Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric having latent elasticity is provided having a latently elastic core comprising a first component that includes a thermoplastic elastomer and a second component that includes a single site catalyzed polyolefin, and at least one gatherable facing material laminated to the elastic core. The first and second components may be, for example, in the form of alternating filaments of styrenic block copolymer and single site catalyzed polyolefin or in the form of conjugate filaments having a first section of styrenic block copolymer and a second section of single site catalyzed polyolefin. Also disclosed are methods of making the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates and personal care articles containing the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates.

Abstract: There is provided and fibrous layer for personal care products wherein the fibrous layer is made from micro-fine fibers deposited as an aqueous slurry onto a nonwoven web, and subsequently dried. The micro-fine fibers have a diameter from a positive amount to 0.5 microns. The nonwoven web may be produced from a number of methods, such as meltblowing, spunbonding, coforming, bonding and carding, and airlaying. The micro-fine fiber layer can be used to adjust the permeability of the nonwoven web, thus providing a method of controlling the rate of fluid movement through a personal care product, like diapers, training pants, incontinence garments and feminine hygiene products.

Abstract: An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining splittable bicomponent thermoplastic filaments with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers extending the length of the filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the bicomponent filaments are caused to split lengthwise along boundaries between the regions of different polymers, resulting in a web or matrix of finer filaments which entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require durability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.

Abstract: An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining bicomponent thermoplastic filaments having adhesive properties with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers across a cross-section of individual filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the adhesive properties of the bicomponent filaments result in a web or matrix of filaments having improved ability to entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require stability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.

Abstract: An absorbent elastic nonwoven material having improved conformability includes a matrix of thermoplastic elastomeric nonwoven filaments, present in an amount of about 3 to less than 20% by weight of the absorbent elastic nonwoven material. A plurality of absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent material are contained within the matrix, each constituting about 20-77% by weight of the absorbent elastic nonwoven material. The absorbent elastic nonwoven material is useful in a wide variety of personal care and medical absorbent articles where softness and conformability, as well as absorbency and elasticity, are important.

Abstract: An improved wet wipe includes a multiple layer basesheet to provide a unique combination of properties to the wipe which are not capable in a single layer basesheet. The layered basesheet includes at least two layers which include different fibers and have different physical properties. One of the layers may include polyethylene fibers to provide a soft, gentle feel for contacting the skin of the user during use while the other layer may include polypropylene fibers to provide strength and resiliency to the wipe to withstand the forces exerted by the user, and maintain its shape and integrity in use.

Abstract: There is provided a wiper comprising a first web of fibers of at most 50 microns in diameter wherein said web has been bonded using a point unbonded pattern having a bond area between about 25 and 50 percent. The wiper can be made from thermoplastic polymer nonwoven fibers made by the meltblowing, spunbonding, carding and bonding, or airlaying processes. The wiper may be a laminate of various thermoplastic layers joined with the point unbonded pattern and may be a coform web of thermoplastic polymer and pulp or other material.