Nonwoven webs having improved necking uniformity
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsMichael T. Morman, Charles J. Morell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A neckable nonwoven web is provided with a central region and two edge regions, the central region being selectively easier to neck than the two edge regions. The nonwoven fibers in the central region have a polymer composition and/or physical properties which differ from the nonwoven fibers in the two edge regions. The selectively easier necking in the central region causes the central region to neck to about the same extent as the two edge regions, which otherwise would experience greater necking than the central region if the starting nonwoven web were completely uniform. Necked nonwoven webs and neck-bonded laminates made using the improved neckable nonwoven web, are also provided.
Claims50
A necked nonwoven web, comprising:
- a central region and two edge regions;
- the central region including a plurality of first fibers;
- the two edge regions including a plurality of second fibers different from the first fibers;
- the fibers in the central and edge regions being selected so as to provide selectively easier necking in the central region.
A necked nonwoven web having a length which is at least about 1.2 times an initial pre-necked length, comprising:
- a central region and two edge regions;
- the central region including a plurality of first fibers and having a first average basis weight;
- the two edge regions including a plurality of second fibers different from the first fibers and having a second average basis weight;
- the first basis weight being within about ±7% of the second basis weight.
A necked nonwoven web having a necked width of at least about nine inches, a length which is at least about 1.2 times an initial, pre-necked length, and a cross-directional nonuniformity index of not more than 20%.
A laminate, comprising:
- a necked nonwoven web including a central region and two edge regions;
- the central region of the web including a plurality of first fibers;
- the two edge regions of the web including a plurality of second fibers different from the first fibers;
- and
- an elastomeric or extendible film bonded to the necked nonwoven web;
- wherein the neck-bonded laminate includes a central region having a first basis weight, and two edge regions having a second basis weight within ±7% of the first basis weight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.