Abstract: A nonwoven fabric useful as a component in a personal hygiene product and a nonwoven personal hygiene component, which is substantially free or free of non-ribbon shaped (e.g., round-shaped) spunbond fibers and includes a meltblown layer between and in direct contact with ribbon-shaped spunbond layers. The meltblown layer has a basis weight of at least about 0.008 gsm and not greater than about 5 gsm, and the nonwoven fabric or component has a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm and not greater than about 40 gsm, a pore size of less than or equal to about 27 microns when measured at 10% of cumulative filter flow. The nonwoven fabric also can have a low surface tension liquid strike through flow of less than 0.9 ml per second, a ratio of low surface tension liquid strike through flow to air permeability of greater than or equal to about 0.016, or both. Personal hygiene articles can incorporate the nonwoven fabric or component.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric useful as a component in a personal hygiene product and a nonwoven personal hygiene component, which is substantially free or free of non-ribbon shaped (e.g., round-shaped) spunbond fibers and includes a meltblown layer between and in direct contact with ribbon-shaped spunbond layers. The meltblown layer has a basis weight of at least about 0.008 gsm and not greater than about 5 gsm, and the nonwoven fabric or component has a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm and not greater than about 40 gsm, a pore size of less than or equal to about 27 microns when measured at 10% of cumulative filter flow. The nonwoven fabric also can have a low surface tension liquid strike through flow of less than 0.9 ml per second, a ratio of low surface tension liquid strike through flow to air permeability of greater than or equal to about 0.016, or both. Personal hygiene articles can incorporate the nonwoven fabric or component.

Abstract: A spinneret, apparatus, and method are provided for making filaments for fibrous nonwoven fabrics with more uniform filament and fabric formation while minimizing filament breaks and hard spot defects in webs and fabrics made therefrom. The spinneret has a spinneret body that has an overall length to hydraulic diameter ratio and defines orifices that extend through the spinneret body, wherein the orifices comprise capillaries that open at a face of the spinneret body for polymer filament extrusion therefrom, wherein the capillaries are arranged in a plurality of different rows at the face of the spinneret body, and wherein the plurality of different rows are arranged into a plurality of different zones at the face of the spinneret body.

Abstract: A spinneret, apparatus, and method are provided for making filaments for fibrous nonwoven fabrics with more uniform filament and fabric formation while minimizing filament breaks and hard spot defects in webs and fabrics made therefrom. The spinneret has a spinneret body that has an overall length to hydraulic diameter ratio and defines orifices that extend through the spinneret body, wherein the orifices comprise capillaries that open at a face of the spinneret body for polymer filament extrusion therefrom, wherein the capillaries are arranged in a plurality of different rows at the face of the spinneret body, and wherein the plurality of different rows are arranged into a plurality of different zones at the face of the spinneret body.

Abstract: A spinneret, apparatus, and method are provided for making filaments for fibrous nonwoven fabrics with more uniform filament and fabric formation while minimizing filament breaks and hard spot defects in webs and fabrics made therefrom. The spinneret has a spinneret body that has an overall length to hydraulic diameter ratio and defines orifices that extend through the spinneret body, wherein the orifices comprise capillaries that open at a face of the spinneret body for polymer filament extrusion therefrom, wherein the capillaries are arranged in a plurality of different rows at the face of the spinneret body, and wherein the plurality of different rows are arranged into a plurality of different zones at the face of the spinneret body.

Abstract: A spinneret, apparatus, and method are provided for making filaments for fibrous nonwoven fabrics with more uniform filament and fabric formation while minimizing filament breaks and hard spot defects in webs and fabrics made therefrom. The spinneret has a spinneret body that has an overall length to hydraulic diameter ratio and defines orifices that extend through the spinneret body, wherein the orifices comprise capillaries that open at a face of the spinneret body for polymer filament extrusion therefrom, wherein the capillaries are arranged in a plurality of different rows at the face of the spinneret body, and wherein the plurality of different rows are arranged into a plurality of different zones at the face of the spinneret body.

Abstract: A liquid management layer constructed from large diameter uncrimped fibers in the form of a spunbond nonwoven web is described. Embodiments of the liquid management layer can include a plurality of thermoplastic fibers in the form of a spunbond nonwoven web where the plurality of thermoplastic fibers are randomly oriented and uncrimped, where the liquid management layer has a maximum void volume of 25 cc/g and a web density of at least 0.05 g/cc, where the liquid management layer has a maximum thickness of 1.5 mm, a basis weight of at least 30 g/m2 and a rewet value of less than 0.4 g according to test method WSP 70.8, and where the liquid management layer has an average fiber diameter of at least 40 microns based on the number of thermoplastic fibers in the liquid management layer and where less than 10% by count of the plurality of thermoplastic fibers in the liquid management layer have an absolute fiber diameter less than 30 microns.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric useful as a component in a personal hygiene product and a nonwoven personal hygiene component, which is substantially free or free of non-ribbon shaped (e.g., round-shaped) spunbond fibers and includes a meltblown layer between and in direct contact with ribbon-shaped spunbond layers. The meltblown layer has a basis weight of at least about 0.008 gsm and not greater than about 5 gsm, and the nonwoven fabric or component has a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm and not greater than about 40 gsm, a pore size of less than or equal to about 27 microns when measured at 10% of cumulative filter flow. The nonwoven fabric also can have a low surface tension liquid strike through flow of less than 0.9 ml per second, a ratio of low surface tension liquid strike through flow to air permeability of greater than or equal to about 0.016, or both. Personal hygiene articles can incorporate the nonwoven fabric or component.

Abstract: A liquid management layer constructed from large diameter uncrimped fibers in the form of a spunbond nonwoven web is described. Embodiments of the liquid management layer can include a plurality of thermoplastic fibers in the form of a spunbond nonwoven web where the plurality of thermoplastic fibers are randomly oriented and uncrimped, where the liquid management layer has a maximum void volume of 25 cc/g and a web density of at least 0.05 g/cc, where the liquid management layer has a maximum thickness of 1.5 mm, a basis weight of at least 30 g/m2 and a rewet value of less than 0.4 g according to test method WSP 70.8, and where the liquid management layer has an average fiber diameter of at least 40 microns based on the number of thermoplastic fibers in the liquid management layer and where less than 10% by count of the plurality of thermoplastic fibers in the liquid management layer have an absolute fiber diameter less than 30 microns.