layer on one major surface of the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer is bonded at spaced locations to prevent separation or linting of the fibers forming the layer. The non-slip layer is formed of generally non-slip and non-abrasive elastomeric material having a generally high coefficient of friction in a shear mode relative to the fender to grip the fender, with generally low adhesion when peeled or lifted from the fender.