Abstract: Disclosed are thermoplastic polyurethanes obtainable by reacting (a) a polyester-polyol that satisfies all the following requirements (1) to (4):(1) its ester group content (number of ester bonds/number of all carbon atoms) is from 0.08 to 0.17;(2) it has hydroxyl groups of from 2.01 to 2.08 per one molecule;(3) it has a number average molecular weight of from 1000 to 7000; and(4) it has a crystallization enthalpy (.DELTA.H) of 70 J/g or less,(b) an organic diisocyanate and (c) a chain extender at a ratio that satisfies the following numerical formula (i):1.00.ltoreq.b/(a+c).ltoreq.1.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition for treating a high pulp content nonwoven web is provided. The flame retardant composition includes soluble solids formed from inorganic salts, such as ammonium polyphosphate and sulfur. The TGA range of such soluble solids is from about 175.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C. The flame retardant composition may be continuously and uniformly applied to the high pulp content nonwoven web by a non-compressive process.

Abstract: Electrostatic fibers with high efficiency for small particles and low pressure drop are formed by spot laminating an assembly of a stack of at least 2 layers of thermoplastic, electrostatic, non-woven media having lightweight scrims disposed on each end face of the stack between the nip of a roller with a pattern of raised dots and a heated roller or ultrasonic generator.

Abstract: An anisotropic elastic web, particularly an anisotropic elastic film layer having a machine direction and a cross direction and having a thickness of from 20 to 300 microns formed of an extruded blend of a block copolymer elastomer portion and a polyolefin polymer portion blended in a ratio of from 10:1 to 0.4:1, respectively. The elastomer portion generally is a block copolymer elastomer formed of A blocks and B blocks, the A blocks are formed predominately of monoalkenyl arene and the B blocks are formed predominately of conjugated diene. The polyolefin portion is comprised predominately of an inelastic fiber forming polyolefin polymer, copolymer or blend. The anisotropic film layer has a F10 force Ratio (MD to CD) of at least 1.5. This anisotropic elastic web is usable in a variety of garment applications where an elastic is supplied in roll form and requires strength in a machine direction and elastic properties in a cross direction.

Abstract: A breathable elastic laminate is formed by bonding a film including an elastic water vapor-soluble polymer to a neckable nonwoven web such that when the film is relaxed, the web is in a necked state. The breathable laminate is stretchable in a direction parallel to the narrowing or necking of the web. The laminate possesses excellent water vapor permeability but acts as a barrier to the passage of odor-causing chemicals including ammonia.

Abstract: A web, formed from dielectric fibers and non-dielectric fibers, which has been subjected to corona discharge to improve the particulate filtration properties of the web is provided. The dielectric and non-dielectric fibers may be intermingled within the web such that the distribution of the dielectric and non-dielectric fibers within the web is generally uniform. In one embodiment, the dielectric fibers may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer, and particularly polyolefin and the non-dielectric fibers may be formed from cellulose, and particularly wood pulp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabric which includes a microbial adsorbent and which is capable of providing a microbial barrier while still being able to allow passage of water vapor. The fabric is formed from a plurality of fibers which define at least one microporous passageway which allows communication, through the fabric, between its respective first and second surfaces. In particular, a portion of the microporous passageway is defined by the microbial adsorbent so that microbes attempting to pass through the fabric via such a passageway must pass in close proximity to the microbial adsorbent. This arrangement allows the microbial adsorbent to interdict the microbe by adsorbing it. Passage of the microbe through the fabric is thereby prohibited. Laminates of the fabric with other materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing asphalt fibers includes supplying molten asphalt to a rotating asphalt spinner, centrifuging asphalt fibers from the asphalt spinner, and collecting the asphalt fibers. The molten asphalt is supplied to the asphalt spinner at a temperature within the range of from about 270.degree. to about 500.degree. F. Also disclosed is a method for integrating asphalt with reinforcement fibers including the steps of establishing a downwardly moving veil of reinforcement fibers, such as glass fibers, and centrifuging asphalt fibers from a rotating asphalt spinner positioned within the veil of reinforcement fibers to integrate the asphalt with the reinforcement fibers. A method for making an asphalt roofing shingle includes the steps of assembling together a mat of asphalt fibers with a mat of reinforcement fibers, coating the assembled mats to form an asphalt coated sheet, applying granules to the asphalt coated sheet, and cutting the asphalt coated sheet into roofing shingles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to film-nonwoven laminates incorporating stretch-thinned, breathable films onto which a pattern or network of adhesive areas is applied to improve durability and strength of the stretch-thinned film. The present invention has applicability in a wide variety of areas where strength, comfort, liquid impermeability and breathability are needed or desired, including without limitation, personal care absorbent articles, articles of clothing, roll goods and health care-related items.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a film/nonwoven laminate which incorporates a low gauge machine direction oriented film layer laminated to a nonwoven support layer. The individual layers are designed such that the film layer in the laminated state has an elongation at break value in the cross machine direction that is greater the elongation at peak load value for the nonwoven layer in the same direction. Consequently, if the laminate is subjected to severe stretching forces in the cross machine direction, the nonwoven layer will fail before the film layer. In addition, the laminate has a peak load value of at least 300 grams. As a result, the laminate is particularly useful as, for example, an outercover material for personal care absorbent articles.

