Abstract: A method of forming deformations in a nonwoven web includes the steps of: a) providing a precursor nonwoven web; b) providing a pair of forming members which include: a first forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of discrete, spaced apart male forming elements; and a second forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of recesses in the second forming member, wherein the recesses are aligned and configured to receive the male forming elements therein, wherein the recesses have a plan view periphery that is larger than, and may completely surround, the plan view periphery of the male elements; and c) mechanically deforming the precursor nonwoven web with the forming members by placing the precursor nonwoven web between the forming members. The method forms a nonwoven web having a generally planar first region and a plurality of discrete deformations.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having a first region and a plurality of discrete integral second regions that are in the form of three-dimensional deformations forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven material and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven material are disclosed. The nonwoven materials include at least two layers that are each formed of a plurality of fibers. The first region has a first light transmission value and the second regions have a second light transmission value.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming deformations in a nonwoven web is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of forming members that form a nip therebetween. The forming members include: a first forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of discrete, spaced apart male forming elements; and a second forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of recesses in the second forming member, wherein the recesses are aligned and configured to receive the male forming elements therein, wherein the recesses have a plan view periphery that is larger than, and may completely surround, the plan view periphery of the male elements. At least one of the forming members has a plurality of discrete surface texture elements thereon.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven material and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven material are disclosed. The width of the protrusions may vary along the length of the protrusions.

Abstract: A composite sheet that includes a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The first sheet is a nonwoven material that has discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first sheet to their distal ends and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the first sheet. The second sheet is a generally planar sheet that contacts the distal ends of the protrusions on the first sheet. The second sheet is bonded to the first sheet at spaced apart inter-sheet bond locations where the distal ends of the protrusions on the first sheet contact the second sheet.

Abstract: A method of forming deformations in a nonwoven web includes the steps of: a) providing a precursor nonwoven web; b) providing a pair of forming members which include: a first forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of discrete, spaced apart male forming elements; and a second forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of recesses in the second forming member, wherein the recesses are aligned and configured to receive the male forming elements therein, wherein the recesses have a plan view periphery that is larger than, and may completely surround, the plan view periphery of the male elements; and c) mechanically deforming the precursor nonwoven web with the forming members by placing the precursor nonwoven web between the forming members. At least one of the first forming member and the second forming member has a plurality of discrete surface texture elements thereon. The method forms a nonwoven web having a generally planar first region and a plurality of discrete deformations.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven material and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven material are disclosed. The nonwoven materials are made of at least two layers that include at least a first nonwoven layer and a second nonwoven layer. Portions of the fibers in each layer form part of the undeformed first region, the side walls of the protrusions, and the distal ends of the protrusions. There may be differences in the concentration of fibers, or other properties, within at least one of the first and second layers in each of these parts of the deformed nonwoven material.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite sheet that is made of a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The method involves mechanically deforming a precursor nonwoven web to form a first web with deformations therein. The deformations form protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first web and openings in the other surface of the web. The method involves feeding the first nonwoven web with the deformations therein into a bonding nip where at least a portion of the distal ends of the protrusions is bonded to a second web to form a tip-bonded composite web.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite sheet that is made of a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The method involves mechanically deforming a precursor nonwoven web to form a first web with deformations therein. The deformations form protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first web and openings in the other surface of the web. The method involves feeding the first nonwoven web with the deformations therein into a bonding nip where portions of the first region of the first web outside of the deformations are bonded to the second web to form a base-bonded composite web.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven material and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven material are disclosed. The nonwoven materials include multiple fibers that extend from the base of the protrusions to the distal end of the protrusions, and contribute to form a portion of the sides and cap of a protrusion. Such fibers may at least substantially surround the sides of the protrusions.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven material and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven material are disclosed. At least some of the three-dimensional deformations are configured to collapse in a controlled manner when compressive forces are applied on the nonwoven material.

Abstract: A composite sheet that includes a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The first sheet is a nonwoven material that has discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first sheet to their distal ends and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the first sheet. The second sheet is a generally planar sheet that contacts the distal ends of the protrusions on the first sheet. The second sheet is bonded to the first sheet at spaced apart inter-sheet bond locations where the first region of the first sheet contacts the second sheet.

Abstract: A method for making a zoned apertured nonwoven web comprises providing an unapertured nonwoven web having a first plurality of weakened locations in a first pattern in a first zone and a second plurality of weakened locations in a second pattern in a second zone. The method comprises applying a substantially cross machine directional tensioning force to the nonwoven web to cause the nonwoven web to rupture at some of the first and second pluralities of weakened locations. The applying step creates a plurality of first apertures in the nonwoven web coincident with the some of the first plurality of weakened locations and a plurality of second apertures in the nonwoven web coincident with the some of the second plurality of weakened locations. The cross machine directional width of the nonwoven web after the applying step is substantially the same in the first zone and the second zone.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a nonwoven web with multicomponent fibers having at least a first and a second component which differ from each other in color. The nonwoven web is pattern bonded to obtain bonded areas have a different color versus the unbonded areas.

Abstract: Reactive compositions are formed into melt processable reactive pellets. The reactive compositions include at least one filler such as talc, clay, pulp, etc. and a reactive mixture comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol and a reactant selected from the group consisting of at least one organic polyacid; at least one organic anhydride; and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the reactive compositions comprise at least one filler and a prepolymer formed from the reactive mixture.

Abstract: Starch plasticized, wholly or in part, with isosorbide, isomannide, isoidide, or a mixture thereof is disclosed. Blends of the plasticized starch and a synthetic polymer, like a polyolefin, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for bonding a substrate to a material using an adhesive precursor comprising a reactive mixture which is reacted to form an adhesive as a product of ester condensation. The reactive mixture includes a monomer mixture comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol and a reactant selected from the group consisting of at least one organic polyacid; at least one organic anhydride; and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the reactive mixture comprises a prepolymer formed from the monomer mixture; a combination of the prepolymer and the monomer mixture; or a combination of the prepolymer and reactants such as polyhydric alcohol, organic polyacid, organic anhydride, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Reactive compositions are formed into melt processable reactive pellets. The reactive compositions include at least one filler such as talc, clay, pulp, etc. and a reactive mixture comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol and a reactant selected from the group consisting of at least one organic polyacid; at least one organic anhydride; and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the reactive compositions comprise at least one filler and a prepolymer formed from the reactive mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for crystallizing a polymer having at least 20 mole percent of hydroxyalkanoate repeat units, comprising admixing the polymer and a compound of the formula R1—C(O)N(R2)2, R1—C(O)NH—(R3)—NHC(O)—R1, R1—NHC(O)NH—(R3)—NHC(O)NH—R1, R1—NHC(O)—R2, R1—NHC(O)—(R3)—C(O)NH—R1, R1—C(O)NH—(R3)—C(O)NH—R1, R1—NHC(O)NH—(R3)—C(O)NH—R1, R1—NHC(O)NH—(R3)—NHC(O)—R1, or a combination thereof, at a first temperature, which is from about 5° C. to about 15° C. above the melting point of the polymer; and cooling the polymer at a second temperature, which is from about the glass transition temperature of the polymer to about the melting point of the compound.

Abstract: Fibers are formed from ester condensates of polyhydric alcohols and organic polyacids or anhydrides. The process for making the fibers comprises forming a reactive mixture from a polyhydric alcohol and organic polyacid mixture heated to produce a low molecular weight ester condensation product which is subsequently pumped through a spinneret causing additional ester condensation reaction in situ with fiber formation.