Abstract: Disclosed herein are elastic laminate materials. The elastic laminate materials are laminates of extensible nonwoven fibrous webs and thermoplastic elastic materials. The laminate may be a two-layer composite material having a single nonwoven fibrous web bonded to one side of the thermoplastic elastic material, or it may be a three-layer composite having a nonwoven fibrous web bonded to each side of the thermoplastic elastic material. The extensible nonwoven fibrous webs may be staple fiber webs. The thermoplastic elastic material may be single-layer or multi-layer elastic films, or elastic fibrous layers. Where single- or multi-layer elastic films are used, the films may be breathable films. The elastic material, or some of the staple fibers, or both, may be selected such that the staple fiber webs are thermally compatible with the thermoplastic elastic material to facilitate laminate bonding. Processes for forming the elastic laminate material are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastic laminate is provided which has an elastic layer and one or two outer facing layers. The elastic layer is formed from an improved styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene-(ethylene-butylene) tetrablock copolymer, or a blend of the copolymer. The copolymer has a number average molecular weight of at least about 70,000. The two ethylene-butylene blocks have number average molecular weights which together constitute more than 75% of the number average molecular weight of the copolymer.

Abstract: There is provided a resilient, three dimensional material having fibrous texture and appearance and capable of fluid handling. It consists of a top surface and a bottom surface wherein fiber-like elements typically extend from one surface to the other forming flat to undulating surfaces characterized by a multiplicity of interconnected fluid passageways. Deformed, discontinuous film-like or encapsulated regions connect fiber-like elements and stabilize the material. The material of this invention is unique based on the three principle characteristics which are communicated in this application: 1) ff(?)<0.87, 2) SA/VV<186 cm2/cm3, and 3) caliper<0.150 inches. This material is useful for a number of purposes, such as for use as a liner for personal care products like diapers, absorbent underpants, swim wear, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products and the like.

Abstract: An elastic laminate is provided which has an elastic layer and one or two outer facing layers. The elastic layer is formed from an improved styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene-(ethylene-butylene) tetrablock copolymer, or a blend of the copolymer. The copolymer has a number average molecular weight of at least about 70,000. The two ethylene-butylene blocks have number average molecular weights which together constitute more than 75% of the number average molecular weight of the copolymer.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article having a fluid intake/distribution layer, a fluid transfer delay layer disposed beneath said fluid intake/distribution layer, said fluid transfer delay layer enabling the transfer of fluid from the fluid intake/distribution layer(s) to a pad layer disposed beneath the fluid transfer delay layer while still allowing fluid distribution by the fluid intake/distribution layer along the machine direction of the article resulting in saturation levels of less than or equal to about 0.86 g/g/in of fluid in the intake/distribution layer(s) and/or essentially equal to or greater than 0.06 g/g/in. of fluid in the pad layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are elastic laminate materials. The elastic laminate materials are laminates of extensible nonwoven fibrous webs and thermoplastic elastic materials. The laminate may be a two-layer composite material having a single nonwoven fibrous web bonded to one side of the thermoplastic elastic material, or it may be a three-layer composite having a nonwoven fibrous web bonded to each side of the thermoplastic elastic material. The extensible nonwoven fibrous webs may be staple fiber webs. The thermoplastic elastic material may be single-layer or multi-layer elastic films, or elastic fibrous layers. Where single- or multi-layer elastic films are used, the films may be breathable films. The elastic material, or some of the staple fibers, or both, may be selected such that the staple fiber webs are thermally compatible with the thermoplastic elastic material to facilitate laminate bonding. Processes for forming the elastic laminate material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A film cover for use in absorbent materials such as feminine care products, surgical drapes, fenestration reinforcement, absorbent pads and the like including a polymeric film having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface and forming a plurality of apertures, at least a portion of which have an aperture region having a higher wettability than a portion of the top planar surface of the polymeric film.

Abstract: A multilayer material suitable for use as a cover or topsheet for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary pads, adult incontinence garments, training pants and the like having a top layer and a bottom, where the top layer forms a plurality of apertures and contacts the bottom layer in land areas disposed between the apertures. The bottom layer has a permeability substantially equivalent to, or higher than, the top layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved structure that includes a nonwoven web including a viscoelastant treatment. The treated web, when contacted by a viscoelastic fluid such as menses alters the viscoelastic properties of the fluid and enhances its wicking and distribution throughout the absorbent structure. A desirable viscoelastant is a alkyl polyglycoside, particularly those having 8 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. When applied so as to provide an amount of about 0.1% to about 5.0% solids add-on based on the weight of the dry nonwoven web, rapid fluid wicking and distribution may be obtained. Other viscoelastants are disclosed. Advantageously the treatment may be applied as a high solids composition using conventional application means such as spray coaters and the like or as an internal additive. The absorbent structure finds particular utility as a distribution layer component of a sanitary napkin for absorbing menses as well as other blood handling products such as surgical drapes, for example.