Kimberly-clark Corporation

Nanette J Logsdon

Anne M Fahrenkrug

Cathy L Winters

Stephen M Englebert

Ann L Wagner

Gregory S Hafer

The method comprises the steps of providing a liquid-pervious bodyside layer, a liquid-impervious outer layer, a stretchable layer, and an absorbent layer; forming the layers into a configuration designed generally to fit conformably to the body; stretching the stretchable layer; bonding the stretched stretchable layer to the other layer; releasing the bonded layer; and forming a plurality of rugosities in the bodyside layer, outer layer, and absorbent layer upon relaxation of the stretchable layer. Apparatus for practicing the method are also disclosed.

Method for making a stretchable absorbent article

The stretchable undergarment comprises a liquid-previous bodyside layer, liquid-impervious outer layer, an absorbent layer, and a stretchable layer. The stretchable layer is stretch-bonded to the other layers and, upon relaxing the stretchable layer forms a plurality of rugosities in the bodyside layer, outer layer, and absorbent medium. The bonded layers are of a generally trapezoidal shape and have a front end portion that diverges toward a rear end portion, wherein the front end portion is from about 20% to about 90% of the width of the rear end portion, and the rear end portion is about 20% to about 60% of the length of the bonded layers.

Stretchable absorbent undergarment

Nonwoven web and method of making including interbonded thermoplastic fibers in an array of hollow projections extending outwardly from at least one surface of said web. The projections are separated by land areas of interbonded fibers, and the fiber orientation is greater in the projections than in the land areas. Either the projections or the land areas may be perforated as desired for controlled porosity and fluid flow properties. The nonwoven webs of the invention may be made by a number of processes but, preferably, are made by forming directly on a surface with corresponding projections with or without apertures and a vacuum assist or by forming on an apertured surface with a pressure differential sufficient to draw the fibers through the apertures forming the projections. The disclosure includes such webs with added fiber layers and as components of a wide variety of products including personal care items such as liners for sanitary napkins, household products such as cleaning materials and wipers, in the service product area such as towels, washcloths and bathmats, in the marine and automotive area as scrubbing and protective applicators, and in the hospital and veterinary areas as wipes and dispensing cloths. The method and apparatus disclosed may be varied as to steps and configuration to impart desired web constructions and properties, and preferred embodiments are disclosed.

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Appleton, WI, United States of America

Nanette J Logsdon