Abstract: A composite porous fibrous dehumidifying material comprised of a plurality of fibers whose surface has immobilized thereon a reversible hydrogel material. The composite porous fibrous structure can be used as a dehumidifying material for reducing energy consumption in air conditioning/climate control units. Preferred fibrous materials are electrically conductive materials, such a graphitic fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adsorptive member which is used in a heat exchanger such as an adsorptive heat pump or a humidity control apparatus such as a desiccant system and which is excellent in heat resistance and adhesion between adsorptive particles and a base material. The adsorptive member comprising a base material and an adsorptive material layer formed on the base material, wherein the adsorptive material layer comprises adsorptive particles and a binder as essential components, and the binder is an epoxy cured product comprising the following structural units (a) and (b): (a): a bisphenol type structural unit; and (b): a linear hydrocarbon structural unit having 4 or more carbon atoms, and/or a polyalkylene ether structural unit having 3 or more ether oxygen atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to textile two- or three-dimensional structures formed from fibers and/or ribbons and swellable materials, the fibers and/or ribbons present in the structure and also the swellable materials each being present in such an amount that the fibers and/or ribbons are encased by the swellable materials and the voids in the structure are, in the swollen state, partially or completely filled by materially bound water and the swellable materials used being aqueous emulsions of (co)polymers of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer MON which are applied to the fibers and/or ribbons.

Abstract: Novel aqueous polyurethane dispersions and adhesive films formed therefrom are provided. The aqueous polyurethane dispersions are provided in solvent-free systems of a prepolymer comprising at least one polyether or polyester polyol, a mixture of MDI isomers, and a diol. The adhesive films from such dispersions can be heat-activated for bonding, lamination, and adhesion of textile fabrics, including stretch fabrics.

Abstract: A two-component adhesive, sealant, or coating composition containing (i) a first component containing a portion of an alkoxysilane-functional urethane and water; and (ii) a second component containing the remaining portion of the alkoxysilane-functional urethane and a catalyst. The alkoxysilane-functional urethane includes the reaction product of (a) the reaction product of a hydroxy functional compound and a polyisocyanate, that contains isocyanate groups; with (b) an amine functional aspartate. The composition is used in a method of bonding a first substrate to a second substrate. The method includes (a) combining component i) and component ii) to form a mixture, applying a coating of the mixture to at least one surface of the first substrate or the second substrate, and contacting a surface of the first substrate with a surface of the second substrate. The method is used make an assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to hydrogel-fibrous web composites that can be used various heat transfer applications. For instance, the thermally conductive hydrogel-fibrous web composite can be used as a skin-contacting layer in a thermal energy transfer pad used to control patient body temperature. The hydrogel polymer is integral to the fibers of the web. Thus, the hydrogel-fibrous web composite provides good thermal conductivity and skin adhesion properties. The present disclosure is also generally directed to methods of preparing the hydrogel-fibrous web composites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to textile two- or three-dimensional structures formed from fibers and/or ribbons and swellable materials, the fibers and/or ribbons present in the structure and also the swellable materials each being present in such an amount that the fibers and/or ribbons are encased by the swellable materials and the voids in the structure are, in the swollen state, partially or completely filled by materially bound water and the swellable materials used being aqueous emulsions of (co)polymers of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer MON which are applied to the fibers and/or ribbons.

Abstract: A textile fabric includes a smooth surface with one or more regions having a bound coating of hydrogel exhibiting expansion or contraction in response to change in relative humidity or exposure to liquid sweat or a combination thereof, adjusting insulation performance, air movement, and/or liquid management of the textile fabric in response to ambient conditions.

Abstract: Novel aqueous polyurethane dispersions and adhesive films formed therefrom are provided. The aqueous polyurethane dispersions are provided in solvent-free systems of a prepolymer comprising at least one polyether or polyester polyol, a mixture of MDI isomers, and a diol. The adhesive films from such dispersions can be heat-activated for bonding, lamination, and adhesion of textile fabrics, including stretch fabrics.

Abstract: Provided are a leather-like sheet fabricated by infiltrating an aqueous resin dispersion (A) into a fibrous substrate, which satisfies a requirement (I) that the aqueous resin dispersion, (A) comprises essentially a main resin (a) stabilized with a surfactant, a polymer (b) having a polyoxyethylene group in its side chains, and a surfactant (c), a requirement (II) that the main resin (a) comprises an urethane resin (a1) and/or an urethane-acrylic composite resin (a2), and the resin skeleton contains from 1 to 10 mmols of a carboxyl group per 100 g of the resin, a requirement (III) that the polymer (b) is obtained through polymerization of a polyoxyethylene group-having ethylenic unsaturated monomer (b1) and any other ethylenic unsaturated monomer (b2) in a ratio by mass (b1)/(b2)=60/40 to 100/0, and a requirement (IV) that the percentage, % by mass (?) of the polyoxyethylene group in the polymer (b) and the number of mols (?) of the amino group per gram of the polymer (b) satisfy 35??+?×20000?60; and an indus

