# US 2014/0154459 A1 · Fluid-Entangled Laminate Webs Having Hollow Projections and a Process and Apparatus for Making the Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154459 A1 - Document ID: US20140154459A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/907,663 - Filed: 2013-05-31 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-31 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Applicants: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Candace Dyan Krautkramer; Leila Joy Roberson; David Glen Biggs; Thomas Allan Eby; Scott S.C. Kirby; Andy R. Butler; Niall Finn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154459A1 ## CPC - A61F 13/622: {Fabric strip fastener elements, e.g. hook and loop} - A61F 13/84: Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads - B32B 3/06: for securing layers together; for attaching the product to another member, e.g. to a support {, or to another product, e.g. groove/tongue, interlocking} - Y10T 428/24008: including fastener for attaching to external surface - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention is directed to a fluid-entangled laminate web and the process and apparatus for its formation as well as end uses for the fluid-entangled laminate web. The laminate web includes a support layer and a nonwoven projection web having a plurality of projections which are preferably hollow. As a result of the fluid-entangling process, entangling fluid is directed through the support layer and into the projection web which is situated on a forming surface. The force of the entangling fluid causes the two layers to be joined to one another and the fluid causes a portion of the fibers in the projection web to be forced into openings present in the forming surface thereby forming the hollow projections. The resultant laminate has a number of uses including, but not limited to, both wet and dry wiping materials, as well as incorporation into various portions of personal care absorbent articles and use in packaging especially food packaging where fluid control is an issue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An absorbent article comprising: a. a bodyside liner; b. a backsheet comprising a garment facing surface; c. an absorbent core positioned between the bodyside liner and the backsheet; d. a female component of a mechanical fastening system positioned on the garment facing surface of the backsheet, the female component comprising a fluid-entangled laminate web, the fluid-entangled laminate web comprising: i. a support layer comprising opposed first and second surfaces; ii. a projection layer comprising a plurality of fibers and opposed inner and outer surfaces, the second surface of the support layer in contact with the inner surface of the projection layer; and iii. a plurality of hollow projections formed from a first plurality of the plurality of fibers in the projection layer, the plurality of hollow projections extending from the outer surface of the projection layer in a direction away from the support layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein a second plurality of fibers of the plurality of fibers in the projection layer are entangled with the support layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the projections have a height greater than about 1 mm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid entangled laminate web further comprises a land area which has greater than about 4% open area in a chosen area of the fluid entangled laminate web. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a peak load in the machine direction of greater than about 3000 gf per inch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a fiber segment orientation rotational percent relative standard deviation of less than about 20%. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a field anisotropy rotational percent relative standard deviation of less than about 20%. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a peel strength greater than about 150 gf. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a percentage of void space greater than about 60%. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web has a basis weight of less than about 58 gsm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web has a peak stretch in the machine direction greater than about 20%. ### Claim 12 An absorbent article comprising: a. a bodyside liner; b. a backsheet comprising a garment facing surface; c. an absorbent core positioned between the bodyside liner and the backsheet; d. a female component of a mechanical fastening system positioned on the garment facing surface of the backsheet, the female component comprising a fluid-entangled laminate web, the fluid-entangled laminate web comprising: i. a support layer comprising opposed first and second surfaces; ii. a projection layer comprising a plurality of fibers and opposed inner and outer surfaces, the second surface of the support layer in contact with the inner surface of the projection layer; iii. a plurality of hollow projections formed from a first plurality of the plurality of fibers in the projection layer, the plurality of hollow projections extending from the outer surface of the projection layer in a direction away from the support layer; and e. at least one ear comprising a male component of a mechanical fastening system, the at least one ear configured to releasably engage with the female component; and f. a peel strength between the female component and the male component greater than about 150 gf. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein a second plurality of fibers of the plurality of fibers in the projection layer are entangled with the support layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the projections have a height greater than about 1 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a land area which has greater than about 4% open area in a chosen area of the fluid entangled laminate web. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a peak load in the machine direction of greater than about 3000 gf per inch. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a fiber segment orientation rotational percent relative standard deviation of less than about 20%. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a field anisotropy rotational percent relative standard deviation of less than about 20%. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a percentage of void space greater than about 60%. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web has a basis weight of less than about 58 gsm. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the peel strength between the fluid-entangled laminate web and the at least one ear is from about 150 gf to about 500 gf. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web has a peak stretch in the machine direction greater than about 20%. ### Claim 23 An absorbent article comprising: a. a bodyside liner; b. a backsheet comprising a garment facing surface; c. an absorbent core positioned between the bodyside liner and the backsheet; d. a female component of a mechanical fastening system positioned on the garment facing surface of the backsheet, the female component comprising a fluid-entangled laminate web, the fluid-entangled laminate web comprising: i. a support layer comprising opposed first and second surfaces; ii. a projection layer comprising a plurality of fibers and opposed inner and outer surfaces, the second surface of the support layer in contact with the inner surface of the projection layer; iii. a plurality of hollow projections formed from a first plurality of the plurality of fibers in the projection layer, the plurality of hollow projections extending from the outer surface of the projection layer in a direction away from the support layer; and iv. a fiber segment orientation rotational percent relative standard deviation of less than about 20%. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein a second plurality of fibers of the plurality of fibers in the projection layer are entangled with the support layer. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the projections have a height greater than about 1 mm. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a land area which has greater than about 4% open area in a chosen area of the fluid entangled laminate web. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a peak load in the machine direction of greater than about 3000 gf per inch. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a peal strength greater than about 150 gf. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a field anisotropy rotational percent relative standard deviation of less than about 20%. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web further comprises a percentage of void space greater than about 60%. ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web has a basis weight of less than about 58 gsm. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The absorbent article of claim 23 wherein the fluid-entangled laminate web has a peak stretch in the machine direction greater than about 20%.