Female component for refastenable fastening device

Abstract

The present invention provides a refastenable fastening device including female fastening component preferably comprising a base web and an engaging layer. The base web comprises a structural elastic-like film (SELF) web and is joined to the engaging layer which comprises a plurality of filaments or a nonwoven web. The SELF web exhibits an elastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of added elastic materials. The SELF web includes a strainable network having at least two distinct regions comprised of the same material composition. The first region is oriented substantially parallel to an axis of elongation such that it will undergo a molecular-level deformation in response to an applied axial elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the elongation axis before a substantial portion of the second region undergoes any substantial molecular-level deformation. The second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation in response to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis. The second regions include a plurality of raised rib-like elements which act in conjunction with the filaments or nonwoven web to provide a more effective female component with an increased ability to entangle the hooks of a complementary male component.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.