A square filler for water treatment and an apparatus for the manufacture thereof are disclosed. The square filler is used as a contact medium for aerobic or anaerobic treatment of sewage. The square filler is made of synthetic resin net sheet or net tube of which a plurality of net layers are formed, and melt-bonding is applied to at least one spot on each layer for fixing all layers together. An apparatus for manufacturing square fillers flattens the net sheet or net tube for forming net layers with the application of pressure, intermittently feeds the flattened net sheet or net tube in the longitudinal axial direction thereof, and heats the net sheet or net tube for softening during transfer thereof. The heated net sheet or net tube is locally pressed with projections for melt-bonding so that net layers are locally melt-bonded to each other, thereby square fillers having net layers fixed by solidification thereof are obtained.

Disposable fitted sheets and method for making them. The sheets are formed without necessitating prior cutting by folding edges of the material and attaching the folded-over edges along diagonal lines associated with each corner. Elastic bands cooperate with each pocket to maintain the fit on the corners of the mattress. The bands are fastened in a stretched condition to the folded-over edges while the sheet is in a flat state. The process of the invention is particularly adapted to continuously forming such sheets which may be formed from a variety of inexpensive materials. Sheets of the invention are particularly useful in hospitals and nursing homes where frequent bedding changes may be needed.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use in collecting fluids discharged from a patient and liquids used in various types of medical procedures. The apparatus includes a fluid control pad formed from multiple layers of material and one or more pouches attached to the pad. A first layer of film, or backup sheet, is preferably formed from liquid impervious material such as coextruded low density polyethylene and ethyl vinyl acetate polymers. A portion of the backup sheet is covered with a second layer of superabsorbent material and a top layer of cover stock. The first layer of film may be folded to provided pouches disposed longitudinally on opposite sides of the second layer of superabsorbent material. A strip of fiber reinforced porous web type material may be disposed in the opening to each pouch to assist in directing excess fluids from the second layer of superabsorbent material into the associated pouch.

A product, apparatus and process for lamination of a sheet of polymer film onto a sheet of light weight web material. An incoming sheet of material is slit into narrow webs, which may be folded by a folding guide, and separated by use of turning bars and guides. The narrow webs then enter an embossing or laminating station. The lamination process joins the two sheets which are of different widths to allow the process to produce stock for different final products. The laminate of folded webs and polymer may be slit and/or unfolded prior to being stored on a take-up reel.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use in collecting fluids discharged from a patient and liquids used in various types of medical procedures. The apparatus includes a fluid control pad formed from multiple layers of material and one or more pouches attached to the pad. A first layer of film, or backup sheet, is preferably formed from liquid impervious material such as coextruded low density polyethylene and ethyl vinyl acetate polymers. A portion of the backup sheet is covered with a second layer of superabsorbent material and a top layer of cover stock. The first layer of film may be folded to provided pouches disposed longitudinally on opposite sides of the second layer of superabsorbent material. A strip of fiber reinforced porous web type material may be disposed in the opening to each pouch to assist in directing excess fluids from the second layer of superabsorbent material into the associated pouch.