Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent article including an outercover, the outercover comprising a laminated material including two layers; an absorbent body disposed adjacent the outercover; and a graphic associated with the outercover, wherein the laminated material exhibits a Poisson's Ratio less than 1.0 at 4 percent longitudinal strain using ASTM-E132. The laminated material optimally exhibits a Poisson's Ratio less than 0.75 at 4 percent longitudinal strain using ASTM-E132. The laminated material more optimally exhibits a Poisson's Ratio less than 0.4 at 4 percent longitudinal strain using ASTM-E132.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Abstract: A portable partition system includes an air permeable nonwoven sheet material as the primary isolation material. An elongated support member with an attachment device are used to erect the sheet material. The attachment device includes a head with opposed separable clamping surfaces having a hook material provided thereon. The sheet material is inserted between the clamping surfaces so as to be engaged directly by the hook material on opposite sides of the sheet material upon erecting the system into a portable partition.

Abstract: A stretch activated disposable article, such as a wipe or mitt, includes an upper material layer, and a lower material layer joined to the upper material layer such that a space is defined between the material layers. A functional element, for example a fluid composition, is stored in the space between the upper and lower material layers and becomes functional upon being exposed through the upper material layer with use of the article. The upper material layer includes a plurality of materially weakened positions along the surface thereof that are configured to part or separate upon stretching of the upper material layer to expose the functional element through the upper material layer.

Abstract: A portable partition system includes an air permeable nonwoven sheet material as the primary isolation material. An elongated support member with an attachment device are used to erect the sheet material. The attachment device includes a head with opposed separable clamping surfaces having a hook material provided thereon. The sheet material is inserted between the clamping surfaces so as to be engaged directly by the hook material on opposite sides of the sheet material upon erecting the system into a portable partition.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Abstract: An elastic composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven materials is provided. By selectively controlling the constituents of the composite and the method by which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that the composite may be resistant to oils and other skin care compositions. More specifically, the elastic film is formed from one or more low density semi-crystalline propylene-based polymers that possess a unique combination of mechanical, elastic, and oil-resistant properties. By using such elastomeric polymers, the resulting elastic film may also be thermally bonded to the nonwoven web material(s) without the need for oil-resistant adhesives. Further, the bonding conditions may be selected so that apertures do not form in the film. In this manner, the resulting composite is impervious to oils or other liquids (e.g., solvents, water, solutions, etc.) and thus acts as a barrier during use.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to hydrogel-fibrous web composites that can be used in a variety of applications. For instance, the hydrogel-fibrous web composite can be used in the same applications as the base fibrous web, without the addition of the hydrogel, when it is desired to increase the moisture or water absorbency of the web. The hydrogel polymer is integral to the fibers of the web. Thus, the hydrogel allows the web to absorb water or moisture (including water vapor) to a much greater extend than the web alone. The present disclosure is also generally directed to methods of integrating a hydrogel polymer into a fibrous web.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a commode liner made from a first and a second opposing member defining a top with an opening, a bottom, and a pair of opposing sides. The pair of opposing sides includes a separation distance D, which varies from the top to the bottom, and the distance D is larger at the top than at the bottom. The opposing members can be formed from a latently dispersible barrier composite material including an exposed low strength barrier component, an internal water sensitive layer, and a water permeable, inextensible, water dispersible support layer. When exposed to aqueous conditions on the barrier side, the composite prevents it from passing through to the other layers. When exposed to aqueous conditions on the opposite side, the commode liner readily disperses and may be disposed of by flushing in a toilet, for example. Examples of barrier layers include polylactic acid. Examples of water sensitive layers include polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A water dispersible commode/bedpan liner. The liner is a film useful as a flushable commode or bedpan liner. The liner may be positioned before use and then placed in a toilet afterwards where it is flushed. The film is a two layer co-extruded film. At least half of the film is a predominately water soluble polymer. No more than half of the film is a skin fluid barrier layer of an extrudable polymer that may be biodegradable. The film also includes a chemical that is activated by tap water to help cause the film to break apart.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a commode liner made from a first and a second opposing member defining a top with an opening, a bottom, and a pair of opposing sides. The pair of opposing sides includes a separation distance D, which varies from the top to the bottom, and the distance D is larger at the top than at the bottom. The opposing members can be formed from a latently dispersible barrier composite material including an exposed low strength barrier component, an internal water sensitive layer, and a water permeable, inextensible, water dispersible support layer. When exposed to aqueous conditions on the barrier side, the composite prevents it from passing through to the other layers. When exposed to aqueous conditions on the opposite side, the commode liner readily disperses and may be disposed of by flushing in a toilet, for example. Examples of barrier layers include polylactic acid. Examples of water sensitive layers include polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable, oriented microporous elastomeric film. The present invention also relates to a process for forming the breathable film including the step of stretching a filled film to produce a microporous film layer.

Abstract: Uniaxially oriented microporous breathable films having exceptional toughness transverse to the direction of orientation are disclosed herein. Such films include a particulate filler and a nonelastic material including a copolymer of ethylene with at least one C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 .alpha.-olefin monomer, such copolymers being described in the trade as "super tough", "next generation", etc., and being prepared with "new" or "improved" catalyst systems or with metallocene or similar single-site catalysts. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable laminate including an oriented microporous elastomeric film and at least one support layer bonded to the film. The present invention also relates to a process for forming the breathable laminate including the step of stretching a filled film to produce a microporous film before bonding it to a support.

Abstract: There is provided herein a ribbed clothlike nonwoven fabric made by a method comprising the steps of providing a nonwoven web of thermoplastic polymer of staple length or longer fibers or filaments having a pattern of fused bond areas wherein the pattern has at least one space and at least one unit width, as defined herein, in a ratio of at least 0.30, and then extending the web up to less than the breaking point of the fibers or filaments in at least one direction. The product which is thereby produced is a ribbed clothlike nonwoven fabric comprising a web of thermoplastic polymer of staple length or longer fibers or filaments having a pattern of fused bond areas wherein the pattern has space and unit width in a ratio of at least 0.30, and wherein the fabric has been extended up to less than the breaking point of the fibers or filaments in at least one direction so as to produce ribs.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric made with multicomponent polymeric strands includes a blend of a polyolefin and ethylene alkyl acrylate in one side or the sheath of the multicomponent polymeric strands. The fabric has improved abrasion resistance, strength, toughness and softness properties. Composite materials including such multicomponent material bonded to both sides of an inner meltblown layer are also disclosed.