Abstract: A reclosable package and processes for making it are disclosed. The reclosable package includes a front panel, a back panel, an upper seal region adapted to be broken to allow a first opening of the reclosable package, a lower seal opposite the upper seal region, a vertical seal extending between the upper seal region and the lower seal on the back panel between the first side edge and the opposing second side edge; and a self-mating fastener disposed adjacent the upper seal region in an interior of the reclosable package. The self-mating fastener includes first and second fastener members each having fastener elements, an open configuration to allow access to the interior volume of the reclosable package, and a closed configuration in which the fastener elements of the first and second fastener members are engaged. In the closed configuration, the self-mating fastener is up to 800 micrometers thick.

Abstract: The method includes unwinding a thermoplastic film from a roll, stretching the thermoplastic film in the machine direction so that it plastically deforms and decreases in width, slitting the stretched thermoplastic film into the multiple mechanical fastening strips, and winding the multiple mechanical fastening strips into multiple rolls. The thermoplastic film has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the first surface of the thermoplastic film bears a plurality of male fastening elements. In the method, the unwinding, stretching, slitting, and winding are completed in-line.

Abstract: The method includes providing a thermoplastic web having mechanical fastening elements and a nonlinear line of weakness that extends predominantly in a first direction and demarcates nonlinear edges of two sub-webs but does not sever the thermoplastic web. The method further includes severing the thermoplastic web at the nonlinear line of weakness into the two sub-webs and joining the two sub-webs to a carrier to form the laminate. The two sub-webs are separated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Severing the thermoplastic web and joining the two sub-webs to the carrier are carried out in-line without offsetting the two sub-webs in the first direction.

Abstract: The method includes providing a thermoplastic web having mechanical fastening elements and a nonlinear line of weakness that extends predominantly in a first direction and demarcates nonlinear edges of two sub-webs but does not sever the thermoplastic web. The method further includes severing the thermoplastic web at the nonlinear line of weakness into the two sub-webs and joining the two sub-webs to a carrier to form the laminate. The two sub-webs are separated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Severing the thermoplastic web and joining the two sub-webs to the carrier are carried out in-line without offsetting the two sub-webs in the first direction.

Abstract: A composite article for use in, e.g., a disposable diaper including a strip of hook material tab where the strip extends into the part of the tab used for attachment to, e.g., the “ear” which conventionally extends to each side of a disposable diaper's chassis. Such an arrangement increases the tear strength of the tab, providing more secure attachment in the face of movement by the wearer.

Abstract: The fastener includes a backing and rows of rail segments and rows of posts protruding perpendicularly from the backing. The rows of rail segments and rows of posts alternate. Each of the rail segments has a base portion attached to the backing and a cap portion distal from the backing. The cap portion has a cap width that is greater than a width of the base portion, and the cap portion overhangs the base portion on opposing sides. The base portion has a length that is greater than the width of the base portion. Each of the posts has a height that is no greater than a height of the rail segments and a length that is different from the length of the rail segments. A fastening system that includes the fastener and a package that includes the fastener are also described.

Abstract: The fastening system includes first and second fastening members, each having a backing and rows of rail segments protruding from the backing. The rails segments have a base portion attached to the backing and a cap portion distal from the backing. The cap portion has a cap width that is greater than a width of the base portion. There are rows of posts protruding from the backing of at least the first fastening member. When the first and second fastening members undergo fastening, the posts bend away from the rail segments while the cap portions of the rail segments of the first and second fastening members pass by each other and then return to their original positions after the first and second fastening members are fastened. The fastening system attached to a portion of a package is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a reclosable package (100) are disclosed. The package (100) includes a pouch (120) that defines an interior volume (122) and an opening (124) providing access to the interior volume, and a self-mating fastener (150) connected to the pouch. The pouch (120) includes a flexible material and a seal region (140) disposed adjacent the opening that is adapted to be broken to allow a first opening of the pouch. Further, the self-mating fastener (150) includes an open configuration and a closed configuration. When in the open configuration the self-mating fastener is adapted to allow access to the interior volume of the pouch through the opening after the seal region has been broken. When in the closed configuration the self-mating fastener is adapted to prevent access to the interior volume of the pouch through the opening.