Abstract: A sterilizable nonwoven material which is subjected to electreting, and more particularly electrostatic electreting is provided. The nonwoven materials may include laminate nonwovens wherein one or more layers are subjected to electreting. The nonwoven material(s) may also be treated with an antistatic material before or after subjecting the same to electreting.

Abstract: A propylene homopolymer having a stick-point of 30 cm or less during melt spinning, an oligomer content of less than 1500 ppm without postpolymerization treatment to remove oligomers, and a melt flow rate greater than 300 dg/min is prepared by radiation visbreaking in a multistage fluidized bed reactor. The polymer is subjected to irradiation in the substantial absence of oxygen, followed by a multistage treatment in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen. The radiation visbreaking process can also be applied to other propylene polymer materials. The propylene polymer materials produced by this radiation visbreaking process can be used, for example, for extrusion coating, film production, and injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved high sorbency nonwoven fabric and its use particularly as an oilsorb material. The high sorbency nonwoven is preferably made by multi-bank meltblowing and different perturbing thermoplastic fibers of, for example, propylene polymers in separate banks to provide a fiber density gradient through the thickness of the fabric. The sorbent nonwovens have high bulk and strength, oil capacity and oil absorption rates making them particularly suited to such applications. Treatments and additives for such materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminate is provided comprising a) a non-woven based on fibers obtained from a mixture of a polyolefin and an ethylene copolymer; and (b) a thermoplastic film comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an ethylene copolymer.

Abstract: Composite structure comprising one or more plies of nonwoven and one or more plies of film, these being manufactured from thermoplastics, wherein all the plies of nonwoven of which the structure is composed are totally manufactured from a polymer or a copolymer or a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid and wherein all the plies of film are totally manufactured from a polymer of the BAPE (biodegradable aliphatic polyester) type. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing said composite structure.Application: Diapers, sanitary napkins, protective garments, surgical drapes and masks in the medical field and certain products for absorption and filtration, protection of plants in agriculture and mulching.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs consolidated and elastic transverse direction, laminates and methods of making same are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of attaching a substantially uniform distribution of particulates to individual exposed surfaces of a matrix of fibrous material. The method includes the following steps: 1) electrically charging a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces to create a substantially uniform distribution of charged sites at the exposed surfaces; 2) applying particulates to the charged matrix of fibrous material so that at least some particulates adhere at the charged sites; and 3) attaching particulates adhering to the fibrous material at charged sites by substantially non-transient bonding. Also disclosed is a fibrous composite structure composed of a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces; and a relatively uniform distribution of particulate material attached to individual exposed surfaces of the fibrous material by substantially non-transient bonding.

Abstract: A sorbent article comprises a sorbent layer having first and second major surfaces and a texturized polymeric skin layer secured to the first major surface of the sorbent layer. The article has a stiffness of about 200 N/g.cm.sup.-2 or less. An article of this construction has excellent sorptive and non-slip properties, making it well suited for use on floors and other work surfaces. Wet kinetic coefficients of friction of 0.4 and greater can be demonstrated by the inventive articles. The article improves the safety of persons who need to stand, walk, or otherwise safely function on floors or other surfaces that are susceptible to wet conditions.

Abstract: A method of making a non-woven web of melt blown polymeric fibers wherein the melt blown fibers have particles introduced into the stream of microfibers after the microfibers have been extruded. If the particles are of super absorbent material they are distributed substantially individually and spaced throughout the web and provide effective results when used for example in a sanitary napkin, diaper or incontinence pad. If the particles are for example, clay, calcium carbonate, kaolin chalk or the like, then a wiper product made from the web has improved wiping properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-supporting laminate filter medium having an electret lofty spunbond web and an electret microfiber web, wherein the spunbond web has a density between about 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.1 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration method comprising passing a protein-containing solution through a filtration medium comprising a polyamide-polyether copolymer, such as a polyamide/polyalkylene-oxide-diamine, particularly a nylon 6/polyethylene-oxide-diamine copolymer.

