Abstract: A composite fabric includes a nonwoven fabric layer having non-bonded areas and a structured film layer discontinuously bonded to the nonwoven fabric layer. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric layer and the structured film layer share an overlapping area with at least one set of coincident bond sites. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric does not have another bonding pattern in the overlapping area distinct from the at least one set of coincident bond sites. A method of forming a composite fabric is also described. The method includes forming a fiber layer including a mat of at least partially unconsolidated fibers, positioning a structured film layer and the fiber layer such that they overlap, and discontinuously bonding the mat into a discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric while simultaneously bonding the structured film layer to the nonwoven fabric layer. An apparatus for forming a composite fabric is also described.

Abstract: A sheet of loop material having utility as the landing zone in the manufacture of, e.g. disposable diapers and having excellent properties and an exceptionally low basis weight. Methods and apparatus for forming the sheet of loop material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A web of nonwoven fabric suitable for, e.g., the loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastening system. The method for making this material relies on differential shrinkage of different layers to cause the loops to self-form. The method is robust and simpler than that previously used for similar constructions.

Abstract: A sheet of loop material having utility as the landing zone in the manufacture of, e.g. disposable diapers and having excellent properties and an exceptionally low basis weight. Methods and apparatus for forming the sheet of loop material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite fabric includes a nonwoven fabric layer having non-bonded areas and a structured film layer discontinuously bonded to the nonwoven fabric layer. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric layer and the structured film layer share an overlapping area with at least one set of coincident bond sites. The discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric does not have another bonding pattern in the overlapping area distinct from the at least one set of coincident bond sites. A method of forming a composite fabric is also described. The method includes forming a fiber layer including a mat of at least partially unconsolidated fibers, positioning a structured film layer and the fiber layer such that they overlap, and discontinuously bonding the mat into a discontinuously bonded nonwoven fabric while simultaneously bonding the structured film layer to the nonwoven fabric layer. An apparatus for forming a composite fabric is also described.

Abstract: Problem: The present invention provides a surface fastener loop member, sanitary article, and diaper that have favorable flexibility, engaging strength, and printing properties, and that can be manufactured at low cost. Resolution: A loop member for a surface fastener, containing a loop layer and a base material layer; wherein the loop layer comprises a short fiber nonwoven material; the base material layer comprises a short fiber nonwoven material, and is calendared; the ratio of the average fiber fineness of the fibers in the loop layer and the average fiber fineness of the fibers in the base material layer as expressed by [average fiber fineness of fibers in the loop layer]/[average fiber fineness of fibers in the base material layer] is 1.5 to 30, and the thickness of the base material layer is 15 ?m to 100 ?m.

Abstract: Loop components for hook-and-loop fasteners and methods of making the same. The loop components comprise single-layer nonwoven webs having a first side, a second side opposite the first side and a thickness therebetween. The fibers of the nonwoven webs are partially fused on the first side to create a skin layer. The nonwoven webs have a basis weight ranging from 20 gsm to 50 gsm and a pressure drop index ranging from 40 to 100.

Abstract: A film, and method of producing, wherein the film (4) comprises crystalline polylactide, wherein the film is continuous and has an embossed, structured surface (5,6) comprising structure (s) in the form of a negative imprint of a tool roll structured surface, and function wherein the structure (s) of the embossed, structured surface are retained upon heating the film of up to 130° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a loop fabric laminate bearing a graphic image and methods for printing such images on the back surface of the backing layer of the laminate. The loop fabric laminate is characterized by the presence of recessed and unrecessed areas in the backing layer, and the presence of ink deposited and retained in place in the recessed and unrecessed areas, with void defects of greater than 0.5 mm in largest dimension being present at a frequency of less than one void defect per square centimeter of printed area.

