Abstract:
The present invention provides multicomponent fibers arranged in structured domains. At least one of the polymer components is formed of a multipolymer blend. The present invention also provides nonwoven fabrics formed of the multicomponent fibers, the fabrics having a superior combination of extensibility, tensile properties and abrasion resistance. A second layer can be laminated to this coherent extensible nonwoven web.
Abstract:
A moisture vapor permeable, substantially liquid impermeable composite sheet material comprising a moisture vapor permeable monolithic polymeric film having a first side and a second side, a first nonwoven layer comprising a moisture vapor permeable powder-bonded nonwoven layer, said powder-bonded layer comprising a nonwoven web of fibers, wherein greater than 95 weight percent of the fibers in the nonwoven web are compatible with said polymeric film, said first nonwoven layer being adhered to the first side of the polymeric film by extrusion of said film onto said first nonwoven layer, and an optional second moisture vapor permeable nonwoven layer adhered to the second side of the film.
Abstract:
A film which is water-flushable and biodegradable that is useful for disposable absorbent articles generally. The film may be used as backsheets of flushable absorbent products, particularly interlabial catamenial products, or as flushable tampon applicators. The film comprises: (1) a relatively thin water-impervious biodegradable layer to maintain the integrity of the film during use and to minimize or prevent aqueous liquids from penetrating through the film; (2) a relatively thick substantially water-soluble layer adjacent the water-impervious layer to cause the film to lose integrity after the film is flushed; and (3) a relatively thin substantially water-permeable layer adjacent the water-soluble layer to control the rate at which water and other aqueous liquids contact, dissolve and disintegrate the water-soluble layer.
Abstract:
A laminate web comprising a first web, a second web joined to the first web at a plurality of discrete bond sites; and a third material disposed between at least a portion of the first and second nonwovens. The third material is apertured in regions adjacent the bond sites, such that the first and second nonwoven webs are joined through the apertures. In one embodiment an apertured laminate web is disclosed, having a first extensible web having a first elongation to break, and a second extensible web joigned to the first extensible web at a plurality of bond sites, the second extensible web having elongation to break. A third web material is disposed between the first and second nonwovens, the third web material having a third elongation to break which is less than both of the first or second elongations to break. In a further embodiement, an apertured laminate web is disclosed, having first and second extensible webs being joined at a plurality of discrete bond sites and a third material disposed between the first and second nonwoven webs. The first and second nonwoven webs are in fluid communication via the apertures and have distinct regions being differentiated by at least one property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, fiber orientation, thickness, and density.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to absorbent articles having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet comprises a moisture vapor permeable, substantially liquid impermeable composite sheet material includes a powder-bonded nonwoven web adhered to a moisture vapor permeable thermoplastic film. The nonwoven web includes a first layer comprised primarily of fibers that are compatible with an adhesive used to bond the web, and a second layer comprised of a blend of fibers, some of which are compatible with, and some of which are incompatible with the bonding adhesive and the thermoplastic film. A method for making the composite sheet material and an item of apparel made from the sheet material are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a composite material and a process for making the material. The composite material may be breathable and is formed from at least one layer of an elastic material and a necked laminate of sheet layers. The sheet layers include at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least one non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension wherein the laminate is extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension. A breathable laminate may be made by first partially stretching a filled non-elastic film layer, attaching a non-elastic neckable layer to form a laminate and then stretching the laminate to neck the laminate and lengthen the film to its desired fully stretched configuration. Attachment of at least one layer of an elastic material to the necked laminate further provides stretch and recovery in at least one dimension.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a composite used as a liquid-retaining layer in hygiene articles or medical products. Said composite comprises a first layer, made of a substantially continuous staple fiber with a diameter of 15-35 mu m, and a second film layer for preventing snagging in the fibrous surface of the staple fiber layer. The composite comprises a third layer (6) of microfibers with a diameter of under 10 mu m, covering the whole surface of the staple fiber layer (4) on the side opposite the film layer. A three-layer composite is thus formed. This third layer of microfibers (6) penetrates the surface structure of the staple fiber layer (4) in such a way that the average distance (D') between the microfiber layer (6) and the sheet layer (4) is less than the thickness Dsp of the staple fiber layer which is sandwiched in between.
Abstract:
A disposable absorbent article (20) having a breathable laminate backsheet (26). The absorbent article (20) has a front waist region (46), a rear waist region (44), a crotch region (48) positioned between the front waist region (46) and the rear waist region (44), a pair of opposed side edges (50), a first end edge (52) and a second end edge (52). The absorbent article (20) includes an absorbent core (28) having a pair of opposing longitudinal edges (50), a garment-facing side (70) and a body-facing side (72), and a breathable laminate backsheet (26) disposed adjacent to the garment-facing side (70) of the absorbent core (28). The breathable laminate backsheet (26) has an inner layer (90) and an outer layer (92) joined to one another. The inner layer (90) is positioned between the absorbent core (28) and the outer layer (92). The outer layer (92) is relatively vapor pervious. The inner layer (90) is substantially liquid, vapor and air impermeable. The inner layer (90) is longitudinally coterminous with the absorbent article (20) and of a smaller transverse width than the front waist region (46), the rear waist region (44), and the crotch region (48) so as to form a breathable zone (80) which is longitudinally coterminous with the absorbent article (20) and adjacent to each of the side edges (50).
Abstract:
A breathable multi-layer film laminate (20) including microporous filled film (22) bonded to continuous film (16, 26). A support layer such as a fibrous web can be adhered to the film laminate on one or both surfaces.
Abstract:
A disposable absorbent article (20) having an integral landing zone (40). The absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet (22), a liquid impervious backsheet (24) joined with the topsheet (22) and an absorbent core (26) located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet (24) includes a laminate of an inner web (90) and an outer web (30), wherein at least a portion of the inner web (90) is juxtaposed the garment surface (60) of the absorbent core (26). The outer web (30) includes an integral landing zone (40) having portions mechanically prestrained to provide raised elements (44) capable of entangling the engaging components of a complementary male fastening component (70). The inner web (90) and the outer web (30) are continuously laminated with each other except where the raised elements (44) provide the integral landing zone (40).