Abstract: A polyolefin film for use as a sterilization wrap material which includes a film with a thickness of from about 0.005 mm to about 0.2 mm and having a plurality of discontinuous thinned regions. The thinned regions constitute at least about 25 percent of the surface area of the film. The thickness and area of the thinned regions are adapted to permit the passage of steam and water vapor through the film during steam sterilization. The film is made by a method which involves extruding a molten polyolefin film at a first temperature and passing the molten film through a nip. The nip includes an anvil roll and a pattern roll. The anvil roll has a smooth surface and the surface of the pattern roll is maintained at a temperature which is at least about 150.degree. C. lower than the first temperature and is selected to prevent sticking of the film to either roll.

Abstract: There is provided a fabric produced by a spunbond or a meltblown apparatus, wherein the apparatus has a pneumatic chamber having at least one wall containing a plurality of spaced protrusions. Preferably, both opposing walls contain protrusions aligned in staggered angled rows and the rows on one wall are angled opposite the rows on the opposing wall, thereby causing controlled lateral flow near the chamber walls. This lateral flow exhibits drag on the fibers, imparting rotational energy to the fibers. The fibers are imparted with rotational energy derived from the lateral component of the two turbulent airflow fields that oppose one another, and have a tendency to twist and crimp. Fabrics so produced have improved loft, drape, and feel and may be useable as a loop material for hook-and-loop type fasteners.

Abstract: There is provided a laminate of nonwoven fabrics for barrier applications which has improved ratios of barrier and strength to weight, of softness to strength and of vapor transmission to barrier. The laminate has a meltblown layer sandwiched between spunbond layers to produce an SMS laminate. The meltblown and spunbond layers may have between 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent of a fluorocarbon and the meltblown layer preferably between 5 and 20 weight percent polybutylene. The laminate also may have pigments if desired. Such laminates are useful for garments.

Abstract: A barrier fabric laminate for use as a coating for a gel filled article is provided. The barrier fabric laminate comprises a fluid impermeable film and a polyurethane nonwoven web which has a friction value of less than 200 g and a fabric hand of less than 200 g. The polyurethane web is formed of fibers of less than about 50 .mu.m on average and preferably is formed with a fluorochemical melt additive by sequentially melt blowing the polyurethane web on a heated collecting drum and laminated by a nip formed by a heated nip roller and the collecting drum.

Abstract: There is disclosed fibers and fabrics formed from a polymer which is a "hand enhancing" polymer. The "hand enhancing" polymer is a copolymer of polypropylene which contains ethylene, 1-butene, or 1-hexene or a terpolymer of propylene, ethylene and butene. If the polymer is an ethylene copolymer, the copolymer may be random or random and block and the ethylene must be present in an amount between greater than 5 and 7.5 weight percent of the copolymer. If the copolymer contains 1-butene, it must be present in an amount between 1 and 15.4 weight percent of the copolymer. If the copolymer contains 1-hexene, it must be present in an amount between 2 and 5 weight percent of the copolymer. If the polymer is a terpolymer of propylene, ethylene and butylene, the polypropylene is present in an amount between 90 and 98 weight percent, the ethylene is present in an amount between 1 and 6 weight percent and the butylene is present in an amount between 1 and 6 weight percent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved high sorbency nonwoven fabric and its use particularly as an oilsorb material. The high sorbency nonwoven is preferably made by meltblowing and perturbing thermoplastic fibers of, for example, propylene polymers. The sorbent nonwovens have high bulk and strength, oil capacity and oil absorption rates making them particularly suited to such applications. Treatments and additives for such materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nonwoven disposable face mask includes a filtration layer formed of a plurality of thermoplastic microfine meltblown microfibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1.5 microns. The filtration layer also has a basis weight of less than ten grams per square meter. The resultant face mask provides improved wearer comfort and barrier and filtration properties.

Abstract: A nonwoven web of meltblown microfibers formed of a composition of polyethylene and at least one component added to provide processing stability to the polyethylene component. The meltblown web can be produced at high polymer throughputs and exhibits good barrier properties. The meltblown web is useful as a component of a composite fabric, which can be used for barrier application in medical and industrial applications.