Abstract: Composite forming screens comprise a layer of hard rubber with a Shore A hardness of 50-90 and in preferred embodiments, comprise a support layer of plastic or metal bonded to the hard rubber to form a composite. The forming screens may be planar or cylindrical and are provided with a plurality of apertures or through holes and a pattern of fine scale structures. A method of making the forming screens is also disclosed.

Abstract: Three-dimensional formed films particularly useful as transfer layers in absorbent articles comprise a base plane having land areas defining a plurality of protuberances having sidewalls and a bottom wall, a plurality of the protuberances having an aperture in substantially at least one sidewall. In preferred embodiment, the film further comprises a plurality of capillaries, which can originate in the base plane or in a secondary plane spaced from the base plane. In preferred embodiments, the capillaries terminate in a common plane with the bottom surfaces of the protrusions.

Abstract: A three-dimensional film for use as a transfer layer in an absorbent article has a continuous surface and a discontinuous surface disposed generally parallel to and spaced from said continuous surface; both the continuous surface and the discontinuous surface have large scale apertures defined by sidewalls originating on the surface and extending outwardly therefrom and sized to permit acquisition of fluids by gravity, and optionally each surface also includes small scale apertures sized to acquire fluids by capillary action.

Abstract: An elastomeric film is bonded between two or more layers of nonwoven webs formed of nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers. The laminate has, in a predefined transverse direction, an elastic elongation value greater than the predefined elastic elongation value of the nonwoven webs, and an ultimate force to break in the predefined transverse direction of at least 3000 g/in. The laminate advantageously provides a tear resistant, multiple ply, fabric that is soft to the touch as a result of the outwardly disposed nonwoven webs, and has a high elastic modulus. The laminate is particularly useful in applications where closure portions of a product must be stretched to keep the product in place when worn.

Abstract: Heat shrink laminates comprising at least one non-elastic film layer and at least one other layer, which can be a film or a fibrous nonwoven layer are disclosed wherein the non-elastic film layer and the at least one other layer are bonded together by a plurality of spaced-apart bond points, wherein the non-elastic film layer is heat shrunk after bonding to shrink the film layer and cause the other layer to form pleats.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet, an intermediate layer, an absorbent core, and a backsheet, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of an apertured nonwoven. The intermediate layer may include stiffening means such as apertured film or an additional nonwoven layer.

Abstract: Apertured nonwoven webs are disclosed wherein the apertures in the web are treated with an active substance such that the inner surface of the aperture differs in properties, characteristics or appearance from a surface of the web adjacent to the aperture.

Abstract: A masking film having improved wetting of substrates has an adhesion layer, a second layer, and optionally a core layer interposed between the adhesion layer and the second layer, wherein the adhesion layer comprises a blend of a metallocene polyolefin and a low density polyethylene and wherein the second layer provides increased stiffness, strength or mechanical properties to the film. The film may also include antistatic agents in at least one film layer.

Abstract: Surface protection films are disclosed that comprise an outer surface contact layer, an outer stiffening layer, and optionally a core layer, wherein the surface contact layer consists essentially of (A) a mixture of a tackified quadblock styrene block copolymer elastomer and a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a diblock styrene copolymer; (B) a mixture of a tackified quadblock styrene block copolymer elastomer, a tackified triblock styrene block copolymer and a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a diblock styrene copolymer; (C) a mixture of a tackified triblock styrene block copolymer and a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a diblock styrene copolymer; or (D) a triblock styrene block copolymer containing up to 30 wt % of a styrene diblock copolymer and a low density polyethylene polymer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional film for use as an acquisition distribution layer in an absorbent article comprising a first surface with drains extending downward from the first surface, the drains being capable of transmitting fluid by gravity; and protrusions extending upward from the first surface to an upper surface with at least one capillary extending downward from the upper surface, the capillaries being capable of transmitting fluid in contact with the upper surface by capillary action. The drains rapidly transmit fluid through the film, particularly fluid that is dynamically-deposited. The capillaries transmit statically-retained fluid that is in contact with the upper surface of the protrusions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite webs and composite webs made thereby in which the web includes a perforated thermoplastic film and one or more nonwoven webs. The method provides a perforated thermoplastic film, a creped nonwoven web, the webs are fed in a face to face relationship to be bonded. The perforated thermoplastic film and the creped nonwoven web are bonded in a face to face relationship at a plurality of points of contact such that the creped structure of the nonwoven web is maintained and the composite web has a nonwoven face and a film face. The composite webs are extensible at least in the direction of the creping.

Abstract: Methods of activating bicomponent elastic fiber nonwovens webs and laminates, and the resultant activated bicomponent elastic fiber nonwoven webs and laminates are disclosed, wherein the bicomponent elastic fiber nonwoven webs include a first material and a second material, wherein the first material has a lower yield point than the second material.

Abstract: A method for forming an elastic laminate comprising: bonding a first nonwoven to an elastic film to form a laminate; activating the laminate to form an activated laminate; and bonding a consolidated nonwoven to the elastic film of the activated laminate to form the elastic laminate.

Abstract: An apertured material comprising a web and a plurality of apertures in the web, each aperture having at least two vertices with a convex flap of the web spanning a pair of the vertices.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet and an absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is located between the topsheet and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer is made of a three dimensional apertured film that defines a large void volume space between the acquisition distribution layer and the absorbent core material. The acquisition distribution layer provides high void volume for lateral spillage during repeated insult moments because the topsheet, which is in contact with the user, is held away from dispersing fluid that is unabsorbed by saturated core material. The void volume space provides a pathway for unabsorbed fluid to flow over the top plane of saturated core regions to unsaturated regions of the core material for absorption. The void volume space allows this migration of fluid to occur without the fluid coming into contact with the topsheet, thereby avoiding a feeling of wetness for a wearer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional film for use as an acquisition distribution layer in an absorbent article comprising a first surface with drains extending downward from the first surface, the drains being capable of transmitting fluid by gravity; and protrusions extending upward from the first surface to an upper surface with at least one capillary extending downward from the upper surface, the capillaries being capable of transmitting fluid in contact with the upper surface by capillary action. The drains rapidly transmit fluid through the film, particularly fluid that is dynamically-deposited. The capillaries transmit statically-retained fluid that is in contact with the upper surface of the protrusions.

Abstract: The invention is a highly abrasion resistant laminate material with high resistance to water penetration, yet breathable, that can be manufactured to various degrees of breathability to suit any particular application need and a method for making same.

Abstract: An apertured film is provided for use as a topsheet in an absorbent article. The apertured film includes an apertured continuous layer having a female side that is hydrophilic, and hydrophobic raised lanes extending upward from the female side of the apertured continuous layer. A method of making the film is provided also. The method includes: extruding a flat continuous layer of a polymer melt onto a screen assembly, the upper surface of the continuous layer being hydrophilic; coextruding lanes of a hydrophobic polymer melt onto the upper surface of the continuous layer; and applying a pressure differential across the screen assembly to form apertures in the continuous layer. An absorbent article including the film is provided also.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stretchable webs having a plurality of elongated cells, and a retractive force mechanism to provide increased retractive force of the web when stretched in a given direction. The stretchable webs are useful in disposable garments such as diapers, bandages and other hygiene material so that the material fits closely without slipping off.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a film, and to a die for making the film. The fluid die includes a fluid feed manifold connected to a housing having positioned therein at least one fluid feed channel in fluid communication with the fluid feed manifold. The housing also includes at least one profiling block within the fluid feed channel.