O&m Halyard, Inc.

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Prasad Shrikishna Potnis

Brian E Lin

Ajay Yashvantrao Houde

Joseph D Hurdle

Christena K Nash

Joseph A Cesa

Jeffrey Lawrence McManus

Namita A Mithani

Dennis Joseph

Michelle N Farmer

Anthony Stephen Spencer

Lei Huang

Kun-Chi Wu

Jerald T Jascomb

Sharon S Chang

Mark G Kupelian

Brian M Collins

Roger Bradshaw Quincy, Iii

Eric Clayton Steindorf

Andrew Thomas Hammond

Mark Gilbert Kupelian

An absorbent article () can include a body facing liner (), a backsheet (), and an absorbent body () disposed between the body facing liner () and the backsheet (). The body facing liner () can include at least one embossment (). The absorbent article () can also include an acquisition layer () including a body facing surface () and a garment facing surface (). The acquisition layer () can include at least one recess (). The at least one recess () can receive the at least one embossment () in a nested configuration. In some embodiments, the embossment () can include an intersecting slit formation ().

Absorbent article with three dimensional shape retaining structure

Apparatus, systems, and methods for preventing fluid from entering an interface are provided. For example, a strap is provided for preventing fluid from entering an interface. The strap comprises a first layer comprising an elastic material and a second layer comprising a superabsorbent material. The strap extends about or around a first material at a position at or near an interface between the first material and a second material. The interface may be an interface between a surgical gown and a surgical glove worn by a healthcare provider, and the strap may extend about the gown at a position at or near the glove. In some embodiments, the strap comprises an absorptive facing and an elastic laminate. The absorptive facing comprises a carded web containing superabsorbent fibers. Further, the absorptive facing and elastic laminate form a stretchable material having absorptive properties.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for preventing fluid from entering an interface

A nonwoven web material is formed from fibers including a first polymer, a second polymer and a filler. The first polymer and second polymer may be olefin homopolymers and the filler may be calcium carbonate. The second polymer may have a lower melt flow rate than the first polymer. The fibers are formed in a monocomponent, i.e., monofilament, or multicomponent, e.g., sheath-core bicomponent, arrangement. The nonwoven web material may be used to form an article such as a medical product, a surgical product, a personal protective product, and/or an industrial garment.

Higher strength calcium carbonate filled fiber spunbond and SMS nonwoven material

A spunbond non-woven fabric includes a plurality of fibers. The fibers are formed from a polymer blend that includes at least one first polymer and at least one second polymer. A melt flow rate of the at least one first polymer is greater than a melt flow rate of the at least one second polymer, and the melt flow rate of the at least one second polymer is about 9 g/10 min to less than 18 g/10 min. The blend may include a percentage by weight of the second polymer that is greater than a percentage by weight of the first polymer.

Fibers for non-woven fabrics having blends of polymers with high and low melt flow rates

A protective guard is provided for sealing an interface. The protective guard includes a body having a fluid impervious material and proximal and distal segments that may comprise a superabsorbent or a non-superabsorbent material. The proximal and distal segments are positioned on first and second sides, respectively, of the interface. The protective guard extends about the interface to create a fluid barrier. In some embodiments, the non-superabsorbent material may be an elastic material, such as an elastic band, and in particular embodiments, the non-superabsorbent material may be nitrile. In further embodiments, the non-superabsorbent material may be an expandable material that expands upon contact or interaction with a fluid.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for sealing an interface

A personal protection and ventilation system is provided. The system includes a gown having front and rear panels, a hood, and visor; a fan; an air tube; and a helmet. The fan is positioned between the wearer and a body-facing surface of the rear panel. The front panel and at least a portion of the hood are formed from a first material including a first spunbond layer, a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond laminate, and a liquid impervious elastic film disposed therebetween. The first material has an air volumetric flow rate of less than about 1 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm). The rear panel is formed from a second material including a nonwoven laminate having an air volumetric flow rate of about 20 scfm to about 80 scfm. Therefore, the fan is able to intake a sufficient amount of air from the environment through the rear panel to provide cooling/ventilation to the hood.

Personal protection and ventilation system

Sterilization packaging systems with features for sealing a volume against an ingress of contaminants are provided. Such features include a frame including a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members, each vertical member and horizontal member having an inner side and an outer side; a sterilization wrap, a first portion of the sterilization wrap positioned adjacent the inner side of each vertical member and each horizontal member to define a volume and an opening to access the volume; and a lid for sealing the volume against an ingress of contaminants. Additionally, a sterility gauge for signaling whether the volume is sealed against contaminants also may be provided. Exemplary sterilization packaging systems may include other features as well.

Sterilization packaging systems

An absorbent article having an outwardly body-facing surface and an outwardly garment-facing surface Is provided. The absorbent article contains a topsheet, backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet contains a nonwoven facing laminated to a film. The nonwoven facing contains a first nonwoven web containing a plurality of fibers formed from a first polyolefin composition and a second nonwoven web containing a plurality of fibers formed from a second polyolefin composition. The first polyolefin composition contains at least one ethylene polymer and the second polyolefin composition contains at least one rigid propylene polymer and at least one ductile propylene polymer. The second nonwoven web defines the garment-facing surface of the article.

Absorbent article containing a soft and durable backsheet

Sterilization packaging systems with features for sealing a volume against an ingress of contaminants are provided. Such features include a sealing assembly including a gasket and a sheet of filter material. The sealing assembly seals a lid to a seal rim of a base. The gasket has an upper surface, outer edge, and inner edge. The upper surface of the gasket comprises a first row of alternating protrusions and indentations and a second row of alternating protrusions and indentations that define a channel therebetween. The sheet of filter material extends from an inner edge of the gasket. The gasket completely surrounds the sheet of filter material, wherein the indentations and channel facilitate delivery of a sterilization agent through the filter material. A sterilization assembly including a lid having a plurality of protrusions in its upper surface in conjunction with a gasket having a smooth upper surface is also provided.

Filter-gasket assembly with seal and placement indicator for sterilization rigid container

A nonwoven composite that contains a first nonwoven web positioned adjacent to a second nonwoven web is provided. The first nonwoven web contains a plurality of fibers that are formed from a first polyolefin composition, and the second nonwoven web contains a plurality of fibers that are formed from a second polyolefin composition. The first polyolefin composition contains an ethylene polymer, which and car; provide a soft feel to a surface of the first nonwoven web. The second polyolefin composition likewise contains a rigid propylene polymer, which can provide good strength and durability to the second nonwoven web. The second polyolefin composition also contains a ductile propylene polymer and a fatty acid derivative.

Soft and durable nonwoven composite

Sterilization packaging systems with features for sealing a volume against an ingress of contaminants are provided. Such features include a sealing assembly, where the sealing assembly includes a sheet of sterilization material and a clamp for sealing the sheet of sterilization material against a container to seal the volume of the container from contaminants. Also provided is a sealing assembly including a sheet of sterilization material and a clamp having open position and clamped positions. The clamp is configured to extend about a perimeter of a container, the sheet of sterilization material is disposed between the container and the clamp when the clamp is in the clamped position to seal a volume of the container, and the clamp is held in the clamped position by a latch. Exemplary sterilization packaging systems may include other features as well.

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Johns Creek, GA, United States of America

Prasad Shrikishna Potnis