Abstract: An absorbent binder coating including monoethylenically unsaturated polymer units, polyacrylate ester units that include an alkoxysilane functionality, and polyolefin glycol units and/or polyolefin oxide units, can be applied to various substrates. For example, the coating can be self-applied to an article of clothing or to a person's skin to provide absorbency. Alternatively, the coating can provide moisture absorbency, as well as adhesive properties, when incorporated into various articles including medical devices, wound dressings, laminates, absorbent garments, packaging materials, and horticultural products.

Abstract: Absorbent structures having controlled liquid intake, distribution and absorption properties include at least one substrate layer and a flexible absorbent binder formed on and bound to the substrate at selected locations. The flexible absorbent binder is selectively formed so as to provide flow channels, regions of higher and lower fluid intake and absorption, dams for preventing fluid leakage, and other desirable features. The absorbent structures are useful in personal care absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, training pants, adult incontinence garments and the like.

Abstract: A breathable polyurethane having an upright moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of more than about 500 gms/m2/24 hr comprises: (a) poly(alkylene oxide) side-chain units in an amount comprising about 12 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of said polyurethane, wherein (i) alkylene oxide groups in said poly(alkylene oxide) side-chain units have from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and are unsubstituted, substituted, or both unsubstituted and substituted, (ii) at least about 50 wt. % of said alkylene oxide groups are ethylene oxide, and (iii) said amount of said side-chain units is (i) at least about 30 wt. % when the molecular weight of said side-chain units is less than about 600 grams/mole, (ii) at least about 15 wt. % when the molecular weight of said side-chain units is from about 600 to about 1,000 grams/mole, and at least about 12 wt. % when the molecular weight of said side-chain units is more than about 1,000 grams/mole, and (b) poly(ethylene oxide) main-chain units in an amount comprising less than about 25 wt.

Abstract: A fluid storage material including particles, such as superabsorbent particles and/or microencapsulated fragrance agents, cleansing agents, or skin rejuvenation agents, secured to one another and/or secured to a substrate. The fluid storage material can be made by dispersing particles in a crosslinkable binder solution, applying the combined particles and binder solution to a surface such as a substrate or a release surface, inducing crosslinking of the binder, and removing the solvent from the surface such as, for example, by drying the solvent. The fluid storage material is particularly suitable for use in personal care products.

Abstract: Wash-durable fluorochemical-containing textile and/or fiber treatments that simultaneously impart soil resistance (or soil-release) properties and moisture wicking characteristics to target fabric substrates are provided. Such treatments surprisingly impart these two simultaneous effects to target fabrics and/or fibers because fluorochemicals generally provide moisture repellency rather than moisture wicking capabilities. As prior soil release/moisture wicking treatments do not function properly, or, alternatively, compromise hand or other properties of certain target textiles after treatment application, a new, effective, soil release/moisture wicking formulation for such purposes was needed. The inventive treatment is extremely durable on such fabric substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its soil release/moisture wicking properties.

Abstract: An absorbent article for personal care use includes a fluid intake layer, a flexible absorbent binder layer and a support layer. The flexible absorbent binder layer is formed between the intake layer and the support layer, and is bound to both layers. The flexible absorbent binder layer is formed from an absorbent binder composition which is applied in a liquid form, and which is capable of spontaneous crosslinking at about 120° C. or less. The absorbent article has a simplified structure and a simplified manufacturing method compared to conventional personal care absorbent articles.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent structures including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound and superabsorbent polymer particles. The fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 5%. Also disclosed are multi-strata absorbent structures, such as disposable absorbent articles, including the treated fibers and SAP particles. Further disclosed are methods for preparing absorbent structures including the treated fibers; structures including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound; and methods for treating or coating SAP particles with polyvalent cation-containing compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrophilic curable alkoxylated silicone polymers for surface modification and are useful in, e.g., fiber and fabric care, hair care, skin care, surface care, and car care compositions. The compounds are curable silicone polymers which contain one or more polyalkyleneoxy groups, preferably polyalkyleneoxy pendant groups, comprising at least some ethyleneoxy units, said polyalkyleneoxy pendant groups are preferably capped with low molecular weight alkyl groups, such as C1-C6 alkyl groups. These compounds are substantive to the surface but keep the surface hydrophilic.

