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: Various apparatuses are disclosed including those that have curvature arresting properties. According to one example, the apparatus can optionally include a flexible first film, a second film and a first plurality of features. The first plurality of features can be disposed between the first film and the second film At least some of the first plurality of features are spaced apart from one another by a gap when the first film is not subject to an applied bending force or is subject to the applied bending force below a predetermined magnitude in one or both of the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, and at least some of the first plurality of features contact one another to arrest a curvature of the first film when the applied bending force is at or above the predetermined magnitude.

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 article includes at least a first layer having first and second major surfaces and a second layer adjacent the second major surface of the first layer. The first major surface of the first layer is at least a portion of a visible, outer surface of the article. At least a portion of the first layer is a see-through thermoplastic film that has a first color other than white. The second layer includes a microporous film having an opaque, microporous region and a nonporous region. When the opaque, microporous region and the nonporous region are seen through the first layer, they create an appearance on the outer surface of two different colors or two different shades of the same color. A method of making the article is also described.

Abstract: The composite elastic material (22) includes an elastic layer (4) and a structured film layer (15) having first and second opposing surfaces, with the second surface bonded to the elastic layer (4). The first surface of the structured film layer (15) has upstanding male fastening elements. The structured film layer (15) is gathered such that the upstanding male fastening elements point in multiple directions. The composite elastic material (22) can also be called a stretch-bonded laminate, which include an elastic layer (4) stretch-bonded to a second surface of a structured film layer (15). A first surface of the structured film layer (15), opposite the second surface, has upstanding male fastening elements. A process for making the composite elastic material (22) is also described. An absorbent article including the composite elastic material (22) is also described.

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: Various apparatuses are disclosed including those that have curvature arresting properties. According to one example, the apparatus can optionally include a flexible first film, a second film and a first plurality of features. The first plurality of features can be disposed between the first film and the second film At least some of the first plurality of features are spaced apart from one another by a gap when the first film is not subject to an applied bending force or is subject to the applied bending force below a predetermined magnitude in one or both of the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, and at least some of the first plurality of features contact one another to arrest a curvature of the first film when the applied bending force is at or above the predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: Various apparatuses are disclosed including those that have curvature arresting properties. According to one example, the apparatus can optionally include a flexible first film, a second film and a first plurality of features. The first plurality of features can be disposed between the first film and the second film At least some of the first plurality of features are spaced apart from one another by a gap when the first film is not subject to an applied bending force or is subject to the applied bending force below a predetermined magnitude in one or both of the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, and at least some of the first plurality of features contact one another to arrest a curvature of the first film when the applied bending force is at or above the predetermined magnitude.

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: 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: 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.