Abstract: A stretchable outer cover for use with an absorbent article including an elastomeric film. The elastomeric film includes at least one skin layer that is less tacky than at least one core layer. The outer cover can include a nonwoven layer different structural combinations of spunbond fibers, meltblown fibers, and/or nanofibers. The combination of plastic and elastic components results in an outer cover that has favorable mechanical, physical, and aesthetic properties. The outer cover can be rendered either uniaxially or biaxially stretchable via a mechanical activation process.

Abstract: An expanded polymeric web includes between about 0.1 and about 70 weight percent of a compound comprising nanoparticles. The expanded polymeric web includes between about 30 and about 99.9 weight percent of a generally melt processable polymer. The web also includes between about 0.0 and about 50 weight percent of a compatibilizer. The expanded polymeric web has a 2% machine direction web modulus that is greater than the 2% machine direction web modulus of the expanded polymeric web of the melt processable polymer alone.

Abstract: A nonwoven material suitable for use as a wet wipe substrate is disclosed. The nonwoven material comprises thermoplastic fibers and is provided with a pattern of embossments that join at least a portion of the thermoplastic fibers. When the material is treated with a cleaning lotion to provide a wet wipe, the wet wipe has a wet CD modulus that is greater than about 25 N/m and less than about 80 N/m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of loops. At least one of said loops having a loop circumference length to loop base length ratio that is greater than about 4:1. The loops may also have a base length less than 0.5 cm and a base length less than the maximum width of the loops. The present invention also relates to articles selected from the group consisting of disposable hygiene article and wipes comprising a nonwoven web wherein at least one region of the nonwoven web comprises loops in at least about 10% of the surface area of the nonwoven web. A method for producing a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of loops is also included. The method comprises the steps of providing a nonwoven web; providing means for moving fibers of the nonwoven web into the shape of a loop; and moving fibers of the nonwoven web into the shape of a loop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous fabric comprising at least one layer comprising a mixture of shaped fibers having two or more different cross sections. The variety of cross sections include solid round fibers, hollow round fibers, multi-lobal solid fibers, hollow multi-lobal fibers, crescent shaped fibers, square shaped fibers, crescent shaped fibers, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed comprising a nonwoven laminate comprising a first nonwoven layer comprising first continuous filaments; a second nonwoven layer having a basis weight of less than 5 gsm, said layer comprising second continuous filaments; and a third nonwoven layer comprising fine fibers; wherein first and second continuous filaments have cross-sectional shapes that are distinct from one another. A fourth nonwoven layer may exist comprising second continuous filaments having a basis weight of less than 5 gsm. Alternatively, the first continuous filaments may comprise at least two distinct cross-sectional shapes; wherein at least 5%, by weight, of first continuous filaments in the first nonwoven layer are different in cross-sectional shape than the cross-sectional shape of the second continuous filaments in the second nonwoven layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous fabric comprising at least one layer comprising a mixture of shaped fibers having two or more different cross sections. The variety of cross sections include solid round fibers, hollow round fibers, multi-lobal solid fibers, hollow multi-lobal fibers, crescent shaped fibers, square shaped fibers, crescent shaped fibers, and any combination thereof. The two or more different shaped fibers will also have two different fiber diameters.