Abstract: Low molecular weight silicone polyether ABA type block copolymer treatments wherein a linear polysiloxane is terminated at each end by a polyether moiety derived from ethylene oxide are useful to imparting a hydrophilic coating to the surface of either woven or non-woven textiles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cloth treating agent comprising a tocopherol and at least one of a polyethylene oxide compound and a derivative thereof. The cloth treating agent permits the provision of a print which has sufficiently high color value and depth in color and can be prevented to the utmost from undergoing bleeding even when the amount of inks applied is great.

Abstract: A sorbent material is provided comprising a porous substrate, such as a nonwoven web, having a wetting chemistry distributed substantially throughout the substrate. The wetting chemistry can comprise (a) an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate; (b) one or more of an alkyl sulfosuccinate, an alkyl sulfate and a sulfated fatty acid ester and, optionally, (c) a fatty acid ester ethoxylate. Various formulations are provided having low metal ion concentrations, anti-static properties and/or good absorption characteristics for a broad spectrum of liquids.

Abstract: A thermoplastic layer material has at least one odor-reducing surface which is wettable to aqueous liquids and capable of controlling a wide variety of malodors. The thermoplastic layer material is treated with a surfactant-modified chelating agent prepared by mixing or chemically reacting an odor-control chelating agent with a surfactant-producing compound. The layer material thus treated can be used in a wide variety of personal care and medical absorbent products, as well as other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cloth treating agent comprising a tocopherol and at least one of a polyethylene oxide compound and a derivative thereof. The cloth treating agent permits the provision of a print which has sufficiently high color value and depth in color and can be prevented to the utmost from undergoing bleeding even when the amount of inks applied is great.

Abstract: A hydrophilic fiber comprising a thermoplastic resin, wherein 0.1-1.5% by weight of a fiber-finishing agent adheres to the fiber, the fiber-finishing agent containing 50-80% by weight of component A consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether represented by the following general formula (1), 10-40% by weight of component B consisting of at least one quaternary ammonium phosphate salt selected from a group of salts represented by following general formulas (2) and (3), and 3-20% by weight of component C consisting of polyorganosiloxane represented by the following general formula (4).

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft, textured, multi-ply tissue paper product. The tissue paper product has at least one ply of multi-region construction with a first region that is raised above a second region. The ply of multi-region construction is orientated so that its raised region is directed toward the exterior of the tissue paper product. A chemical softening composition is surface applied to at least a portion of the raised region of the ply comprising the multi-ply tissue paper product. The chemical softener preferably includes an effective amount of a softening active ingredient; a vehicle in which the softening active ingredient is dispersed; and an electrolyte dissolved in the vehicle. The electrolyte causes the viscosity of the composition to be less than the viscosity of a dispersion of the softening active ingredient in the vehicle alone.

Abstract: A sorbent material is provided comprising a porous substrate, such as a nonwoven web, having a wetting chemistry distributed substantially throughout the substrate. The wetting chemistry can comprise (a) an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate; (b) one or more of an alkyl sulfosuccinate, an alkyl sulfate and a sulfated fatty acid ester and, optionally, (c) a fatty acid ester ethoxylate. Various formulations are provided having low metal ion concentrations, anti-static properties and/or good absorption characteristics for a broad spectrum of liquids.

Abstract: A wettable fiber or filament comprises a melt additive to a thermoplastic polyolefin such as polypropylene. The melt additive is a polyethylene oleiyl ether having the formula: R—O—{—CH2—CH2—O}x—CH2—CH2—O—H where x is an integer from 1-15, and R═CH3—(CH2)7—CH═CH—(CH)8— When the foregoing ether is added to a melt of polypropylene at levels of 2-15% by weight prior to the extrusion of the fibers or filaments, and the fibers or filaments are formed into fabrics, the fibers, filaments, or fabrics will exhibit permanent wettability, as well as excellent drape and softness. Such fabrics are useful, for example, as the skin contacting inner lining fabric of sanitary articles such as diapers, feminine hygiene products and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flushable fibrous structure that is particularly useful as a disposable tissue product and as a component (e.g., topsheets) for absorbent articles such as catamenial pads, diapers, incontinent articles and the like. The invention specifically relates to a flushable fibrous structure that has an in-use wet tensile strength of at least about 100 g/in. and a disposal wet tensile strength of not more than about 30 g/in. The invention also relates to absorbent articles comprising the fibrous structures, and methods for making the structures.

Abstract: A chemically enhanced paper structure having a discrete pattern of a chemical composition is disclosed. The paper structure comprises a cellulose substrate, such as tissue paper. The substrate has a topography comprising at least two different elevations. The chemical composition may include a chemical softener composition or a surface-active composition and is selectively disposed in register with one of the elevations of the cellulose substrate, preferably the higher elevation regions. The paper structure is suitable for use as bath tissue or facial tissue.

