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 laminate comprises a first layer comprising a plurality of lower opacity zones positioned within a higher opacity zone is provided. The plurality of lower opacity zones form a first pattern. The laminate comprises a second layer comprising a second pattern. The laminate comprises a non-joined span of the first and second layers having a dimension of at least about 20 mm. A first portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a first position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span. A second portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a second position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span.

Abstract: A laminate comprises a first layer comprising a plurality of lower opacity zones positioned within a higher opacity zone is provided. The plurality of lower opacity zones form a first pattern. The laminate comprises a second layer comprising a second pattern. The laminate comprises a non-joined span of the first and second layers having a dimension of at least about 20 mm. A first portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a first position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span. A second portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a second position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span.

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: 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: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is described herein. The precursor web comprises a film layer and a nonwoven layer having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The forming apparatus heats and stretches the precursor web forming apertures therein.

Abstract: Absorbent members, especially bulked absorbent members, and methods of making the same are disclosed. The absorbent member may be in the form of a unitary absorbent fibrous layer comprising at least some cellulose fibers. The unitary absorbent fibrous layer is at least partially stratified through its thickness. The absorbent member may also have a plurality of discrete deformations, such as depressions and/or apertures in its surfaces. The method involves subjecting a precursor web to at least one cycle (or pass) through a mechanical deformation process. The mechanical deformation process utilizes a first forming member and a second forming member that form a nip therebetween through which the precursor web is passed. The first and second forming members are moving at different speeds relative to each other when they come together to form the nip.

Abstract: A web having a micro-textured film and a nonwoven is disclosed herein. The micro-textured film has a first surface and an opposing second surface and a plurality of cones extending from the first surface. A plurality of apertures extends through the web, wherein the plurality of apertures have sidewalls formed from the micro-textured film and the nonwoven. The sidewalls extend from the first surface, and wherein the caliper of the micro-textured film in the sidewall is less than the caliper of the microtextured film of the first surface.

Abstract: A laminate cleaning implement with a facing sheet, a substrate, and optionally a backing sheet. The facing sheet, the substrate, and the optional backing sheet are mechanically intermeshed. The mechanically intermeshing can provide one or more discrete tufts protruding outwardly from the laminate.

Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.

Abstract: A process for providing indicia and an elastic-like behavior to a web substrate is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a web substrate; printing indicia on the web substrate; and, providing the web substrate with a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder of the first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised rib-like elements. The first regions undergo a molecular level and geometric deformation and the second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.

Abstract: Corrugated and apertured web materials are disclosed. More specifically, the webs comprise alternating ridges and grooves, wherein apertures are located in the grooves. In one embodiment, a web comprises alternating ridges and grooves as well as alternating regions of lower basis weight and higher basis weight. The higher basis weight regions are located in the ridges and grooves and the lower basis weight regions are located in the sidewalls between the ridges and grooves. The higher basis weight regions located in the grooves comprise apertures. The apertures have greater open area than previous apertures in similar webs.

Abstract: A method of producing a patterned apertured web is provided. The method comprises providing a web having a central longitudinal axis. The web comprises a plurality of overbonds extending substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The method comprises conveying the web in a machine direction that is substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the central longitudinal axis of the web. The method comprises stretching the web in a cross-machine direction to cause at least some of the overbonds to at least partially rupture and at least partially form patterned apertures in the web. At least some of the patterned apertures have Absolute Feret Angles, according to the Aperture Test herein, of at least about 20 degrees. At least some of the patterned apertures have an Aspect Ratio, according to the Aperture Test herein, in the range of about 2:1 to about 6:1.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet on a wearer-facing side of the absorbent article and a garment-facing laminate on a garment-facing side of the absorbent article. The garment-facing laminate comprises a first nonwoven layer and a second layer joined to the first nonwoven layer. The first nonwoven layer comprises a plurality of apertures. At least 3 of the plurality of apertures in a repeat unit have a different Effective Aperture Area, according to the Aperture Test herein, a different shape, or a different Absolute Feret Angle, according to the Aperture Test herein. The absorbent article comprises an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the garment-facing laminate.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a first nonwoven layer comprising a plurality of apertures and a second nonwoven layer is provided. One of the first and second nonwoven layers is a pre-strained layer and is joined to the other one of the first and second nonwoven layers. The other one of the first and second nonwoven layers is a non-pre-strained layer. The pre-strained layer and the non-pre-strained layer together form a three-dimensional laminate.

Abstract: A method for forming an elastomeric laminate includes the steps of providing a first coverstock material; SELF'ing the first coverstock material to create a pre-SELFed coverstock layer having a primary activation pattern comprising SELF-specific land areas; providing an elastomeric layer; and joining the elastomeric layer to the pre-SELFed layer at zero relative strain, such that the elastomeric layer and pre-SELFed coverstock layer are joined at one or more bonding sites.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminate is extensible in a first direction and has a first laminate surface; a second laminate surface substantially opposite the first laminate surface; and a laminate thickness, T, extending between the first and second laminate surfaces. A pre-SELFed coverstock layer forms the first laminate surface. The pre-SELF coverstock layer has a primary activation pattern, wherein the primary activation pattern includes SELF-specific land areas that extend in the first direction and one or more activation thicknesses. Each activation thickness is less than the laminate thickness, T. The elastomeric laminate also has an elastomeric layer joined to the pre-SELFed coverstock layer. The elastomeric layer forms the second laminate surface. The elastomeric laminate may be a zero strain laminate, a gathered laminate, or a hybrid gathered laminate.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable nonwoven topsheet, a nonwoven second material that is a separate material from the topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned intermediate the second material and the backsheet. The second material is positioned intermediate the topsheet and absorbent core. The topsheet is nested with the second material to form a nested laminate comprising a plurality of recesses and a plurality of raised areas. Voids are defined in the raised areas under the second material. A first aperture is formed in a substantially central location of the raised areas. The recesses each form a base positioned most distal from the substantially central locations of the raised areas. A second aperture is formed in the bases of the recesses. The first and second apertures extend through both the topsheet and second material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multi-component topsheets having three-dimensional materials. The present disclosure is directed to absorbent articles having multi-component topsheets having three-dimensional materials. The three-dimensional materials may have apertures. The topsheets may have a first material, a second material, and a third material. The first and second materials may be the same and the third material may be different from the first and second materials. The first and second materials may have a lower basis weight than the third material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides three-dimensional materials having apertures. The apertures in the three-dimensional materials may be formed in portions of a generally planar region and/or in at least some of a plurality of discrete integral second regions. The apertures may help in BM or other bodily fluid acquisition and retention.