Abstract: The fastener includes a backing and rows of rail segments and rows of posts protruding perpendicularly from the backing. The rows of rail segments and rows of posts alternate. Each of the rail segments has a base portion attached to the backing and a cap portion distal from the backing. The cap portion has a cap width that is greater than a width of the base portion, and the cap portion overhangs the base portion on opposing sides. A number of posts in one of the rows of posts is more than a number of rail segments in one of the rows of rail segments. Each of the posts has a height that is no greater than a height of the rail segments and a length that is different from the length of the rail segments. A fastening system that includes the fastener and a package that includes the fastener are also described.

Abstract: The method includes stretching a thermoplastic layer so that it plastically deforms and decreases in width and subsequently laminating the thermoplastic layer to a substrate to make the laminate. The stretching and laminating are completed in-line. The thermoplastic layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, with the first surface of the thermoplastic layer bearing a plurality of male fastening elements. The second surface of the thermoplastic layer is laminated to the substrate. In some cases, the thermoplastic layer decreases in width by at least 25 percent, and after the stretching, the thermoplastic layer has a width of up to 60 millimeters. In some cases, stretching is carried out by first and second rolls, and the second roll is faster than the first roll. The thermoplastic layer is typically not directed onto a third roll slower than the second roll before laminating.

Abstract: A fixing member including a sheet-like base member 21 and a surface fastener 30 provided on the base member 21 is disclosed. The surface fastener 30 covers a surface of the base member 21 at a position separated from a tip end 21E1 of the base member 21 in a wrap-around direction, and minimum bending stiffness of the fixing member 20 as determined via a bending test using a Gurley tester being 150 mgf or less when measured using a test piece cut from a portion where the surface fastener 30 is provided. The surface S1 on the surface fastener 30 side of the portion 21a on the tip end 21E1 side of the surface fastener 30 of the base member 21 is a surface with reduced engagement with the surface fastener 30.

Abstract: A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is disclosed. The method includes providing a polymeric netting having a length in a machine direction and running the polymeric netting in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The polymeric netting is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the polymeric netting and the stretchable surface during the stretching increases the width of at least a portion of the polymeric netting in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: A fixing member including a sheet-like base member 21 and a surface fastener 30 provided on the base member 21 is disclosed. The surface fastener 30 covers a surface of the base member 21 at a position separated from a tip end 21E1 of the base member 21 in a wrap-around direction, and minimum bending stiffness of the fixing member 20 as determined via a bending test using a Gurley tester being 150 mgf or less when measured using a test piece cut from a portion where the surface fastener 30 is provided. The surface S1 on the surface fastener 30 side of the portion 21a on the tip end 21E1 side of the surface fastener 30 of the base member 21 is a surface with reduced engagement with the surface fastener 30.

Abstract: Loop components for hook-and-loop fasteners and methods of making the same. The loop components comprise single-layer nonwoven webs having a first side, a second side opposite the first side and a thickness therebetween. The fibers of the nonwoven webs are partially fused on the first side to create a skin layer. The nonwoven webs have a basis weight ranging from 20 gsm to 50 gsm and a pressure drop index ranging from 40 to 100.

Abstract: A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is disclosed. The method includes providing a polymeric netting having a length in a machine direction and running the polymeric netting in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The polymeric netting is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the polymeric netting and the stretchable surface during the stretching increases the width of at least a portion of the polymeric netting in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: A method of separating strands of a slit web is disclosed. The method includes providing a slit web having a length in a machine direction and running the slit web in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The slit web includes multiple strands provided by a plurality of slits extending in a first direction not parallel to a cross-machine direction. The slit web is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the slit web and the stretchable surface during the stretching at least partially separates at least some of the multiple strands of the slit web in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of separating strands of a slit web is disclosed. The method includes providing a slit web having a length in a machine direction and running the slit web in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The slit web includes multiple strands provided by a plurality of slits extending in a first direction not parallel to a cross-machine direction. The slit web is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the slit web and the stretchable surface during the stretching at least partially separates at least some of the multiple strands of the slit web in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is also disclosed.