Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

John David Tucker

Steven R Stopper

The present invention relates to a floor underlayment that may be positioned directly in contact with the underside surface of a finished floor and comprise more than one layer such as a first layer pattern-unbonded nonwoven web and a second layer microporous film. Additional layers may comprise a meltblown nonwoven layer and a spunbond layer. The floor underlayment of the present invention may exhibit a sound pressure level (SPL in dB at 800 Hz or 1600 Hz) reduction IIC of about 30 to about 40.

Fibrous laminate floor underlayment with improved acoustical insulation and breathable barrier protection

A breathable multilayer film having a breathable core layer and at least one skin layer is disclosed. The core layer prepared by from a mixture containing a thermoplastic polymer and a particulate filler and the skin layer or layers are prepared from a mixture of at least two incompatible polymers and a polymer which compatiblizes the incompatible polymers. The addition of the compatiblizer in the skin layer improves the film forming consistency. In addition, the core layer contains voids around the particulate filler and the skin layer or layer has cracks or voids, which provides breathability to the multilayer film. Stretching of the film after the layers are coextruded together forms the voids and/or cracks. The multilayer film of the present invention can be laminated with woven and nonwoven materials and the multilayer film of the present invention, whether or not the films are laminated with other materials, are useful in a wide variety of personal care products, medical garments and other product in which breathability is desired.

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Woodstock, GA, United States of America

John David Tucker