Abstract: Closure systems containing self-adhering adhesives that include: at least two opposing closure elements at (e.g., separate locations on an article such as a disposable diaper) that are capable of overlapping to form an adhesive closure; and a self-adhering adhesive composition on each of the closure elements; wherein the self-adhering adhesive composition includes: 50 wt-% to 90 wt-% of an adhesive elastomeric material comprising a nonpolar elastomer; 10 wt-% to 40 wt-% of a wax; 0 to less than 5 wt-% of a plasticizer; wherein the percentages are based on the total weight of the adhesive elastomeric material plus wax plus optional plasticizer, and wherein at least one of the following statements is true: the self-adhering adhesive composition has a T-peel of at least 100 grams per cm; or the wax has a molecular weight of less than 1500.

Abstract: There is provided an extensible elastic tab designed to be adhered to the edge of an article, formed using a coextruded elastic film comprising at least one elastic layer and at least one second layer on at least a first face of the elastic layer with at least one face of the coextruded elastic film attached to at least a partially extensible nonwoven layer. The partially expandable, or extensible nonwoven layer has at least one first portion with limited extensibility in a first direction and at least one second inextensible portion in the first direction. The extensible elastic tab when stretched to the extension limit of the first portion or portions in the first direction will elastically recover at least 1.0 cm, preferably at least 2 cm providing an elastic tab having a Useful Stretch Ratio (as defined in the Examples) of at least 30 percent.

Abstract: There is provided an extensible elastic tab designed to be adhered to the edge of an article, formed using a coextruded elastic film comprising at least one elastic layer and at least one second layer on at least a first face of the elastic layer with at least one face of the coextruded elastic film attached to at least a partially extensible nonwoven layer. The partially expandable, or extensible nonwoven layer has at least one first portion with limited extensibility in a first direction and at least one second inextensible portion in the first direction. The extensible elastic tab when stretched to the extension limit of the first portion or portions in the first direction will elastically recover at least 1.0 cm, preferably at least 2 cm providing an elastic tab having a Useful Stretch Ratio (as defined in the Examples) of at least 30 percent.

Abstract: A method for imparting soil resistance to unscoured carpets, and a carpet treated in accordance with the method, are provided. In accordance with the method, a substrate comprising unscoured carpet fibers is treated with a salt of a polycarboxylic acid. The treated substrate is found to have enhanced water and oil repellency in both heat cured and room temperature drying conditions.

Abstract: A method for treating carpets is provided which obviates the need for scouring. In accordance with the method, an unscoured carpet is treated topically, and by means of a low wet pickup method, with a solution comprising particles of silica or a similar inorganic additive and a fluorochemical or other optional organic additive. Carpets treated in accordance with this method are found to have excellent soil resistance properties which do not decrease noticeably with subsequent wear or cleaning. Furthermore, since the method involves a low wet pickup, the required drying times are significantly reduced as compared to conventional aqueous bath immersion methods.

Abstract: A method for imparting soil resistance to unscoured carpets, and a carpet treated in accordance with the method, are provided. In accordance with the method, a substrate comprising unscoured carpet fibers is treated with the ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, such as an ammonium salt of a hydrolyzed styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer. The treated substrate is found to have enhanced water and oil repellency in both heat cured and room temperature drying conditions.

Abstract: A method for imparting soil resistance to unscoured carpets, and a carpet treated in accordance with the method, are provided. In accordance with the method, a substrate comprising unscoured carpet fibers is treated with the ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, such as an ammonium salt of a hydrolyzed styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer. The treated substrate is found to have enhanced water and oil repellency in both heat cured and room temperature drying conditions.

Abstract: A method for imparting soil resistance to unscoured carpets, and a carpet treated in accordance with the method, are provided. In accordance with the method, a substrate comprising unscoured carpet fibers is treated with the ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, such as an ammonium salt of a hydrolyzed styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer. The treated substrate is found to have enhanced water and oil repellency in both heat cured and room temperature drying conditions.

Abstract: A method for imparting to fibrous polyamide materials stain resistance to acid colorants is provided. The method comprises (a) applying by immersion or padding of said material or applying to the fiber during spinning thereof 0.01 to 0.3 weight percent based on the weight of said polyamide material of a stain resist agent and (b) applying sufficient stain resist agent by foam application to provide a stain resistance rating of at least about 5.