Abstract: An extensible apertured nonwoven web, and a method for making such an apertured nonwoven web. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing an apertured nonwoven web, incrementally stretching it in a direction substantially parallel to the cross machine direction, and applying tension in the machine direction such that the web width after applying tension is less than the web width after incremental stretching.

Abstract: A laminate web comprising a first web, a second web joined to the first web at a plurality of discrete bond sites; and a third material disposed between at least a portion of the first and second nonwovens. The third material is apertured in regions adjacent the bond sites, such that the first and second nonwoven webs are joined through the apertures. In one embodiment an apertured laminate web is disclosed, having a first extensible web having a first elongation to break, and a second extensible web joined to the first extensible web at a plurality of bond sites, the second extensible web having elongation to break. A third web material is disposed between the first and second nonwovens, the third web material having a third elongation to break which is less than both of the first or second elongations to break.

Abstract: A laminate web is disclose, the laminate web comprising a first web, a second web joined to the first web at a plurality of discrete bond sites; and a third material disposed between at least a portion of the first and second nonwovens. The third material is apertured in regions adjacent the bond sites, such that the first and second nonwoven webs are joined through the apertures. In one embodiment an apertured laminate web is disclosed, having a first extensible web having a first elongation to break, and a second extensible web joined to the first extensible web at a plurality of bond sites, the second extensible web having a second elongation to break A third web material is disposed between the first and second nonwovens, the third web material having a third elongation to break which is less than both of the first or second elongations to break.

Abstract: A laminate web comprising a first web, a second web joined to the first web at a plurality of discrete bond sites; and a third material disposed between at least a portion of the first and second nonwovens. The third material is apertured in regions adjacent the bond sites, such that the first and second nonwoven webs are joined through the apertures. In one embodiment an apertured laminate web is disclosed, having a first extensible web having a first elongation to break, and a second extensible web joined to the first extensible web at a plurality of bond sites, the second extensible web having elongation to break. A third web material is disposed between the first and second nonwovens, the third web material having a third elongation to break which is less than both of the first or second elongations to break.

Abstract: An extensible apertured nonwoven web, and a method for making such an apertured nonwoven web. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing an apertured nonwoven web, incrementally stretching it in a direction substantially parallel to the cross machine direction, and applying tension in the machine direction such that the web width after applying tension is less than the web width after incremental stretching.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a breathable fluid impervious backsheet. The disposable absorbent article preferably includes a fluid pervious topsheet, a breathable, fluid impervious backsheet secured to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The breathable, fluid impervious backsheet exhibits substantially zero dynamic fluid transmission when subjected to an impact energy of about 1000 joules/m2, and exhibits a mass vapor transmission rate of at least about 2000 g/m2/24 hr.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable material having enhanced extensibility and a method for making the same. A tensioning force is applied to the neckable material to neck the material in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The necked material is then subjected to mechanical stabilization to provide a stabilized extensible necked material. The stabilized extensible necked material is then passed between the peripheral surface of a cylinder which is driven in rotating motion and a device for pressing the stabilized extensible necked material against the peripheral surface of the cylinder. A retarding member retards the passage of the stabilized extensible necked material and directs the material away from the peripheral surface of the cylinder. The stabilized extensible necked material is easily extended in a direction parallel to the first direction and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable nonwoven web having enhanced extensibility and a method for making the same. A neckable nonwoven web is fed in a first direction. The neckable nonwoven web is subjected to incremental stretching in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A tensioning force is applied to the neckable nonwoven web to neck the nonwoven web. The necked nonwoven web is then subjected to mechanical stabilization to provide a stabilized extensible necked nonwoven web. The stabilized extensible necked nonwoven web is easily extended in a direction parallel to the direction necking.

Abstract: A web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually distinct regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.

Abstract: A web material exhibiting both an elastic-like and an expansive behavior in response to an applied elongation. The web material includes an elastic-like zone and an expansive zone disposed adjacent to the elastic-like zone. The expansive zone allows the elastic-like zone to extend without generating excessive tensional forces. The elastic-like zone includes a strainable network having a first region and a second region. The second region has a surface-pathlength greater than the surface-pathlength of the first region. The expansive zone has a surface-pathlength greater than the first region and different than that of the second region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a macroscopically three-dimensional formed substrate including a first boundary zone having a first surface pathlength and a second boundary zone having a second surface pathlength. The first and the second surface pathlengths are preferably measured when the formed substrate is in a relaxed condition. The substrate also includes an elongated zone located at least partially between the first boundary zone and the second boundary zone. The elongated zone comprises incrementally stretched regions which result in the elongated zone being elongated in a first direction of elongation and having a third surface pathlength measured when the formed substrate is in the relaxed condition. The third surface pathlength is greater than either the first pathlength or the second pathlength such that the substrate takes on a macroscopic three-dimensional configuration when the backsheet is in a relaxed condition.

Abstract: A web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually district regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively aperturing a nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable nonwoven web having enhanced extensibility and a method for making the same. A neckable nonwoven web is fed in a first direction. The neckable nonwoven web is subjected to incremental stretching in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A tensioning force is applied to the neckable nonwoven web to neck the nonwoven web. The necked nonwoven web is then subjected to mechanical stabilization to provide a stabilized extensible necked nonwoven web. The stabilized extensible necked nonwoven web is easily extended in a direction parallel to the direction necking.

Abstract: A package including a web material that exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually distinct regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a breathable fluid impervious backsheet. The disposable absorbent article preferably includes a fluid pervious topsheet, a breathable, fluid impervious backsheet secured to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The breathable, fluid impervious backsheet exhibits substantially zero dynamic fluid transmission when subjected to an impact energy of about 1000 joules/m.sup.2, and exhibits a mass vapor transmission rate of at least about 2000 g/m.sup.2 /24 hr.

Abstract: A web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually distinct regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.

Abstract: A web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually distinct regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to a method for selectively aperturing a nonwoven web exhibiting a plurality of surface energy gradients.

Abstract: A method for forming a breathable film material. A film which is a blend of a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler is fed between a first roll and a second roll. The first roll has a plurality of toothed regions spaced apart by a plurality of grooved regions. The toothed regions include a plurality of teeth. The second roll has a plurality of teeth which mesh with the teeth on the first roll. As the film is fed between the first roll and the second roll the portion of the film passing between the grooved regions on the first roll and the teeth on the second roll remains substantially planar forming first regions in the film while the portion of the film passing between the teeth on the first roll and the teeth on the second roll are formed into second regions having raised rib-like elements.