Abstract: A sorbent material is provided comprising a porous substrate, such as a nonwoven web, having a wetting chemistry distributed substantially throughout the substrate. The wetting chemistry can comprise (a) an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate; (b) one or more of an alkyl sulfosuccinate, an alkyl sulfate and a sulfated fatty acid ester and, optionally, (c) a fatty acid ester ethoxylate. Various formulations are provided having low metal ion concentrations, anti-static properties and/or good absorption characteristics for a broad spectrum of liquids.

Abstract: An improved textile material having a hydrophilic finish which is made by a method comprising applying to a fibrous web an aqueous solution comprising an anhydride based graft copolymer, and drying the fibrous web at a temperature sufficient to cure the anhydride based graft copolymer in the fibrous web. The anhydride based graft copolymer is the reaction product of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, an anhydride monomer selected from maleic anhydride and itaconic anhydride, either a monofunctional polyglycol having a hydroxyl or amine terminal group or a polyfunctional polyglycol having a weight average molecular weight of greater than 5,000 and at least one terminal hydroxyl group, and a free radical initiator. The hydrophilic finish eliminates the shortcomings inherent in certain textile materials such as their high affinity for oils, staining during washing, static cling problems, and wearer discomfort.

Abstract: A composition for the permanent hydrophilation of polyolefin fibers and filaments and non-woven textile articles (non-wovens) produced therefrom, contains 15 to 75 parts by weight of at least one non-ionic surfactant, and 25 to 85 parts by weight of at least one quaternary ammonium compound and/or at least one cationically modified polydimethyl siloxane. The composition has excellent permanent hydrophilating properties, an excellent cohesion effect and good antistatic properties. When diluted with water, these compositions can therefore be used particularly satisfactorily as spinning preparations for the permanent hydrophilic finishing of polyolefin fibers, polyolefin filaments and non-wovens produced therefrom, in particular fleeces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nonwoven based on thermoplastic filaments, wherein all the filaments of which it is composed are completely manufactured from a polymer or from a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid, said nonwoven being permanently hydrophilic.The filaments of which the nonwoven according to the invention is composed are continuous filaments.They may furthermore be subjected to a hydrophilic treatment using a surface-active agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a highly absorbent, high strength wiper, which comprises the steps of providing a bonded nonwoven web selected from the group consisting of spunbond fiber webs and staple fiber webs, stretching the nonwoven web by applying a stretching tension in at least one direction, aperturing the nonwoven web while maintaining the stretching tension, and relaxing the apertured web, thereby returning the apertured nonwoven web substantially to its pre-stretched dimensions, wherein the process is conducted at a temperature below the softening point of the nonwoven web. The invention also provides a nonwoven wiper produced in accordance with the production process.

Abstract: A chemically enhanced paper structure having a discrete pattern of a chemical composition is disclosed. The paper structure comprises a cellulose substrate, such as tissue paper. The substrate has a topography comprising at least two different elevations. The chemical composition may include a chemical softener composition or a surface-active composition and is selectively disposed in register with one of the elevations of the cellulose substrate, preferably the higher elevation regions. The paper structure is suitable for use as bath tissue or facial tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a splittable conjugate fiber containing at least two incompatible polymers that are arranged in distinct segments across the cross-section of the fiber, wherein the segments are continuous along the length of the fiber. The fiber can be characterized in that the segments of the fiber dissociate in less than about 30 seconds when contacted with a hot aqueous fibrillation-inducing medium. The invention also provides a fabric containing the split fibers produced from the precursor splittable conjugate fiber and laminates containing the split fiber fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the split fibers.

Abstract: A wet wipe which includes a pattern bonded polypropylene nonwoven web adapted to provide a sustained controlled release to a surface of an aqueous alcoholic composition contained within the nonwoven web. The nonwoven web has a basis weight of from about 17 to about 100 grams per square meter and includes polypropylene meltblown fibers having diameters in a range of from about 0.01 to about 50 micrometers. The aqueous alcoholic composition contained within the polypropylene nonwoven web is present in a range of from about 300 to about 600 weight percent, based on a dry weight of the nonwoven web of 34 grams per square meter. The wet wipe provides a first release of the aqueous alcoholic composition in a range of from about 40 to about 70 weight percent, a second release in a range of from about 10 to about 25 weight percent, and a third release in a range of from about 5 to about 18 weight percent, of the composition originally present in the nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides an topically appliable active agent impregnated nonwoven pad, and the pad is fabricated from a nonwoven web that contains crimped conjugate fibers of spunbond fibers or staple fibers, wherein the nonwoven web is characterized as having autogenous interfiber bonds at the crossover contact points of its fibers throughout the web. The invention additionally provides a method of cleaning or buffing a solid surface with the nonwoven web.