Abstract: Stretchable film laminates including a layer of elastomeric openwork, such as a plurality of elastic strands or an elastomeric mesh structure. The stretchable film laminates may include a film layer bonded to the layer of elastomeric openwork, with the film layer having cross-directional stretch and the laminate having a multi-phase stretchability profile. The stretchable film laminates may be made by extruding a film from a die, stretching the film, forming and stretching a layer of elastomeric openwork, conveying the stretched elastomeric openwork onto the film while the film is stretched, and passing the film and the elastomeric openwork through a nip. The invention also includes a machine capable of producing machine-direction, cross-direction, and biaxial stretch materials. The machine includes at least one extruder, at least one filament die and at least one film die both attached to the extruder(s), and at least one nip downstream of the extruder(s).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid absorbent material that is particularly useful as a liner material for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, bandages and the like. The material contains a plurality of peaks across its surface at spaced-apart intervals separated by channels. Disposed within the peaks is a liquid absorbing material capable of absorbing body exudates and liquids in general. Due to the materials and the nature of the construction of the present invention, when used as a liner material for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, it tends to reduce the total surface area in contact with the infant's skin and it also provides a plurality of air channels within the diaper from the front waistband to the back waistband of the diaper thereby providing a path for increased air circulation.

Abstract: There is provided a laminate having at least one layer of meltblown elastic fibers bonded on either side with a layer of soft non-elastic fibers of greater than 7 microns in average diameter. The laminate has a drape stiffness less than half of a similar fabric having a layer of meltblown non-elastic fibers in place of the layer of meltblown elastic fibers.

Abstract: There is provided a fully elastic, breathable, barrier fabric comprising a nonwoven web layer of fibers of less than 40 microns in average diameter, where the web has a hydrohead of at least 10 mbar, a Frazier Permeability of at least 100 CFM, a basis weight of less than 68 gsm and which is made from an elastic polymer. If the fabric is a laminate it may be an SMS, SBL or NBL laminate. This fabric is particularly well suited to use as a containment flap for personal care products such as diapers, incontinence products and feminine hygiene products and in infection control products.

Abstract: A 3-dimension thermoformed bicomponent fiber nonwoven material comprising a lofty bicomponent material layer forming a plurality of peaks separated from one another by channels and having a basis weight in the range of about 0.5 to 7.0 ounces per square yard. The bicomponent material layer comprises a structural component and a heat activatable adhesive component suitable for thermoforming. Also disclosed are various configurations of this material suitable for use in absorbent personal care articles such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, incontinent-care pads and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein a personal care absorbent product which when first insulted, has a high initial surface moisture value which is maintained for several minutes but then, after a short period of time, drops to a lower value. As a result, the product has an initial "wet" feel but quickly changes to a drier feel so as to provide more comfort.

Abstract: There is provided a fully elastic, breathable, barrier fabric comprising a nonwoven web layer of fibers, where the web has a hydrohead of at least 4 mbar, a basis weight of less than 68 gsm and which is made from an elastic polyolefin. If the fabric is a laminate it may be an SMS, SBL or NBL laminate. This fabric is particularly well suited to use as a containment flap for personal care products such as diapers, incontinence products and feminine hygiene products and in infection control products. The fabric may also be used as a liner in personal care products.